Poem

My Younger days

by Maya Angelou

When I was in my younger days,

I weighed a few pounds less,

I needn't hold my tummy in

to wear a belted dress.

But now that I am older,

I've set my body free;

There's the comfort of elastic

Where once my waist would be.

Inventor of those high-heeled shoes

My feet have not forgiven;

I have to wear a nine now,

But used to wear a seven.

And how about those pantyhose-

They're sized by weight, you see,

So how come when I put them on

The crotch is at my knee?

I need to wear these glasses

As the print's been getting smaller;

And it wasn't very long ago

I know that I was taller.

Though my hair has turned to gray

and my skin no longer fits,

On the inside, I'm the same old me,

It's the outside's changed a bit.

Oreo and Maddie

This week, I am staying at a friend's house (on a lake) for a few days to watch her girls, Oreo and Maddie. As you can see from the pictures, they are beautiful dogs.

Oreo - the big sister, gentle as a lamb but I've learned not to be deceived...

she's a little stinker, too!

Maddie - spunky, friendly and playful

The dogs like to stand in the shallow water and 'fish'

for bluegills and minnows.

Above: Oreo stands in one spot and patiently waits for the fish

to come near and then pounces on them.

Maddie wanders into Oreo's fishing territory.

Maddie getting ready to pounce on some unsuspecting marine life.

It has been fun getting to know these two characters!