Farm Supper

Farm and Valley

We're locavores. Over the years, I've become increasingly passionate about making the best choice for our local farmers, our environment, the animals, and our health. A favorite outing for me is a trip to the Tuesday farmers market or to pick up or farm share on Thursday afternoons. Free range chicken, pork and eggs, local baked goods and beautiful organic fruits and vegetables feed our stomachs and our souls in our home.

One of Mom's most time-consuming jobs is cooking for my health and my various dietary restrictions and needs.

Here's Where The Veggies and Fruit Grow!

On Saturday, the couple who runs our CSA had a dinner at their farm, where we got a driving tour of their 15 acres of beautiful crops and everyone brought a dish to share. Sara and Dave tend to their farm with such love and passion, it comes through in everything they do. We are so grateful to them for the incredible work they do and for the amazing produce they provide.

A Beautiful Evening

Where we live is beautiful to me. I was delighted to see the farm and where our food is coming from.

Owen Pauses to Say "Cheese" for the Camera

We got to see my friend Catie, her husband Nat, and son Owen. What is a farm supper without being serenaded with original music and lyrics by a two year old and his guitar? Happy Birthday Vacuum Cleaner, anyone? 

Uh-Oh. The Frog is Asked to Take Over for Owen.

After Owen finished singing, the frog chair took over playing guitar.

Dave and Sara's Tractor, Barney

The before dinner highlight was that of Dave demonstrating how to use his 1930's potato digger. Honestly, this was fascinating! 

Potato Digger

If you want to ever have a day off or work fewer than 16 hours a day, running an organic farm may not be your profession of choice. 

Voila! Potatoes!

Almost magically, the potatoes are dug up and ready to harvest.

It's Like Magic how the Potatoes Appear

After dinner, everyone took big bags and filled them lots of potatoes to take home.

Hoop House

Sunset and Butternut Squash

As the sun was setting, folks also ventured into the butternut squash field to gather as many squash as they could carry.

Have I Mentioned How Pretty it is Where we Live?

We headed home with full bellies (maybe too full from that pumpkin pie I ate?!) and knowing how fortunate we are to be nourished by local food, such as Sara and Dave's.

I have been seeking out every opportunity I have to embrace life and the bits of energy I have.

Blessings,

Emily

Monday Dog Blog: Naked and Canine PT

Canine PT

Asher really was meant to be our dog. He and I both had PT on the same day and we both had e-stim on our necks. :) 

Right now, PT can make him feel worse before it makes him feel better, but today we saw him moving his neck more and able to shake off a bit. In addition to the PT, we're working on a pain management plan. Asher really likes Pill Pockets, so he takes his pills and does his 'cookie exercises' for his neck willingly. 

Naked

Just as I feared, the puppies went to the groomer and came home NAKED! The upside is that we can see Tovah Rose's pretty eyes. 

Fell Asleep with His Mouth OPEN! No drooling, thankfully.

Unlike his mommy, Gershwin seems unaffected by his nakedness.

Thanks SO Much for the Pretty Sweater Dad!

Dad and I bonded with a little shopping outing this week, including a trip to PetCo for a sweater intervention. I really love shopping outings where I get to pick things out myself. 

Color-Coordinated

Twinkies: Successful Sweater Intervention

Unless the puppies are tethered to one another or wrestling, Tovah Rose will not be caught close to her brother. 

Have a great week. Happy Monday!

Blessings,

Emily

Monday Dog Blog: Brave Asher and Messy Puppies

Mud Ball

It's Monday. And that means it's time for some puppy antics. And a few from our old man, too. The above photo is definitely my favorite of the week. Gershwin, Mr. Construction Worker, loves to dig. Mommy Emily accidentally left the soaker hose on, and G discovered the joy of trying to dig to the source of this wonderful water. Mom Renee was not happy with me OR G. 

Lopsided 'do

Mom took the puppies for a walk around the golf course one day this week. They came home covered with burrs and thistles, requiring a major scissor intervention. Tovah can see really well out of one eye now! I'm a little nervous about how these two are going to look when they arrive home from the groomer Monday afternoon. Will they have any hair left? I'm sad Gershwin my lose his pretty dark tips on his ears. It's just hair, right?!

New 'baby'

It's part of a dog's job in life to shred plush toys, right? Both puppies love to sleep snuggled up with a 'baby'. Every time I get out a new toy, all the dogs know it's for them. How do they know this? 

Is Our Big Brother Okay?

Asher had a rough week. The puppies are pretty concerned about their big brother and seem to sense that he needs his rest and to be left alone. Gershwin misses his favorite playmate.

Recovering.

Asher has struggled his entire life with pain that we were never able to isolate. After watching him struggle with more hind leg weakness and a significant limp on his right front side, we decided together with our vet to refer him to a specialist in town. We've been trying to take the 'path of least intervention', but we are also trying to honor the fact that Asher still has a lot of joy for life. 

More detailed testing this week revealed that Asher has degenerative disc disease from C-4 to T-1. He has bulging discs at all levels, but the C-4 to C-5 level has significant compression. This explains both his back leg weakness and his front leg lameness. 

I'm struggling with 'bad mommy' feelings. Hindsight is always 20/20, right? We had no idea the extent of Asher's pain because, honestly, he's such a trooper. He's good with the puppies, he plays with them, he never gets aggressive. The vet we saw said that dogs are incredibly stoic and can tolerate incredible amounts of pain. I'm sad our poor guy has been suffering more than I realized, but I'm trying to stay hopeful that we can manage his pain better with some new strategies, including two days of IV pain meds, new oral pain meds and some canine PT! On Friday both Asher and I get to go to our PT! :)

Today, while updating on the phone with Uncle Crazy we filled him in on yet another family member with a messed up spine. Uncle Crazy said: "He's my closest relative!" Ha! We do laugh that Asher fits right into our family with his food allergies and his neck/back pain. 

Our Brave Little Guy

And how funny is this certificate that Asher arrived home with? He was a pretty brave little guy, having never spent a night away from us--he's always been with either Mom and me or with Dad and Abbie. I hate to see our poor guy suffering so much.

Happy Monday!

Blessings,

Emily

Lunch with Mizuki

Reunion!

After our big surprise of my former Japanese neighbors showing up on our doorstep, the reunion continued yesterday when Mizuki came over for an all-American lunch. She stayed in town with friends for a month, while the rest of her family returned to Japan. 

Mom made a classic meal of homemade chicken nuggets, fresh local roasted potatoes, local salad greens and tomatoes, fresh fruit and chocolate tortes for dessert. Mizuki said Mom's chicken nuggets were better than McDonald's. :)

American Gear

Mizuki and Misaki love their iPhones, so I found some really fun little iPhone cases that also hold a couple of other items. I really wanted them to have something American to use, since they have gifted me with beautiful Japanese items. Plus, now Mizuki, Misaki and I will all be in much better touch with email, Facebook and photos! 

I Look Like a Giant Next to Her!

I haven't seen Mizuki in 12 years. Now she's all grown up, working and tutoring elementary students in English, and still the sweet, gentle soul I remember. I really hope we don't have to wait another 12 years to see each other again, to hug again, and to catch up. Next time we also hope Misaki can come! 

I love this girl!

Blessings,

Emily

I Believe In Dogs

Peeking Out From Behind the Flowers

I've been thinking a lot about how much to, or not to, post about Asher and the puppies. Since the age of eight, I've had a dog and I cannot imagine my life without one (or two or three...). I was the little girl who begged and begged for a dog, who decorated holiday ornaments in school with magazine pictures of dogs and finally got my first puppy on Christmas day in second grade. My dogs were always my siblings. 

As many of you know, we adopted Asher in 2002 while I was sick in bed. I held his photo in my hands and waited for this 10 month old rescue dog to arrive in our home. Since that day, he's shown me a fiercely protective love on a level I had not experienced with any other dog. He hates to see his 'sister' suffer. He has spent every night of his life here by my side, ready to alert Mom at any time that something is amiss. Now, he also alerts us to any fighting between his brother and sister or any 'emergencies'. 

This Girl LOVES to be Outside. All. Of. The. Time.

As Asher aged, you all followed our path to deciding to bring Miss Tovah Rose into our lives. And then, our 'oops' baby Gershwin Leor. These two puppies became my furbabies, giving me a break from the often heartbreaking grief over not being a mom. Every day, I get to 'mother' my three dogs. I get to be their Mommy. 

Last night Gershwin woke us up in the middle of the night for an emergency potty break. Tovah cries herself to sleep when she is overtired. She rings the bell to go outside incessantly. Asher needs extra special attention to make sure he eats. The puppies wrestle non-stop. Each dog is a unique and special personality. I love watching them grow and change. They are eager and jolly participants in this thing we call life. And they make my life fuller, more meaningful, and happier. 

You Put These Pillows Here for Me, Right?

While I realize that many people are not as excited about these furbabies as I am, I have decided to try to post a week-in-review photo blog, something I wish I had started when the puppies were little. Some weeks, maybe it will be a look back at something from earlier. For now, these are my babies and the beings that I have been gifted with mothering. While I take joy in the blogs, photos and Facebook posts about your children, I hope you'll enjoy sharing in my journey too. I know how much I cherish following your lives--health, children, furbabies, jobs, travel, hobbies and most importantly, everything YOU! 

I Have it Made!

This week, I got a rare photo op of Asher. He is pretty low key these days. Poor guy has also been shaved since he can no longer hold his back legs up long enough to stand on the groomer's table. Thankfully, it's finally beginning to grow back! 

Otherwise, it's mostly puppy shenanigans around here. Gershwin has learned to jump up on the sofa and bed (and oh how happy he is about this newfound easy access to a lap). He jumped up and nestled himself in the pillows on the sofa the other day. As you can see, he's quite content. I sure wish I could relax like this guy can!

Tovah: Stop Torturing Me and Untether Me from My Noodge of  Brother!
Gershwin: I LOVE Being Close to My Sister! Why Won't She Cuddle With Me?

If Gershwin had it his way, he'd cuddle with his big sister. But Tovah does not like to share her space. I readied the two puppies for their daily walk with Mom and put them on the coupler. I don't know how they dragged each other over to the red bed, but Tovah is so frustrated about being 'stuck' to her brother!

Getting two puppies, as crazy as it is around here, has been such a life-affirming, joyful and sometimes challenging experience. These little guys breathed new life into ALL of us here at the GREATS. For NPR's This I Believe, I just might say: I believe in dogs. :)

I'm off to cuddle with Asher while we listen to a book on CD before bed.

Blessings, and Happy Monday!

Emily

Mini-Reunion: Mack and Robin

Mack and Robin

Hadley arrived in May, Loralea in June, and then Mack in August! Like Hadley, I had not seen Mack since graduation 15 years ago. He has offered to come visit several times, but I allowed my fear of letting him see me sick interfere with that happening. As I said in my earlier post life is too precious and too short for me to keep on with that attitude, so Mack came for a visit this summer with his fiancee, Robin.

He and Robin gifted me with a gorgeous red clutch that I will treasure and will make me think of Davidson and our friendship every time I use it. Go Cats!

Mack, Robin, Me

Mack is another person with whom I have stayed connected with through Facebook and with whom I wish I had spent more time with at Davidson. He's the kindest, gentlest, smartest soul. He's famous for his wonderful hugs, so I made sure he gave me fifteen--one for each year we haven't seen each other! I'm truly sorry we waited so long to see each other.

Dr. Mack is also allowing me to open up to him about medical issues and talk through them with him. I have never wanted to burden him with asking for medical advice, but it's invaluable to have a friend talk to me about very difficult decisions--a friend who has my absolute best interests at heart.

Mack and Me!

When I announced it was 'picture time', Mack enthusiastically said: "Yay! It's my turn to get a photo taken on the couch!" Yes, every visitor must take a photo sitting on the couch in the sunroom. :)
Seeing Mack in person really affirmed our connection with each other and commitment to our friendship. His fiancee, Robin, is fantastic about making sure Mack's Davidson friends are part of his life and she's made him so very happy, which is wonderful to see. Thankfully, they don't live too far away and we hope to see more of each other! I was so happy to meet Robin and finally hug Mack again. 

Blessings,

Emily

Mini-Reunion: Loralea, Brian, Kaylea and Brianna

Me and My Roomie

After my May mini-reunion with Hadley, I had a June mini-reunion with Loralea. 

Brian, Brianna, Loralea, and Kaylea

The last time I saw Loralea she was six months pregnant with her oldest daughter, Kaylea. I have so desperately wanted to meet her little girls for such a long time. Loralea's senior apartment had their own mini-reunion, and then she and her family zipped up to PA for a quick overnight visit. It was a whirlwind for sure, but we squeezed in as many hugs and 'I love yous' as possible. :)

Brianna Plays 'Baby'

Kaylea and Brianna are sweet, loving little girls just like their mommy and daddy, and full of a willingness to give hugs! :) The girls really enjoyed playing with my old Cabbage Patch dolls, my first baby doll, the wooden high chair, the baby bottles and the doll clothes. They were especially excited to discover that Cabbage Patch dolls came with diapers. Ha! I loved seeing new life breathed into my old toys.

Look! A Davidson Bookstore Goodie!

Loralea and her family made a stop at the Davidson bookstore on their way up from South Carolina. We now have matching long-sleeve t-shirts (is there a better kind of t-shirt?).  I am super excited about this, because we love us some long-sleeve t-shirts from Davidson. 

Fast Friends: Brian and Gershwin

Brian and Gershwin became fast friends. Gershwin settled into Brian's lap and didn't move for so long that at one point Brian said: "Are you dead?!" Brian is a K-9 officer who is used to a much more active dog in the home!

Me, Loralea and Kaylea (she looks like a mini-Loralea)

Davidson spends a great deal of time, energy and effort pairing Freshman roommates together. A committee uses a combination of a survey of hobbies, subjects you feel strongest and weakest in, etc.; the Myers-Briggs test; your four entrance essays; and your transcripts to pair roommates. 

One of Davidson's greatest gifts to me was in pairing me with Loralea as my freshman roommate. We are two people who seem so very different on the surface that we may never have become friends otherwise. 

We also lived together sophomore year and were able to visit each other when we both traveled abroad junior year. Had I been a better roommate to Loralea in those first two years, we may have lived together all four years!

Loralea will never know the extent to which she changed me as a person. She is one of the kindest, most loving, most forgiving, most generous people I know. Over the years she opened my heart, she taught me to love more openly, she taught me to be more patient, she taught me to be more forgiving, she taught me to be less judgmental. We hugged each other every night before bed, we always knew where the other person was, we always said I love you, and we were the perfect match of silliness and goofiness. 

Recently the President of Davidson, Carol Quillen, said that the reason alumni give back to Davidson is because of their gratitude to the institution for the relationships formed and the education received. For me, this is certainly the case. Davidson was a challenging, sometimes tumultuous experience for me, but the end result was the most loyal and faithful friends and an enduring legacy of learning.

Thank you Loralea, Brian, Kaylea and Brianna for making the long journey to PA! We can't wait to see you again! 

Blessings,

Emily

Bath Time

Up First: Gershwin

Mom gave the dogs baths. I was in charge of drying and brushing. I don't get too far with brushing before tiring out, but swaddling the pups to dry them is one of my favorite things. 

This Girl LOVES To Be Swaddled

Have a good week. 

Blessings,

Emily

Mini-Reunion: Hadley

Hadley Hanging Out with Twinkle Toes

I think it's time to start posting about my mini-reunions! When I decided to have these mini-reunions, I didn't strategically plan who I wanted to come visit this year. I just put the idea out into the universe, and allowed those who were willing and able to make the travel come to visit. And how wonderfully it all evolved!

My first visitor was the beautiful, brilliant, kind, sweet, lovely Hadley, who arrived at our door with a bouquet of gorgeous yellow roses and my mom sick on the sofa. :P 

Hadley and I hadn't seen each other since graduation, and here was my mom, who is never sick, unable to do anything. Hadley just went with the flow, taking care of picking up dinner, and just doing what needed to be done to help keep the house running. We felt so badly about the 'welcome', but Hadley was a trooper.

Hadley and I had mentioned getting together several times over the years, but we never got it organized. We finally got our butts kicked into gear when she decided to move across the country for a job. 

Hey, We Match! :)

Hadley is one of those people with whom I always wished I had taken more breaks from studying to nourish a friendship. Thankfully, proximity always kept us in contact through the four years--living in the same dorms freshman and sophomore year, swapping rooms the junior year when we went abroad, and living in the same apartment building senior year. Somehow, the universe made sure to keep us connected. I also always loved to visit her in the library where she worked the front desk and I'd find an excuse to take a 'study break'. :) 

Facebook has enabled us to keep in touch over the years and realize just how much we enjoy each other. Once we were together, it was as if we hadn't skipped ahead 15 years. It was easy, comfortable, authentic, honest, and fun. We kept wondering why we had waited so long to see each other.

Now she lives in Aspen. Her photos of her new home are so beautiful, that if I could fly, I'd certainly be there in a heartbeat. Instead, we'll hope Hadley makes another journey to the East Coast for a change of scenery sometime. 

Thank you for our mini-reunion, Hadley! I love you!

Blessings,

Emily

Shanah Tovah

Farmer's Market Flowers

Shanah Tovah!

Mom Has Been Buying Sweet Fresh Bouquets at the Market All Summer Long. I ADORE Fresh Flowers, Especially From Our Local Farmers.

Somehow this year has flown by, and I can't believe it's time to celebrate another new year, and spend the next several days reflecting and repenting.

A Holiday Meal Filled With Sweetness

We celebrated with a simple, but delicious dinner of wild salmon and local green beans and potatoes. For dessert we had grilled pineapple sweetened with maple syrup. Mom had to be a little creative this year in making the celebratory meal, which is usually filled with lots of honey, including apples dipped in honey. However, due to my gastroparesis, I am on a very restrictive diet that does not allow for either of these foods. :( We substituted maple syrup and found a way to put it on the salmon, green beans and pineapple. :) Jeannine joined us for the holiday meal and prayers.

For the past many years, I always recline at dinner time and eat with a special table at a reclining chair, even when we have company. But, this summer, I have started to be able to sit up at dinner time for meals some nights. I cannot stretch the meal out for a long time before needing to move to the sofa or reclining chair, and I need to sit with my legs Indian style, but I really love the feeling of normalcy sitting around the table with everyone else brings. So many small and large victories to enjoy and celebrate as the new year begins!

Making Being Sick Look Glamorous! Ha!

The start of the year 5774 finds me in a place of profound transformation. I feel my soul changing and growing every day. I'm happier, more joyful, more open to life and love than I have been in many, many years. My hope for this new year is that I may continue on this journey of transformation and be written in the book of life. I pray that those I have hurt unknowingly forgive and that G-d in turn does the same of me.

I snapped this photo of myself today while resting in bed this afternoon so that I would have energy for our holiday meal. I am wearing the passion flower dress that my friend Susannah designed and gifted to me. I wore it as a symbol of embracing life and who I am. I love that this photo captures the two sides of me--the one that spends much of her time sick and in bed and the other that spends as much time as possible living life to the fullest. 

No, I Didn't Purposely Dress to Match the Flowers Today.

To my friends and family of Jewish faiths, may your year be as sweet as honey and apples, may you be written in the book of life, and may you be blessed with health, peace and love.

Blessings,

Emily