big beautiful tree that we absolutely love. When we plugged it in just days after Thanksgiving,
we found there were many lights that were not working. My husband knew we needed some new lights before we put it away so we ordered the lights on-line. So when we opened up the tree we were a bit taken aback at the number not lighted. However, being the person he is, he busily checked each light with his electrical circuit tester. Boy, am I a blessed wife to have a husband who will do that instead of making me go buy a new LED tree! Sorry, but I'm not ready to give up
my soft lighted tree for a brightly decorated tree yet.
The most recent book I read with animals in it is The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel by Garth
Stein. This book is about a race car driver who has a dog that is his best friend and companion until he marries. The dog narrates the story. The dog lives through his masters many events and trials in life, including the joy of riding in a race car! You will laugh and cry with this book. Take time this season, read a good book then share your joy with others!
Another thing we have learned
is that our lovely kitty, loves the
tree. She's not a climber, but
a sleeper under her warm cozy
hide-away!
Each year we exchange gifts at our staff Christmas party. Everyone brings a dish to share, and we just enjoy each others company. This year, one of the gifts I received was a small rug!
Staff know how absolutely spoiled our cat is and how much joy we receive from her! In fact, after everyone left, she promptly came upstairs from her hiding and kneaded the rug, thus placing her own scent on it, claiming it as her own. She then rolled around on it too! I wish I'd had a camera!
Holidays can be a sad time for people. Including other people and even and even our pets changes the atmosphere in our homes. Have you ever read the book Making
Rounds with Oscar: The Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat by M.D.
David Dosa? It is about a cat that is allowed to live in a senior care facility. The cat visits the patients. Nurses and patients begin to find that Oscar will take time to lay with the person just before they die. Of course the doctor did not believe it at first, then saw the truth of it with his won patients. Needless to say, patients watched who the cat visited and became concerned. It is a truly touching book however.
Many of you will have read Dewey
the Library Cat: A True Story by Vicki Myron and Bret
Witter. How about the The
Horse Boy: A Father's Quest to Heal His Son by Isaacson, Rupert. This book is about a young boy with autism whose father took him to ride the small horses in Mongolia. The horses began helping the boy. He came back to the busy life of the USA and found he needed to find a way to help his son continue relating to horses for the son's benefit. This reminds me of the video, Temple Grandin Starring Claire Danes,
Julia Ormond, David Strathairn, et al. (produced by HBO Studio, 2010) who grew up
learning to function in a normal world as an autistic child. She revolutionized animal husbandry of cattle
and many other areas. This movie helps educate us in the special gifting's autism can bring through our children.
Have your read the book The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel by Garth
Stein? It is about dog who is picked out of a litter by a young professional race car drive before he is married. This wonderful mutt narrates the whole story. He takes us through marriage, children, loss and much more. You will be taken with the insights. You will also laugh and cry through-out the book!
Enjoy reading this season, then share your joy with others!
