Saturday Slight

 

We arrived home early early yesterday morning. 

Foster and Bridie greeted us in a subdued but loving manner. 

We stayed up with them for a while and then collapsed for a few hours of sleep. 

The morning brought on the most beautiful sunshine and amazing autumn colors all around the place.

It was a bittersweet arrival home, and a sense of that has remained. But the bouquet of colorful mums from Willie, Debbie and Annie added some extra sweetness. 

Bridie and Foster are adjusting to Liam's loss and so are we. 

The routine with doggies will be a bit different, but nature and a lifetime with beloved animals teaches us that life must go on. 

We spent part of the day scouring the place for whatever toxin could have attracted Liam.

No luck on that, but we'll keep examining every possibility for the safety of the rest of our animals. 

All that said, it was a lovely day, starting off with doggies and me visiting my sisters. 

Barbara and Laurie were about to take off on their own long adventure with their pup and Barbara's horse Dusty. 

Today, Brother Kevin joined them on their journey to Tulsa and the Arabian Nationals. 

My sisters promised me they'd send their competition schedule, and when classes begin, I'll happily report on the results and direct readers to their Facebook photos. 

Bill and I spent some time unpacking, doing laundry and reading through mail and newspapers. 

I was thrilled that we have not yet had a freeze here in the Selle Valley, so bean and tomato picking added an extra bonus to what has been an exceptional and bountiful year with some veggies and fruits. 

Others, not so good, but the gardening abundance has more than made up for the disappointment.

Our "day after" the long trip was topped off last night with a visit from Willie and Debbie who came bearing all the ingredients for a Friday night dinner here at the Love house-----hamburgers, salad, baby potatoes baked in garlic and olive oil, and, if that wasn't enough, two kinds of pie. 

It was fun recounting the highlights of our trip and thinking ahead for another next year with family.  

And, so this Saturday morning, Bill and I have both enjoyed a decent night's sleep and Miss Bridie has passed her first night's test of sleeping wherever she wished. 

No toilet paper, socks or other items collected from parts of the house and arranged in a pile near the sliding glass door. 

Miss Bridie is entering a phase of life called doggie adulthood.  Her Liam trained her well. 

Another gorgeous fall day and some great football action lies ahead.

Plus, we feel immense comfort from the words and gestures of heartfelt support we've experienced this past week.   

Fresh off the plane from Ireland, we'll be pulling for the Irish in today's World Cup rugby match. 

Happy Saturday.