Stuff

Slushy day. Lea wants to work less, but Emma will pick up her hours. Taking Girl Scout Cookie orders. Etch a Sketch. Chocolate Easter eggs. Can't find a rug I like for the office. Ice cream binge. Saw the nutritionist. Acid vs alkaline ph, the need for balance. Saw a client; he had made incredibly brave strides standing up for himself. Yea! Lebanon bologna? Visit from Tommaso. TL with big news. David finding the Kinsey first editions in the WGSS library that he thinks I should keep in my office. Finally did the 20 page application for the research affiliate I had been putting off for weeks. Talked with Rachel more about the Italy trip; side trip to Granada. T. wants me to bring Bindi, but I think it's too much for her. Marina di Pisa.

A Case of the Mondays

Bought this little guy on sale at S&S for a little friend for Chinese New Year. You push the button and it sings "My Girl," while moving side to side and flapping its mouth up and down. I thought it was hysterical. When I gave it as a gift, the little friend threw it on the floor and jumped back. She hated it. "I don't like the eyes," she said. So I'll take it into the office and entertain my warped adult friends. I felt a bit rejected that my gift was received with such distain, but I got over it. I still think it's a hoot. Or, rather, an oink.

I had a busy weekend and was exhaustede this morning, so did not go into the office. I woke at seven to see a beautiful snowfall, the first really of the season. Got up finally at noon to walk the dog and some of the snow had already melted but it was still lovely. I could tell Bindi wanted off the leash to go scampering thru it, but I could not let her. Watched a couple of movies, slept some more, checked my email, talked on the phone, and that was about it.

Yesterday morning I saw Dana for a massage, and I think that was part of my tiredness today. Sometimes getting massage releases toxins from the body and that can cause some fatigue. I hadn't had a massage in a few months it seems, so made another appt. for this Friday, for an hour and a half this time. Picked up Mihaela and Tommaso in New Haven and after some confusion, we came out to Guilford to celebrate T. passing his oral exams. He had been wanting to see my house, and I always like to share this lovely home with others. Rachel and Frances came out later, and we ate yummy deli food, built a big fire, and played jacks. Rachel and I were pretty good, and M and T and F got better the more they practiced. I remember playing jacks as a kid with a golf ball on the cement sidewalks. I had a hard time finding those old fashioned heavy jacks, but did, online, at the Vermont Country Store, and they are very nice. The little balls kind of suck, but M had given me some for Bindi that will be just perfect. A good time was had by all.

On Saturday, I went to the Stony Creek Library, did some shopping, and came back to the house where I went thru the box of papers mentioned previously. So all weekend I didn't really get the many hours of solitude/alone time that I seem to need. On Wednesday, I went to R.J. Julia and heard Natalie read from her book "Inheritance." It was a small group, but engaged, and it was so fine to see N. and Paolo, and to finally meet Natalie's parents, who will be renting a house in Stony Creek this summer for the month of July.

I have not gotten permission from Paolo and Tommaso, both native Italians, to go to Italy and avoid the big cities. What a relief.

In Memoriam

Went through a large box of old papers today. Put me in a foul mood. Found some old letters from "friends" I no longer speak to. Some old art work of mine. Articles written by others. Poems and cartoons from the New Yorker. Took forever, but I was glad to get it done. Now, only 100 more such boxes to go through, or so it seems. But if I have to move out of here in August or shortly thereafter, I don't want to schlep all the stuff I moved 2 1/2 years ago. It helped to have a fire burning the whole time in the fireplace, and that other people were around. Visited R and R, yesterday. Rob had pulled a muscle in his back and was in great pain; Dillwyn was better, but not completely. Poor girl, she's getting old and frail. Felt so bad for the both of them. Watched "Intolerable Cruelty" on dvd last night. George Clooney was so funny. I think he's becoming the baby boomers' Cary Grant. Billy Bob Thornton was in it, too, in a hysterical part. Had annoying WGSS council meeting yesterday, then had a meltdown after D. came in and told me how he felt about things. Dill's memorial page is up: http://www.guilfordvet.com/Dill.htm

Think I heard this quote yesterday on NPR: Happiness is the anticipation of pleasure. Or something like that.

Year of the Pig, 4704-05

Happy New Year, everyone. Today, Annette and I went to Fired Up!, the paint your own pottery shoppe, and she glazed a small plate, and I a big mug. I was having a bad backache so I was glad A. finished quickly, and so did I. She had never done this activity, and was eager to try it. I wanted to paint a picture frame, but they didn't have any.

Yesterday was Marian's birthday, 17, and we had a nice dinner for her, just the three of us. I stayed up late trying to figure out the iTunes website, and today finally figured out how to download songs. My first download was "Vincent," by Don McLean, and my second was "A Case of You," by Joni Mitchell. Still the undercurrent of meloncholia persists. I went to pick up the WGSS banner that was being made by a graphics/editing shoppe in Guilford, and when I complained to the woman that I had a backache, she told this long story of going to a chiropractor for months for a bad back, with no relief. She finally was diagnosed with high cholesterol and told to lose weight. She cut out starches and desserts, and began some stretching exercises, and lost 36 lbs. Her backache went away. Yet again another reminder that my being out of shape is killing me.

Chocolate Dog

Just as I was beginning to feel unloved cause I didn't get a Valentine from anyone on Wednesday, I came into the office yesterday and found two!! Chocolate truffles in a tiny gold box from M, M, & S, and a sweet card and book from Mihaela of Marjane Satrapi cartoons, called "Embroideries." I said, Mihaela, how did you know I do embroidery? She said, oh, this book isn't about that. She said, it's about Iranian women's sex lives! Oh my! And Carolyn has said she is sending me a BIG Valentine, and to let her know when it arrives. It hasn't yet. What could it be? Then Rob called to say he and Robert had gotten me a card, but due to the ice they didn't go out on Wednesday. So, guess what? I am loved, after all.

I bought a chocolate bar from Pam, who was selling them for her kid's fundraiser. I bought one, put it in my coat pocket, went back to my office. Went out of the office for a few minutes, and when I came back found chocolate bar wrapper on the floor. Apparently, Bindi had gotten the bar out of my pocket and ate the whole thing. Ok, chocolate is bad for dogs, so after a call to the vet who said to look out for vomiting and diarrhea and effects of stimulants and news that it was good she hadn't eaten baker's chocolate, I waited. Nothing. So we went home, and Bindi got off her leash, and despite shivering from the cold and raising her paws alternately off the cold icy snow, she would not come in the house. I finally called my neighbor Annette who came over, and after I came into the house and hid, Bindi came in for Annette. Once again, I have not done enough training to get Bindi to come when I call. My bad. You'd think the dog would have enough sense to come in when it was so freezing, but noooooooooooo. All I can think is that she was torn by the desire to be outside off the leash and her desire to come in and be warm. Been there.

Bad backache today, probably from tensing up from the cold, and walking gingerly over ice and snowdrifts, and hauling firewood. Had a roaring fire for my two clients last night. Hot flames in the fireplace are at least as therapeutic as anything I have to say.

Watched "Grey's Anatomy" last night. Cliffhanger, but of course Meredith will pull through, with her revelations of having seen Denny and the bomb guy in her near death experience.

Ice Storm vs Sunny Beach

Hmmm, which do I want, which do I want, hmmmm . . . . Ucky storm here today, mostly rain on the coast here, but there was a parking ban in New Haven so I didn't go into the office. Now everything is covered with a very hard layer of ice.

Spent some time over the last weekend with Rob and Robert. I worked on my crewel embroidery while they continued cleaning out their attic. It was fun. I said, I'm coming over but you don't have to entertain me. I just sat in a chair and we all chatted while we worked. Then I went over to Annette's and clipped her new cat Bravo's nails. He was very good, and he is the most affectionate feline. She made a good choice. Sunday we went to Agway and bought pet stuff. I've ordered a soft sided dog crate off Ebay to travel with; it's larger than the airplane carrier I put Bindi in when we fly; it's for when we are visiting someone or staying in a hotel.

Finished "Bed Rest," Sarah Bilston's first novel. She gave me a copy when I visited her and her new babies a couple of weeks ago. It was a good read, and her descriptions of having to not do hardly anything for six weeks but lie (lay?) on her left side due to low amniotic fluid was compelling. My friend Natalie Danford will be at R.J. Julia booksellers next week doing a reading from HER first novel, "Inheritance." I've ordered a copy off the net; hope it gets here in time for me to read it before I go to see her. She and Paolo are one of my favorite couples.

Rob M. called from The Hague. He's sick, but making a living teaching piano. He's off to Tanzania in a couple of weeks, a free trip from one of his past piano students! Wowwie zowwie!

DogsDeserveBetter.org

Rachel sent me this link. Like homeless humans or abused and neglected children, here's another species that needs help. When growing up in East Peoria, Illinois, we lived next to the Cripes, who had a dog named Nipper, a dirty white cocker spaniel I believe, who was chained to her outside dog house all the time. I think we had some inkling that there was something wrong with that, but then on the other side of our house lived the Browns with a black dog named Nigger, and we kids were clueless to that insult for years. Which was worse?

Little Bindi lives a life of luxury, although I wish I could just let her roam around the house and not worry about her damaging anything. She is very comfortable in her crate, but I'd like to not have to put her in there so often. She's getting over some eye irritation that made the whites of her right eye very very red, so off to the vet for some ointment, and to have her anal glands emptied. She was doing that scoot across the floor motion, and my friend David suggested that she might need that emptying procedure done. Doesn't hurt, and like everything else, she was very good at allowing it to be done. Ok, is that TMI? Here's something fun: my friend Mihaela is totally into beading right now and made Bindi a very pretty red necklace. I know, I know, but Mihaela wanted to do it!

Have put the breaks on my winter blues by booking a flight to Fort Myers, FL, for five days over spring break. Going to see my friend Scott who lives in Naples and is recovering from a motocycle accident. Found a cheap fare for midweek, but that will be quickly added to with a hotel bill, rental car, and air fare for the dog, if I decide to take her. At least the flight is non-stop from Hartford. Can't stay with Scott as he lives with his family right now, but am looking forward to those marvelous white Naples beaches. Wonder if the water will be warm enough to swim in mid-March.

Had lunch with Dick from the garden, who is now working at Yale. He often wonders what he's doing in New Haven, and would like to move back to California. Know the feeling. Birthday lunch for David on Friday. Indian food. Yum.

Winter Blues

Googling images of "winter blues" produced many great results.
Go check this one out in its larger form.
http://www.fractal-recursions.com/fractals/fractal-winter_blues.jpg
Stunning. Fractals. Fractions. Fragments. Fragile Fragged. Not even a word, but descriptive all the same.

Lack of light. Lack of motivation. Fear of loss, losing, those lost. Maybe the generic Effexor isn't as good. Can't be PMS. Although Rachel has that. Maybe I caught it from her. Yesterday, when we and Frances went to get the dog's nails cut, then to see the o-so-fine "Pursuit of Happyness," with Will Smith and his son Jaden. Then to the grocery store. On Saturday I had to travel back into New Haven to get Bindi's eye medicine (it's getting better) which I left in the office, then for a not-so-good haircut cause my usual person wasn't on that day, then to the farm market to get soup and bread and salad and flowers for Daniel and Sarah who just had twins a couple of months ago, then to see them in their killer gorgeous antique house, then to Hartford to have dinner with Bette, whom I see way too seldom.

Trying to put some photos in albums after all these years, liking to do it with other around more than alone, time travelling with each picture, sending dupes to friends. Peter was here from London for a week; stayed in the New Haven Hotel with it's indoor pool and huge stainless steel warm therapy tub (used to be part of the medical center before it became a hotel). He's one of the sanest people I know.

Went on a search for tea cozies for Mihaela; finally had to order off Ebay, which had some nice ones. None of these New England shops carry the things. Love giving gifts that people mention off handedly that they want, then finding them, then the presentation.

More has happened. It all seems to blur into the same meloncholic whole, tho.







http://www.fractal-recursions.com/fractals/fractal-winter_blues.jpg

Happy Birthday, Bindi!

Today is Bindi's second birthday. She got to eat twice as many treats as usual, and Rachel (who took the nice pic) and I took her to the dog park. The humans ate chocolate covered cherries to celebrate.

My friend Scott in Florida is recovering from a motorcycle accident. He was on his Vespa when a car plowed sideways into him. Fortunately, they were both going slowly, so even though Scott was thrown across the car's hood and into the windshied, he managed to escape with only torn ligaments in his legs. Which is bad enough. He was certainly being protected. When his mother got to the scene, she picked up what she thought was a piece of his bike, but which actually was the guardian angel charm she had given him to carry on the bike. His angel was clearly on duty. He's on crutches for eight weeks, and was getting very bored, so I sent him a paint by number kit.

Last weekend Margaret had guests over for dinner on Friday night, and more guests on Saturday afternoon, which was much fun. We got a tour from Louis of the woodworking shoppe near the house, which was extremely fascinating. We had many fires in the fireplace, since the weather was cold and rainy. May have another dog playmate in the neighborhood, if the weather will ever cooperate.

My friend Rob who lives in the Hague called yesterday. He teaches piano lessons there, and is becoming quite successful with the business. In fact, one of his students who moved from the Hague back to her home in Tanzania sent him a round trip ticket so that he can go to Tanzania and give her lessons there! Imagine! I was so envious. He had also recently been on vacation to Basel, Switzerland, where I visited a few years ago. A beautiful place, esp. the old town.

Saw my endocrinologist last week. I'm still not officially diabetic, but my insulin production is high, which is bad. But at least I am still producing it. Losing weight is the cure. Aaarrgghh.

Black Squirrels and Munchkins

These critters are extremely attractive, and at first glance look like cats. Just back from a week in Michigan with my brother and his family. Lots of laughs and fun kid stuff and puzzles and hugs and crying and movies and home baked goodies and more laughs and hugs and dog parks and walks around the block and playing with the doggie and more laughs and hugs and sleeping and hugs. Oh, did I mention laughing? Great new fort in the back yard, and I. with her new pierced ears, and Gark getting a chemistry lesson from Poppie, and that surprisingly difficult wildflower puzzle, and Tobi-Wan, all sensitive and sweet, and cuddly Buzz, and Em, a flower and poet, and Di-di, loud chatterbox outgoing and always in motion. Kim was a dream letting me sleep, and making me goodies from spelt flour. Bindi-loo Who all nicely behaved and glad to be with the kids, and running for balls in the fenced in back yard, and little Andy Dyke from next door always wanting to play and see the pup. So sad to leave the munchkins. We watched "The Wizard of Oz," they for the first time; kept asking me "what's the music again for the witch?" Do do do do doooo do, do do do do doooo do. You know the one.

Best Western Branford

Frances and I went swimming at the Branford Best Western Stony Creek Inn this morning. For five bucks each, anyone can go in and use the small heated pool with whirlpool jets, in a nice glass enclosed setting. And there's a sauna in the women's restroom. It was the perfect gentle excercise for me, and Frances had a ball practicing her swimming strokes and walking on her hands and playing Princess Aqua. And it's only ten minutes from my house! Then we went to the diner and had lunch, then we went to the Guilford Arts Center and saw their holiday crafts show and sale. So many beautiful things. I just bought a manatee ornament for the tree. Then we went to Tommy K's and got two videos, Garfield A Tale of Two Kitties, and Cars. I didn't like Cars very much, but the Garfield one was pretty funny. Then I made dinner, then Frances and I made dog cookies from a book I was given by Erin and Jason, well, actually Trinka and Ashley, and Bindi loved the cookies! Can't wait to try the other recipes. I leave for Michigan on Friday. Am I ready? Of course not! I never am!

Christmas day was nice, as I slept late, then went over to Rachel's and Frances's, and we had a great feast with Rachel's friend Justine who was visiting. It was very low key and the food was great. I was home and in my jammies by 9pm. No snow yet.

Party

Annette's party. She had on sparkly shoes. Met more of the neighbors, who are seemed quite pleasant. Met the kids, Charlie and Jacob and Elise. All three and under. Wonderful baked goods that Annette made. The house looked spectacular. Bindi was well behaved and this was remarked upon, as usual. She got a really big Kong toy from Annette.

Winter Solstice

Interesting encounters with people today.

Walked into 309 WLH and saw a tall man there, I asked "what's going on," cheerfully. Turned out he was a psychologist from Florida writing a novel and this room was in his story. We had a very cordial conversation about Yale and dogs, as his wife took pictures with her new digital camera. We exchanged contact info. He may pick my brain for background.

Took Bindi to the St. Ronan Street dog park, and met an adjunct professor at the div school who teaches on non-violence. Says she is a cousin of M's childhood friend. Six, or five, or even four degrees of separation. Her dog is an English shepherd, very handsome. Named Dani. Bindi ran out the gate to the dog park, my fault, and I slammed the heavy metal door on my fingernail now there's a big bruise. Bindi was running down the street and I asked another woman with a dog on the sidewalk to help me catch my dog. The woman hesitated a bit but said okay, and Bindi just stopped near them and I was able to catch her. Good thing it is a low traffic street. More training needed in, "Stop!", and "Bindi, COME!"

Watched an interview with Malcolm Gladwell on C-Span. Did not know he was half West Indian. He calls himself a dweeb. Want to get his books "Blink" and "The Tipping Point" out of the library.

Saw the most gorgeous sunset on Shell Beach. Huge orange ball on the horizon, another warm day. No snow in sight. Bindi got a new stuffed squirrel in the mail from Carolyn, and B loves it a lot. Loves to make it squeak.

Had enjoyable birthday dinner at Kudeta with Laura, Tirza, David, Rob, Rachel, Frances, Jim, and Mary. Lisa couldn't make it so we will go to Chester to have dinner with her on the 26th, me and Mary that is. It'll be just in time for the after holiday sales and Chester has cool shops. Rob gave me a copy of Carry-Ons: Travelling Chihuahuas (cover seen in previous post), very amusing book about the dogs and where they've been and their favorite places to travel. Silly photos. There is a book for everything it seems. Bindi had a new carrier for planes and airports and am eager to try it out. Mab and Syl gave me pottery they had painted themselves at the paint your own pottery in Boston. Syl's was a Bindi plate which touched me very deeply. Mab with her usual beautiful artistic way made me a tree ornament, a globe with pine boughs and dog prints. Charming. Jim gave me a rose and ivory poinsettia, Tirza gave me a Tin Lizzie dog ornament, and David gave me money for a microloan to funnel through Kiva.

Kudeta had a very elegant and trendy interior, but the food was only so so. Good but not up to the decor and the prices. Small gathering at Annette's tomorrow evening.

Travelling Chihuahuas

Gosh, I've been so busy and tired. But stay tuned! Vacation coming up so much to blog!

Fisher Cats

Look at the claws on this cutie! Read in the local paper that fisher cats or fishers are making a comeback in eastern CT, although I have yet to see one. They are similar to weasels, and eat fish, hence the name. Don't know why they are called cats.

Sleepy day today, didn't do much of anything, just a couple of loads of laundry, and ran the dishwasher, took a nap with Camilla after getting up late. Called Jim and we chatted for a while, but he didn't feel like going out of the house so we didn't do anything. We're thinking of doing some volunteer work at the downtown soup kitchen on Christmas day.

Rob and Robert came over for dinner last night. I made vegetable soup, they brought artichokes and good bread, and we had mint chip ice cream for dessert. I built a huge fire and we read the New York Times. One of Robert's kids has a birthday the same as mine, so they won't be able to join me for my birthday dinner, but I have other friends to be with. Jim was so funny, he said, "I hate parking in downtown New Haven, so please choose a restaurant with a parking lot!"

Picked up some photos from the photo shop yesterday, from Thanksgiving. Some good ones of everyone dancing to 80s tunes. But I do need to get a digital camera. And then a good printer. Rob says that sending digital photos out to be printed is sometimes cheaper than doing it at home, since you have to spend so much money on good photo paper and ink, as well as a good printer. I'm overwhelmed with the choices of cameras. Any suggestions?

Went to Moderately Cheerful Hour on Friday for a bit. Bindi gets to munch on sliced ham and turkey and rye bread, all so yum. We had a training breakthrough yesterday: I took her out for a walk in the yard at home, and the leash wasn't hooked on properly. It came off, and I was afraid she would run off. I said, "Bindi, Stay!" And she did! Long enough for me to get the leash back on. Good dog!

Steaming Poo

I know, I'm a little warped. Oh well, it makes me interesting. When I googled "steaming dog poo" and clicked on images, this came up. How could you not love it? The dog even looks a little like Bindi. Oh, backstory: it's so cold here right now that when I took Bindi out for her bathroom break and she did her business, steam rose from the, uh, pile. We even had a dusting of snow.

For lunch some of the Women's Studies majors presented their senior essay projects in progress. Judy, who is 69, is getting her B.A. in Women's Studies, and her project is on Alzheimer's. She has a lot of it in her family. I asked her if one of the reasons she decided to go back to school was to help prevent getting the disease herself, she said absolutely. She talked about how close the medical community is to finding a vaccine to prevent Alzheimer's, but it's still about 10 years out. She also talked about the gendered aspects of the disease. I look forward to reading her final essay.

Beautiful Em

Isn't she gorgeous! She's my niece in Michigan, with the five brothers and sisters. They apparently had snow and were all out playing in it, and their mom put the photos on her blog. Rosey apple cheeks, sweet smiling eyes and mouth, long curly hair, what a pretty girl.

Had dinner last night with colleagues at Geeta's house. Catered. And Geeta talked about her new book on Indian women and home, and her recent trip to Hong Kong where she did a power point presentation on what constitutes a family. She had people around here define their families and submit photos. I included Bindi in my family cause, well, she is part of it. After all, she was at the dinner!! And she was pretty good, until she got restless and started scratching at Geeta's rug.

Work at the university is slowing WAY down with the winter recess upon us. Classes end tomorrow, then reading week, then exams, then away we go. Classes don't start again till January 16, so students with no exams have five weeks off. Boola boola.

Full Moon Again

The Full Cold Moon; or the Full Long Nights Moon - December During this month the winter cold fastens its grip, and nights are at their longest and darkest. It is also sometimes called the Moon before Yule. The term Long Night Moon is a doubly appropriate name because the midwinter night is indeed long, and because the Moon is above the horizon for a long time. The midwinter full Moon has a high trajectory across the sky because it is opposite a low Sun.

Colors

from Bad Texas

Dog Advent

Twenty-five bones for the 25 days in December before Christmas. Or if started on the secular/Pagan Nov. 28, the 25 days before the Winter Solstice. Got this at a church crafts fair, and was gonna send it off to friends, but everyone at work said, "That isn't for Bindi?!?!?!" in horror, as if she should get every interesting thing. So now it's on my office wall.

Had pizza and salad for lunch at the office to celebrate three December birthdays, and two October birthdays. Nice. Bindi chewed another hole in the sofa in our office library. Exact same cushion, different spot. Oy.

The Christian word "advent" is of pagan origin. Pagans observed a manifestation of a god who came to dwell in his temple at a certain time each year. The feast honoring this god was called "adventus." On this day the temple, normally closed, would be opened. At times a statue of a god would be moved to a place much larger than the small sanctuary where it usually resided. The adventus then was the god's return, an anniversary. In another context, the adventus referred to the celebration of the anniversary of the coming of the emperor. So this word was very convenient to use in another context—the coming of the Son of God in the temple of a human nature for His visit. The word gradually became limited to describe what was considered the only real coming—the coming of the Lord. -- Brother John Raymond www.monksofadoration.org