We laid to rest our dear Dane, Ben. At 10.5 years of age, (ancient for a Dane) his hind end gave out. We are lucky to have a very good vet who came to the farm so that there would be no added stress to poor Ben, and he had a peaceful passing. We miss the big guy, he was a horse in the house and there’s a big hole in our hearts and hearth where he once took up space. I don’t know that we’ll bring home another giant dog, they don’t live long enough and their decline is so heartbreaking to watch, although that’s true of any living thing.
New England has experienced many perfect weather days in recent weeks. Fall is unfurling slowly into the morning and evening light, the leaves beginning to change color. Some Autumns are a dud as far as foliage color depending on weather conditions, and some are just glorious. We’ve had many Monarch butterflies in the hay fields and in our Zinnia patch!
We will soon tuck our Stella by the Sea away, as her 2019 season has come to an end. Closing up a summer cottage is a reluctant good bye, thankfully just a temporary one.
In this glorious month of September, my sister’s youngest son was married on their farm. The bride and groom were so clearly happy and in love, and the wedding was a fun event – with fall decor and comfort foods and a great DJ who got the crowd dancing, rocking the house all night. The wedding cake wasn’t a cake at all – it was DONUTS!… a nod, no doubt, to the groom’s profession – a police officer. Wishing Brian and Kate many many happy years.
My kids, my niece and my other kids……
Mom and sister, Sue
I think my most favorite picture of my mom, ever… in my sister’s Sunflower patch on that day…
On the better health front, I’ve lost 10 lbs of my 25 lb weight loss goal so far, and the rest ain’t gonna come off easy. Menopause sucks in some ways, this is one of them. A nutritionist has helped me sort out why I overeat and how I can make changes that are doable for the rest of my life, to keep the weight off. I’m still tweeking, because Lord I Love To Eat. And Cook, And Bake. But… slow and steady wins the race. This below is a good mantra to keep in your arsenal for making positive change in your life.
In closing, I’ll give you a sneak peak of our daughter’s new home, right next door to this old house on the farm. By September 30th, they’ll be in!
Till soon, friends…
I love your zinnia patch, you know. There’s just something soothing about them. They’re not trendy, they’re not new. They just are. So glad the new house is nearly finished. It’s looking lovely. Congrats to the niece and her new hubby.
Our leaves are starting to fall but I don’t know if its truly the onset of fall or the dry weather. We haven’t had rain in weeks and it’s been 10 to 15 degrees above normal all that time. Dry, sunny weather. Let’s hope it gets back to normal soon. I spent a couple of falls in central Massachusetts way back when and it was my first exposure to true fall colors.
And I’m so sorry for your loss of dear Ben. He was a true part of your life. BTDT. Hugs for all of you.
We need rain too.. very dry here, which might mean a brown fall for New England. It’s starting to look that way.
I love Zinnia too, simply and yet so many variations, been around a long time. Easy to grow, perfect.
Hello,
So sorry for the loss of Ben. Our pets are family and they are missed as much as any family member.
Thank you – they truly are family.
As soon as I saw the title with goodbyes I thought Oh no, It’s Ben. I’m so very sorry Karen. Of course I got misty as any friend’s pet loss reminds me of our losses and how difficult it is to get over. When you mentioned about his size, I thought of our Libbey who was 95 lb and quite tall for a golden and her loss seemed difficult in that same “spacial”way. They take up so much physical room and we learn without thinking about it, how to maneuver thru our days around them.
Indeed that is a lovely photo of your mom. She’s a treasure for sure.
I’m shocked at how far the house has come so quickly or else I’ve just lost track of time which is more likely…
and a toast to Stella!
I hope things are moving along in a good direction for you! Think of you often, If I were closer I’d help you with all the sorting.
I know your heartbreak … for all Ben gave to you, you to gave him a good life. He loved you as much as you loved him, and for that be happy.
Thank you Joe S.
Oh I’m so sorry about your pup. These are the hard days! I love my Georgie a few years ago and I still keep his tag on my keychain. We have a new pup and she’s turning into the best doggie. I love pets – what can I say?
Oh woman! Share the tips your nutritionist gave if you would like to. I am struggling as always and cannot believe how eating is always on my mind. And on my arse. Believe me I know about how age plays a part. I turned 65 in June! I still cannot believe it. Gah and holy medicare!
I’m enjoying your writings as always and am sad with you that Stella is closed for the season. We’re at the lake right now enjoying a week of fall (although it’s 84 right now!). We never really shut her up as we like to come up here in the winter for getaways. I’ll be quiet now! Wait – no I won’t. xxoo
Oh don’t ever be quiet, woman! So.. the trick.. is really and truly WHAT WE PUT IN OUR MOUTH. And it’s the quantity especially.. but also the quality. Do you drink frequently, like wine every night? Don’t. Make it a weekend thing. If you’re a grazer like me, it’s OK to graze, but then don’t have the big meals. Portion control. Smaller everything. I have cut out most dairy because it doesn’t really agree with me (bloat, weight gain) even though I LOVE it. Veggies veggies veggies and some fruit or OK. Cut down on Meat consumption – by A LOT! Try to avoid processed foods – and… to make it doable for life, don’t be so rigid you can’t keep it up. A splurge is OK now and then. Walk for exercise, light weight train. Not 45 minutes on a treadmill, that’s actually not great for you anyway. a nice 30 minutes walk at a decent pace four times a week or more is awesome exercise. Anyone can have a pair of small 8 or 10 lb dumb bells in their bedroom or office and do some light weight exercises to help stay strong. It’s SOOOO HARD at this stage/age to loose weight – damned menopause and all that. But it’s worth doing.
These are great! We all know what to do (or do I??) and it’s so good to see it concrete and real. Thanks Karen! I’m doing a fall restructure of myself in all the ways and this is the most important one. You are the best.
I remember your dear Georgie, sad to hear of your loss. 65 Ain’t got nothing on you, still beautiful and full of spunk!
I am so sorry for your loss of Ben. That house is so lovely! I bet they are thrilled with it.
Thank you! Yes, both very excited, as are we! By Thursday they’ll be in – movers coming the 30th.
I’m so sorry it was time to say a final farewell to your gentle Ben. I know that had to be a very hard day. Not just day — still hard. How we love them. He had a good life with you.
Lovely signs of fall here — a beautiful wedding, home, flowers and butterfly. The good with the sad.
Thank you – and yes, I suppose that’s exactly how life goes for most, the good with the sad.
I was very sorry to hear about your beloved Ben. 🙁
Pretty wedding photo’s, and your mom with the sunflowers. Love that too.
The house is beautiful; I’m glad for them.
Thank you, Sally – I hope all is OK down in your neck of the…beach!
I am so sorry your lost your ‘big baby’, Ben. It is so hard,isn’t it? My daughter lost her great dane at 2 years old when his stomach ‘turned'(I know there is a name for it but it escapes me). So sad. She opted not to get another big dog.
What a beautiful wedding- I love that sort of thing–informal and warm and wonderful!
That is great about your daughter’s new house- I bet you all just can’t wait!
Have a wonderful weekend- xo Diana
Thank you – and it’s called bloat, and then they twist an intestine, etc. It’s awful and common in Danes! I’m sorry your daughter had to experience that loss!
And yes, a warm and truly fun wedding. Perfect.
Awwww…so sorry to hear about Ben. I sometimes wonder why our 4-legged friends have such a short time on Earth. So glad that you had a vet come to the house. It’s such an awful feeling leaving the vet’s afterwards.
You have your Mom’s sweet smile. Love the sunflower pic! 🙂
Congratulations on the weight loss! You go girl!
Thank you, Cheryl 🙂