One More Detour on the Writing Road

rain, rain, rain, rain...

2008-09-05T01:46:51Z

Damn.

The power went out for about an hour. Came back on about an hour ago. The good news was that even though it had rained all day, I wasn't worried because I had a battery back-up sump pump. The not good but not bad news is that it's been so dry that the pump hole is bone dry, so even though it's been raining all day, there was nothing to pump. It's 844pm, and there's still nothing to pump. Not to say that there isn't any water in the basement--there's seepage in the usual place. But the pumps themselves haven't kicked on all day. Here's hoping they do when needed.

Still a few more hours rain ahead. We're getting September's average rainfall all in one go.

kristine_smith @ 2008-09-04T06:26:00

2008-09-04T11:30:42Z

Raining here, harder than it did yesterday. Not gullywasher hard, more like a heavy Spring shower. I don't even care if the basement seeps--that's how much we need it.

Tomatoes! Two little ones the size of peas! If we don't get an early frost, I may manage a few after all.

Coffee. Tomorrow is Friday--yea. Love those holiday-shortened work weeks.

kristine_smith @ 2008-09-03T18:51:00

2008-09-03T23:54:59Z

Someone has taken over where Mickey left off, and has claimed the living room couch as their own during the day. Not mentioning any names.

kristine_smith @ 2008-09-03T07:59:00

2008-09-03T13:07:10Z

Light showers this morning, remnants of Gustav. Rain expected over the next couple of days. We need it.

Things Gaby Doesn't Like:

1) the pedal-operated kitchen trash can. Every time I open it, she moves away from it. I think she thinks it's going to eat her.

2) the sound of my hair dryer--it must remind her of the groomers. My dryer/curling iron doesn't bother her through, so she must recognize shape as well as sound.

I had forgotten how readily a dog with longish hair picks up stickers. The groomer is going to love Gaby's next visit.

When you have four battery-operated detectors of one sort or another within fifteen feet of you, it's hard to determine which one is making the dying battery chirp. Especially at 6am, with two dogs following close behind begging Mom to make it stop.

Oh well--off to it.

Life imitates art

2008-09-02T00:51:35Z

Write scene in which protag has a peanut butter and jam sandwich and a glass of milk.

Ponder evening snack. Find oneself craving a peanut butter and jam sandwich and a glass of milk. Takes same.

I also yawn when I write about a character yawning. I yawn when I think about writing about a character yawning.

I yawn when I think about yawning.

kristine_smith @ 2008-09-01T10:58:00

2008-09-01T15:58:36Z

Eventually, the squirrels will realize that there is now a terrier in the backyard...

kristine_smith @ 2008-08-31T22:01:00

2008-09-01T03:04:35Z

Someone has been snatching socks out of the laundry basket and leaving them about the house. I wonder who it could be?

strange story

2008-09-01T01:28:12Z

A man commits suicide. He's an organ donor, and the man who gets his heart winds up marrying his (the suicide's) widow. Then some time later, he commits suicide himself.

It's the sort of tale an editor might ask you to rethink because it's too pat.

Gustav

2008-08-31T15:21:48Z

So many other folks have posted about Gustav--I can't add anything to the supply of information. I just hope and pray that this doesn't turn into Katrina Revisited, that people get to shelter and that the feds and the states get their acts together this time.

I think about all the rebuilding that's been done--not nearly enough at this point, but still--and that it could get wiped out again. I have no words.

Sunday morning

2008-08-31T15:17:22Z

I've never made much use of my deck. I was never all that crazy about it--if the design decision were mine, I would have a flagstone patio with trellises and planters. I just prefer that look.

But it's a nice weekend, warm but not too. The dogs want to play outside, and I want to be able to keep an eye on them. I have a number of trees, so for the morning and a good part of the afternoon, at least part of the deck is shaded.

So this morning, I did something I'd been thinking about for a few days, and went to the local big box to see if they had any patio furniture left on sale. Didn't bite a few days ago when they still had metal frame furniture, so missed out on that. But I did get a wicker armchair, an oversize cushion that was meant for a different style chair but fits the wicker, and a wicker table. Total cost came to $20 less than the original cost of the chair alone.

Just assembled the table, and am using it as a footstool. The chair w/ cushions is surprisingly comfy. Thanks to the wireless, I can haz internets, unfortunately. Will simply have to ignore that fact if I want to work.

It's nice sitting out here with the birds. Bugs, too, unfortunately--King keeps scooting into the dogloo to get away from bees and biting flies.

Saturday afternoon

2008-08-30T19:25:46Z

Both vet and the vet tech who saw King during his last pre-Gaby visit remarked on the change in his behavior. A week and a half ago, he was suffering from kennel cough. He was also suffering, period, hiding behind my legs, refusing the vet office treats (which he loves), and, as I posted, snapping at the vet when she tried to take his temp. Miserable and worried and missing his buddy.

I confess I didn't spot many of the changes. I saw him every day, and noticed a couple of things, but thought he would be OK until such time as I felt ready to hunt for a new buddy for him. According to vet, King wouldn't have been able to last that long. She saw him in snapshot, and the major changes stuck out. She said that she was genuinely concerned.

No worries today. King jumped up on the exam table--front end only--and licked vet's face. Took several treats. Jumped up on the visitor chairs. His eyes are bright, and vet thinks he's building muscle--he hasn't lost any weight in the last week and a half, but he looks slimmer.

Vet said that when they found Gaby tied to the front door, she wondered why she (Gaby) had been brought there. She wasn't in the office the day that the other people adopted her--I think she would have asked a few more questions. Vet thinks Fate played a role in all this. She thinks Gaby was sent here to take care of King by being the little sister for him to take care of.

Little Sis has gained almost 2 pounds in the week she's been here--she now close to 28 pounds, and vet feels she should weigh about 35. I should simply continue to feed her the amount recommended for a 35 pound dog. It amazes me that she's so active and happy given that she weighs only 2/3 what she should weigh. Makes me wonder what she'll be like when she's where she should be.

She did test positive for coccidiosis, unfortunately, so she's on a med for the next week or so. Vet thinks squelching the bug will help her put on weight as well. She tested negative for heartworm, and had her distemper shot.

Busy morning. Happy ending.

Saturday morning

2008-08-30T12:16:42Z

For the first time since Tuesday, King rousted me out of bed by swiping my slipper-clog. Energy-wise, the edge has definitely been worn away, but I think he's adjusting to the puppy-like presence in his life. They're both going to the vet's this morning, King for his 6-month senior check and Gaby for a diet consultation--does she need to gain any weight? If so, how much? Does she need the special active dog food, or will regular do?

She is not a fan of beef liver. The last time I offered it to her, she made a face. Last night, I tried again--she again made a face, backed away, then offered me her paw. Please, Mom--don't make me eat the smelly stuff! Please!

Three day weekend. Thank heavens. Remember that writing situation I wanted to avoid? Book only half-finished as I enter the -ber months? Yup. I'm so there. It seems that this is the only way Brain can pull story together. Body is entering the gut-roiling state of panic, and Brain gets up from the couch and rolls up its sleeves and says, yeah, now it's time.

Brain Is The Suck. I hate my brain.

In tomato news, many blossoms. Some are browning and shriveling. No signs of tomatoes yet. Given that the days are getting shorter and the nights cooler, this year's tomato experiment may prove a wash.

kristine_smith @ 2008-08-29T08:05:00

2008-08-29T13:08:05Z

They won last night. They were down 4-1, and they won.

I turned them off at 4-1 to watch Obama's acceptance speech, which I am very glad I watched, but yet...they won.

Even more pictures

2008-08-28T00:51:57Z

Puppy pics, in lieu of text.

Gaby looks heavier in photos than in real life. Guess the camera really does add 10 pounds.

Dinner!

The buddies.

More buddies.

Wednesday

2008-08-27T18:03:52Z

I took Gaby to the groomers' today--she was scratching and licking herself quite a bit, and I was concerned about fleas as well as overall skin condition.

Well, the groomer found flea dirt, but no fleas. She also figures that Gaby is still intact--is that the right word for females--and that she is in fact gearing up to go into heat.

Is this where I add that I have never had a girl dog before?

I will be getting hold of girly dog diapers pretty darn quick. I ordered her a new Lupine collar and leash in a very girly color combo of bright pink and other colors that go well with her coat. Said coat has been trimmed, and I will be the first to admit that I asked for too short a trim. Gaby looks better with some fringies, and the shorter coat highlights just how skinny she is. Think whippet or greyhound skinny. Too skinny.

However, we seem to be over the fussy food thing. Over the weekend, I was happy if she ate half a cup of dry food at a time. Today for lunch, she ate a full cup of dry food, with a heaping tablespoon of wet food and a few bits of chicken liver. She licked her bowl clean, looked into King's bowl to see if he had left anything behind--no luck there--then sniffed around and picked crumbs off the floor. I will be feeding her about the same tonight, maybe a little less. I don't want her to get sick from overeating, but she does need to gain weight and I don't want her to feel famished. Need to ask vet how much she needs to gain, but I am guessing 3-4 pounds wouldn't hurt her at all.

kristine_smith @ 2008-08-25T23:13:00

2008-08-26T04:14:54Z

Most of the open floor space in my bedroom is now taken up by two dog beds.

I'm turning into a little old dog lady...

Baked Apple

2008-08-26T01:05:38Z

The iMac crashed in the middle of an attempt to run the hardware test. I'm afraid the next step is the Genius Bar, but it will be a few weeks before I can get down there.

shoutout to rarelylynne

2008-08-26T00:46:20Z

Email me, please--your addy is on my desktop, which is currently non compos mentis.

iMac question

2008-08-24T22:07:39Z

My G5 iMac has been crashing over the last few weeks--according to the error report, it's a kernel panic issue. I called Apple Tech Support, and the tech suggested I run the hardware test.

I planned to do that today, but--where is the thing located? According to the manual, the test program is located on Install DVD #1. I inserted that DVD, followed the instructions, invoked the Start-Up Manager, and waited for the thing to search for and find the Hardware Test. The only volumes that appear are the HD and the installation DVD. No hardware test. Am I looking on the right disc? Am I doing something wrong?

yea

2008-08-24T21:19:30Z

Getcher Fahmah's Ahlmahnak winters predictions:
The almanac predicts above-normal snowfall for the Great Lakes and Midwest, especially during January and February,

Another winter like the last one, which claimed my garage roof, major tree limbs, and helped widen the cracks in my basement just that much more? Oh, yeah.

Gaby discovers the bolster bed

2008-08-24T13:35:39Z

Change of position. You also get to see that I live in a dusting-optional environment.

Not to be outdone...

More puppy news--gee, what a surprise

2008-08-23T21:06:01Z

Went to the vet's office to fill out the adoption contract for Gaby. While I was there, an older couple came in--the office has a sign advertising adoptions, and the couple wanted to find out what was available. What were they looking for? A female dog, preferably a couple of years old.

They would've snapped Gaby up like *that*. The tech pretty much said what others have said, that Gaby has that Benji/Disney Dog look. She knew they'd have no trouble finding a home for her.

In other news, still working out how to spell Gaby's name. I prefer one 'b', but her official hospital record shows it with 'bb'. So officially, she'll be Gabby, but as far as I'm concerned, she's Gaby. Short for Gabrielle, Xena's sidekick.

kristine_smith @ 2008-08-23T10:25:00

2008-08-23T15:26:32Z

In my office. Gaby is currently napping on Mickey's old bed. King is flat out in his corner--he's waaay past his morning nap. Gaby is, I hope, running some excitement out of her system, and will slow down a little when that's spent. They've been going on and off, mostly on, since about 6am. I don't think King has had this much activity in a year.

Gaby does not appear to be a climber or a jumper. Time will tell if she has the digging gene--I really, really hope not. No signs so far, But it's only been 18 hours.

She has already learned that if you go to the baker's rack and sit after you come inside, you get a cookie.

Oops--King moved. He had a scratch to itch. That noise woke up Gaby, who went out to the kitchen to check whatever, then came back and lay down. So I have two watchers now.

I need a Gaby icon.

Pictures

2008-08-23T03:16:43Z

Hope to get some better shots eventually.

Outside with King. A bit of a long distance shot.

On the rug at my feet. She looks really sleepy.

spla

2008-08-23T00:47:14Z

She's here now. She's very active. King is exhausted, and Gaby shows little sign of slowing down. They already chased one another around the birdbath garden many times, and they're outside now. I understand there's a great deal of excitement on both sides.

One of the first things she did after she came inside was poop on the hallway rug. I understood she was housebroken, but well, excitement.

The folks who adopted her on Wednesday brought her back on Thursday. They said she kept wanting to go outside. They lived in an apartment with a community yard, and I can see how that wouldn't have worked out. Like I said, very active. The fact that she was cooped up in a kennel for most of the week probably didn;t help.

The vet can't tell whether she's been fixed or not, so it could get interesting.

She's very affectionate and playful. A sweet dog. Unless she slows down eventually, she may wear King out. She's already worn me out.

She's eaten about a cup of dry food. At first, I tried giving her dry food with some liver and canned food, and she tried to roll in it instead of eat it. Must have been the smell, because she ate the dry food in the usual way.

I'll post a picture as soon as she sits still enough to let me take one.

UPDATE: She lying at my feet now. King fled to the dining room so he could get some shut-eye. We'll see how long the quiet lasts.

UPDATE #2: She heard a sound in the dining room. Didnt realize it was King. Woofed quietly, then went into the dining room to check things out. Saw it was King. Came back in living room to lie at my feet.