My Week

The cornfields are being harvested.  There is husk duskings on my car  and I'm a few miles from the  nearest field.

Tuesday was Sophie's turn to go to the nursing home.  I was corrected that the place that I visit is considered "assisted living memory care".  Something about "nursing home" means higher care more employees.

Wednesday evening I watched a zoom meeting called "A No-holds Barred Interview With President/General Ulysses S Grant".  The questions were pre-selected so the chat feature was useless. 

In my training with Amber, I  have trick dog goals as   follows:

*ride skateboard with 3 feet on

*jump rope

*back up on stairs.

*read cards

Thursday I had my annual doctor visit followed by a shingles shot.  Technically I don't need a prescription but my pharmacy felt more comfortable having a script and an appointment.  In the evening I went as an  agility assistant in the basic class we have.  My station was to target paws on the bucket.

I was asked to do a little video for #stillserving that was independent of the copyrighted story on News Channel 20.

 

New neighbors moved in on Friday.  I just said a brief hello as I walked the dogs.  In the afternoon,  I took Amber to Villas of Southpark to perform tricks.  It was a real nice trick dog visit at.  3 in the audience.  Amber did real well.  She. Tries to wander off but I instead have her go around a chair of the spectator to satisfy that wander. I did introduce her drum for the first time.

Friday afternoon  I took Amber to  the assisted living facility to perform tricks.  Before going in, I walked her around the building.  She caught a big grasshopper.  I had to pry it out of her mouth before entering.  She performed well and there were 3 in our audience.  Not as many as the other place but more voluntary.  I introduced her new trick, the drum.  Well she really doesn't play it but puts the drumsticks on the head.  

Friday evening I went to our club for practice.  I'm starting to practice now for the next level of "Novice" which involves "stand for exam" and the "one minute sit in a group".  Amber did a perfect recall.  Since Debbie and Pixie won last week's costume contest at Pawsapalooza, she got a $50 gift certificate at Scoup du Jour.  No way cold she consume that much so she invited us afterwards.

 

 

 I was so excited to see my new custom reproduction hoop arrive from Needle &  Thread in Gettysburg.

Saturday I thought it would be a nice idea to drive to Clinton, IL for the "Apple and Pork" festival since it was such a beautiful day. Well after an hour drive, I found it so crowded and the traffic so bad that once I made it though to the clear, I headed home for the Chatham Jaycees Octoberfest.   I especially liked the red cabbage with apples.  These were the contestants for the costume contest.  I won first place.  I did see a few other young ladies walking around that  could have added to the stage.  I figure that when they saw me walking around the crowd that they didn't have a chance.  Heck they could have taken second or third because they would have split the category into male and female.  Besides, Brian and Brad were Jaycees working the event.

 The following were from the Octoberfest's photographer on Facebook

Oh, and I must add that if this young lady with skin came on stage, she would have won.  Sexy always has an edge. 

I stayed to watch the sausage toss and the beer barrel throwing contests.  There was also a wiener dog race.  

Sunday I watched a movie called "The Twelfth Man" on Netflix.  It's the story of Jan Baalsruds of the Norwegian Army during  WW2 and the Nazi's were wanting him badly.  The other 11 were executed.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2020/03/30/12th-man-stayed-alive-true-history-behindnetflixs-subzero-survival/ 

Full  harvest moon

Photo credit to RT Mewes.

My week

This is the time of year for moths  and butterflies. 

Monday morning I got a text that my credit card was compromised.  I use it for gas and I also happened to be low so I  had to pay with good old  fashioned cash. As a result, my phone was cut off because there was no credit card. I still have internet.  My Comcast bill is due on 22d so I can still reach out without a credit card til then.  So far, I'm not missing my phone.

Monday was pretty busy: gym, interview, visit, Tomb of the unknown and VFW meeting.

After exercise,  I got ready for a news interview about being a veteran sharing my dogs.

At  1:30, I took Amber to the nursing home for superheros day.  She was dressed in her super girl outfit. Of course she didn't  like it but she did sit up and beg in the outfit.  She  looks  like she  needs "super treats" for putting her through that.

 

Then I changed from my semi-super outfit to go to the DAR sponsored event in Lincoln, IL.

Francie and me at the traveling replica of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Lincoln, IL

Tuesday after exercise I went to our Women's Overseas Service League lunch but didn't have lunch.  I could only stay half hour because I had an appointment for my chipped tooth.  Numb from the dentist and fixed that cracked tooth.  $77 co pay.  Trying to get pre-authorization for a crown.

Wednesday I had agility practice in Mechanicsburg.  The weather was  just perfect. 

Thursday I had a nice chit chat with my friend Mary about World Affairs  and faith.  In the evening I just started assisting in a six week, outdoor agility 101 class.  It's getting darker out  but there's a light over our practice area.

DAR celebrated Constitution Day by ringing bells followed by music in the carillon.

I found a printable award in my email spam folder for NADAC NOVICE JUMPERS.

Here's the link to a news media story that was recorded on Monday but aired Thursday evening. I think the title is a little off because it implies I just visit veterans.  I visit nursing homes and assisted living facilities but there are some veterans among those I visit.  I just have to respect privacy since we fall under HIPPA  also.

https://newschannel20.com/newsletter-daily/local-veteran-shares-therapy-dogs-with-servicemembers-with-mental-health-issues?fbclid=IwAR3UXKSMNXJkGjgK0g-Xf5n0Kf-KQ4DNMfr9cPIxhvvXe4MIXwJQIuhXCz0

 Friday evening I  was blessed with very special guests, my sister, Ginny, and her husband, Bill.  They stayed 2 nights. I took them to see the covered Bridge and the old nostalgic route 66.

Sugar Creek Covered Bridge

Sisters

 

Miscommunication led us to miss dinner and we met in the parking lot coming and going.  My sons had already eaten and I thought that Mexican was at a different place.  Duh!

After they left I headed toward Peoria for obedience trials.  I was enrolled in  "beginner novice A" and had 2 previous legs in this category.  I had to give a supplemental command on the recall and judge said good use of that option. I said "here". I skipped the fast sign, otherwise I would have taken 1st place. I think I skipped it because I wanted to walk tall and look confident.

Peoria Obedience Training Club

It was suggested that I wear something that matches the dog should it cover up a flaw in my footwork.  Wheaten red is a difficult color to match I found out.  It was also suggested that since this is not athletic like agility and it happens to be AKC sponsored that I not dress like I went to the car wash.
 

Beginner Novice-A second place (out of 2 exhibitors so you know that it's a simple thing)

OMG I'm sucked in now. Keep saying just one more leg and then here we go again. Never ending circle.

 

 

 

 I stopped by to see Alan on the way home to see how his remodeling job was coming along.  It's going very slowly like over a year now.  I think the delay by getting a replacement car also got in the way.  I got home in time to see Sean still doing laundry at my house and we walked the dogs around the block.  I look forward to our walks.  Then I went to Mass at 5PM at the cathedral.

My Week

I had trouble with my Belkin hub that connects a USB to my Apple Macbook. The connectors on Apple are different.  I picked one up at Best Buy on Sunday evening after returning from the agility trials in Bloomington because they were open til 7.  It has to be specific for this Mac outlet too. I was charging my phone through it and transferring photos. 

 Monday was my 105th birthday.  The weather was great.  I was blessed with 2, late in the season, purple asparagus spears.  In the afternoon I had some private obedience practice with Rose Hutches.  She gave me some homemade dog treats for my birthday.  It consisted of chicken liver and Jiffy cornmeal.  Even fussy Sophie liked them.  In the evening my sons came with lots of gifts and we went to dinner.  Since it was Labor Day, finding a restaurant open was a challenge especially with all the help wanted signs.  We had dinner at  Outback and early so we  beat the crowd.

My birthday dinner at Outback

Gifts from my sons

Gifts from my sister Ginny.  She remembered my favorite fruit slices

Gifts from my sister Patty.   Love  the birthday soap and bracelet

A load of firewood is a unique but useful gift for the winter

My dinner companions

Because my  birthday was on a holiday, Tuesday felt more like a Monday.  I usually go to the nursing  home on Tuesday with the dog and forgot thinking it was the wrong day.

I'm concerned about Amber snarling at puppies. My son has a puppy and a new neighbor has a puppy yellow lab. He was about to walk on the opposite side of the street when I begged him to pass with his puppy. I held Amber tight and she snarled despite my grasp. She does this with the new puppy my son has. I don't like this because of her AKC Canine Good Citizen title.  One of my dog trainers suggested that instead of holding Amber, say "watch me" and reward that.

Amber's awards so far for just 2021:

 Here's a video of Amber and myself running NADAC jumpers in Mechanicsburg.  It's a qualifying run.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAbsS91fokM&t=55s 

Sean's new puppy had a DNA test.  Half of Cosmo is pit bull but a lot of other breeds are in there also.

DNA results

 

Sean with Cosmo

 

Thursday morning I went to a funeral for a dear friend at Camp Butler.  That evening I chipped a tooth.  I will be seeing the dentist on Tuesday.

 

Friday I went  to Jacksonville  for the Freedom's Never Free, the traveling WWII Memorial. It's a small  replica that goes to different locations.

 

I received a jump drive with photos from last weekend's teacup agility.  I think I like this one because weaves are challenging and we had some distance. 

 

I planted some flowers called "Cocks tail" that were thinned from a flower bed intended for another in my exercise class that didn't show up to accept them.

Saturday morning I went to the Fall Festival in Williamsville and danced Civil War style with the Springfield International Folk Dancers.

   I had fixed my dress with "skirt lifters" to pull the hem up while dancing temporarily.  Two of the ladies noticed the tucks and tried to pull my  skirt down but I said "no it's by design".  You see there's a small button in a button hole on twill tape pulling the skirt up a bit from the waistband.

It was a beautiful house on the historic register and privately owned and in constant state of restoration.  I'm almost glad that it's privately owned because that means the house is manned and monitored.   Although the house was private, the owner let the dancers use the facilities instead of the public porta-potties in the square.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price-Prather_House

 After the dancing I went to the club for some more private practice with Amber.  I got hungry and started to thaw some food and then around 4:30, my  computer's calendar reminded me that there was an AMVETS picnic. Whoo hoo...free food.

Sunday morning I went to 10:30 Mass with  the Catholic War Veterans

Father Joe gave the veterans a special blessing at the end of Mass.

Dennis, Dan, Pat, Fr Joe, myself, Dale, Peggy and Dan

It also happened to be doughnut  Sunday.  Sean was over and I fixed oriental food.  I also made some creamed tomato soup using tomatoes from my garden.   I did some power washing in my front patio to rid the green stuff off and then I plainly washed Amber in the bathtub. 

My Week

This week began a roll back in Illinois to a mask mandate indoors.  I don't like masks. Seems like some do apparently.  I did not attend Monday's exercise class as a result of this.  I did not want to exercise with a mask on.  I contacted a woman in my class who went and was told they didn't enforce it so I went to class on Tuesday and Wednesday and Friday. 

Tuesday I took Sophie to the nursing home.  The activity director wanted to make sure that I saw the rainbow over the nursing home after Sunday evening's storm. It's like a hallow over those in need of care.

 In the evening I got all dressed up for our final flag lowering ceremony.  The rain came and I thought it would be canceled and left.  Apparently those that did show up had a brief ceremony in the rain. It rained so hard on the way home that visibility was poor.

As a result, the high heat that we've had the last 4 weeks went away and back to a reasonable temperature.  I hate to see the utility bill from all the air conditioning but I know it's coming.

Some photos of our visit on Tuesday here.  Sophie was a little bit more on the playful side with her squeaky toy.  They got a kick out of watching her play. 

I did notice the staff had a sympathy card started on the counter for a 99 year old.  I asked if Sophie could sign it and granted permission.  I drew a mini paw print and added "Sophie the Therapy Dog". Family will understand.

Wednesday I celebrated Amber's 4th birthday by taking the girls to the new dog park. 

You can see Sophie under the A frame.

I can't leave out my guinea pig, Blanch.

My photo is on the VFW #StillServing website along with many other dog owners out there.  #StillServing

Thursday I got my level 2 standard agility title in the mail.  Well I never believe it until I see it. Amber and I are on to standard level 3 now.

Saturday and Sunday I took Amber to Bloomington for Tea Cup agility at the Town & Country Kennel Club about an hour's drive.

On Saturday we completed our titles in Teacup Intermediate Standard and Teacup Intermediate  Games. Now we enter the Teacup Superior level and will need 5 legs to complete Superior title instead of 3.  That also means more people in the level all after a qualifying score and less likely to get a top 3 place ribbon. 

Standard 1
Intermediate Map.  We scored 1st place with 48.94 seconds.  We should have moved up to superior because we finished our 3rd leg and titled. I was told we didn't Q but later told we had because of technical difficulties.  By the time this was cleared up, the next level had already been run.  I was holding back some disappointment but ran an extra practice on standard intermediate.  On the way home, I realized that God didn't want me to run that superior course.  I was not ready and it was more difficult for a transition to that level.  

Standard Intermediate 2 we scored 47.46 for first place.  I should feel guilty because I took a 1st place just practicing having already titled instead of letting the next person have 1st.

standard 1 1st place

standard 3 Amber got 2d Place on our 1st leg in Standard.  There will be more competition in this group as we need more runs (5) to qualify.

Call, Direct Send Game Amber got 1st place

Call, Direct, Send game is a lot like the game called "chances" in other venues.  I had my foot over the line on at number 2 and didn't realize it until I turned to number 3 but the rest of the course was flawless.  I was really concerned about the exit from 11 to 12 to 13. And then it was like Obe to Luke (only Lisa to Rose) use the force. Angle your feet and hips. That move was a success on that tricky obstacle.  We passed.

Full House Game 1st Place

If a dog popped and the owner was caught not picking it up, they were eliminated but if you did, you got to enter the poop raffle.  I entered but didn't win the chocolate in the wine glass. 

 

Saturday's ribbons hanging.  Purple are the titles

I learned that I can’t wear my agility leash around waist in tea cup trials because of the dangling ends being like a lure. I had to go a 4th leg in intermediate standard because of a software update problem and by the time it was fixed, the next level had already been done in reverse order and bump up was reversed levels.(beginner, intermediate and superior then superior, intermediate and beginner)    But as I look back, it was a blessing because that would have been a difficult course especially for a transitional upgrade.

 Sunday I didn't expect too much more because we are at the bottom rung to the teacup superior ladder.  

The professional photographer took this and I ordered her jump drive special.  I was proud that she used this example on her laptop.  Just look at Amber smile.

Amber is on the brag board

Sunday's Games "Think Outside the Box" That we almost failed because our points went bankrupt like on Wheel of Fortune but I was able to regain enough to get a qualifying score towards a title.  This is the course map.  The red jumps were double points and the tunnels double the points. However,  there were 2 other tunnels on the opposite corners that were in line of exiting the box that were bankruptcy of points just like on Wheel of Fortune.   That was our downfall.  She went in.  I was able to recover points enough to qualify as one of our future game titles but we could have gotten a first place ribbon had that not happened.  Oh and she knocked a bar down too.

 

 

Sunday Standard 4 with third place

Sunday's Standard 6 with First Place

This is the other game that we didn't pass.  Went from 8 to 9 in the wrong direction so I sent her to finish at the table.

Tunnelers NQ on Sunday.  We had to get 100.

Sunday's ribbons: nothing here to hang my head low about.  Proud of us.

As we were getting ready to leave the parking lot, I was stopped to be presented the ribbon for Amber having the highest score for the weekend in the 8" jump category.  It's a huge ribbon.

Team Amber and Rose

Below is a link to a recent video of a special presentation that I attended in July at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum.  It was a special treat for the volunteers showing some of the behind the scenes technology.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqE6GPhy5dM

First Day in Heaven

First Day in Heaven has really been inspirational to me.  The joy on the new saint's face is the greatest of all.  I see these pictures with various people for sale here:  https://firstdayinheavenpainting.com/

Needed to get a new USB hub for my Apple laptop. Well let's see how the birthday week begins.