Sharing Food, The Eagle And The Fire

 When Grandma Lu got home, she was greeted with, "What's for supper?" She put down her book and said, "Well, let's see what's in the fridge. Oh good, there are lots of leftovers from last night. I will just warm them up and I won't have to cook."

After supper Grandma Lu was doing dishes and thinking about Heidi and her grandfather. "What a life they must have lived. Far different from mine that's for sure. My old bones could not climb mountains and I have never had a drink of goat's milk. However, I did have some goat ice cream once. Oh my that's been so many years ago when we went to visit my cousin in Florida. They raised goats. It was good, but very different."

When Grandma Lu picked up the book the phone rang. It was her friend and they visited for quite some time. Then her husband wanted her to watch television with him. It soon was time for bed so she didn't get a chance to read any more of her book. "Tomorrow, dear Heidi. I will read about your adventures tomorrow."

The next morning Grandma Lu's husband said he was going to be gone for the morning helping a neighbor. It was Grandma Lu's chance to read her book. She opened up the chapter where Heidi joined Peter and his goats, plus her grandfather's two goats to climb the mountain where the grass was green and the flowers were beautiful. As they were leaving her grandfather warned Peter again about watching out for Heidi and not letting her fall off the cliffs. He also reminded him to milk a goat for Heidi's lunch as well as the bread and cheese he had added to Peter's lunch bag.

Heidi was picking wildflowers and keeping them in her apron when suddenly a loud screech startled her and she asked Peter what the loud screech was. "It is an eagle. He's probably flying to his nest." Heidi  immediately wanted to go to the eagle's nest. Peter said it was way too high to climb. The goats couldn't even climb that high. "Well, why is he screeching?" asked Heidi. Peter said, "I don't know. That's just what they do." Heidi thought to herself that when she got back to her grandfather's hut she would ask him.

Soon it was time for their lunch. Peter quickly milked a goat and gave Heidi the milk. She drank it quickly because she was thirsty. He again milked the goat and she drank some more. Peter got out the big chunk of cheese and large slice of bread Heidi's grandfather had packed for her and then he got out his little piece of bread for himself. After Heidi had eaten what she wanted she gave Peter a large portion of cheese and bread that was left and told him to eat it. She was full. Peter had never eaten so much at one time. He was so very thankful for the large lunch.

Heidi had asked Peter the names of all the goats. He knew their names and told Heidi. She repeated the names and asked Peter if the mountains had names and he told her no. As he was putting lunch things away he heard the bleating of a goat. He ran to see what the matter was and saw Thistlefinch a goat that was a bold and usually strong goat had gotten too close to the edge of a cliff and was in danger of falling completely off the mountain. Only one leg remained close enough for Peter to grab and hang on to. Peter was losing the battle of saving the goat, but Heidi quickly came to the rescue with some fresh good smelling herbs. The goat calmed down and ate the herbs making it easier for Peter to pull the goat to safety. Losing a goat was unforgiveable to Peter's living. He would lose what little pennies he earned. His mother, grandmother, and he would surely starve. He took up his rod and was going to beat the goat for being so careless. Heidi stopped him immediately and told him she would give him her lunch or at least the majority of it if he would never beat the goats. Peter reluctantly agreed, but he was still angry.

The sun had started to set and as it did it seemed that the mountain was on fire. The snow on top of the mountains had turned a beautiful rosy color and even her wonderful fir trees took on a rosy glow. "Oh look, Peter. All the mountains are on fire. Look at that mountain. It is all rosy. What is it's name?" Peter said, "Those mountains don't have names. They are just mountains." Heidi thought to herself, "Well, there's another question that I need to ask Grandfather when we get back home."

When Peter, the goats, and Heidi came back the mountain to Heidi's grandfather's house. Peter waved and said, "Goodbye, see you tomorrow!" Grandfather shook his head and said, "Not, tomorrow. The weather will be bad with a lot of wind. A little person like Heidi would get blown away." That made Peter sad. He liked Heidi's company even though she talked a lot, she was funny. Plus she brought a big lunch with her every day and shared it with him. He would miss that a lot. It was no fun to be hungry.

After Heidi washed up for supper she asked her grandfather the two questions she had saved for him all day. "Grandfather, why do eagles screech? Her grandfather mimicked the eagle and roared, "You silly people you should live on top of the mountain where the air is fresh and the scenery is beautiful?" Heidi laughed at her mostly grouchy grandfather being silly. Then she asked the second question. "Grandfather why do the mountains turn red as fire in the afternoon?" Her grandfather smiled and said, "That is the sun kissing the mountains, the flowers, and the snow a goodnight." With that he said, "It's time for young ladies to get to bed now so no more questions." Heidi gave his legs a squeeze and quickly got dressed for bed. When she crawled into her comfy straw bed she closed her eyes and dreamed of a rosy mountain filled with beautiful wildflowers and fell sound asleep.

But grandfather did not sleep. He now was responsible this sweet little granddaughter. He had things to think about and things to do. Tomorrow would be a new day and new things to not only teach this little one, but to do for her as well.

Heidi Loves The Wildflowers And Goat's Milk

 Heidi's grandfather gave her a heavy blanket to cover up with for the chilly night. Heidi just couldn't wait to go to bed in her wonderful new bedroom. She told her grandfather that she wished that she was sleepy so she could go to her new bedroom. He smiled and said, "I think we should probably eat something first. You have had a long day today." The minute she heard the word food she got hungry.

Grandma Lu smiled as she was reading this old book. "I get hungry too at just the mention of food." She continued to read about the supper that alm-uncle or grandfather prepared for Heidi. On the fireplace he took big chunks of cheese and roasted them over the fire. He had hunks of bread that he put the roasted cheese on and put them on plates that Heidi had found in the cupboard. He also had milk that he put in bowls on the table. Again Grandma Lu smiled. "I did not realize that she was eating cheese made of goat milk or that she was drinking goat's milk when I read this so many years ago. Heidi had told her grandfather that she had never tasted anything better.

Grandfather made a chair and a table out of his chair and a three legged stool for Heidi to eat on. He stood and ate his meal. When they had finished eating they went outside to the shed. Heidi watched her grandfather quickly make her a chair that was high enough for her to eat from. She was so excited.

At last evening came. Again she could hear those fir trees howl. It was so very windy, but it did not scare Heidi. She loved the fir tree noise.

All at once Heidi heard a sharp whistle. It was Peter, the goatherder. When they got about half way up the mountain they stopped at Grandfather's home. Grandfather's two goats came out of the herd and stood before her grandfather. He had salt in his hands and the goats licked up the salt eagerly while Heidi petted them and asked all kinds of questions. One of the goats was brown and one was white. She asked their names and if they were going to stay and where they would stay. The fierce looking grandfather at last smiled and answered yes, yes, yes. 

Grandfather told Heidi to go in the house and get a bowl and a piece of bread. Grandfather quickly milked one of the goats and filled the bowl with milk which Heidi drank with her bread. It was so good!

She again asked her grandfather the names of the goats. He said, "The brown one is Schwanli and the white one is Barli. She watched as the goats walked into the shed. The wind was so strong it about knocked her over so she went into the hut and climbed the ladder to her big beautiful bedroom. She felt like a princess as the wind rocked the hut Heidi fell sound asleep.

The next morning she at first didn't know where she was. When she realized where she was she jumped out of bed and climbed down the ladder .Peter was already there with the goats waiting for Schwanli and Barli. Grandfather asked Heidi if she would like to go with Peter for the day on the mountain and watch the goats. She clapped her hands and said, "Yes, Yes, Yes." Grandfather had Heidi wash and get dressed. He put extra bread and cheese in Peter's food bag. He told Peter to milk a goat for Heidi and put the milk in a bowl for her. He warned Peter to make sure he watched her closely so that she didn't fall over the rocks.

Heidi was wild with joy. Where she had lived before she was not allowed to go outside because the old woman Ursula, was deaf and afraid to let Heidi out of her sight. She now was free to jump and run and explore the mountain with her new friend, Peter. Oh and so many beautiful wildflowers. There were primroses and golden rockroses. There were blue flowers and red flowers. There were flowers that were tall and flowers that grew in bushes. How she loved them. Oh and the butterflies loved the flowers too!

 Those wildflowers were soon to be so very irritating to Peter's easy life as a goatherder. Now that little girl was everywhere and laying hiding in the flowers! He found himself getting angry as the climb continued. He swung his rod trying to keep the goats together plus watch out for Heidi. All that little girl did was pick flowers and talk and ask questions!

Again Grandma Lu grinned as she remembered her own grandfather acting like Peter, the goatherder. Grouchy. She never knew why her grandfather was grouchy, but Peter, yes. Grandma Lu figured the Peter was so very poor and lonely. He had no friends, and needed to herd goats to make pennies to survive on. His grandmother was blind and his mother cared for her and managed their home and mended their clothes. Peter made the only money that they had to buy they needed.

Grandma Lu looked up from her book and discovered that she had been at the library for quite some time. She should probably check out her book and go home and get supper ready for her and her husband. How she had enjoyed the afternoon. She had seen and visited with people she knew and smiled when she remembered the small boy, Joey, and teaching him about imagination.

The Straw Bed Was The Perfect Place To Sleep

 Peter, the goatherder, grinned at his new little friend. She was so funny. She had taken off all her clothes except her petticoat and was asking him so many questions it made his head spin. But he thought she was fun and cute and answered her questions as best he could. She wanted to know everything about his goats; how many and where they were going, and what he did with them once they got there. It had been a lonely life for Peter with only goats to not only herd, but to talk to.

Heidi had forgotten about her aunt Deta since she was having such a new and interesting adventure with Peter. However, soon she was reminded by the cross voice of her aunt when she had discovered her clothes and shoes and socks in a pile. Heidi had taken her clothes off and left them in a spot that was a good half hour's walk to collect them. Her aunt was so unhappy and told Heidi so in no uncertain words. After a moment Heidi's aunt offered Peter a nickel to gather Heidi's clothes. Even though he was late he was excited to have the extra money and scrambled down the mountain to get the clothes.

The rest of the trip up the mountain took about forty-five minutes. It was a steep climb, but to Heidi it was worth every minute. Overlooking the meadow she could see mountains and steep cliffs. She also saw an old man sitting on a bench with a pipe in his mouth. He had been watching the three visitors and the goats climb to where his home was.

Heidi walked over to him and said, "Hello, grandfather!" He took the child's hand and said, "What does this mean?" Heidi's aunt told the old man that Heidi was his granddaughter. She said that she was the daughter of his son whom had died almost four years ago.

True to his grouchy and mean reputation he shouted, "Take her away! I know nothing of caring for a child. She will cry and beg for you. And you, Peter, you are late with my goats. Get them now or...Peter saw the angy face and scurried to get the alm-uncle's goats.

Deta said, When the baby, Heidi, was left in my hands a few years ago I found a way. Now is my chance for a good job and I intend to take it!"

Oh this made Heidi's grandfather angry. He stood up and yelled, "Go then. Go on and don't come back.!"

Deta hurriedly said good-bye to Heidi and and started down the mountain. Well the people that told her not to leave Heidi with the old man, now yelled at her when she came down to the village. "How could you leave that child with that mean man?" Deta couldn't wait to get away from this mountain and nosy people. She would be so glad to move away and earn money. She soon would be on her way to Frankfurt.

Heidi decided to walk around the hut that her grandfather called home. Behind the hut were fir trees. The wind blew through them and made a marvelous sound that made Heidi so very happy. She went back to talk to the large and strange man she was now to live with. He said, "What do you want to do now?" She said, "I want to see where I will sleep at night." He said, "Alright, go in and see where you would like your bed. Bring your clothes with you."

Heidi picked up her clothes, socks, shoes, hat, coat, and a shawl. And looked around the inside of her new home. It was large inside. It had a fireplace, a table and only one chair, and a bed that her grandfather slept in.

"Give me your clothes and I will put them away. They will be there for you to wear tomorrow." "Oh, no. I don't want to wear them anymore." Her grandfather's big bushy eyebrows grew together to make almost one huge eyebrow. "And why is that?" he asked. "Because I want to be light footed like the goats," she laughed. For some reason the old man was pleased with her answer and showed her where to put her clothes. It was a very large and tall cupboard. It held towels, soap, food like bread and eggs, and also clean clothes.

As Heidi looked around she saw a ladder. She climbed up the ladder and much to her surprise she saw another whole room. It had fresh straw scattered about, it had a window, and most of all she felt fresh air from the fir trees. She could hear the birds chirping. She could hear the goats in their shed; she could see the wildflowers growing everywhere! She knew that this was the perfect place.

"Here, Grandfather. Here is where I want to sleep." For only being five years old she knew exactly how to gather the straw to make her a very comfortable bed. One thing was missing. She needed a sheet. "Grandfather, do you have a sheet for my bed? He chuckled and said, "Yes, I do. A pillow as well. Are you sure this is where you want to sleep?" She assured him it was and together they made a bedroom that Heidi just knew she would never want to leave.

Her Dad's Dictionary and her Mother's List

 Grandma Lu read about the author of the book Heidi. "Goodness sakes, this was written long before I was born. I have a feeling my mother read this when she was a girl because she told me that it was too old for me to read. I wonder why she let me check it out that day. She was probably testing me to see just how many words that I knew." Grandma Lu smiled. Her mother had been right, but oh my how she made me learn what to do when I didn't know what a word meant.

Her memory went back to when she was probably about eight years old and lived on the farm. She got the book on a Saturday, but there was no time to start reading it that day. The next day was Sunday which was church day. Sunday mornings were always a rush because her dad had cows to milk and feed and a white shirt and tie to put on. Inevitably Jerry, the bull, had made his way out of the fence which upset my mom to no end. Then after church we either had dinner at my grandparent's house or had company at our house. "Oh how I itched to get out my new book and read about a girl about my age or younger called Heidi. But before I got a chance to read it it was a Monday afternoon after my chores were done. How I remember perhaps the first five minutes of trying to read my new book. Oh my. It did not turn out the way I thought it was going to. I had situated myself and my book in my dad's chair in the living room dining room combination. I could see my mom cooking or baking probably something for supper.

The first chapter was titled Going Up to the Alm-Uncle.

"Mom, what is an Alm-Uncle? She answered me with,  "Are you reading your new book?" I answered, "Yes. I don't know what an Alm-Uncle is." She said, "The story that you are reading takes place in a country called Switzerland. It's far far away and they have different customs and sayings than we do here in America. If I remember right Alm is their word for pasture or meadow. That is where Heidi's grandfather lived on a mountain, but his cabin was on a beautiful pasture or meadow."

"But they call him Alm-Uncle when he was really her grandfather?"

My mother would rub her forehead when she was frustrated, worried, tired, or had answered one of my many questions throughout her day. Her answer was, "Because, and don't ask again. I think it was an expression that they used for grandfather. Now read your book. If it's too hard we will take it back and get you something easier. It's not fun to read a book that has too many hard words."

I read about five words before I stumbled on another word. I asked my mom how to pronounce it this time. I could hear her clear her throat. I also saw her stop her work, wipe her hands and got into a cupboard in the living room. I recognized the book that she took out. It was my dad's huge dictionary. She looked at me and said, "Now, little one. You go get your tablet, a pencil and your book. Put them on your lap. This book tells you how to sound out and pronounce words that you aren't sure of. Write each of them down just like they are in the dictionary. When you are about done reading this afternoon you and I will go over them together. Okay?"

Grandma Lu smiled to herself as she remembered that big old dictionary. She still had it. Her dad had a way with a cardboard box and a roll of duct tape to make things last for years. She had made that list for her mother. It took so much time! It was not fun to read by herself. That evening her mother sat beside her and together they read the book about a little girl who had no mother. Her aunt was taking her to her grandfather to live. But he lived on a mountain! She had no clue what a mountain was or why any little girl wouldn't have a mama. But she was especially upset about this little girl having to live with her grandfather, because her grandfather never smiled and said, "Little girls shouldn't talk so much."

As Grandma Lu read she remembered the steep climb Heidi made. She was so terrible hot. Her aunt had dressed her in many layers of clothes so she wouldn't have to carry them. Finally Heidi sat down on the ground and started taking off her clothes. Her aunt said, "Heidi, what are you taking your clothes off for?  We have to get to Alm-Uncle's soon so I can get to my new job. I can no longer take care of you. I have a new job in a town called Frankfurt. We need to get there soon so he will give you your evening meal and I can be on my way to a new career and an exciting life."

After about an hour Heidi and her aunt came to a village that the book called a hamlet. Grandma Lu smiled remembering that she had written that word on her list.

The folks in the village seemed to be afraid of Heidi's grandfather. They said he was old and grouchy and were questioning her aunt for taking her to his house.  But Heidi wasn't listening to the folks talking about her grandfather. She had wandered away and found a boy that the book called a goatherd. That was because he took care of and herded goats like shepherds take care of and herd sheep. The boy's name was Peter and he was eleven years old. Heidi was only five.

Again Grandma Lu smiled remembering telling her mom she knew all about shepherds 'cause they were in the Bible.

                                               &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Reading a book from your childhood when you are a seasoned adult changes your whole perspective on this story. As I re-read this book I found out why her grandfather was so mean acting and looking. He had lost a son. A terrible thing for any parent to experience. My mom and dad had lost a daughter when she was only five. I'm wondering now if this was one reason my mother thought I could skip reading this book.

By the way, my mother did go over some of the words on my list and determined that many of them were German words that neither one of us could pronounce. However, she continued to have me write down all words that I did not know and look them up in the dictionary. I also had never ever seen a goat except in a picture book called Three Billy Goat Gruff.

The next story will be Heidi's arrival at her grandfather's home or hut as it is called in the book.

A Book With No Pictures

Grandma Lu had decided to spend a nice quiet day at the library. She wanted to find a good book and perhaps read part of it in the library where no television would bother her.

She looked through the shelves of fiction and non fiction books; make believe stories and true stories. What did she want to read? She passed up the mysteries because she always wanted to solve the mystery before the end of the book and found herself sometimes cheating by reading the end before she had finished the story.

Some of the folks that worked at the library knew her and softly said hello. One librarian asked her if she could help her find a book. Grandma Lu said, "No, thank you. I'm not sure what I want to read today."

She found herself sitting in a soft chair that overlooked a large part of the library. Then she grinned as she saw a sign that said, Children's books age eight through twelve. "Well I wonder what children that age are reading nowadays. Probably nothing like I did at that age."  She got up and walked over to the shelf and saw many titles that she didn't recognize. Some were about space and dinosaurs. She did see some Nancy Drew mysteries just like the ones she used to read at that age. Then she spotted it; a copy of a book that she had read so many years ago. She carefully took it off the shelf and carried it to the soft chair. When she had made herself comfortable she looked at the cover and could almost see her mother and hear her voice saying, "LuAnne, I think that book is too old for you. It will have words in it that you won't know or understand." The book was called Heidi. It was the first book that she had gotten at the library before she started reading the Little House on the Prairie and Box Car Children series.

As Grandma Lu was softly turning pages and reading about the author she noticed a young child watching her. Grandma Lu loved children and said softly, "Hello!" The child's mother was watching and put her finger to her lips warning the child to be quiet since they were in the library. Grandma Lu smiled and whispered what's your name? "Joey." "Well, my name is Grandma Lu. Are you and your mom going to find a book to read?" Joey, said, "Yup. One with pictures of trucks. I like trucks." Grandma Lu smiled and said, "I am sure they have lots of books that you will like." Joey looked at Grandma Lu's book and said, "Why are you reading a book without pictures?" Well Grandma Lu kind of tilted her head to one side and said, "I don't need pictures. I use my imagination." Joey said, "What's 'magination?"

Grandma Lu patted the chair beside her and motioned for Joey's mom to sit as well. Grandma Lu patted Joey's hand and said, "Joey, do you like ice cream?" He immediately said, "Yes!" Grandma Lu said, 'Ok, Joey, now close your eyes and try to picture the biggest ice cream cone in the world. Can you see it?" Joey squealed and said, "Yes, I can and it's as big as a house!" Of course, Joey's mom told him to be quiet and gave Grandma Lu a look too. Grandma Lu said, "Joey, you just used your imagination. Wasn't that fun? That's what I do when I read a book without pictures. I can just see what the words would look like without using a picture to do it."

Joey took his mom's hand and said, "Come on, Mom. I need a book with pictures today, because my 'magination isn't good enough yet. When we get home can I have ice cream while we read a book about trucks? A book with really big trucks just like my dad drives. That's what I'm going to do when I grow up. I'm going to drive a big truck just like my dad."

Grandma Lu watched them walk away and saw the big smile on the little boy's face when he found just the right book about a really big truck. 

She looked down at her book and started to read. "Aah, what a nice afternoon this has turned out to be." she thought as she turned to page one of the book called Heidi.

Chapter 3: Lola Learns What A Family Means

 Lola was so scared she could barely think. She just knew she was going to die. She was shivering so hard she was afraid she would shake herself right into the water. Why oh why did I dream about the New World? I should just have been happy with the life I was living. I was told to be careful what I wish for. I was safe and sound at the palace even though I was penned up. I was fed, and had fresh water. There were servants that took me for walks. Oh how I wish I was safe and sound now!

Lola had carefully walked down the bank to the water like the big dog had told her to. Gus! That was his name. He said he would be back. I hope he brings back some nice humans. I still see some flames in the distance. I think he would be a good friend like Marco was. He is big and strong and I think he would help and protect me. She peeked through the tall weeds that grew by the river bank. She could still see flames, but they were a long ways away. She knew enough about fire to know that if the wind blew away from her she would be safe. She couldn't feel any wind, but now to wait for Gus. She decided to relax a little bit. The shivering stopped. She looked down at the water. It was clear. She took a taste. Oh it was so cold and so good. She drank some more and decided she would be alright until Gus came to get her, or some humans came. He did promise...

Suddenly she was picked up by a pair of gentle hands. "There there now. You are safe, little one. Yes, you are safe. I am going to take you home with me. Gus tugged and tugged on my hand. Yes, he did. He led me right to you, so you two must be best friends. just like Gus and I are. You know what, I might have a special toy for you at my house. We can all snuggle together in my living room. Butter Cup will love you."

Lola hummed happily in the young man's arms. She couldn't wait to have a real home again. It had been such a long long time. "I wonder who Butter Cup is."

Lola didn't care. She just knew her new home was going to be wonderful. Gus kept his promise. "Now I wonder what the future holds for me. Whatever it is, I am never going to wish for something better. Never, ever!"

There was something strange in the air. She sniffed and couldn't tell what the new smell was. The clouds were swirling in the sky and it seemed like she was flying through the air. "Oh no! What is happening? Am I going to die after all? I thought I was rescued! I wish I was safe and sound!" Suddenly she flew out of the young man's arms with a huge thump!

The grass was green. There were strange shelter looking things that looked like flat palaces. They were bigger than the cottages she had seen. There were lots of flowers. The roads were black and hard. Some of the roads were full of rocks and uncomfortable to walk on. 

The young man picked her up and said, "Here we are, little one. Mom will think you are cute. Gus already likes you, now we need to see what Butter Cup thinks of you. That might be a bit of a problem.

Lola instantly saw that Butter Cup was a cat! She jumped out of the young man's arms and took off after that cat! She was not going to add misery to mystery to her day. The one thing she knew was that she did not like cats. In an instant she felt herself being swooped up and in the arms of a nice lady. "Whoa, there, little one. We are all friends here. Butter Cup is a nice cat. She chases and catches mice for me. Gus gets along just fine with her. So if you want to stay here with us you have to be nice to her too."

"What a day this has been. I have to be nice to cats in this strange land. I know I can do it for awhile until I get to the New World. Maybe in this land I can find myself  someone whom will help me. I know I shouldn't wish again, but how I do wish I could go on the ship to the New World."

The young man said, "Here you go little one. This is the toy I promised you. Gus will sit here by me and Butter Cup will sit on my lap. There now supper will be in a little while. I think you will like your new home. You are now part of our family."

Chapter 2: Gus to the Rescue!

 "Hey, Guys! What's all the racket about? Something I should know about?" Winston and Romeo stopped their barking and walked over to the big Boxer. "Sure is! If you would have looked behind you, you would have seen that little bitty canoe hit the river bank. You aren't going to believe this, but there was a mouse using the oars and a little white dog barking her head off. I didn't see what happened to them, did you, Romeo?" 

"No, I did not. I mind my own business; not like some dogs I know." Gus grinned to himself. He had heard these two bicker back and forth for quite a long time. "I think they secretly like each other, but would never admit it."

"So whereabouts did this so called shipwrecked canoe hit the bank? Was it anywhere close by? I could walk over and see if they need any help."

Winston, the black lab started to point his tail in the direction that the sun was starting to set. "Over there I think. There's probably nothing that we can do for them. The mouse probably up and ran away from the dog. Who knows where the dog went. She kind of looked like a city ball of fluff if you ask me. Didn't recognize what breed she was. Anyway, I think I'll crawl back under the fence. You had better too, Romeo. You know that Mike and his lady get all kinds of upset if we dig under the fence. See you later, Gus. We have to kick back the dirt against the fence so they don't see that we have been out."

Gus watched them run down by the river bank and indeed both of them crawled under their fence and pretended like they had done nothing wrong and were just being lazy in the warm sunshine. "What a pair those two are."

" I like to help people and other dogs too if I can. I wonder where that little white dog went to. I have a little bit of time left before I have to get back to work. If I can't find her soon, I will have to leave. I hate that there might be a little one out here lost and all alone."

Gus walked slowly in the direction that Winston had pointed to. He didn't see a sign of a canoe, mouse, or a small white dog.  He made a soft growl in his throat. "A mouse and a canoe. I like a good story, but this one was probably not even worth his time looking for them" he thought. Those two dogs, Winston and Romeo, liked to pull pranks and make up stories for fun.

All of sudden he smelled smoke. "This is not good. He started running in the opposite direction towards his home. No! There was fire about a half mile away. "I have to get home and make sure my master and his mom are alright. Then he heard it. Whimpering. "Sounds like a little size dog that's in trouble. I have to get home." Then he saw her. She was hiding in the bushes. She was so little and so very scared. He ran over to her and said, "Little lady, you need help. There is a fire about ten minutes away. I'll get you to safety. I'll put you close to the water. I have to go home and make sure my folks are alright. If they are safe and the humans put out the fire I will come back and get you. You will be okay. Get yourself a drink. I'll be back. I promise. I will try to bring a human back with me. They will get you some shelter and food and water. Now you stay right there!

Lola and Louie Chapter 1: Sink or Swim

Saying good-bye to Marco was the saddest thing that Lola had ever done. He had been not only a best friend, but a protector and and life saver to say the least. Now all she had was this mouse, who says his name is Louie. Well, in this land most all mice had the same name; Louie. She sure was glad her name was a pretty one. However, he was willing to take her to the ship that was headed to the New World. At least, that's what he said. She had to give up eating meat to please him. Berries and cheese were okay, but a nice juicy bone to chew on would be a wonderful treat. 

 As they floated down stream she heard more and different noises. Her little nose seemed to twitch at every turn. The smells were so much different than in the city. It was so much different than she was used to she was a little, no a lot frightened. She found herself curled up in the bottom of the little boat and hoping that Louie knew where he was going. She so wanted to get on board a ship that was going to The New World. She could just imagine what it was like. Oh it was going to be beautiful with lots of trees and beautiful flowers. She closed her eyes and could just see the birds with their red and blue and even yellow feathers. They were singing her song. She couldn't wait!

 Ouch! She let out a little yip. "What happened? Is the boat alright?" Louis just wiggled his nose and ignored her. He wasn't a bit happy about doing this favor for Marco. He was used to doing and going whatever and wherever he wanted to. He also liked to go when and where he wanted to. Now he had to make sure this silly little ball of fluff got on the ship. She'd be lucky not only to get on the ship without being seen, but what did she think she was going to eat? Did she even know it was going to take almost two years to get there? At least that's what he had heard some of his rat friends say. They were thinking about getting on one of the ships to go to the New World as well, but when they heard it was going to be such a long trip they decided to think about it awhile. They wondered if the sailors would eventually run out of food. They couldn't imagine a life without people scraps to eat, especially Italia had the best food ever. Who knew what those sailors would be eating. Plus he heard them say that the rats were the last ones to jump off the ship if it started to sink. 

Lola knew something wasn't right. "Oh no! There is water getting in this boat. I just knew we had hit something. There it is; a hole! We are going to sink! I wish Marco was here. He would have saved me from this horrible mouse and his sinking boat. What am I going to do now? No little mouse is going to save me. "Help! Help! I'm not sure if I can swim. Please help me!"

Louie's end of the boat had not taken on any water so he couldn't imagine what in the world his passenger was barking about. She was shaking like a leaf and had jumped up on some of the nuts he had gathered. They made good trade with the squirrels. They loved them.. He crawled over to where she was looking. "Well, this isn't good. Must have hit a rock back there. Hmm, well I'll have to row the boat to the shore. I guess easy traveling is over with for now. We are going to have to walk until we can hitch a ride with someone. Preferably someone with food. Oh cheese cake, I believe I might have to swim to shore. This thing is sinking fast. I don't know if I can swim!"

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Gus had the day off. A day off all to himself only happened once in a great while. He was a support dog whose master needed and wanted him by his side most all of the time. He liked the boy, but laying here on the river bank was just like Heaven. Oh this sunshine is so nice and warm. The water makes little noises as it runs by. I just might take a dip after I take a snooze. Just then his whole day off went  sideways. "The neighbor dogs would have to ruin my day. If ever there was a yapper that's a yapper and that big old Lab? Nobody could out bark him. I swear if a leaf blows he has to bark at it. Wonder what they are up to. Guess it wouldn't hurt me to be friendly...

Lola and Marco Chapter 3: Marco Says Goodbye

 Lola didn't think that she would live through the ride on the self propelled cart. It was bumpy and so very fast when they went down the hill. Some of the wine bottles fell off the cart making people yell and wave angry fists at them. Marco reassured her that all would be well. He would protect her. He said his nose told him that there was water nearby. Suddenly the cart stopped. The two dogs fell off the cart shaking off straw and thanking their lucky stars that they were still alive and not hurt. 

Marco looked around and said, "Lola, look! Look through those trees. We are going over there. I was right. There is a stream of water through those trees. I can hear it sing. She hopped on his back and once again Marco was right. It didn't take very long to make their way through the vines and the trees to see that there was a stream of water. It wasn't as big as a canal that the gondolas floated on and it certainly wasn't as big as the ocean, but it was water. It was clear and it was cold and delicious. The two dogs drank as much as they could. They made their way over to the shade of the big trees and decided to lay down and rest before they continued on their journey to the shipyard. 

The arrival of Lola and Marco stirred up some interest of the wildlife that lived by the stream. There were squirrels, frogs, and lots of birds and even some beautiful blue butterflies. Those butterflies were not a bit happy with the visitors because they were close by the flowers that they drank nectar from. They had just settled down for a very juicy lunch with their long straw like tongues when those dogs interrupted them. They flew away to a bush that was a safe distance away from the two dogs. They were interested to see what the strangers were going to do. 

They were soon to hear and see another stranger making a cheerful chittering whistling sound. There was a mouse in a tiny row boat. He had his lunch packed and seemed to be on his way to the sea. At least that's what Lola told Marco. "Oh, Marco, look. There is a mouse. He is not a house mouse, he is a mouse on his way for an adventure. An adventure on the sea. I just know it. Let's ask if he will take us with him on his little boat. I am sure that would be a wonderful way to travel. Look how happy he is!"

Marco looked at the traveling mouse and shook his head. "I am sure he is going to the sea, Lola, but his little boat does not have room for us. See how tiny it is? There is room just for you. I will ask if he will take you to the ship that is going to the New World. But I will stay here. Italia is my home. If the mouse says yes and if he is going to the New World too, I will ask him to take good care of you."

Lola was not a bit happy about leaving Marco. She loved Marco. He had protected her, made sure she had food and water, and believed in helping her achieve her dreams. How could she leave him? Oh, but she so wanted to see the New World. Maybe that mouse wouldn't even take her along with him. A mouse wouldn't take care of her like Marco had been. Oh dear, what should she do?

Marco made his way to the water and splashed it with his big paw. "Hello there, mouse on the boat. Will you take my friend, Lola, with you? She is very small and doesn't eat much. She very much wants to go on a big sailing ship to the New World. Is that where you are going?"

After a long discussion about the mouse not eating meat and Lola eating cheese and fruit the mouse agreed to give it a try only after Lola agreed to keep dangerous cats from harming him on board ship.

Marco had been keeping a secret knowing that at some point in time he and Lola would have to go separate ways; he had gotten her a little gift. He helped her onto the little boat and said, "Here you go, Lola. I got you this so that every time you get afraid or lonely just cuddle up to this little toy and think of me. You will be just fine. Now go on. Go and have your adventure, little one. Go!"

Lola and Marco Adventure Chapter 2 Hungry, Thirsty, AND A Magic Cart?

 Lola couldn't believe that they had successfully jumped onto the gondola. The narrow boat sure wasn't very big. Marco took up a lot of room and Lola buried herself in front of him as good as she could. The man with the stick or oar that was making the little boat move in the water didn't say a word to them. "Maybe he didn't see us. Could we be that lucky, Marco?" Marco made a soft growl in his throat and told her to be very very quiet. He had a lot of thinking to do. He loved his new little friend and wanted to keep her safe. He knew these waterways. People traveled from place to place on them. They would go shopping at a store and sometimes would ride the gondola until they got close to where they lived. He saw them give the man coins. Of course, they didn't have any coins they just had each other. Lola had a dream and he was determined to make that dream come true.

Lola was trembling she was so scared. Maybe this dream of hers would get them penned up again or worse thrown into the water. 

"Oh no, Marco. We are going to shore. There are some people wanting a ride on this thing. We have to get off before someone throws us in the water or worse." Marco agreed. This way of travel was faster than walking to the sea, but it was dangerous. He noticed several carts that had vegetables and fruits for sale on them. It looked to him that just might work for a free ride. He explained to Lola that when the man got the gondola close to the street they would jump and start running as fast as they could. "Remember, hang on to my back as tight as you can. When I see a cart that has room for us I will jump as high as I can."

The gondolier steered the gondola close to the street shortly after. Marco said, "Hang on tight! Here we go!" The gondolier yelled. "Dogs, get out of here." Lola and Marco were going like the wind and didn't see or hear anything but the streets ahead of them. 

Marco eventually slowed down to catch his breath. He was thirsty and hungry. They needed to rest for awhile. Marco had experience on the streets long before he roamed onto the palace grounds. He knew where and how to get some sausages and a drink from some of the vendors called lixae. They were loud and dirty men that would sometimes feed the soldiers. They were messy and often dropped the food they tried to sell on the streets. He heard one of them hawking his food a few feet away. He stopped in an alley. He said, "Okay, Lola. You wait here and I will get you some food. We need water too, but it will have to wait until we get closer to the sea. Now hide as well as you can in this doorway behind us."

Lola was so very scared, but she trusted Marco to take care of her. She backed up and attempted to hide but her white fur was so very white it was hard. It seemed like Marco had been gone for hours. What if he had been discovered stealing food and taken and penned up? She knew about pens. They were awful; even on the palace grounds. She saw rats and big black bugs scampering and running all about the trash looking for food for themselves. There were other dogs, rats, and even a cat. They all looked hungry. Finally Marco came holding a fat juicy sausage in his mouth. "Here you go. Now eat it as slowly as you can. It may be a long time before we find another. I have already eaten so go ahead and enjoy your supper. Don't worry about the dogs and cats. I will protect you. I think that we are close to where the ships are. I can smell the salt in the air. Your dream is about to come true if everything goes well. We do have to have water though. If it would rain we would be in luck, but the sun is shining. Doesn't look good for fresh water."

Marco waited patiently while his little friend ate her sausage. He looked up and couldn't believe his eyes. A wooden cart had just gone by. It had no driver or human around it. It was going all by itself right down the road! There seemed to be wine bottles on it and some straw. "Come, Lola. Jump on my back. We just might have a chance for a ride. I have no idea where the cart is going, but there doesn't seem to be anyone around to hurt or capture us. That girl is a servant so she won't bother us. Let's go! You wanted an adventure, this is the day!"

Lola did as Marco said, but worried where the cart was going and how in the world was it going all by itself? Was it magic?

Leonardo da Vinci smiled as he looked down from a window up above at his new invention and the little scallywags that jumped up on his self propelled cart. "Hmm, I wonder where they are off to and if those two dogs will enjoy a trip on one of the ships going to the new world...

Lola And Marco"s Adventure Chapter 1

 It took only a bit of flirting with the handsome dog to get him to do what she wanted; to knock down the royal fence and let her ride on his back. She didn't know where or how to go, but she did not want to be locked up in a pen for the rest of her life. Marco was big, his brown coat was beautiful and he was willing to carry out her dream; a trip to the New World that she had heard about.

Just imagine a brand new place far far away from the royals who wanted nothing but for her to perform her tricks and to have puppies for them to fawn over some day. That kind of life was not for her. She wanted excitement and action. Marco was the perfect way to get to the sea. She was a little bit scared. She had been lost before, but the old woman had taken really good care of her. When she went with the angels a kind man had picked her up and taken her to the palace. But she had been there way too long. It was her time now; time for adventure!

She hugged her hero, Marco, as tight as she could. He was running and dodging carriages and going through dark alleys at night. He seemed to know just how and where to go. How she hoped that they would reach the sea where the big ships were before they left for the New World. She was sure she could sneak on board, but she worried about Marco because he was so big. It seemed to her that they stopped too many times so that he could look for food. She didn't eat much, but he sure did. Would there be enough food for them on the ship? Would the men be kind to them? What if they threw them overboard?  She buried herself into Marco's fur as close as she could. There was no sense in worrying. She just knew that this was what she was born to be; a canine explorer. She smiled to herself. She might go down in history known as the first C.E. of the New World. She probably needed a human at some point to write down things she and Marco had discovered. Maybe little humans would read about her! Humans did such things. She just knew she was going to be famous. But first they needed to get to the shipyard. The only way she knew to get there was on water. She had seen paths of water called canals. She told Marco, "Look for water. Maybe we can get on a small boat and float to the big sea. I think they call them gondolas."

Marco said, "We need to wait until it gets dark. Then we will find our way to the small water. Hopefully we can jump on a small boat and the man that uses the stick to make the boat move can get us to the sea without throwing us in the water. You must be very careful and do just what I say."

It seemed like they waited forever before Marco said, "It's now or we have to wait another day. Now get on my back and hang on with your paws as tight as you can!"

"We made it! Lola whispered, I can hardly believe it. Maybe dreams do come true."

Lola Chapter 4: The Kindgom Is In Trouble

 The palace servants were scattered throughout the palace working as fast as they could. The explorers had been arriving for weeks seeking money to finance their ships for voyages to lands across the ocean many weeks if not months away. They required not only gold, but staples and men to feed and man the ships. They had to plan for bad weather that would require them to be at sea longer than expected especially if they were blown off course. The many visitors kept the housekeepers and cooks busy night and day.

The Queen was reluctant to promise financing to any of the men because of the turmoil and trouble in her own kingdom. There were prominent families in Italia that were becoming rich and fighting with each other for land and even banks. The Queen was getting old and was relying on her countes and close royals for advice. The world seemed to be getting out of control with wanting to explore new lands and families and even her own servants wanting more money and higher wages.

Besides the relentless strain on her coffers and her health, she was sad. Her old friend had joined the angels in Heaven and left behind two ducks and a dog. Some weeks ago she had a counte hide the dog in the bushes for the old woman to find. The dog was a very special dog, but was deliberately disguised as one that was abandoned. The old woman fed it and cared for it, but most of all loved it.

The Queen had had one of her servants gather the two ducks and the dog and put them in the pen behind the palace with the other dogs. The beautiful white Lola was among those that were already penned. Some of the dogs were used for hunting, some were bred just for lap dogs and Lola of course, was full of love and joy. What the Queen did not know was that the feuding kingdoms adjoining hers were at war. There would soon be trouble on the grounds of her palace as well.

Behind the palace a big brown dog whose name was Marco looked over the fence and said, "What are you guys doing? Why are you penned up and not running free like me? Want me to knock down the fence? Bella said, "Oh no, big brown dog. I am used to sitting on the lap of my master. Please go away. We shall soon be given to new masters." Winston, the old big black Labrador said, "Go away. I know who you are. You are the dog that likes to get into fights. We don't need your kind around here. Let me rest. My side kick, Romeo, wants you to leave too." Oscar, the brown and white dog, lay sunning himself. He thought about it and said, "Well, if you knock the fence down where would we go? Who would feed us? Huh? You got all the answers? I'd just as soon the Queen found me a family with children who would love and play with me. Yeah. You just leave the fence alone. We don't want any trouble around here. Go back home." Both the white duck and the black duck said, "We are fine in our own little pool. We are fed and kept cool. Sometimes life gets a little boring, but we are safe and well. We agree with these dogs. Go back home and leave us alone."

All at once there were sounds of shouting and horse hooves pounding on the hard dirt. The dogs all started barking. All except Lola. She stood up as tall as she could and said, "Please, Marco. Bend the fence so that I can jump on your back. Then you can run as fast as you can. If we can reach the sea perhaps we can get a ride to the New World on one of those big ships. What an adventure that would be! You have to hurry the angry men will soon be back here and we shall have no chance for escape."

It didn't take Marco but a second . Soon his big strong legs and paws had gotten the fence down low enough that Lola was soon on his back. It seemed like only a moment they had disappeared into the forest. Their adventure would be exciting and long. It would often seem like it would never end, but their story would be like their adventure; never ending and most exciting.

Lola Chapter 3: The Poor Peddler Had Two Ducks

 It had been two days since the handsome trader had taken her furry friend, Kitty, and both of her coins. The old woman had taken the poor white pup and washed him in her wooden tub and had tried her best to keep them both alive by fishing and drinking water from the well. She could feel her days on earth were numbered however. An old person could not live on bits of fish now and then and nothing else. She had in her cupboard one carrot that didn't look very good at all and two wild onions that she had picked from the flowers by the pond. "I guess I will chop up the withered carrot with these onions. I will add some fresh water. Then that will be the last for me and Lola. Hopefully Lola being as young as she is will run away and be picked up by someone that cares for animals."

Little did she know, but she was about to have a visitor. "Hello the house! Is anyone at home? I have need of a soft chair and a drink of cold water. Hello?!

The old woman was not going to fall for the tricks of the traveling traders again. It mattered none, however, because now she had nothing to be stolen. She walked slowly to the doorway and saw an old man with kettles and pots strapped to his back. He was stooped like she was. Walking slowly by his feet were two ducks. They were of different breeds. One was dark and one was white. "You have come to the wrong house for a welcome party, Sir. I have nothing to buy your wares with and I have no soft chair. My only chair is made of ancient boards. You may come into my home and sit if you wish. I will give you a drink of my cold well water. If you wish to steal my chair my good wishes go with you."

She made her way slowly to the pipe that the water had never failed to fill her cups and pots. It did not fail her today. After she had filled the cup, she took a drink for herself. She looked down at her feet. There sat Lola, her puppy, panting with thirst. "Alright, my dear. You can have a drink as well."

After the pup had it's fill the old woman filled the cup again and looked for the old peddler. He was gone! "He must be in the house sitting in my chair. Let's go give him a drink of water. He looked very tired."

The old peddler was no where to be found. In his place were the two ducks. The white duck and the dark duck quietly quacking as they inspected the room. The old woman put the cup of water on the floor and told the ducks to drink which they did immediately. "Your master left you, you poor ducks. I have no feed for you. Only water which will not fill your bellies. I am fixing a bit of soup for my dog and myself. If there is any left you are welcome to share it."

The old woman walked over to the fireplace where her pot was simmering. On the hearth there was a basket of large duck eggs and two big fat fish. Nestled in between the beautiful eggs were three large bones with enough meat on them to make the puppy and herself full for at least two or three days. And the eggs! It had been many weeks since she had tasted an egg and a duck egg at that. Oh my, I guess miracles do happen even for old women. I will remember to say my prayers of thanks this night."

A few hours later the Queen said to the counte,"Thank you so much for taking care of my old and faithful servant. Did you punish the the scoundrel that took her cat and coins? But most of all, did she find the pup? That pup will someday go down in history if all goes as planned."

Lola Chapter 2 The Handsome Peddler Was A Thief!

The old woman woke from her bed with aching bones and a headache. She had not slept a bit well. She missed her furry friend, Kitty. Her cat had chosen to sleep outside in the bushes with the small white puppy she had found. The puppy was dirty and had matted fur and was near starving to death. The old woman was very poor and told Kitty there was no food for another mouth no matter how small. The puppy would eat more than the two of them and leave them with only scraps. She was not willing to share.

She went to the door and called for Kitty to come in the house. "Come in dear friend. I will warm you some of my supper left from last night. I miss you. Please come in."

The voice that answered her was not Kitty, but a deep voice of a man.  There stood a finely dressed and easy on the eye, man. "Good morning, dear lady. I have good news for you today! I have beautiful fruits and vegetables for sale and even some beef and a bit of pork for sale. You can't find any thing better for the price than I am asking. The hawkers in Rome are asking twice the price, so you would be getting an opportunity that you cannot get any other day from any other trader."

"Off with you! I have only a bit of food and only one or two coins to last me the rest of my life. I have a cat to feed as well. If you want to help out a poor old woman take that bit of a pup with you and sell it and get yourself some coins, That's my gift to you today. Now off with ya!"

The tradesman looked where the old woman pointed and saw the cat with a dirty white puppy. There in the bushes was a cat and as she said a dirty puppy. "Oh I shall give your cat some milk I have with me. The pup will not sell. But I shall only give the cat some milk if you give me one of your coins."

Realizing her mistake she shook the towel she had in her hand and said, "No no. Now go away. I have no coin for you. The tradesman had already filled a small bowl with some milk and offered it to the cat, not the puppy. "Come kitty kitty. Come get a drink of this delicious cow's milk. It will fill your belly and make you feel oh so wonderful. Come old woman. I have enough of this milk for you too. There will be no charge if you would only give me some of your water to fill my jug. I have a long way to walk and will be so thirsty."

The old woman thought it over and decided it wouldn't hurt if she gave the man some water. She had a good well and the water was always clear and cold. She had not had a glass of milk in ever so long. She went into the house to get a cup for the water. When she went back outside the peddler was gone and so was her cat! Her furry friend was gone. The bad man had left her only with the dirty white puppy and just a bit of milk left in the dish.

The old woman started to cry. "Oh I am so old and foolish. I should never have given that bad man the time of day. Oh I will miss Kitty. I loved him so. It was then that she saw the pup and heard his weak little whimper. The old woman's heart was broken, but it was not a hard heart. She picked up the pup and carried it to the wooden tub. She put a little water in it and a sliver of soap that she had in her apron pocket. "Alright then, pup. You have to be clean before you can come into my home. There is a bit of milk left in the dish that Kitty didn't drink. Then we need to come up with a plan to feed you and me. I am so glad I didn't give that man any of my coins."

After she had washed and dried off the puppy with her towel she was surprised to see that the puppy was actually a very pretty dog. She carried the pup into the house and saw her little cloth bag laying on the table that had her coins in it. She quickly shook the bag and realized what had happened. "Oh no! That man has taken my coins! Oh what a sneaky man. He was so finely dressed I thought I could trust him. I had only turned my back for a minute. Whatever shall we do now, pup? Well, I know the first thing we shall do is find you a name. It's not right to be called Dog. Poor Kitty went for generations being called Kitty with each new kitten that was born. You shall be different. You are a beautiful girl, but a worrisome one. Full of pain and and beautiful. There is a word that is Spanish that I learned years ago. The word is Lola. Yes, it means pain and worry, yet beautiful. That shall be your name. Someday when you have a litter of puppies, I shall make sure that one of your puppies shall have your name to carry on for generations.

Lola Chapter One: The Old Lady And Her Cat

 Once upon a time many many years ago there lived a very old woman in a land called Italia. She lived in a tiny stone cottage that was older than she was. She lived alone except for the company of her cat. Her cat was also old and liked to lay in the sun to warm his bones. The old woman had found her cat when he was just a kitten and she was a young girl. She called it Kitty because she couldn't think of a better name. The kitten grew to be as big as  the foot stool that sat in front of her chair by the window.  At first and for a few years the two of them would run and play in the open fields.; often chasing butterflies and make believe unicorns. Then she was summoned to work at the palace with her mother for many years. The hard work and long hours of work would soon leave little time for fun with her kitty. She would go to bed almost as soon as she got home from the palace.

Nowadays, her cat, the third generation of kittens her childhood cat had given her kept her cottage free of mice which the old woman was thankful for. The old woman had many things to be thankful for in her old age. The old Queen let her live in her cottage rent free. The cat was full from his diet of mice so she didn't have to give him part of her food. She lived by a stream that was full of fat fish that she occasionally caught with tails of tadpoles that her cat would lay at her stoop.

The old woman would talk to her cat at times as if the cat was a human friend. Her voice was frail and weak, but at times even with her failing vision she would read to Kitty. His favorite story was the tale of a cat called Papa Gatto. He was a widower left with eight kittens after his wife died. The story book was full of beautiful pictures that the old woman showed to Kitty as she read the old old book. Papa Gatto was searching for a nanny to care for his baby kittens. Papa Gatto was a wise, well dressed, and clever cat and would advise the Prince from time to time. The book told the tale of him searching for an honest and beautiful nanny and acquiring only a beautiful and dishonest Sophia while all the while the plain Beatrice should have been his best choice. 

One day the old woman and her cat went outside to get some fresh air after a lovely spring rain. The sun was shining and the birds were singing their beautiful songs. The old woman looked down at her cat and said, "We are so very lucky to have such a beautiful day, aren't we, Kitty? The roof didn't leak even after all these forty fifty years. That's good because I can't afford to have someone redo it.

Her cat walked as quickly as his chubby self could go over to the bushes and flowers. He started to meow a loud scratchy meow. The old woman went over to see if the cat had caught a mouse when what did she see, but a tiny white furry ball. It was a puppy. It was dirty and matted and cried a tiny cry. "Well, how did you get here, my love? I bet you are hungry and I can't afford to feed you. I have all I can do to feed myself and Kitty. Now what should I do with you? I think it would be best if I left you here. Maybe someone will see you and take you in. I just can't do it." She turned and started to walk back to her cottage. She was surprised when Kitty blocked her way and went back to the bushes and flowers and curled up to the puppy. The old woman was astonished. "What are you doing? Are you willing to share your food with the dog? Dogs don't eat mice and tadpoles. They need lots of food that we don't have. What do you suggest we do? What's that? No answer? Just as I thought. You want what you can't have. Now come in with me. There is no use wailing and meowing. What that dog needs is a mother. He is just a little bit of a thing. He needs milk. Do you see a cow? No! No cow, no mama dog, no food. I see no solution for this little one. Now come in the cottage! I will finish knitting you a pillow cover for your little bed."

Valentines Day In Grade School

 Grandma Lu was unwrapping a box of chocolates that her husband gave her and thinking of this day when she was just a child. How different it was. There was not a gift exchange between my parents because there was no money for things that weren't necessary. They knew they loved each other and showed it with all their hugging and kissing throughout the years. Grandma Lu shook her head and told her husband thank you and told him to take a piece of the chocolates. She was thinking of all the Valentines that she wrote when she was in grade school. They were so little; probably about three inches. They each had an envelope. The envelopes didn't have glue on them so you had to tuck them together so the Valentine didn't fall out.

Grandma Lu looked at her right hand. Yes, it was still there. She had a callus on her third finger from holding her pencils so very tight all the way through school, but especially in grade school. Her handwriting was atrocious. One teacher in particular made it even worse by smacking her hand with a ruler because she wasn't holding her pencil the way the teacher thought she should.

The Valentines came in a box of twenty-five. Often her classes had more than that so her mother would have to buy two boxes. She could still hear her mother sigh when holidays came around. Grandma Lu knew what that sigh meant. She had done the same thing during some tight years when her children were in school. 

Just for fun she looked up what the old Valentines looked like when she was seven or eight years old. "Yes, there they are. I would take my time and read each one and choose which one was just right for the person I was giving it to. Wouldn't you know it, I would break the lead in my pencil, or spell something wrong. Writing Valentines was not just stressful for my mother, but for me as well."

The Valentines would all be carried to school in a decorated box that I had glued together with the help of my father and a lot of construction paper. I always made so many hearts of a contrasting color to glue on the outside of the box. Again I had to try over and over until I got the shape of the heart just right.

Sometimes my mother made heart shaped sugar cookies to school for the party. They were always perfect with pink and red frosting and of course, they were delicious.

And then there was the ride on the bus with my little brother, who also at some point had a Valentines Box and cookies for his party. I have a friend who loves driving a school bus. I can just imagine her helping the little ones with their hard to manage projects for their parties so they would arrive safely for this special day.

Happy Valentines Day! 

Alexa Vs. The Little Black Radio

Grandma Lu decided that she would like a quiet afternoon listening to her favorite classic country music. She had her Echo sitting by her rocking chair and said, "Alexa, play George Jones music." Almost immediately George Jones was singing one of his most popular songs, "He stopped loving her today."

As she sat and listened to the soft and sad tunes she smiled as she remembered the radios from years ago. There was the tall floor model that we all listened to as a family. We only turned it on in the evenings to listen to Amos and Andy,  Fiber McGee and Molly, Burns and Allen. They were funny shows with lots of sound effects. We also listened to the news at night. I can still see my father listening close to the news while my mother either mended or ironed. Her hands and mind were always busy.

Mom had a little black Admiral radio in her kitchen. She listened to soap operas as she made her bread and rolls. I can remember Ma Perkins and lots of commercials about soap like Dreft and Oxydol. I can still see my mother stop her cooking and baking to write down recipes that a lady would give her listeners. Mom had beautiful penmanship and the scraps of paper she wrote on are still in her very old cookbook in my cupboard.

Mercy, that little black radio moved to every house we ever lived in. When we moved to town it still sat in the kitchen, then we moved to a lovely home on the other side of town and it sat on top of the refrigerator. Grandma Lu started to chuckle out loud. Oh my I remember that day like it was yesterday...

I had come home from school and walked into the kitchen and there was my mother. My straight laced mother that didn't approve of slow dancing doing the jitterbug in a pair of my old jeans! She had a dishtowel in her hand and was galloping all around the kitchen. I said, "Mother, what are you doing?" She quickly grabbed my hand and said, "I'm dancing. Come on! Dance with me. This is a really good song!" So I did! That was the day I realized that my mom was a real person that was in fact young at heart and wasn't always the serious role model and disciplinarian that I had always thought she was. The lady dancing in our kitchen was the girl that my dad fell in love with and the mom that I loved dearly. Not only did she dance the jitterbug with me, but then she said, "You look so surprised that I can dance. Let me show you the dance that we did when I was your age." It was the Charleston! Oh we had such a good time that afternoon.

Mom didn't realize it that day, but she made a memory that will never fade. Grandma Lu smiled as she looked at her Echo and the constant slide show of her friends and family that reminded her of past times and fun times. Oh it would have been such fun to have had a photo of mom doing the jitterbug!

Grandma Lu's Most Embarrassing Day

 "Oh how I love to go to flea markets. Today is cold, but it is beautiful. The sun is shining and people are smiling! January has been one of the longest months I can remember. Oh I guess January seems like a year most years." 

She was on a mission to find a tiny shelf for the downstairs. It needed to be taller than wider and have about three shelves. "I'll probably never find one, but that's okay. It's just good to get out and get some fresh air."

As she dodged little ones and racks of clothes she noticed some racks of shoes. One pair caught her eye. She walked slowly over and touched the shiny surface. It was a black patent leather sandal. It was exactly like a pair her mother used to wear. "She loved those sandals. Funny she didn't wear them out. In fact she had a purse to match. Patent leather was so popular even in the sixties and seventies. How I remember my black patent diaper bag and purse. They almost matched which was about the end of me. I swear I will never forget that day!"

"That morning my husband then had given me fifty dollars to go grocery shopping for the week. Fifty dollars in those days would buy all the meat and staples we would need and probably have money left over. He went to work and so did I. My work was getting my little one fed, bathed, dressed and diaper bag filled with what I may need. I had gotten everything ready and put in the car including my little girl, Melanie. She was a cutie pie, but filled with energy. She had just mastered the art of walking and loved to show off her new talent.

The grocery store was small compared to the big shopping centers nowadays, but it was large enough to have everything that we needed and most of all it was close to where we lived. I knew the manager and a lot of the checkers there. I can still see them make over my new baby the first time I took her shopping with me.

 After I found a parking spot close to the door I got out and put my handbag over one shoulder and Melanie on my other. I found a cart outside close by. I coaxed Melanie into riding in the front of the cart and we were ready to shop.

I made the rounds of the store slowly. Slowly because my little girl was a pill this particular day. She would cry wanting to walk instead of riding in the cart. Then she would cry wanting to ride in the cart. It seemed I did more in and out of the cart with her than I did with the groceries that I picked out. After I had crossed off the last of the things that I needed my heart almost stopped. My purse was gone!

I put Melanie in the cart and I retraced my steps over and over. Finally the manager came to me and said, "Mrs. Grafing may I help you? You seem very distressed. I said, "Distressed? I sure am. Someone has stolen my purse. I turned my back to get my little girl and discovered that my purse was gone." 

Of course, I started to cry and then Melanie started to cry. The manager immediately went to the front and had all the doors locked. He was determined to find the thief.  He got on the loud speaker and announced that a black patent purse had been lost and if anyone found it would they please bring it to the front of the store. I had been told to stay where I was while the employees did their searching. After a bit the manager came back to me and said, "Now, would you tell me again what your handbag looked like?" I said, "Yes, it looks just like this diaper bag. It is  black patent leather." Then he said, "Does it look like the one on your shoulder?"

As she walked out of the little flea market she chuckled to herself. She had told that story so many times over the years especially to her now grown daughter. It was the worst and most embarrassing day of her life. Now it was the funniest because that twenty-three year old mother went on to have many more days with her children that would embarrass her to no end, but none that ended up having a whole grocery store locked down.

The Quilts From Over The Years

 Grandma Lu had been outside attempting to help her husband get her car out of a snow bank to no avail. Her husband could take her to town in his truck until the snow melted. Now as she snuggled under her Chief's blanket in her rocking chair, she couldn't help but smile. "This little scrap of a blanket wouldn't have kept me warm when I was a child, that's for sure. Our old farmhouse was drafty and the bedrooms upstairs were darn right cold!" She chuckled out loud when she remembered her brother complaining about seeing his footprints on the steps because the steps were covered with frost. Yes we did need quilts to keep us warm but the quilts that my grandmother made were so heavy because they were made out of old winter coats that she saved year after year. The menfolk wore them to shreds, but she was so very frugal that even the scraps were of value for making quilts. Of course, she didn't have a sewing machine. All of her quilting was hand stitched. I can see those old quilts now. The different pieces of coats were stitched together with yarn and some looked like embroidery thread. There were pieces of velvet there were so very soft. They were probably made from children's coats that were threadbare. Other pieces were made of corduroy. Those pieces were soft too, but some were not nice to lay my little hands on. They were like a bad joke. They made you think they were soft and nice to cuddle up to because they looked like lamb's wool, but in fact they were harsh and scratchy. I never did see the back side of those old quilts. If I did I sure don't remember them. However, I do remember one special night when my sister who was twelve years older than me came home from a date.

My bedtime was when my parents told me it was. It was generally about eight o'clock because the school bus came at seven in the morning so I needed to get out of bed at least by six o'clock if not earlier.

This particular night it was so very cold outside. An Iowa typical winter night of low to below zero weather. I had sat on my mama's lap and said my prayers. The dining room was cozy and warm because that is where the coal stove was. She kissed me goodnight and said, "Now hop up to bed. Love you!" I did as I was told. As I climbed up the stairs the air became colder and colder. I hurried and crawled under those heavy quilts. It was so cold, but soon the sheets warmed up and I was so very comfortable and went sound to sleep.

 I woke up hours later to my sister saying, "Lu Anne, wake up and move over. You are on my side of the bed." In my sleep I did what I was told only to realize that my sister had tricked me into moving over to the cold side of the bed by the window which usually let in a bit of a breeze. I yelled at her and said, "It's cold over here! You are mean." To this day I can hear her chuckle. "Well you shouldn't have slept on my side of the bed." 

As Grandma Lu got out of her rocking chair she shook her head. "We laughed over that for years. That's what happens when a six year old has an eighteen year old for a sister that had to share a bed."

She walked into her bedroom and looked at the quilt that was hanging proudly by a wooden ribbon quilt holder. She felt the fabric and shook her head. This quilt would always hang as a reminder how things change over the years. Her mother had made this quilt while waiting for her baby girl to arrive. It was eighty-two years old. The backing was threadbare, but the top was perfect. Of course, she didn't know that she would be having a baby girl, so she used soft green and yellow and white fabric with a little bit of rust just in case it was a boy. It was soft with age and wear. It too was hand stitched.  The stitches were so very small and even. Perfect, but the world wasn't. World War II was raging. What was her mother thinking while she was working on this quilt? Was she worried? Did she even have a radio to hear the news? What kind of heat did she have in that old farm house that both she and I grew up in? What was it like? She told me lots of stories, but there are still so many more questions unanswered.

A Tube Fire Escape And A Little Girl In The Dead Of Winter

 Grandma Lu found herself walking aimlessly from her living room to the kitchen glancing out the windows to see if she saw any snowflakes fall. She loved the age of electronics and had many little gadgets about her home. She could see the temperature outside and the Echos all seemed to be telling her the same thing; the weather forecasters seemed to be right!

She and her husband and most of the folks in her small town had been hearing the same thing; a big snow storm was on its way. "Years ago I moved from my home state to have warmer weather. What do I get? A snow storm. They are saying 6-14" Well, six inches is a lot better than fourteen inches. Mercy. I told my husband to make sure we have a shovel and ice melt by the door so we could get out if we needed to without breaking  a hip or worse.. Oh how I hate cold weather anymore. I wonder if he got back up propane and we had better let the water drip in the sinks and open up the cupboard doors tonight before we go to bed. Oh look at that temperature drop! Seven degrees! Good grief. They are saying below zero tonight. Might as well live in the Dakotas or Iowa for this terrible cold weather."

Grandma Lu found herself going to her little room she called a pantry, but it didn't have food in it. They used it for storage of things they never used. "Someday I am going to throw away half of this stuff. Oh where did I put the candles and the oil for the oil lamps? Oh here it is. Half full. Well, that's better than nothing."

She walked back to the living room and sat down in her comfy old rocking chair. She looked out the window and there they were; snow flakes. She looked at her little gadget and thought, "Boy, my dad would have loved these gadgets. He loved radios. I swear he had one in every size and shape. Oh no. Fran! Look it is below zero already and I can barely see across the road."

"Well, there is nothing I can do to change Mother Nature's mind about this so I might as well sit here in my chair and enjoy the beauty of it all. She remembered Marleewood and how she and B used to go there all the time and she would tell stories and have such fun. Marleewood was closed now, but she had decided to write down some of her stories on her computer. Oh how her mother would have loved a computer. Well, her mother's cousin's granddaughter had read her story about mud pies and had mentioned the old tube style fire escapes on a school that she had attended. "I think our whole family went to that school. I remember those fire escapes too. They were such fun. On fire drill days we would slide down them to the outside playground to be safe from the Pretend Fire.

 "Oh my goodness. I remember when I was in first grade. I remember Rosemary. She was such a pretty little girl. She had really dark hair and it was always fixed in long curls. That was the style in those days. Oh it was so cold that day. We were all out for recess. There were snow flakes falling that day too, only they weren't pretty. They were little and the wind made your face hurt when they hit you. The temperature was way  below zero, but the teachers thought it was good for us to be outside for a bit every day. Some of us thought it was too cold and started to gather closer to the school house where the fire escape was to get out of the wind. I can see Rosemary plain as day reach out with her tongue to gather up some snowflakes that were on that fire escape. Then she started screaming, but she didn't move! Oh mercy what a commotion. Her tongue was stuck to that fire escape!

Teachers started gathering around her It seemed like forever when one came running to her with a cloth and a bowl of hot water and kept dabbing at her tongue and shushing her to quit screaming and squirming. Oh my what a day that was. The teachers finally got her loose and we were all made to get in a straight line and get back into the school. Each teacher I am sure gave their class the same lecture. Don't ever put your tongue on a freezing piece of metal!

Grandma Lu smiled as she remembered that little girl as she grew up. She had the most beautiful singing voice. At a school music special when she was a teenager she sang a solo. The song was called  Orange Colored Sky. A most memorable performance to last so many years later.

She looked out the window and thought, "I hope that snowblower works after all these years. I think he is going to need it."