Back from the Brink...

...though just barely.  And let me say, I haven't felt this crappy in so long, I had forgotten what torment there is in a bad cold.  Course, it's now gone into my chest so I have the rudest hacking cough, but even with the raw nose from all the blowing, and the tubercular cough, I think, perhaps, possibly, maybe, I might live after all.

Since all I've done for the past three days is wallow in misery and self-pity try to deal with this malady, I don't have a darned thing to write about that isn't about being sick.  I'm very, very sure no one wants to hear it.

Instead, I will leave you with this video about the luckiest people on the planet--which isn't me at the moment.  These are cringe-worthy in some respects because you really can't believe how truly lucky a few of these folks were.  The last scene had me puzzled for a second as I didn't think the bank robbers were lucky to get caught, but then...well...you'll see.

Hope everyone else out there is feeling good, and healthy.  Just remember: no matter what...wash your hands every time you return from the outside world...!!  Learn from my slip-up, people.  It only took one forgetful time, somewhere along the way last week, and look what happened.  Buggers.

Time Out

I have been struggling for the past two days with a possible cold.  I haven't had such a thing in years--and I mean years and years, so I'm not a happy girl that somehow I've managed to get a flaming cold.  I'm sort of germ-phobic, washing my hands manically religiously every time I return from the outside world, but somewhere along the line this past week I must have slipped up.  Dammit..!!  I woke up this morning--bleary-eyed, stuffed up, scratchy throat--and finally have to admit that, yes, indeed, I have gone viral.

In light of this affliction, plus the fact I'm too tired and cranky to sit at my desk, I'm going to take the day off...and maybe tomorrow, too.  Depends on how I feel.  The crappy thing is I don't have anything in the medicine cabinet to relieve my symptoms because I never get sick..!!  Buggers.

So, I'll be back...just maybe not for a day or two...

Flix on Friday

I only have one video this morning:  Max and Ozzy.  It's very short, and not very interesting, other than how cute Oz looks and how scared Max is of the camera.  It's also not a good video because I'm waving the camera all over the place, but you can get the drift.  In one frame you can see how white Max is around the face, which makes him look older, though I knew a guy in high school who went totally gray at 18, so there you go.

The boys are getting along fairly well, all things considered.  Later this morning I have to get my hair cut, so Alan will be in charge for an hour or so.  I'm going to revel in the peace and quiet of the head massage and hair trimming, and try not to imagine what's happening on the home front.

It's been very foggy and dreary this week in Roseburg, though that should change this weekend, I hope.  Usually, up here on the mountain, the valley and Roseburg stay in the mist, but we manage to have clear skies by lunch time.  Not this week.  There's some kind of air inversion--or whatever the meteorological term is that defines this weather system--that is keeping the fog/mist stuck over our heads.  I will be very happy to see the sky again...some day.

That's all folks.  Must get ready for my trip down the mountain.  Hope you all have a good, just hangin' Friday...

Courtesy of Bing

First Walkies...

We took both dogs to the park this afternoon...and whew..!!  There is no question that two dogs are harder than one, at least in the beginning.

Ozzy is used to walking freely, so we let him do his thing for half the walk before leashing him up.  I don't think Max has been leashed much in his past because he hates the new harness and flinched when I bent to click on his leash, though he trotted right along once we got moving.  When he really believes he belongs with us, he'll have more freedom.  Having two males substantially slows the walking pace as they both had to smell every twig, leaf and dirt clod, to say nothing of the endless peeing.  It's a guy thing, isn't it..??  Overall, things went very well for the first walk, on the first full day.

I'm thinking of using them for truffle sniffing dogs.  Honestly, the sky could have fallen and they wouldn't have noticed.  Whatever was in that patch of ground had their complete and utter attention.

You can see in this photo how close they are in size, which is really good.  I hope, if all goes well and Ozzy gets used to Max, they actually will become best pals.

Those are all the shots I managed today.  A few times I was poised to snap the photo and Max noticed and darted behind my legs to hide.  I'm just not at all sure what that behavior means, but for the time being, I'll forget pictures and give him a break.  Maybe there will come a day when he's either used to me pointing a foreign object at him, or relaxes enough not to care.  Until then, these two will have to do...

Max

Two days ago, we went to this place called Saving Grace, the local animal shelter.  I had noticed a few smaller dogs on their website, so we decided to just go look.  Famous last words.

The sad part of an animal shelter is, of course, the dogs who so desperately want a home.  It's a heartbreaking place--not just this shelter, but all of them.  So, we see several little dogs, all pathetically looking at you with hope in their eyes, and I tell Alan we have to take at least five of them home.  I was kidding...sort of.  It was almost more than I was worth to stay in the kennel area without sobbing for these lost souls.

Eventually, we see this lovely little happy-go-lucky creature who, despite his circumstances, has a smile and a fiercely wagging tail.  We make arrangements to go outside to our car so this wee dog and Ozzy can have a look at each other.  That went better than I expected, considering Ozzy has been an only child all his life.

Alan and I have The Big Talk, then we fill out all the papers for adoption.  As I wanted Ozzy's great vet, Dr Barry to check this little dog over, and we needed to get leash, bed, etc., we leave him in prison for one more day so I can make the vet appointment and we can get prepared to welcome Ozzy's new sidekick into the family the next day.

We have named him Max.  He was found by a policeman, wandering in the cold and snow about ten days ago.  The policeman took him to Saving Grace.  He's approximately 4 years old, and according to Dr Barry yesterday, is in great shape.  He weighs 13 lbs, and is black with odd little white streaks here and there, particularly around his eyes and muzzle, which make him look older.  He is a Schipperke crossed with Chihuahua, though he looks very much like a Schipperke only with a short, rough coat rather than the black bear fur of a purebred Schipperke.  And he is the sweetest little dog I think I have ever met.

For some unknown reason, he is afraid of the camera.  I tried several times last night to get a good photo of him, but the minute I raised the camera, his wagging tail dropped and he ran out of the room.  I can't imagine what that means.  What circumstances would make a dog fearful of a camera..??  I managed this one shot:

You can tell he's about the same size as Oz, though is 5 pounds heavier.  He's solid and sturdy, though would rather lay next to you on the couch, all cuddled in, than fight or scrabble.  Sadly, we bought him some toys along with his new food dishes and bedding, but he doesn't seem to know what they are, or what to do with them.

I had both dogs sleeping with me last night, one on each side.  I really didn't mind, until I wanted to move and knew I was pinned in place for the duration.   A funny thing this morning:  When I woke up, both dogs were on the same side, semi-snuggled into each other.  Ozzy woke up, realized he was nose to nose with Max, got this outraged look on his face, snarled and leaped off the bed like he'd been caught doing something illegal.  It was truly funny.  The two dogs are getting along far better than I'd hoped, though Ozzy is being very aloof at the moment.  I'm really hoping they end up great pals, since that was the point of getting another dog in the first place.

Later this afternoon, when we all go to the park for the first time, I will try to get more photos when Max isn't looking.  We'll see how that goes since he never seems to take his eyes off me, poor wee soul.  I think, after his experience (lost, found, put in jail), he doesn't quite believe his luck has changed.  But, guess what Max:  Welcome Home...!!!

Rush Hour(s)...

Today is shaping up to be very busy, so I'm going to scratch one thing off my Absolutely-Must-Do list and take the day off from the blog.  But if...something...goes according to plan later today, I will have a big surprise to post tomorrow.  Stay tuned...

Short Tuesday

Well, the day will be as long as any Tuesday...just this post will be short as we have several things to do this morning.

Yesterday we got a card from Alan's cousin Harry--one of my favorites of all Alan's relatives.  The card was lovely (from the British Red Cross), and because of my predilection for posting bird photos lately, I thought I would include the card in this post.  It's wintry and sweet, with the female flanked by her two beaux.  Thanks Harry...

I don't have much to post for the Tuesday coffee break this morning, though there are three links I thought were worth looking at.

In case you've missed the exciting discovery of this enormous cave system, found in Vietnam, check out these stunning photos.  Honestly, National Geographic just blows me away some days...

This is one of the photos, and wow, could it be more beautiful..??  It's doubly amazing when you realize this is deep inside a cave..and yet, there is jungle and plant life..!!

Another interesting place on our planet, is this one, in Turkey.  Pamukkale translated means Cotton Castle, and you can see why it got that name.  Such fluffy looking whiteness, and that water, as clear as glass.  Take a minute to look at all the photos...truly cool geology.  Though I have no desire at all to go to Turkey, I would like to see this place.

Julie Thompson is originally from my home state, Alaska, though now lives in the Pacific Northwest in Washington.  She does the most intriguing artwork...on feathers..!!  I can't paint a straight line, so it's jaw-dropping to me that someone could do such detailed, beautiful art.

And there you have it...short and sweet for Tuesday, though we've been 'round the world this morning.  Now I've gotta go 'round Roseburg, so must get on with the day...

Fluff and Stuff

If you've been reading my blog for any time at all, you know Mondays and I aren't pals.  I'm still suffering from Sunday Syndrome this morning (total ennui and/or lack of energy), so am going to be lazy and post some videos instead of writing any meaningful dialogue of my own.  Course, I did have to find these vids, so I get credit for...something.

This first one is just cool.  In 40 seconds, Eirik Solheim shows an entire year in a beautiful video.

One year in 40 seconds from Eirik Solheim on Vimeo.

Not a video, but a link to the Museum of the City of New York.  They are in the process of putting their entire archive of New York photos online, starting with an initial batch of 50,000.  There are some amazing pictures; even if you're not interested in New York, the history evoked is well worth a look.

This video shows the total abandon of a cat and kitten as they sleep.  I wish I could sleep like this, though I think this kind of bliss is reserved for children and animals...

Cat-nap? brought to you by Funny Jokes

This is just plain funny.  Poor wee dog in his new boots...(hahahhaa)...

Purina Animal All Stars

So, there you have it:  a bit of beauty, zen-like relaxation, and a smile.  What more could you ask for on a Monday..??

Just a Few Things...

First, I have two corrections to make on earlier postings:

1.  The wee Yellow Finch--from my posting Happy New Year-- are in fact, not called Yellow at all, but are actually known as Gold Finches.  This info thanks to Alan who looked it up to find out more about them.

2.  In my Day One, 2011 posting my creativity has not been stiffled, but rather stifled.  This glaring error came to me in the middle of the night.  Weird how our brains work, isn't it..??  Though, maybe my mind has created a new word, a combination of stiffed and stifled.  That might work.  November stiffed me by screwing up my writing due to numerous crises, which in turn stifled my creative juices.  So, perhaps being stiffled is apropos after all...

It's a very dreary Sunday here in Roseburg this morning.  I can't seem to generate much enthusiasm or energy to do a damn thing.  I'm convinced it's the "anticlimax syndrome": the Hols are over, and now we're facing the long, cold slog of getting through January, the worst month of all.

I found this funny sign whilst surfing the internet this morning.  Honestly, why don't foreign countries hire English-speaking folks to translate words properly..??  Beware of Drowning becomes Careful Drowning.  As if...

Something funny to watch:  A video about dogs, and the things they get up to while having fun and/or playing. Keep the volume off though, the music that accompanies the video is totally annoying.

Via YouTube

Well, I've managed to dink away the entire morning, so best get on with the day, especially as it will soon be time to head down the mountain, to the park, for Ozzy's walk.  Ahh...nothing quite like a gloomy Sunday of dinkage, is there...??

Day One, 2011

Sigh...now I have to remember NOT to write 2010, which will no doubt take me until February.

I was transferring info from the old calendar to the new one last night, and ended up reviewing my own year...

January.  By Day One, 2010 I had already written 96,269 words of the first book.  At the moment I am only 32,384 words into the second.  November 2010 seems to have stiffled my creativity, big time.  Ozzy turned 7.

In February I finished the book, with a whopping 169,836 words, and then began the editing and rewrite, eventually finishing with 160,000 give or take.

March we sold the house in Edinburgh, after two very long years, though it would be nearly three more months until the deal was finalized.

April, I totally finished the book and sent it to CreateSpace for my proof copy.  We had a garage sale, which was rained out the first day.  Had many a conversation with passersby that no, the garage wasn't for sale.  Not a common thing in Scotland, a garage sale.

At the end of May, we sold the Land Rover.  She was a most excellent vehicle and I was sad to see her go.  We met with moving companies, started packing, and making arrangements to leave the UK.  Had a wonderful Farewell Party, with family, friends and neighbors.

June.  A sad, yet adventurous month.  Left my beloved Scotland--a move I am still to this day not convinced was the right thing to do, though it's a bit late now.  Spent two weeks driving from the East Coast of America, to the West.  I've blogged the whole trip, so won't go into the sights and events.  Bought a new car, bought the house in the clouds.

July we spent at my mother's, traveling back and forth from Grants Pass, Oregon to Roseburg, our new home.  Had a wonderful long weekend in the woods at a beautiful mountain cabin to save Ozzy from the horrors of the 4th of July fireworks.  Took possession of the house on July 30th.

August/September were fraught with moving in, having two complete decks built, and an Ozzy fence, getting new furniture, finally having our belongings arrive from the UK, two months later than expected.

October starts the monumental house painting/garage floor fiasco.

November I began the second book, in the NaNo competition.  Crisis after crisis later, not the least being Ozzy nearly croaking, I crawl to the end of the month hoping never to have such a November again.

December.  I wrote 190 blog posts in 2010, most of them in the second half of the year as I was too busy writing the book in the first half.  It has been an amazing, sad, eventful, poignant, frustrating, energizing, fraught, depressing, exciting, painful, stimulating, scary, dreadful, exhilarating, humorous, tearful year.

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Last night it began snowing, with giant, fat flakes that quickly covered our mountain.  It was so quiet outside, and beautiful.  I got up early this morning and snapped a few shots of the sunrise over Roseburg, and a few photos off the front deck.  The sun is out in full force now, and everything is already melting, so good thing I took the pictures when I did.

Sun just rising over the mountains above Roseburg.  The photos look a bit darkish, but it was early after all.

 

Few shots of the view from the front porch.  I wanted the road to be pristine, but the woman across the greenbelt beat me to it and drove off while I was getting the camera.  Oh well...

 

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So, there's the start of my first day of 2010...damn..!!...2011.  (Apparently I will be suffering short-term memory loss this year.)

To finish the blog today, I thought I would post this hilarious video of two comedians from Great Britain, doing a spoof of computers.  They use all the jargon, though do it with fruit...and just when you think they can't pun another thing, they do.  Too funny.  This vid has been making the rounds, so you might already have seen it...if so, watch again and start off the New Year with a smile.

Wishing everyone happiness and health and joy in 2011...