I SAY for 23 July 2010
Sunday was the day selected for a memorial service. It was held in a wooded area near Mt. Shasta where the deceased had lived for many years. Although some of our family attended the service, the missus and I did not. We were babysitting our great grandson, who will be two in August. Those in attendance at the service were aware of our situation and agreed this was a valid excuse for our absence. However, I probably would not have attended even though I had great respect and affection for the deceased.
She was a live wire…and I intend to remember her that way. No amount of prayers or hand holding would alter that fact. And of course memorial services are for the living. Folks gather and discuss, but that’s it. If one has vivid memories of those have shucked off their mortal coil, they are best revisited alone and in quiet moments thereafter. So big Murray Clyde, Little Bert and I walked down to the grove to conduct our reflections there.
Although a hot day, it was still pleasant in early morning. I reclined in a hammock while Clyde checked out the perimeter for cats, and then plopped down beside me on the newly mown grass. Bert , b ringing up the rear finally joined our discussion group.
A large Monarch butterfly flew about, but not being a believer in reincarnation, I didn’t see it as an omen or a sign that the late lady was hovering nearby. I asked Bert what dogs do when one of their brethren passes on. He reflected for a moment, and then replied, “Not much. We can’t reflect…or so we are told. We notice when a familiar bowl is absent from the dinner scene…and we may miss a particular bark in the middle of the night…but other than that, we just move on.”
He seemed very much on point, and I wondered why the human race makes such a fuss…the flowers, the songs and the recitals. Compared to our four footed friends, human grieving seems much ado about something, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. Clyde must have read my thoughts. “We enjoy the company of other dogs or we bite them. There is little time wasted in our companionship. If we visit with other dogs, it is more curiosity than compassion. When they die, we don’t morn.”
“Well, now, I have it on good authority that you morn your masters when they are gone,” I said. “You have bedside or graveside vigils, refuse to eat and carry on something awful!”
Little Bert looked amused and replied, “Such antics are interpreted by humans, not dogs. It makes for good reading in novels…but it is likely such conduct reflects loss of food rather than companionship.”
I didn’t buy his comment. “I prefer to think you guys will miss me as I will miss you if you go first. We have bonded. Our relationship knows no bounds. We may not conduct memorial services…but we will feel the pain of loss. ” Both dogs rolled their eyes but reserved comment.
Murray Clyde rose to his feet, sniffed the air and put his nose on my wristwatch. I got the message and the three of us headed back to the house for lunch. Such talks are good for the appetite.
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Several months ago, the County wide TRAX service was put out to bid. We were contacted by a bidder who, if awarded the contract, would have taken over one of the empty buildings we manage. Alas, the County decided to stay with the current provider. The moral to the story is that we bemoan the cost of government, per se, yet we lurk about, with hat in hand, looking for a City or County entity as a tenant. It would be nice to have it both ways.
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Our Downtown Red Bluff Business Association is promoting “Hawaiian Days” as a theme for sidewalk sales August 6th and 7th. They are urging merchants to dress accordingly. I’m sure this is a plus for retail trade…but if they think I am going to wear a grass skirt, they’ve got another think coming!
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Ah! Just what we need…a new Friday Daily News column! The Editor has come by with contrition written all over his handsome face and asked me to resume my I Say column in my treasured spot? No… not bloody likely. Instead there will appear a column titled “COUPON QUEEN”. Uh huh. Just what the doctor ordered for the ailing newspaper.
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Last week’s quiz went unanswered. Summer travel… or perhaps our readers are lost in the horse latitudes? Whatever. We asked about the creator of the “Blue Book” which is a guide to automobile resale value. Les Kelley is the clever fellow who, in the 1920’s, published this helpful guide. He also created one for the Real Estate industry. And the Masonic Vesper Lodge #84 resides on the top floor of their own building in the 800 block of Main. They donated the clock and chimes to the Cone & Kimball Plaza.
This week’s quiz: Mark Twain, who lost money in bad investments, wrote, “If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you”. How did he conclude his sage advice? If a church planned to bus its parishioners to its service, what could they call it?
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A contestant on a T.V. game show, for $50,000, was asked to name two of Santa’s reindeer.
“Rudolph and Olive”, he replied. A groan went up in the audience. The game show host shuffled uneasily and asked how the contestant came up with that answer.
“Easy,” the guy sang. “Rudoph the red-nosed reindeer , had a very shiny nose, and if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows. Olive, the other reindeer…”
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