Victoria Advocate, A Different Perspective
Lacey, our dog, has been “squirreling” for the last month, eating the bark off trees and dutifully waiting to catch a squirrel. She finally caught one.
My book launch had reached the midpoint, which included a day for the launch team members to push book sales of Glitter and the Grouch. I looked up and saw something on the dog rug. Sure enough, Lacey had brought a dead squirrel through the doggy door and up the stairs to my office and was oh-so proud of herself.
I was horrified. Lacey growled at me when I stuck her outside the room. I wasn’t sure the squirrel was dead because its beady little eyes were open. I gave it a tentative poke—yes, entirely dead—then threw a hand towel over it. Carrying it downstairs, I put it in the outside trash. A big guy—the patriarch who’s been feasting on the green pecans on our tree. Limp and still warm. Eww.
Later that evening, Dave buried it. Then he noticed scratches around Lacey’s snout. Seems the squirrel didn’t go down without a fight. Lacey is still checking out the trees, ready for round two. The remaining squirrels chatter at her and make dashing forays across the yard. I’m not convinced they’ve learned their lesson.
Our daughter was over her bout with COVID, so we took a day trip to New Braunfels. Her oldest was happy that her lizard had laid one egg, then she found a second one. Ellie, the youngest, had a “dragon station” set up on one corner of the counter and contented herself with making a Legos butterfly to join them. And Ria asked Alexa to play Three Dog Night’s version of “Joy to the World,” to see Mamaw rock out to that song. I did. Something about growing up in the seventies with all the cool bands.
And the chickens. They still have the rooster. Fortunately, their neighbors don’t mind. My daughter said, apparently, she was the only one irritated by his ritual of crowing every morning. They also have a broody chicken who was monopolizing the egg-laying compartment, so the other chickens began to lay their eggs elsewhere. And one of their dogs—the stout one—has figured out how to slip into the coop and eat the leftovers intended for the birds.
After that lovely day, we picked up our grandsons after church to spend some time with them as well. One stop for a piping hot pizza and away we went. My husband crafted a solar system replica with Emmitt, the eight-year-old, and David and I explored his new phone. He was quite chatty as he showed me how to use it, especially since I own an android. In the background, we watched New Orleans soundly whip the Cowboys. Head coach Mike McCarthy’s face was priceless. We played a fun card game, Skunk on the Campground, which is like Old Maid. Mamaw got skunked twice, much to the boy’s delight.
I had a book signing at Citizen’s HealthPlex. Many of the employees know the series begins in a popular gym setting and have been super supportive of my writing. Having a book signing at the place I exercise was like playing to a home crowd. Lots of encouragement and this time, my daughter-in-law joined me. I’ve decided she’s my secret weapon, since book sales picked up once she arrived.
This November, a historical election will take place. Are you registered to vote? Not voting is a sure-fire way to let apathy win. That said, it shouldn’t be a personality contest either. As a Christian, the candidates whose platform is closest to biblical values get my vote.
A person or new policies isn’t what makes America great. It’s only when we embrace God and what He considers important that our country will prosper. That’s the lesson we need to learn.