Back to a better schedule now. I can do a 6:30 start to the day! Much better than yesterday's indecent wake-up.
It's cool this morning. A shame to have breakfast indoors again, but this is not unusual for April and even May. The early hours take a while to warm up. In years past, I worried about the possibility of overnight frost all the way until mid-May. The tubs with annuals, planted in late April were always vulnerable then. And it seemed that every year I would have to carry in the baskets of blooms at least once after putting them out, just to protect them from the cold. This year, all the porch flowers would need to come in if temperatures plummeted with one of those weird Arctic blasts, but looking at the forecast, we seem to be safe. 2026 has not been too bad for gardeners in south central Wisconsin!
I watch Millie, sleeping soundly next to me on the couch. Little ragamuffin (definition of ragamuffin: disheveled, but sometimes charming, and mischievous). But actually not so little now. When I carry her downstairs each morning (to prevent an early accident), she doesn't comfortably nestle in the bend of my arm anymore. I'm glad she is getting bigger. She's not a big eater (though she loved pieces of real roast chicken last night!), and treats aren't particularly enticing either, so of course I want her to show signs of healthy growth.
The morning routines are always special. All three dogs were (are) at their best then, though each in his or her unique way. Millie likes to have a few minutes of vocalizing. This is the poodle in her. Whereas Sadey barked to guard, and Henry barked to guard and sometimes to tell me he's bored, Millie is expressive on many levels. She doesn't just bark. She groans, grumbles, and occasionally, like this morning, she sings. No truly, she does. Off key, but then who am I to say what's proper singing in dogs.
Just before noon, we meetup with Ed at Tati's. The barista asks me -- can we give her a pup cup? I'd never heard of that. Turns out it's a small little sample cup with whipped cream. And I know that I should not be testing dairy products given her digestive sensitivities, but it's irresistible. Too, it's a tiny amount. And she loves it!
And then it is time for Millie's Agility Training class. The one where she channels her intelligence into finding ways to play with the other dogs there (whose owners have paid good money to have their pups jump, crawl and do circles on command. Play with other dogs? Not here, not now).
Millie is excited to see her teachers. Excited to be with her known dogs. And she starts coughing. Out of excitement? I do not know. In any case, we have to leave. If this develops into a kennel cough, then she should not be running around with these pups. And I'm okay with that, given that she learns so little in this class and is a great distraction to the others there. Millie herself is disappointed. She gives a soft whine (one of the vocalizations from her repertoire) as we get back in the car. Ah well, at least she had her play moments with her favorite pals.
In the afternoon I fix dinner for the young family. The five of them are here with Goose, which means there is chaos and lot's of spirited movement. Not from Goose, mind you!
Sparrow is really into countries and capitals and flags. We all test our own knowledge of these. Let's just say for a couple of them, someone had to take out the phone to confirm our guesses!
So much energy. And joy. And love.
A good last April weekend. Fabulous month deserves a fabulous ending. And it got that.
with so much love...
