Spin Cycle - Things I love

This weeks Spin Cycle is things I love. This actually is kind of hard for me. There are just so many things I love. Let's limit, mkay?

Now, in no particular order here are some of the things I love.

1. Old stuff. Looking/watching/listening to historical images/movies/recordings. I know I'm a geek this way but I love me some history and nothing turns me on more than the fact that more and more libraries, museums, and historical societies are putting their materials online. It is an awesome age we are living in! Just check out some of these links and tell me you aren't intrigued.

Library of Congress  -  For every flippin' thing historical.

Pepperdine University in California - among some cool sound recordings they have a historic surfboard collection.

UC Santa Barbara - they have put online some of their wax recordings. Seriously, you have to listen to some of these. How totally hot are they?!

2. Paining. You all have seen my stuff so I won't bore you with my finished nude. Oh wait! Yes I will.

I've kind of falling in love with her but than so has Dr. Boy and JR but for far different reasons I think. I offered to let Dr. Boy take her to school with him but he declined. Something to the effect of; how creepy it would be to explain to his roommates that his mother painted it. Oh and then he would be compelled by his smart-ass nature to tell said roommates that it was a self portrait. He just didn't want to start out with that kind of awkwardness. Coward!

3. My dog, Nessa. You've all seen her before. She's adorable. She's lovable. She's a bed hog.

4. My family, JR, the Boys and the DIL. I love them all greatly.

5. Being creative in some fashion. Whether that is a painting a picture or painting a wall. Cooking, sewing, cutting out pieces of paper for collages (or what I like to call "mixed media art"), or taking pictures, I don't really care. I just need to create.

6. I'm loving my iPad though it doesn't take as good of photos as my smarty-pants phone. Which I love also or more correctly, I love my smarty-pants phone more than my iPad. Either way i love them both so much that if someone wanted to get them away from me they will have to pull them from my cold dead hands.

7. A good glass of red wine. While I never turn my nose up at a nice dry martini or a tart margarita, I pretty much start salivating like Pavlov's dog when in comes to red wine. 

Let's call that my "I love" list for today. Exciting, no? meh. Anyway, go visit Gretchen right away, like right now! She has all they deets on visiting other Spinners.

Love,

M

RTT - A nerd yes but I try.

It's Tuesday.
It's random.
It's my time to spew silliness.
It's all good.
Click on the button to go to Keely's place to find more.
Over and out!

As you all probably know by now I'm big on digital preservation. Weird as it sounds for a librarian but that is my job. I preserve and make available digital content. It's a public service and a patriotic duty (snicker). Sure that may seem all lofty and academic and technobabblish but we have a fun side also. I give you proof....



I thought this was terribly funny then The Boy called me a nerd. *sigh*




Tom Brokaw did a show that will air on CNBC called Boomers.
I said to JR: "they didn't come to talk to us".
JR said, "he didn't want to get depressed".



We spent Monday evening watching the Westminster Dog Show. We wait all year to watch this show. Some of the time we taunt our own dogs with the fact that they will never be Best in Show. Or that they are Best in Show. Or we feel embarrassed for the poodles.

Seriously, how can you not feel bad for the Poodles. Look at that hair cut. It's just sad.
Or we talk about what great looking dogs are out there. How we would like to own one of each. With the exception of a few, such as any of the toy breeds or German Shepards Not that those aren't lovely dogs; we just like our dogs a bit sturdier.

Our favorites are the herding group. We've own 2 dogs from the herding group. A Pembroke Walsh Corgie and our beloved Border Collie.
Some things that are said about dogs in the herding group and what they really mean:

• They are also independent thinkers - what they really meant: if you don't give them a job they will find one for themselves.
• They are high energy - what they really meant: they will run you ragged.
• They need a job - what they really meant: you will find your furniture herded into the middle of your living room.
• They need a strong owner - what they really meant: if you aren't the boss the dog will be.

Mostly, we (truly it's me) cries over the Pedigree commercials. Damn menopause.

Do you have a favorite type of dog or like me do you love them all?

Love,
M

PS: go visit Keely and all the other randomizers.

I'm Being Followed by a Rainshadow. A Really Big Rainshadow.

Hi Everybody!

Meet Tripper

Tripper meet Everybody

Tripper, why don't you tell all our friends out there on the internet what you do all day.

Oh, I don't know mom. my day is pretty lame.

Go on, they'll understand.

Don't say I didn't warn them.

After waiting patiently at the back door all day for you to come home. I sit at your feet while you make dinner. This is a very important moment in my day because there is that off chance that you'll give me cheese. Sure, I'll have to debase myself by sitting but hey, this is cheese we're talking about.



Then I have to climb up the dreaded steps to sit at your feet while you paint or work in your studio. Do you even realize how hard it is for me to climb steps? HUH, mom? Did you have to put your studio upstairs? Were you even thinking of my needs? Yeah, I didn't think so.



Then I sit on the sofa next to you while you watch TV. Unless there are bird noises on the TV. Then I must stand in front of it and bark. Very important work here. Almost as important as chasing that nasty squirrel out of the back yard. But, only if you are out there. I don't go outside except to do my business unless you're out there.



Then there is the time I spend sitting at your feet while you eat, drink your morning coffee (and what's the attraction there?), and type on your computer. I've been meaning to talk to you about that. You spend way too much time on your computer. Time that would be better spent petting me. I'm just sayin'


Then there is the all important time I spend waiting for you to get out of the shower. You know, you just cut 10 inches of hair off I would think that would mean shorter showers. Not that I don't love the cool tiles on my belly, it's the place a little further south that doesn't like to get too cold, if you know what I mean.

And of course,


There is a portion on my day that I sit at your feet while you sit on the throne. That's some time well spent there, I'll tell you. The possibility of some interesting smells is like a siren's call. So, sue me. I'm a dog! We do disgusting.


Anyway, that's my day folks. Oh what? What do I do while mom's at work all day? Why, I spend it sleeping on her pillow. I like the smells there the best.

Thank you, Tripper for giving the folks an in-depth look at why I trip around you all day and why you are named Tripper to begin with. I did think that after the boys grew out of the toddler years I wouldn't have a body following me around the house all day but it seems I was wrong.

Well, carry on.

Love,
M

I just can't make this totally wordless.

Did you know that a beached whale look suspiciously like a Corgie.

If he wasn't a boy I'd worry about his morals.

He has no shame.

There are really people out there who actually make their Wednesday posts wordless.
Me?
Not so much.

Love,
M

Revisiting a Favorite

This week's Spin-Cycle from Sprite's Keeper is all about favorites. Favorite posts that is. I'm not sure I have any favorites I love them all equally. Yeah, right!

Anyway, I like this one a lot. It shows the real essence of Nessa. It is also lighthearted and silly which I need right now.


Would Someone Please Help Her!

This is Nessa!

This is Nessa's ball

Nessa loves her ball. I can not explain Nessa's love for her ball. It's a special kind of love. Some would say unnatural. Not me, I would say she's a retriever.

But truly, Nessa does need help. Nessa has a problem.
Nessa needs a 12 step program

Sometimes bad things happen to her ball.

Daddy has been known to lock her ball up when he vacuums.
It surely is pitiful when her ball gets locked up.

If I poke my nose at this door maybe it will release my ball.
Woof! Woof!
Help! Someone please help me!
I can't get my ball!

Sometimes, my ball get stuck behind the box that my people watch.
(It seems to get stuck back there when Mama throws it. I'm sure she doesn't do it on purpose or does she?)
There are strange things back there.
It scares me.
But I really need my ball.

Let me try this!
Maybe if I bark at it?

Maybe if I lean in far enough?

Dang-it!
Will someone please save my ball?
I'm desperate here!

Mama, my ball is stuck.
Will you get it for me?
Will you stop pointing that thing that flashes light in my eyes at me?
Geez!
Give me a break here!

I can't get it any closer to you Mama.
Throw it already!

Love,
Nessa

Charity Dog Walk Weekend - A Poem

The Arizona Animal Welfare League held their dog walk this weekend. Saturday to be precise.

Nessa and I wrote a little poem. Or I wrote and Nessa supervised. Without opposable thumbs Nessa has hard time writing so I took care of the problem for her (No, I didn't try to tape some thumbs on her. Though interesting craft project).

Fair Warning: I suck at poetry. I took a poetry class in college only to work my ass off for a "C". Nessa's only a little better. I fairly abused this lovely old poem.

Twas a day at the dog walk

Twas a day at the dog walk, when all through the park
All the creatures were stirring, yet nary a bark.
The dogs were all leashed to their masters with care,
In hopes that the dog treats soon would be there.

The boy was nestled all snug in his bed,
While a pounding red demon danced around in his head.
And Nessa in her collar, and I in my hat,
Had just settled in to walk off some fat.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I craned my neck to see what was the matter.
From up on the dais there alighted a speaker,
Who said, "now everyone tie up your sneaker".

The sun high in the clear blue sky,
Prepared to give heat-stroke to those who would try.
When, what to my wandering eyes should appear,
But a puppy like Nessa was standing right near.

She was all golden, so sweet and petite,
I hardly had the heart to announce her big feet.
Her owners, so proud of their new little baby,
Maybe she'll stay small?, Yeah, right, maybe!

Come Ginger! come, Sparky! come, Patches and Missy!
Down Bruno! off Lucy! on, Zeke and on Chrissy!
So off on our walk, all the owner's called heel,
While the pooches all thought, hey! what's the deal?

I'm not done sniffing the butts that go by,
When their owners drag them away, still the dogs try.
So off down the trail the dogs and the owners did stroll,
With poop bags at ready to scoop up toll.

Then Nessa laid a big pile of poop, I saw,
And I picked it up because that is the law.
Nessa was calm and I tried not to gape,
But, as we got to the street she went kind of ape.

I calmed her down as best as I could,
and she walked like a princess, like I knew she would.
The event planners put out bowls full of water,
but Nessa wouldn't drink from bowls full of slobber.

As we near the finish under the mid-November sun,
I could tell that Nessa was just about done.
The promise of treats and a nice little nap,
saw us finishing the walk in only a snap.

Now, all in all it was a good day
which leaves me with only one thing to say.
All you donors please give to the cause,
cuz, these little doggies are down on their paws.

Thank you and the Arizona Animal Welfare League, PAWS, and the Humane Society thanks you! The 600 people and their dogs who collected donations and walked on Saturday thanks you!

And, I thank you for putting up with bad poetry. I realize that is similar to Vogon poetry, or an experience similar to torture but there you have it.

Love,
M

Dog Candy

These may look like innocent hair scrunchies (I thought so anyway) but you and I are sadly mistaken.
These are actually dog candy.
They are closely related to chewing gum.
With the oh so yummy mommy shampoo flavor.

This girl is addicted to dog candy, aka hair scrunchies.

She will search one out with the nose of , well, a dog.
It doesn't matter where in the house these are.
She will find them.

No where is safe.
Counter tops are no obstacle.
Mommy's bedside table, child's play.
Pulling them out of mommy's hair if she gets too close, piece of cake.
Sometimes I think the only reason she loves me is for my hair scrunchy.
Whoops!
Dog candy.

Thievery is acceptable.
To her at least.
We have countless talks.
We scold
Sometimes we even yell.
Sometimes for awhile she's contrite.

Other times "not so much!"

Love,
M

P.S. This boy is just happy that he's not the one being talked to, scolded, or yelled at.

Doggie Art

This is what we like to call Doggie Art.

Nessa produces these wonderful abstracts on my sliding glass door.
I totally understand the need to create. Whereas I use paper, canvas and paints. Nessa uses my sliding glass door, her wet paws and the dirt from the yard.

Isn't she thoughtful!
Isn't she creative!

Every couple of weeks I clean her canvas for her. It's nice to have a clean canvas to work from. This is another thing that Nessa and I share in common. The ability to appreciate a clean bit of canvas.

Sometimes Nessa's clean workspace gets her in trouble. When your hair is hanging in your eyes and the sliding glass door is clean you can't tell if it is open or not. Then you smack your head into it as you try to go out. Very disconcerting. Highly embarrassing. Totally frustrating. (very funny for those of us watching).

See how happy she is about her new clean canvas.
She promptly started on a new masterpiece.

Love,

M

Chair Pads

A few months ago I posted about Nessa's habit of attacking my dining room chair pads. No chair pad was safe. Innocent chair pads that happen to fall off the chair were eaten. Chair pads that sat contently on the chairs were unmercifully chewed on. She would nibble on them even while we sat on them.

No chair pad was safe I tell you!

At one point I debated the merits of buying new ones right then or waiting until Nessa found them to be not such a delicacy. There were pros and cons to both scenarios.

A couple of the pros to buying new ones immediately were; a cushy place for our tushes, and our dining room wouldn't look quite so ratty. What was left of the old ones looked really unattractive. The big cons in this scenario were forking out the $15 to $30 dollars a piece (way too much money to toss away on something that Nessa might chew up) and it would demand that I make some sort of design decision. This is actually the worse con for me.

I tend to be very eclectic, some would call mismatched. I like to call it "shabby chic in theory". With all this decision making to do I opted to do nothing. Very passive aggressive of me!

For months now our poor little fannies were sitting on hard chairs with half eaten chair pads. Then I was out shopping at JC Penney's today.

I found chair pads!

The original price for the new chair pads was $30. they were marked down to $8.99 plus another 50% off. Each one came out to be $4.31 each. They also matched the other stuff in my house. How cool was that?

I quickly snapped up the only 6 they had. Not only cheap but the right number also. It must have been fate!
I couldn't be happier!
My tush couldn't be happier!
My non-existent decorating sense couldn't be happier!

I came home triumphant! It was very primal of me to show off my spoils to the homeboys. I felt like JR's cat when he brings in his latest kill (not that he does this very often). I'm not sure why I was expecting atta girls but I was. What did I get?

The homeboy said, "they look delicious!"

JR said, "Have they been Nessa tasted and approved?"

Very funny men live at my house. I'm just not sure for how much longer!

Love,
M

Nessa's new 'do!

The youngest boy took Nessa in for a fancy new hair cut this weekend. It was a traumatic 4 hours for him. 4 hours without his dog in the house. Tripper didn't seem to have a problem with it. He had Mama & Daddy all to himself for a change.

He wasn't really this happy at the time.
This is his normal face.

Nessa looked like this before she left the house. Shaggy, hair hanging in her eyes, knots in her hair. It's just pitiful when your hair cut grows out. I know just know she feels.

Now look at her. All pretty!

They gave her a "bear face" cut which is perfect for her.
She is our great big bear.

Doesn't she look happy with herself.
There is nothing like a new 'do to make a girl feel pretty!
Added bonus; she looks thinner. What girl doesn't want that!
Her legs look longer, her tummy tighter, and her butt smaller.
I wish a hair cut did all that for me :-)

The whole experience was quite exhausting though.
A day at the spa can just tire a girl plum' out.
Only thing left to do is sprawl out on the kitchen floor.
(what you didn't know that?)

I've decided to use her as my excuse for not cooking.
I just can't get into the kitchen.

Daddy and Nessa did get a chance to sit on the back porch to read.
At least Daddy tried to read and Nessa tried to get him to play ball.
Since, he loves her he did!

Lisa got a new 'do last weekend. Looks great too!

All and all we had a nice weekend.
It was filled with family, food and dogs.
And JR got a chance to sit on the back porch and read.
Always, makes it a stellar weekend for him!

Love,
M

Early Morning Hi-Jinks!

With me being away for 5 days, then the weekend, then the holiday, and then an extra day off, our (the dogs and mine) morning routine was all messed up. The dogs were just not sure what to do. Where were the art supplies that are usually cluttering up the kitchen table? Why weren't JR & I sitting together drinking our coffee before we start our day? Why wasn't anyone throwing the favorite ball (we all know which ball and we all know who would ask this question)?

So this morning we all got back into the swing of things.

Art supplies are now cluttering up the kitchen table. I started a new drawing. Looks like I'm starting a bridge period. We won't really know for a little while yet whether this is a full blown period or just a one-off thing.



Tripper started smiling:



And Nessa went back to annoying me with her favorite ball:


And all was right with the world!

Would Someone Please Help Her!

This is Nessa!

This is Nessa's ball

Nessa loves her ball. I can not explain Nessa's love for her ball. It's a special kind of love. Some would say unnatural. Not me, I would say she's a retriever.
But truly, Nessa does need help. Nessa has a problem.
Nessa needs a 12 step program

Sometimes bad things happen to her ball.
Daddy has been known to lock her ball up when he vacuums.
It surely is pitiful when her ball gets locked up.

If I poke my nose at this door maybe it will release my ball.
Woof! Woof!
Help! Someone please help me!
I can't get my ball!

Sometimes, my ball get stuck behind the box that my people watch.
(It seems to get stuck back there when Mama throws it. I'm sure she doesn't do it on purpose or does she?)
There are strange things back there.
It scares me.
But I really need my ball.

Let me try this!
Maybe if I bark at it?



Maybe if I lean in far enough?
Dang-it!
Will someone please save my ball?
I'm desperate here!



Mama, my ball is stuck.
Will you get it for me?
Will you stop pointing that thing that flashes light in my eyes at me?
Geez!
Give me a break here!

I can't get it any closer to you Mama.
Throw it already!


Love,
Nessa