May 20, 1999

May 20, 1999 is a very significant day for me.

It was ten years ago today, that my Nana, Alice Elizabeth Breining Gero Clark, died at the young age of 92. Nana was a very important person in my life. She was a most unique individual and in the past many years, I have thought of her life and have remembered so many things that she did that were very intriquing and fun.

The year that she died, about 2 years after having been diagnosed with colon cancer was memorable. I recall that on April 13 she walked me to my car; there was little indication that she would be gone in a little over a month.

My ex-husband and I spent lots of time with Nana. Greg remodeled her home in town and then shared many a happy hour with her. She loved her cocktails...*grin* and she loved Snickers' bars, too. During those times of happy hours, Greg and Nana would talk and share stories. One day, when I was unable to attend, they discussed some of my family's history. Nana told Greg that her family was related to the Webster family. That would include Noah and Daniel. Daniel Webster was very instrumental, in fact, he brought into the US in 1842 the first two Gordon Setters. Rachel and Rake were their names. I find this so coincidental that many years later, I would find myself loving and appreciating Gordon Setters.

When Nana died, she left Greg and me some money that we used to take a much-needed vacation and to purchase a Gordon Setter puppy, from Canada who we named, "Asti." I purchased her from Clansmen Kennels in Canada. She was the third pick of three girls in the litter born to Can Ch. Clansmen Cardhui out of Am/Can Ch. Dixieland's Country Lace. Lacey was related to some other dogs that I had and was the daughter of Am/Can Ch. Woodsmoke's Classic Alibi, CD (Blue) who was and remains one of my all-time favorite Gordon Setters.

Asti was born on June 8, 1999 (the anniversary of Greg's parents as well as the anniversary of the death of his paternal grandfather). She and her littermates almost didn't make it as Lacey had them on a cold-ish morning in Canada. But they all perservered and survived. Asti will be 10 in a couple weeks.

It took a long time to process Asti's papers from Canada. She had come to live with us in September of 1999 as we picked her up from the Milwaukee Airport on the way to a show in Michigan. I was going to name her Smoke or Asti. When I saw her, as she flew in to Wisconsin with two Irish Setters (one of whom did some awesome winning in the US) I opened the crate door and she came bounding out....almost like a cork from a champagne bottle. She was not a Smoke, but an Asti.

I named her: Clansmen 'n' Amethyst Hi Ground. The word Spumante (as in Asti Spumante) refers to a region in Italy off of high ground which produces many of the grapes used in making Asti Spumante. I had 30 minutes to let Les know what her name was going to be as he was on the phone with the Canadian Kennel Club.

In March of 2000, I started showing Asti. She achieved many accolades starting with a puppy Sporting Group 1 at the Oshkosh KC fun match. We entered her in shows the next couple months that culminated with several AKC Sporting Puppy Group 1 wins and majors. However, the highlight of her very brief show career was that on May 20, 2000, at the Oshkosh Kennel Club Dog Show, she won Winners Bitch, Best of Winners, Best of Opposite Sex, Best Puppy, Group 1 Sporting Puppy and then under Judge Jane Roppollo Best in Show Puppy!!

So, within one year many of my dog show dreams that had never been accomplished before were with this dog that was a gift from my Nana. Asti earned points from puppy class - my first dog to do so. Asti earned two majors from puppy class - my first dog to do so. Asti won puppy sporting group placements. Asti defeated my nationally ranked male special and then made a cut in the real sporting group and Asti, in a large class of bitches at the 2000 National, got 4th place. The bitch in front of her, was a dog named "Journey" who also was a special girl, as "Journey" was out of Am/Can/Mex Ch. MacAlder Best For Shojin (Chipper) who was the father of my first Gordon Setter, Spice. Nana accompanied me to a dog show in 1986 when Spice beat the #1 Gordon in the US at the time....and in the show photo, Nana's in the background!! And....because of "Journey" I was able to know that Chipper's semen was frozen and the dream of breeding Asti to Chipper was realized. No puppies were born, but I have 2 lovely puppies (Coal and Twister) that I own out of Ice and Chipper.

So...who says that dreams do not come true? Look at all the many connections that Asti has provided for me.

Oh, and by the way, she has a son out of Fire, MacE who is a Ch/UKC Champion and a Master Hunter...and a litter of 11 grandbabies who will be leaving for their new homes later this month.

Thank you, Nana!! You helped me to establish quite a legacy and to fulfill so many of my dreams all in one dog!!

287 HUG 5:29 AM - What do they mean?

I have been reading and studying many books.

Yesterday, I picked up an incredibly powerful and positive book called, "When God Winks At You" by SQuire Rushnell. For those of you who don't know who he is, he is a TV producer extraordinaire that was responsible for some important shows like "Conjunction Junction." I can still hear my younger sibling singing that song. If you'd like to read more about SQuire, please check out his web site.

Yesterday, I purchased the book. Today I began to read the book and read the book. I cannot seem to put it down.

I had a most excellent day today....from a short work day to watching and sharing time with puppy buyers and breeder friends as we hunt-evaluated puppies out of MacE x Flame (see my website). I also picked up a book for a good friend who was "looking" for something and I found it for it. That was cool. I attended the 8th grade graduation of my friend, Laurie's daughter. It was very nice and it's amazing to me how much Krista has grown up.

After I was done, I went to Culver's and sat and ate dinner and read my book. In the book, SQuire talks about "godwinks" which are little messages that God provides us showing us that he is around. They happen everywhere in our lives and are often those unexplained, or often coincidences. One of the stories in the book was that God allows us hugs when we need them. The examples in the book were great and empowering.

When I left Culver's, I looked at the car parked in the stall right as I walked out....the license plate was 287-HUG. And...the car was a black Ford Escape, with tan interior, which is one of the vehicles I am looking at as a replacement for my current car.

On May 4, my dad would have turned 80. On that day, I know I received a godwink.....my house phone rang at 5:29 a.m. on May 4. When I checked the caller ID the next day, it dawned on me the significance of that time: Dad was born on May (the 5th month) and in the year 1929 (:29 minutes past 5 when the phone rang). The call was identified a Private Caller.

God is everywhere....if we look around.

Enjoy the beauty of spring...it's all around, too!!

Four Score - May 4, 1929

May 4, 1929 my dad, Bob Gero, was born. Had he lived, he would have celebrated his 80th birthday today.

My thoughts have been on Dad today as he starts the May birthday tradition in our family.

Dad started it out, followed by my sister, Mary, on the 6th, followed now by nephew Zeke (grandson) on May 8th and my former mother-in-law on May 10th, followed by me on May 15 and my brother, Paul, on May 16. The story goes as told by Dad, that Mom was trying to get both Paul and me on the same b-day. Good thing for both of us that we each have our own day *grin*

When I share that May birthday thing with everyone, the comment is always the same...that's a lot of Tauruses and perhaps a lotta bull.

My phone rang this morning, bright and early....about 5:30 a.m. and no one was on the line. The caller ID said, private call. Hmmmmm.....maybe Dad was up with the birds celebrating this day.

Thank you, Dad, for all the love and memories.

You were the best dad anyone could ever had. I give thanks for your presence in my life even after leaving your physical body as well as for the things you taught me when you were here. Your presence is always felt....so Happy 80th, Dad!!

Love,

Peggy :)

Music o' the Marsh

I have lived out here for over 26 years now.

That's so amazing....a quarter of a century plus in the same OLD farmhouse. Despite the issues that I have with that OLD farmhouse, which needs some serious work and repair, and the fact that I need to sell some of my land to do that work, the location and natural beauty around me is just further evidence of the creation of earth by a higher power = God.

True to form, the music commenced just a few days ago.

They came in droves....the foreigners from Canada with their v-formations and honking....it's hard not to realize for those that pay attention, that another season of spring is on the horizon.

Then, the B-52 bombers as I call them, flew in.....they are the Sandhill Cranes. They have this amazing call, that sounds like a low, loud squawking that just signifies their return. Their mating calls and rituals are unique and not quiet.

The other day, Charlie Cardinal paid me a visit and he and his lovely lady, Clarise stopped by with their friendly, "pretty bird" sounds that greet me each and every morning. The beauty of the red color of Charlie against the drab, browns of winter's remnants is not hard to miss.

What is gone, almost 100% completely is the snow of winter...but what appears is the music o' the marsh and the true promise of springtime harmonies yet to be written, heard and viewed by me and others who look around.

Valentine's Day - 2009

Hi all of you. Today was Valentine's Day 2009. I was oh so very close to having a date tonight....first time in almost 6 years of singledom.....but my date-to-be is a single dad and as it happened, he had to be a dad and stay home. I was bummed, but life does go on. Oh well maybe year 7 will be the charm.

I had a fun-packed day, spent with my mom's friend, Mrs. Gaddo. We had a great time going to lunch at Culver's, then a movie, Confessions of a Shopaholic with Mary Rondou....then I worked on her PC and visited with her at for about an hour and a half after the movie.....then it was to Mom's to set up that DTV converter box....and 3 hours later....I had at least 7 channels coming in on the TV....but it was a project.

Any how....here are some of my Valentine's Day thoughts -

Are any of you incurable romantics?

I know I am....I like to think that this might be the year (since I'm divorced) that I get a date with someone that likes me and I like.

I have an interesting tradition that I like to do.....now...no laughing, but I like to read Valentine cards in the store.....and I buy one...for if I had a significant other in my life, I'd give it to him.

Tonight I bought a card.....just a beautiful card....with a rose on the front and black script lettering that says:

"My love....I don't ever want you to think that I take you for granted, You're so wonderful to be with that I feel totally comfortable with you, and I sometimes forget to tell you how beautiful you make my life. But there's never a day that goes by that I don't think about how lucky I am, how grateful I am for you, and how I treasure all the time we've spent together."

So for those of you that have someone special in your life.....love them and treasure each and every minute you share with them.....and don't forget to say you love them.

On Valentine's Day and everyday....remember this: "Life is short, so kiss slowly, laugh intensely, love truly and forgive quickly."

As true to form...here's my one of my favorite new songs from the movie "New In Town" a movie with Renee Zellweger and Harry Connick, Jr., about a female executive from Miami sent to New Ulm, MN to run a plant there. Awesome romantic comedy!! Music is by Carrie Underwood.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!!

Broken Bridges - Jett Travolta

As many of you know, I'm a huge country fan. It wasn't surprising that I bought the DVD movie called, "Broken Bridges" which starred Toby Keith, Kelly Preston and Lindsay Haun, Willie Nelson, and Burt Reynolds.

I love this movie because of how it tells of a family broken because of misunderstandings that happened in the past when the present collides because of several of the town's young men killed in Iraq.

In real life, Kelly Preston is Jett Travolta's mom. In this movie, she plays the estranged daughter of Burt Reynolds and former lover of Toby Keith. Out of that union, Lindsay Haun's character was produced. The movie centers around forgiveness and love.

Kelly Preston is a wonderful and accomplished actress and one of my favorites. I loved her on-stage presence with Toby Keith in this movie. She also had a guest role on "Medium" which is another one of my favorite TV shows.

I can only imagine how she is feeling losing her son. I instantly thought of this song.

So to the Travolta Family - you have my sympathy at the loss of your son. I share this song which I think is so appropriate today. May you find solace and comfort in the family and friends around you. Rest well, Jett Travolta. And to Kelly, he's always there with you.

The Christmas Coal: A 2008 Miracle

Whoever said that Christmas miracles do not occur?

This sentence is a link to my dog web site that tells the story of a series of events that happened to a dog that I bred. Coal, a Gordon Setter, was a Christmas present to Bob Bertram and his son, Michael.

Included in my link is a story of what happened from Christmas Eve day through the day after Christmas.

Please note that there is a song that plays in the background and may take a bit to load (it's an MP3). It's probably a 10-Kleenex alert.

Enjoy this story. My heart swells with pride and love for all the people who are really good and made for a 2008 Christmas miracle for Coal and his human family.