My Goofy Dog

This is my pup Luigi. He is a 5 month old Cockapoo.

Some times I wonder what he's thinking or what he thinks he is. Luigi's favorite snack is cat poop. He likes to play with the cats toys over his toys if given a choice. He loves car rides but vomits when I take him in the car.

Luigi loves to go outside but doesn't like to go out alone. He will eat only if you are close by otherwise he will bring his dish to your feet. The typical Italian Male...he doesn't like to eat or be alone. I can say that because I am 2nd Generation Italian American so I know a few  Italian males!

Luigi doesn't like to get brushed, that is, unless you give him a treat. He will sit still as can be if he's munching on a Pupperoni..

He is the strangest little dog but I love him so much and I wonder how I could have lived for all these years without him and his comical escapades.

It Touched My Heart

Over the past year, I have been volunteering for both Kindergarten and 1st Grade at my Grandson's school. Today in the Kindergarten something happened that touched my heart and I'd like to share.

Every day the teacher pulls the name for a Mystery Student. She picks a name in the morning and no one else knows who it is until later in the day. They all want to be good so when she calls the name they get the award which is a little toy that sits on their shoulder that designates them as the Mystery Student. The little boy chosen today from time to time has problems staying focused and being good. He's come a long way since the beginning of the year but he still needs a little work.

Well today when the teacher said who it was, not only he was excited  to be chosen but the whole class was as well.  All the kindergartners were coming up and hugging him and congratulating him. It was so sweet...it touched my heart. These special moments are the reason I volunteer. 

Our Visit to Cedar Key

So I'm back from my trip to Florida to visit my cousin Anna (Annie to me).  It was a great visit. She and her husband are clammers on the Gulf. They have a great set up and a retiree of the MD Department of Natural Resources, I was anxious to see their operation.

The weather wasn't cooperating though. It was blowing the 2 days we were to go out and I couldn't take my 85 year old father on that boat. I'd have been okay but I was worried about him slipping on the boat in the blowing spray. We did get to see the workshop where they repair and assemble the nets and the boat. Mike explained the process to me and they even sent a text message to me with a video showing some of their on water work.

Dad loves clams and each night he was able to have fresh clams. He was happy as a clam! LOL Annie and Mike live off the land and the sea. One night we had a ham from a wild pig they raised, fresh clams they harvested that day and greens from their garden. It was awesome.

One of the nights we went to dinner at the Island Room at Cedar Key which is owned by their friends Gina and Peter Stefani. It was beautiful. The food was awesome and the service was as well. I had the Linguini Alle Vongole which is Cedar Key Littleneck clams sauteed in wine, olive oil, garlic and fresh herbs. .  And I have got to tell you, the linguini was homemade & to die for!  If you are ever in that neck of the woods, check it out. http://www.islandroom.com/

Dad was ready to move down there. He loved the area and the people (especially Annie & Mike-Mike was so good with him).  It did him good to be away. Over the past couple years as my mother's health declined, she didn't want to travel anymore. He is a very social person and was so excited to be going to see Annie. Our next trip? May to see my cousins, Cece, Toots & Liz in Virginia Beach. Stay tuned for our adventures!.

Tomorrow is the Big Day!

Annie (L) and Me (R). I always stood out with my Italian Cousins.

My cousin Annie and I were so close when we were young. She was the little sister I never had but always wanted.  As she got older she moved away and we had not seen each other in years.

Then one day she found me on the internet from my Fotki photo web page. I had a bunch of old family photos in it. We would occasionally email each other. Then came Facebook and it all changed. Suddenly we could share photos and talk in real time. We found our other cousins and could talk with them and play games together.

We had a cousin reunion and spent some time talking and sharing old stories and laughs.
It was wonderful.

But the most wonderful thing is that tomorrow, Dad and I are flying down to Cedar Key Florida to spend 5 days with her and her husband. It will be so good to spend quality time with my little sister/cousin.

Dad needs this trip (and me too). He has been away from his family for quite a while. Mom got more and more antisocial as she aged and had health problems and she never wanted to go anywhere...no trips locally, let alone out of state. Dad is so excited. Annie has planned an awesome couple of days for us. But aside from fishing, clamming and seafood, the best part of this is spending time with her.

A Little Over a Month Has Past....

Picture of Mom taken by my grandson

....since my Mom passed away. Sometimes I  find myself thinking she's still here.  I think I have to talk to Mom. But I can't call.

Shopping today  there was a lady with the same color hair and the same hairdo. I did a double take. She didn't look like Mom but she reminded me of her. I stared. I hope she wasn't offended.

Sometimes I get a whiff of cigarette smoke and I think she's here but she's not and there's no one around.

Two days ago it was my parents 63rd Wedding Anniversary. I don't think Dad remembered. He was always bad at remembering that date. This year I was thinking it's a good thing he didn't. Or at least he didn't say he did.  I hope Mom didn't mind too much.

A Prayer for a Deceased Mother

O God, who hast commanded us to honor our father and our mother; in Thy mercy have pity on the soul of my mother, and forgive her her trespasses; and make me to see her again in the joy of everlasting brightness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.