Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Forgive me, I'm learning...
The strange letters next to Nikki's photo may be translated to: Nikki wasn't sure why I was pointing a silver box at her and talking to myself....
Nikki, German Short Haired Pointer
Nikki wasn't sure why I was pointing this silver box at her and talking to myself....
Trying new tech out...
Beautiful mornings, beautiful weather, beautiful views... what more could one ask for? Poor Suki and Boo - it turns out my sister and Jim didn't return home until well after midnight Monday night/Tuesday morning. Kathy left messages on both my home phone and Connie's the neighbors phone. I had a key but was in Brighton (and didn't check my messages); Connie was home, but did not have a way to get into the house to feed the dogs.... Other than being extremely hungry, no harm seems to have occurred.
Last night Nikki decided she was "my" dog, since her owner had left her with me. Even though she has a bed on the floor next to mine, she crawled into bed with me - so we slept the night away - one human, one canine and three of four felines all in one bed. Shadow, the fourth cat, slept on a corner of the bureau next to the bed. So we were all one big happy, sleepy family. And, I managed to get a few photos taken. I also took Nikki for a long walk around her neighborhood this morning - I thought Boo pulled hard on the leash; Nikki is an equal to Boo in that regard. The power went off after I went to bed last night - I had to reset clocks all over the house, but luckily the central heating and cooling system reset itself.
Lovey and Banichi are out baking in the sun - it's 62 degrees, so the heat feels good. The patio door is wide open, the bird feeders and chair seat are full of seed and peanuts. I can hear the birds chirping like mad, and one of the squirrels is talking from the top of the fence; crows are crying from about a block away... It's gorgeous. Well... I need to write a few letters, then I'll see if I can upload a couple of the photos I've taken.... Cross your fingers for me!
Last night Nikki decided she was "my" dog, since her owner had left her with me. Even though she has a bed on the floor next to mine, she crawled into bed with me - so we slept the night away - one human, one canine and three of four felines all in one bed. Shadow, the fourth cat, slept on a corner of the bureau next to the bed. So we were all one big happy, sleepy family. And, I managed to get a few photos taken. I also took Nikki for a long walk around her neighborhood this morning - I thought Boo pulled hard on the leash; Nikki is an equal to Boo in that regard. The power went off after I went to bed last night - I had to reset clocks all over the house, but luckily the central heating and cooling system reset itself.
Lovey and Banichi are out baking in the sun - it's 62 degrees, so the heat feels good. The patio door is wide open, the bird feeders and chair seat are full of seed and peanuts. I can hear the birds chirping like mad, and one of the squirrels is talking from the top of the fence; crows are crying from about a block away... It's gorgeous. Well... I need to write a few letters, then I'll see if I can upload a couple of the photos I've taken.... Cross your fingers for me!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Topeka, Kansas or Bust!
It's a beautiful, cool morning - still at 48 degrees outside and expecting a high of only 72. I've taken Nikki for a walk, fed and walked Suki and Boo, and cleaned the litter boxes and fed my kits. Banichi is currently nibbling on canned food, while Lovey is stalking "her" pigeon. I'll need to head back to Brighton (and Nikki, Abby, Shadow, Boris and Natasha) in a little while. My hosts in Brighton have told me I can use their phone to make long-distance calls, so I'll probably call my family in Florida this week, as well as calling the lawyer who returned my call from the Spotsylvania County Court. (She called while I was at Kathy's Friday afternoon; I've already returned her call, and let her know I'd be at my home phone number until noon, her time; then I'd call again later with my contact number in Brighton, if I didn't hear from her before I left.)
Michelle Obama will be here in town on Wednesday - I don't know exactly where she'll appear on the CU campus, but I'm sure that if tickets have already been released, they are already gone.
I plan on practicing taking photos of my five Brighton charges today - it would be six, but Kohlbi is in Topeka with his family at the Samoyed National Show - and I do mean his family. Boo's sister Lexi (Kohlbi's mom) will be there, Kohlbi and two of his littermates, and Boo's baby boy will be there from Chicago, too. Kohlbi looked very impressive after his bath and grooming yesterday, and he was just like a baby getting his nails clipped last night (in the middle of the living room floor, with two of the cats taunting him). As soon as I get back to Brighton, I'm going to wash Nikki's ears and let them dry; they are constantly wet and gooey with Kohlbi around, as he sucks on her ears constantly.
On Thursday besides seeing my therapist, I get to meet Rosie and Remy's male owner. (Yes, it is Rosie, even though I erroneously called her Rita in a previous blog entry.) I met Nancy, their female owner last week; she wants me to meet her husband and take the Setters on a walk with both of them, so the dogs freak out the first time I walk them when their owners are gone on vacation. Not much more going on... I'm still in a hovering wait-and-see mode (which I detest). Have a great week!!
Michelle Obama will be here in town on Wednesday - I don't know exactly where she'll appear on the CU campus, but I'm sure that if tickets have already been released, they are already gone.
I plan on practicing taking photos of my five Brighton charges today - it would be six, but Kohlbi is in Topeka with his family at the Samoyed National Show - and I do mean his family. Boo's sister Lexi (Kohlbi's mom) will be there, Kohlbi and two of his littermates, and Boo's baby boy will be there from Chicago, too. Kohlbi looked very impressive after his bath and grooming yesterday, and he was just like a baby getting his nails clipped last night (in the middle of the living room floor, with two of the cats taunting him). As soon as I get back to Brighton, I'm going to wash Nikki's ears and let them dry; they are constantly wet and gooey with Kohlbi around, as he sucks on her ears constantly.
On Thursday besides seeing my therapist, I get to meet Rosie and Remy's male owner. (Yes, it is Rosie, even though I erroneously called her Rita in a previous blog entry.) I met Nancy, their female owner last week; she wants me to meet her husband and take the Setters on a walk with both of them, so the dogs freak out the first time I walk them when their owners are gone on vacation. Not much more going on... I'm still in a hovering wait-and-see mode (which I detest). Have a great week!!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Curlin makes history
Let's see... I've fed and walked the dogs around Wonderland Lake; I've fed Ooch and cleaned his litter box. I've had my meds, breakfast, and have looked at the Sunday newspaper; and watched 30 minutes of local news on the telly. I have to finish writing my report (covering this morning) for Ooch, and update the report for Suki and Boo; then I can go home to my kits and take care of them; and pack to go out the the Brighton gang's house. I hope to be able to fit a visit to the library in there somewhere - of course, I could indulge in an old favorite for a few days, too.
Curlin raced his way into the annals of thoroughbred history yesterday by winning the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes at Belmont Park. It was a sloppy track and Curlin won by 3/4 length over Wanderin Boy - but Curlin was under a casual hand ride, while his opponent was under a vigorous ride and the whip. Curlin made history because he is the first horse to win over $10 million in his racing career; the previous high-earning mark belonged to Cigar, who retired with $9,999,000+ in his bank account. Curlin, a beautiful leggy chestnut with a small strip, is now being prepared for a much-anticipated face-off with Big Brown in the $5 million Breeder's Cup Classic in October. And if Curlin wins, it will take another superior horse to beat his money-winning record. (Curlin has won 11 of 15 races in his career.)
Don't want to talk about college football... 4 of my 7 teams lost, either by one point or by a landslide. It was embarrassing. At least the Hokies won on national TV last night - I guess that makes things OK. A lot of people were shaken by Virginia Tech beating the Nebraska Cornhuskers at home....
Well, I need to take some photos with my new camera - I've still only taken two. I tried to capture the image of RedBoa taking a peanut from the pile within an inch of Banichi's nose yesterday, but before I could get it, the squirrel took off (with the nut). Maybe I should just spend a few hours playing with the little sucker.... My biggest problem, I find, is that I want to pull the camera all the way up to my face and look through a view-finder - instead of holding it away from my face and looking at the LED screen.... It's tough to teach an old dog new tricks....
Curlin raced his way into the annals of thoroughbred history yesterday by winning the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes at Belmont Park. It was a sloppy track and Curlin won by 3/4 length over Wanderin Boy - but Curlin was under a casual hand ride, while his opponent was under a vigorous ride and the whip. Curlin made history because he is the first horse to win over $10 million in his racing career; the previous high-earning mark belonged to Cigar, who retired with $9,999,000+ in his bank account. Curlin, a beautiful leggy chestnut with a small strip, is now being prepared for a much-anticipated face-off with Big Brown in the $5 million Breeder's Cup Classic in October. And if Curlin wins, it will take another superior horse to beat his money-winning record. (Curlin has won 11 of 15 races in his career.)
Don't want to talk about college football... 4 of my 7 teams lost, either by one point or by a landslide. It was embarrassing. At least the Hokies won on national TV last night - I guess that makes things OK. A lot of people were shaken by Virginia Tech beating the Nebraska Cornhuskers at home....
Well, I need to take some photos with my new camera - I've still only taken two. I tried to capture the image of RedBoa taking a peanut from the pile within an inch of Banichi's nose yesterday, but before I could get it, the squirrel took off (with the nut). Maybe I should just spend a few hours playing with the little sucker.... My biggest problem, I find, is that I want to pull the camera all the way up to my face and look through a view-finder - instead of holding it away from my face and looking at the LED screen.... It's tough to teach an old dog new tricks....
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Ooch and Suki and Boo
It rained , a little, yesterday afternoon. There was lightning over the Flatirons, and quite a bit of thunder during the evening. Suki does not like thunder. She squeezed into a tiny space between the wall and the end of the sofa where I was sitting, and wouldn't come out for several hours. Boo was oblivious to any noise - flat her back in the den - while I watched the first Presidential Debate. Ooch was happy to see me again yesterday and seemed surprised to see me again early this morning. He is such a neat cat. I walked from Kathy's house to my apartment this morning after walking the dogs - that made 6 miles today.
Ooch's owner was scheduled to return today, but she called yesterday and said she'd be back Sunday instead. I'll head back to North Boulder after the CU-FSU game; visit with, feed and love Ooch, and then head on to Suki and Boo's. I took the girls out to "go potty" at 8:45 and 11:00 p.m. last night - but it seems that Boo has decided that the first night I spend with them is her designated "crap in the crate" night. Yep, she did it again... and her crate is scrubbed out and sitting on the back patio to dry, while her blankies are hanging up on the line, after being hosed off. I'll have to wash and dry them this afternoon/evening, and hope she doesn't do it again.
Tomorrow should be pretty much like today - with the exception that I'll be spending tomorrow night in Brighton, and will have to drive back here Monday to take care of Suki and Boo and my kids. I might bring Nikki with me, so the cats in Brighton can have a breather - with NO dogs in the house. I'm going to try to take some photos with the new camera today - hopefully I'll have something I can share with you soon. Have a great weekend!
Ooch's owner was scheduled to return today, but she called yesterday and said she'd be back Sunday instead. I'll head back to North Boulder after the CU-FSU game; visit with, feed and love Ooch, and then head on to Suki and Boo's. I took the girls out to "go potty" at 8:45 and 11:00 p.m. last night - but it seems that Boo has decided that the first night I spend with them is her designated "crap in the crate" night. Yep, she did it again... and her crate is scrubbed out and sitting on the back patio to dry, while her blankies are hanging up on the line, after being hosed off. I'll have to wash and dry them this afternoon/evening, and hope she doesn't do it again.
Tomorrow should be pretty much like today - with the exception that I'll be spending tomorrow night in Brighton, and will have to drive back here Monday to take care of Suki and Boo and my kids. I might bring Nikki with me, so the cats in Brighton can have a breather - with NO dogs in the house. I'm going to try to take some photos with the new camera today - hopefully I'll have something I can share with you soon. Have a great weekend!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Reading myself to Sleep
Last night, I read myself to sleep - not with my usual history, science fiction or mystery book, but with the 140 page 2008 State Ballot Information Booklet for the state of Colorado. Besides the Presidential election on November 4, the folks in Colorado are also voting on Congressional members, State Legislature members, retention of Judges, and 14 Amendments and 4 Referendums to the state constitution and state statutes. This is really a lot of information to digest - and the TV ads each call the opposing point of view a lie... This guide explains, in plain American English, what each amendment and referendum means; it provides concise points both for and against each item; and it also lists an estimated fiscal impact upon the state. It then shows the amendments and referendums in their full government legalese - how they will appear in the state's constitution if they are approved. And, finally, the booklet shows how other members of the judiciary feel about retaining or un-seating currently sitting judges across the state. I feel as if I'm cramming for an exam in college! - It's 140 pages without any reference to any person running for an elected office - Whew!!!!
I actually wore jeans and a long-sleeved T to go walking this morning - there was a very chilly wind from the north that did not cease blowing until after 8:30. Kathy and Jim are headed up to Durango and Silverton for the weekend - the narrow gauge steam-engine railroad has it's annual photographic trip this weekend, including a night shoot up in the mountains. Jim is really excited about this trip and the photo opportunities it will present.
I'll be heading off shortly to spend time with Ooch and get over to Suki and Boo's; there is a chance of thunderstorms today and for the next three days in the afternoon, and Suki and Boo get outrageously filthy in the rain, so I'll try to be at their house each afternoon. I'll have to check the TV listings to see when and where, or if, any of my college teams are on TV tomorrow. The CU Buffs are playing the FSU Seminoles in Florida; the Gators host Ole Miss; and South Carolina hosts UAB. Since the number-one ranked team lost last night to an un-ranked team, there might be a nice shake-up in national standings..... we'll see.
Banichi is stretched out across the foot of my bed. Lovey is basking in the sun in my reading chair. The patio door is still wide open, so I guess I'll be getting up and closing it as soon as I finish this blog. I need to buy more peanuts and no-waste bird seed - but there is plenty for today and tomorrow. The birds visit, but are not flocking here; and right now, there are only the two squirrels that are frequenting the peanut chair. Two raccoons visited at eleven last night; Lovey and Banichi went to the glass door and hissed and spat and attacked the door - so they did their duty in protecting their home and me. They are wonderful cats!!
I actually wore jeans and a long-sleeved T to go walking this morning - there was a very chilly wind from the north that did not cease blowing until after 8:30. Kathy and Jim are headed up to Durango and Silverton for the weekend - the narrow gauge steam-engine railroad has it's annual photographic trip this weekend, including a night shoot up in the mountains. Jim is really excited about this trip and the photo opportunities it will present.
I'll be heading off shortly to spend time with Ooch and get over to Suki and Boo's; there is a chance of thunderstorms today and for the next three days in the afternoon, and Suki and Boo get outrageously filthy in the rain, so I'll try to be at their house each afternoon. I'll have to check the TV listings to see when and where, or if, any of my college teams are on TV tomorrow. The CU Buffs are playing the FSU Seminoles in Florida; the Gators host Ole Miss; and South Carolina hosts UAB. Since the number-one ranked team lost last night to an un-ranked team, there might be a nice shake-up in national standings..... we'll see.
Banichi is stretched out across the foot of my bed. Lovey is basking in the sun in my reading chair. The patio door is still wide open, so I guess I'll be getting up and closing it as soon as I finish this blog. I need to buy more peanuts and no-waste bird seed - but there is plenty for today and tomorrow. The birds visit, but are not flocking here; and right now, there are only the two squirrels that are frequenting the peanut chair. Two raccoons visited at eleven last night; Lovey and Banichi went to the glass door and hissed and spat and attacked the door - so they did their duty in protecting their home and me. They are wonderful cats!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)