A-Z Blogging Challenge "S, T, U & V"

As I wind down the April blogging challenge, I find myself taking a few short cuts. It was either that or quit and quitting just wasn't an option, so pardon my clumping several letters into one blog.

I decided to put a twist into my cheating ways by doing a quick sketch of my daughter waiting for subway train "G" in New York City. We were on our way uptown to spend the afternoon in Central Park. I haven't done much drawing lately, but am really hoping to pick up the graphite pencil and drawing pad more often. Next semester, I'm taking a Spanish class and a life drawing class. My favorite medium is pencil sketch and portrait drawing, although I do have a slough of oil and acrylic paints, watercolor, pastel and charcoal materials.

I hope this blog inspires you to get in touch with your passions as I am doing. It's who we are!

A-Z Blogging Challenge "P,Q & R"

                                                  Pointed at the sun
                                        Quenching light droplets of dew
                                                  Rising to a new day
                                                     

A-Z Blogging Challenge "N" and "O"

                               The Newest Addition to our family...Zeus.

I'm sure you're all aware of the rising statistics of grandparents raising their grandchildren these days. Well, guess what, grandparents are also being put in the position of raising their grandpups. And this is mine (proudly said). I just love this big lug.

My son, Aaron is in his late junior year of college at the University of Nevada, Reno. A year ago, a veterinarian friend had a new litter of pups that she was offering for adoption. The breed was half bull mastiff and half rottweiler. Aaron was sharing a house at the time that was suitable for a pup. Yes, Aaron became the proud adopted parent of a puppy.

Ah, the euphoria of parenthood! Zeus elevated Aaron's sense of responsibility too,  and all was grand. But things happen when you're in college. Aaron landed a job at a Sushi restaurant in downtown Reno, right on the river. His hours were working well with school, but the demands of school and work left little time for Zeus. Aaron was feeling pretty guilty about this and then his two room mates dropped a bombshell, that they were moving out. It's very hard for a student to find a place in Reno that accepts dogs, especially a 135 pounder.

So, the phone call came. "Mom..."

Four days later, my husband made a "Zeus Run" and picked up our grand pup. Aaron had brought Zeus to visit since the time he was a puppy, at every holiday, so our house hold was already very fond of Zeus. And who wouldn't be. He has better indoor manners than my two boston terriers! But, more than that, he is just so darn lovable.

Oddly enough, I don't mind him joining our family. Generally, I'm a little fussy about the conditions inside my home. He sheds a little, but I went to pet smart and bought a handy brush that will remove most of that loose hair. (I also bought him a bed and two new toys...but isn't that what grandmas do).

We have experienced a little "new guy on the block" bump in the road. Zeus is desperately in love with my 15 pound boston terrier, Rosie. In this picture, he is whining, begging for his affection to be returned, while she basks in the sun, looking so attractive and lovely. And she growls. Poor Zeus. Rejection is the pits!

                                           "Stand your ground, Rosie!"

Rosie has the upper hand on this relationship, so I'm not worried. She has learned a thing or two from her mother (me). Just kidding!

On the serious side, Zeus has given me a sense of security. If a prowler should come in or around our home and hears that bark of his, it would most likely send him running. Zeus reminds me of a grizzly bear. These pictures don't do justice to his size. I am also looking forward to evening walks around the neighborhood. I wouldn't normally go out alone at night (especially with my two fierce 13+ terriers) for a vigorous walk, but now I won't think twice about it.

    *Little do people know that they would probably get licked to death by Zeus*

But I know if Zeus sensed danger, he would respond. I have seen and heard it already a few times.

Reno dog to Carmel dog.

Zeus is the kind of guy that can fit in anywhere (space permitting). :)

A-Z Blogging Challenge "M"

                                              Aaron Marvin Schulman

                                      

                                                          Musical

                                                          Artsy

                                                          Real

                                                          Vintage

                                                          Irresistible     

                                                          Nice

My oldest son, Aaron Marvin carries the middle name of his grandfather (my husband's Dad). When Bennie told me he wanted our baby boy's middle name to be Marvin, I wasn't particularly fond of the idea. Now, I can't imagine him with any other. He's grown into it well.

 I'll continue with the theme of doing an acrostic for each of my children's names.

A-Z Challenge "L"

                                                           Larisa
         
                                                          Loveable
                                                          Artistic
                                                          Retro
                                                          Instragram user
                                                          Sister
                                                          Amazng
                                               

A-Z Challenge "K"

                                             Mandy and Trevor


In August, I am Kansas bound for my nephew's wedding. He will be marrying his long time best friend, Mandy Burris.

Their story is really quite unique and sweet. Trevor was attending an elementary school in Northbend Oregon when his teacher assigned her students pen pals. Trevor chose a pen pal from Missouri and her name was Mandy. When the writing assignment ended and the students were no longer required to exchange letters with their new found pen pals, Trevor kept writing...and writing and writing. Many years later, while Trevor was at Northbend High School, he decided it was high time he and Mandy met in person. He flew to Missouri and he spent time with her and her family.

Trevor would come back home and their friendship continued with endless letters and telephone calls. During his time with Mandy in Missouri, their relationship took on a different nature.

Trevor would graduate from High School and make his way to The University of Oregon. During his senior year, Mandy moved to Portland with him and they became a couple very much in love. Graduation from college, bachelor's degree in journalism in hand and the job hunt began. After months of looking for a way to put his education into action, Kansas State University made him an offer. He and Mandy packed up and off they went. He has been there ever since. Mandy also had been taking college classes through out her time in Oregon and she is graduating from Kansas State University this June.

Two young people beginning their lives together.

What is unique about this story is that Mandy has what is known as Friedreich's ataxia disease. This is a debilitating, life-shortening, neuromuscular disorder. It occurs in one of every 50,000 people in the United States. I'm grateful that in recent years they had went on many walks and actively enjoyed each other recreationally, as far as walking, exercising, etc. Because, as of now as her disease has progressed and she is in a wheel chair. She won't be walking down the aisle. But, as you can see by her picture above, she is beaming with happiness. She has a beautiful spirit and is such a sweet girl.

Trevor's mom, who is my sister, is happy for Trevor's upcoming wedding and loves Mandy, but she is sad too. Trevor will never be a father as this disease is genetic. He'll never walk the beaches with Mandy. And he is already physically caring for her and helping her to do the things that she cannot do for herself.

This is what love is. Real love. No ifs, ands or buts.

So, off I'll go to Kansas in several months with a tissue box in hand.

From the time I began to know my nephew Trevor as a child, he has always been this good, sweet and kind hearted little boy. It's of no surprise to me that he would look inside a woman and see her value, rather than look at the outer picture.

Trevor and Mandy have nothing but love and respect for each other and this definitely constitutes a basis for a good solid marriage.

Just look how happy and content they are!


                                             

A-Z Blogging Challenge "J"

                                                            Julia

Nine years old
Sitting crossed legged
On my front lawn,
New neighbors moving in
Where my attention is drawn.

My court full of boys
We play tag and such,
Sure would be nice
To have a girl next door,
Barbies and crayons...
and our likenesses much.

I think I see
A girl just my size,
Step out from the car
An unexpected surprise.
Yellow blond hair
The same length as mine,
A tiny nose and freckles,
Could this be a sign.
We gesture "hello"
Thus, the bud of a friendship
Ahead of us
Only time.

The years went by
We grew and we played,
We walked to the pool
On hot summer days.
Played barbies under the Christmas tree
And jax on the floor,
Deciding what to do next
This is what friends are for.

And into our teens
Secrets we would share,
Off to different high schools
Our bond still would fare.

Little did I know
On a Saturday night,
Our friendship would cease
This night that she
Got into a car,
Her last day on earth
This night it would be.

Sixteen was too young.
Still more summers to share
Would not be the plan
Life can seem so unfair.
But an angel was gained
In the heavens above
 I will always remember
My first best friend, Julia
Thinking of you today,
With love.

*Julia Davis (1962-1978)