Now, the squirrels are a different story. Tuffy and they have their own game. They love to challenge him and tease him unmercifully. Always safely out of reach of course but the game can go on for quite some time as he chases them and they sit chattering at him. I don't know who enjoys it more, Tuffy or the squirrels.

Trying to put into words just how magnificent nature truly is, and how wondrously blessed we are to be the beneficiaries of her bounty is a daunting task.  Anne Frank found the words. She wrote, "The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature." 

 A brief explanation of why things may look a bit different around here. My new monitor is great but it has meant relearning a lot of things. A process still ongoing it seems. Larger may be the trend of the day but it has definitely complicated things with my graphics. I am attempting to make the pages aesthetically pleasing for all monitor sizes while working with a monitor with a resolution of 1280 x 1024 and that certainly creates a challenge at times. Much of the time I am only semi satisfied. I had no idea what changing to a wide screen would be like. I'm not sure knowing what some have been seeing is a good thing, it certainly surprised me ! But after all, I am only an amateur at this stuff so make allowances... OK ? The site has become so large over the years that changing all of the pages is really not feasible so I've attempted to modify here and there and hope visitors find the place at least welcoming and with a touch of warmth as I truly do appreciate all the visitors who drop by from time to time and want them to realize that. 

For those of you for whom it's a first time visit, I really am pleased you dropped by. You'll find my site has no particular theme and the topics can range from serious to frivolous with particular emphasis on family and children. I am, as you will find as you browse through the various pages, a very outspoken and concerned individual but even when I go off on one of my political tirades it's motivated by a very genuine concern for those who are going to have to live with the results of the decisions and actions of those who are charged with securing our futures and who have done a superb job of royally messing things up in recent years. 

Relax, I am not always pontificating. Sometimes I even attempt to be amusing. My  inate sense of the ridiculous is quite well honed but then, at my age, thank goodness it is. Otherwise I would have given up long ago and decided to grow old gracefully in silence. As that is not the case it's only right I give you fair warning I don't pull too many punches. I say what I think. Isn't that one of the bonuses which accompanies the "Golden Years"? In all honesty I do have to admit I've always been that way and it's way too late for me to change now. 

Petey, my very special little buddy who passed away last year was from the beginning a very large part of this site so his approval was a definite requirement and I still miss him a great deal. He spent a great many years helping me maintain the place as you will see if you visit Petey's Nook. My little site foreman was an invaluable source of material through the years. All of those pages shall remain a part of this site as long as the site exists. You will find it, and a great deal more, if you check out the Site Directory Page. The site has become so large over the years that it's the only way I could think of to help out visitors so they didn't get lost around here.

Our adorable little ShihTzu, Tuffy is going to attempt to fill Petey's shoes from now on. He isn't as tiny but he is every bit as feisty and lovable and I know you will come to love him just as I have. Petey left me in very good hands. He stuck around until he was certain that Tuffy would be able to take over and only then did he decide it was time for him to fly away. Petey actually chose Tuffy's first birthday as the day he would leave me. He was so tired and yet he would not leave until he knew he was leaving me in good hands. My very much loved Petey shall always share a very large part of my heart. I miss him sitting on my shoulder supervising more than I can say. We were together for so many years. More years than anyone can expect from a tiny canary. But Petey always was exceptional. Now his children and grandchildren are with us to always remind us of that very special little wonder who brightened our lives for over fifteen years. 

There are quite a number of pages here but hopefully you will enjoy browsing. You may not always agree with me but I don't think you will be bored. I hope your children will like the Holiday section as there are a number of original children's Christmas stories there which I have written through the years. I come up with a new one every year at Christmas time. As I have already said, I can be serious a lot of the time but do also have an inner child always struggling to surface. I guess you can put that down to the fact that I have never really wanted to grow up and lose my imagination. Check out the Christmas directory in the Holiday section for a listing of those stories. I think, and hope, you might get a chuckle out of some of them. I did write a Halloween story a few years ago also but it is for older children and tucked away on it's own in the Holiday section. 

My main interests however are children and family and are the reason I feel so strongly about things and wax political at times. Quite a few times in recent years. I do worry about our children's futures a great deal. The older I become, the more I realize what a treasure and responsibility it is when we are given children to nurture and love and I really only want others younger than myself to not take time for granted as I, and so many others did when we and our children were young. If I accomplish nothing other than that they might take time to savour each moment more fully after sharing my thoughts and reveries for a few moments I will have succeeded. I truly believe that absolutely nothing is more important ... or more rewarding. 

It isn't a requirement you know that we all agree on every subject but being willing to respect the opinions of others does lead to better communication, and that we most assuredly must cultivate if our way of life is to survive. I do attempt to avoid inflicting my political views on visitors to my web site as often as I can restrain myself, however I will readily admit that I am somewhat opinionated at times, particularly with regards to the welfare of children everywhere and our very much cherished and precious freedoms. Most times I do honestly make a sincere effort to try to temper that trait with a degree of caution, as I certainly recognize that my visitors may not agree with my point of view. However ... I make no apology for the occasional slip so be forewarned ! 

An explanation of why you will find so many pages on my site accompanied by the same MIDI's may be in order. The vast majority of my pages are complemented by the music created by my husband who is a very talented musician. As his MIDI's are always all created in real time and not with any MIDI software program such as 'Band in a Box', which create the music for many, his catalogue has been hindered in recent years. He has not been physically able to play as he demands of himself as he is afflicted with Rheumatoid Arthritis and this has led to his not being willing to create as many new MIDI's as he has done historically. He does still play when he is able so from time to time a new one will appear. That is why the one used on this page means so much to me. He made a very special effort to surprise me with this one as a special gift to me a couple of years ago knowing this particular song meant so much to me. I do hope you enjoy it as I do. 

Please wander leisurely through the different pages of our site, I sincerely thank you for dropping by and I really do hope you enjoy your visit and will come back to visit often. I do update as often as time allows so there will be new content on a fairly regular basis.