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Strum and Sing

My mother's boyfriend is quite an accomplished guitar player with a sweet voice. Saul loves to strum and sing any chance he can - before I left the other day he entertained me with a couple songs.

 

After he retired as a school teacher Saul played for all the assisted living facilities in Prescott and neighboring counties; I think he did a couple gigs a week for some 20 years.

 

It sometimes entailed a bit of travel and even motel stays but he never asked for a penny - it was his way of satisfying his need to perform and do the community a nice service.

 

When he met my mother she immediately began going with him - providing harmony, percussion and companionship.

 

Well, as a result of his health problems the last couple of years and my mother's recent scare he put down his guitar in January.

 

I'm not clear if it's temporary or permanent but they are still calling him to come back for more. I think the lure of the applause and the fullness of heart he gets from the civic duty will get him back out there.

 

Just as soon as his sidekick is able...

Happily Ever Forever

I took this photo two years ago. At the time it warmed my heart looking at the bond (I assumed) they had as a couple as she helped him struggle to walk to the store.

 

I revisited it this morning and it took on a new meaning. My mother's boyfriend is not the strapping man he once was and for the last few years my mom has helped him through several health issues.

 

Well, it's Saul's turn to help her now and he's stepping up with an admirable and prideful attitude.

 

I made this card for them this morning - the quote's origin is unknown.

 

I've never considered Saul my stepdad (they aren't married after all) but they've been together for a good dozen years and I like him a lot.

 

I'm glad my mom has someone who will see-out the rest of their lives - happily ever together.

Still Going Places?

In my daily routine I never really encounter very many people except for my mail carrier and even then I might only see her a couple times a week. We always enjoy a brief chat - I like her a lot.

Given that I don't run into people I tend to wear the same t-shirt for a couple days in-a-row, less laundry that way ya know.

Anyway, on Tuesday I crossed paths with her and referring to my t-shirt she asked, "Still going places?"

I replied with a smile in my voice, "Yep."

I got about half a block away when I realized she had put an observant emphasis on the word: still.

So yea, my postal friend totally called me out on my repeat fashion style.

D'oh.

STOP THAT DOG

The other day I was walking my fur-friend Dusty when suddenly I heard a thud and a high-pitched squeal - the unmistakably heart-wrenching sound of a dog getting hit by a car.

 

I looked in the direction of the incident about 2 blocks away and saw 7 people fanned out running toward me all of them screaming frantically, "STOP THAT DOG."

 

Well, when Dusty sees a dog (any dog) she barks her damn head off so when she saw this dog running toward us at full tilt she commenced with her barking. It scared the dog so much that he put on his brakes and turned around. He clearly didn't like the look of the 7 people coming after him so he darted down a driveway and got trapped.

 

It took a bit of coaxing but this guy managed to calm the dog down and carry him out. Through a river of tears his owner was extremely thankful.

 

It turns out they are in a new home and the dog just isn't comfortable yet and got past her when she was carrying groceries in the house - almost a mile away!

 

Anyway, the tip of the dog's tail was clipped off but other than that he seemed fine.

 

As we all disbursed I marveled at how a group of complete strangers to one-another banded together to aid a runaway dog - it filled my heart with a great joy that I was proud to carry with me the rest of the day.