Weary …

I’m doing okay now, but reluctant to get back on my feet, literally. So, I’ll just talk to you awhile instead. The Pet Hostel guests are looked after. There are six dogs, an ancient cat, and Max the parrot. After dog grooming this afternoon, I managed to get to McBride to pick up mail, make … Continue reading →

A good year for lilacs …

or it could be that I am noticing them with new appreciation. I’ve had a bunch of different lilacs for many years, and have bought more until recently. Friends Bonnie and Curtis had a lilac farm/nursery, and they (along with another friend) hosted an annual Lilac Walk for the public. The Lilac Walk is a … Continue reading →

Another fine, fine day …

Phone rang for Gary at 6:30 am, so we were off to a running start, so to speak. I picked Cinder up from the floor and we went back to bed for half an hour; I always think if I am dressed and functional by 7 am, I’m about par. Sometimes I have even ground … Continue reading →

Down to a dull roar …

or should I say that we’re down to only a couple of dogs barking (as opposed to any roar). An old client of mine once called the occasional outburst here, a “dogophony”! The guest list right now consists of: Duke and Lady, a father and daughter pair of chocolate labs, and Winston, a labradoodle, Zeus, … Continue reading →

Hey, it’s what I signed up for …

I can’t remember who used that expression within earshot of me, but it’s a rather versatile quip and notion. When I feel pushed or sore or exhausted, ” This is what you signed up for” goes through my head. Goes hand in hand with admonishing myself when tired or self-pitying thoughts sneak in. Right now, … Continue reading →

More running, more of the same …

It is, after all, Victoria Day long weekend. Earlier this month, I had it in my head that the “May Long Weekend” was next week. I did realize my mistake in time to save my sanity, such as it is, and to keep track of guests. I didn’t get to town today, but there was … Continue reading →

Run, run, run, and so much fun …

Today has seemed busy, but it takes less commotion to tire me than, say, a few years ago. Someone should warn young (and middle-aged) people not to treat 64 year olds like they’re OLD, or heaven forbid, less intelligent. It enrages us. Drives us to drink! I have already digressed. It has been a a … Continue reading →

A very fine not-paying day …

Yesterday afternoon we found that the drains in our house were clogged. Poor Gary worked to exhaustion trying to clear the lines with a plumber’s snake, hoses with pressurized water, and brain power, but he eventually let me call the plumber. Rod sent his team this morning, the “rescue squad”, in a sense. The problem … Continue reading →

Happy Mother’s Day to all!

The morning was busy with Gally & Patch, Baxter, Carly, Dexter & Jazz, Cedar & Kenya, Winston, Hunter, Briley, Rosie and Buster. Such a lovely bunch of souls, even the ones who wake us at 4 am with their doggy responses to the train across the Valley, or the greeting of the first light of … Continue reading →

Finally Friday …

Now, normally, weekdays and weekends shouldn’t make much of a difference to this type of business. But I mark the days like most people, at least when I can think of which day of the week it IS. This week I scheduled almost more grooming than I could handle. In the Facebook groomers’s groups I … Continue reading →