The first day of school

Today began with the children giving me flowers, as happens in Russia and Ukraine on the first day of school.  (Thank you, Glenndichka.)

4th/5th and 6th grades!  Ah!  Wasn't I just giving them bottles and changing their cloth diapers?!

The Reader

 

In his new Ethiopian Hug...

The Dearest Neighbors now pass on their papers to us, since G has been wanting to read the news and I don't want him using the Internet.  

Temporary insanity

-a big sigh-

So, when we first found out that I had The Big C again, a friend of mine was convinced that we should get a dog.  She was on the brink of getting us one when her husband suggested that she not.  Thank you, J.

But as time has gone on, the idea has crossed my mind too.  You know, something to distract me, some emotional support for all of us.  There is the issue of Rob's allergies, but there are "hair dogs."  Back and forth.  Back and forth.  I had settled on a Basenji.

Well, I, as of yesterday, have been totally cured of this insanity.  The scary Dobermans of my youth, the terrorizing Byeli of Ukraine and the supposedly sweet Mae of next door have kicked me off the fence and I've landed with a thud on sane ground.  Thank God!

The battle

Snarling canine, 

Homicide central,

And neglected dacha

Vs.