Dog Walkers at Wyntre Brook Apartments

Dear Neighbor,

I am so sorry you felt I tried to run you down last evening when I was returning from work at 9:15 P.M.    Unfortunately I did not see you walking in my lane – in the dark – wearing a black t-shirt - with a black dog.

Possibly, if you had been walking on the grass or on the side with traffic it may not have been such a close encounter.  Please understand – I did have the right of way – it is a driveway after all, and not a walkway.  Maybe the next time you should try carrying a FLASHLIGHT  like other neighbors do when they walk their dogs at night. 

Since my dog has recently passed, I have no use for the flashlight, but I would be glad to give it to you so your dog doesn’t get hit by some poor soul driving on the road.

I am sorry if you were frightened.  Just as frightened as I was at suddenly seeing you and the dog in my lane.  Just as terrified when I got out of my car and you were standing there waiting to verbally accost me. 

Please take some responsibility for your own lack of good sense. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Neighbor,

I appreciate that we don't have sidewalks to walk on - but there is plenty of grass and driveway available that you do not have to walk right next to the apartment windows!    It's been over a year now and I think it is way past time that you will ever have control of your yapping dog.   

Yanking his leash up and hanging him will not stop his uncontrolled barking.  Telling him SHUSH, Be Quite, Stop.....doesn't work.  It is like trying to negotiate with a two year old.    Ain't happening!

Since you choose to walk by my bedroom window before my alarm clock goes off every morning - and since you walk by on weekends I can actually sleep in, might I direct you to A very good book by Cesar Milan: (the  REAL dog whisperer)  "Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding & Correcting Common Dog Problems" .  

If that's not an option I will be drop off a Muzzle until you get some lessons on how to handle your pup!  They have classes regularly at Petco or Petsmart who can help you out.  I am sure I am not the only neighbor who would thank you!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Neighbor,

What a lovely BIG dog you have!  I am sure he is a loving pet, but outside he is a terror!  You must know that because you have a restraint around his muzzle.  I don't understand why then you walk him on a 30 foot leash!    That may be good when you are walking the trails, but in an apartment complex - with other (smaller) dogs around - it might be more "neighborly" if you kept him on a short(er) leash!  You had a hard time pulling him back from almost eating a small dog awhile back!  And he came charging at me when I walked out the door - you might have been able to see that if he wasn't out the door WAY ahead of you on his 30 foot leash........

Hint Hint......

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Office Bathroom Etiquette

I seem to be on an etiquette kick lately.  Or maybe I just assume people know what's right and what's wrong in certain given situations.  I'm not talking extraordinary circumstances - just regular daily living situations.

Take using a shared bathroom in an office.  Lately I feel like I have been using a truck-stop ladies room.  Seriously.  Not that many "women" here use the room, so I'm wondering who is wandering in suddenly who has no concerns for anyone who might be following them.

The first most obvious thing is the toilet-paper roll.  We have a stall with a "double" roll.  Any time I go in there is at least one empty.  The reach for a new roll is really a stretch......they keep extra rolls between the stalls on the floor.

Just reach down and grab one!!!

Then there is the one who will actually take the paper off the roll and stand it on top of the holder.   I'm thinking maybe their fingers are too arthritic to squeeze the holder to slide the roll on to it.   I guess I can forgive Old, arthritic, fingers.....

Maybe then because of age your can't bend down and pick up the toilet paper that is all over the floor.    Did you miss getting it INTO the bowl?

And my favorite is the squatters.   This is NOT a truck stop or public facility open to the general public.   If you are intent on squatting then please - PLEASE - dry the seat before you leave.  You would be the first one to scream foul if you sat on a wet seat!    Try lining the seat with toilet paper then - and remember to flush it before you leave!

And lastly - LADIES - please - LOOK 👀 before you leave. 

Nothing more to say about that.......

Drive-Thru Etiquette

Some things just never change.  I guess that's one thing you can count on in life.  At least at a drive-thru pharmacy.  But I am guessing it's the same at ANY drive thru location.

At our particular pharmacy when you drive up we are alerted by a doorbell-type ding (like the old-fashioned gas station for us old-timers).  It is NOT necessary to ring the bell the moment you pull up to let us know you are there!  This isn't fast food - we don't have someone standing idly at the window waiting for cars to pull up - please give us a minute!

When you pull up in your LOUD truck or souped-up car, please turn it off.  It is next to impossible to hear you over the roar of your machine, and you get irritated when we ask you to repeat what you said thinking we are deaf or just plain stupid.

Please put down the phone.  You know you are in line to pick up your goods -so wait until you are finished to make your phone call.  We really don't care to hear your conversations.  Actually, we shut the microphone off until we have to converse with you.

Same goes for the radio - turn down your music - most times we don't care for your selection anyway.

Please LOOK at the person speaking to you.  There is something very shady about a person who can't look you in the eye when you are speaking to them.    Maybe if you LOOKED at me I wouldn't have to repeat what I said.  (Receipt is in the bag.....told you twice)

If you are in the passenger seat, please speak up!    You are sitting in  a vehicle with the outside elements drowning you out and our speakers are not top quality!    I personally don't remember every customer's name, so in addition to speaking up - speak clearly please. 

Working in this environment has taught me to be a lot nicer to the people at the drive thru  - bank, fast food - whatever - I've been on the receiving end of Rude and it's not nice!

Gaston

                                             September 8, 2003 ---------------------January 24, 2017               

Well, a week has gone by since Gaston died and it's still difficult to put into words the loss I feel.   When Carmel died a few years ago I at least felt prepared.  Even tho he was 13 and slowing down, he wasn't really "sick".  I think that's what makes it so difficult.   There wasn't any warning - I wasn't prepared - he just got sick and died in my arms.  

So - after 13 years he is gone.     When I returned from the Vets I came back to a dark, quiet apartment with just his collar and leash in hand -  I never felt like I lived alone until that moment.

No more music playing on the radio to keep him company while I'm gone.
No more lights on timers so he's not in the dark while I'm gone.
No more chewies strewn all over the floor to step on  in the dark.
No more blankets bunched up to trip over.
No more tufts of hair all over the place.
No more humpy elephant.
No more long slow walks visiting every tree and bush in Wyntre Brooke.
No more treats from the leasing office.
No more sharing my Cheerios every morning.
No more being chased down every time I have a plate in my hand.
No more being guarded in the kitchen in case something falls on the floor.
No more.......

Thank you for coming into my life.   Thank you for your unconditional love.   Till we meet again.

Trump?

I really thought I could ignore blogging about the new President,  but it's a hard topic to ignore.  It's very difficult to log on to Facebook or Twitter anymore without some "Trump discussion" going on. What I have noticed tho is how much more vindictive the posts are.   Don't get me wrong - I enjoy "rude and sarcastic", but I'm not enjoying the changes I've seen on my feed.  I was not a fan of either candidate or the last POTUS, but at least Obama was diplomatic and a dignified statesman.   Unfortunately I'm afraid those are terms that will not be applied to this president.

 It doesn't seem to matter that his "platform" is actually worthwhile and as a Republican, I support most of it, it's just hard to look up to a petty, defensive bully which is what is has shown himself to be throughout the campaign and his most recent news conference.

And isn't President-elect Trump part of that same "1%" that controls the media he so mistrusts and the "swamp" he wants to drain?  Will the White House be good enough for the Trumps?  Or will the new center of our Government be moved to Trump Towers?

If the President-elect truly wants to "Make America Great Again", then he needs to put down his smart phone, stops behaving like a petulant child and DO what he said he would do.

I'm willing to see what happens, but I don't really have a choice now do I?  I'm just buckling up for the ride.

The Adventures of Tessie

Tessie was very happy to visit while her "mom" has been away, but the first morning after a walk and breakfast she was ready to go home after a "cordial" visit.   Unfortunately she had to get comfy with Gaston for the day because I had to go to work.  I came home at lunchtime and everyone was happy to go for a walk. but Tessie was wildly disappointed that the ladies in the rental office were on their way out, because she wanted to get a treat!  Since I had to go back to work again  and wouldn't be home until 9:00 PM, I did give her a small treat before I left.

When I got home and opened the door, she flew past me out the door, made quick pee on the grass and was half way across the lot to the rental office before I caught up with her!  She is one determined girl!   

I'm not used to animation at dinner time - Gaston is pretty much a couch-potato who will sit quietly waiting for his dinner, while Tessie dances in circles in the kitchen, under foot until I put her dish on the floor.   She ate all the chicken right off the bat, but played with her kibble - bringing a mouthful into the kitchen and putting it on the floor to eat a piece here and there.  She found out quickly tho that Gaston will gladly clear her bowl if she dawdles!

Day two - Tessie came into the bedroom to wake me two minutes before the alarm went off.  That's not too bad all things considered.  We went out for a quick walk while Gaston snoozed - she wasn't going to disrupt his schedule -  and when we got back she had a leisurely breakfast while I took Gaston out for a short walk.  After I got ready for work we went out for a joint walk, but that wasn't one of my better ideas.  Gaston is a lollygagger and Tessie is a jogger.  Like walking the tortoise and the hare.  At least I am getting plenty of walks in!  When I came home at lunch Tessie made another attempt to get out, so today I set up a small barrier in the entry way to keep Tessie from running out the door when I come home this evening!

Fail.  I came home and no Tessie - I looked everywhere in the apartment and started to go into panic mode when there comes a barking from outside.   Open the door and there she is!  Ran past me yet again and I never saw her.  The barricade obviously was a bust!   Oh well - she ate like a champ - inhaled her dinner, but I'm betting she knew Gaston was waiting to finish it for her!  After separate walks, they both settled in for the night and I worked on a new barricade.

So it's only taken a few days, but we have all settled into a pattern.  I've given up on a barricade since she gets past everything (including gallon water jugs) and I now open the door like I am "sweeping"  my way in!!   She isn't constantly following me around, and is happy to leave me alone as long as I don't try to leave the apartment.  She still tries to go to the leasing office when we go out - no matter the time of day or night, and still tries to get into her own apartment.  


She's very comfortable tho.....taken over the room

                                                     


                                                      In her own bed

And she's rearranged all the "throws" to her own comfort!

But I'm pretty sure after tonight she will be more than ready to go home!

Miko doesn't put devil ears on her!!

Disconnected

Nine years ago I wrote about how things used to be.  That happens when you get to be a certain age I guess.  Despite all the wonderful electronic advancements, I actually miss being more connected.  I don't have a "Smart" phone.  It's basic, but nowadays probably referred to as a "special needs" phone.  It texts, takes pictures, and makes and receives actual phone calls.

As far as I am concerned texting is OK for something quick - not full blown conversations.  Just pick up the phone and actually TALK to the person.  Oh - right - they're at work and shouldn't be on the phone - that's why you are texting.  OK got it.

Face book - I am guilty as the next person (since the next person has FB as well).  Going on Face book let's me keep in touch with my daughter who is very busy and very "electronic".  I know she is alive and well because she posts photos and updates!  She does text on a somewhat regular basis as well but I know she is busy!   Face book does let me SEE what my other friends and family are up to, but I can't tell you the last time I spoke to any of them!  That's disconnection.

Disconnection is a term I've read about since I've been reading a LOT of Scientology books.  (saving that for another blog)  That's a term they use when they "remove" themselves from what they refer to as Suppressive Persons.   Harsh.  But if you actually sit back and look at it that is exactly what we are doing to ourselves. People in Scientology choose to disconnect from people and the people they disconnect from are the ones that suffer.  I choose NOT to suffer any longer.

I've gone back to working a a second job - it's two-fold since I DO need the money, but I need the stimulation of PEOPLE.  Real people.  No longer trapped in my livingroom at night with the computer / TV,  I also have a new friend who also wants to "DO' real things.    So,  I will be weaning myself from checking FB as often and I will go back to sending WRITTEN notes to my long distance friends.

I will still enjoy your photos and updates on FB but I will be spending more time living in real time. If you would like to get together for lunch or dinner give me a call!  Email?  Text?  Tweet?  OK - leave  a message on Face Book - I'll check it sometime!