You'll Be a Song I'll Sing

The first obedience class went well.  Sammy didn't get to attend, and his owners were well behaved, though snickers were heard from their direction.

During yesterday's morning walk I got to see two birds chase a squirrel out of a tree.  There wasn't much noise beyond the fluttering wings in leaves and the thrashing around of the squirrel.

I have my annual appointment with my allergist on Monday.  Last year was the first time I'd seen him in a while.  It's been a great mostly-allergy free year thanks to him.

I've seen a few (older) movies and read some books.  Hubby has spent some time this week exploring Liberty City.  And the zipped file for EverQuest (free play until the end of July) sites in My Documents folder untouched.  

Last night I got some super editing done on a fiction piece, though.  :)

Friday evening while I'm reading emails, posting, running to the bathroom, and so on... Sammy is nowhere to be seen. Upon my husband's return from work the styrofoam container that contained the ribs and was on the dining room table was found on the floor.  It was licked clean.  Sammy ate six ribs.  I was furious.  

To add insult to injury, anytime Sammy breathes on me I smell barbecue sauce.

He's been given lots of white bread and we're hoping all the bones disintegrate into nothing.  My husband jokes that each time Sammy jumps onto the bed it sounds like he's rolling dice.

I should have known better than to leave the ribs on the dining room table.  I know Sammy jumps and grabs things from it.  When I noticed he wasn't with me I should have investigated; I know the only thing that keeps my shadow away from me is food.

So this year I waffled back and forth about attending the Corgi picnic.  But I'm really excited for several of them to meet Sammy, for him to see agility equipment, for him to participate in the hot dog eating contest (he loves food and water) and for professional quality photos of our dogs and we go.

It started at 11am and we got there at noon.  The turnout is smaller than I think I've ever seen.  22 families signed up and there wasn't that amount there when we arrived.  It seems this year we only had people from Ohio.  We usually have some from Kentucky, New York or Canada but I suspect the high gas prices were partially to blame.  I get us situated, walk him around the area, and we go outside to have his photo taken.  ~D~ takes wonderful pictures of her dogs, her granddaughter, and everything else of hers I've seen.  It's a hobby that she enjoys and I'm confident she'll get a good one of Sammy, even if he did keep showing her his behind.

After the pictures, we go inside for announcements and it's time to eat the food.  While everyone was eating I was so proud of Sammy.  Sammy did not do any counter surfing.  He did not beg although he did go underneath the table closest to me looking for food droppings at one point.  I kept him on his leash, attached to my chair, after that.  Twice he tried to get the food from my plate but both times were half-hearted attempts where I think he just wanted to see what I had.  He did not whine and he did not bark at anyone in an attempt to get food.

We're all relaxing and I've got him on my lap.  He is being so good and really doesn't want to leave me but I make him get up.  We've missed most of the trick contest so I can't tell you what all the dogs did.  One did "bang" then rolled over one way and rolled over the other way.  Another one crouched and snuck forward like a cat.  Three prizes were given out.

Sammy growls at poor little Hope when she tried to drink water from his water dish.  And that's just the beginning.  Another time he was off his leash and underneath a table.  Someone's granddaughter said he was snarling when the woman's oldest dog walked up behind her.  Twice he growled at dogs during the costume contest.

Costumes included a Corgi Fairy, two clowns, a ladybug, an old lady with a red hat and purple dress, a devil, and a part angel/part devil which is the true nature of most Corgis.  Three prizes were given out.

Looking back I can't say that every dog he snarled at was female but it's possible he doesn't like girl dogs.  *shrugs*  I have no idea.

We stayed for the agility demonstration but then he really wanted to play and was barking trying to get someone to play with him.  At that point, I didn't want to go (the hot dog eating contest was soon) but knew it would be best.  

Twice other doggy moms kept their dogs away from Sammy or said "I don't want him near my dog".  Hope lives in our neighborhood and Sammy had been invited over for a play date when he first came to live with us.  Without saying anything I know he's been uninvited.

And I can't lay blame except for with Sammy and me.  This weekend he was playing with my husband and he got so excited he bit my husband on the calf.  I don't want to take any chances and can't wait for obedience class to start in July.

We've had storms off and on the last week. Friday was the last storm but it seems there is one moving in our direction.

Tuesday night we went to the local movie theater. We can walk there but it's not as close as the theater was to our last place. Because of the unpredictable weather we drove. It's a one-screen theater where they serve the usual stuff plus beer. Food is available from the pizza place down the street. We splurged and got everything - beer, pizza, and popcorn! They showed part 10 or 11 of a 14 part Batman serial before showing Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull. Harrison Ford was the best part and there were two highlights for me. The first was a line from Star Wars. The second was the goofy look on his face when Jones sees the love of his life.

Last night we saw Woman On The Beach which was pretty good. There is one scene with a diagram that many people seem to think makes no sense at all. But I told my husband it made perfect sense to me. I know this is really cryptic but I can't write about it without giving away key information so I'll just give my explanation of the diagram. I'm habitually late and it drives my husband crazy. If this were all he focused on it would make our marriage miserable. Instead, when I'm making us late he chooses to focus on other things that are positive about me which replaces those frustrated crazy feelings with loving ones. If more people were able to do that then the world would be happier place, I think.

Saturday we went to Cuco's with my in-laws, Grandma and aunt to celebrate Father's Day. Today we went to my parents for a cookout. My brother was working so it was just my parents, me and my husband. Sammy got left behind in his crate.

Friday I found a Call for Submissions for a 1500 word article on blogging due by the 16th. I became obsessed with writing one on how to do a blog tour and have been working on it non-stop until this morning. I got to 714 words and realized I had nothing more to add that wasn't fluff. So I filed it away for future use. Heck, I may submit it to ezine articles or just post it to my writing web site.

 I've entered the strange world of weekend time once more.  Twitchy, dreaming dog on one side and heavy breathing husband on the other, I wake up for no apparent reason other than my mind is racing with all kinds of creative thoughts.  My eyes are still sleepy.  As much as I try to go back to sleep it is no use.  So now I'm downstairs while my four-legged shadow is upstairs, awake, and wondering when I'll return.  Amazingly, I only hear his nails clicking on the hardwood floor as he paces.  I hope he doesn't wake my husband.  On a weekday this would piss me off because I know it would make me exhausted for the remainder of the day.  But it's weekend time now and I know I'll have time for a nap later.

And now the whining and boofs have begun.  He woke the husband.  Argh!

It's been nearly a week since my last update but I have not fallen off the face of the earth.

Last Saturday I did this. Sunday we celebrated Mother's Day by going to church and having lunch with my in-laws. Later that night my parents came over since my dad was to have surgery at a nearby hospital on Monday morning. My in-laws came over to see my parents and all six of us had dinner at Northstar.

On Monday morning Sammy went berserk when my mom woke up early. Unbeknownst to us, she'd fallen out of the guest bed, scraped her hand, banged up her knee and nearly broke her nose. She said it was the most comfortable bed she'd slept in for years. I was so exhausted from so little sleep I called in to work and slept most of the morning. In the afternoon I did go to the hospital to see my Dad. Monday night my brother and his wife came over to have Chinese food with us and Mom. It was their first visit to our house. Monday night Mom slept on the couch. Dad's surgery went well and he was released on Tuesday. My brother and his wife took my parents home that afternoon.

Wednesday night I was planning on seeing Amy Bloom speak but I was just so tired from having company, I took my laptop to the Grandview library and wrote. Spent the rest of the evening at home.

Last night was busy and a late evening. I don't remember if I mentioned it or not, but someone backed up into my husband's car in the parking garage and tore up part of the grill and headlight. We picked up the car in the morning. The body shop did the repairs, fixed a sideview mirror (we said we'd pay separate for it) and cleaned up some paint scrapes on the side and on the bumper. It looked better than before the accident and it cost less than the estimate. After work I went to the Terry Moore talk at the Wexner Center. About 100 people attended. I had him sign the first issue of Echo. One of the girls/women gave him her Katchoo license plate which had expired two years ago. He was so excited! He's one of the most gracious signers I've ever met. Terry spoke to everyone and signed whatever they wanted. Strangers in Paradise was a comic I connected with because the women were drawn realistically. Francine would go up and down in weight and Terry showed it with some extra fat around the face which is more subtle and realistic than showing her as a size 2 (which Francine could never be) in one issue and then a size 22 in another.

Afterwards we had dinner at one of the best restaurants in town. By best I mean where the chef cares about the food and uses fresh ingredients. I was worried about being in jeans but Jeff was in jeans and so was Terry. There were eight of us total and Vijaya joined us later. It was the last night of the Columbus Symphony (supposedly forever though they're advertising two more shows this month) and Yo-Yo Ma was the guest performer. The restaurant closes at 10pm but we were there until nearly midnight. I ate too much and dessert sent me over the edge into colon spasms which ended up okay but really had me worried there in the restaurant. (I don't think it was the sweetness of the maple syrup creme brulee - I think it was from eating very little during the day and then a lot in three hours.)

Two of the guys at work today were talking about marriage (one is in a wedding this weekend and attending a wedding next weekend). And the one who was saying negative looks over at me and said, "Not you, Amber. Nothing like that applies to you." He went on to say, "You and your husband are really happy together and it shows." We have misunderstandings and miscommunications just like other couples but we know we're in it for the long haul and it's too much of a fun ride to try and get off early.

Due to all this family time I've gotten behind in my goal of writing a short story a day during the month of May. I'm at 6 completed stories, 1 is 3/4s completed and another barely started. Wish me luck! We have company coming from out of town tomorrow. :)

I asked hubby yesterday if Sammy should go in his crate while we put out the patio and porch furniture and he thought Sammy would be fine outside his crate.  We got the table on the patio and were moving the couch/sofa to the front porch when we're next to the front door and I hear something.

"Is he howling?"

Um yeah.  A low plaintive howl that said he was lonely.  With the french doors open it wasn't very audible outside the house.  I wonder if he was howling from under the couch.  

I almost feel sorry for him and then I remember how he tried to take my bahama mama from my plate at yesterday's dinner and how this morning he tried to eat my cereal from my bowl...

 In the wee hours of the morn Friday Sammy was whining from the thunder.  I told him he had the choice of going under the bed or getting on the bed.  He got on the bed and watched one of the windows for about an hour before he fell asleep.  It rained a little on my way to work and that was it.

Early this morning I heard the rain and when we took our walk at 10:30am I could see evidence of it.  In the early afternoon rain drops were still on the ground cover on the side of the house.  

Worked on a book review, took a two hour nap and watched some tv.  The patio and porch furniture is out.  So far the bird on our porch hasn't tried chasing us off.  Sammy liked sitting on the porch with us.

The weekend consisted of several movies and lots of sunshine.

It would have been Zilla's 12th birthday and it was the 1st anniversary of his passing. I thought it would be difficult but it wasn't as hard as I expected. In fact, all it did was highlight the differences between Sammy and Zilla.

• Zilla liked to sleep in during the mornings and especially liked to sleep in with us during the weekend. One of us would get up, put him on the bed, and go about our business. Unless he had to go to the bathroom he was good for a few more hours.


• Sammy was up early and jumping around the bedroom until he was taken out.


• Zilla understood the phrase "mine" and knew he was supposed to leave the food alone.


• Sammy snagged half of a Potbelly roast beef sandwich from the middle of the dining room table then used the Lowe's ad it was sitting on as a napkin when we were out of sight.

This week at work I was given two similar projects which are going to cut into my time to do my regular work. The best I can think of to accomplish them in a timely fashion is to block time out of my calendar to doing nothing but working on the projects. Timing isn't the best though, since I'm supposed to begin training on the monitoring room this week during the afternoon - afternoon is the best time to work on projects, of course.

Wednesday evening I did get some writing done on two short stories I've been working on the last few weeks. I tried revising a short story that I've been working on for... forever, it seems. I may just send it off this week to one of the markets I chose as a target. During the week I had a revelation on how to finish one of the new short stories.

Friday evening I saw Snow Angels which I highly recommend. I recommend David Gordon Green's movie, Úndertow, as an example of a literary movie. Snow Angels is based on the novel by Stewart O'Nan. David came on board to write a screenplay adapted from the novel for another director and eventually he wound up as the director.

I've enjoyed the cheese factor of the Underworld movies and this really shows a different side of Kate Beckinsale than usual. Sam Rockwell is, as always, the bomb.

David Gordon Green introduced the movie and took questions afterwards. Some of his upcoming projects include a demolition derby comedy, an adaptation of The Dwarf and a remake of Dario Argento's Suspiria. That's some crazy all over the place kind of stuff right there. I can't blame him though - you have to keep your work interesting. I did get to meet him and shake his hand but didn't go out for drinks/dinner as Sammy needed tending. I think Sammy was at the tenth or eleventh hour from his morning walk.

I went to a birthday party today for a one-year-old relative. It was fun and casual. Strangely enough, all of the kids were well behaved and I thought, "I want one of those." Of course, I wasn't paying too much attention to the kids so my point of view is likely skewed.

Happy Easter! We celebrated the holiday the way we celebrate most holidays - by not celebrating. Sammy let us sleep in late (after 10am). After breakfast we saw Vantage Point then traveled to two Skylines hoping they'd be open for lunch. Wendy's was so they got our business. A nap was also on the agenda and I spent about an hour working on writing stuff (typing up or editing things I'd written the last two weeks). Then the Easter Miracle happened and fluffy flakes began falling from the sky.

Yesterday we had friends over for dinner. The company was good and the dinner was yummy. We had beef brisket from Weiland's. I had considered making a lamb shoulder roast but could not find one at any market that morning. For dessert I tried to make a terrine but it wasn't as great as it could have been. I bought three kinds of ice cream from Jeni's and the bread pan only fit two pints of ice cream. Honey Vanilla Bean, ground cream sandwich cookies, Salty Carmel and more ground cream sandwich cookies. When it came time to cut it, I think I'd taken it out too early (some of the ice cream was melty soft) or it hadn't been frozen long enough to get solid. It was still tasty. Our friends threatened to sneak Sammy home under their coats. It was the first time I thought, "I think I like having him around." It must be the morning cuddle sessions. One time when we were talking in the living room he plopped down with one leg on the fireplace just like an Olan Mills pose. From the other angle it looked like he'd laid down to chat with our corgi figure.

My husband said his turning point was probably last weekend. I'd attempted to make sugar free jello squares but my recipe was completely off and it was much more like sugar free jello slivers. Hubby let Sammy eat some from his finger. Sammy seemed to like it so hubby set a bigger piece on the kitchen floor. Sammy licked at it and tried to eat it. Then he dive bombed and tried to roll in it. He missed. Sammy did the dive bomb move again and finally got some in his fur. It was one of those funny moments when you have no idea why it is happening and can only stand by and let it play out.

I think dinner is more beef brisket tonight unless hubby wants me to make Skyline. I know he prefers it the way the restaurant makes it to how I make it.

On Thursday my mother's surgery went well. She'd had the same thing done in December but the doctor seemed to make a mess of things. The biopsy so far shows no cancer. Hubby took Friday and tomorrow off work. We're talking about a vacation in April.

This weekend I bought new tennis shoes which feel so comfy. I know my in-laws have booked a vacation beach home for October. The bathing suit hunt began this weekend. (I haven't owned one that fit since college.)

 Last Saturday was one of the best days ever.  Mother Nature had a lot to do with it.  We had our level 2 snow emergency and everyone was pretty much stuck having to change plans they originally had for the weekend.  It was a good day to slow down and enjoy life.

 

I’d shoveled a little on Friday but it had snowed so much there was no evidence I had done anything.  Most mornings my favorite time of day is before it’s time to wake up.  Somehow I sense Sammy wants on the bed, I move over to let him jump up, and he snuggles.  Yes, the squirmy jumping corgi lies there peacefully while I pet his fur.  I just listen to what’s going on outside and don’t really think about anything.  I just am.  So Saturday we snuggled before hubby took Sammy for the morning walk.  All that snow was confusing to Sammy.  He didn’t know where to walk or where to pee.

 

We spent the morning putzing around the house until we decided it was time to shovel snow.  We did the front steps, the slate walk, the driveway, two sidewalks, half of an alleyway and the end of our street (when the plow dumped snow there).  It was the first time I’d seen many of my neighbors at one time.  Shoveling together, pushing cars, etc. – it was a real sense of community.

 

The afternoon walk with Sammy was fun.  We encountered several other people with their cameras.  It was understood that not many cars were out and it was okay to walk in the middle of the road. 

 

When I took my afternoon nap (Saturdays and Sundays usually bring a nap) I was so happy I didn’t think it could get any better.  Because of the snow, the flights to and from Columbus were cancelled and so were the movies at my husband’s work.  We brought three pints of Jeni’s ice cream to his coworker’s house (she lives a block away) where we met up with another co-worker, Bill Jones, Mark Flores, and Tom Kalin.  Tom was supposed to take a flight out that day and Bill was supposed to be at a book signing.

 

Dinner (and dessert) was informal and relaxing.  Conversation was free-flowing about academia gossip, travel horror stories, public transportation, plastic surgery, working process, porn titles, short stories, music, gallery works and so on.  Four hours later we tromped through the snow to get back home. 

 

I love my house and I love my life.

michaeljr915 requested photos of Sammy in the snow. Here is one from today's photo session.

What is it with cats?  I'd returned from my evening out when I opened the screen door and heard a cat meow from behind me.  It walked across the street, through the grass and up the steps at a rapid pace.  Knowing Sammy doesn't seem to appreciate cats and that I'm allergic to them, I closed the screen door, hoping Sammy would not hear anything.  The friendly white cat with the gray spots became "Cow" to me.  Rubbing against my legs in an effort to claim me and find shelter from the rain I was having no part of it.

Sammy heard it all, though, and my husband attempted to let me inside the house.  During our consultation Cow hissed at Sammy while Sammy jumped up against the screen door in an attempt to show how much he missed me.  With a plan of action, I went down the walkway to the back door.  Like a good cat, Cow followed me.  But then again, Cow may have wanted out of the rain.

Husband and I consulted again through a second screen door.  Cow continued to rub against my legs.  Sammy continued to jump.  The plan was executed.

I went down the driveway and the sidewalk.  Cow pranced in front of me with tail held high to lead the way.  At the steps to our front porch I made a split second decision to go back down the sidewalk and up the front steps to the original door.  The screen door was opening when Cow realized a double-back was necessary.  Underneath our crabapple tree Cow meowed in protest.  Hubby was at the front door wondering why he could hear Cow but not see the poor thing.  I told hubby Cow was welcome to take shelter on our front porch but could not come inside.

Maybe Cow just wanted my Taco Bell.

On a lighter note, I thought I'd show everyone what the monster under my bed looks like. :)

Sammy had his first dental appointment today. Like a teenager he waffles between being groggy and letting himself be babied and wanting to be independent and do the things he's not supposed to do like go running up and down the stairs.

On the plus side, I think he growled at the phone when it rang instead of barking at it. :)

The conversation with Spike Lee went well last night. The weather kept quite a few people away. Our seats were good. :) After seeing James McBride I have a few more books to add to my Amazon Wish List. I actually talked to people at the reception that I knew independently of my husband. And I drank a little too much; three champagne glasses and one glass of chardonnay. My next door neighbors were asleep when we got home last night but I thanked them profusely for clearing the sidewalk in front of our houses for it made the evening walk much simpler when I wasn't walking through slush. There is a huge snowman across the street. Sammy was frightened of it last night but after I touched it a few times and put his carrot nose back on, Sammy was okay with it. He even licked the side (which had some egg shells stuck in the snow).

The alarm was set for 8am instead of 6:45am but Sammy woke me at 5:30am. I couldn't sleep comfortably after that. The snow that had turned into rain and is now frozen over was uncomfortable to walk on. As the hours pass I become a little more lucid and wonder if I woke up this morning still a little drunk.

Yesterday was stressful at work so I hope today is much better.

I didn't make it to the movie last night. At home I gorged on 3 episodes of Dead Like Me, a nice juicy steak and fresh hand made baked french fries. It was all good.

Today I was up way too early at 9am. Sammy and I saw a blue jay and a cardinal on our walk. I put food out for Christmas but didn't see evidence of any of it being eaten. This afternoon I made certain the bird feeder was full. I don't think it's been touched but maybe tomorrow the birds will come and eat. It usually takes them a day or two to figure out where food can be found.

For dinner I browned a pound of country-style ribs in the oven then put them in the crockpot for about eight hours. I mixed them with a cup of original Gates Bar B. Q. sauce along with one cup of their extra hot sauce. It had some kick to it! My mouth was all tingly and I couldn't finish my last rib. (At Weiland's a pound came to three ribs so they were split evenly between the two of us.)

On our way to see Do The Right Thing my husband noticed something crossed the street ahead of us but didn't think it was a cat. He was right. While waiting for the light to change we watched a raccoon waddle across the grass and climb a tree. He was very slow and methodical about reaching up into the bark with his paws and pulling the rest of himself up. As my husband noted, the raccoon wasn't very svelte; he had to really work to pull himself up.

Not surprisingly, our weekend plans include movies. Tonight is Colossal Youth introduced by the director, Pedro Costa, and tomorrow night is Do the Right Thing. Right now I just want to have my feet pampered and to go back to bed. Hopefully I'll make it tonight but we'll see. Hubby won't be there to wake me up if I fall asleep.

Usually I notice the winter blues about March when cabin fever kicks in. I'm almost there. It's cold (most of the time) and I want to snuggle in my warm house to hibernate until flowers start poking out of the ground. The recent storms and shootings don't help either though it's always possible a tornado could rip through here while I'm hibernating.

Our run rate for ads has been great. It was 99.2% in December and 99.6% in January. Our division is getting pizza and salad today. I might actually enjoy the salad part if anywhere had spinach salads. So I guess pizza for me. We had a light dusting of snow last night. Combined with the lunch today that means very little walking in the cold for me today. One good thing I can say about Sammy... he's a dog on a mission during his walks. Very little sniffing and poking about with a lot of marking.

I'd been hearing about how great Dead Like Me is and it's at the top of our Greencine queue. I'm nearly all the way through the first disk and for some reason it wasn't until Episode 4 or 5 that I began enjoying the show. I'll probably finish this disc over the weekend. I already have disc 2.

I can't remember if I mentioned it or not, but I submitted two poems to two markets (my first ever similtaneous submissions!) about two weeks ago. I've been obsessively checking my snail mail and email ever since though the earliest I should expect a response is a month. Silly me.

I heard some rustling from downstairs. This could only mean Sammy was up to something. That something was the remnants of my baked potato from Wendy's.

I found no evidence whatsover of the food itself. The bottom container was on the floor while the lid was on my chair at the dining room table. Some items that had been on the table were on the floor. No smeared butter, no skin, no potato bits. No evidence of the actual potato at all. He looked up at me with a big grin and slowly wagged his tail from side to side.

I put the baby gate at the top of the stairs and he's been running up and down the hallway. Now I've got him trapped in the office with me. He keeps looking out of the baby gate like my husband will come and save him. Little does he know hubby won't be home for at least one more hour.

I really have to make a Sammy icon with devil horns.