Poor Puppy Picture - Gypsy still looks just like this but now she only has one pretty pink cast...on her right leg.

Word of the Day

Frost butt - The condition that snowboarders with baggy pants, or any low riders, suffer from when the temperature drops below freezing.

I called the vet this morning and they told me that Gypsy is doing just fine. I can take her home with me at around 10 AM. I'll keep you posted. Poor Puppy! She's going to develop a real fear of going to the vet's office. So far, her experiences there haven't been rewarding...at least not in her mind. In my mind, if this latest operation is successful, Gypsy will eventually have the full use of her legs for the first time and for the rest of her life. However, I suppose that if someone hits you with a two-by-four every time you went someplace, you'd eventually figure out that you might now want to avoid that place and the person who keeps whacking you.

Poor Puppy II Update

She's Home! She's really quiet, of course, she's always been quiet but I think she's even more quiet. Probably all those good drugs that they've been giving her. Right now she's napping in her basket under my computer desk. I'll have to give her the next dose of her medicine at 12 Noon. They took the cast off her left leg. There's a brand new pretty pink cast on her right leg which I'm told will come off on March 11. Hopefully, her right leg will respond favorably to this new surgery and her left leg will remain stable gain strength. I'm keeping all my fingers, toes, and legs crossed. There's no way that I want to go through this all again.

Murphyism of the Day

Murphy's Second Computer Law

If a program actually fits in memory and has enough disk space, it is guaranteed to crash.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Nobody outside of a baby carriage or a judge's chamber believes in an unprejudiced point of view.

- Lillian Hellman

Poor Puppy Picture....Poor Puppy Part II Pictures Pending

Word of the Day

Frogwash - Balderdash; ridiculous or valueless communication.

Well...I've got good news and bad news. *sigh* I took Gypsy to the vet today to have her sutures removed. The good news is that her left knee seems to be doing just fine so far. The bad news is that the surgery on her right knee didn't take. So...the surgeon has decided to re-do Gypsy's right knee surgery. Today. Gypsy will be spending another night in the hospital. I was assured that this time the surgery won't be so painful for Gypsy. Or...for me, monetarily speaking. I just want Gypsy home with two working knees. OK? *sigh*

Poor Puppy Part II Update

Just got the call from the vet hospital. Thank goodness Gypsy made it through surgery just fine. She's a bit groggy but I'm told that everything looks good. I'm told that I should call tomorrow morning and they'll tell me when I can pick her up.

Murphyism of the Day

Murphy's First Computer Law

No matter how many resources you have, it is never enough.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Choose your pleasures for yourself, and do not let them be imposed upon you.

- Lord Chesterfield (1694 - 1773)

Stay!...even if the doorbell rings and Old Grey Frog has to go and answer it!


Word of the Day

Frito Laylien - Any green potato chip believed to have traveled from a far off galaxy and invaded a bag of earthling potato chips. Occasionally found to travel in groups.

It seems that all winter long we've had a different bugman every month. With today's bugman, that makes five. Same company, different guys. I'm not sure if I like this. This morning's bugman actually called to get directions? Made me feel a bit weird. We've got Orkin, not some fly by night outfit. Oh well...only a couple more months before HTP and I head north for the summer.

HTP has left to go out for lunch with one of his friends. Me? I'm keeping an eye on the bugman and Gypsy. I'm sure Gypsy would go off with Mr. Bugman or anyone else for that matter. She loves everyone. Not a watch dog. As for training, she's doing quite well with her "stay" and "in the box". I didn't have to put her back into her box one time this morning as I made breakfast or as HTP and I sat down to breakfast. Smart little puppy. Oops! My smart puppy ignored her "stay" command and followed me to the door when the doorbell just rang. *sigh* Looks like this may take a while. I may have to enlist the help of our neighbor in my training. Distractions.

I think said smart puppy is getting her pretty pink casts off tomorrow. Appointment tomorrow. I'll keep you posted.

Murphyism of the Day

Bradley's Bomide

If computers get too powerful, we can organize them into a committee-than will do them in.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Wagner's music is better than it sounds.

- Edgar Wilson Nye (1850 - 1896)

In the Box! Stay!

Word of the Day

Frienemy - A person who acts as though they are one's friend so as to gain information for use against one.

The weather (temperatures) these days here in Arizona is such that I'm finding myself bundling up in the mornings and changing into shorts and sleeveless shirt and sandals in the afternoon. Windows are open. No furnace, no air-conditioner needed. I love this time of year but I'll really love it when I can pick out one outfit to wear for the entire day. Shorts, sleeveless shirt and sandals. My legs are scary white right now. I don't plan on sitting for hours in the sun but "they" say that I can spend a bit of time in the sun to soak up a bit of Vitamin D.

I started on the next stage with Gypsy's basic training this morning. As HTP and I sat down to breakfast, my training goal for Gypsy this morning was for her to stay in her box while I'm in the kitchen or while HTP and I are eating. She's learning. I only had to make her return to her box three or four times before she got the idea that she was supposed to "stay" in her box. She already knows that she's supposed to stay in the box under my computer while I'm sitting at the desk. I'm going to work on making sure she understands that she needs to "stay" in that box until I tell her different....even if I get up to answer the door or get a drink. I think she's starting to get the "stay" command but she's a bit confused when it comes to the "OK, Come" command. After all the learning to "stay" in her box this morning, she was a bit reluctant when I told her that it was OK and that she could leave her box in the kitchen and follow me to go into her box under my computer. We'll work on it. Me? I'm having to learn consistency in commands and enforcement. I've got to resist the inclination to just pick Gypsy up all the time and put her where I want her.

It's been a long time since I've trained a dog without the aid of an older dog to help me with training. Poqui helped train my Betsy. Betsy helped train my Chica. Chica helped train my Mitzi. Mitzi helped train Mancha. And Mancha helped train Muggsy. Actually, I'm not sure if I've ever trained a new puppy (housebreaking excluded) without the help of an older dog. This is the first time I've brought a new puppy into a dogless house. I've been spoiled. I have no older dog right now to set a good example. I know I can train my Gypsy but I sure to miss to extra help.

Murphyism of the Day

The Third Law of Printing

Immediately after you walk away from the printer, the paper will jam.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Facts are facts and will not disappear on account of your likes.

- Jawaharlal Nehru (1889 - 1964)

Old Grey Frog is a Great Fisherman! It's not easy catching something that small.

Word of the Day

Fridiculous - Beyond absurd; freaking ridiculous.

It's one of those beautiful mornings. It's 60°F but it doesn't feel that cool. I've got the windows open. Spring is in the air. The neighbors are starting to tackle the weeds in their front yards. One of my neighbors told me that he's planting a blood orange in his backyard. Me? I've got one more tree that needs trimming. I think I'll start on that project after I finish up with my blogging.

Dinner went well last night. We nibbled on munchies and sipped on wine while I finished up with the pasta and salads. After supper we watched the last two episodes of The Sopranos. HTP and I had already watch all the episodes but our friends hadn't had the opportunity see these last two episodes. We all agreed that the last episode was dumb. However, I imagine that if HBO decided to make a Sopranos movie, HTP and I will end up watching.

There are times that I wished I had two dishwashers. There were so many dishes from dinner last night that I could have used three dishwashers. We filled our one and only dishwasher last night. I put away clean dishes this morning and filled our one and only dishwasher again this morning. And I still have dirty dishes sitting on my countertop. I suppose I could have hand washed the rest of the dishes that didn't fit into the dishwasher but I didn't want to take the time away from my guests. And this morning, I'm thinking, what's the rush?

Murphyism of the Day

Cromer's Law

A digital readout provides misinformation with greater accuracy than previously possible.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you is determinism; the way you play it is free will.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Poor Puppy Gypsy is Doing Well

Word of the Day

Fremnant - Those little white stringy bits that you have to remove when you peel an orange.

I woke Gypsy up this morning. Hah! Sweet revenge. I had to get up early so I could get ready and take care of Gypsy before leaving for church. The church orchestra played for the first two services this morning and I needed to be there at 7 AM. It was still dark when I left the house. Of course, part of that might be because it's cloudy.

My house is pretty darn clean. Company coming. I stopped to pick up some French bread and some strawberries at the store on the way home from church. I took one look at the strawberries and decided to get a mixture of fresh berries instead. Blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. The strawberries didn't look too good. Probably why they had them on sale. Yuck! We'll have fresh berries on angel food cake with non-dairy frozen dessert...and maybe a dollop of non-dairy whipped topping. I may even splash a bit of Arancello into the sauce for the berries. Yummy.

I started prepping the food for tonight. I've got the dough for the knots started. I cut up the hard salami and proscuitto/provolone roll for the antipasti platter. I cut up some melon which I'll wrap in proscuitto. I blanched the asparagas for the antipasti platter. I can't make the knots or the pesto rolls until around 4PM. I think I'll hold off on prepping the salad until our friends get here. Everyone always seems to want to help in some way and making salads is something that keeps willing hands occupied. We'll all nibble on antipasti while we're settling in and while the pasta is cooking. Finishing touches.

Right now, I've done all that can be done for right now. Gypsy and I have had a chance to sit down and watch some TV. I've vacuumed. HTP cleaned the bathrooms. I suppose I could set the table. Maybe in another hour.

Murphyism of the Day

The Virus Factor

The one file you don't scan for viruses will be the one with the virus.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Baseball is 90% mental, the other half is physical.

- Yogi Berra

Word of the Day

Freaky deaky - Wickedly weird.

Gypsy decided that she had to go outside at the butt-early time of 3 AM. I was hoping, since I had to get up at 3 AM, don a jacket and shoes because there's no way that I'm going outside at 3 AM in just my nightshirt with bare feet,....I was hoping that I would be able to sleep in until maybe 8 AM. Hah! Gypsy woke me up at 7 AM. Oh well...what's an hour between friends. She didn't even have to go outside at 7 AM. She was hungry. *sigh* Gypsy has a nice way of apologizing. She lavished me with puppy kisses at both 3 AM and 7 AM. Do you know how hard it is to go back to sleep after you've been lavished with puppy kisses and then go outside to stand in the cold?

I've been cleaning the house. The kitchen is done...except for washing the floor. I'll wait until last for that because I'm sure to spill something when I make the spaghetti sauce or when I make the knots. The floor can wait until tomorrow. I scrubbed down the countertops, stovetop, microwaves, and other appliances. Come to think of it, I'll probably have to scrub down the stovetop and countertops after I finish cooking but.... Unfortunately, this job isn't all that rewarding because it never looks like you've actually done anything after you've completed your task. Everything is clean but there's no real blaring before and after picture. Oh well...next comes dusting. I think I'll use my lemon-scented Pledge. The smell tends to linger and it lets everyone know that you've been working up a sweat while cleaning. Of course, the dust will just settle back down and make everything look dusty still but at least things will smell like I've made an effort...except...I'm making spaghetti for dinner tomorrow. The over-powering perfume put out by the garlic is going to cover all other "clean" smells. My house will end up smelling like HTP's Grandma's house no matter what I do.

Oh well...I'll still do the dusting, with the Pledge. I'm just taking a break to blog and then wash my hair. Besides, I want to give Gypsy a break from her kennel. She's chewing on her turkey right now. Poor thing. The turkey....well...Gypsy too.

Murphyism of the Day

The Upgrade Principle

The upgrade will break down as soon as the old version is deleted.

Corollary

The old version will no reinstall.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn't people feel as free to delight in whatever sunlight remains to them?

- Rose Kennedy

MC Daughter - February 1981

Word of the Day

Fraznit - Any string hanging from an article of clothing, which when pulled causes the article to completely unravel.

It's MC Daughter's birthday today!

Happy


Birthday


MC Daughter!


I've got to clean the house today and tomorrow. We've got friends coming over for dinner on Sunday. I haven't been doing too much cleaning since Gypsy's surgery. I've concentrated my attention on taking care of her....not the house. I was actually considering canceling the dinner but Gypsy is doing well enough that I don't think there will be any problems. Aside from cleaning the house, all that I'll need to do is cook the spaghetts and make some knots (a knotted breadstick, drizzled in garlic butter). Strawberries are on sale right now at the grocery store. I'm thinking of doing something with strawberries for dessert. I'll have to think on it a while because one of my friends is allergic to milk so I won't be able to serve a strawberry shortcake or tiramisu. I'll have to hit the recipe books and do some research.

As stated before, Gypsy is doing quite well. She's doing so well that I'm having to really watch now so that she doesn't hurt herself. She's still a puppy and she doesn't understand. She wants to run and scamper about and the casts aren't slowing her down much anymore. She's learned how to work with them. I have to be quick and grab her as soon as I see that mischievious look in her eyes and the first beginnings of a scamper. Right now she's sitting under my computer but I know she'll try to follow me around the house when I start my cleaning project. I suppose that's what the kennel is for...kind of like a playpen or crib for a baby. A way to contain and secure. I actually found myself referring to the Gypsy's kennel as a crib this morning. "Time to go into the crib...I mean kennel." I know. I'm losing it. All my children are out of the nest and I've adopted a baby. Gypsy. And you know something? You all can laugh at me because I know I am.

Murphyism of the Day

Thompson's Steady State Theory

The steady state of disks is full.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him.

- Galileo Galilei (1564 - 1642)

Poor Puppy Picture - February 21, 2008

Word of the Day

Frankquilized - When, by some fluke or alignment of planets, one has the same amount of hot dogs and hot dog buns. Also, when one's hot dog is the same length as its bun. See also: excess bunnage, excess frankage.

All sound and no fury. Bark bigger than the bite. I'm trying to think of sayings to describe last night's meager rainfall from the rainstorm that finally hit around 10 PM last night. We got a smidge of rain but there was lots of thunder and lightning. Beautiful. I really do love storms. Unfortunately, I also really wanted to see the promised total lunar eclipse. I've been looking forward to it. Another won't happen until 2010. I'll have to wait because there was no seeing anything in the sky last night...except that helicopter. At least we got to see some of Nature's fireworks. I didn't get to see them shoot down that spy satellite either...not that I suppose I'd have seen it anyway but at least I would have liked to try and see if there was anything to see. Cloud cover obscured any view of the night sky. Oh...except for that helicopter. We seem to get a lot of planes and helicopters over our house. Night and day.

I did get to take Gypsy outside before the rain storm. She really hates rain. I'm not too fond of it either when it comes to taking Gypsy outside to do her thing. And that was before her two bright pink casts. Two bright pink excuses not to go out in the rain. Now that Gypsy and I are dealing with two bright pink casts that have to stay clean and dry, I'd just as soon that the rain held off for at least another couple of weeks. Gypsy and I are going back to see the veterinarian on the 28th to have her sutures removed. I expect...maybe...that we'll be free from pretty pink casts after that day. Most of the repair work, pins, etc. are on the inside where Gypsy won't need visual bandages. I'll still have to make sure that she doesn't forget herself and try to run or jump. I'm already finding it difficult to keep her still. Little stinker.

I took a few pictures this morning. I'll try and post them...eventually. Often when it comes to posting pictures there is a human tendancy to leave said pictures inside the camera. Human frailty.

Murphyism of the Day

Breznikar's Law of Computer Technology

Applying computer technology is simply finding the right wrench to pound in the correct screw.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Death is a friend of ours; and he that is not ready to entertain him is not at home.

- Sir Francis Bacon (1561 - 1626)

Poor Puppy Picture - February 21, 2008

Word of the Day

Frankfluid - The liquid at the bottom of hot dog packages.

I still haven't found an opportunity to take any "Poor Puppy" pictures. Gypsy is doing just fine. She's actually walking pretty well with her two bright pink casts. On occasion I will have to untangle her legs when they get away from her but I no longer have to stabilize her by holding her tail. When we go outside I've devised a method of covering them with plastic bags which I anchor with baby socks. The plastic keeps Gypsy's casts clean and dry. The socks pull up over the plastic bags to keep the bags in place. Thankfully, I bought some plain white baby socks that I planned to put crocheted lace on for Ms. En. I don't think Ms. En will mind lending a pair of her socks (laceless socks)to poor Gypsy. I couldn't figure out any other way to keep the plastic bags on Gypsy's casts while she's outside taking care of business.

Gypsy is doing quite well. She doesn't complain of any pain though I have been giving her medication for such an event which was provided by the doctor. Besides, Gypsy just isn't a complaining sort of puppy. Right now she's content to be back sitting at my side or at my feet. And of course, I am more than content to have her back sitting at my side or at my feet. I'll have to watch her closely for a while. I noted that she's starting to want to do forbidden things like jumping and running. Ain't happening. Not on my watch. Though I'm glad to see that she's feeling well enough to do these things, I don't want her to do anything to undo the fine work that was done by the surgeon. She needs to heal correctly or all of this will have been for nothing. I'm relieved to discover that so far my fears when it comes to taking care of Gypsy during this recovery period have been unfounded. Knock on wood, things will remain uneventful.

Murphyism of the Day

Minsky's Maxim

No computer has ever been designed that is ever aware of what it's doing, but most of the time, we aren't either.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Natural ability without education has more often attained to glory and virtue than education without natural ability.

- Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC)

Poor Puppy Picture - February 21, 2008

Word of the Day

Frafe - Fairly safe from danger, harm, or evil; only slightly more safe than unsafe.

Gypsy Update

I've been on pins and needles all day waiting for a call from the veterinarian hospital. Finally, I couldn't stand it any longer and called them at around 2 PM. I was sure something horrible had happened. Nope. They'd just been busy. Afterall, it is a hospital with a real emergency room and real emergencies. When I called, I was told that I could come pick Gypsy up at any time. Whoo-hoo!

Gypsy is home! Poor little baby. They shaved her entire hind end and legs. Both of her hind legs are wrapped in diapers that are covering up more bandages which I can't see unless I take the diapers off. She can walk...kind of...if I hold her tail to stablize her. However, her tail is definitely working just fine. She's a real tail-wagger. They sent me home with pain meds and anti-inflamatory meds and after surgery care instructions. Gypsy was happy to see me heat up some of her beef and barley stew. Gobbled it right down with me holding her tail so she could stand upright. She's due for her first medication at around 6 PM tonight. The other stuff at 10 PM. No running, no jumping and no walking except to go outside to do her thing. Right now she can't even stand or walk without me holding her tail for stability. So far she doesn't seem too interested in chewing on any of her bandages so....no cone. She's content right now to be back in her basket under my computer desk and seems really happy to be home.

Murphyism of the Day

Junior's Law

Computers make very fast, very accurate mistakes.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Those whom we support hold us up in life.

- Marie Ebner von Eschenbach

Puppy Eyes

Word of the Day

Foxfax - The cunning and crafty facts one gets from a salesman when trying to buy a new or used car.

We're Home!

HTP and I collected Gypsy from my folks' place, where she was visiting while HTP and I celebrated Valentine's Day and my birthday at the casino (no dogs allowed), and drove home from Vegas. Gypsy enjoyed quality time with my folks. I think she has a thing for my Mom's toes. When we got to their place on Thursday, Gypsy was so excited that she lost all bladder control all over their sidewalk. Poor baby tends to do that when she's REALLY excited.

HTP and I had a wonderful time at Sam's Town. The machines weren't kind but the food and adult beverages were wonderful. I now have a fridge full of left-overs. One can only eat so much at one sitting although HTP and I put in our best efforts at our several sittings. I stuffed myself with raw oysters every single night. That's one thing that I don't make at home. We had prime rib. I had a whole Maine lobster. And I had Osso Bucco. Yummy. Kind of like an Italian version of pot roast...but with veal. I saved the bone for Gypsy, and half my meals are the leftovers in the fridge. We were given a suite with a fridge. Plasma TV in the room too. I didn't spend too much time in the room though.

Actually, Gypsy isn't too happy with me right now. She's got a doctor appointment and possible surgery later today and...no food, no Vegas bone yet either. She's sitting at my feet right now puzzled by the glitch in our routine and giving me her best puppy eye look. No food? No water? Nothing since 10 PM last night. We're heading out to the vet hospital in an hour. I'm not exactly sure if Gypsy will be having her operation today or not but the implication was there that after our consultation they'd take her and prep her for her surgery. Poor Gypsy was born with a birth defect which could cause major problems in the future. She's got a common defect for her breed (Luxating Patella) or...trick knee. Both her knees are affected. Anyway, they can fix it surgically but I'll probably have her spayed at the same time since it's a genetic problem. Besides, I doubt that I'd have her bred anyway.

Gypsy Update - 1:30 PM

After consulting with the veterinarian this morning, I left Gypsy for her operation. Because of the severity of Gypsy's luxating patellas (stage IV), the surgeon recommended that I have both knees operated on at this time. Apparently the surgeon prefers doing this sort of operation when the dog is still growing...as a puppy. "Why didn't I bring her in sooner?", I was asked. I did. They told me that I should wait until Gypsy was full grown. Thankfully, I didn't wait too long. Gypsy still has a bit of growing to do. Not much, but they don't want to wait and do one knee at a time. I haven't heard anything since I left Gypsy at the hospital. I've got my cell phone and I'm staying off the phone. They need to do blood work, x-rays, and then basically break both her hind legs at the knees and do some fancy drill work and pinning so that they can re-shape her legs so they'll function the way that they're supposed to. They tell me that she won't be able to come home until maybe sometime tomorrow...or even the next day. Sounds like recovery time will be a bit of a challenge.

Gypsy Update - 6 PM

I just got the call from the veterinarian/surgeon. Gypsy is doing just fine. She went under the knife at around 2 PM and was out of surgery and recovering on pain meds at 5 PM. Our main worry now is that Gypsy heals up properly and doesn't do anything to undo all the surgeon's work. Again, recovery is going to take time and is going to be a challenge. In the meantime, Gypsy gets to spend the night and most of tomorrow at the hospital. I'll have to wait to hear when I can pick her up. Poor baby is going to be hurting but I'm definitely relieved that she's come out of this major surgery. I'll try to keep everyone posted but I may not get a chance to blog in the coming days. I don't know what to expect during this recovery period.

Murphyism of the Day

Harris's Warning

The real danger is not that computers will begin to think like men, but that men will begin to think like computers.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips over, pinning you underneath. At night, the ice weasels come.

- Matt Groening

Word of the Day

Frabbit - A cross between a frog and rabbit.

Old Grey Frog is no longer grey...at least until her hair grows out a bit. I spent the morning at the beauty parlor. Two and a half hours later and a bit lighter in the pocketbook, no more grey hair. I'll let the grey grow for another few months and get it taken care of just before HTP and I hit the road for The Lake. Hopefully all the blonde streaks they put in my hair will mask the grey stuff. Masking the skunk line.

I'm playing my clarinet tonight at church. I'm not too happy about doing a solo but the church musical director sprung this on me last week as a duet and then I found out that it's not a duet. It's not that I don't have the capability, it's that I HATE getting up in front of all kinds of people all by myself. Scary. People who get stage fright have nothing on me. I don't mind getting up there with the contemporary group because I can kind of hide in groups that are bigger than two. There's no hiding when you're up there all by your lonesome.

HTP and I are heading off to Vegas tomorrow. My bag is almost packed. I actually resorted to writing a list of the stuff that I still need to pack. Last time we went to Vegas I forgot my toothbrush. No list. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that my memory isn't improving with age. It's the last minute stuff that I can't pack because I still need it the night before that I tend to forget. I'm not a good last minute packer and I don't like having to go out and buy toothbrushes in the hotel gift shop. Anyway, since HTP and I will be in Vegas, chances are that I won't be blogging for the next few days. So, just in case I don't blog again until HTP get back here to Arizona once again.....


Happy


Valentine's


Day


Everyone!


Oh, and.....


Happy


Birthday


Old Grey Frog!


Old Grey Frog will be forty-six.....REALLY! (Forty-six in Old Grey Frog Years. She'll be forty-five at around the same time next year.)


Murphyism of the Day

Belinda's Law

The chance of a computer crash is directly proportional to the importance of the document that you are working on.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

To play it safe is not to play.

- Robert Altman

The Lake

Word of the Day

Fourple - Consisting of four parts or members; quadruple.

I started pruning our trees in the backyard yesterday afternoon. If the garbage can wasn't so full of clippings I might, even now, be outside pruning the one remaining tree outside. I guess I'll have to wait until next week. I love working outside in the backyard, especially when the weather is being so obliging but I don't have a handy forest surrounding me where I can haul away the debris like I have at The Lake.

Where has the time gone today? HTP and I have been running around town all morning. Errands seem to take longer and longer these days. HTP had an eye appointment. That took most of the time. It never seems to matter what time your appointment is because the doctors always make you wait at least an additional half hour. I felt sorry for this one couple who had been waiting for over an hour. What's with that?! Of course, I have no idea who their doctor was or why they were there but....? Anyway, knowing how long these things take, I brought along a book to read. I finished the book at the same time that HTP was done with his appointment.

Since we were out and about HTP and I stopped at Crazy's (Oriental buffet with sushi) for lunch before we continued on with our errands. Sushi. Crazy's has a nice selection of sushi. Enough that the sushi craving has been quieted for another little while and I doubt we'll be hungry for supper tonight.

After lunch we headed on to Eyemasters to pick out a new pair of frames for HTP. Normally you can order your glasses there and pick them up in a couple of hours. This wasn't the situation today. I guess the tech in the back was really backed up today so HTP will have to pick up his new glasses tomorrow afternoon sometime. I wish they would have been done today but wishes aren't horses so poor men won't ride. We'll have to add it to the errand list for tomorrow. Sometimes it's really nice to have two cars.

We finally completed all our errands for today by 3 PM. I have no idea why all our errands seem to be grouping themselves on one or two days in February. Oh well...makes life interesting. All our errands are done for today and I'm working on laundry. Tomorrow is another day.

Murphyism of the Day

Robbin's Rule

One good reason why computers can do more work than people is that they never have to stop and answer the phone.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Music with dinner is an insult both to the cook and the violinist.

G. K. Chesterton (1874 - 1936)

The Lake

Word of the Day

Fork - An interjection expressing extreme displeasure. A polite version of the f-word.

I spent the other day filtering my Arancello and Tangelocello. The fumes from the filtered alcohol can really go to your head. After standing in the kitchen for an hour during the process, I remembered my experience from last winter when I made Limoncello and Arancello. I ended up with a hangover when I'd never had even a sip of the stuff. Fumes. This time, I learned and decided to leave the room and open the windows. After taking out the larger peels and filtering the alcohol twice, I added the sugar syrup and set everything aside. In another forty days, I get to filter the Arancello and Tangelocello again. I'll do the final bottling at that time. I'll have to see if HTP can design some Tangelocello labels for me. I'm afraid that they'll end up looking the same as the Arancello labels. Actually, the two may end up tasting the same too but I won't know until I get to sample things. Forty days.

Gypsy got her bath yesterday. I decided that Gypsy was just too big to sit in the kitchen sink where I had been giving her baths so I used the bathtub in the guest bathroom. This worked a bit better than the kitchen sink but things were a bit crowded and awkward, plus, that tub isn't the easiest tub to clean. It has glass doors. Cleaning that tub after Gypsy's bath reminded me of the difficulties encountered when I was young and my sister and I had to make the beds, lower and upper bunkbeds. Awkward. I think I'll use my own tub next time. I wish I had a laundry room sink. One of those single deep ones. Come to think of it, I think I may have one at The Lake. Lot of good it does me there.

Dogs don't get baths in a sink at The Lake. Dogs get baths in the lake at The Lake. This may change some now that we've got Gypsy. Especially in the early Spring because there is no way that I'm getting into the lake to give Gypsy a bath until the temperatures warm up to the 80's. Actually, I don't ever remember bathing my dogs more than a couple times a year unless they tangled with a skunk. Of course, most of the dogs we had when I was growing up were short-haired dogs (except Patsy and Chico) and we never let our dogs sit on the furniture. Ever! I let Gypsy sit on the furniture and on my bed. So....Gypsy gets a lot of baths so I don't end up with a stinky bed or stinky furniture. It's a good thing Gypsy doesn't seem to mind bathing all that much. I'm just happy that it's starting to warm up outside. Long-haired dogs take a lot longer to get dried off. I've even resorted to using a blow-dryer a couple of times when it's been too cold outside. Thankfully, she doesn't seem to mind that either. Yesterday was warm enough outside that she could sit outside a bit to finish drying off.

Murphyism of the Day

Horowitz's Rule

A computer makes as many mistakes in two seconds as twenty men working twenty years.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

All married couples should learn the art of battle as they should learn the art of making love. Good battle is objective and honest - never vicious or cruel. Good battle is healthy and constructive, and brings to a marriage the principle of equal partnership.

- Ann Landers (1918 - 2002)

Old Grey Cleaning the Wild Raspberries - Summer 2007

Word of the Day

Foon - A combination fork and spoon sometimes alos referred to as a spork.

Church. Orchestra practice. Solo practice for the Lenten service on Wednesday. Shopping. Discovery. Major-dajor discovery! Dove makes a WONDERFUL sugarfree chocolate. I'm loving the Dark Chocolate with Mint Creme right now...and the Dark Chocolate with Raspberry Creme. Yummy!!!!!! ....and they're sugarfree and chocolate is good for you. At least that's what they say but as long as the chocolate tastes this good, who cares what they say?

Murphyism of the Day

Crayne's Law

All computers wait at the same speed.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it.

- Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862)

Word of the Day

Flutterby - A butterfly.

Despite our restrictive diet, I made American fries this morning. I had a couple of leftover baked potatoes that needed using. Normally I make egg white omelots served with a single piece of whole wheat toast and some salsa to spice things up a bit. On weekends, I'll make fried eggs and maybe some Italian sausage. This morning, instead of meat, I fried up the potatoes with a bit of onion and some green pepper. Tasted great! A wonderful way to use up leftover baked potatoes. It almost makes me want to bake up potatoes just so I can use them as leftovers.

I finished reading all my contest books and have my judging sheet all ready to go into the mail. *sigh* Now what? I have nothing new to read. I'll have to dig around in my bookshelves again for something worthy of re-reading. I do have other things that need doing but I'm putting those things off until later. I'm feeling lazy....as usual. However, Gypsy does need a bath. I like to make sure that she's really nice and clean when I bring her to visit my folks. Besides, it's a lot nicer traveling for six hours in the car with a clean dog than traveling in a car for six hours with a stinky dog. Thankfully, Gypsy doesn't seem to mind baths...too much.

Murphyism of the Day

Greer's Law

A computer program does what you tell it to do, not what you want it to do.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Man is tormented by no greater anxiety than to find someone quickly to whom he can hand over that great gift of freedom with which the ill-fated creature is born.

- Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821 - 1881)

Word of the Day

Focustrate - To both focus and concentrate toward a common center, often achieving a higher level of focus and concentration as compared with simply focusing or concentrating.

I've read all of my contest books except one that is a re-read for me. Yes, I do read that fast and I haven't been spending all my time reading despite the fact that I haven't blogged until just now and it's already well after lunchtime. I've been busy doing other stuff.

HTP and I watched some more of the old videos that he's copied onto DVD. Synchronized swimming. I must say, my daughters were wonderful swimmers. Beautiful too. We also watched some video of one of our first Christmas' after we moved to Oregon. #1 Son was a real cutie. Good memories.

I've finished putting crocheted edging on five out of my nine wash cloths (not clothes). I'm working on the the sixth. My hands are getting into the swing of things again and aren't cramping as much. Unfortunately, it looks like I'm getting a blister from my crochet hook. Oh well...that's what band-aids are for.

Gypsy barked! She was outside and she barked. She hasn't done that before. She's got one odd voice. HTP and I looked at each other and...*blink, blink*, "Was that Gypsy? Gypsy?!". It was hard not to laugh.

Murphyism of the Day

Law of Unreliability

To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a computer.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

The lion and the calf shall lie down together but the calf won't get much sleep.

- Woody Allen

Play With Me!

Word of the Day

Flustrate - To fluster and frustrate simultaneously.

I couldn't legally vote in the Arizona primary on Tuesday. I don't live here. If I could have voted, I wouldn't have voted for John McCain. Oh well....doesn't look like I'll have much choice when it comes to making a choice when the primary election finally reaches Wisconsin. I'm not sure if I like this primary election business. It leaves out more than half the nation when it comes down to making a decision as to who should run. I've been disenfranchised.

I've finished two books for the contest and have started on a third. I've set the third down for a bit because I can't spend the entire day reading, as much as I'd like to. Spending a whole day reading may be my idea of a little bit of heaven but I've got other responsibilities. Gypsy doesn't mind sitting at my side while I read but meals don't magically appear on the dinner table no matter what the books I've been reading say. They just don't. The house won't clean itself and I don't have an army of imps weeding my yard. Darn it.

Murphyism of the Day

Morris's Assembly Paradox

If you put it together correctly the first time, there was something you should have done before you put it together.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

I will follow the right side even to the fire, but excluding the fire if I can.

- Michel de Montaigne (1533 - 1592)

Gypsy and her Practice Chipmunk

Word of the Day

Flump - To fall out of your chair unexpectedly.

Let the reading begin. I started reading the first book for the contest last night. This one is one that I've read before. Unfortunately, it's also one that I remember wasn't worth keeping in my library. I just hadn't discarded it as yet. I did read it but I didn't feel that I'd ever re-read it. Hah! Shows you what I know. Now I'm having to re-read it for this contest. I've set it aside until later tonight in favor of another chore.

I bought a bunch of new wash clothes at Target. They looked so nice and the wash clothes that I've been using for years were getting a bit ratty looking. After washing these new wash clothes, one time, I noted that the edges were all fraying. Argh! I carefully trimmed off the bits of frayed edge, used the wash clothes and in time they ended up in yesterday's laundry. *sigh* Again with the fraying edges. Even worse this time. So, I hunted up a crochet hook and some crochet cotton and have edged two of the wash clothes with some fairly simple crocheted lace trim. I'd forgotten how hard my hands cramp up when I do this sort of work. Ouch! Oh well...two down. I'd rather crochet trim on them then throw them away. They do look nice with the new trim and I'm sure that this will save them from fraying anymore.

Murphyism of the Day

Kagel's Law

Anything adjustable will eventually need adjustment.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

When you have a number of disagreeable duties to perform, always do the most disagreeable first.

- Josiah Quincy

Old Grey's Magic Puff Balls

Word of the Day

Flotion - The tendency when sharing a waterbed to undulate for five minutes every time the other person moves.

I had to cover my plants last night. Despite the fact that the forecast told me that the low last night, here in my neck of the desert, was only supposed to get down to 33°F, I decided not to risk the one degree to freezing gamble. I covered my plants. I woke up this morning to find that my thermometer did indeed read 33°F....however, not ten minutes later I glanced over at the thermometer and there it was, 32°F. I'm sure there is some kind of scientific reasoning an all that which will explain why the temperatures always seem to drop as the sun starts to rise but I only know what I know. I expected that slight temperature drop. A drop that would have nipped some of my tender plants. It's supposed to get colder tonight so I might as well leave the sheets where they are until tomorrow. Thankfully, it's supposed to start warming up. Thankfully, I don't have that many plants that need covering anymore.

I bought myself one of those temperpedic pillows last month. The store had them on sale. Those pillows are very comfortable, by the way. HTP doesn't understand why I like it but it's far more comfortable than you'd expect from how heavy the thing is. Besides, HTP hasn't tried it. I only bought one. Mine. It actually resembles an old, smooshed down, unmoldable polyester-fill pillow like those you see in hospitals and cheap motels. MC Daughter is the one that recommended the thing. I think DD Daughter recommended it too. I decided to give it a try and it's far more comfortable than any of my down-filled pillows. Weird but true. Having told you all this....

I must say that since I bought my new pillow, I seem to dream a lot. At least, I seem to dream and remember the dreams. Anyway, last night's dream was all about my hopping off a city bus which I took to go to college. The college where I went to school when I was the same age as #1 Son. Actually...the same college too. For some reason I didn't have any problems commuting to college but when it came to finding the bus that would take me home...there was the rub. I couldn't seem to be sure which bus was the right bus that would take me home. A reasoning soul, I asked the people around me if they could tell me what bus would take me where I needed to go but no-one seemed to want to talk to me. So, I went to where there was this phone with a sign that told you to pick it up if you wanted information about the bus and bus schedule. I picked it up and asked someone for information about which bus I'd need to get on and was frustrated because the idiot on the phone was totally unhelpful. She was rude to the extreme. Reminded me of one of those very helpful DMV employees who you need to deal with when you go in to renew your driver's license. There was no way that I was getting any helpful information from this woman. People were getting on their bus and I couldn't be sure which bus I needed to board because there was no indications as to where they were going. Just numbers. And then finally, weirdly enough, I remembered that I lived just down the block from a car dealer and there was this car dealership right down the block from where I was standing. I actually marched right up to the owner of the dealership and asked him which bus I would have to take to get to where he lived because we were neighbors. And he told me. I was in the wrong place. I needed to go around the corner and down a couple of blocks. He even gave me the number of the bus. Whatever....and then I woke up and sat there thinking that the whole dream didn't make much sense because I'd taken the bus to thi college which is located in Minnesota and I ended up looking for a bus that would take me to where I live now in Arizona. And, yes, I live a couple of miles from the owner of one of the major car dealerships here in Arizona. And that ain't no bull. Oh well...at least this wasn't one of those dreams where I can't reach the brake pedal on the car.

Murphyism of the Day

Rives's Rule

Everything falls apart on the same day.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

One can survive everything, nowadays, except death, and live down everything except a good reputation.

- Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900)

Gypsy - January 2008

Word of the Day

Flopcorn - The unpopped kernels at the bottom of the cooker.

It's raining. Gypsy just told me that she wanted to go outside. OK. My dog can't actually tell me in so many words that she wanted to go outside but she can indicate that she wants to go outside. Gypsy does not like rain. I knew that she wouldn't want to go outside if she knew it was raining. It's not like I didn't take her outside earlier. She expressed her total disgust that the patio was all wet. The look she gave me this morning when I took her outside made actual puppy words unnecessary. "Ewww! The floor is all wet. My paws are getting wet! What?! Are you crazy or something? Can't you feel that it's raining out here?" Despite all that, she didn't remember and I got the same look when I set her outside just now. NO. I'm not crazy. It's raining out there and she can do her business just as well without me standing out there getting wet along side her. I let her back in when she scratched on the door. The third time after I noted that she did indeed take care of pressing business. Happily, she is again sitting in her box under my computer. I expect that the next time she has to go outside she'll again forget about the rain. Who knows? Maybe by then it will have stopped and she'll be a happy camper...despite the wet patio floor.

HTP and I did watch the Super Bowl yesterday. With no pony in the race, it didn't really make any difference to me which team won. We munched on chips and dips, hot wings, and shrimp while we enjoyed the commercials. We cheered when the Giants got the first score. Then we cheered when the Patriots go the first touchdown. Then we cheered for the Giants again because they were behind. And then we cheered for the Patriots when they were behind. And then we cheered for the Giants again when they got that last touchdown. And felt a little bad for the Patriots because they lost after their perfect season. But...I'm glad the Giants won because for some reason it made me feel better that the Packers lost to them. Anyway, HTP and I had fun watching the game and the commercials. I think my favorite was the FedEx commercial with the pigeons.

Murphyism of the Day

Lee's Law of Electrical Repair

The simpler it looks, the more problems it hides.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Live neither in the past nor in the future, but let each day's work absorb your entire energies, and satisfy your widest ambition.

- Sir William Osler (1849 - 1919)

Willie Caught the Big One - Summer 2007

Word of the Day

Flish - 1. To wish you could fly. 2. To wish you could swim as well as a fish. 3. To throw oneself down onto something and flop wildly while allowing oneself to go wherever gravity takes them.

I learned that the piece of music that I was missing in my folder had 5 sharps. *Groan* I never had a chance to more than quickly write in a rough translation before the service. The music director had to find and print a copy of the music for me. Talk about sight reading. I'm not fond of it but I'm really not fond of it when we're talking about five or six sharps. Oh well...the most forgiving audiences can be found in churches. I also found out that the church orchestra will be practicing on the next two Sundays. I picked up the music today. I think I may be playing on one of the Lenten services in a couple of weeks too. I hope it won't be another sight-reading incident. The music director hasn't selected anything yet.

You'd think I'd learn. When I got home from church, I mixed up a batch of my homemade salsa. I decided that HTP and I may not watch the Super Bowl, but that doesn't mean that we can't have munchies for supper. Chicken wings, shrimp, chips and dips. So, I made homemade salsa because mine tastes a lot better for dipping. I also made some homemade onion dip...but that's besides the point. Anyway, I forgot to take my contact lenses out until after I made the salsa. Big mistake! It felt like I'd dropped acid in my eyes. There's one pair of disposible lenses that had to be discarded. There's no getting around (and this I have learned) the fact that the acids from hot peppers and onion oil just doesn't come out of a contact lens after you've contaminated it. I should have taken the contact lenses out BEFORE I made the salsa. *sigh*

I received my contest books. Five books to judge. Five new books? Well...no. Actually, I discovered that I'd already read two of the five. I'll have to re-read them now because when I read them the first time I didn't keep the judging criteria in mind. Besides, I read those two books over a month ago. I can't remember every nuance of every book that I've ever read. I read too many books to remember ALL of them. I'll get started on reading the contest books in a day or two. I've got plenty of time and maybe this will keep me out of trouble when HTP and I go to Vegas later this month.

Murphyism of the Day

The Betamax Principle

If there are two competing and incompatible technologies on the market, the inferior technology will prevail.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

When we seek for connection, we restore the world to wholeness. Our seemingly separate lives become meaningful as we discover how truly necessary we are to each other.

- Margaret Wheatley

My Spoiled Dog

Word of the Day

Flippoyance - The annoyance of hair that constantly needs to be flipped or shaken out of one's eyes.

Super Bowl weekend. The Super Bowl is being held here in Arizona. Everyone is all excited. Not me. I live here. The news channels are all 24/7 Super Bowl coverage. I don't care! Maybe, just maybe, I might have shown an inkling of interest if the Vikings or the Packers or even the Cardinals were playing but...I'm not a real, die hard, football fan. Never have been. Don't have to be. So, what does a person who doesn't live and breath football do on Super Bowl weekend? She plans to stay at home as much as possible. Out of the tourist filled stores, off the traffic clogged streets.

I do have to leave the house for a while on Sunday. Church. I'm playing my clarinet at the church tomorrow. I'm thinking that there won't be all that many people there but still, they aren't going to call off church services for the Super Bowl. Should be interesting. Our Bishop, Steve Talmage, is going to be visiting. On Super Bowl Sunday?

On the home front, I cooked up another batch of Gypsy food for Gypsy last night. Turkey Stew. I used up a couple of frozen turkey legs, leftover from Thanksgiving, and some turkey broth, leftover from Thanksgiving. Gypsy loves her homemade stews. Spoiled little dog. I imagine if I had a bigger dog, I wouldn't be making homemade stews for my dog. Since Gypsy only eats about 1/2 cup of the stew a day, eight quarts of stew lasts quite a while. I may not have to make any more stew for Gypsy until I get to The Lake this Spring.

I'll be getting my books for the writers' contest this afternoon. I got a call this morning asking me for directions and letting me know that I should expect to receive my packet along with my books this afternoon. It's a good thing. I succumbed to temptation and read my new book, Sizzle and Burn, by Jayne Ann Krentz. I've never been disappointed by any of Jayne Ann Krentz's books and this one was no exception. But....now I'll have to concentrate on the contest books for a while. This afternoon.

Murphyism of the Day

The Principle Concerning Multifunctional Devices

The fewer functions any device is required to perform, the more perfectly it can perform those functions.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

My personal hobbies are reading, listening to music, and silence.

- Edith Sitwell (1887 - 1964)

Word of the Day

Flinger - A flipping off of someone by using one's middle finger.

HTP and I finally finished watching the last of our 1990 summer vacation. Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, and Yellowstone. We actually got a shot of Ole Faithful going off. A must. On the same DVD, HTP put the videos of Halloween that year, Christmas, Easter of the following year and some musical programs that the kids took part in. There was one musical program that #1 Son was in that had HTP and me rolling on the floor, screaming with laughter. He had just turned 5 years old and was singing with his pre-school class. There must have been 50 kids up there on the high school stage. One of the songs was the following finger song, complete with hand movements.

Where is thumbkin?
Where is thumbkin? (Hands behind back)
Here I am (Bring right hand out from behind back with thumb)
Here I am (Bring left hand out from behind back with thumb)
How are you today, sir? (Move right thumb as if talking)
I am fine, thank you (Move left thumb as if responding.)
Happy day (Clap)
Happy day (Clap)

Where is pointer?
Where is pointer? (Hands behind back)
Here I am (Bring right hand out from behind back with index finger)
Here I am (Bring left hand out from behind back with index finger)
How are you today, sir? (Move right index finder as if talking)
I am fine, thank you (Move left index finger as if responding.)
Happy day (Clap)
Happy day (Clap)

*****

At this point, HTP and I are both thinking the same thing....They Can't Do This, They Won't Do This...Didn't anyone vet this song before the kids practiced it? and yet.....on they sang.

******

Where is tallman?
Where is tallman? (Hands behind back)
Here I am (Bring right hand out from behind back with middle finger)
Here I am (Bring left hand out from behind back with middle finger)
How are you today, sir? (Move right middle finger as if talking)
I am fine, thank you (Move left middle finger as if responding.)
Happy day (Clap)
Happy day (Clap)

Where is ring man?
Where is ring man? (Hands behind back)
Here I am (Bring right hand out from behind back with ring finger)
Here I am (Bring left hand out from behind back with ring finger)
How are you today, sir? (Move right ring finger as if talking)
I am fine, thank you (Move left ring finger as if responding.)
Happy day (Clap)
Happy day (Clap)

Where is pinkie?
Where is pinkie? (Hands behind back)
Here I am (Bring right hand out from behind back with little finger)
Here I am (Bring left hand out from behind back with little finger)
How are you today, sir? (Move right little finger as if talking)
I am fine, thank you (Move left little finger as if responding.)
Happy day (Clap)
Happy day (Clap)

50 children all flingering (see Word of the Day) the audience? I'm still laughing. Priceless. A real Kodak moment.

Murphyism of the Day

Cahn's Axiom

When all else fails, read the instructions.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't.

- Erica Jong