Well, here we are.... on the brink of a brand new year - 2006. Seems incredible, doesn't it?
2005 hasn't been a particularly exciting year for me. Nothing in my own life was especially remarkable, earth-shattering, devastating or anything like that. I think it was the kind of year that just passes by and becomes a mile marker in the long stream of life. Which is exactly the kind of year I don't mind having.
That's not to say that 2005 was un-remarkable. Not at all!! There were indeed some earthly happenings that caused havoc and devastation, death and despair to so many! The tsunami of late December 2004 and the Hurricane Katrina in August of 2005 were two such bringers of destruction. We saw the globe pull together, though, and help out those that were in desparate need. Thankfully, my own family has been safe and sound.
2005 has not seen the end of war and strife in the Middle East. It is hoped that 2006 will bring about a different story and our troops can come home and the war-torn contries can get busy rebuilding their people's homes and lives. That would be a good thing for us all to work towards. Ending war. Yeah. War is not good for children and other living things!
A really good thing about 2005, for me, is that I discovered flickr photo sharing. It almost feels like I've found a second family! I've made friends with people all over the world and have never met them face to face. And I've been around the internet for at least twelve years. There's just something about the people there on flickr , the artists and the visionarys, the professionals and the snapshooters, the proud moms and dads, the photoshoppers and the upload-em-as-they-are folks....they are all so very special, and I so enjoy seeing what the day brings in uploads. These are some of my favorites, collected so far. Go here to check them out : My Favorites and here to see my own photos : My Sets .
Tell a Story in 5 Frames, Visual Story-Telling, is my favorite group there. I've very much enjoyed being a member of this group. There have been some wonderful stories posted with great photos, and some pretty lively discussions.
The stories have ranged from tragedy, see fezhead's A Separate Peace, to chuckle funny, Isado's Saturday in the Park, to reflective as in Drkmg's Hard at Work. From the exotic, beckerpecker's Death of a Beautiful Afternoon, and the amazing, beckerpecker's Multiple Personalities and SkiMom's Swimming with Bear to the stark reality of human frailty, wilkiecoco's Gravedigger... and J.Star's Love and Redemption, there have been stories posted here that touch nearly every facet of the human condition and the world in which we live. There are many great storytellers here, so take a few minutes to check out the group. You might discover a story you want to tell. O, yes, scary stories are there as well! Take a look at this one : xylonets' If You Go Out to the Barn Tonight.... If you do go out there, be verwy verwy careful!
Some other streams you might like to check out are :
Protection Island - British Columbia and Canada - BEAUTIFUL!
Wildlifeuplift - Pacific Northwest- Raccoon & Forest photos-AMAZING!
Bellys, Mothers, Babies - Visit and take a look at this set. MOVING!
These are but a few of the incredible sets and photostreams that are there for the viewing on flickr . Go check it out. I'm totally, and unashamedly, addicted and enthralled!
Well, that's about it. What a post, huh?
Have yourself an awesome 2006! I expect mine will be rather eventful. Stop back by and visit....read about the growing pangs I know I'll go through as my son graduates high school and enters college. Hmmm... I think it will be interesting!
See ya 'round!
Randi
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Monday, November 28, 2005
Saturday, November 12, 2005
decisions....decisions.....
I created this with flickr toys....check it out.... it's a pretty cool place.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Pit Pull Terriers - an awesome breed
As the owner of an American Pit Bull Terrier, I’m very concerned about the effort to ban this breed. I am absolutely against Breed Specific Legislation. There has to be an answer to this problem.
I came across this article and wanted to share it. There are two deeply felt sides this issue and this article has a little of each side.
A Pit Bull Primer, San Francisco
I have always planned to visit Denver.... sadly, now I never will. I refuse to spend any of MY money in a city (DENVER) that has outlawed and sentenced to death the American Pit Bull Terrier, beloved pets beloging to AMERICAN CITIZENS, and is encouraging neighbors to turn in their neighbors to law enforcement because a pit bull is part of the household.
It is horrific that people have lost their children to the attack of a pit bull or to any dog, or other animal. But those particular animals and their owners should be held wholly responsible, not the entire breed, and in some cases the PARENTS of the children themselves should be held responsible in most part, for failing to teach their children the proper way to approach/handle any dog.
PARENTS - Teach your kids how to behave around dogs!
DOG OWNERS - Be RESPONSIBLE pet owners. Treat your animals well.
Breed Specific Legislators - Come talk to the APBT owners that are responsible. Meet our dogs. Who knows? You might just fall in love with them.
Miracles do happen!
I came across this article and wanted to share it. There are two deeply felt sides this issue and this article has a little of each side.
A Pit Bull Primer, San Francisco
I have always planned to visit Denver.... sadly, now I never will. I refuse to spend any of MY money in a city (DENVER) that has outlawed and sentenced to death the American Pit Bull Terrier, beloved pets beloging to AMERICAN CITIZENS, and is encouraging neighbors to turn in their neighbors to law enforcement because a pit bull is part of the household.
It is horrific that people have lost their children to the attack of a pit bull or to any dog, or other animal. But those particular animals and their owners should be held wholly responsible, not the entire breed, and in some cases the PARENTS of the children themselves should be held responsible in most part, for failing to teach their children the proper way to approach/handle any dog.
PARENTS - Teach your kids how to behave around dogs!
DOG OWNERS - Be RESPONSIBLE pet owners. Treat your animals well.
Breed Specific Legislators - Come talk to the APBT owners that are responsible. Meet our dogs. Who knows? You might just fall in love with them.
Miracles do happen!
Monday, October 03, 2005
A Weird Little Observation...
Man...I can't believe it's already October. The air is kind of crispy in the mornings...fall is on it's way. We're getting just a little preview.
I have a weird little observation. It's been going on for, well I guess several years now. There's a little donut place a few blocks from our house. Just a little mom and pop place. The boys and I used to walk down there every couple of weeks or so. Tyler would always get a couple of maple bars and Tanner always bought donut holes. So would mom. (that's me :)
Anyway, they're pretty good donuts and even better donut holes. Today felt like a donut hole kind of day. So I decided to stop and get a dozen for the drive to work. I know I know ... I should be _walking_ to work and _NOT_ be buying goodies. But o well. It's been a while. So back to the observation...
There's this girl who's been working there for several years. Part of the family I believe. She always works the drive-thru. And if I'm by myself, I always use the drive-thru. Over the years, I've noticed that when she hands out the tiny bag of goodies, she takes great care not to touch my hand. When she takes my money, she grabs it by the corner of the bill and kind of, but not really, snatches it out of my hand. When she gives me my change, she holds the coins by the absolute least amount possible to keep from losing it, and drops it into my outstretched hand. I believe she has a hand phobia! I have never seen her wear and gloves or any hand covering in all the time we've been buying donuts there. So it's not just she wants to keep her hands clean.
It's almost become a contest to MAKE her touch my hand. Okay, now I know she works in a food place. I know she prepares food. and I know she probably has a hundred or more customers every morning. Some of them probably have yucky, filthy hands. Hands are just not the cleanest things in the world. But COME ON!! Money is the DIRTIEST thing on the planet! If you're going to be weird about touching people's hands, shouldn't you be the same kind of weird about handling money??
I think I'm going to send her a box of nitrile gloves. Just because.
Weird observation over.
I have a weird little observation. It's been going on for, well I guess several years now. There's a little donut place a few blocks from our house. Just a little mom and pop place. The boys and I used to walk down there every couple of weeks or so. Tyler would always get a couple of maple bars and Tanner always bought donut holes. So would mom. (that's me :)
Anyway, they're pretty good donuts and even better donut holes. Today felt like a donut hole kind of day. So I decided to stop and get a dozen for the drive to work. I know I know ... I should be _walking_ to work and _NOT_ be buying goodies. But o well. It's been a while. So back to the observation...
There's this girl who's been working there for several years. Part of the family I believe. She always works the drive-thru. And if I'm by myself, I always use the drive-thru. Over the years, I've noticed that when she hands out the tiny bag of goodies, she takes great care not to touch my hand. When she takes my money, she grabs it by the corner of the bill and kind of, but not really, snatches it out of my hand. When she gives me my change, she holds the coins by the absolute least amount possible to keep from losing it, and drops it into my outstretched hand. I believe she has a hand phobia! I have never seen her wear and gloves or any hand covering in all the time we've been buying donuts there. So it's not just she wants to keep her hands clean.
It's almost become a contest to MAKE her touch my hand. Okay, now I know she works in a food place. I know she prepares food. and I know she probably has a hundred or more customers every morning. Some of them probably have yucky, filthy hands. Hands are just not the cleanest things in the world. But COME ON!! Money is the DIRTIEST thing on the planet! If you're going to be weird about touching people's hands, shouldn't you be the same kind of weird about handling money??
I think I'm going to send her a box of nitrile gloves. Just because.
Weird observation over.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Today Has been ONE of THOSE Days……
Today Has been ONE of THOSE Days……
You know what I’m talking about, don’t you? One of those days when your whole being is just irritated, raw, and your throbbing nerves are just waiting to scream at anything and anyone who crosses your path, for no particular reason and any reason. And your feet hurt because you felt as though you just had to wear the business heels because you work in a ‘business’ environment, even though you just usually wear flats, because for some reason you just woke up and said well I believe I’ll wear the heels today, I’ll look all professional. How ignorant is that? Pretty damned ignorant. Especially when you have to walk a half mile from your parking space to your building because some jackass of a planner never foresaw the need for adequate parking areas more than 20 years ago. And to put a fun spin on it all, being in West Texas, sometimes the wind blows, bringing sand and dust and dirt along with it to get in your eyes and under your contacts causing it to feel like there are meteor craters in your eye sockets that are scratching your corneas beyond repair. AND THEN you have to listen to people griping and bitching all day with voices that sound like cats that have been thrown across the room at a blackboard and each of their curved, sharp little claws are s l o w l y s c r e a c h I n g down the length of the blackboard and into your spine and you just want to crawl into a magic hole and disappear down into nothingness, a blessed absence of sound devoid of all and everything. And you just have to endure. Get through the day. And as you’re walking back out to your car in the murderously cute little heels that look so professional on your aching, tired feet, cursing yourself on the negligence of not bringing your tennis shoes for the trek to the car, you spy the guy. The guy that you see walking to class every day. The guy that has shriveled legs and has to walk swinging his hips around to place his tiny feet in front of him step by agonizingly slow step. The guy that has to use two metal crutches attached to his arms and his waist every day of his life. The one that tries so desperately to communicate with anyone who will listen and who endlessly smiles as you pass him on the path into the building. That guy. Out walking to his car in the same blowing dust and sand through which I am walking. And he has a smile on his face and a cheerful hello for me.
Whoa. Now hang on a minute. Talk about a dizzying crash into the reality of life. I had to sit in my car a while and ponder all of this. What in the world do I have to feel so bad about? Not one damn thing. I had to remind myself of something today. Something that I normally do quite often, but haven’t done lately. And that is to stop a moment and give thanks. Thanks for having my healthy two legs. For my ability to speak and communicate and have my needs known. Thanks for my mind and my eyes and for the gift of sight and hearing and thinking. Thanks for waking up each day, safe and warm in my own bed. For friendship and family. Thanks for so many many things. The list could go on for pages.
I am thankful that I am. So think about it, next time you have One of THOSE Days.
What should you be thankful for?
That’s the kind of day _I_ had. And it’s turned out much better than expected.
Have a great day tomorrow.
You know what I’m talking about, don’t you? One of those days when your whole being is just irritated, raw, and your throbbing nerves are just waiting to scream at anything and anyone who crosses your path, for no particular reason and any reason. And your feet hurt because you felt as though you just had to wear the business heels because you work in a ‘business’ environment, even though you just usually wear flats, because for some reason you just woke up and said well I believe I’ll wear the heels today, I’ll look all professional. How ignorant is that? Pretty damned ignorant. Especially when you have to walk a half mile from your parking space to your building because some jackass of a planner never foresaw the need for adequate parking areas more than 20 years ago. And to put a fun spin on it all, being in West Texas, sometimes the wind blows, bringing sand and dust and dirt along with it to get in your eyes and under your contacts causing it to feel like there are meteor craters in your eye sockets that are scratching your corneas beyond repair. AND THEN you have to listen to people griping and bitching all day with voices that sound like cats that have been thrown across the room at a blackboard and each of their curved, sharp little claws are s l o w l y s c r e a c h I n g down the length of the blackboard and into your spine and you just want to crawl into a magic hole and disappear down into nothingness, a blessed absence of sound devoid of all and everything. And you just have to endure. Get through the day. And as you’re walking back out to your car in the murderously cute little heels that look so professional on your aching, tired feet, cursing yourself on the negligence of not bringing your tennis shoes for the trek to the car, you spy the guy. The guy that you see walking to class every day. The guy that has shriveled legs and has to walk swinging his hips around to place his tiny feet in front of him step by agonizingly slow step. The guy that has to use two metal crutches attached to his arms and his waist every day of his life. The one that tries so desperately to communicate with anyone who will listen and who endlessly smiles as you pass him on the path into the building. That guy. Out walking to his car in the same blowing dust and sand through which I am walking. And he has a smile on his face and a cheerful hello for me.
Whoa. Now hang on a minute. Talk about a dizzying crash into the reality of life. I had to sit in my car a while and ponder all of this. What in the world do I have to feel so bad about? Not one damn thing. I had to remind myself of something today. Something that I normally do quite often, but haven’t done lately. And that is to stop a moment and give thanks. Thanks for having my healthy two legs. For my ability to speak and communicate and have my needs known. Thanks for my mind and my eyes and for the gift of sight and hearing and thinking. Thanks for waking up each day, safe and warm in my own bed. For friendship and family. Thanks for so many many things. The list could go on for pages.
I am thankful that I am. So think about it, next time you have One of THOSE Days.
What should you be thankful for?
That’s the kind of day _I_ had. And it’s turned out much better than expected.
Have a great day tomorrow.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Great ride!
This is a darn cool picture taken by Kelsana.
Santa Cruz, California is home to some very talented surfers and awesome waves.
For the record, I wish I still lived in Santa Cruz. I would be out on the beach taking pictures every day.
Thanks for sharing Kelsana!
Santa Cruz, California is home to some very talented surfers and awesome waves.
For the record, I wish I still lived in Santa Cruz. I would be out on the beach taking pictures every day.
Thanks for sharing Kelsana!
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Faces of Tanner
I bet this kid could be a model. He has great eyes and a beautiful smile.
What do you say America?
What do you say America?
Monday, September 19, 2005
Light Shining Through Stained Glass
"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within."
Elizabeth Kübler-Ross
Elizabeth Kübler-Ross
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Friday, September 16, 2005
I hear Sirens Sounding Tonight...
I Hear Sirens Sounding Tonight………
And it takes me back… back to another Homecoming night, four years ago. I was supposed to drive my son and his date to the Homecoming game. I didn’t feel well that night so I told my son that he could use my Jimmy to pick up his date and go to the game. He had to be very careful because, at just 16 years old, he had only just gotten his permit, and he was supposed to have an adult driver in the car with him when he drove. He was a good driver, just inexperienced. So I allowed him to go in the car alone. At about 10 pm my phone rang and it was my son. He’d had an accident and he was okay but the car was bad off and he had hit two other cars, could I please come quick. I remember he sounded so very scared. I hurried to the scene, only a few blocks away. And he was okay, every one was okay. Nine people involved and not a one was hurt. But my car was totaled.
I was so angry. He hadn’t been paying attention. Mom, he said, Jethro Tull came on the radio and I leaned over to turn it up and the other car was there, right in front of me and I had to hit it. And then I lost control and it jumped the curb and hit the other one. I am sooo sorry Mom. I was just going to meet my friends at the restaurant after the game.
You know, I was pretty mad at the time. I remember being so very angry. Giving my son some very angry looks and just being so short with him. I remember being thankful that no one was hurt. Thankful that every one walked away. People could have died that night. An old man had ran a stop light, that coupled with my son looking away at the radio, all those instances had added up to the accident. It wasn’t Tyler’s fault. Not really.
I shouldn’t have been so mad. I wish I could take it back. My anger. Because, now, as I look back, it was a pretty small thing. In the grand scheme of all that is, a very small thing. Because 6 months later, Tyler was dead. Not from a car accident. But from electricity. Electricity killed my son. And I regret the angry words I said to him the night of the car accident. It would have been better, had I just said, something like, son, I wish you had been paying better attention, although I see that it wasn’t your fault, I love you and I am so very very glad that you are okay. I cannot remember if I said that. I hope that I said those words to him.
And I worry as I hear these sirens, because tonight, tonight his younger brother is in his own car, at his own senior homecoming. And I pray that he will be paying attention. And even more, I pray that he will know, no matter what may transpire, that his mother loves him. Unconditionally and without any doubt, I pray he knows that I will always always love him. Just like I love his brother. I always have and I always will.
And it takes me back… back to another Homecoming night, four years ago. I was supposed to drive my son and his date to the Homecoming game. I didn’t feel well that night so I told my son that he could use my Jimmy to pick up his date and go to the game. He had to be very careful because, at just 16 years old, he had only just gotten his permit, and he was supposed to have an adult driver in the car with him when he drove. He was a good driver, just inexperienced. So I allowed him to go in the car alone. At about 10 pm my phone rang and it was my son. He’d had an accident and he was okay but the car was bad off and he had hit two other cars, could I please come quick. I remember he sounded so very scared. I hurried to the scene, only a few blocks away. And he was okay, every one was okay. Nine people involved and not a one was hurt. But my car was totaled.
I was so angry. He hadn’t been paying attention. Mom, he said, Jethro Tull came on the radio and I leaned over to turn it up and the other car was there, right in front of me and I had to hit it. And then I lost control and it jumped the curb and hit the other one. I am sooo sorry Mom. I was just going to meet my friends at the restaurant after the game.
You know, I was pretty mad at the time. I remember being so very angry. Giving my son some very angry looks and just being so short with him. I remember being thankful that no one was hurt. Thankful that every one walked away. People could have died that night. An old man had ran a stop light, that coupled with my son looking away at the radio, all those instances had added up to the accident. It wasn’t Tyler’s fault. Not really.
I shouldn’t have been so mad. I wish I could take it back. My anger. Because, now, as I look back, it was a pretty small thing. In the grand scheme of all that is, a very small thing. Because 6 months later, Tyler was dead. Not from a car accident. But from electricity. Electricity killed my son. And I regret the angry words I said to him the night of the car accident. It would have been better, had I just said, something like, son, I wish you had been paying better attention, although I see that it wasn’t your fault, I love you and I am so very very glad that you are okay. I cannot remember if I said that. I hope that I said those words to him.
And I worry as I hear these sirens, because tonight, tonight his younger brother is in his own car, at his own senior homecoming. And I pray that he will be paying attention. And even more, I pray that he will know, no matter what may transpire, that his mother loves him. Unconditionally and without any doubt, I pray he knows that I will always always love him. Just like I love his brother. I always have and I always will.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Ben, our silent friend
The story of Ben....
one day in 1993 I decided our family needed a dog. Our last dog (a peke) had gone missing and the boys wanted a dog. So I decided I would go to the shelter and find some kind of high energy dog that would play with two high energy boys. Something like an Australian Shepherd or a Blue Heeler. Maybe a Lab. The shelter was full of dogs up for adoption. Mostly purebred dogs that looked pretty good. The metal building reverberated with barks bouncing off the walls. It was hard to hear yourself think. I walked around long rows of fairly large, comfortable looking kennels. The dogs were excited to have a chance for a home. Their faces and their barks were the embodiment of "Take me home with you Please!!!" Heelers and Cockers, Labs and Shelties, Schnauzers and poodles, a Doberman and a couple of curly haired mixed breeds _all_ vied for my attention at beyond decibels. All were barking, except one. In the very last kennel of the very last row, sat a sad, sorry looking reddish gold dog. Completely silent. He was so thin you could count all his ribs. His coat was clean, but very short and in very poor condition. As I walked past his kennel to start around the rows again, he moved with me as he sat in the very middle of his space. Still vocally silent, his eyes never left mine for an instant. I walked around again, not really thinking too much about the silent dog. the other dogs kept it loud enough without his contribution. I stopped int to see the Doberman, one of the Shelties and the best looking Heeler. All seemed like pretty decent dogs. I wasn't sure about the Heeler, the attendant said she thought he had never been around kids. the Doberman hated cats, the Sheltie was deaf. Just didn't seem like any of the ones I was interested in fit the total bill. So I made another round. And saw the sorry looking dog again. Still sitting in the middle, still silent.
Hhmmm... so I asked the attendant what his story was...she told me he'd been rescued by someone's neighbor who noticed that the dog had a collar so tight around his neck he could barely breathe and was almost starved to death. The collar had cut into his skin and the vet said he had serious damage to his throat. the dog was a purebred Golden Retreiver, although he didn't look it, and he was about 18 months old. And he weighed maybe 30 pounds. Mercy! he'd been at the shelter for 2 weeks and no one had shown any interest in adopting him. Hhhmm...She said he would probably be put down in a few days since they had a 3 week adoption policy because so many dogs were at the shelter. Most people didn't want a dog that couldn't bark. HHHHMMMM...well of course I had to ask her to let me in to meet this silent dog. As I walked in, he made no move, just sat there, looking at me. I walked up to him, holding my hand out and speaking low and slow to him. He still never moved. I walked up beside him and knelt down. As soon as I stretched out my hand, he, in a classic Goldie move, lifted his front paw and laid it on my knee, turning his head to look me in the eye. A voice spoke in my mind and said, this is the Dog. So of course I had a few more questions for the attendant, filled out some paper work, and took him home. His name became Bender, because I had gone out on a limb for an emaciated dog that could not bark. It was one of the best decisions of my life.
Within six months, Ben was the beautiful, golden dog he should have always been. His hair was long and silky, his confidence high, his entire being full of joy at his doggy life. But still silent.
Ben became our best family friend ever. In all the time we knew Ben, there were only two times he ever growled at any one, both times being a warning well-deserved, as he was guarding his boys. Ben never cost our family a penny at the Vet, other than for regular check-ups and shots. He was the most gentle, tolerant, well-behaved, intelligent dog I have ever had the pleasure to know.
On Memorial Day, 2005, we made the decision to help Ben leave his aged, failing body behind, and allowed him to become our friend in memory and spirit. We laid him to rest here at home, as is only right.
Ben, our silent and faithful friend, I salute your loving spirit. I miss you dearly.
one day in 1993 I decided our family needed a dog. Our last dog (a peke) had gone missing and the boys wanted a dog. So I decided I would go to the shelter and find some kind of high energy dog that would play with two high energy boys. Something like an Australian Shepherd or a Blue Heeler. Maybe a Lab. The shelter was full of dogs up for adoption. Mostly purebred dogs that looked pretty good. The metal building reverberated with barks bouncing off the walls. It was hard to hear yourself think. I walked around long rows of fairly large, comfortable looking kennels. The dogs were excited to have a chance for a home. Their faces and their barks were the embodiment of "Take me home with you Please!!!" Heelers and Cockers, Labs and Shelties, Schnauzers and poodles, a Doberman and a couple of curly haired mixed breeds _all_ vied for my attention at beyond decibels. All were barking, except one. In the very last kennel of the very last row, sat a sad, sorry looking reddish gold dog. Completely silent. He was so thin you could count all his ribs. His coat was clean, but very short and in very poor condition. As I walked past his kennel to start around the rows again, he moved with me as he sat in the very middle of his space. Still vocally silent, his eyes never left mine for an instant. I walked around again, not really thinking too much about the silent dog. the other dogs kept it loud enough without his contribution. I stopped int to see the Doberman, one of the Shelties and the best looking Heeler. All seemed like pretty decent dogs. I wasn't sure about the Heeler, the attendant said she thought he had never been around kids. the Doberman hated cats, the Sheltie was deaf. Just didn't seem like any of the ones I was interested in fit the total bill. So I made another round. And saw the sorry looking dog again. Still sitting in the middle, still silent.
Hhmmm... so I asked the attendant what his story was...she told me he'd been rescued by someone's neighbor who noticed that the dog had a collar so tight around his neck he could barely breathe and was almost starved to death. The collar had cut into his skin and the vet said he had serious damage to his throat. the dog was a purebred Golden Retreiver, although he didn't look it, and he was about 18 months old. And he weighed maybe 30 pounds. Mercy! he'd been at the shelter for 2 weeks and no one had shown any interest in adopting him. Hhhmm...She said he would probably be put down in a few days since they had a 3 week adoption policy because so many dogs were at the shelter. Most people didn't want a dog that couldn't bark. HHHHMMMM...well of course I had to ask her to let me in to meet this silent dog. As I walked in, he made no move, just sat there, looking at me. I walked up to him, holding my hand out and speaking low and slow to him. He still never moved. I walked up beside him and knelt down. As soon as I stretched out my hand, he, in a classic Goldie move, lifted his front paw and laid it on my knee, turning his head to look me in the eye. A voice spoke in my mind and said, this is the Dog. So of course I had a few more questions for the attendant, filled out some paper work, and took him home. His name became Bender, because I had gone out on a limb for an emaciated dog that could not bark. It was one of the best decisions of my life.
Within six months, Ben was the beautiful, golden dog he should have always been. His hair was long and silky, his confidence high, his entire being full of joy at his doggy life. But still silent.
Ben became our best family friend ever. In all the time we knew Ben, there were only two times he ever growled at any one, both times being a warning well-deserved, as he was guarding his boys. Ben never cost our family a penny at the Vet, other than for regular check-ups and shots. He was the most gentle, tolerant, well-behaved, intelligent dog I have ever had the pleasure to know.
On Memorial Day, 2005, we made the decision to help Ben leave his aged, failing body behind, and allowed him to become our friend in memory and spirit. We laid him to rest here at home, as is only right.
Ben, our silent and faithful friend, I salute your loving spirit. I miss you dearly.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Our Neighbor is Driving Us Crazy......!!!
I feel for the man, I really do. But A number 1, I have never liked visitors and B: I would like to royally pound whoever it was that broke into his house on Friday evening and stole not only his last 85 bucks but his TV as well. Because of that, my door is being literally knocked on every hour by this neighbor, for various reasons, but mostly because he now has no TV to watch and he’s scared too. Get this. On Friday night after I returned home, he came over and begged me to come see how the bad thief broke into his home and stole his most prized possession not to mention his money. As I got ready to leave he asked if one of us would stay and sleep on his sofa so the robbers would not come back and get him. Now what do you say to that?? There’s not much besides, I’m sorry, man, we can’t. I mean I guess I could. Mercy.
I tell you this for sure - Any person that would steal from a mentally handicapped person is lower than worm dung in my books.
Every one in the area knows this guy is handicapped. He tries his best. He has a job at the local grocery store. He drives his own car. He would help anyone in trouble. The neighbor is a nice man, but as I said, I am kind of anti-social in lots of ways, and I do not want to feel responsible for him. My own family is hard enough to keep track of.
I guess I’m going to have to help get him a TV some place.
**sigh**
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Ms. Buddy
Our family has had the pleasure of Buddy's company since she was 6 weeks old, in July of 1985. She kind of grew up with my boys, and began bonding with my son Tyler when he was about 5 years old (Tyler was born in August 1985). Buddy moved into his sunny room and they became good friends. Every day after school, he would come home and treat her to peanuts or Cheez-it's, her favorite snacks. Tyler would get her to say things like "I love you", "Pretty Pretty Bird" "Buddy wants a cracker" and "Here Ratt, Kitty, Kitty" (cat and bird are also good friends. pictures another time). Buddy recognizes her family and calls many of us by name. "Mama, Mama come here!!" is one of her most frequent lines. "Boys! get up, gotta go" is another. She would wait for Tyler to get home from school and at least 10 minutes before he opened the front door she would start calling him, "Tyler! Tyler! Tyler! Come here....Buddy wants a cracker!" as loud as she could, which is pretty loud :) This went on for many years. One day, when they were 15 years old each, Tyler yelled out, "Mom! An EGG!!!" and was very excited. Buddy had laid an egg and we knew then she was a girl. (She's laid three eggs altogether). Buddy did not like Tyler's school friends- if they were girls!, but she was a big hit with all the neighborhood kids when he would take her walking in the park.
One day, July 14, 2002, Tyler left for a birthday party and he never came home. He and his brother, Tanner, were critically injured in an electrical accident. Tyler died 10 days later, just a few days before his 17th birthday. (Tanner recovered from his injuries and is doing better every day)Buddy knew that something bad had happened to Tyler. Friends would come by to feed our family's pets while we camped at the hospital. They would relate that Buddy would make sobbing noises, and she would cry out, Tyler!, Tyler! "Let's go boys!".
Afterwards, when our family was trying to cope and we'd all started back to work, Buddy became very despondent. She began pulling her feathers out. She stopped eating and lost a lot of weight. She just sat on her playpen and would not play. Every single day, when I came home from work, I would open the front door, and she would sadly and plaintively cry out for Tyler. My heart shriveled a little more each time this happened. I worried we would lose Buddy too, so I took her in to our avian vet. He gave us wonderful advice. Get a new cage, new toys and move her out of Tyler's room. Play with her every day and say the same words to her that he would use. It would take time, but she would pull out of it. So I took his advice and she began to improve a little more each day. It's been three years since we lost Tyler. Now she only occaisionally calls his name. But she still says, almost every day, Boys! get up! Let's go". This I can live with, and I'm glad she decided to get well, because we love our bird.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Tragedy and Devastation
Collage created by Amerpie on September 7, 2005.
A series of Newspapers depicting the devastating hurricane Katrina's effect on the Southern United States.
A series of Newspapers depicting the devastating hurricane Katrina's effect on the Southern United States.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
I feel like playing a game
………something like yahtzee. Or scrabble. Or maybe even skip-bo. Something.
Playing games is good therapy. Hhmm…..I feel a webdive coming on. Studying the history of games might be interesting. More bits of who cares about it information. But it’s nice to know at least a little bit about many and varied subjects. And the search for bits of knowledge is sometimes most exhilarating. Do you ever get a rush from an intense webdive? feel an unseen clock ticking? pulse quickening. posture such that you’re almost sitting inside the screen….it could be just me, but I’d bet you know what I’m talking about.
Yah, games. Games are one of the great inventions of all time. Card games, board games, word games, dice games, head games, games of chance, games of knowledge, games of strength and agility. Games.
My brother and I had a chest of games when we were little. We played a game every day. And many games on Saturday. Sunday was filled with the bible, so we didn’t do much on that day. Except study the bible. And eat. The food was good. Anyhow, I remember playing wa-hoo for hours. And Monopoly. Crazy eights and spades. Marbles!
We loved games. I miss my brother. I’m probably thinking about games because I’ll get to see my brother and his little family next weekend. I’m excited about it. My nephew is going to be 8 on Sunday. The image of his papa, he is, and a good boy. A little intense. He knows he wants to be a scientist one day. I still don’t know what I wanna be.
I’m going to play dominoes with my brother next week. And then we’ll play cards with the kids. That will be lots of fun.
But still, tonight, I really wanted to play a game.
Playing games is good therapy. Hhmm…..I feel a webdive coming on. Studying the history of games might be interesting. More bits of who cares about it information. But it’s nice to know at least a little bit about many and varied subjects. And the search for bits of knowledge is sometimes most exhilarating. Do you ever get a rush from an intense webdive? feel an unseen clock ticking? pulse quickening. posture such that you’re almost sitting inside the screen….it could be just me, but I’d bet you know what I’m talking about.
Yah, games. Games are one of the great inventions of all time. Card games, board games, word games, dice games, head games, games of chance, games of knowledge, games of strength and agility. Games.
My brother and I had a chest of games when we were little. We played a game every day. And many games on Saturday. Sunday was filled with the bible, so we didn’t do much on that day. Except study the bible. And eat. The food was good. Anyhow, I remember playing wa-hoo for hours. And Monopoly. Crazy eights and spades. Marbles!
We loved games. I miss my brother. I’m probably thinking about games because I’ll get to see my brother and his little family next weekend. I’m excited about it. My nephew is going to be 8 on Sunday. The image of his papa, he is, and a good boy. A little intense. He knows he wants to be a scientist one day. I still don’t know what I wanna be.
I’m going to play dominoes with my brother next week. And then we’ll play cards with the kids. That will be lots of fun.
But still, tonight, I really wanted to play a game.
Friday, August 19, 2005
Tonight I saw another owl
and i was reminded of the last owl I encountered, o elusive one. That happened on the Friday night of the first annual Flatland Film Festival at the close of the box office and confession stand aspect of the evening. o wait i meant cincession no concession (stand) this was not the same owl as usual and not in the same part of town. The usual one, a barn owl, - she flies over my house every so often. anyway, the owl at the film festival was fairly dark and had significantly larger, but as silent, wings.
owls intrigue me. and have since I can remember. This one, as the others have done previously, seemed to pause a few beats to, I could almost say, acknowledge me.
yeah, I know, delusions of acknowledgement issues. But I digress..........
it is kinda cool actually to see this...and it especially affected me that night, as owls symbolize a knowing. I had just completed thinking a thought, as I watched the lightning streak against the night sky, ( a storm was moving in) - we’d all just finished smoking cigarettes, leaning against the !metal! railing. (brilliant action in an electrical storm!)
Just then, through the street lights just facing us, I suddenly saw a form that appeared to 'pause' in the soft blare of the lights. anyhow. and right as I saw the owl, my thought had formed a yes, and the owl just seemed to concur. in a crazy kinda totem animal way.
o and I had this thought too....earlier that day.....I must continue mith my creative outlet through appreciation. how cool is that? Appreciators of the world, Let Us Unite! anyway.........that's it for tonight, you, and just fyi I feel like I could rip open my chest and hand out an organ. but I'll just say thanks for reading. and letting me ramble.
owls intrigue me. and have since I can remember. This one, as the others have done previously, seemed to pause a few beats to, I could almost say, acknowledge me.
yeah, I know, delusions of acknowledgement issues. But I digress..........
it is kinda cool actually to see this...and it especially affected me that night, as owls symbolize a knowing. I had just completed thinking a thought, as I watched the lightning streak against the night sky, ( a storm was moving in) - we’d all just finished smoking cigarettes, leaning against the !metal! railing. (brilliant action in an electrical storm!)
Just then, through the street lights just facing us, I suddenly saw a form that appeared to 'pause' in the soft blare of the lights. anyhow. and right as I saw the owl, my thought had formed a yes, and the owl just seemed to concur. in a crazy kinda totem animal way.
o and I had this thought too....earlier that day.....I must continue mith my creative outlet through appreciation. how cool is that? Appreciators of the world, Let Us Unite! anyway.........that's it for tonight, you, and just fyi I feel like I could rip open my chest and hand out an organ. but I'll just say thanks for reading. and letting me ramble.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
TANNER'S BIRTHDAY - 18
Tanner's grandfather made this copper sailfin fish for his 18th birthday. Made from hand beaten copper and heated to obtain the colors.
Roses
I took this photo yesterday. It was a beautiful cloudy, cool West Texas day. This rose just made me feel so good!
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Filmmaking 101 just about over!
Today was the last day of my class. I have had such a good time helping with this project. It's called The Plant. There is so much symbolism in this film for me. When I can I will post more about it. My eyes have been hurting and stinging all day. I think some of the smoke from the fog machine got into them! I could hardly see the screen today when we were learning about the editing process. That part of it really sucked. But! We watched some really cool little videos made from one of the producers of the film. Go here to see his video work. "http://www.jameswjohnson.com/movies/jwjvids.htm" More later
Friday, August 05, 2005
Tanner's 18th Birthday!
Today Tanner is 18. He is a handsome young man. Courageous, courteous, strong, ethical, and full of life. With such a beautiful smile.
We had a really good time tonight at dinner. The family is so very proud of him and the long road he's traveled so far in his life. He is the greatest joy in my life. I'll post his photo tomorrow with one of the best gifts he received. A handmade copper sailfin fish made by his grandfather.
We had a really good time tonight at dinner. The family is so very proud of him and the long road he's traveled so far in his life. He is the greatest joy in my life. I'll post his photo tomorrow with one of the best gifts he received. A handmade copper sailfin fish made by his grandfather.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
to Tyler, August 2, 2005
Today, August 2, 2005, Tyler would have been 20 years old. I cannot begin to say how much I miss him. He is in my heart always.
The sunset this evening was spectacular. Tyler would have loved it. As he would have loved the endless field of sunflowers, fully flowered, that framed the brilliance of the sun as it sank slowly into the horizon. Magnificent! What a fitting tribute to one whose essence and smile was full of the sunshine of life.
This field of Sunflowers and the setting sun stunned me - it's almost identical to the field of Sunflowers that I dreamed about Tyler standing in, when he turned and walked away into the sunlight. I'll post about that dream sometime.
The sunset this evening was spectacular. Tyler would have loved it. As he would have loved the endless field of sunflowers, fully flowered, that framed the brilliance of the sun as it sank slowly into the horizon. Magnificent! What a fitting tribute to one whose essence and smile was full of the sunshine of life.
This field of Sunflowers and the setting sun stunned me - it's almost identical to the field of Sunflowers that I dreamed about Tyler standing in, when he turned and walked away into the sunlight. I'll post about that dream sometime.
Monday, August 01, 2005
WOW! Filmmaking 101
I signed up (well I was _asked_) to sign up for a special class, Filmmaking 101, held here this week. I was supposed to be in the mountains of New Mexico on vacation with Tanner, but duty calls. lol, actually, I'm glad I did reconsider. I've always wanted to be part of making a movie and now I GET TO!! so WOW....what I thought was going to be a boring classroom lecture series is actually a film in progress and we (the class) get to help with all aspects, from scriptwriting, (today's class) to actually helping with the set dressing and being real members of the filmming crew. I am beside myself I'm so excited!! More later.
Saturday, July 30, 2005
My Sister
My younger sister is the coolest. She is sweet, smart, has an awesome sense of humor and has her stuff together. She even babysits illegal cats. You know, the kind that are _not_ supposed to be in apartments because they are against the rules. She also grows some elephant ears that are the bomb!
She's a trouble-shooter for an apartment management group. And she's great at her job.
Also, she always calls me sister, not by my name, and I think that's waaay cool. I love her bunches. Isn't she beautiful?? http://www.flickr.com/photos/randi_rives/29848310/
Here she is playing golf - http://www.flickr.com/photos/randi_rives/29838862/
She's a trouble-shooter for an apartment management group. And she's great at her job.
Also, she always calls me sister, not by my name, and I think that's waaay cool. I love her bunches. Isn't she beautiful?? http://www.flickr.com/photos/randi_rives/29848310/
Here she is playing golf - http://www.flickr.com/photos/randi_rives/29838862/
Friday, July 29, 2005
Yellow Texas Sunflower
This is one of the prettiest Sunflowers I have ever seen, and _I_ grew it!! It's about 4 feet tall, with many branches and long lasting flowers. Compliments my cactus garden well.
