Another unlikely place to shop

Along the lines of looking for new socks at the grocery store, I don't usually think, "Ah, I need a snack. I guess I'll stop at the hardware store." But, if you're not too particular about your snack tastes, you could do just that.

What's that?

Walking through the Safeway parking lot yesterday, I spotted a bobby pin. I haven't seen one of those in years. Didn't even know they still made them, yet, they can be purchased at Safeway. I wonder. Should I try a new hair style? So many options available using bobby pins. Or not.

That's so cool!

Walking my three younger dogs (mother and two of her kids) in the park the other day, a man was so impressed that they were all marked the same. I mumbled something about them being well bred. Then he asked if the father was marked this way too, which I said he was. "Wow!" he said, as he walked away. Yeah, I thought, it is sooo cool!! I love Boston Terriers. But, of course, you already knew that.

Always alert

It appears that my anxiety about the imminent demise of my Bertie was, thankfully and happily, premature. How premature, I don't know, but he is back to being his alert and curious self on the treatment program provided to me by my Arizona veterinarian. I am, of course, very, very pleased. Now if only he could hear me when I call him. Ah well, two out of three is not bad at all.

I never get sick - really, I never do.

Well, maybe once every twenty years or so I get a little touch of something. Yesterday, I had ample opportunity to moan and whine and wallow in self pity. I even had house guests on hand to commiserate and assure me that my instinct to simply sleep all day was appropriate. But was that any way to treat my brother, Gerrit, and his wife, Julie? Not very entertaining, but they didn't seem to mind.

It seems this must have been a 24 hour bug, as it ended abruptly in the middle of last night about the same time as it had started, also abruptly, the night before. Today I'm normal again, although I'm willing to use my recent experience as an excuse to take it easy.

Gerrit and Julie have left for home now, and I'm wishing them a safe trip and being thankful that they came to visit me. We had a good time, in spite of this little interruption. I'm assuming now I should be good for another twenty years.

Just a whisper in her ear

I just whispered to my Lily, "Shall we go to the park?" And now I've definitely got to go walk the dogs. I teach them, but I never learn.

Having it both ways

Gov Pawlenty, I see, is urging a 20% tax cut for corporations. (Could he be looking for corporate campaign support?) President Obama submitted a bill for tax relief for small businesses. As I understand it, it is a good thing to help out small businesses because they employ many people.

Yet, I've read that Republicans can't support President Obama's tax cut for small business because of our huge deficit. I'll be waiting to hear the conservatives make the same argument against Gov Pawlenty's tax cut proposals. I'll be waiting, but I won't be holding my breath.

Dog update

Bertie is doing well, and I've chosen to pretend that he'll be fine - which is probably true for the time being. We're all doing well here in Phoenix, and I'm glad Bertie's not struggling with his "issues" in two feet of snow. My sympathy is with all of you who are. By my calendar it is a mere two months before I'll be readying myself and the "kids" to return to Minnesota. And we will be ready. Love my family and friends here, but miss my friends at home a lot.

Encouraging news

"The spotlight has been bright, not necessarily kind to former Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
"According to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, 71% of Americans do not feel that Palin is qualified to be President. That includes a sharp drop in Republican support, where 45% believe she is qualified compared to 66% who thought she was last fall."
Huffington Post, Feb 11, 2010

I would like those who still believe in the myth of a "liberal press" to justify the excessive coverage given to Tea Party types and Sarah Palin. This little dose of reality brightened my day. The next thing that brightened my day was watching the wonderful work of Stephen Colbert at http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/264042/february-08-2010/sarah-palin-uses-a-hand-o-prompter
Just highlight the address above, paste it in your browser and enjoy.

Dog: God spelled backwards

There's a Facebook group entitled something like "I'm a Christian." I joined this group with some reluctance. Unfortunately too many people these days who call themselves Christians don't act like it. My comment: "My God is a God of love. What about you?"

This week two of my friends unexpectedly lost their 6 year old Viszla to a rare form of leukemia. His time was too short, and the pain of his loss is, I know, intense. I deeply sympathize with them, as do many others who commented on their facebook pages. From their comments it is clear that they did all the right things to give their "boy" a loving farewell and a peaceful end. That will be a comfort for them always.

This week I learned that my old Bertie, age 13 1/2, has a growth that is squeezing his colon, and there is nothing that can be done to prevent his quality of life from deteriorating too quickly. I know his days are numbered, but, of course, I've known that ever since he turned 13 - or more generally since the day he was born. The number of days is, though still unknown, a smaller number than I would hope for - but then that's always the case too, isn't it?

I now have some time to cuddle him, pet him, feed him healthy food, walk him by many extremely interesting trees and posts (his sense of smell is definitely not impaired), and generally appreciate him. That's the advantage of time and a warning.

Luckily, there are several other dogs in my household to comfort me and share the sadness. Some folks are "nearer to God in their gardens." I am, fortunately I believe, nearer to God with my dogs. And God is Love. With my dogs, I'm surrounded by love.