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Luna is in the House
Probably not such an interesting story unless you are one of Luna’s admirers or simply obsessed with dogs…all dogs.
Luna is granddaughter Patricia most beautiful husky/Australian Shepherd/Border Collie (probably) who is living with me for a week. She’s about eight months old and the prettiest and smartest of all my grandchildren and I do love her. That said I had forgotten how much work goes into being a good dog parent. Back in the day we were, I’m ashamed—or not—to say, much less solicitous. When I was a kid we had farm dogs…not the kind that live in the barn and eat old food or things gone bad…ours were the ones that slept on the couch and ate pretty directly from the table. But they did roam about the fields freely, never had shots, ate the same treats we did (Hershey bars on shopping days) and they usually lived to ripe old ages. And even though my dogs back in the not-so-far-away day had a yard, slept on the couch, and had dog food and lots of table tidbits, they were rarely walked and frequently didn’t get shots (since I was usually on the poor side of that great middle class we often hear about).
Now Luna, on the other hand, has a myriad of shots, pills, regularly scheduled appointments with the vet; pricey dog food, dog treats, dog toys, a giant cage thing, harnesses, leashes, brushes, blankets and special bowls. It’s not all good however. I’m not allowed to give her treats except tomatoes and bananas. Really! Whatever happened to the pork chop bone or licking the chocolate frosting off the plate? Her mom will find out…so I may as well admit it…I did share a peach Activia with her tonight.
Our day went something like this. Luna and I took a short street walk at 5:15am; we drove family to airport for their Hawaiian holiday a little later; we went to work and adjusted the office for max Luna comfort and she made many of our artists very happy by letting them scratch her belly; we went for two relatively short walks in the 96° oh-so-sunny high desert day; we went to the dog park for about an hour and one-half and played.
Luna is very funny at dog parks, initially shy and hanging back; then a few forays toward and around the other mostly older dogs; then back and forths where Luna runs away, circles around, cuts back through the middle of the action; finally she’s front and center in the races, even getting rolled over in one big happy melee which scared me a bit. She is now dirty and exhausted…me too.
There, family on the beach…that’s my report. Tomorrow Luna and I are hanging out at the air-conditioned brew pub up the street and having burgers for dinner with blueberry pie and ice cream afterward.
Patricia
SLEEPY SUNDAY MORNING.
HER ROOM, THE CLUTTER IS ALL MINE. ALMOST.
There seems to be a general agreement that grandchildren are sources of unabashed pleasure and uncritical love as well as offering great fun; Grandparenthood is indeed an exciting title to hold.
I’ve written about my four remarkable (aren’t they all!) grandchildren before and now as they become interesting and diverse adults I’ll write even more. Sure, they may be embarrassed from time to time, but isn’t that one of the things they should expect from dear old granny after all.
Anyone who reads my blogs already knows this but here it is again. There are four grandchildren: two from California, two from Albuquerque. Steven, my California grandson gets a whole story pretty soon as I had the rare pleasure of five weeks of travel with him as my constant companion. I’m sure it will never happen again because they’re all too busy and involved in their lives but it was great while it lasted.
However there are multitudes of delightful small opportunities of which I intend to take more and more advantage. So be warned dear ones, I could appear at any moment!
Which is what happened to Patricia this weekend. Lubbock where she goes to college isn’t very far away and it is so very much fun to hang around with these interesting people called grandchildren in their natural habitats.
Patricia is the eldest Albuquerque granddaughter—in many ways the artist of the whole bunch. She has always been a drawer, painter, crafter and designer and intends to take that into a major in architecture and minor in design. She loves houses and the things that occupy them; is a great fan of Pinterest and brightens up our spaces with the ideas she finds and makes her own.
PATRICIA WOULD HAVE THE WHOLE APARTMENT DECORATED BY NOW IF SHE COULD AFFORD IT.
Patricia and her California cousin Steven are also the talky ones in the family; both are articulate, argumentative and sociable. These two kids/young adults are the personable ones that could probably talk you out of or into pretty much anything. Not that Teresa and Sara aren’t equally personable, just in a little different (but equally appealing let me hasten to add) way.
Patricia is hostessing at a Mexican restaurant on or right next to the campus of Texas Tech, living with four other girls in a nice student house, and getting all of her basics out of the way at Plains College. She has structured her life much as her mom and dad, who are both pretty organized people, would do. Times and places for everything and it seems to work well for her.
PATRICIA AT WORK.
It is so amazing to me that my grandchildren all seem so self-confident and poised when I was so the opposite. Of course I know that they all have their own insecurities and worries too, still they seem so together for the most part. Patricia is so natural and easy around friends, family and the general public alike. Wish I could have been like that at that age. Wish I had that much poise now actually.
How very lovely it is to be able to spend my time with these great kids from time to time. Like all grandparents, I’m so proud of them…forgive me for bragging a bit now and then.
TODAY 