Football didn't go too badly yesterday - 6 of my 7 teams won; the Buffs Homecoming was spoiled by the Texas Longhorns, but that was somewhat expected. The mountains have quite a bit more snow on them this morning than yesterday, and I expect they will all be snow-capped after tonight.
I don't think Natasha and Boris have ever watched someone take a bath - they watched me yesterday afternoon... and I was enchanted by their reactions. Natasha just sat on the edge of the tub and watched the water, watched me, and watched her brother. Boris got himself situated on a corner and started patting the water with his right paw; he then switched to his left paw; he was fascinated with both the sound and the movement of the water. Soon he was dipping his forelegs in up to his elbow and making the water boil with his paw and arm motions; after he had tried this with first one, then the other forelegs, he settled his haunches well and stuck both arms in - and was apparently extremely pleased with the effects he created. Finally, without my coaxing him at all, he slid slowly into the tub, walked all the way around me (up to his belly in warm water)and then sat and played "splash" like any young child would do. I need to warn his people that he has a new hobby.
My kits are sitting on either end of my desk - even though the patio door is wide open. They've both been out, and apparently do not appreciate the several large piles of trash left by the CU-Texas tailgaters in the backyard. I've got to run back to Brighton, but will be returning home for a couple of weeks this evening.... Yeah!!! My own bed and kits to sleep with!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Acclimatization
Today is the Colorado Buffaloes Homecoming football game. I came home early from Brighton, have fed my kits, let them out to roam a little bit, and cleaned their potties. Banichi has opted to lay on my forearms while I'm typing this blog, burrowing his head into my chest and purring away. Lovey is sitting in the patio doorway, observing the loud trucks and buses at the Millennium Harvest House.
I might need to rethink my acclimatization ideas... I am, again, wearing a T shirt and shorts, but driving back from Brighton, I passed a field of horses that were all wearing their blankets. Maybe I'm getting too used to the coolness? I went to the top of Flagstaff Mountain yesterday and tried taking "scenic" shots with the new camera... you can judge them next week.
Kohlbi did not get any points toward his Championship at Topeka this week. He was in a class of 57, and made the cut of the top 10; but that was as far as he progressed. I don't know how his relatives fared in the judging. I had to call Michael yesterday afternoon - they have DirecTV satellite and while I could get the TV screen to show the guide and what was supposed to be on the channels I entered, the TV screen stayed a pale grey; I tried all the tricks I knew, and finally decided I need to reboot the satellite system, but thought I'd better check with Michael first. He had me press a few buttons, and then decided it needed a reboot - especially since he was planning on recording "Sanctuary", the new series with Amanda Tapping. I was able to reboot the system, which made Michael happy. Then I watched Sanctuary. It was an enjoyable 2-hour premiere, but it's not something I'd go about screaming how special or tremendous it was.
Probably won't blog until late tomorrow evening.... I'm unsure when I'll get home tomorrow - that is, I'm unsure when Michael and Jane will return tomorrow (from Kansas)to bring me home again. Banichi has gone to cover the food dish and Lovey has decided to come keep me company on the desk. It's supposed to snow above 9,000 feet tonight, and they're expecting 10 or more inches of snow on the western slope around the Vail area. I know that 2 resorts already have their snow machines going and hope to open to the public on October 10. Have a great weekend!
I might need to rethink my acclimatization ideas... I am, again, wearing a T shirt and shorts, but driving back from Brighton, I passed a field of horses that were all wearing their blankets. Maybe I'm getting too used to the coolness? I went to the top of Flagstaff Mountain yesterday and tried taking "scenic" shots with the new camera... you can judge them next week.
Kohlbi did not get any points toward his Championship at Topeka this week. He was in a class of 57, and made the cut of the top 10; but that was as far as he progressed. I don't know how his relatives fared in the judging. I had to call Michael yesterday afternoon - they have DirecTV satellite and while I could get the TV screen to show the guide and what was supposed to be on the channels I entered, the TV screen stayed a pale grey; I tried all the tricks I knew, and finally decided I need to reboot the satellite system, but thought I'd better check with Michael first. He had me press a few buttons, and then decided it needed a reboot - especially since he was planning on recording "Sanctuary", the new series with Amanda Tapping. I was able to reboot the system, which made Michael happy. Then I watched Sanctuary. It was an enjoyable 2-hour premiere, but it's not something I'd go about screaming how special or tremendous it was.
Probably won't blog until late tomorrow evening.... I'm unsure when I'll get home tomorrow - that is, I'm unsure when Michael and Jane will return tomorrow (from Kansas)to bring me home again. Banichi has gone to cover the food dish and Lovey has decided to come keep me company on the desk. It's supposed to snow above 9,000 feet tonight, and they're expecting 10 or more inches of snow on the western slope around the Vail area. I know that 2 resorts already have their snow machines going and hope to open to the public on October 10. Have a great weekend!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Wet Earlobe
Nikki and I had a wonderfully brisk walk this morning; we saw 3 fox and 8 coyotes in the development. Nikki wanted to chase each and every fox and coyote, so my right shoulder is a little sore from her pulling on her lead. She is very well trained, and if I pull the lead in and keep her "in position" she will heel, sit, top, and stay - but in the mornings, I pretty much give her 30 feet of line and just let her explore and romp. Therefore my sore shoulder is my own fault.
Boris didn't mean to wake me up this morning, but I awoke to my right earlobe being alternately licked and then sucked on.... He was lying curled across my throat, and his purr seemed incredibly loud - but then, his nose was directly over my eardrum... When I first got up this morning, Nikki decided that she would take over my space in the bed; she seemed quite put out that I made her get off the bed and go out into the living room with me.
Banichi and Lovey are both outside on the patio. Yesterday, when I was leaving to visit Rosie and Remy, I had to call the kits inside. The kits were nowhere in sight - Lovey came running from under the fence; she had been visiting the Alumni Homecoming tents, lunch and concert at the Millenium Harvest House. She ran right up to me, and I hugged and praised her and then put her inside and closed the patio door. While I was calling Banichi, she presented me with a concert of her own pitiful meows. When I began to make my second call for 'Nichi-ji, I saw a slight movement out of the left corner of my eye; there was the man... sitting behind the silver-grey bark of a twisted oak in the far corner of the yard. I asked, "Nichi - are you going to make me come to you?" and he sprang out from behind the tree and ran up to my feet. Of course, he promptly dropped down and rolled in the dirt - but I was happy with his response.
I watched the Vice-presidential debate last night with great interest. I tried to watch the debate with an open mind - as if I did not know anything about either Senator Biden or Governor Palin. The first thing I noticed was that Gov. Palin was not answering the questions she was asked; that she seemed awfully "folksy" when speaking directly to the camera; that she never laid out or explained any plans for the government during a McCain-Palin administration. Senator Biden answered the questions; he laid out plans for the Obama-Biden administration; he seemed to be a little stiff at the beginning of the debate, but loosened up during the last half of it.
In looking for a winner, personally, I think Biden made better points and a better over-all impression. It seemed to me that Palin was putting on an act - the "folksy" sayings were a bit too much over the top; the use of "Darn right!" and "Darn it!" made me want to find a pair of socks, a knitting egg, and some wool and my darning hooks; she had certain doctrines of the GOP down pat and recited them well. She did not ramble or have a public melt-down , so I guess she did well. But she did not leave me with the impression that she truly understood what she was saying/parroting - and I still dislike the fact that she did not answer the questions she was asked.
Boris didn't mean to wake me up this morning, but I awoke to my right earlobe being alternately licked and then sucked on.... He was lying curled across my throat, and his purr seemed incredibly loud - but then, his nose was directly over my eardrum... When I first got up this morning, Nikki decided that she would take over my space in the bed; she seemed quite put out that I made her get off the bed and go out into the living room with me.
Banichi and Lovey are both outside on the patio. Yesterday, when I was leaving to visit Rosie and Remy, I had to call the kits inside. The kits were nowhere in sight - Lovey came running from under the fence; she had been visiting the Alumni Homecoming tents, lunch and concert at the Millenium Harvest House. She ran right up to me, and I hugged and praised her and then put her inside and closed the patio door. While I was calling Banichi, she presented me with a concert of her own pitiful meows. When I began to make my second call for 'Nichi-ji, I saw a slight movement out of the left corner of my eye; there was the man... sitting behind the silver-grey bark of a twisted oak in the far corner of the yard. I asked, "Nichi - are you going to make me come to you?" and he sprang out from behind the tree and ran up to my feet. Of course, he promptly dropped down and rolled in the dirt - but I was happy with his response.
I watched the Vice-presidential debate last night with great interest. I tried to watch the debate with an open mind - as if I did not know anything about either Senator Biden or Governor Palin. The first thing I noticed was that Gov. Palin was not answering the questions she was asked; that she seemed awfully "folksy" when speaking directly to the camera; that she never laid out or explained any plans for the government during a McCain-Palin administration. Senator Biden answered the questions; he laid out plans for the Obama-Biden administration; he seemed to be a little stiff at the beginning of the debate, but loosened up during the last half of it.
In looking for a winner, personally, I think Biden made better points and a better over-all impression. It seemed to me that Palin was putting on an act - the "folksy" sayings were a bit too much over the top; the use of "Darn right!" and "Darn it!" made me want to find a pair of socks, a knitting egg, and some wool and my darning hooks; she had certain doctrines of the GOP down pat and recited them well. She did not ramble or have a public melt-down , so I guess she did well. But she did not leave me with the impression that she truly understood what she was saying/parroting - and I still dislike the fact that she did not answer the questions she was asked.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Indian Summer Ending
The weather forecasters are saying that our Indian Summer will be ending soon; it's been in the 70s, 80s and 90s since the autumnal equinox. A front from the Pacific Northwest is headed this way, and snow is predicted above 10,000 feet for Saturday night. CU's Homecoming football game is this Saturday, and the forecasters are saying we'll have a high of 75, but it will be very windy, which will play hell with Folsom Field's air currents. Sunday we'll have afternoon showers with highs in the mid-60s and Monday our high might reach 60, with rain. We need the rain. I will not complain about rain or snow... it is desperately needed.
I'm looking forward to the scheduled debate tonight between the VP candidates. I laughed heartily at SNL's opening skit with, supposedly, Katie Couric interviewing Gov. Palin - what has been made painfully clear, however, is that Gov. Palin's lines were copied, almost verbatim, from real interviews. That's scary. (I also laughed at the footage of a black bear pulling the door open and letting itself into a Subway Sandwich Shop in Canada - apparently it didn't find anything appetizing, and let itself back out the front door - all this while the manager was hiding in the restroom.)
Still in Brighton this morning - have fed all the critters and taken Nikki for a long walk. Am getting ready to head back to Boulder - to see and love my kits, to see Nancy (my therapist), and to meet with Rosie and Remy's owners. As Nikki has to stay in her crate while I'm gone, I'm putting off leaving for as long as possible. I awakened early this morning as the cats were sorting out who was sleeping where, and thought that the power was out again - but Shadow was immediately in front of the bright, bedside LED clock. I just nestled deeper and let the cats arrange their own sleeping spots.
I am looking forward to spending next week at home - sleeping, loving and cuddling my kits, listening to and watching the birds and squirrels outside, and, hopefully, getting a few more good photos that I can share with you on the blog.... Enjoy yourselves!
I'm looking forward to the scheduled debate tonight between the VP candidates. I laughed heartily at SNL's opening skit with, supposedly, Katie Couric interviewing Gov. Palin - what has been made painfully clear, however, is that Gov. Palin's lines were copied, almost verbatim, from real interviews. That's scary. (I also laughed at the footage of a black bear pulling the door open and letting itself into a Subway Sandwich Shop in Canada - apparently it didn't find anything appetizing, and let itself back out the front door - all this while the manager was hiding in the restroom.)
Still in Brighton this morning - have fed all the critters and taken Nikki for a long walk. Am getting ready to head back to Boulder - to see and love my kits, to see Nancy (my therapist), and to meet with Rosie and Remy's owners. As Nikki has to stay in her crate while I'm gone, I'm putting off leaving for as long as possible. I awakened early this morning as the cats were sorting out who was sleeping where, and thought that the power was out again - but Shadow was immediately in front of the bright, bedside LED clock. I just nestled deeper and let the cats arrange their own sleeping spots.
I am looking forward to spending next week at home - sleeping, loving and cuddling my kits, listening to and watching the birds and squirrels outside, and, hopefully, getting a few more good photos that I can share with you on the blog.... Enjoy yourselves!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Boulder Valley
Since I arrived here, I've always known that I live in "the Boulder Valley." It was very apparent this morning, when I left Brighton, out on the eastern plains and it was 52 degrees outside; 45 minutes later, as I pulled into my parking lot, it was 45 degrees outside. There is a spot on Colorado Highway 7 that shows this to be true - I'll try to take a photo from this view point before Sunday, when I'll be without a car again. Yes, I have the Brighton gang's Toyota Prius again. And I still think it's a wonderful car.
I awakened sometime early this morning, swimming up from a deep sleep, and heard the soft rhythmic snoring of my bed-partner. My first thought was that Jeff's snoring had gotten to a very comforting level; then I remembered that Jeff was no longer alive, and that my bed partner was a German Short Haired Pointer named Nikki. She was asleep with her head on the pillow and her back toward me; Abby was between my ankles, Natasha was along my right side and Boris was curled up, and partially on, my right side; Shadow was, again, on the bureau. Three of the four cats there react to catnip , Abby, the female orange tabby, is the only one who doesn't. So I got the kits a couple of toys and they are having a great time playing with them in their part of the basement.
"Their part of the basement?" All cats and dogs have full run of the house - except in the daylight basement. There, the cats have three-quarters of the floor for their own use, behind a chain-link fence the dogs can't cross (unless one lets the dogs through the gate). That way, the cats can have their own area if they don't want to put up with dog play and/or doggy drool. Both Kohlbi and Nikki use the cats as head pillows while they're in shared spaces, and the cats usually don't mind it. Of course, the dogs have an acre-plus sized yard to play in that the cats do not. I think it pretty much evens out.
My kits are chasing each other in this cooler weather. They come tearing in from outside, Lovey meowing at the top of her lung capacity, and Banichi in a quiet, determined rush. They seem to play a form of "Tag" - one chases one for a while, and then they switch. Banichi is getting much better at running - he moves forward a lot faster, and doesn't jump up so much any longer - and sometimes when he's able to stay close on Lovey's heels, she hisses at him. They are both sitting in the sun now, trying to convince a flock of birds to leave the tree and approach the bird feeders.
The space shuttle launch for the Hubble Telescope has been postponed until next year, due to unexplained equipment failure on Hubble itself. That means I'll be home for 5 more nights this month. (Yeah! - I think.... this is when I get my Christmas gift money together...)
I awakened sometime early this morning, swimming up from a deep sleep, and heard the soft rhythmic snoring of my bed-partner. My first thought was that Jeff's snoring had gotten to a very comforting level; then I remembered that Jeff was no longer alive, and that my bed partner was a German Short Haired Pointer named Nikki. She was asleep with her head on the pillow and her back toward me; Abby was between my ankles, Natasha was along my right side and Boris was curled up, and partially on, my right side; Shadow was, again, on the bureau. Three of the four cats there react to catnip , Abby, the female orange tabby, is the only one who doesn't. So I got the kits a couple of toys and they are having a great time playing with them in their part of the basement.
"Their part of the basement?" All cats and dogs have full run of the house - except in the daylight basement. There, the cats have three-quarters of the floor for their own use, behind a chain-link fence the dogs can't cross (unless one lets the dogs through the gate). That way, the cats can have their own area if they don't want to put up with dog play and/or doggy drool. Both Kohlbi and Nikki use the cats as head pillows while they're in shared spaces, and the cats usually don't mind it. Of course, the dogs have an acre-plus sized yard to play in that the cats do not. I think it pretty much evens out.
My kits are chasing each other in this cooler weather. They come tearing in from outside, Lovey meowing at the top of her lung capacity, and Banichi in a quiet, determined rush. They seem to play a form of "Tag" - one chases one for a while, and then they switch. Banichi is getting much better at running - he moves forward a lot faster, and doesn't jump up so much any longer - and sometimes when he's able to stay close on Lovey's heels, she hisses at him. They are both sitting in the sun now, trying to convince a flock of birds to leave the tree and approach the bird feeders.
The space shuttle launch for the Hubble Telescope has been postponed until next year, due to unexplained equipment failure on Hubble itself. That means I'll be home for 5 more nights this month. (Yeah! - I think.... this is when I get my Christmas gift money together...)
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