New Friend and Naughty Dog!

A few days ago while at doggie park, Kevin asked that we bring a bag for picking up the garbage under a grove of spruce trees where there is a natural, private fort with much litter. We did that today. What a caring boy!

It was too late for our regular friends, but we met a new friend - Annie!


While getting Kevin ready for bed, Guinness was running around with a plastic bag in his mouth, teasing me to take it from him while trying his best to keep it away from me. I didn't think much of it, though I wondered where he found it. After Kevin was in bed and I returned to the kitchen, this is what greeted me:

I don't know if the cupboard door was left ajar, or if he has learned to open it. Dear, God, No! In trying to remember what was in the organic bin, there were banana peels, cherry seeds and stems, watermelon and cantaloupe rinds, also corn cobs! Not a smidgen of any of that left! Guinness is sleeping in his crate tonight...

Annual Vet Visit

Guinness had a vet appointment today for his annual shots. I booked it for the first appointment after lunch, so we were the only ones in the waiting room! He still was crazy, but less so without other dogs and owners to capture his attention.

The boy and dog kept each other entertained while waiting for the vet. The boy allowed the dog to go through the swinging door to the inner sanctum twice. Why do they have a swinging door there anyway? What are they thinking?



The vet said he can hardly believe that five years have gone by since Guinness was first in that office! He has gained a pound (now 78.8 lbs.) since he was there two months ago for a Heartworm test and medication.

Bath and Ball

This morning, Kevin rode his bike to doggie park. It was a great success! Except... there were no dogs there to play with. We were later than the normal playtime. Though we did run into one of Guinness’s elderly friends as we left, and Kevin couldn’t stop petting gentle Ben.

Kevin played in the sprinkler.



Kevin managed to get Guinness all wet too, so we gave him a bath with the hose. He needed it anyway. After he was dry, we combed out his loose hairs. Kevin is becoming proficient at being my assistant in this process! Then Kevin said that I never take pictures of Guinny, so we took some.





Guinness doesn't know he is a Retriever. He does reverse retrieves (steals things and makes you chase him). Tonight Lucy, also a chocolate lab, was out with her daddy playing fetch. Lucy is very serious about fetch. Kevin tried throwing the ball for Lucy also, using the plastic throw "arm." Kevin knew we had one in our garage, so, when we came home he got it out and tried to play fetch with Guinness. Guinness RETRIEVED the ball MANY times!!!! He must like playing with Kevin better than with me.

Good Boy

Guinness went with me to pick up Kevin at noon. Kevin ran away into the playground for the younger kids (his group doesn't have one). The gate read, "No pets." So Guinness and I had to wait on the other side of the fence.


We always find dog lovers who fawn over Guinness and he gratefully accepts. Today it was little boy about 3 years old who ran over to him and asked if he could pet him. Yesterday, it was a very elderly (and perhaps senile) woman who wouldn't stop petting him. Her husband finally had to pull her away.

Loving Kevin

Guinness had fun playing with Kevin tonight -- jumping on him, stealing his and my shoes to make Kevin chase him.

Then it was bath time. Kevin bumped his mouth on his knee making his loose tooth bleed. Once the blood stopped flowing, he wiggled the tooth and it popped right out!

NO FRONT TEETH!!!!

Guinness was very concerned about Kevin and gave him several licks.

Kevin at Chautauqua!

Kevin is with Guinny and me at Chautauqua now. I took Kevin on a walk around the community to show him where his children's program will be meeting -- in a building not far from our condo and at the lakeshore at the other end of the property. Guinness came with us. When we came close to the lake at one point, he was going to drag me into the lake, so I had to let him go. It was over his head there, so he had his very first swimming experience! I was far too busy to pull out my camera, as he became entangled in the roping and bobs around the public swimming beach. Thankfully, no one was there swimming and I could reach the roping from the shore! Beyond that, he was still over his head and beside a cement retaining wall. There were steps off a dock adjacent, but to get him to go to the steps, I had to go down them with my sneakers on to guide him out. Whew!

We continued our travels, showing Kevin Palestine Park -- a geographically correct replica of The Holy Land complete with little cities, Jordan River, Dead Sea, and the lay of the land from North to South.

After looping around The Boys' & Girls' Club, we walked through the woods and experienced Thunder Bridge. We continued on to the Amphitheater and heard the Choir singing. Since I no longer have a babysitter, I could not sing in the Song Service tonight. We stood outside the gates with Guinness and listened to a couple of songs.

Next stop was The Refectory for ice cream. We tied Guinness to a bench. He has learned to be a very good boy when we tie him and leave him. Then we sat with him to eat our ice cream.


It was twilight as we walked home, so the bats were coming out! We saw them high in the trees and then flying over our heads as we walked to the gate on the way to our condo.

Chautauqua Institution - Week Two

July 4th Weekend
Since moving to Burlington in 1999, I don't think I have been in the US for a Fourth of July. It certainly spurred my patriotism to be present for the festivities! Saturday afternoon the Chautauqua Community Band played rousing renditions of favorite patriotic and American songs. The Saturday night Pops Concert included the 1812 Overture with the audience popping paper bags at the cannon shot moments. Awesome! Apparently, this is a common occurrence in recent times when the Overture is played, but it was my first experience. Following the concert, we went to the lakeshore to see the flares around the lake and the Mayville fireworks accompanied by patriotic songs being played by the Bell Tower carillon.

The decorations around the grounds were heart-stirring and magnificent.









The Chautauqua Choir sang two patriotic anthems in the morning service. The Evening Song Service, which is a choir concert with some hymn singing, was on theme as well. Sometimes there is a bit too much liberalism expressed here. There was one congregational hymn ("...The poor are rich, the weak are strong, the foolish ones are wise, Tell all who mourn: outcasts belong, who perishes will rise..."and a responsive reading ("...From greed and selfishness, from a society in which the irch get richer and the poor get poorer, compassionate god, deliver us...") which was beyond my conscience to participate.

Sunday afternoon, Jared (organist and choir director extraordinaire) led a Blessing of the Animals at the lakeshore! Guinness must have recognized the spiritual significance and reverence of the occasion. He could not have been better behaved! In fact, he was a favorite of the crowd. Everyone wanted to pet him. I wish old Mr. Billy Goat had been there!



I noted that a "Daily Chautauquan" photographer, Emily Fox, was taking closeup photos of him. Overnight, I was dreaming he would be the poster boy on the front-page! But alas... I ran for the paper first thing! They didn't even include an article about the Blessing. I have since learned that the photos were taken as filler when needed. So he still has a chance for fame. I went to the newspaper office to see if I could buy a photo she had taken. So hard to choose! She had taken several shots of the group with Guinness's glowing face in the lower right corner. At $15 each, I chose only two: one showing the group with Jared leading --

and a full view of Guinny.

I am still considering going back to fork out another $15 for one of those darling shots with just his cute face in the lower right corner!

The first blessing was bestowed upon a cat -- the only cat and a remarkably calm cat. He rolled on the grass with all the dogs present!

Guinness receiving his blessing:


While at Chautauqua, I always go on the weekly Bird Walk. Other than a Great Blue Heron flying overhead, the clan of Purple Martins living in the gourds provided them on the lakeshore, and a Hairy Woodpecker, I did not see any spectacular or unusual birds on the weekly Bird Walk, but I did see a rosy breasted grossbeak out our condo window. I also saw a tiny gray bird with yellow beak and a song which is a rattle, but have yet to identify him.

When I returned to the condo after the Bird Walk Tuesday morning, an empty clear glass bowl was sitting IN Guinness's water bowl -- unbroken! It took me a second to figure out why it was there. A bunch of 6 bananas had been in that bowl sitting on the counter directly above his water bowl! He ATE ALL 6 bananas!!!! No more treats for him that day!

While walking Guinny around the property, I heard an unusual bird song as we passed a clump of trees. I stopped, turned around, and looked for the bird in the trees. I did not see it, but a crow loudly cawed at me from a nearby rooftop. Then I realized it was a baby crow chirping its baby song! When we returned to that spot several minutes later and heard the baby again, I stopped to gaze for the nest. This time, two crows cawed their disapproval of my attention!

The temps last week were chilly. This week is steamy! Here is Guinny after a hot walk.


On Tuesday, Grant's cousin Angela and her dog, Louis, came to spend the week with us. Little Louis took control as the Top Dog immediately and put Guinness in his place. Guinness is such an Omega dog that he defers to anyone. Notice he tried not looking a Louis to see if Louis would let him pass.

That didn't work, so then he looked at me pleadingly to assist him in passing Louis and leaving the kitchen!

These pictures were taken one of our walks around the property to show Angela around.
The President of Chautauqua Institute's home.


The Bell Tower through the trees.

This week, I went on the Tree and Garden Nature Walk for the first time. It was very informative about the species of trees here, the care they are given, the challenges they face, and the replacement for each tree lost. Prior to twenty years ago, basically only shade plants could be grown on the grounds. Now that some of the larger trees are being lost, there is more sunlight and a greater variety of perennials can be planted.

He took us to the Butterfly Garden and explained that there never are butterflies there. They are not sure why unless it is the proximity of the fire station, the large colony of bats on the property, or what. As he was saying this, I pointed out a white butterfly fluttering a few feet from us! He said it must be a moth. ha! A few minutes later, there were three white butterflies hovering around the garden. Again, he insisted that they must be moths. I looked up moths that are active in the daylight. None of them are pure white.

I also attended the Bat Talk Wednesday afternoon. I experienced the bats Tuesday evening while walking back to the condo at dusk. They were flitting around high among the trees except along the pathway to my condo -- they were flying all around me so fast that they were gone before I realized they were there! The Bat Talk dispells all the myths which most consider to be fact, and replaces their image as wonderful creatures with whom we cohabitate.

Thursday, July 8
Guinny and I took a walk down by the lake. It was very hot, so I let him go in the lake where a couple of other dogs were playing fetch in the water.

Then we met an artist painting a lakeshore scene.


Tonight was a Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra concert. They played the Violin Concerto in D Major by Tchaikovsky with the Concertmaster, Brian Reagin (Concertmaster during the regular season at The North Carolina Symphony in Raleigh), as soloist. He was FABULOUS!!!! What a wonderful rendition he played of that concerto under extremely hot conditions. Everyone was to their feet within seconds!

Chautauqua Institution - Week One

Saturday, June 26
We began our vacation at Chautauqua Institution with a Jersey Boys concert. What fun! I crooned along with most of the songs!

The 5000 Amphitheater was packed out!

Our friends, Ruth and Con, are here for Week One as well.

We are very pleased with our accommodations for this year. Guinny thinks it is cool too!

Sunday, June 27
Morning Worship at Chautauqua has to be experienced to comprehend its awesome qualities -- the Massey Organ played by a master with all the stops pulled, the 150 voice choir, 5000 congregants singing Holy, Holy, Holy sending chills down your spine, and being a part of the Chautauqua traditions.


Monday, June 28
Today is our 41st anniversary! However, Grant had to go back home to work. We intended to have a celebratory dinner last night, but I was sick most of the day. Grant made me some chicken noodle soup.

With my newspaper-boy absent, I took Guinness with me to Bestor Plaza to buy a "Daily Chautauquan." There was a very long line of people stretched the entire length of the Plaza waiting to obtain a free ticket to the Monday Afternoon Chamber Concert. Several of the ticket hopefuls had quiet dogs lying sedately at their sides -- pictures of the perfect pets. Guinness, being Guinness, was excited to see the dogs. His aim is to meet every dog that comes within his range of vision (or smell, as the case may be). He saw a delightful Golden Retriever. He knew this dog wanted to be his best friend and proceeded to bark at full voice while jumping and tugging at his leash 20 feet away. His wannabe friend stood, but did not bark or pull. As is my norm, I declared, "He is very friendly. He just wants to play." Another person in the line declared in a deep, Billy Goat Gruff voice, "We can see that." I just rolled my eyes. What can one say?

Later Monday morning while walking without Guinness, I encountered an 18 month old, chocolate brown, jack-in-a-box Australian Labra-Doodle. I commented on how cute the dog was, how playful, and that I have a dog who would love to play. I asked if she ever goes to the Doggie Park on the grounds. She replied that no one is ever there, so I asked, "How would you like to meet there tomorrow morning at 9:00?" She accepted our invitation!

Obie and Guinness met promptly at 9 AM the next morning. Soon Baxter appeared followed by two relatives. They had a fabulous playtime and I took many cute pictures with my new iPhone only to lose them when I uploaded them. ??

The next day I took my REAL camera and caught some good shots:



Every day all week an assortment of dogs came to our morning playtime! One day we had eight dogs, and one of them was a small dog. He held his own, as they usually do, though he was slimed from all the big guys drooling over him.


And another fun day with canine friends. One brought a stuffed Elmo. Guinness stole it and would not let anyone else have it. It was quite hysterical! His dodging maneuvers were remarkable.


The theme this week is "Writing Week" with Roger Rosenblatt and Friends. Each morning Roger interviewed one of his author friends. We heard Jim Lehrer, Alice McDermott, Alan Alda, Anne Fadiman, and Marsha Norman.

Roger is on stage with Alan Alda. I stood in line to have Alan autograph his book, and I also had his wife autograph one of her books for Gabe.
Roger is very funny and keeps a lively conversation going. He has a new book out -- "Making Toast." They lost their 38 year old daughter December 8, 2007. He and his wife moved in with their son-in-law to help care for the three children and plan to live there indefinitely. Making toast is his contribution to the family's daily schedule.

Thursday, July 1
I learned this morning that a friend in Chicagoland succumbed to cancer at 3 AM. Even when you expect the news, it is hard to assimilate.

This year, we chose to live off campus, directly across the street in a very nice dog friendly condo, as we could not find an acceptable place on campus which accepts dogs. The closest gate to our condo is for vehicles, but pedestrians can also enter there. I was on my way to buy a "Daily Chautauquan," lost in thought about Peg and praying for her family when I walked past the gatekeeper who also was oblivious to my presence, being occupied with the cars coming in and out. My eyes were gazing unfocused at the ground, seeing nothing with my brain orbiting in space when the black and white gate bar came down on my face and nose crashing me back to reality. Not one of my prouder moments.

Friday, July 2
Friends, Emmett and Carol, came to spend the weekend with us and attend, with me, the two required rehearsals to have the privilege of singing in the Chautauqua Choir. It is an honor to sing in the choir consisting of 150 excellent to professional voices (don't ask why I am in it!) and to be under the direction of Jared Jacobson, an incredible musician and organ master of the Massey Organ.

Emmett is equally as goofy as Guinness and even encourages him. Emmett left his bedroom door open, so guess what happened --