JoyfulC

We often hear about when ymmv turns out disappointing, but I think it turns out mind-blowing far more often than we hear about.

I love them and couldn't live without them, but they are a challenge. This past week, I'm working with a bruise on my face where the puppy whipped his head around and whacked me. And a really ugly bruise and puncture spot on my shoulder where one cat used the climbing spurs to escape one of the dogs' attention. If I beat them up like they beat me up, I'd find myself before a judge. But I guess since I'm the human here, I'm just supposed to grin and bear it. At least my toenail is finally growing out from last summer. Let's just pray they don't discover fire.

Many here probably won't agree that these are great movies, but last week, I watched both episodes of Ken Burns: The Dust Bowl. And then I rewatched it over the weekend, breaking the two 111 minute documentaries up into smaller, easier to digest segments. That whole story is so important, so relevant to us right now. For one thing, it's the story of a man-made environmental and economic disaster that no one wanted to recognize as they were helping it to happen. There was greed and shortsightedness at every level. For another, in these times when "Big Government" and science is being made out to be the bad guy, and something we need to trim back, it's a reminder that, when people screw up and create a really big disaster, they need science and big government then more than ever. If it weren't for the soil experts, and if it weren't for a strong federal government, the Dust Bowl and the economic disaster it generated would be a permanent fixture of the American prairies. Very timely message for today. I caught it on Netflix. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dust_Bowl_(film)

Wow! You're good! Thanks, I think that's it.

When I was out west in 2002, I saw a fascinating documentary on some satellite channel about the news coverage of the Paul Bernardo trial. This wasn't about the murders, but about the media coverage of it. It was really fantastic, and I'd really like to see it again. But I'm not able to find it. Anyone have an idea?

Something I've been dreaming about for a couple weeks, and meaning to make for the past couple days: spinach crepes!

He is gorgeous! And he knows it. Mine like to get on the table while I'm trying to eat. Difference between a dog and a cat: A dog owns anything that falls on the floor, but you can eventually teach him not to steal off your plate. Apparently you cannot train a cat to not dive bomb your plate while you're eating, but if something falls on the floor, they'll walk a wide berth around it. I'm sitting here with a goose egg on my cheek. While trying to give all the dogs a lick of a juicy plate earlier, my 16-month-old boxador whacked me in the face with his head. It hurts but hasn't gone technicolour yet. It will tomorrow probably, but only if I have an appointment.

Badgers with lasers. Dog farts or dog breath?

Mac & cheese with locally made farmer's sausage, home made ketchup and applesauce. Last week, I was all about the quiches. This week? Crêpes! (Damn you, Pinterest!!)

The very minute I opened my eyes this morning, my pug stuck her paw in my right eye. It has felt mildly irritated all day, and there's a little fold in my vision. Damn.

Contemplating fixing a ceramic lamp that Mina Kitty and Cousin Toby broke in one of their whirlwind romps. And wondering how many fingers I'll glue together in the process, what all I'll end up gluing to my skirt, etc. There's got to be a trick to working with this glue. If all goes well, I'll glue the hands back on the Bodhisattva statue. Again. That poor dude!

Surf and turf. Additional Comments: CRUNCHY!!!!

Naturally hairy is good. Morning or afternoon play?

Try ZenniOptical. Seriously, what are you doing that our corporate leadership has not already shown us the way? They get cheap labour and cut out the (North American) middle man ever chance they get. We need to do the same whenever possible to convince them that cutting North American jobs is really NOT a sustainable idea. And besides, Zenni Optical is a company with a great rep. I'm all for shopping and buying locally, but what can we do when that game is turned against us? All we can do is follow the leadership until they (ahem* as they used to tell us * "learn to compete*). http://www.zennioptical.com

Two pair of glasses for my better half. He insisted he didn't want progressives again (although I wonder if that will be a mistake, after using them for so many years). I ordered from http://www.Zennioptical.com , and since the frames and lenses were only $6.95 and shipping was $10, either way, I went ahead and ordered two pair. He's hard on glasses. We've bought from Zenni Optical many times in the past, and have always been happy with our purchases. The savings are incredible! But if you plan to go this route, be sure to get your PD measured when you have your eyes checked.

Now I'm awake!

Peabody & Sherman Rocky & Bullwinkle Dudley Doright Mighty Mouse Paint. When I was very, very little, my mother took me to her best friend's house across the street. Her friend was in the process of repainting their living room. Left to my own devices while my mom and her friend drank coffee and visited, I decided to help with the painting. I had most of the TV console covered before I was discovered. What? I was just trying to help. Grown ups!! As hard as you try, they're never happy.

It's Christmas for the dog, too! Maybe give him a break on the fake antlers? Hmmm... what's missing? Strawberries? Chocolate? Broccoli? (Forgive me. I've been eating a lot of flowers lately. Don't let anybody tell you that broccoli and cauliflower are "healthy" foods. I can disprove that!)

Can I wish for an unlimited supply of wishes?? :icon_cool:

What is really alone? Even when I'm reading, I feel like I'm with the characters in the story. We're always connected through phones and the internet. And then there are the furballs. Aloneness reminds me a lot of darkness. I've only experienced true darkness a few times in my life. When we moved out here to the sticks, one thing I assumed we'd have a lot of was sweet, sensual darkness. I figured when night fell, and then as people went to bed, all the lights would be shut off, and there'd be just the moon and the stars to enjoy. Nope! I don't know why, but country people keep the outdoors lit up like Vegas from dusk 'til dawn. (Their hydro bills must be gargantuan.) One thing I have always enjoyed is having the house to myself on a regular basis. Before my husband retired, I couldn't wait for him to go to work in the morning so I could plan my day, work out, shower, do housework and entertain pretty much whenever I wanted. I really loved it. When he retired, I realized just how precious it was! Then, when we first moved out here, I kept a place in town for entertaining for the first couple years, and while I was in town, he got into a routine, for the first time ever, being in his own home and having the place to himself on a regular basis. He loved it too! But I gave up the apartment, and now I'm the one again who has the place to myself in the evenings when he goes out for his business. Sure, I still have to contend with the furballs and my daughter texting me here and there and the phone, but it is nice to know that I'll get this bit of time relatively to myself each day.

My 1-year-old puppy stole and ate an entire raw bread dough this morning. Since that can kill a dog, I was pretty upset about it. I canceled an appointment and had to turn down another so I could observe him closely to see if we were going to have to make a quick run to the vet. (On a weekend, of course. Of course!) He burped all afternoon. Tonight, he's farting. Very, very loudly and often. It would be horrible here, if it weren't so comical. I think he'll live. Me? Unfortunately, probably also.