MGM Puddy

Metro Goldwyn Mayer had several different lions throughout the studio history. The first was "Slats", who graced the original logo designed by Howard Dietz from 1916-1924. (That may be that same Howard Dietz who designed carousel animals.)

Since that time, five lions have represented the MGM studio. The last was a lion named Leo. His roar is still heard today!

Each time we watch an MGM production and see that wonderful lion and hear his roar, I can't help but think of our old cat, Y.C. (Yellow Cat). With the roar of a lion, he could beg with the best for any type of food. He was the man of the house, king of the beasts, man in charge of everything when it came to his "Puddy-dom". He wandered into our lives from the south fence row and graced our home for 20+ years. Although he's gone, he still continues to make his presence known when I find that occasional Puddy hair. He was our MGM lion.

Am I too old for softball...

Finally I found an "over 50" ladies softball team. Woohoo, we won a couple of games and it's great meeting new friends and playing again. During the serving & protecting playing much wasn't really an option. One injury might have put the job at risk, but now, I'm back!

Today I practiced with my husband and now I have the ball seam impression on my chin and a swollen left knee! (The knee with the new ACL) Nothing that some ice and a few episodes of N.C.I.S. won't cure!

After Labor Day pick-up games with the "over 50" guys are going to help our ladies team keep that edge of the fine tuned machine (?).

First Cat

He just appeared on the shelf in the garage. A small gray and yellow cat looking very frightened, as though someone had just dropped him off.
The next day, we were on our way to the veterinarian for a check-up. Since he didn't have a name for registration, Dr. Mike, just decided to call him "Toes", due to a couple extra digits.
Once we got rid of the dirt, our little yellow and white cat had a new home.
Toes became a fixture, transferring my position as homeowner to staff, plain and simple. Rattling the cupboard announcing his food demands, only to enhance his physique with each mouthful. I never knew that a cat could have a dust ruffle for a stomach, sweeping the floor as he walked.
Each Christmas, Toes would squeeze himself in the middle of a pine cone wreath, just daring me to try and hang the thing. The wreath became the December bed for Toes-master.
Our beloved cat lived for 12 years, only to develop an inoperable tumor. Sadly, he died in my arms and now rests "out back" in the cemetery with Chester, the goat.

A children's book?

This is "Bob", he's a whistlepig, marmot, groundhog and even some would call him a pest. He wants to be the subject of my dreams...a children's book.

A kind little man, he's spoiled with peanuts and has his very own burrow in the barn. If you are not careful, he might just take hold of a finger and guide you to his burronw, like Alice in Wonderland. I'm too big to fit, but I can only imagine what life might be like for Bob in his burrow. I need to give that some thought.

Animal stories from this little farm are many and create the best of memories.

The Man in the Mirror

In 1977, Byron (keft) was shown at the Michigan State Fairgrounds as a registered Half-Arab by his owner, Kelly. His first show. Kelly was kind enough to respond to my letter, which was a stab in the dark, and provide pictures him in his youth.

The second picture, in all of his greyness, was taken in 1987 at his first carriage driving show at the Bloomfield Open Hunt Club. Two blue ribbons in his first two classes!

Mary Jo

Ted Kennedy was responsible for the death of Mary Jo Kopechne forty years ago at Chappaquiddick. May she now rest in peace.

Missing Byron

The past few days have brought back many memories of my cherished horse, Byron. I've been cleaning an untidy barn and have come across many horsie items belonging to my dearest friend. Those lost leg wraps, a driving bit and a couple extra brushes misplaced over the years. Even a "cigar" or two on the floor in his stall... the cigar is that matted grass that old guys chew and it eventually falls out of their mouth to the ground...looks like a cigar. Although the barn is a cleaner place, it will neer be what it once was without Byron.