Happy Halloween from HuggaMutt, GrammaDog and Husband RJ!
Monday, October 31, 2005
Thursday, October 27, 2005
The Hardest Thing
We are losing her. She's comfortable and happy, even darting out the door when she can manage. But she's probably one-third the weight she was in the Spring. She's been nearly blind for quite some time now. And she's almost eighteen years old. We want to show her off while she's still pretty and lucid.
The Autumn of My Years
Spooky in her window. She's purring and eating everything I offer. The purring sounds familiar to Husband RJ and I. We've heard it before, with other kitties, now gone.
Sweet Little Face
I can't believe that someone once described her as "that ugly cat." My little Lovey, my Sophia Nocturna, Spooky is declining. We will keep her warm, listen to her wheezing, and remember that we haven't much time left with her. Thank goodness the tide seems to be going out easy. She's happy and comfortable, and not at all worried about the way we are.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Help, anyone?
I took a few photos of GrammaDog and HuggaMutt, in hopes of changing the profile shot to include me. This is becoming a fool's quest. First there were huge problems with Picasa, subsequently solved by Gunner at Picasa itself. Now I am unable to edit my Profile photo. Blogger tells me the link to the new photo is broken, although if you like you can see the photo here, and here. Having tried both URLs (and others) I am more than a little frustrated, and am looking to change hosts, maybe. Suggestions?
Update: No sooner kvetched than cured! Time alone seems to have effected the needed change. What do you think of my new pic?
Other update: I forgot! I wanted to offer the rest of the shoot for your perusal.
pb
Little Pond
Update: No sooner kvetched than cured! Time alone seems to have effected the needed change. What do you think of my new pic?
Other update: I forgot! I wanted to offer the rest of the shoot for your perusal.
pb
Little Pond
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Now She Belongs to the Ages
...to paraphrase what was said of Abraham Lincoln, appropriately enough. Rosa Parks has passed on. This little lady will always be the Great GrandMother of the Civil Rights Movement. Did I say "little lady?" She was a titan, the biggest woman in the world that day, now so long ago, when she felt tired. Her feet hurt and she was sick of the treatment blacks endured at the hands of a racist society.
I am extremely gratified to find and be able to present these eulogies in some of my favorite blogs:
http://vodkapundit.com/archives/008190.php
http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2005/10/25/rosaparks/
http://weblog.burningbird.net/2005/10/25/the-heart-of-the-civil-rights-movement/
To a worshipful America, she became a National Treasure. A touchstone for human rights activists and for anyone who ever had to suffer any indignity, and finally struck back in a small, but decisive way.
Thank you, Rosa. Rest in peace.
This week my BlogFather, James Lileks, is birthing a new book. Gotta have one. I am, after all, a Mommy.
Cats! Cats! Cats! Always at Sisu, who directs us to the 83rd Carnival of the Cats!
And finally, it's time to get in the mood for Halloween. I'm grabbing my long, black Phantom of the Opera cape and heading to the Cotillion. Don't you just adore their way with graphics?
Who says there's nothing to do on a rainy, dark Tuesday in the Northeast? Not I.
pb
Little Pond
I am extremely gratified to find and be able to present these eulogies in some of my favorite blogs:
http://vodkapundit.com/archives/008190.php
http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2005/10/25/rosaparks/
http://weblog.burningbird.net/2005/10/25/the-heart-of-the-civil-rights-movement/
To a worshipful America, she became a National Treasure. A touchstone for human rights activists and for anyone who ever had to suffer any indignity, and finally struck back in a small, but decisive way.
Thank you, Rosa. Rest in peace.
This week my BlogFather, James Lileks, is birthing a new book. Gotta have one. I am, after all, a Mommy.
Cats! Cats! Cats! Always at Sisu, who directs us to the 83rd Carnival of the Cats!
And finally, it's time to get in the mood for Halloween. I'm grabbing my long, black Phantom of the Opera cape and heading to the Cotillion. Don't you just adore their way with graphics?
Who says there's nothing to do on a rainy, dark Tuesday in the Northeast? Not I.
pb
Little Pond
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Go to the MS Companion
to see Pat and Ellie. Well, sort of . Ellie, mostly. I wanted to post more photos, but I am having problems with Picasa. Too bad, because I adore Picasa, the way it displays and allows downloads of higher resolution. CAPTCHA, anyone?
And you can thank Karen at The View From My Chair. Or blame her.
pb
Little Pond
And you can thank Karen at The View From My Chair. Or blame her.
pb
Little Pond
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
SPCA to the Rescue!
A number of our local SPCA heros shuttled down to the Katrina disaster area and back, with rescued pets. The local newspaper carried a full story here. And photos of the damaged darlings are here. Hat tips to both Jeff Richards, our head photographer, and Hency Yuen Eng, nightside editor and slotperson, who posted the photos, as promised.
This entire affair is a heartbreaker. These little fellows look hurt and hopeful. Don't you just adore Crystal, the Pink Pit Bull? And what about Cat2, eh? But I love them all, and send prayers through St. Francis of Assisi that they find their owners, either original, or new and loving.
Related note: I think it was Shelley at BurningBird who cautioned against taking all comers when offering aid to the Katrina refugees. Well, we got the local proof right here. Even the family of the impostor seem astounded.
pb
Little Pond
This entire affair is a heartbreaker. These little fellows look hurt and hopeful. Don't you just adore Crystal, the Pink Pit Bull? And what about Cat2, eh? But I love them all, and send prayers through St. Francis of Assisi that they find their owners, either original, or new and loving.
Related note: I think it was Shelley at BurningBird who cautioned against taking all comers when offering aid to the Katrina refugees. Well, we got the local proof right here. Even the family of the impostor seem astounded.
pb
Little Pond
Monday, October 17, 2005
Moody Monday
Another sunless day here in the Southern Tier of New York. NO COLOR in the trees, either. Quick, cancel your leaf-spotting vacation!! Thank goodness I had Saturday with GrandDog Ellie and Sunday afternoon with MammaDog, before I left her in Da Glow with her step-littermates, Brie and Willy.
But... I spent a significant time on the Net. Even in Da Glow. So here are those that really spoke to me:
Get thee to the Cotillion were all the cutey-pie guy-bloggers are having a beauty contest. Inner beauty, that is. You will be asked to vote. Please do so quickly; results will be posted tomorrow.
My favorite: Citizen Grim of Right Hand of God posts a wet-yourself-laughing translation of the infamous Zarqawi letter of late. Definitely got my vote. Second choice was a touching tribute to a fallen friend by Danjel Bout of Thunder6.
Which got me thinking about old friends, so I wandered over to LaShawn Barber who had gone GodBlogging and came back with a sort of Manifesto. This excellent document fits all Christians, and reminded me of my own lifetime conversion through the Catholic Church. So...
...I popped over to the Happy Catholic, who's counting down to Halloween. The Catholic church prefers to emphasize All Saints and then All Souls, preparing us for our own special Saint's day, when we pass on to the loving arms of our Lord.
The date of our death becomes our own Saints' day when we pass on. But in the here and now, we'd rather celebrate our birthdays. So a very Happy Birthday to our Baby Sister in blogging, Karen of Scottsdale. She's feeling the weight of her years, poor baby. Stop by and log some encouragement in the comment's box.
Finally, Happy Sukot to (and from!) David at Rishon Rishon. Because it's already tomorrow where he lives. And because "Sukkoth," as I knew it, was the first Jewish feast I learned from the Synagogue next to my appartment complex in Annapolis, Maryland. My then-baby MammaDog would watch the children decorating the booth that faced our appartment. Happy Sukkoth to all my Jewish friends and neighbors.
pb
Little Pond
But... I spent a significant time on the Net. Even in Da Glow. So here are those that really spoke to me:
Get thee to the Cotillion were all the cutey-pie guy-bloggers are having a beauty contest. Inner beauty, that is. You will be asked to vote. Please do so quickly; results will be posted tomorrow.
My favorite: Citizen Grim of Right Hand of God posts a wet-yourself-laughing translation of the infamous Zarqawi letter of late. Definitely got my vote. Second choice was a touching tribute to a fallen friend by Danjel Bout of Thunder6.
Which got me thinking about old friends, so I wandered over to LaShawn Barber who had gone GodBlogging and came back with a sort of Manifesto. This excellent document fits all Christians, and reminded me of my own lifetime conversion through the Catholic Church. So...
...I popped over to the Happy Catholic, who's counting down to Halloween. The Catholic church prefers to emphasize All Saints and then All Souls, preparing us for our own special Saint's day, when we pass on to the loving arms of our Lord.
The date of our death becomes our own Saints' day when we pass on. But in the here and now, we'd rather celebrate our birthdays. So a very Happy Birthday to our Baby Sister in blogging, Karen of Scottsdale. She's feeling the weight of her years, poor baby. Stop by and log some encouragement in the comment's box.
Finally, Happy Sukot to (and from!) David at Rishon Rishon. Because it's already tomorrow where he lives. And because "Sukkoth," as I knew it, was the first Jewish feast I learned from the Synagogue next to my appartment complex in Annapolis, Maryland. My then-baby MammaDog would watch the children decorating the booth that faced our appartment. Happy Sukkoth to all my Jewish friends and neighbors.
pb
Little Pond
Saturday, October 15, 2005
The Garage will NEVER get cleaned...
...if we don't get some sunshine. I don't regret my little trip yesterday, downtown with Ellie. After all, I also ran errands. Still, just one entire day without rain would make it possible to clean the garage (Are You listening, Lord?). Too much dirt and trash to clean on a rainy day (and track back into the house).
Yesterday I bought my EQ2 heat booster at Chase-Pitken. I also picked up some of the weather-stripping and other winterizing supplies to start, at least, in the house. So putter, putter, putter it is. Either that or eat, eat, eat. And I already have a good start on that. But yesterday I also visited with Bill at Westside Wine and Liquors. He sold me a six-pack of K Draft Cider. Who knew that cider comes in six-packs? Perfect for sweet desserts or salty snacks. Hope to create a Thanksgiving drink with it. Hmmn...some experimentation, perhaps?
Never mind. Start with a nap, and take it from there. Probably clean out the treasure chests in the North Crater, Final Fantasy 7. Making sure all playables have their limit breaks before returning to the Battle Arena in the Gold Nugget amusement park. Gotta stop that psychotic, nearly-omnipotent Sephiroth!
pb
Little Pond
Yesterday I bought my EQ2 heat booster at Chase-Pitken. I also picked up some of the weather-stripping and other winterizing supplies to start, at least, in the house. So putter, putter, putter it is. Either that or eat, eat, eat. And I already have a good start on that. But yesterday I also visited with Bill at Westside Wine and Liquors. He sold me a six-pack of K Draft Cider. Who knew that cider comes in six-packs? Perfect for sweet desserts or salty snacks. Hope to create a Thanksgiving drink with it. Hmmn...some experimentation, perhaps?
Never mind. Start with a nap, and take it from there. Probably clean out the treasure chests in the North Crater, Final Fantasy 7. Making sure all playables have their limit breaks before returning to the Battle Arena in the Gold Nugget amusement park. Gotta stop that psychotic, nearly-omnipotent Sephiroth!
pb
Little Pond
Ready to Ride! Ready to Run!
Let's go Gramma!! We did a short followup of our RiverFront Park tour. Then the rains returned...
pb
Little Pond
Live links, Saturday reading
Hooray in the short run! You have to go here and here to see another joy-filled milestone of democracy's birth in Iraq. Thanks to Indepundit and Michelle Malkin, respectively.
But freedom is not free. After a joyful birthing come the growing pains. It's important to visit with Afghan Warrior, to get a feel for the tough road ahead for the Iraqis. Still, it's Al Qaeda's worst nightmare: their very own Domino Theory coming true, courtesy of the Alliance!
And finally, because you are an avid reader--we all are!--the bibliophile's bible quotes. Love the Happy Catholic's slant on religion. The gift of tears is a holy and wonderful thing, but, Lord, I'd much rather laugh!
pb
Little Pond
But freedom is not free. After a joyful birthing come the growing pains. It's important to visit with Afghan Warrior, to get a feel for the tough road ahead for the Iraqis. Still, it's Al Qaeda's worst nightmare: their very own Domino Theory coming true, courtesy of the Alliance!
And finally, because you are an avid reader--we all are!--the bibliophile's bible quotes. Love the Happy Catholic's slant on religion. The gift of tears is a holy and wonderful thing, but, Lord, I'd much rather laugh!
pb
Little Pond
Friday, October 14, 2005
Just go here. My everloving Blogmother, Sissy, is indulging in a little soulfilled pets-and-poetry blogging.
pb
Little Pond
pb
Little Pond
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Links for a dreary day
Was supposed to shop Chase-Pitken and Lowes for my EQ2 today. But Consumer Square is the pits in this weather. Think I'll take the GrandDog for a long, rainy-day walk. That includes the ridiculous raincoat (that she hates to wear) and a rainhat for me. Heaven forbid I should head out of the house without headgear!
Expect traffic also around the local Jewish houses of worship today. Foot traffic, that is. Rishon Rishon almost always obliges with a needed explanation of why our neighborhood synagogue is busy. A related story can be found at Winds of Change. The older I get, the more I appreciate stories of conversion. Catholics have always been encouraged to view conversion as a lifetime endeavor. Apparently, some similar thinking circulates through the Talmud, too. The pith of this link is actually here, and is the most beautiful reflection on life and its cycles that I have ever read.
Speaking of conversions, Dr. Adams spells out his own, to Conservatism, that is. In many ways, his gradual conversion mirrors my own. And he is a pleasant and well-groomed young fellow, easy on the eyes, if somewhat prickly to the mind. Wish he'd blog more.
And finally a light note: Perils of the Webcam from Karen of Scottsdale! Why I will never, ever have a webcam or videophone in my home. Our home is too private, and I can get careless, too.
pb
Little Pond
Expect traffic also around the local Jewish houses of worship today. Foot traffic, that is. Rishon Rishon almost always obliges with a needed explanation of why our neighborhood synagogue is busy. A related story can be found at Winds of Change. The older I get, the more I appreciate stories of conversion. Catholics have always been encouraged to view conversion as a lifetime endeavor. Apparently, some similar thinking circulates through the Talmud, too. The pith of this link is actually here, and is the most beautiful reflection on life and its cycles that I have ever read.
Speaking of conversions, Dr. Adams spells out his own, to Conservatism, that is. In many ways, his gradual conversion mirrors my own. And he is a pleasant and well-groomed young fellow, easy on the eyes, if somewhat prickly to the mind. Wish he'd blog more.
And finally a light note: Perils of the Webcam from Karen of Scottsdale! Why I will never, ever have a webcam or videophone in my home. Our home is too private, and I can get careless, too.
pb
Little Pond
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
When You/Do You for Petowners
WHEN YOU vacuum a room, DO YOU feel bad when the cats and dogs scatter in terror, even though you've never chased them with the darned thing?
WHEN YOU vacuum and they scatter, DO YOU try to herd them away from where you're vacumming next, even though that's where they invariably go?
WHEN YOU find a new chewed spot (on furniture, walls, woodwork), DO YOU let them "finish the job" before you repair it, even though you know that encourages them?
I feel like such a sap confessing these, but I expect I'm not alone.
pb
Little Pond
WHEN YOU vacuum and they scatter, DO YOU try to herd them away from where you're vacumming next, even though that's where they invariably go?
WHEN YOU find a new chewed spot (on furniture, walls, woodwork), DO YOU let them "finish the job" before you repair it, even though you know that encourages them?
I feel like such a sap confessing these, but I expect I'm not alone.
pb
Little Pond
Friday, October 07, 2005
Bumper Stickers I Saw This Week
- I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather. Not screaming in terror, like the passengers in his car.
- We child-proofed our house, but they got back in anyway.
pb
Little Pond
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Is anyone winning in Iraq?
Well, yes. The Iraqis are. Slowly, but very surely, they are taking over their own defense. Thanks to Winds of Change for the current status of the Iraqi takeover from the coalition. Scroll down to Rundown Levels to properly orient yourself for the militaryspeak of this item.
If there are sixty to seventy Iraqi battalions capable of fighting alongside coalition forces, and a few others who fight on their own, and even plan forays and strikes, well that sounds like progress to me. And these are people becoming self-sufficient, solid freedom fighters.
Hmmm, maybe WE really are winning.
And just a touch from the homefront: A short item from a new translation of the Bible. Hat tip to the Happy Catholic.
pb
Little Pond
If there are sixty to seventy Iraqi battalions capable of fighting alongside coalition forces, and a few others who fight on their own, and even plan forays and strikes, well that sounds like progress to me. And these are people becoming self-sufficient, solid freedom fighters.
Hmmm, maybe WE really are winning.
And just a touch from the homefront: A short item from a new translation of the Bible. Hat tip to the Happy Catholic.
pb
Little Pond
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Can you stand yet one more KittyWalk picture?
Of course you can. Are you watching, Rachel? See the line coming off the upper left side? That's GrandDog Ellie snuggled under the KittyWalk and visiting with Bubba. I'm not imagining these things, or setting them up, I swear. Can't get a decent shot, because they heard me shoot and came towards me.
Okay, for the rest of us, especially the Medifans, Grand Rounds is up at GruntDoc! No permalink today for that, because I insist you scroll down to his other goodies.
Finally the Cotillion has lots of good partying going on. (And only one link for the new SCOTUS nominee, please.) Me? Off to Save the World from the evil industrial empire Shinra...
pb
Little Pond
Monday, October 03, 2005
At sundown today...
I extend my wishes for a Happy Rosh Hashana to all my Jewish friends and readers.
Go here for something more authentic, and be sure to follow David's link to a previous post.
Peace and love. It's been quite a year, hasn't it?
pb
Little Pond
Go here for something more authentic, and be sure to follow David's link to a previous post.
Peace and love. It's been quite a year, hasn't it?
pb
Little Pond
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Watching the oncoming trainwreck.
Was it Fr. Andrew Greeley who was first publicly terrified of the possibility of Cardinal Ratzinger's elevation to the papacy? Any of his faithful readers would have the same horrible feeling as I did, hearing of the election. And yet I figured "Ratzinger the hatchetman could surely be softened and enlighted as Benedict the pope." How wrong I was!
But saints are not elected to the papacy, even though the papacy may occasionally carve out a saint. Can time ease this situation? Is there time enough?
When I was a young woman I considered leaving the Church, but it was just too painful to give up that part of me. There are lots of things I don't like about my country, and I will not leave. But the Church?
This post is full of question marks, but one thing is certain: This situation could ruin the Roman Catholic Church. At least for me.
pb
Little Pond
But saints are not elected to the papacy, even though the papacy may occasionally carve out a saint. Can time ease this situation? Is there time enough?
When I was a young woman I considered leaving the Church, but it was just too painful to give up that part of me. There are lots of things I don't like about my country, and I will not leave. But the Church?
This post is full of question marks, but one thing is certain: This situation could ruin the Roman Catholic Church. At least for me.
pb
Little Pond
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Gay Ban Update
Headline from an Elmira Star-Gazette item on 7A today:
"Jesuit Official Protesting Vatican Ban on Gay Priests." Tells of "...the great harm this will cause many good priests and the Catholic faithful."
The New York Times has a link with a lot more information about Fr. Gerald Chojnacki's response to the proposed ban. Some very brave, morally strong protesters are going over to talk to the Vatican about its folly.
Listening, Rome? Hope so.
pb
Little Pond
"Jesuit Official Protesting Vatican Ban on Gay Priests." Tells of "...the great harm this will cause many good priests and the Catholic faithful."
The New York Times has a link with a lot more information about Fr. Gerald Chojnacki's response to the proposed ban. Some very brave, morally strong protesters are going over to talk to the Vatican about its folly.
Listening, Rome? Hope so.
pb
Little Pond
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