Broke-Down Palace

One of my favorite places to take Maggie and Zoe to was our frequent visits to the Klamath River. Maggie loved the water's edge. Of course, no trip was complete without playing our favorite song "Broke-Down Palace". This one's in memory of maggie and her sister Zoe Monster. Even though their departure left a huge void in my life, they will always remain close in my heart with all the memories we shared.

Broke-Down Palace
Words by Robert Hunter; music by Jerry Garcia
Copyright Ice Nine Publishing; used by permission.

Fare you well my honey
Fare you well my only true one
All the birds that were singing
Have flown except you alone

Goin to leave this Broke-down Palace
On my hands and my knees I will roll roll roll
Make myself a bed by the waterside
In my time - in my time - I will roll roll roll

In a bed, in a bed
by the waterside I will lay my head
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
to rock my soul

River gonna take me
Sing me sweet and sleepy
Sing me sweet and sleepy
all the way back back home

It's a far gone lullaby
sung many years ago
Mama, Mama, many worlds I've come
since I first left home

Goin home, goin home
by the waterside I will rest my bones
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
to rock my soul
Goin to plant a weeping willow
On the banks green edge it will grow grow grow
Sing a lullaby beside the water
Lovers come and go - the river roll roll roll
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
to rock my soul

When you entered my life we began a journey. Together we traveled through good times and you were there to help me through the bad days.

You taught me to slow down and take in life.
You taught me the value of compassion. For your love had no boundaries.
You taught me things about life, about myself that I might never have known.

Along the way, you will learn much about savoring life's simple pleasures — sharing a sandwich on the side of the road, smelling each and every blade of grass along the way and of course, the importance of keeping up with our naps.

Your pace was much slower, except when it was time to eat but we never missed a beautiful flower, a sinking sun or a morning's brilliance.

Once you've walked as a hound does, you discover a whole new world. We stop; we browse, we kick over leaves, peek in tree holes, look up, down, all around. And we learn what any dog knows — that nature has created a marvelously complex world that is full of surprises, that each cycle of the seasons bring ever changing wonders, each day an essence all its own, each day a gift from God.

You too, were my gift from God. I honestly believe you were sent to save me from myself.
together, we learned the true measure of love. The steadfast, undying kind that says, "It doesn't matter where we are or what we do, or how life treats us as long as we are together."

Respect this always. It is the most precious gift any living soul can give another. You will not find it often among the human race. And you will learn humility. The look in your eyes often made me feel ashamed. Such joy and love at my presence.

You saw me complete with flaws, a person who could be cross and angry, stubborn, moody or rude, and yet dismissed them all the same. You choose to love me despite my human flaws.
I am a better person because of the time and memories we spent together.

While your time here was much too short I will be left with a life time of memories that we shared together.

Like all paths of true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the sun sets, one day I will follow you down the trail you paved with your love. I will find the strength to let you go, knowing your life's mission is complete.

Your time was much too short but I knew that the day would come where we would have to part. I would be left alone with only the life's treasure and lessons you left me with.

I borrowed your spirit, just for a short while, and during these brief years you generously left enough love, every inch of your spirit and heart, until one day there was nothing left.

You taught me the ultimate gift of helping you pass when you needed me most. I'll always remember you as the young playful pup who made me laugh., not the tired girl who's pain brought me tears and great sorrow.

Deep down I always knew that this grand journey would end. I knew that if I gave you my heart it would be broken into a million pieces. But I gave you my heart because that was all you ask of me.
When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a place I could not foresee, I gave you both one final gift as I whispered how much I loved you and let you run free, young and whole once more.

"God speed, my dear sweet girls," until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again.
I will think of you always, always in my heart.

God bless your souls for sharing your life with me . . . and adding so much to my existence.

It's Just A Box of Rain

Little Bella, our twelve year old senior who joined us last month must think she died and went to hound dog heaven. Not only does she spend her day in the company of a whole lot of equally lazyold hounds but here crazy daddy makes her listen to American Beauty every morning.

This bed sure beats the concrete floor at the shelter her last owners dumped her in. It probably is much better then exiled to living outdoors as well.

Words by Robert Hunter; music by Phil Lesh
Copyright Ice Nine Publishing; used by permission.

Look out of any window
any morning, any evening, any day
Maybe the sun is shining
birds are winging or
rain is falling from a heavy sky -
What do you want me to do,
to do for you to see you through?
this is all a dream we dreamed
one afternoon long ago

Old sleepy eyes Agnes prefers the comfort of the couch while watching the morning news.

Walk out of any doorway
feel your way, feel your way
like the day before
Maybe you'll find direction
around some corner
where it's been waiting to meet you -
What do you want me to do,
to watch for you while you're sleeping?
Well please don't be surprised
when you find me dreaming too

Then, there's Sydney who always knows how to make himself comfortable.

Look into any eyes
you find by you, you can see
clear through to another day
I know it's been seen before
through other eyes on other days
while going home --

What do you want me to do,
to do for you to see you through?
It's all a dream we dreamed
one afternoon long ago


Obviously, not impressed with the morning's music selection.

Walk into splintered sunlight
Inch your way through dead dreams
to another land
maybe your tired and broken
Your tongue twisted
with words spoken
and thoughts unclear

Our other "ole gal" Belle

What do you want me to do
to do for you to see you through
A a box of rain will ease the pain
and love will see you through


When the floor doesn't work, it's time to go back to bed
Just a box of rain -
wind and water -
Believe it if you need it,
if you don't just pass it on
Sun and shower -
Wind and rain -
in and out the window
like a moth before a flame

An idea that has legs....happiness is sharing a warm bed with friends

It's just a box of rain
I don't know who put it there
Believe it if you need it
or leave it if you dare
But it's just a box of rain
or a ribbon for your hair
Such a long long time to be gone
and a short time to be there