Friday, July 31, 2009

On My Soap Box...

...well, if you've come for knitting or spinning content--you won't find it this post either! Gee, it seems as this blog has evolved~~this is sort of Dogs on Thursday--on Friday!

No, I have something "stuck in my craw" and I'm about to let it out. Just warnin' ya!

I did something today that I've never done before...not sure I'll do it again either. Oh I'll probably watch it on TV.

There's a Dog Show in town, my Mom calls, me because she had my niece there, and told me that I needed to check it out. So, of course, Rudy and I head on to the Civic Center. I also thought I could find some Shih Tzu goodies and Rudy wanted to shop for a toy...not like he doesn't have enough already. He did get a new one...he's not spoiled!
I just so happened that the Shih Tzu's were showing in the ring just as we got there. So...we watched--There was one handler there who was showing multiple dogs, came out of the ring changed armband #'s and picked the next dog to show. I'm assuming it was a little girl dog by the color of her bow, with all that hair you can't tell. She lead her on her initial trip around the ring when the dog started to sit...the handler yanked her up, scolded her and yanked her again. Pulled her up by her tail only to realize the poor dog had to go poo (she'd been waiting for her turn in the ring for who knows how long) yanked her by the tail again only to look up and see ME staring her down, yes-we made eye contact and the fury in her eyes was evident. Flipped the poo with the dogs hairbrush towards the spectators behind her and went on about the show. THIS PISSES ME OFF!
I told Mom I was done watching, and gave Rudy a big hug & a kiss for being the best little boy!
I'm THANKFUL for the connection that Rudy and I have, I know what he needs when he needs it..and he give me nothing but love right back. I've learned that the best way to get everything good from our "furbabies" is by positive reinforcement. You all know that Rudy achieved his S.T.A.R Puppy status and we're beginning our next class on Thursday headed towards his C.G.C (Canine Good Citizen) certification. I'm not doing this for the recognition...I am doing it for Rudy and the possibility of being a Therapy dog. Though I think he has other plans, he discovered, as I did, that he LOVES the AGILITY course! These classes are a way for us to connect.
There are behaviors I don't want Rudy to pick up or learn, so we work on all the behaviors that we want. After all, pets are our kids covered with fur...I wouldn't want my kids doing things in public that were destructive or bothersome to others. I have read posts from people who talk about seeing a dog that acted like a robot instead of a dog because all it's "training and obedience classes" -- would you really want a dog that jumped on you, grabbed food off your plate or nipped at your heels when you moved?
I don't...I think about when my kids were little, maybe they didn't act like little angels at home but at least in public they were polite, behaved and helpful. I learned this from a lady in the grocery store one day, she came up to me and told me "how wonderful my boys were when they played with her son" -- of course, I'm standing there with my mouth hanging open wondering if she had the right mother! Then there's the other side of that coin when you see the kids that come in the library and act like little heathens!

This brings me to my next issue with dog shows...I know MANY, MANY of these dogs are family pets like Rudy, but there are plenty that are simply show dogs. I remember the movie Big Red (I had an Irish Setter at that time) and how that dog was kenneled. One of my co-workers has just that...her previous show dog passed a year ago, so she has another. He's young, the handlers do all the "training" as far as I know she doesn't work with him. When she leaves to go out of town she kennels the dog at the vet's office (yes, in a wire cage for who knows how long...okay, maybe just my issue) then has the nerve to come into work complaining about him smelling like urine when she picked him up?! Uh...that should tell you something right there!! CHANGE FREAKIN' BOARDING SERVICES--YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU GET!!! "Oh, but others are too expensive"...this response totally puzzles me??!!!!!
When she is home he is kenneled in a pen out back of the house...what? Where's the love & connection between them? Today she comes in complaining that her handler called to tell her that she wouldn't show the dog because he'd be an embarrassment?! Uh...OH PLEASE!! My first question is - because he's untrained? or because the handler (like the one I mentioned in the beginning) wants to look good??

These smaller dog shows are people trying to get certified to go on to "The Big Show" now I LOVE watching the AKC Dog Show on TV, I certainly hope that they are "weeding" out the handlers who act like the one I saw today. I know they are looking at the best dog...but to get the best out of your dog, you've got to put the best into them.

LOTS OF LOVE AND ATTENTION!!!!



Rudy...YOUR MOMMA LOVES YOU!!!!!!!!

...okay, I think I'm done now.


A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS.........


1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8.. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

~ Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them.

Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

I RUN BECAUSE~~

I feel empowered -- I'm energized --
It keeps me sane (and from killing people) -- I love food -- Running is faster --
I not only love the crossing the finish line, but the journey to get there --
My personal best is just that: MINE -- There are a lot worse addictions out there -- It makes me appreciate nature -- Adrenaline is my drug of choice --
In the words of Forrest Gump: "I just felt like runnin-g"! --
I can challenge myself to keep going -- It takes all I've got, but gives back much more -- The pavement doesn't complain when you pound on it -- I can release the stress or problems of the day --
BECAUSE I CAN!!

What a Runner Sees...

The latest items I've seen while running are:

1-hubcaps

2-a distributor cap - now how far did they get before realizing this was missing?

3-socks

4-a dead baby skunk

5-more kamikaze squirrels!

...and you're gonna love this one, go ahead and ask if you're not sure of the terminology.

6-a "johnson" spray painted in the middle of the street of a very upscale neighborhood -- do you suppose the old couple who's house has the best view has ANY IDEA what this thing is?

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Could it be?


...that I'm a "runaholic"?

After spending ALL of Saturday helping DS#2 move from Charlottesville to Richmond, climbing 3 flights of stairs MULTIPLE times...sometimes taking them at a run pace for the heck of it, carrying heavy stuff...being tired as H&LL after a total of 16 hours from home and back. What did I do on Sunday morning?

Walk Rudy at 7:30AM...yes, AM!! Then hit the road for a 7 mile run!!

I guess there are worse things to be...

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!


(click on the image for other pendants!)

Monday, July 27, 2009

Music Monday

Since I'm often introducing music that you've never heard of, I wonder how many out there remember this band!? Only 2 albums were released...which saddened me greatly!



The Rossington Collins Band
...and again I don't want to hear that you hadn't been born yet or were still in diapers! I know I'm gettin' old!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Dogs on Thursday

Rudy's new haircut!



Momma~~be sure and get my profile!



Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Producing Produce


My little garden plot is beginning to feed us for the summer, well...I still go to the farmers market and buy items I don't have room to grow, like green beans. But everything you see here came from my garden.
Two weeks ago I had my first toasted tomato sandwich...MY summertime favorite! Yum-Yum!



Now I had to put up a makeshift scarecrow because the blue jays were helping themselves to my tomatoes. Talk about something that brings the fight out of me!!

This is not one of my Granddaddy's shirts but it sure looks like one he would have worn...Granddaddy was a towering, scary fella when we were kids! So far it seems to be doing it's job!


My cousin posted on her blog a few weeks back about our Granny & Granddaddy's garden. I could only wish to have one the size they did, but then again I remember all the work it too. She has pictures of it on her blog. When you visited them it was customary to go on a walk around the garden and see all that was growing, and before you left you had a bag of veggies to take with you. Boy...what I wouldn't give to take one of those walks today.

Saturday I took a 6 1/2 mile run from the house to downtown, and ran by my Grandparents old house. It looks the same, the house is still painted white...the little shed out back still has the ladder hanging on the backside, both utility sheds are still in place (Granddaddy had a lot of tools)--there are some pieces missing...the white picket fence is gone, Granny's flowers are for the most part gone (I have her birdbath in my backyard) AND there's NO garden out back. This makes me sad...for as long as I can remember in the summertime you saw every sort of vegetable growing healthy in that garden.

Have you noticed my 3/50 Project button on the sidebar? If not please check it out, I saw this on my friend Pam's blog and made note of my contribution to this idea. I can count 6 local and Virginia based business that I visit or do business with on a weekly basis. I think this is a great idea and makes lots of sense to me. I for one am afraid to buy produce or other products from other countries with all the scares we've had in recent history. If we keep our money in our localities everybody wins!

Come on give it a try...will ya?

Check out my Hibiscus, the blooms are the size of a small dinner plate!




Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

Monday, July 20, 2009

Music Monday and a Day in History

As I sit here at 5am, listening to the thunder roar and watching the sky light up this song came to mind...enjoy



...AND

I remember where I was when this took place...do you?! (and don't tell me if you weren't born yet, you'll just make me feel old)



Keep On Knittin & Spinnin

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Dogs on Thursday

Momma sez she needs a break...I hear dem talkin about going "to a beach", whatever that is, so I thought I'd get ready.



Of course, I don't think Momma & Daddy would leave without me!

So Momma...when are we going? How long is 2 months? Are we there yet??

ETA--I think I need to clarify that it's 2 months before we leave, I could only wish we'd be staying for 2 months!!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

What a Runner Sees...


Since I've started running and increasing my mileage and places in which I choose to run there are so many things I see along the roadside, I just wish I could have my camera with me...but then I wouldn't get much of a run in if I stopped to take pictures every few feet.

So here's just a small list of the things I see on my runs, and I may add more as I continue to train for my races.

1-Dead animals: opossums, squirrels, rabbits, birds, frogs, lizards and an occasional snake. (and in one particular spot there's almost always a dead skunk)

2-I also see lots of live critters...

Hubby took this picture of a young lady who crossed the road and watched me run on by! (this was on the Blue Ridge Parkway)

Squirrels are dangerous...you know how when you're driving down the road and they run out, then can't decide what to do and dodge back and forth? Well, they do that to me when I'm running. You know there's a group of them in the trees laughing like banshees!
Bunnies, birds and every now and then a buzzard (I know they think I'm going to keel over...HAH!)

3-Irresponsible people IDIOTS discarded litter...why do they find it necessary to throw their trash out the window? Here's where I wish I could run with a bag in order to clean up after these idiots...but like carrying my camera I don't think I'd get much running done. I do carry an extra bag when I walk Rudy and pick up litter as I see it.

4-CD's and Cassette Tapes-I guess they skipped or hung up one too many times!

5-Busted up pagers...What? Did the person get a page into work and they said Oops, I lost it?

6-Shattered Cellphones--Hmmmm, P-Oed at the girlfriend/boyfriend?? Bad break-up? Another call into work?

7-Condom wrappers...yep, my question is this--were they driving while using? Because this wasn't in a private place in which to have a "quickie"! Thanks goodness I've only seen the wrapper.

8-Underwear--I guess I could list this along with #7, but maybe it wasn't for the same reason.

9-I've also had to dodge dog poop, chewing tobacco wads and on one occasion "road apples" (everyone know what that is?)

10-Sunglasses/eyeglasses--this could be a very expensive loss, I just received a new prescription for glasses and know the cost!

I am currently training for my "Anniversary" race. I would have never guessed in a million years that I would love running so much.
This year it's the day after my birthday, so I guess in 2010 it'll be ON my birthday?!

Keep on Knittin' - Spinnin' - and come on...join Runnin'!!!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

All Stars Among Us

As I sit here at watch the All Star Game, 5 living Presidents honored 30 citizens who give back--All Stars Among Us...one of which was Christine Shively and Knots of Love

How AWESOME is that??

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Music Monday

This week is dedicated to old friends...or maybe I should say longtime friends. FaceBook has reunited me with so many friends from my past. There are always those you don't want to remember but then there are those friends who you've always wondered about, this is dedicated to one particular summer.
Because of the avenue my life took so many of those friends had been lost until now. Thank You FB!!



Boy did we "oogle" over Mr Stewart that summer!

I have to say that he only gets better with age...Hubby and I attended a concert a few years ago, he's AMAZING!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Dogs on Thursday







Rudy keeps a VERY watchful eye on Ace, he's so sweet...he gives him kisses and Ace allows it, which is totally out of character for the old man, Rudy also follows him as he goes from room to room to make sure he settles in okay. If he thinks anything is wrong he comes and gets me.

...and sometimes he'll just watch him sleep.

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Whiskers on Wednesday


I haven't posted a Whiskers on Wednesday for a few weeks now...Ace just hasn't been himself.
The old man is slowing down...a lot. He moves painfully (we know he has arthritis) and carefully. In the last 3 months he's lost 4 lbs, yet his blood work is amazing perfect for his age. His body functions all work properly...if you know what I mean. Well, except for the increased issues with hairballs (that's another thing, he's blowing his coat like crazy), and he hates the Laxatone.
There are further tests we can have done but at this time I'm not ready to know he is in his final years (months or days), I'm hoping he has years and years left with us, but am prepared for whatever may come.
In September he'll be 17 years old...according to his Vet that's the human equivalent of about 95 years old.


I'm not sure if I'll be posting WOW each week. It all depends on how Ace feels...

...there's more to this picture.

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Photo Essay




How I spent my 4th of July...







We stopped for lunch and had a visitor...

He/she flew overhead for about 15 minutes.



Do you think I had a good time??




Good weather...good water...good friends--it doesn't get any better!

Monday, July 06, 2009

Music Monday

...a clue to tomorrows post




Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!

Saturday, July 04, 2009

Happy July 4th!



Be safe y'all!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Friday, July 03, 2009

It's Ba-aaack!


Well, it's really no secret that I'm no big fan of it...The Salem Fair is back (my other name for it is "The Freak Show")...in 22 years I've managed to stay away from it for about 18 years!

I really scares me at how fast they put up those rides! They started on Wednesday morning, and finished up Thursday afternoon....just hours before it opened to the public!
When my boys were small I took them, they wanted to ride this ride that, against my better judgement, I allowed them to. I heard that thing pop and it dropped a bit, scared me to death. Needless to say I didn't allow them on anymore rides. They still go on their own today...they just have to bring me cotton candy so I'll know they're okay! (oh, how I love fresh made cotton candy!)

...and there are some truly "freaky" people who attend! The traffic on that side of town is horrendous, you just don't even try! I was a judge one year but they offered no special parking for judges...I felt like I walked forever to get to the judges area!

BUT...if you enjoy crowds, loud and rickety rides...come on--enjoy!! But you have to bring me back some cotton candy!

I shouldn't be such a prude, but it's just one of those things that when you live here and endure all 10 days of it...well, bah-humbug!

Tomorrow we'll be enjoying our annual canoe trip with a couple of our very close friends...peace & quiet, listening to water lap the side of the canoe, do a little fishing and have a picnic along the way. That's my idea of the perfect 4th of July!!

You guys have any special plans?

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Thursday, July 02, 2009

Dogs on Thursday

....and IT'S KNIT/SPIN NIGHT!!



Rudy loves camping...especially when it's with his best buddy, Milo!



They literally played themselves out in 3 days! When we got home Rudy slept for hours and hours!


Here he is spending a little quality time (and napping) with his big brother and nephew Milo!
We celebrated Hubby's birthday with a big surprise for him...we managed to arrange for his girls and their families to come camp with us and he didn't know anything at all about it! Happy Birthday Hunny!!


Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!