Concierge

Posted on May 6, 2014May 6, 2014 by Dusty Roads

I got a phone call. The caller identified herself as Jessie from Bent Creek Golf Village, the concierge. My first thought was that there was a problem with my reservation. I figured that would be par for the course (pun intended) after the way Smokey’s cancer went so I braced myself disappointing news.

To my surprise she wanted to know if I got her email with upcoming events. I confirmed that I had so she went on to welcome me, telling me how much she was looking forward to meeting me. She wanted to know if I had any questions but then she surprised me once again.

She gave me her phone number and told me to program it into the phone. She said she liked to do that if she knew she had someone traveling alone, especially a woman traveling alone. She told me any problems en route to just give her a call and if she could help she would!

All of the Diamond Resort properties that I’ve ever stayed at have a concierge desk. Often I’ve gotten a call from them once I’ve checked in making sure everything is satisfactory. They are very useful for tickets, often with discounts and they know which places, from attractions to restaurants, to recommend. But I’ve never had one go so far as to call me at home in advance of a trip. I think that’s a pretty special touch.

If you saw an episode of Undercover Boss you might not find it so unusual. The Diamond Resort slogan is “We love to say yes.” In the episode on Diamond Resorts the extra touch was what the boss was looking for.

I will have to be sure to fill out a comment card when I get there and give Jessie some high praise for going the extra mile. Do you think it might be a southern thing?

A Short Break

Posted on May 4, 2014May 4, 2014 by Dusty Roads

It’s been an emotional week. Not all bad by any means. I received a promotion at work which means more money and new challenges. That’s good.

Smokey was laid to rest. That was bad, at least emotionally draining.

I’ve been commuting to Somerville 1 1/2 – 2 hours each way in grid lock traffic for training.

That’s bad. When I finish there I turn around and rush home to finish off my regular work until 9 pm.

Bottom line, I’m tired. I can’t think straight. So I hope you won’t mind if I take a brief break to recharge and retrench. I’ll be back with new posts in say 5 -7 days? After All, we have a vacation soon and I need to pull myself together so I can tell you all about that.

I also want to thank everyone for their kind comments and condolences. It means more to me than you can possibly know. Thank you all!

Thanks Bunches 🙂

RIP Smokey

Posted on May 3, 2014May 3, 2014 by Dusty Roads

My beloved pet, Smokey crossed the Rainbow Bridge this morning at 11:25. It was time. He went peacefully surrounded by his human friends Thank you for all the happy times, cuddles and purrs. Rest in Peace my loyal friend.

1997- 2014

The Rainbow Bridge

Posted on May 3, 2014May 3, 2014 by Dusty Roads

Smokey and I have an appointment this morning. His tumor has grown to the point that he is drooling long, strings of drool. He is eating but I don’t see him drinking much. I make sure he has wet food, the kind with the gravy, and he eats baby food from a spoon. It’s my feeble attempt to keep him hydrated. He still climbs onto my lap for cuddles and I do my best to gently dry his chest hair and comb out the matted tangles caused by the drool.

He never opens his eyes wide anymore and he has stopped playing. He watches the other 2 cats with interest while they play but doesn’t try to join in. His mouth must be causing him pain because he tries not to put his head down on his paws. It’s sad to see him trying to prop his head on the edge of a pillow or side of the cat bed. He sits or stands on my lap for hours but won’t lie down and rest his head.

I swear he has lost more weight. He is a skeleton with hair. I cry for what he’s going through and I cry for what I have to do. I need to give him his release. We’ll visit the vet for the last time today.

May Day

Posted on May 2, 2014May 2, 2014 by Dusty Roads

So what did you do yesterday? May 1st, May Day, is supposed to be a Spring Festival. In my mind I see sunshine, flowers, and children dancing around the May pole or at least playing with those long, loopy ribbons.

May first around here was more like April 1st. Rainy again but it did warm up in the afternoon. Still anyone dancing around a Maypole today would have to be puddle jumping too.

May Day is related to the Celtic festival of Beltane. The maypole dance comes to us from the Druids of the British Isles, with May Day—May 1—being the second-most-important holiday of their year, because it brought with it the Beltane festival and the observation of pagan fertility rites. May 1 was seen as the beginning of a new year, and fires were lit as part of the celebration.

As Europe became Christianized, the pagan holidays lost their religious character and either changed into popular secular celebrations, as with May Day, or were merged with or replaced by new Christian holidays as with Christmas, Easter, and All Saint’s Day.

I’ve never seen a Maypole or a Beltane celebration but I think a nice sunny day of dancing and flowers is just what we all need these days.