Random Trinket

Our Labrador Retriever Jupiter (R.I.P) found this glass apple for us in Boulder.

When we had our condo on 34th Street, we'd walk down the block a couple of times per day and let him romp around at Howard Heuston Park to "get the crazies" out. We'd generally bring out a tennis racket and a couple of balls to send them back and forth across the park for him.

During one outing, he came back with this tennis ball-sized glass apple, retrieved in the tall grass. It's remained one of our few decorations ever since.

empty spot

It's been a rough day with us losing Jupie this morning. The oddest thing is the absence of his presence - hearing his bark when the garage door opened, expecting him to eat crumbs off the floor and listening for the now-absent "thunk-thunk-thunk" of his happy tail hitting the floor.

What's been the strangest to me is not seeing him in his spot (pictured). That was always a good vantage point for him as he could always see where each family member was. Close to the kitchen, the stairs leading to the bedroom, the basement stairs and the front door.

We're glad that we won't be living in a home that has so many of these subtle reminders of him.

Jupiter 1996 - 2008, R.I.P.

You will be missed immensely, J.

Green Lake Visit, Aug 21-22

The three of us were very fortunate to visit Green Lake a few days ago. With Jupie on his last days, we wanted to spend some time with him to say goodbye.

We dragged the boat up, but never even launched it as we had more fun just hanging out at "Old Acres" for a couple of days of swimming, fishing and relaxing.

Much remains the same at the old place - pretty amazing since it's been 21 years since Grandma O sold it. A few trees have come down in storms and the houses could use a fresh coat of paint, but for the most part visiting the property is like traveling back in time.