Category Archives: dogs

Doggie Palace 3 (Hereafter to be known as Doggie Domain!)

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Well, the walls are 1/2 up and it is laughable how tiny this room is for all the hoopla that has gone on.  I’m showing pictures of the week’s work below. I must say, they do things right in Mexico.  These men have been working so hard with only one break a day and are so professional and precise.  Here is their work in pictures so far:
IMG_6531I was surprised when they started chipping away at my stone patio.  Little did I know!

IMG_6571A day later, they were waist deep.  This little room will probably be standing when the rest of the house is rubble.  Long after I’m rubble, hopefully.

IMG_6589I heard a truck drive up and went out to see what new was happening in my neighborhood.  Oh!

IMG_6597Soon, men were walking by with those big stones on their shoulders. They weren’t interested in using my wheelbarrow.
IMG_6681And in the street, they were mixing up concrete. IMG_6690Which this poor guy carried back two buckets at a time!!!

IMG_6694To fill in the spaces they’d just chipped out with a pick axes and mortar and chisel!  IMG_6700Father and son decided to look busy when I asked if I could take a picture.  This doesn’t look too staged, does it? Note those nice new foundations which we all know go down at least a meter deep into the earth! Chino tells me that they construct their own castillos because the welded ones don’t flex in case of earthquake.  These are wired together so they can move a bit and the structure doesn’t crumble during tremors.IMG_6701We have walls!!  Well, the beginning of walls.IMG_6705The only injury so far was my toe–cut on a shard of rebar. Some alcohol, Neosporin and a bandaid corrected most of the damage. A pedicure will take care of the rest.

IMG_6710Morrie inspecting his new domain.  The minute the men left for their lunch break, he must have gone in to stake his claim.  You’ll see his addition in the dirt in front of him. I removed it! Trust Morrie to wreak a little mayhem even before the walls are fully up.

IMG_6716All in all, now that I see the size of this new room, Doggie Palace seems a bit excessive, so I have altered its name to Doggie Domain.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/faq/

Pounding Headache (Doggie Palace, Day 2)

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Pounding Headache

Two men with sledgehammers pound concrete
I wish that they could find a beat.

One taps and taps with peckish meter
while the other is a beater!

Tap tap tap in jerky hops
While bam bam bam just never stops.

I know I am unreasonable,
My complaints are treasonable.

Construction can’t be done in mime,
I only wish they’d pound in time!

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/saved-by-the-bell/

Doggie Palace, Day 1–Share Your World, 2015, Week # 41

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Doggie Palace, Day 1–Share Your World, 2015, Week # 41

Okay, for those (like me) new to Cee’s “Share Your World” Challenge, I first have to answer four questions and then tell you what I’m grateful for this week.

First, my answers: 1) I like rhythm and blues. 2)The worst thing I ate this week was an appetizer that ended up having tuna in it. Yech. Hate fish!!! 3) I would like to be famous for writing or art or both—simply because it means I did a good job. They are both nice ways to be famous because no one really knows what you look like so you can be anonymous and noted at the same time. 4) What this sandwich could really use?  Some barbecue sauce!!! (I’d eat the stuff on ice cream if no one were looking.) And 5) the thing I am grateful for this week is all the fault of this little dog:

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If you’ve been following my blog for long, you already know Morrie. He is famous and infamous by turns, but his most current claim to fame is that he has expanded my dog family beyond the limits of my house.  Since his proclivity for chewing–shoes, cords, toilet paper, furniture, crayons and books as well as anything vaguely edible, means one more large sleeping cage, and since all three dogs now have to sleep inside, thanks to the nightly barking chorus Morrie has augmented tenfold, it has become necessary to add a room to my house.  There simply isn’t room to pass two large cages in the hall. (Diego was crate trained and must be in a cage with door locked to sleep, by his own preference, and Morrie can’t be trusted out and about.  Frida is the only one who sleeps unconfined, except by her large cushy bed which is presently in the guest bathroom.)
IMG_6520This is Chino, the builder, showing me where the overhang of the new canine quarters will end.
IMG_6525This is his son, Merced, and Guillermo, the other brawn of this project, and Diego, who will function as ladder quality control.  I see evidence of his inspection on the stones of the patio beneath it!

IMG_6529Here is Merced, using hand tools and plenty of muscle to cut through the stone and concrete of the patio to open up room for the foundation.
IMG_6536And here he is showing the water pipe that was burst within the first hour of labor this morning.  Much activity as we tried to get the water turned off, called Pasiano who came to turn it off, called Chino who called a plumber who came this afternoon.  So now you know the answer to why I brushed my teeth with Coca Cola this morning.

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Merced and Guillermo.  I tried to get them to set up an umbrella, but they insisted laboring in bright sunlight is no problem!

So, I’m about to go celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving with friends. What a perfect ending for Cee’s final question of what I’m grateful for.  I’m grateful for Merced and Guillermo and all these pesky dogs who are soon to be housed in a place I won’t easily trip over them.  And for the pesky dogs and all of you who furnish an audience for my complaints and thanks alike!

http://ceenphotography.com/2015/10/12/share-your-world-2015-week-41/

Sacrificial Offering

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Sacrificial Offering

When the light of morning begins its sweep,
my alarm begins its ceaseless beep
and I leave my bed in a stumbling creep.
With only four scant hours of sleep,
the wall of morning seems rough and steep.

There’s an appointment I must keep.
The dogs who have not made a peep
now howl and bark and moan and weep
as they hear me digging deep
into the harvest they hope to reap.

Their kibble now I scoop and heap
into their bowls. They twist and leap.
As the light of morning ends its creep,
Its rays fall long and harsh and steep,
and they cease to howl and weep.

As they graze their bowls like starving sheep,
it’s now their jaws that twist and leap.
But the price of feeding is not cheap,
as our appointment once more we keep;
for I’ve had merely four hours sleep.

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*

I Heard the Owl Call Your Name: Serendipity Photo Prompt Chai (Life)

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Looking through my photos to try to find something appropriate for the Chai (Life) prompt, and yet also thinking I wanted to find something for Nan, I came upon these pictures of Aztec dancers who were dancing in the Ajiic plaza right outside the cultural center where we had the dance performance for the second Camp Estrella group.  At the end of their performance, I heard the loud drumming and went out to find what I judged to be a thunderbird dance.  Certainly, this dancer looked like a thunderbird.  Growing up in South Dakota, I was very familiar with this Sioux symbol of thunder and lightning and rain, but I was a bit confused about why they would be executing a North American indigenous dance.

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It was only later, while editing, that I realized that it was not in fact a thunderbird, but rather a white owl, which can be seen very clearly from this front view.

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I then remembered how I was kept awake last night by the very loud hooting of an owl, which reminded me of the white owl who had swooped down over my yard on three different occasions the last time my friend Patty visited me.  She had seen it twice at night and was afraid I wouldn’t believe her until finally, one night, he appeared while I was outside as well. Then, the entire theme finally came together for me.  Legend has it that when you hear an owl call, someone near to you will be leaving this plane.

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I also love it that in the above picture, one of our camp participants is standing above the dancers in his own mask, made in the camp.  It is on top of his head.

And so Marilyn and Garry, here for you is the white owl that called Nan’s name. I hope you soon find peace in remembering what a wonderful life you shared with each other and in remembering what the owl teaches us: that death is just a part of life and that without it there could in fact be no life. Somehow the only way we ever seem to be able to try to comfort each other is in stating the obvious.

http://teepee12.com/2015/08/12/serendipity-photo-prompt-2015-18-chai-081215/

And that’s two, Morrie (at least for today.)

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Wish I’d gotten a picture of the cute and durable doggie toy I got you today, Morrie! IMG_2607 (1)

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IMG_2618IMG_2604IMG_2612New house record.  Fifteen minutes from gift presentation to disembowelment.  His job is done.

No Words!!! (The Morrie Saga)

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No Words!!!! (The Morrie Saga)

One episode follows too quickly on the heels of another. I’m going to let the pictures speak for themselves.

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Yes, he opened the drawer.  Yes, he ate the drawer knob, and the TV antenna connection, and the books, and the crayons!!!  No, I didn’t ever think he could get a drawer open.

Yes, I have removed the drawers from the room now.  Yes, I feed this dog.  No, I can’t spend every moment with him.  Yes, at least he didn’t eat the second box of crayons.

Yes, he’s sleeping here beside me as I type this. Yes, his stomach is growling.

Some Scottie parents continue to underestimate their kids, in spite of what Marilyn and Garry tell them.

Too soon old, too late smart!!!

IMG_1850Yes, this is a new picture of Morrie looking guilty!  I should have known when he was in his cage when I entered the room and when he didn’t start clamoring to be let out of his room the minute I got home.  I need a theme song similar to Jaws to start playing when I enter my house!!!

Morrie’s New Adventure–Epilogue, Continued.

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IMG_1689Looks innocent, doesn’t he?

Morrie’s New Adventure–Epilogue, Continued.

(To see earlier episodes of the adventures of Morrie, go HERE and HERE.) When last we saw our furry fiend, uh, friend, there were three mysteries left unresolved:  why were the curtains tied up in a knot, why was the sewing machine now out in the hall, and what was in his mouth?  I just need to add three more elements to the mystery. IMG_1730

Why are the handmade dolls formerly hanging from the curtain rod now lying in a heap on an upper shelf?

IMG_1732Why is the CD player/radio Yolanda listens to while ironing
in the (former) guest bedroom now in the bathroom?

IMG_1725 and just what is this in the waste paper basket?

IMG_1726 My old style phone that I use when the electricity goes out?  What is it doing there? All of these mysteries will be solved as you get a look at the scene that faced me when I opened Morrie’s door last night. (For those of you who haven’t seen earlier episodes, Morrie needed to be put in seclusion following surgery of a delicate nature that we won’t go into here.  Suffice it to say that the doctor suggested I keep him quiet and away from the other dogs, so I cleared out the guest room [more or less] and had an extra gate put up on the side of this room to afford him a small exercise area and  since he easily fits through the security bars, I left the door and screen cracked to let him in and out.)

Okay, back to our story. The time is early yesterday evening and yes, I was  blogging.  I heard a very loud BANG and surprise! It was coming from the direction of Morrie’s room.

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This is the scene that greeted me when I opened the door.

IMG_1708 The curtains were down.

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As was the very heavy copper rod that held them up.

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The dolls formerly hanging from the rod were in a  heap on the floor

IMG_1715 As was the telephone,

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Which, thanks to Morrie, I have now retired.
(You’ve already seen the final resting place for the phone.)

Eyeing the cord to the sewing machine and Yolanda’s radio/CD player, I knew they could only be next, so the boom box was relegated to the bathroom and as you know, the sewing machine was relegated to the hall.  And this is how the room’s contents shrunk by yet another third. IMG_1605

Are you sorry for this, Morrie?  Morrie?

Morrie seems to be heading for something, but I’m not sure what. Okay, Morrie, time out.  Want to come to bed with your mom for awhile and KEEP OUT OF TROUBLE?

IMG_1628 Okay, I know you didn’t mean to do it, so let’s have a little loving and then Mom needs to get back to work on her blog, okay? IMG_1619 You just stay down there and no more licking, okay?  You already licked all the lotion off my face and neck and hands..but I’m kind of squeamish, so no more licking?  okay?  We’ll play again after I get the blog posted! IMG_1627Uh, Morrie? I can’t see the computer with your head there, okay? Can you watch me from just a little further away?  Okay, just one more rub and then . . . IMG_1688Go lie a little further away, okay?  And stay there okay?  Are you okay with that, Morrie?  Feeling happy to be in bed with Mom?  Isn’t that enough, Morrie? IMG_1626Okay, boy, you’re getting a little too close for comfort again, and ooops!  There goes my computer, let me just grab it here, and. . .

IMG_1616Okay, fine.  Lick my feet for awhile. Just don’t come up here
and drool on my computer again, okay?

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And–here he is again!  Do you have any hint about why it is taking me two days to post this post?

Okay, Morrie, let’s go find you a toy! How about my rubber duck with a cowboy hat, Morrie?  What do you think about him?  Your toys all seem to be gone!

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Ah, you like him, huh, Morrie? That’s right.  Lick the duck!!!!

IMG_1690But, don’t eat him, okay, Morrie?

IMG_1685Did you hear what I said, Morrie? Do what my mother used to tell us to do with gum, and just hold him in your mouth!!

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Morrie!  Look what you’ve done!

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You’ve not only bitten off cowboy duck’s cowboy hat, you’ve chewed off his whole head! Where is it, Morrie? Oh my God!  Did you eat it?

IMG_1692Okay, Morrie, you’re looking kind of crazy, now. Calm down and give it here! Morrie! IMG_1693Morrie!  Don’t snap at your mother!!!  Give it here!!!

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Oh, poor rubber duckie.  Nothing left but his kerchief and vest!

IMG_1689So you feed bad about what, Morrie?  Because you killed the rubber duck
or because you didn’t get to finish him off?

Definitely, not innocent!!!

THE END????

I’m hoping these pictures are odd enough to qualify for Cee’s oddball challenge this week.  See her own and other oddballs HERE.

Epilogue: What Did You Do, Morrie???

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IMG_1542 Needed:  Innovative recycling ideas for 30 rolls of chewed up TP.  Extra points for artistic uses. (If you are new to this story, better have a look HERE first.)

IMG_1631 (1)Morrie, want to tell the folks what you did tonight?  Morrie?  Do you? IMG_1700Want to tell them why the sewing machine is out in the hall? IMG_1603Want to tell them why the drapes are tied up in a ball? IMG_1672Want to tell them what that is in your mouth,Morrie??? IMG_1696(Morrie looks a bit stunned at the prospect, or perhaps this is a look of uncomprehending innocence?  Tune in later for the rest of the story.)

Twins: DailyPost Half and Half Challenge

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Twins

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https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/half-and-half/ This week, share an image that has two clear halves, literally or figuratively. You could focus on composition, like me, and take a photo with an explicit dividing line (either vertical, horizontal, or diagonal). Or take the theme in other directions: zoom in on a pair of objects that together form a whole. Show two people whose demeanor or personality complement each other. Or bring into balance two opposing visual elements — light and dark, color and its absence, sharp focus juxtaposed with blurriness.