Country Notebook
By Rogene "Jeannie" McPherson
It was a recent Thursday afternoon when a SUV pulled into the driveway and four adults and a small dog got out. My human Mom seemed to be expecting them and there were greetings all around. Mom kept her eye on me and my sibling dog brother, Digger, as we are very protective of her and our home. I growled quite a bit when that little dog walked by. I wanted her to know that I was boss and she had better be on her best behavior.
As the evening progressed, delicious smells came from the oven. Apparently the dinner was made by one of the big people that came since Mom rarely cooks. Later someone mentioned chicken casserole and it must have been good as there didn’t seem to be much left over for Digger, Ebony (the new dog) and me. We had our regular dog food dinner that night, and by then I didn’t see any advantages to their moving in. Luggage was taken from the SUV into the bedrooms. The amount of luggage suggested this might not be an overnight stay.
How rude, I am, as I haven’t introduced myself. I’m the oldest and wisest of Mom’s two canine children, Rowdy. She’s letting me tell the story as I became one of the beneficiaries of this staycation for my mom. Everyone kept telling her to sit down. Frankly, sometimes I thought they were a little bossy, but Mom didn’t seem to be offended. I think she liked this at-home vacation and Digger and I did too, as Mom didn’t have to go anywhere, and thus we didn’t have to sleep in the garage.
Before bedtime, two of the guys started working on the garage door opener. Mom hasn’t been able to open the garage with the car remote for a long time. The door was frequently left open and Digger and I wondered how many snakes and other varmints might creep in without an invitation. By Monday, when they left, one of the guys, I think he was called Don, fixed the opener when a package marked with Amazon arrived. Mom kept saying, “This will be much safer when I come home late at night.”
Don spent much of his time sanding the front door. The sun had beat down on it so much there wasn’t much varnish left. By the time these people left, he had stained and brushed on a coat of something they called poly……..ene. I don’t think the exact name is important as it is now beautiful. The door must be something special as Mom looked at Digger and me and said, “Don’t even think of putting your paw on this door.” I knew Digger had once used his dog nails to get her attention, and she wasn’t happy.
When the lady called Mary Lou came in with a big wash bucket, I realized serious business was about to happen. She kept saying that she liked to clean windows and Mom kept saying how much she did not like to clean windows. Mom is loving the windows, especially in her bathroom as she can see out to one of her gardens. The other lady, Rayma, helped in-between keeping meals on the table, washing dishes and clothes, vacuuming and planting a few bushes. If I were to guess, I think she is my Mom’s sister as her voice sounds just like my Mom. Mom once kicked me in the butt as people were getting tired of walking around or over me while I slept in my favorite spots in the kitchen.
Then there was the tall guy who drove the SUV. Mom kept saying, “I know I should have done this myself, but I just can’t keep up with everything that needs to be done inside and out.” He used the hedge trimmer, lopper, and chain saws to clean up the front landscaping. Then inside, he worked on a plumbing project often late into the evening. His name was Roger and I think is my Mom’s brother. He watched me struggle to jump up the front steps since I’m old and crippled like my Mom. He built a ramp for me to walk up and down when I need to go outside to do my business. I am a quick learner and soon realized it was for my comfort.
A handrail was added and this must be for my Mom’s safety as it sure doesn’t help me. After these people went back home, my Mom laughed and said, “Who was Roger kidding? I knew all along this was about my safety.”
Although Mom never cried, I think she may have wanted do. I think she was a little embarrassed by their efforts to help her, but deep down, she feels their love and appreciates the time they spent together. At times, it felt like a three-ring circus especially when the man came to do preventative work on the furnace, but it just added to the rarity of this unforgettable staycation.
Even Digger and I know the love of siblings is unique and not to be taken for granted. Mom has one more sibling, and he will visit soon and will look for ways to help as well. I may not have the intuition of humans, but even I can see the pleasure my Mom has as she just pushes a button to open/close the garage door, finds meals in the freezer and so many other joys of her sibling’s visit.
By the way, Ebony, the little dog visiting, was fun and I must admit, cute. Ebony and the people who brought her are welcome anytime.
Rogene “Jeannie” McPherson, from the Centerville area, is a regular contributor to the Linn County Journal. Her latest book Posts from the Country, Adventures in Rural Living is available online in both virtual and printed editions. Copies are on the shelves at all Linn County libraries.
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