Little Bit...

It's a tragic and sad tale of unrequited love. 

Never before have I poured more effort into caring about something with absolutely no return of feelings. Every single day I beg her for snuggles and she has not once answered my request.  She will lay on my desk when I work and will beg me promptly at 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. for her food.  Other than that, she will not give me the time of day.  However; she will lay on and sleep with Randy and Uncle Steve and Uncle Mark are her people.  Hazel runs to those guys the moment they walk in the room.  She also loves my Mom.  

But I am her lowly servant and caretaker.  It's me who has litter box duty, vittle purchasing, and furball clean up.  I also keep her long fur brushed and knot free.  And still, she ignores me.  I realize that this is the very behavior that makes people choose dogs as pets, but we inherited her years ago after Dane rescued her little furry, feral butt from a shrub on Hazel street.   Countless Youtube videos assure me that cats CAN be loving-it's just not been my experience-with Hazel anyway.  

I am determined (or just plain stupid!) to win her over and make her love me.   So on national Love Your Pet Day, I did my part but wondered when national Love Your Servant/Caretaker Day is.  If anyone knows, please alert Hazel!

The Lucky Ones...

 While driving to Ossineke, the farther north we progressed, the snowier it was.  As kids, Lisa, Steve and I did all winter sports and were known to play outside in the coldest weather.   We skated, skied, sledded, snowmobiled-all the 'S' things!  But now, I am an avowed wuss and grumble when the temp goes below 72 degrees.  But, taking a moment to notice the trees that looked like they were decorated in snowballs was a beautiful thing.  I simply forgot how gorgeous a wooded area looks dressed in a coat of fresh white snow.  

On Friday night we headed up to Cedar Grove for pizza.  The place was full of old friends (and family!) that I haven't seen in a while.  We received the warmest welcome you can imagine and had a great time catching up.  Living in the city can be quite anonymous when you are used to a small town.  I forgot how good it feels to have history and familiarity with people.

On Saturday we celebrated a belated Thanksgiving-known in our family as 'Ducksgiving' as ducks are our fowl of choice.  (belated because Someone was in the hospital in November!)  Steve and Lisa put on a most tasty dinner, cooked with love.  And I forgot how delicious duck a l'orange is!  

With all of life's struggles, I am reminded not to forget the most important things.  Looking past the 'stuff'' to find the joy in nature, food and old friends.   These are the things sustain me.

In other words, taking time to smell the duck!

P.S.  It seems like thanking people is a huge part of my life right now.  Your smiles, hugs, care and concern make me want to be a better person.  Never underestimate that power !XOXO

Gonna Fly Now...

It was a day of surprises.  Randy decided that it was finally time for him to go to work for a few hours and 'surprise' our fabulous employees with his return.  Our staff has been busting their collective backs keeping the boat afloat while Randy concentrates on his recovery.  But he has been fiending to get back to the office for, say, about 3 months now, so today was the day.  We dusted off our finery, boarded a limo and popped the bubbly.  Upon arriving to 'surprise' everyone, the script was flipped and the joke was on the Boss Man.  (Boss Lady was in on it all along!)

As we rolled up to work, the garage door slowly raised to reveal a red carpet.  Randy and I were treated to the paparazzi star treatment as the camera's flashed and we walked the walk.  The Main Event had the 'kids' lined up holding sings that proclaimed, 'Home of a Fighter.'  The theme from Rocky played as Randy greeted the most fabulous staff known to man.  The 'Fight' theme continued with staff signed boxing gloves and a boxing themed cake.  Champagne was poured and passed around as the Champ Himself delivered a heartfelt and teary toast.  Lunch followed and Randy actually sat at his desk for a few hours.   (I was content to champagne and cake the afternoon away!)

Upon arriving home-before naps-we had to rehash the day as well as our lives.  We are blessed with improving health and the best staff ever that has shown us more support than you can imagine.  You never know what hits you will take in this life as we punch our way through.  Mike Tyson was once quoted as saying, "Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face."  How true that is but in this case its Covid-19 Zero vs Randy Dale #1!  A unanimous and wonderful decision!

Thank you to all the R.S. Dale employees who made this special day happen and kept the secret.  We love you all.  XOXO

Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah...

 Anyone want some good news?  The restaurants are opening!!  No more of this outdoor dining in frigid Michigan temperatures!  Unpitch those tents, thaw out those igloos and get those fishing shanty's on the ice where they belong!  As well you all know, Randy and I are professional diners-a label we are anxious to reactivate-inside, with the heat on.  Craft cocktails to be tried, new menus to be perused and luscious deserts to diet off.  And I can't wait.  I am limited in my cooking expertise and am happily folding up my apron as we speak.  Plus, I want to dress up and socialize-something not required with carryout or delivery.  It's the first step to our culinary normalcy.  

As 02-02-21 approaches, I look back fondly 21 years ago,  remembering how Randy and I eloped in the Everglades.  It's been a wonderful and crazy ride that has gone faster than an airboat ride.  Here's to the adventure continuing for 21 years (or so) more.

And the last and final good thing is that Randy has been steadily progressing.  He is now able to spend a considerable amount of time-up to 8 hours-without supplemental oxygen.  He has been carefully working out and is gaining strength everyday.  It's a process, but one that is definitely moving in the right direction.  And truly all other news pales in comparison.

Looking forward to Randy's continued progress, and toasting our anniversary in a heated restaurant soon. Things that I used to take for granted are coming our way. 

My oh my, what a wonderful day! 
 OXO