The old man

Perseus or Percy. Tate’s dog. 12 years old, blind, a little arthritic but always where the action is. We decided his ears and nose never miss anything. He gets around the yard well on his own but mostly loves sleeping by the door.

Mary Oliver wrote a poem about Percy.

“He puts his cheek against mine
and makes small, expressive sounds
And when I am awake, or awake enough

He turns upside down, his four paws
in the air

And his eyes dark and fervent

Tell me you love me, he says.

Tell me again.

Could there be a sweeter arrangement? Over and over
He gets to ask it.

I get to tell. “


This old boy knows love.


A long drive home as we came the back roads to avoid the traffic on the interstate. Construction areas we saw on Friday made this decision for us.

I really hate being back in the SC heat after three days of NC mountain weather.