wednesday wobble

I've been meaning to do a thorough cleaning in my bathroom. You know, the mirror that extends the full length of the vanity, the countertop, sink, the tub and shower walls, floor, toilet, cobwebs, heck, maybe even clean the windows! I've already bleached the shower curtain and tub mat. But now I have no choice because The Skunk Strikes Again!

This time Rigel took the hit. This happened after I went to bed last night, and since Rigel went to bed without a bath, let's just say the house does not offer a welcoming fragrance this morning. At least it's better than Ken's office, which took the brunt of the effects of Rigel's overnight confinement. As I write we're preparing to load the dog into the tub and do our best to de-skunify him. Then it's cleanup time! I think it's time to call animal control and see if they can't root out the skunk den and improve our odds at domestic bliss.

Other activity this week includes preparing for a big church yard sale this weekend. We're having families take care of their own tables and sales, with either proceeds or portions of proceeds going to the church. We're also including a bake sale, and Gail, I'm making your biscotti! Note to self: beware when Ken volunteers for something, because much of what is involved in whatever he takes on translates as delegating a whole lot of tasks to me, especially if they involve the computer. So much for the ministry of the laity! Often I don't mind, but it is starting to feel as though this yard sale is the work of a few when we tried, diligently, to set it up to share the load. Ah well. Que sera, sera. But get this! The forecast for Saturday, here in middle Tennessee in the middle of July is a high of 78! I'm still pinching myself. No precipitation in sight, and with any luck, we'll have a breeze. There ARE days when I can say unequivocally that life is good. And I do believe that the day will come when I can echo Junior's phrase that I'm "livin' the dream!"

This morning I had intended to go over to the church early to weed the garden. It's visibility is somewhat front and center in terms of the yard sale set up. Alas, de-skunking has derailed that plan, so I will postpone the weed effort until tomorrow. No biggie.

Juliet got her walk this morning and she was a very good girl. Before long I'll head to church for bible study, then lunch, then a doctor appointment this afternoon (just maintenance). And now, breakfast and a shower. Hope your day is off to a stellar start.

let your voice be heard!

Meet Rigel (pronounced like Nigel), our German short-haired pointer . He's really Ken's dog, but since I'm his Mama I get to claim him, too. And I really do love him. I do! Approaching two years of age he is still a big puppy, and I suspect he will be until the end of his days. He likes to nibble on your ears, is that not cute? And he loves to put anything in his mouth that will flop around, like underwear, or make noise, like an empty water bottle. These examples come from real life. Snap, crackle, pop, that's Rigel. Isn't he a handsome guy?

He's named for the brightest star in the constellation of Orion, and the sixth brightest star in the sky, in case you wondered. Orion is the hunter. See the solid white blotch on his forehead in the midst of the ticking? It looks starish, and since he's a hunting dog, well, it sort of worked. It took three days for that name to emerge, but once it did, it was golden, like the star God planted on his forehead. Rigel is also arabic for "left foot," its location in the constellation.

Anyway, I have a plan up my sleeve to do something for Ken's birthday and I can't decide which of these photos to use to execute my plan. They are really two photos, but cropped differently. He's a hard dog to photograph since he detests the camera and is probably ADD. The guy can't stay still for a moment unless he's sleeping or phasing into slumber. These two are the best of a bunch I shot the other day. I'd prefer that the shock collar not be so dominant, but what can I say. An expert (or even novice) in photoshop I am not!

I'd love your input on which view to use for my little project. You can "vote" in the comment section, or when I am able to place the "poll" on the sidebar you can make your opinion count there. The poll will stay open for another week or so, and then I will need to act on my plan. If you really feel strongly you can vote more than once!

One of these days I'll also post some pictures of Juliet, who never seems to get equal blog time. She is such a good girl that there are rarely antics to report. I'd like to have a portrait done of her (of all the dogs, eventually) now that I have found a wonderful painter who does dog portraits (thanks, Diane!!). Dooley (I miss you BooBoo!) will get first honors.

So what'll it be? Choice A, B, C or D? Vote early and often--it's allowed here!

PS. Does anyone know how to teach a dog to wipe his paws? I just cleaned the carpets and now there are lovely pawprints from where "a certain dog," as he has come to be known when the wind isn't blowing in his favor, has played in the dirt. Anyone?

puppy love

Rigel is camera-shy. I think he has begun to channel Brenna, my beloved Border Collie who died four years ago (has it been that long?) and had a strong aversion to the camera. The sound of the camera focusing or the popping open of the flash apperatus sends Rigel running.

When McKinlee began to cuddle with Rigel after their play episodes I wanted desperately to capture the coziness. Not so! Rigel would hear the camera and beat a retreat, spoiling not only the pose but my intentions as well. When they fell into this pose the other night I took the camera into the other room, forced the flash open and moved the lens setting to manual focus. I returned to the living room and got in position. Low light. Not good. Poor eyesight. Another check in the debit column. I tried as best I could and snapped. I hear the delay of the shutter and knew I was in trouble with a longer than desired exposure.

This is the result. I'll take it. It captured the moment and makes me smile, and however imperfect the image I now have it.

Now to devise a way to help Rigel overcome his camera phobia.