Dog Days

Earlier this week, we had our "Dog Days of Summer" program - with real dogs!

We had a total of  seven dogs present. They were all well behaved (only one accident), and they all got along with each other and the residents. The owners each talked a little bit about their dogs, and then all of the dogs visited with the residents. The residents loved it. The dogs loved it. It was a win-win all the way around.

After the visiting, I shared some amazing dog stories from this link: http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/93101

These are really good stories. I recommend checking it out, even if you're not a "dog person."

This is one of our  favorite family members (although, we don't play favorites), and one of our best volunteers, Sandy Waters. Her two dogs, Dakota and Montana, are trained therapy dogs and she brings one of the almost every day. 

This is another family member with her trained therapy dog, Mardi Gras (center). Mardi Gras is a Standard Poodle - actually called a Parti Poodle because of its two colors.

This is Molly, a Shih Tzu. The dog behind Molly, on the screen, is Fala, FDR's dog.

This is Sam. Sam belongs to one of our Dietary Managers, Mary Stenger. Mary recently moved and couldn't take Sam, so Sam lives with me now. Well, Sam lives with me, my wife, our other two dogs Bailey and Buddy, and my daughter's cat, Mo (short for Maureen. My daughter was really into "Rent" at the time.) Mo actually seems to love Sam. Sam, however, does not reciprocate.

This is Oreo. Oreo belongs to one of out personal caregivers. Her name is Cookie. You can probably figure out why Oreo is named Oreo.

 This is my dog, Bailey. You may remember Bailey from an earlier blog and subsequent news story. I took a picture of her sitting at a table during a Bingo game and put a Bingo card in front of her. I put it up on the blog  (http://stonegardensmenorah.blogspot.com/2010/07/baileys-blog-brings-buzz.html) and the next thing I know two local news teams show up. I had to tell them that Bailey didn't really play Bingo, that I had staged the photo. They were already therem so they did the story anyway.

The Goodtime III, the 4th, the Big Five, and the inexplicable $6.25 Snack Food

Catching up on summer bogging.

Our 4th of July Parade. I'm not sure why, but they keep asking me to be the Grand Marshal.

On our way to Blossom Music Center to see (and hear) the Cleveland Orchestra. That's THE Cleveland Orchestra - one of the "Big Five."

Picnic at Blossom before the concert.

Getting on the tram to go to our seats.

On the tram.

waiting for the concert to start.

Getting on the Goodtime III for our annual Cuyahoga River lunch cruise.

Marnie comforting a resident who was on the waiting list to go to the Casino and didn't get to go.

(She went the time before, though,)

BBQ Picnic lunch in our Rose Garden.

 At the Bob Feller statue in front of Progressive Field before the start of the Indians game.

Some of the food we did not eat at the stadium.

Nice day. Pizza and Hot Dogs. Indians lost.

Our view.

It has been a busy summer, and there's no letting up.

I will blog more photos as soon as I can!

Um, Should I Be Worried?

Fire and Love

We  finally got to have a campfire outside. The weather was perfect.

And here I am with our brand new fire pit. I always like to demonstrate how to build a one-match-fire with tinder, kindling and fuel - never lighter fluid - a skill I learned many years ago at Camp Wise.

So, for your entertainment (or whatever it is) here are way too many pictures of me building a perfect fire (pardon my hubris, but it's one skill I actually have.)

The tinder is lit.

Feeding it with kindling.

Fire in the hole! (The pie hole) I'm thinking of taking up fire eating. But I hear the heartburn is extreme.

Changed the A frame to an H frame.

Admiring fans.

Marshmallows roasted, ready to eat.

Here are a few pictures from our Sadie Hawkins Dance. The dance was a celebration of the Jewish holiday of Tu B'Av, a  day to celebrate love.

Our Reigning Prom King and Queen.