Many of you remember my Smyrna neighbor Opal. She’s a legend, and she is the person who taught me how to keep my yard looking nice, along with planting maple trees and blowing leaves out of my gutters. Cocoa loved Opal from the first moment she saw her, and she still does.

Every Sunday evening Opal would drop by the house and watch television with us. Over the years, we have cried together,  laughed together, and battled ice storms together. We have eaten ice cream together, celebrated Christmas and Thanksgiving together, and rounded up stray cats together. When I changed jobs and moved to northeast Georgia, Opal was one of the  reasons that I did not want to go. Where could we possibly find another Opal—someone who totally loved dogs, walked two miles a day, and baked awesome banana bread? Best friends can’t be replaced.

Sometimes on summer afternoons, Cocoa and I would walk down to see Opal and we would end up sitting on her carport and talking. It wouldn’t be long before other friends would drop by and join us.

Cocoa and Chip in Opal’s backyard waiting for me to return.

Here is Opal with Cocoa when she was just a couple of months old. I called her my “baby bean” as in a Cocoa bean. She was so chocolate.

When Cocoa was young, she loved to sit at the end of the driveway and watch for Opal. If you look closely you can see her and Betty at the left. They were getting ready to cut a dead limb out of a dogwood tree.

Seeing this sign made me want to ask: Where?!! Let’s Go!!!!

Earlier today, Cocoa had an operation. A small fatty tumor needed to come out, and we found out that while it was attached to the chest muscle there is no need to worry. She will be fine and probably up by tomorrow and ready to make a day trip to North Carolina by Thursday or Friday. Her doctor even said she could go for a short hike by the end of the week. But right now, her eyes show just how exhausted she is.

I have lots of favorite passages in the Bible, but one that God reminds me of at pointed times is from Matthew 7: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (verse 7 NIV). Don’t get me wrong; I’m not a “name it and claim it” type of person. But I do believe there are times when we need to ask Him for whatever our need is and when we do, His blessings will be revealed to us.

It was a perfect afternoon to visit this warm and welcoming shop outside of Cleveland, Georgia. For a long time now, it has been a favorite destination on Sunday afternoons. Yesterday, a steady stream of shoppers looking for Christmas decorations and gifts came in and out of this place on a regular basis. But when there was a break in the action, I let Cocoa and Chip get out of the car long enough to say “Hi” to Mr. Goat and Mr. Pig—new additions to the front yard.

Though both know the difference between alive and fake “yard art,” it never hurts to be sure. As you can see in the photo below.

Checking out the sniffs!

What more can I say? I love this dog!!

Cocoa Joy is thankful for her family, food, long walks in the woods, and her trainers at Dog School 101. (Actually, I’m the one who is grateful for Sandy and Xalina!)

PJ is thankful for sleep.

And Chipley is thankful for . . .

COWS!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I love the fact that I can tell Cocoa Joy to sit and stay, and she does it even when a bratty squirrel is playing nearby.