Springtime Sunshine in Still Listening to Spirit

ah, a beautiful day from the beginning. This morning not a cloud in the sky and it stayed that way the whole day. By 11am (10am sun time) it was warm enough to take dog grooming tools out to the deck and give both dogs a good brushing...combing actually, I haven't been able to find a brush that suits them, or me.

I got hair all over me, a whole plastic grocery bag full of dog hair, and both dogs were very happy to get that load of stuff off their bodies. I am amazed at how much more my short-haired dog's fur comes off with each swipe of the comb. Thick, undercoat hidden there. Daisy, whose hair is long, does her share of shedding, but not nearly as much as Lou. Anyway, I felt better and so did they.

I then took my Kindle out and read in the sunshine, looking around and sighing in complete contentment. Oh, Spring is far from here for good, but this wee burst of it today and likely tomorrow will be most welcome.

I shall be watching NCAA basketball if you want to find me tomorrow. Kansas (Rock Chalk Jayhawks!) vs Eastern Kentucky at noon; Wichita State plays Cal-Poly at 3pm, followed by Kansas State v Kentucky at 5:30pm. Seven and a half or 8 hours of basketball may be a bit too much. If that's the case, I am sure Copy-cat will climb on my lap and convince me to take a nap...

I am hearing wonderful things via FB from daughter about her ski trip to Colorado at Pagosa Springs. Zack the careful cautious one did take lessons and did finally do the bunny slope (called the "Wolf Pack" slope at Wolf Creek Ski Area) 3 times and that was it, he was done, wasn't having any fun at all. So Traci and he found things to occupy them while Zack and dad skied.

Zack was disappointed his dad wouldn't let him do moguls, but delighted he could do the 'green' slopes. He graduated the next day to the 'blue' slopes and his dad let him do moguls also. He is 7 years old and fearlessly convinced he can do anything he sets his mind to, and so far he can.

Daughter says she teeters between being wowed and totally amazed and abject terror. She said to me on the phone the last time we talked "He may have a very short life with all the daredevil things he does, but he will have squeezed out every bit of enjoyment out of each moment."

I have ordered an inverted therapy table from e-bay and it will be here sometime next week or so. Hub is asking about when it will be here, he is anxious to see if he will get the relief so many others here in town have gotten from hanging upside down.

Don't know when I wrote here last, but Ray, Bill's 'other brother' as he calls him died at 6am Wednesday morning. Ray's wife, Si, is Bill's sister and she and Ray have been together about as long as Bill and I have. Ray fought and won the first round with cancer, going through radiation and chemo, etc. But the chemo and radiation took its toll on the bladder next to the prostate that was the original cancer, and there was finally nothing else to be done.

Ray was 82, a young 82 until becoming ill. A hearty, vital, loving man who made Si as happy as she had ever been in her life. Rest in peace, Brother Ray. I will miss you and Bill especially will. Bill says "My other brother, Ray, is gone."

Blessed be and gratitude for having known this marvelous man.