Well, I finally figured out the exact combination of dashes and dots and lack of apostrophes, so I can get on this silly blog without having to go around the barn to do it. So the Fog Has Lifted.
And this morning when I let the UNHOUSETRAINEDAT TWOYEARS French Bulldog out, the deck was WET!!!!!! Hardly knew how to diagnose this latest experience....it's been so long since we've had liquid from the sky. And more due for a couple of days. GALRC picnic in Newnan was cancelled because of this unique experience.
I'm working my way like molasses in snow toward getting all the info together for taxes. I HATE THIS S....er, stuff, that is. Also gradually making progress in the closet category.
But I'm having most fun on my new Kindle. Have gotten a bunch of mystery/intrigue novels and am reading upon rising each morning. Trying to cut calories and read instead. My stomach has not exactly taken to this new regime but it's slowly acknowledging the change.
Joseph is doing so well that he's taking Boogie for long walks to give her lead experience. Seems yesterday she took exception to a fire hydrant and then she discovered the gorgeous HORSE! Imagine her surprise when the first one wouldn't move and the second one did. She's going to be okay, and still even though she's a "teenager" is the spitting image of her mother in a much more exuberant package.
Okay, time for my morning coffee and reading period. A REALLY great mystery about a Boston policeman who gets "drafted" at the beginning of the USA's entrance to WWII. He is assigned to his uncle's office (General Dwight D. Eisenhower, for heaven's sake) and gets involved with a murder having to do with espionage and the re-entry of the Norwegian underground as they try to take their country back from the Nazi's....all from exile in England. Needless to say, there's a spy in the works and this guy has to figure out who it is and do something about it. Very well written with humor and swift movement. Called BILLY BOYLE: A WORLD WAR II MYSTERY, free on Kindle.
I got some free and less expensive books to start out with just to see if I like this new method. I DO! It takes some getting used to, but basically, it's a boon of a way to read and take with you. I always have it in my bag and when things come to a wait/halt, there's that option to turn to and be patient....doc's offices, etc., etc. It's less expensive now than it started out to be, and I figure I've probably bought six of them counting all the paperbacks and hard covers I've invested in during the last few years. And this way I don't have to worry about what to do with them when I've finished. I can share these with other Kindle readers or just delete. What a concept. Now what to do with all these in two stacks that are taller than I am next to my bed.....don't want to box them up and take them with when I move. To the library they go!
Ciao for now, MsP
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Fall Is Upon Us....or Is It?
One would think we were still in July around here. Temps in the 90's for days on end. Sometimes it's bearable b/c it's dry (no rain for weeks), but some days it's like living in a sauna. Rain is on the way in about a month....humph....
Things are looking good for Joseph. He's been to pain clinic and likes the doc, who gave him an appropriate amount of drugs to get him thru a day and now he's his cheerful, talkative self instead of vasillating from grumpy orgre to talkaholic. I hope this keeps up b/c he's REALLY a great person and it is SUPER to see him be comfortable. Evidently the doc is going to do something under anesthesia on the next visit so it might relieve the pressure on his spine. That would ALSO be a blessing. AT LAST we are getting some progress for Joseph. He got his HP lap top the day he came home from the pain clinic and now he's on line with AOL and having a time finding out all the things a computer will do. My major hope is that he doesn't get addicted to it, but in his present state of mind he seems to be aware that might happen and he's not going to let it take over his life. He's using it as a reward instead of a habit, thank heavens.
Other good news appears to be that Peaches (the Simba granddaughter) is "with pup" if all the signs are correct. She's whelping about the first of November, so I've got my fingers and toes and all appendages crossed that goes well. She's at Lori's and will whelp there and the pups will come to me when they are weaned. They should be ready to go out just before the holiday week. If something chocolate emerges, it'll stay here for sure....wouldn't THAT be a surprise???
Am trying like mad to lose about 15 pounds before the Christmas holidays, but it's a difficult task. I had no idea how much of a pain it is to resist that midnight snack until I tried NOT to eat one. Until about a year ago, I never even THOUGHT about a snack in bed while watching tv, but it's become a habit I find difficult to break at present.
Was tickled about the chef who won TOP CHEF, and will be watching closely tonight to find out who got Project Runway. I LOVE the program just after Project Runway....the one where two former winners travel across the country and visit people who would never have a chance to have a special garment made for their special occasion. It's a hoot and a wonderful way to spend an hour laughing and trying to guess what they'll come up with. They've been everywhere from a winery owner to a dump truck driver to the newly wed hills of WVa, and all of it has been delightful. It's on LIFETIME on Thursday nights and repeated often during the following week.
The other program that has me mesmerized is about a South African man who has raised lions from cubs as well as hyenas, and is running a farm to keep them safe. It's called something strange and I never can remember the title, but it comes on Monday nights and is also repeated often during the following week on National Geographic WILD. That's the BEST in animal programs (other than NatGeo, of course, and Animal Planet). It often shows scenes which make me homesick for East Africa. The foliage and the fauna all pull on my memory strings and make me want to go back. I only wish I had discovered that part of the world before I got too old to learn and do something useful in the "wild." If I had my druthers, I'd be over there right now studying cheetahs and lions and the like. It's a comfort to know that someday my ashes will be scattered (even if it's only teaspoon) in Masai Mara.
Off to eat celery and drink low cal OJ....this stomach MUST disappear....it's UGLY! MsP
Things are looking good for Joseph. He's been to pain clinic and likes the doc, who gave him an appropriate amount of drugs to get him thru a day and now he's his cheerful, talkative self instead of vasillating from grumpy orgre to talkaholic. I hope this keeps up b/c he's REALLY a great person and it is SUPER to see him be comfortable. Evidently the doc is going to do something under anesthesia on the next visit so it might relieve the pressure on his spine. That would ALSO be a blessing. AT LAST we are getting some progress for Joseph. He got his HP lap top the day he came home from the pain clinic and now he's on line with AOL and having a time finding out all the things a computer will do. My major hope is that he doesn't get addicted to it, but in his present state of mind he seems to be aware that might happen and he's not going to let it take over his life. He's using it as a reward instead of a habit, thank heavens.
Other good news appears to be that Peaches (the Simba granddaughter) is "with pup" if all the signs are correct. She's whelping about the first of November, so I've got my fingers and toes and all appendages crossed that goes well. She's at Lori's and will whelp there and the pups will come to me when they are weaned. They should be ready to go out just before the holiday week. If something chocolate emerges, it'll stay here for sure....wouldn't THAT be a surprise???
Am trying like mad to lose about 15 pounds before the Christmas holidays, but it's a difficult task. I had no idea how much of a pain it is to resist that midnight snack until I tried NOT to eat one. Until about a year ago, I never even THOUGHT about a snack in bed while watching tv, but it's become a habit I find difficult to break at present.
Was tickled about the chef who won TOP CHEF, and will be watching closely tonight to find out who got Project Runway. I LOVE the program just after Project Runway....the one where two former winners travel across the country and visit people who would never have a chance to have a special garment made for their special occasion. It's a hoot and a wonderful way to spend an hour laughing and trying to guess what they'll come up with. They've been everywhere from a winery owner to a dump truck driver to the newly wed hills of WVa, and all of it has been delightful. It's on LIFETIME on Thursday nights and repeated often during the following week.
The other program that has me mesmerized is about a South African man who has raised lions from cubs as well as hyenas, and is running a farm to keep them safe. It's called something strange and I never can remember the title, but it comes on Monday nights and is also repeated often during the following week on National Geographic WILD. That's the BEST in animal programs (other than NatGeo, of course, and Animal Planet). It often shows scenes which make me homesick for East Africa. The foliage and the fauna all pull on my memory strings and make me want to go back. I only wish I had discovered that part of the world before I got too old to learn and do something useful in the "wild." If I had my druthers, I'd be over there right now studying cheetahs and lions and the like. It's a comfort to know that someday my ashes will be scattered (even if it's only teaspoon) in Masai Mara.
Off to eat celery and drink low cal OJ....this stomach MUST disappear....it's UGLY! MsP
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Some Creative Juices Still Exist!
Yesterday I went back to making some towels with Labradors on them. The experience pointed out to me how much I miss doing that sort of creative work. A dear buddy is going to Germany to judge Labradors and she asked if I would make her some towels to take as a hostess gift and for the winners of the dog and bitch tickets. I jumped at the chance and my trusty little Huskie sewing machine fired up as if it had been waiting at the Start Line for months....it HAD! I got the order out in record time and it went overnight to NY so as to be there for my buddy's departure this afternoon. Now I need to find some way to continue this kind of project....I am selling the Baldwin piano but haven't made a definite decision about the kiln. Still have some unglazed pots and some un-thrown clay that could be processed as a last hurrah in the clay studio. Will decide that shortly. It's a big step to divest myself of one of the most important parts of my past life, but I really don't see taking all that equipment to Denver IF I ever get a chance to move. Am returning the lovely Peaches to her co-owner with hopes that she is indeed pregnant, for pups in early November. It should be a wonderful litter, even if it's all blacks. Also am planning to pick up a new girl who is being co-owned with Joyce Woods. Her father (not Joyce's!!) is Willie, a fox red from Little River Labradors. SO she'll be bred to Badger for a litter of blacks and foxies when the time comes. Joyce says she's nice enough to be shown, so I might just do that, especially if I'm going to St. Louis for their Specialty in Nov. At present the weather here is just glorious, so I'm going to try to do some lead training with the little black monsters and Boogie, who is definitely going to St. Louis and needs the reassurance of knowing that she's in charge of everything even if she doesn't like new things. The little black ones don't have that problem--their confidence level is in the stratosphere. Just caught Georgia chewing up my professional grade box cutter....cheesch, she has about a thousand chewable things strewn all over the house and she climbed up onto the bed and grabbed this thing. It's now reconfigured at the end where the spare blades are kept, teeth marks identifiable to a certain French Bulldog. If she weren't so cute and full of herself, I'd stuff her and put roller skates on her feet and relax knowing that she couldn't get into anything untoward. As it is, she can't be left to her own devices if anything around here is to remain sacred. BUT SHE'S CUTE....just ask her...we are working on sit, down, stay and so far she does it beautifully on the bed and in the house, but outdoors hasn't quite reached that level of success. I'm trying to train her well enough to trust her to go with me to Denver in December. We'll see if she gets that graduation tassel or not. Enuf for now, MsP
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Being Old Is A Pain
At the moment I'm having a time getting onto this blog. IF anyone is reading it, please comment below and tell me what you put into the "GO" box to find it. I keep trying www.mspatty'sblog-blogspot.com and nothing works. Even Google is trying to get me to list my cell and when I don't, it cuts me off and won't let me into my blog. I have to go back to the posting on my list of things done successfully a few days ago to find this place. ARRGGHHH....what's wrong with my addlepated brain??? HELP! :-O
Saturday, September 11, 2010
The Latest Developments
It's been a long time since I even thought about catching up. We've been thru a bout of kennel cough, a breeding over the Labor Day weekend, a cancellation of the root canal b/c I can endure the pain but not the expense ($1200 or $2400), out of town visitors (FUN), etc., etc. So here we are past the time for wearing white shoes (who would anyway???) and now MAYBE cooler nights without the a/c.
The breeding was somewhat convoluted inasmuch as I didn't do the planned one, but ended up punting. It's not a bad combination AT ALL, even if the expense and time required of Pam I. in trying to get it right was a tax for everyone. Apologies to her, most of all. Turns out the semen sent from Memphis by FedEx on Friday arrived by noon on Saturday, but when we attempted to use it on Sunday evening, all four test slides (more than usual just to make sure) showed dead sperm by the end of a minute! What to do now??? Dr. Ana said to do yet another progesterone test the next morning and we could use the frozen sperm of one of the dogs I have stored, so I chose Albert -- Escape Wizard Can CH BonaVenture's Albert. He's Bc. That means unless Peaches has inherited a chocolate gene from her grandfather, the entire litter will be black, some BB, some By and MAYBE some Bc or Cc, or however they put it scientifically. I don't care as long as there is a spectacular black girl to keep and lots of folks wanting black pups over the holiday season....and of course, pups that are healthy and full of the wonderful temperaments of their mom and pop (MINUS the gene for escape under any chain link fence found within inches of its nose). Peaches is a FABULOUS girl and we'll miss her when she has to go back to her home in Waco, GA, although I'm sure they miss her now every bit as much as we will then.
Okay, now I have two wonderful things to look forward to: The St. Louis Labrador Specialty when I can take Boogie and go see my dear "family" up there for a few days. Darcie and Anthony called during the Braves game Monday night to rub my nose into the loss to the Cardinals. We decided the next good time for a get-together would be that November Specialty, which I hadn't thought about but took right to the idea. Will probably enter Boogie and go up a day before so she can be roped into line by the likes of a professional (instead of me) and maybe show better than her mother ever did. They are practically clones of each other except Boogie takes after her name and is about as outgoing as any Labrador ever can get.
The second wonderful thing is that my financial advisors have me believing since the property dispute and the real estate market are so unpredictable, my best move to be nearer my family in Denver is to spend more time out there at a time instead of just a week or two. The Peaches/Albert pups will be going out the week before Christmas, so I now have reservations for Denver on Christmas Eve for a month! What a thought!!!! Can't wait, but will be patient and keep trying to get this place in order for possible marketing in the Spring.
The black pups from Garbo/Monkey are coming along famously. Of course, this is the time where tails look like rats, ears get too big and heads seem to shrink, rears get high and tail sets get low, and a pup seems to be unable to coordinate any set of bones in movement. I like this sort of development b/c it is NORMAL. These guys will come back together by the time they are a year, but in the meantime, their temperaments are to die for. I'm delighted to have had calls from owners of the siblings which cement this diagnosis....both parents donated their loving and sparkling temperaments to the get and I'm delighted with that result.
Garbo will be going to Canada to Joyce Love as soon as we can figure out how to handle it. She will do well up there and probably produce good things for Joyce. Then Garbo will be retired to a pet home and live the rest of her life in the style to which she thinks she deserves.
Meantime it's time to switch the dog crates from inside (no a/c to enjoy now that cooler days and nights are coming along) to the dog porch, which means a whole day of cleaning and rearranging tools, dust, equipment, etc. I better get to it....
Today is September 11. Nine years. Everyone has a story. I was emerging from Dr. Connolly's vet office where two pick Mariah pups were having their hips repaired so they could go to pet homes. That day will live forever in the minds of those who endured it with horror and pride in the strength of the United States of America in a time of peril. I will spend several moments today in quiet mourning for those in the Pentagon, in the field in PA, and of course, in NYC. I'll light three candles on the front porch at twilight and sit and think about all that has happened since then and the courage and heroism of those who were closer than I to that day. As with all who lived thru that day, worry about family, friends, acquaintances and all those who were trying so valiantly to help, we remember and pledge not to let something so horrific happen again. Strength in our values and our faiths will prevail. Those fanatics of a religion who do such despicable acts in the name of their god will not. MsP
The breeding was somewhat convoluted inasmuch as I didn't do the planned one, but ended up punting. It's not a bad combination AT ALL, even if the expense and time required of Pam I. in trying to get it right was a tax for everyone. Apologies to her, most of all. Turns out the semen sent from Memphis by FedEx on Friday arrived by noon on Saturday, but when we attempted to use it on Sunday evening, all four test slides (more than usual just to make sure) showed dead sperm by the end of a minute! What to do now??? Dr. Ana said to do yet another progesterone test the next morning and we could use the frozen sperm of one of the dogs I have stored, so I chose Albert -- Escape Wizard Can CH BonaVenture's Albert. He's Bc. That means unless Peaches has inherited a chocolate gene from her grandfather, the entire litter will be black, some BB, some By and MAYBE some Bc or Cc, or however they put it scientifically. I don't care as long as there is a spectacular black girl to keep and lots of folks wanting black pups over the holiday season....and of course, pups that are healthy and full of the wonderful temperaments of their mom and pop (MINUS the gene for escape under any chain link fence found within inches of its nose). Peaches is a FABULOUS girl and we'll miss her when she has to go back to her home in Waco, GA, although I'm sure they miss her now every bit as much as we will then.
Okay, now I have two wonderful things to look forward to: The St. Louis Labrador Specialty when I can take Boogie and go see my dear "family" up there for a few days. Darcie and Anthony called during the Braves game Monday night to rub my nose into the loss to the Cardinals. We decided the next good time for a get-together would be that November Specialty, which I hadn't thought about but took right to the idea. Will probably enter Boogie and go up a day before so she can be roped into line by the likes of a professional (instead of me) and maybe show better than her mother ever did. They are practically clones of each other except Boogie takes after her name and is about as outgoing as any Labrador ever can get.
The second wonderful thing is that my financial advisors have me believing since the property dispute and the real estate market are so unpredictable, my best move to be nearer my family in Denver is to spend more time out there at a time instead of just a week or two. The Peaches/Albert pups will be going out the week before Christmas, so I now have reservations for Denver on Christmas Eve for a month! What a thought!!!! Can't wait, but will be patient and keep trying to get this place in order for possible marketing in the Spring.
The black pups from Garbo/Monkey are coming along famously. Of course, this is the time where tails look like rats, ears get too big and heads seem to shrink, rears get high and tail sets get low, and a pup seems to be unable to coordinate any set of bones in movement. I like this sort of development b/c it is NORMAL. These guys will come back together by the time they are a year, but in the meantime, their temperaments are to die for. I'm delighted to have had calls from owners of the siblings which cement this diagnosis....both parents donated their loving and sparkling temperaments to the get and I'm delighted with that result.
Garbo will be going to Canada to Joyce Love as soon as we can figure out how to handle it. She will do well up there and probably produce good things for Joyce. Then Garbo will be retired to a pet home and live the rest of her life in the style to which she thinks she deserves.
Meantime it's time to switch the dog crates from inside (no a/c to enjoy now that cooler days and nights are coming along) to the dog porch, which means a whole day of cleaning and rearranging tools, dust, equipment, etc. I better get to it....
Today is September 11. Nine years. Everyone has a story. I was emerging from Dr. Connolly's vet office where two pick Mariah pups were having their hips repaired so they could go to pet homes. That day will live forever in the minds of those who endured it with horror and pride in the strength of the United States of America in a time of peril. I will spend several moments today in quiet mourning for those in the Pentagon, in the field in PA, and of course, in NYC. I'll light three candles on the front porch at twilight and sit and think about all that has happened since then and the courage and heroism of those who were closer than I to that day. As with all who lived thru that day, worry about family, friends, acquaintances and all those who were trying so valiantly to help, we remember and pledge not to let something so horrific happen again. Strength in our values and our faiths will prevail. Those fanatics of a religion who do such despicable acts in the name of their god will not. MsP
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