Sep 9, 2019 |
Do you think we live with pets in order to have something to love?
Maybe that’s the wrong question to ask.
Do you think we live with dogs when our children are no longer at home so that we have someone to care for, to worry about, to fuss at? In other words, does motherhood/parenthood simply take a different dimension?
I know the relationship I had with Flash – and currently with Stanley – would be different if I had a family environment, other than just the two of us. In other words, if I’d had little ones at home still or a husband, or teenagers, the entire dynamic would have changed.
One of the questions that people get asked when they get older is: do you have a pet? The reason for asking is that scientists have found that older people have a better quality of life when they have a pet. It’s more than just a lower blood pressure. It’s a sense of connection.
I think something wonderful happens between people and animals, be they dogs, cats, guinea pigs or hedgehogs. We reach out to another creature and are willing to take on the responsibility of this being not for any tangible gain, but out of love. Doesn’t that say something wonderful about people?
Sep 5, 2019 |
This week the inspection was done by the engineers. Yes, my foundation does need fixing. It will be expensive as hell and will take nearly a week. Jackhammers and an hysterical dog every day. Maybe I can talk my doctor into medical marijuana. I think it’s still illegal in Texas, though. (Do you know, I’ve never had marijuana? Or any other drug, for that matter.) However, at the end of the foundation mess maybe I will be able to open the back door and the bedroom door will not open soundlessly like it did for the first time last night, thereby scaring Stanley and me nearly to death. He thought there was a burglar. I thought there was a ghost.
I received a phone call from the dermatologist’s nurse. My spot wasn’t basal cell carcinoma after all. It was a mole, but a mole with troubling cells on the margins. So, I will be trotting back to his office on 9/26 where he will do more surgery to expand the area removed. Lots of stitches, I was told. The nurse also told me, “It isn’t cancer, but we don’t want it to become cancer.” It reminded me, oddly enough, of when I went in for a routine pap smear only to have a biopsy and be diagnosed with cervical cancer. My imagination being what it is, and the spot being where it is, I have envisioned myself with a prosthetic nose. Cyrano de Ranney. One bright spot – and there is more than one * – is that I’ve already been to the office. When I get lost this time my surroundings will be familiar.
- Another bright spot – I almost cancelled this appointment. When she was talking about it “not being cancer” she was talking melanoma. Can you imagine what might have happened if I’d ignored this tiny spot? Gentle hint: Don’t do that!
Stanley has been unbelievably difficult this week, food wise. I’ve nearly lost my patience with him. Then I asked myself what I want for him to do. Frankly, to be eager to eat every day. I did more research and came up with two answers for picky eaters: tripe – which dogs seem to love – to be added to his kibble, or making his food myself. I’ve heard that it’s kind of dangerous to do the latter because dogs need certain minerals and vitamins. However, I discovered that there’s a commercially available base mix of veggies, vitamins, and minerals. I bought that, followed the instructions, and added boiled chicken. Stanley almost ate the chrome off his dinner bowl. They recommend that you change the protein every week and I will. Maybe that way he won’t get bored. It’s a little extra work, but it beats carrying his bowl around and begging him to eat.
I’m still on a deadline, and finicky dogs, shifting houses, or weird noses don’t change that. I hope y’all have had a wonderful week and since tomorrow is Friday I hope you have a great weekend, too!
Sep 2, 2019 |
I haven’t been subscribed to Netflix in ages, but I decided to watch it again this weekend. I’m a sucker for the British Baking Show even though I can’t eat anything they make. Plus, I saw The Crown listed and had to start watching it once more.
I love John Lithgow’s portrayal of Winston Churchill. I started doing a lot of reading of Churchill biographies after watching the first time which is how I discovered Boris Johnson. I loved Claire Foy, but of course she’s being replaced by another actress for Season 3 which airs in November, 2019. (More info here.)
I don’t know how much money they spent filming the series, but I’m absolutely blown away by how beautiful – and realistic everything appears. Did you know, for example, that during George VI’s operation scene they used real doctors? They had a lifelike body, of course, but they wanted everything from the surgical aspect to be realistic.
I find it absolutely amazing that both the Queen Mother, the Queen, and Prince Phillip have lived as long as they have (did). I know there’s a lot to be said for being feted and pampered, but their genetics are damn good.
The only bad thing about the series is that I always mildly disliked Prince Phillip in real life, but could never put my finger on why. Now I know I don’t particularly care for him, but I have a better idea why I feel that way.
How about you? Do you ever re-watch TV? What are your thoughts on The Crown?
Aug 30, 2019 |
The dog days of summer are upon us. People in the northern climes are hearing rumors of chill winds and hints of a snowy winter. Here in South Texas it’s just one more day in the long slog to our wautumn.
What is wautumn, you ask? It’s a combination winter/autumn and it hits around December 15th. That’s just about the same time you can turn off the A/C. Last year, however, we had a bout of cold in October.
I am not complaining. I deal better with the heat than I do the cold. I can never seem to get warm once I get cold and I look rather ridiculous in the wautumn because I’m wearing leg warmers, socks, heavy cotton pants, a top, a sweater, and fingerless gloves. If I could find a nose warmer to breathe through, I’d try that.
How about you? Any hints of cooler weather yet in your neck of the woods?
Aug 29, 2019 |
I was going to write an innocuous post this morning about buying an Instant Pot and how it mildly terrifies me. Or tell you about the divot that is now on the side of my nose. I had NO idea the hole would be that large.
But I read a comment this morning that just set me off. So, if you will pardon me I’m going on a rant.
We live in an era of perpetual offense. To be offended is to engage in a sport. I can’t read anything without someone being offended by someone else’s speech or actions. Frankly, I’m up to here with it.
I have never tried to deliberately offend anyone, but I’m not going to be told that there are only a few acceptable topics for me to talk about and then have my books brought up. The implication is all too clear. Be a good little writer or we won’t buy your books.
Hell, no.
There’s a lot of stuff going on in our country at the moment that profoundly disturbs me. One of those things is the silencing of speech because it offends the listener.
I never thought to have someone say that to me on my own blog.
Once again, hell no.
I’m sure that I will accidentally offend people in the future, but I’m not going to remain silent just in case that happens. Frankly, I’m amazed at what offends people. One day I was excoriated because I had the temerity to confess that I wasn’t a feminist. Now it’s something else. Maybe I should just issue a blanket apology at the start of every blog post.
Hell, no.
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