Emma actually has more than one blankie. That his handy when one needs washing. She is so good to lay on one. I use it a lot when out, in church especially so she knows her place, but other places too. The picture below was last week at Rosa's birthday party last week.



Today we were home. We did some cooking, some laundry and Mike and Tia and Rosa stopped by too. That was the best part of the day. They hand an errand nearby and came to help Greg with something. We love their visits.

I got out some toys of Emma's that she hasn't used for awhile. That is always fun for her. I also had to spend extra time brushing her. She really is shedding.

I don't have much to write today but I wanted to share this picture. Watch out I downloaded a lot of pictures so you will see them on the blog some of the days.

Here's hoping you have something to comfort you like a blankie.

Love Mary and Emma

Friday we had a busy day but did nap. We did some errands with Greg. Practicing skills with the scooter at Target. Emma did an awesome job. I decided that sometimes since I am with others I rush about. I don't take enough time to practice various skills, or to deal with it if she hesitates on something. Well this outing went very well.

In the evening we went to an Art Show. Greg's brother Dan (yes my son is named after him) does unique art with various mediums. I think in this picture you can see the long wall piece made of leather. He does a lot with texture and color. I would like any of his pieces in my house. He did make a special piece for Greg for his birthday. Anna, Emma, Greg and I went. We met Tia and Mike and Rosa there. We are so proud of Dan and pleased that at this time of his life he has time to devote to his art work. It is in the Northrup King building in Mpls. I guess it is called the Art District. The building was like an Open House with lots of artists showing their work. I didn't have enough energy to see as much as I would like to. But we did have a great time.

We took Rosa home with us. In the back seat she is entertained and protected by Emma. My picture isn't as great as I would like - but you get the idea. She came home with us for a few hours and we had a great time. She was so much fun. She sure likes to hug Emma at this age.



I was too tired to post Friday night so am doing so on Saturday. I have chores to do so I better get moving.

Here is hoping you find joy in art, music or whatever renews your soul.
Mary and Emma

This is a sleepy Rosa taken during the summer. Isn't my angel granddaughter beautiful? I felt this sleepy today after water exercise and tonight. I took a nap for several hours and Emma didn't even wake me to go outside. I guess she was sleepy also?

It is the Feast of All Saints in the Catholic Church so of course Greg is working. He won't be home till late. I was thinking of the people I have known that I think are saints in Heaven. People like my Grandma among others. It is a day when i think of those I have loved and miss them.

One singer I like is Peter Mayer. I think Emma likes him too - I play it enough. He is a folk singer not the rock modern singer with a similar name. He sings a song about Everything is Holy Now. It is wonderful. It reflects on his youth and formal religious events but that now he sees the holiness in nearly everything.

I mention that because I firmly thing for Greg (who has had cancer several times) and I (MS) I think we look at life different now as well. We see the sacred holiness of times shared with family and friends. I think God is Love and is present in a special way at those moments. I use to explain to people when Greg was really ill that every day we shared together was as special as Christmas - we treasured it so much.

I remember one summer that Greg had a big surgery due to cancer, and I had struggles due to MS (though it wasn't yet diagnosed). I could barely walk and was trying to care for him. Dan , my son, was still in grade school. I asked my son "Will you remember this as the summer you rarely got to the beach or the park or did fun things with your parents?" I was so discouraged.

His reply lightened my mood. "I will remember this as the summer I watched every Twins game with my Dad, and my mom and I played lots of board games". He found joy in our presence even while I was feeling bad about how health was limiting our opportunities.

I think even Emma gives me a glimpse of the comfort from God. Today she was helpful in public and so comforting snuggling next to me. She is like God's voice inviting me to go out to enjoy nature and play with her. She accepts me if I am so sleepy, and when we are more active. She shows me unconditional love. It gives me a glimpse of how much God must love us.

My belief that I see so many things as holy - does not mean I see church or organized religion as not important. I see the value in joining with a church community. I just don't think it is the only place to find God, holiness etc.

I think of Emma as a gift from God. Truly Judy is an example of an angel in life now. Besides other volunteer things she does/did, she has trained Emma, helped Tiga be healthy and have two litters of puppies, and is training Charlie. She gives unselfishly of herself to others...another sign of holiness.

As I think of saints - I think of the song by Alabama called "Angel's Among Us". Certainly the staff of helping paws, foster families, and countless volunteers are angels to those of us in need of the assistance of a service dog.

Thanks to all of you who are angels in my life - especially Judy, Emma's foster mom.
I am sleepy but not so sleepy that I can't think of the angels among us and how I see God's Holiness in so many places.

Wishing you love in your life,
Mary and Emma

It was Hubert Humphrey's granddaughter who went to Fraser School. I once met him and his wife and we talked briefly about the school. He even wrote me a letter.

Happy Halloween. I still can't figure out why I can upload some pictures from my computer and not others. So much for my picture of Emma with a hat on that says "My Little Pumpkin". You will have to use your imagination.

Instead you get to see a picture without Emma but one that is special to me:
These lovely ladies are my Grandma Anna (second from the left) and her sisters. Those were the days when grandma's "looked" like Grandma's! I loved her so much. She died when I was in second grade but I have vivid memories of her. A relative found this picture and sent it to me. We don't know the year but it is at a family reunion we think. Notice they all have flowers on also. Love those shoes? I remember the grandma type of shoes - sensible to say the least.

I think my Grandma liked dogs as my Aunt talks fondly of the one they had. My grandfather died of pneumonia and left my Grandmother with all those children. She worked hard to be able to support them.

Have you heard of Fraser School in Mpls I think. It started in my Grandma;s living room. My dad was the bus driver (car). Her friend Mrs. Fraser had a child born that Drs. said would never learn. Both the women were teachers and would not accept that sentence for her life. So they started a school for kids who had trouble learning. Turned out that daughter was simply completely deaf. She not only progressed but later helped teach at the school. Hubert Humphrey's daughter went there. I am so proud of my Grandma and Mrs. Fraser both who are no longer living. The school now begins I think with pre-schol and has both classes for those who need extra help and other children as well.

My hope is to be a Grandma as wonderful as my Grandma Anna. She was gentle and kind and loving. She taught me to read and told me "If you learn to read Mary, you can learn anything - because you can read about it", I passed along her wisdom to my students and my children.

Well let's talk about Emma a bit. We went to my counselor and she is spoiled there. I let them greet her before she lays down for my session. My son picked me up and so she got to see him. We took a nap due to our festivities tonight. I am going with my daughter to the Lion King. Won't that be fun for us.

Hope you have a great Halloween. Thanks for letting me brag about my Grandma. My cousin reads this and will let me know if my memories are not accurate. I think they are...I know my cousin and my siblings all loved my Grandma.

Wishing you happiness,
Mary and Emma