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!  

Canadian Geese

I was always told if you hit one you would get fined big time.  Needless to say I go out of my way to avoid them on the road.  They happen to like to congregate out front  where I work, so sometimes we have to be vigilant or we can get chased.  I've been told they are not very friendly, but that's not a problem, because I have always given them plenty of room!



When I was leaving work not too long ago there was one goose that was not keeping up with the rest of the flock, and it was apparent something was wrong with his wing.  I felt quite bad so when I got home I called my own Vet and asked if they had any numbers I could call to get the bird help.  They gave me 4 numbers.  No help.  I tried the local SPCA, went online to the Pennsylvania Game Commission,, Pennsylvania Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators, with no luck.

In 90 minutes time I made 26 phone calls with one that finally asked ME to bring the bird to them (in Philadelphia).  By the time I got thru to this person it was pouring rain.  Unfortunately, there wasn't a snowballs chance in hell I was going to go out in the storm to pick up an injured bird with a towel and a box?

Unfortunately, the next morning the dead bird was by the entrance.  It was a feast for the other large birds (which I do not know what they were).

The moral of this story is there isn't any rehabilitators in Chester County for any fowl that is hurt.  So if you happen across a Goose that is hurt, well, I hear they taste like chicken.

Still Cable Free

So, it's been almost one year now that I cut my ties with cable, and I still couldn't be happier.  The ROKU box is wonderful and has given me zero problems.  It's so easy to use I will be investing in a second one for the bedroom, but this time probably the streaming stick

So - let me up-date.  SLING TV.  This was the third best investment (ROKU being the first, HULU the second).  Originally I lamented that I would be missing FX, SYFY, BBC America, and various other stations.  Well, it's been less than a year and they have added those stations to their basic package (and more)  that together with HULU make it the best thing I've done in years!   I can watch SLING TV on my laptop as well and probably on my phone if I had a smart phone!

I've had some people say that I'm STILL paying a lot.  Compared to Comcast?  Verizon?  Dish?   Yes, I have to pay for my Internet (and I still have a land line), but I no longer have to pay for that pricey DVR box because I can watch all the shows I normally watched on the DVR now with HULU and SLING and there's no additional cost or fancy box.   Even when I threw in a treat for a few months of HBO ($14.99) I was STILL paying $90 LESS than when I had Comcast.

And since October I've talked to the people at ROKU - NEVER, HULU- NEVER and SLING once. SLING responded to my e-mail requests immediately and my one lone phone call was answered promptly and I wasn't transferred all over the place.  It was a delight to deal with.

Compared to the number of times I had to call Comcast over the course of a year to "ping" the box from Puerto Rico (where their customer service is) I am WAY ahead.

Aging Rock Stars

Dear Aging Rockstar,

It is with a heavy heart i write to inform you that I can no longer contribute to your lifestyle.  For years i was one of the first in line (even slept out for hours) for tickets to see you.  Purchasing tickets for multiple shows and sometimes in other cities.

Alas.....those days are long gone.  Gone are the days of your fan club members getting priority treatment with first shot at tickets and the best seats.  Gone as well are the reasonable ticket prices.

Once upon a time you could buy tickets, park your car, eat , get a tee shirt and possibly a program - and have a good evening.  Now you have to put aside a large chunk of your weekly salary to afford just the ticket.   I wonder why your cost has gone up so much but other artists playing the same venue don't require I float a small loan to attend?

And I won't try to win free tickets with the radio stations this time either.  For the privilege of standing the entire show on the muddy grass watching on a large flat screen,  shoulder to shoulder with rowdy, drunk fans puking at my feet?    Nah.....I think this Old Broad prefers to stay home, pop in an Old VHS tape or a DVD from one of your Old concerts on my flat screen on my Old sofa with a bottle of wine.

With the money I save I can buy an airline ticket to visit my daughter!

Thanks guys!