This morning, I let Toffee out after feeding her and I started the coffee. While the water was running into the pitcher I looked out to the yard and the tree line, and noticed a large brown lump. A tall lump. Curious.
My vision is kind of shitty anymore, so I had on my readers for the in-close work of making the coffee and they don't do well with any sort of distance. I took them off, and still I couldn't tell what the thing was.
Until I looked next to it at the shiny beautiful green lump.
Oh. Mallard Ducks!
I poured the water into the coffeemaker and grabbed my phone and slid on my shitkicker shoes. It's freezing out so where's my jacket! Here's my jacket.
Then I pondered .... where's Toffee?
Coming to the back door, she was standing there like a statue. Perfectly still, tail up, looking. And they were looking back at her.
When I stepped out on the porch it was like I granted her permission to jet. I wanted her to stay put so I could get a picture but nope - rocket launcher Toffee went flying out to the yard and the ducks took off.
There were three, the male and female that I initially saw and another female off to the left. All three took flight, up over my yard and carport, quacking and fussing with disapproval. Toffee was then on total yard patrol. Not just her usual patrol but every inch of the property. How very dare they come and hang out in her yard!
After Doug woke up, I told him about this event and he tilted his head to the side and said "How odd." Indeed.
We don't have a pond. There is no nearby creek. I said I wondered if they had a nest in the tree line but that wouldn't make sense because there's nowhere to teach wee babies how to swim. We figured they most likely were just resting. Lord knows how many times in life I personally have just needed a place on a journey to plop down and rest.
And they chose our yard. How odd indeed.
We also have an orange cat that comes around. I have not seen her since before the winter. But she's back (I will assume she. I don't know). I caught a glimpse of her walking in front of the french doors in the mud room when I was doing my treadmilling the other day. And this morning she was walking around our cars, under the bird feeder. Doug hates outdoor cats because they kill birds.
If you've never seen this from The Oatmeal, I suggest you go check it out. Informative infographic.
But I like cats even if they are efficient little killing machines. I'm happy to see her back and around, the little orange monster. She's got some bravery if she's walking around in front of the french doors because that's where Toffee sits to monitor the squirrel situation by the bird feeders.
And in other news, my bestie, my girl C, had to say goodbye to the goodest boy today and it brought me big sads. Hoover was 11, and he exceeded the "expected" life span of a big old English Bulldog. C has had a few of these guys over the years, but Hoo loved me. I was his couch buddy at camp. He very much enjoyed my company, and I his. I should go through my pictures and pull up some good ones.
One of my fave Hoover memories was the night before I moved to Maryland. I had left the old place, and spent the night with C. She made me waffles and white russians at 11:30pm. Because she was worried that I had not eaten. She was right to worry. And you know you have a great friend when she whips out kitchen appliances and mixes cocktails for you after a grueling couple days.
Hoover and her other dog Clara were THRILLED to see me. And I remember fondly at one point sitting on the loveseat in the kitchen, with Hoover next to me and Clara sitting on my feet while C cheffed things up. I still can't believe that was 2017.
I'm going to miss the tank-sized marshmallow that Hoover was. I'll miss couch cuddles with coffee and Porch Life.
I know she's heartbroken, and I think back on all the dogs that have wandered through my own life, I miss each and every one. Honestly. It stays with you, it sticks with you. That love and that bond. And it makes you a better person, no matter the circumstances.
Thanks Hoo for being wonderful.
I wasn't going to post this picture, because I am not pleased with the big round belly on me and it was literally first thing in the morning so one does look a mess, doesn't one? But. It's a reminder of where I was. And what a special wonderful time it always is at camp on the porch with dogs.
Digits below.
digits
exercise: 12/12 hours. Treadmill, 25min/1.67 mi. Cut it short because of work messages. 11k+ steps by bedtime
blood glucose:
8am: 108
4:30pm: 167
10pm: 119
food & meds:
8am: jardiance+phentermine
protein shake mixed with all my coffee through the morning
1:45pm: english muffin w/pb and low sugar jelly. Last of the potato salad (less than 1 cup) from the other night. met+glip
6pm: bowl of fettuccini w/meat sauce. Geoff didn't make a lot of sauce so I kept my pasta portion small. Thankfully
8:30pm: met+glip
no alcohol
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