Thursday, September 15, 2011

Our Libby succumbed to a mysterious illness on September 10, 2011.  We were at home. 

From Libby-Trixie

While away in Madison,WI for another Frustrated Maestro event at FMCA International Libby got sick and we sought a vet. All tests were passed. We traveled on to a Corp of Engineer Campground outside of Iowa City, IA. Again we had to find a vet and were most pleased with a 24 hour emergency clinic, Bright Eyes and Bushy Tails. http://www.bebt.com/



Again, many test showed nothing. Two days later, in Amana, IA we noticed the result of internal bleeding. Aug. 22 we headed for TN arriving in our driveway on Aug. 23.


Little by little Libby lost ground as our vet tried with us to look for causes and find treatments. We all agreed that this 11 year old greyhound would not be subjected to an exploratory.


Libby was a TDI dog, a therapy dog. http://www.therapydogs.com/


She loved this work and got just goofy when we got our red shirts out to get ready. She wore her therapy dog vest with pride. She did not get to go with us on a last visits. Daisy upheld the therapy dog reputation.


We had Libby 7 years after getting her from foster mom Lynnae. Lynnae always said that Libby was the one that got away. Her innocent eyes and love of life lifted many spirits.


Libby lost her companion Trixie just nine months prior. Finding pictures of just Libby was impossible.

Sunday, September 04, 2011

My intentions on August 19 were to post a blog update.  We ended our trip on Aug. 21, 2011 when greyhound Libby began to bleed internally.  The bus landed in the driveway in Franklin on Aug. 23 so we could be in touch with Libby’s vet.  We feel the internal bleeding has ceased but she is not well.  She is on medicine and a special venison-potato diet.  She has up and down days but we still have her. Our vet is looking at an ulcer, irritable bowel, or cancer.  We all agree that there will be no exploratory for this 11 year old gal. 
From Libby-Daisy
We went to Madison, WI  in early August for another Frustrated Maestro performance at the International Convention of FMCA…Family Motor Coach Association.  www.fmca.com  Charles enjoyed playing and some directing.  There were over a hundred Maestros from all over the USA rehearing and performing during the week of August 8-13, 2011.

From Collages
Roxie enjoyed her camera and posting to the nationwide Frustrated Maestro Blog.  www.frustratedmaestros.blogspot.com    Here you will see many slideshows of the Maestros performing.  At the end of the Madison posting you will find a slideshow with Maestro Music.  The mic pic up lacks a little, however.
After the Madison, WI FMCA convention we landed at the Rustic Barn Campground and RV Park in Kieler, WI for two days of recuperation from the intense Maestro rehearsal and performance schedule. http://rusticbarnrvpark.com/
Our site looked out and into a valley filled with a dairy farm. Just across from us was a chapel with a full window at the end allowing us to see the landscape. It made a nice practice hall for Charles.


We were then on our way to Sugar Bottom, Corp of Engineers Park, in Solon, IA on August 19, 2011.  We were just outside Iowa City, IA.  The great distance to the lake in the park required some ingenious effort to get the boat to the water.

From Recently Updated
PeeDee, our wonderful Canadian born cat, always surveys the sites to his contentment!
From Recently Updated
Our Daisy turned 3 on August 20, 2011

From Libby-Daisy
On Sunday, August 21, 2011 we had reservations for a week at The Seven Amana Colonies, Amana, IA  http://www.amana.com/.  We have spent much time there through the years and never tire of its history.  But Libby’s illness determined that we would drive home getting the 600+ miles in two days.
We were away two months.  The week early return just helped us launch into the continued flood restoration of our home and yard. 
Charles is directing the Maestros again in October in Winston Salem, NC.  He has written a show for an evening performance, “Back to Your Senior Year in High School.”   In a capsule the promo on the Internet and in the rally book best states his efforts.

Wednesday, Oct. 19, evening entertainment for the Greater Eastern Area Rally:

The “Back to High School” musical program promises to be a fun trip down memory lane. The Maestros’ music will have you reminiscing about football games, homecoming, prom, field-trip bus rides, graduation and the tunes of your formative years.

The “Back to High School” musical program promises to be a fun trip down memory lane. The Maestros’ music will have you reminiscing about football games, homecoming, prom, field-trip bus rides, graduation and the tunes of your formative years.

Our little beagle, Lucky, adopted us 5 years ago!  When we arrive at our winter home, Holiday Travel Resort in Leesburg, FL Lucky will be infatuated with her beau Rusty and mom Lisa.  Lucky takes many steps to the greyhound and daddy steps but she is still stepping along.  She is likely between 14 and 16 years of age.  She is not telling.


From Collages
We leave Oct. 7 for Music Camp in Galax, VA.  This is followed by the Greater Eastern Area Rally…GEAR…in Winston-Salem, NC the third week in October.  We will spend the last week of October leisurely returning home through East TN and visit Marston relatives and friends in Dandridge, TN.

Leaves will finally fall in November and we will prepare for our departure to FL on Thanksgiving Day.  We will stop first at our son and family’s home in Decherd, TN over Thanksgiving.