Angels, heroes and dogs...

December 14th, 2012. Again a town, a state, a county and the world is stunned and it's not the first time. I sincerely hope to one is getting used to this. I was listening too CNN when they announced how many innocent lives were taken and I gasped loudly and cried. We all know what happened so I won't go into it.

December 16th, 2012. A town, a state, a country and the world starts the mourning process will a prayer service from Newtown, Ct. for the victims the Sandy Hook shooting victims.

I mentioned last night on Facebook, as I was watching the prayer vigil from Newtown, that a CNN reporter outside the church was interviewing a gentleman from Chicago who had come down with his service/petting dogs http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-local-comfort-dogs-taken-to-connecticut-after-school-massacre-20121216,0,7533873.story and how the mourners outside the church flocked to them. He asked a little boy who was petting one how he felt and the little boy said "better", people were smiling and the dogs were throwing out love that even made me smile. How great dogs are, pure love, healing souls. The American Red Cross in addition to handing out food, water and blankets to those waiting to enter the church on this very cold and wet day, also handed out toys, stuffed dogs that looked just like the service dogs. It wasn't planned. The service dogs segment touched me deeply. Here was a mass of people stunned to the core by unfathomable horror and dogs appear, wearing vests that say 'pet me' and they did. This was not the first time the dogs had appeared at an event where tragedy reared it's ugly head.

But not to take away from the prayer vigil, which was a beautiful start to the grieving process. Like President Obama said "these were every one's children."

In front of the Presidential podium on stage were 26 glasses, each with a lit votive candle. Very simple. Very powerful. The audience filled with families, with children (and some adults) waving when they saw themselves on camera. There were blocks of seats empty as the pianist started softly playing music. The audience rose to their feet as the first responders entered and it was very emotional. Lots of heartfelt tears from the audience and the first responders. CNN was telling us over and over again the service would start in 2 minutes, but it didn't because President Obama was still with the families. Some very touching photos all over the Internet of that meeting. The families, state politicians and clergy take their seats. The President enters to a standing ovation and he immediately sits down.

Quite a few religious leaders took the podium to speak. Many denominations. I don't remember any of the names of these very eloquent speakers, but some of them are stuck in my head, like the Rabbi who sang his Memorial prayer. I didn't understand the words, but is quivering, beautiful voice brought tears to my eyes as he prayed. There was the Methodist Minister with butterfllies on his vestments. The tall gentleman who prayed with his eyes closed as he spoke from his heart. The little Muslim boy who sang/chanted his prayer.

Then  Governor of Connecticut, Dan Malloy spoke. The thanked the world for the support and said the community will carry on. He then introduced President Obama, who's touching and direct speech is all over the Internet also. I will only touch on the two lighter moments of his remarks and I'm paraphrasing here. He mentioned how the children did exactly what they were told as the sometimes do. Then he spoke of the bravery of a little boy who told his teacher that he knew karate and he would lead them out to safety. These remarks brought smiles and laughter to the mourners.

It was at this time my night time meds. started kicking in so I went to bed.

This particular blog is not political. I am not making a statement on gun control, and I may not. I've seen so much divisiveness on this subject already. With both sides making excellent points. I know what I support and what I don't and all the nasty arguing will not sway my feelings. Luckily the posts on MY Facebook page were civil.

Right now I can't stop thinking of those 20 precious little angels. I can't stop thinking out the courage of the 6 adults who died trying to save those angels. I can't stop thinking about the survivors, all ages, and I pray they can find some peace. How can we not help but think of the first responders. We will NEVER fully understand or fathom what horror they saw. How they still did their job. Peace be yours brothers and sisters. Lastly, I'd like to acknowledge the mother of the killer. Her tragic death wasn't included in the services last night.

Peace Out, Homies!

Walking on egg shells in Social Media...my first rant

You know what I mean about walking on egg shells in places like facebook, well, at least most of us do. We don't want to offend anyone, we selective about what we say and post. Politics has been the prominent problem starter and though I don't have a problem getting into a political debate, I decided that the hate I was seeing posted was just too much, I didn't want to become 'one of them.' I did this because I care about my friends. Friends that share different political beliefs I do, and that's cool!

Some of what I was reading wasn't lively political debate, it was hate. Horrible things that were obviously untrue, uncalled for and racist. Truth be known, I deleted the haters from my friends list. These haters were from both parties. I believe in the freedom of speech, I don't care for the freedom to hate, it's repugnant and shows one's ignorant side.

I thought that after the election it would end, boy was I wrong! Out of the woodwork they came again. Because they were my friends, their posts were showing up on my timeline. Delete.

The puppies and their haters. Yes, haters. Seems there are 'professional' breeders who were not happy at all that we allowed Miss Otis and Bear have 2 litters. We were told we didn't know what we were doing, even though, we were under the supervision of our breeder and 2 vets. Granted we don't know everything that a breeder who's had over 26 litters (or more) might know. If someone expressed interest in a pup they might receive a private message from one of the 'professional' breeders and they would be told of our inexperience. They would be told there 'may' be problems lineage. One woman was even told she shouldn't have a corgi because she didn't know anything about corgis.

If anyone asks me to refer them to a good and reputable breeder I will suggest mine only, especially after what I've experienced.

Yet I have found the perfect homes for all the pups, both litters. All of my facebook friends have watched Bentley and Dawn grow into beautiful dogs and now they are watching Barney, Benny Boots, Butkus, Dee Dee and Simon grow. How thrilling!

So, no more Mr. Nice Guy. No more walking on egg shells. I will voice my opinion, even in regards to politics and I will be as respectful as the person I'm talking to. If they hate, better be prepared for backlash. Any more negative comments about the pups and I'll write about it on my timeline. People should know.

Will I lose friends because of my beliefs? Not my true friends :)

Thanks for letting me rant.

Peace Out, Homies!

Awww, you have puppies!

The joys of puppyhood...on screen it looks like heaven. They are so cute! I love puppy breath! Oh, look at that fluffy butt! I just want to kiss that little face! He looks like a little trouble maker! I just want to tickle their tummies! Makes me want a puppy! You are so lucky! Oh, the things I've heard!

I wasn't too nervous about Miss Otis having her second and LAST litter of puppies, afterall, the first litter of 3 precious little babies were a breeze. Two adorable & sweet little girls, Annabelle & Dusty. They had a brother, a real charmer named Bentley who was, and is, devilishly handsome. The three little darlings were so easy to take care of. Most of the time.

"What do you mean she had 5 this time." I asked John when he called me with the news of the second litter. I was surprised and so excited. "What, 4 boys and a girl? I can't wait until you bring them to Chicago!" Famous last words.

Seeing them for the first time, just takes your breath away. So small, so vulnerable, so beautiful. Miss Otis by their side and she almost seems excited that I'm seeing them and making a fuss. It's a wonderful moment and little do I know that this Awww Glow will only last a few short weeks, that is until, they start moving.

Miss Otis does most of the work for the first few weeks, my job is to check on them constantly and take pictures. Oh, I also give Miss Otis lots of attention. Much to my surprise, Missy allows Annabelle to be with the pups, but only her. Any of the other dogs come near and Missy goes nuts.

Then the little darlings start moving, crawling inside the pen. Screaming until you put them all back in a little group or with mom when she comes in with the milk wagon. I can hear them feeding, all 5 of them, in another room. Poor Miss Otis! I notice the 4 boys, are making it difficult for the smaller little girl to catch a snack. I work with Miss Otis and she's soon on her back, making the ENTIRE bar available. I always make sure she gets her own space.

Good Lord, their eyes are opened and they can see. They are all over the enclosure. Miss Otis is under constant attack, as are my feet when I step in to tidy up. They're not quite walking yet. They are vocal and LOUD. They are constantly demanding attention, Awww.

I get sick and John takes the little angels to the farm for a few weeks, I only see them on weekends and when he brings them back, full-time...gone are the little darlings. Hello, puppies from hell!

Remember being vocal, well, they still are only they're MUCH louder now. Even though I've enlarged their enclosure, it's still not big enough. They are given the two rooms I'm pretty much always in most of the time and they are CONSTANTLY monitored. I call it 'Free Time' and little by little, Free Time gets longer and longer. Newspapers have become my new throw rugs. Good bye trying to keep the house clean, or what I consider clean.

They all follow me. They are constantly under foot. My iPhone cord and CROCS (usually the ones I'm wearing) have become their primary targets, forget all the toys. If I forget to put my CROCS on, my feet are abused with razor sharp teeth. The cats are past tolerating them now, they smack the pups around when the little darlings get to aggressive. Mom is finding hiding places. Nick is afraid to come upstairs. Star and Bear (Daddy) are constantly letting out growls...the 5 little darlings are being taught manners. Taking them outside, though a major chore for me, gives them much needed fresh air and all the room they want to run around. Miss Otis and Annabelle are always watching them. OK, Annabelle is always instigating them to rough house. They are being Batbutt trained and will be ready for anything.

Even though these little darling have increased my Valium intake, I still am very picky, probably too picky, about where they're going. I've had to say no. A lot.

The first pup, Benny, goes to his new home. I bombarded with "it must be so hard?" His move becomes legendary. He already has over a thousand FB friends. He is going to live with Deb and Ron, I have followed them on FB for quite a while. A handful of people are involved in this big day, and many others follow it while attending one of the biggest corgi events of the year. Benjamin is now the Justin Beiber of Corgis. I hand him to Deb after our long trek (million miles) to an area about a block away from the North Pole. I know instantly this is a perfect match. "It must be so hard?" Yeah, it is, especially after help raising these pups, getting to watch their personalities blossom and getting an UNLIMITED amount of puppy kisses. However, knowing that the pup is going to the perfect home, is the best feeling in the world.

We decide, finally, that the girl, Delta Dawn (Dee Dee,) will be staying with us. Actually, staying more with John on the farm. She will be learning all about farm life from Star, doesn't get much better.

Barney is going to Cheyenne, WY and he's going to live with Neal and Jen. Deb had nothing but glowing things about them. People are messaging me telling me how great they are. This was a no brainer.

Butkus and Crosby are still with me. Both big boys who are ALWAYS getting in trouble and always loving me to death, the feeling is mutual. There are folks deciding on whether or not they will become furever Moms and Dads. I'm glad they take their time to think it over. Personally, I hope they become a part of the Corgi Nation too.

Having pups around give you a hodge podge of feelings. Frustration, anger, humor, amazement, etc... The best way to deal with any negative feelings is simple. No matter what they've done. Pick one up and hold it. The kisses are endless, the love is unquestionable and the warmth in your heart is just incredible.

One very important thing that I've learned in the last year is that introducing a pup into your already canine infested home, is amazing. The older dogs become young again. Annabelle made my precious, precious Rosie act like a puppy again for the last year or so of her life. I've rambled too long.

Peace Out, Homies.  

  

My night with Barbra Streisand...

...and about 30,000 other people and it was all because of my Louisiana Corgi Momma.

When I receieved tickets as a gift to see Barbra Streisand I was completely floored. I couldn't believe it! I've wanted to see her so bad all these years. So there I was, 2-3 months before the concert and I had tickets...the wait had begun. I started watching her pevious concerts all over again, hed cd's filled the player. Nick, put the full page newspaper ad on his back door so whenever I went downstairs I would see it.

Philadelphia, 10/08/12, Barbra starts her tour in Philadelphia. I read the reviews (all glowing) and I watch all the videos on YOUTUBE from the show. I'm curious, the critics are saying her voice has gotten deeper and she saves the high notes. She's 70, sounds pretty amazing to me! Then there's her 2 Brooklyn shows, the Montreal show, the Ottowa show and the Toronto show, I do my research :)

Chicago, 10/26/12. OY! John gets here early and asks "is that what you're wearing tonight?" It's 9:30AM, of course not. I still haven't even begun to play Let's Pull Out Every Shirt And See What I'll Wear game? I settle on the gray polo. Why? Because the cap I'm cearing has gray lettering. What can I say, some of us got it some of us ain't! Time to nap, that's fruitless. An hour before we leave I start my magic transformation into something less hideous, it's a chore. John throws on a shirt and pants and he's done and looks great. As I'm dressing a thought suddenly hits me as I grab a new pair of underpants. Is Babs wearing a new pair to see me? I'm dressed and I walk into the dining room to present my glorious self to John and I ask him how I look? "Why we leaving so early? The show starts at 8 and it's only 4:30?" He replies, I know that's code for Hubba Hubba, you look so good!

We didn't plan on where to eat. We'd be driving down through an area called Wicker Park which is crowded, hip and parking is at a premium. We'll just pick a place that looks good and stop! Well, that didn't work out because we couldn't find parking! Our new plan became let's find a parking spot and find a restaurant around it! We find one, right by the Blue Line Damen Ave. Train Stop. SO MANY PEOPLE getting home from work. We decide on 'that place' across the street because whatever they're cooking smells good AND I'm freezing and it's close. Oh, and because I've read good stuff about it. The place is jammed, but we get a table, one of the few tables because it's mostly a bar. The menu has 10 latin inspired items. While waiting for our food I notice that John and I were the only two not carded when we came in. Big Star may have a very small menu but what they have is excellent. Excellent, but spicy!!!

On our way to the  United Center. Home of the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago Blackhawks. This is where every big act plays. John and I already know that we will be avoiding The Barbra giftshop because she said in one of those videos I saw on YOUTUBE that the items were much cheaper on her website.

I've studied the maps of all the parking lots. I know which are cheap and which are expensive. We're lucky! We're almost 2 hours early (John has already bitched, I mean mentioned this) and the cheap parking lot closest to the Center is nearly empty and it's only $20. Then we're told for $5  more, we can get Easy Out, sounds like a bargain to me! As it turns out it was a wise investment after the show. It's cold out so I ask if we can sit in the car, it's 6:15PM. The man says yes but tells us the doors open at 6:30. I can see a crowd there already.

It's freezing in line and the doors don't open until 7. Being the social butterfly I am I start everyone around us in a conversation. She's here from Southern Il., these other two couples are from the suburbs, some from Michigan, Indiana, Argentina and we all are talking about Babs. Until I notice that the downtown skyline is all pink and mention it. We all admire it and go back to Babs. I mention to everyone what I heard from Babs herself, buy online, not here.

Doors open and we're all swiped with a wand, good thing I'm not packing! We are told over and over again that the artist is insisting no one records during the show. If we are caught, it's Adios, Partner.

Walk in and there's a gift shop just filled with everything Babs and I run over, giddy, like a two year old with John trying to catch me, but he's too late. For someone as big as me I run through that maze of people like a rat in a maze. By the time John get's there I'm looking at 2 tees. John buys both and says Happy Birthday.

Seats are amazing! We can see everything and there is nothing to obsrtruct our view, we can see over everyone in front of us. I ask the usher/kid if he knows who Barbra Streisand is? He says "Oh yeah, my Grandmother told me all about her and how she grew up listening to her music. He's lucky John was standing between us.

Good Lord these seats are so tiny. They were designed for supermodels, and I don't even have an ass!

The fashion parade begans. Furs, gowns, sweats, you name it. My attention goes to the sequins. The men seem to be wearing them better. Hello! Streisand! Some folks don't belong in sequins. I wonder if they own a mirror. I'm a big guy and I know what not to wear. This one lady is also, uh, full-figured to the point where Lane Bryant can't help her! But God love her, she found a black sequin, strapless mini dress. John tells me to shut up. She's wearing sky high heels and clip clops down the metal steps, yep she's getting all the attention she hoped for. I introduce myself to Geri, the lady behind me and apologize in advance for any screaming, carrying on, etc...she says she's the same way. Her husband, a firefighter, bought the tickets but couldn't come, so her 22 year old son, also a firefighter came with his Mom, because he grew up listening to Mom love Babs. Awww. Julie, he was single.

Three more announcements are made about not recording. The lights go down and the overture begins. The audince lights up, almost every cellphone in the place is recording. Well, I've watched YOUTUBE and I know her opening song is one I like, but not one of her famous ones. I won't record that one.

Almost 30,000 people are screaming, there's Babs. She says "Hello Chicago" and the place goes crazy, until she tells us to sit down and we do. She opens with 'On A Clear Day'...why wasn't I recording this. Streisand gets a standing ovation after every song. She sings some standards, some of her most populay, she performs with all of her special guests, which include her son, Jason Gould, who's not that bad and her sister, Roslyn Kind. Also, not so shabby. Il Volo abd Chris Botti. The show is 3 hours long with a 15 minute intermission. The only time Babs is not onstage is when she let's some of her guests do a solo.

"This is my favorite part of the show" Babs shares as she grabs a basket. "Questions from the audience, we always do it so thank you everyone who filled out a card in the lobby!" I didn't know this? I would have asked about Madonna showing off her crotch??? One question is about her movie, the Main Event and it's main song, Enough is Enough, the disco hit she did with Donna Summer. Babs says she hasn't done that in public in many years and tells her conducter to pull out the music..."but I'm only goig to do a snippet" she adds. She starts singing it and the audience is up, screaming, singing and dancing. I didn't record it because it was only a snippet! Guess what? Yep, she did the whole thing!

The fastest 3 hours in my life. I only recorded 4 songs. I would have been this happy even if I didn't record.

Barbra Streisand is MAGIC in concert. She can't hit notes like 50 years ago, but she can still hit some notes. Her voice is deep and rich and she knows how to use her gift. It was a night I'll NEVER forget. And yes, even some tears as she suddenly appeared on stage. A moment I never thought I'd see. She has some dates left. Vancouver, Vegas, San Jose and LA.

Peace Out, Homies...now go talk amogst youselves, I'm all verklempt.

Barbra I can hear you...

If you know me from Facebook you know I am going to see Barbra Steisand this Friday, 10/26/12. My birthday is the next day. Oy!

I guess you can say I've liked Babs since 1964. She was on Broadway in Funny Girl and I remember hearing her song People on the radio being played over and over again. In 1968 the film Funny Girl opened and I was taken to see it. I liked musicals every since my first seeing the Wizard of Oz. I saw the movie over and over again, even if I went by myself. I was 12 and knew every word to every song. I still know most of the songs, but like the all wonderful Barbra Streisand, I can't sing them like I used to. This all led to me owning just about everything she ever put out on 45s, Albums, cassettes and Cds. Never bought an 8 track. Out of all that music that she put out, all of which was great, one song remains my favorite Barbra Sreisand song. It's from the Superman album and the song is called Superman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCkNgiPz_Ug It was realeased in 1977, I was 21.

Barbra Streisand didn't do concerts and was rarely on TV. Seems The Voice was afraid to perform in public and from what I remember her saying it was because she was a perfectionist and wouldn't be in complete control 'live.' She did a couple TV specials and even a televised concert, but those were taped, she was in control. Then in the 90's (I think?) she faced her fears and started performing in concert. To massive crowds and like today's concert tours that could last a year, her's were few. And Grand. I remember watching one on HBO and is was just fabulous. I bought the concert on tape, then DVD. I also bought the concerts that came out after that. I think her last tour was in 2006 and she sounded amazing. Go on Youtube and listen to her performing with Il Divo in concert, wow.

The Babs is back and at age 70. I've watched some videos of her current show and have loved everything I've seen and heard. Gone are some of the amazing high notes and some songs that were made for her to belt out. Her voice now has a rich gravelly tone on some of the big notes. The way she wraps her voice around a lyric is still magical. She's still very funny. Going to see her has led me to cross an item off my bucket list. I'm so excited.

So why am I so verklempt? I've been over thinking it ever since I got the tickets. Should we drive there. Should we take a cab there. Will there be a cab there when we want to come back? The United Center holds over 25 thousand people. A bus, maybe a bus? Who takes a bus to see Streisand? I wonder what our view is gonna be like? We have good seats. I want to use my iPhone to tape just one song. Which song? Will there be a jumbotron screen I can tape if she's to far for the recording? Dinner, I forgot dinner, what are we going to do for dinner. Will there be an intermission? I'm on water pills, should I wear Depends so I don't miss anything. I better have a cocktail when I get there to take the edge off, but what if there's no intermission/potty break. I think one of our tickets is on the aisle, I have to have the aisle seat. John is such a big guy, he should have the aisle seat. can you see hyow anal I can get about things? John gets annoyed by it. He says quit worrying and just enjoy the show. If you take a video or not, enjoy the show. If there's an intermission or not, enjoy  the show. Don't worry about the gift shop, enjoy the show. In one of the videos from this tour she asks a person in the audience who's wearing a Bab's Tour Tee if she bought it in the gift shop. The person says yes. Barbra says "you should have bought it on my website, it's cheaper."

I've got a whole 48 hours more to worry about just enjoying the show.

Lastly, I need to thanks a wonderful friend of mine who touched my heart when she gave me these tickets for my birthday. When I called her to say I couldn't accept, she started crying, then I started crying. I'm pretty sure she told just enjoy the show. I know I will. Let's just hope she doesn't hike up her dress like Madoona did last month and show off her crotch...maybe Madge was looking to see if it was still there? 

Peace Out, Homies

You look better...

Thank you. Now just step away and no one will get hurt. I look better? Compared to what? I can barely breathe, I have chills, I have sweats, I'm yacking, I'm wearing the warmest things I can find AND they don't match and I have to be ready to whip them off when I start getting too hot. A vicious circle. Almost every part of my body is achey or running. I can't use my CPAP. I'm grouchy, or a bitch like you suggested. My eyes hurt. Hell, everything hurts. The dogs are staying away from me. I'm wearing sunglasses while I'm on FACEBOOK. But, I look better.

Sleeping is very difficult and I really appreciate that you refuse to wear your CPAP. Why, your snoring almost lulls me to sleep. NOT! Don't bother. I'll get up and see why the pups are crying, cough cough. Great. Now the dogs are laying in my spot. I go back to bed and proceed to toss and turn util it's time to take out the dogs. Oops! I almost forgot to make your coffee. It is so cold out...but, I look better.

My Mom made it so much nicer when I was sick. The soup, the meds. and the adding of all those extra clothes. That was nice, I miss the attention. Mom treating me like her baby :) Mom giving me hugs and doting on me. Mom warning everyone to leave me alone. Mom saying we can have anything I want for dinner, anything at all. Mom checking in every so often in the middle of the night. Then the scary stuff starts. Mom says we might have to go to the doctor, I know that means a shot. Mom rubbing me down with VICKS, ugh! Then the ultimate humiliation. Remember that gentle kiss to the forehead to see if I was feverish? Well, if one was detected, out comes the thermometer. Keep in mind that Mom was old school this isn't an oral one. Good Lord! Please God don't let anyone walk in while she's doing this. "Keep it in, keep it in, keep it in..." Really Mom, if I could shoot this out like a flaming arrow I would. "You don't have a fever anymore..." she's smiling and I'm trying to get my bottoms back up "you look better. Guess you can go to school tomorrow."

Peace Out, Homies! cough cough

Talking to your pet. Bat shit crazy or normal for someone like me?

I admit it! I talk to my cats and dogs. I sometimes even talk to inanimate objects too, but that's another blog. I'm alone most of the time with the animals and being the social butterfly I am, I just can't keep quiet. It's second nature to me now and it starts the minute I wake up with "could you please get your ass out of my face?" This is one of those things they aren't always quick to respond to! The just kinda wake up, readjust themselves on my pillow and move it in even closer. "I'm getting up" or "outside" usually have the younger ones up, off the bed and standing by the door before I've  even lifted my head off the pillow. The older dogs, not so much. They've just moved in to the warm spot I left.

There I am in the bathroom, sitting there minding my own business and rubbing the sleep from my eyes when I feel them staring at me. "What do you want?" Their expression doesn't change, they know, I know what they want! "Fine..." They're sitting by the door while I make coffee and they are in a calm phase and they're watching my every move, like I don't do this every morning? They're getting antsy now, I'm heading towards the bathroom and yes, there it is, I'm holding my robe. They're all excited when I put it on and  they go crazy with a simple "OK" It's freakin' amazing how they can fly down 3 flights of stairs. Even though I know they won't, I give them a "Shhhhh! Shut up!" They are jumping all over the door and jockeying for a poistion on the step closest to the door while I call and call for the old-timers to get out of bed and even though I threaten them with the occasional "Fine, I'll just leave you here!" they know I won't and they finally go downstairs, as slowly as they can. Pretty sad when I can beat them downstairs.

Now Lord only knows what my neighbors think when I'm outside and talking to the dogs? "Go pee pee, get off your mother, oh...thank you for the kisses, you're no going up until you poopy, oh look there's Ria and Lily, uh oh Bailey's outside, oh my, get your ass out here I don't care if it's raining..." The list goes on and on. Of course I have to say hello to all the neighbor dogs and neighbors. Same thing happens when I'm walking the dogs too. I can only imagine what they are thinking when they see that guy from down the street with those corgi things coming. Heck, they hear me talking to the dogs before I even get to their place. At least their dogs are happy to see us!

It is though, in the privacy of my own home that the animals and I have the best conversations. I call them by their many nicknames and even sing to them their own very special song. I have they're undivided attention too when they know I have cookies in my hand. They talk to me too. They give me crazy looks and they feel at home enough to stretch out on their backs. "Daddy said to cover your nasties!"

"Who loves Daddy? Who wants to go seepy and Gimme kiss" I get the best reactions to those. However, "Who wants to go seepy?" eventually goes full circle to "Could you please get your ass outta my face!"

Vacuuming sucks!

Am I getting even more lazy or has vacuuming become harder? My last vacuum was very similar to the one pictured above. It was easy, so easy to use. Every week I would just change the bag, had to because of all the corgis and cats. Flip it on and the animals would become invisible, until I vacuumed just a bit close to where they were hiding. It was loud, it was powerful and it did the job twice a week, more if company was coming. I called it Hoover and one day after what seems like millions of uses it suddenly coughed up a corgi hairball, smoked a bit and died. My first inclination was to have it fixed, but I was told no, it's too old. Just buy a new one :)

Enter the canister vacuum. It's light! It never loses it's suction! Have cleaner air! So convenient! Wow, even though pricey, I was excited and the excitement lasted until I got home and opened the box and found the easy to assemble instructions. Someone grabbed the box from me and said "Here, I'll put it together, it's only a vacuum!" This from the person who thinks instructions are a waste of paper. It's always the same too. First it looks easy. Then comes the grumbling. Yep, there it is, the swearing. Followed by my favorite part of all "What is this?" He agrees to use the instructions and then it comes, like music to my ears "Oh, now I get it!" Finally, the vacuum is assembled and we turn it on to see if it works. It does and there are no extra parts left over in the box. Damn, this is looking good and it only took an hour or so and someone got to practice their cussing. If you think about it, isn't there almost always cussing when you're putting something together? Maybe the instructions could give us some new and clever cussing words?

Time to vacuum and I can't find the bags? Wait, whats this? The crap we vacuum up goes into this little canister and all we do is empty it out when it gets full, sounds easy enough. "Wow look how this sucks up everything" I gleefully exclaim. Then 30 seconds later it's full! I have to turn off the vacuum, figure out how to take the canister off and walk to the garbage bag to dump it out. I have many corgis and 2 cats. Do you know how MANY 30 second dumps there are? I'm spending more time emptying the thing than I am vacuuming! The animals are tired of hiding. The clean air? What clean air? I'm too out of breath from all the dumping to enjoy it! This thing isn't that convenient. Did they test this in a home with animals that didn't shed ALL the time.

Wow! None of the stores are carrying the old model that I liked? A ploy by the vacuum industry? I am going to stop in the vacuum store which is not to far from my house and maybe they'll have something like my old friend Hoover.

Peace Out, Homies.

So, why corgis?

When I met John all those many years ago, I only had cats. Let's say I was in between dogs. I had just had a terrible incident with a rescue  dog. It wasn't the dog's fault, they had him listed as cat friendly and he sure wasn't. John had two dogs. A great dane named Mattie and a corgi named Star. Some combination, huh? Star ran the house and completely dominated Mattie. John would bring Star to the city on weekends and needless to say, the first time I met her I was in love. She went straight for my lap and I was introduced to corgi kisses. Mattie was to ill to travel and had a sitter. She passed shortly after we met. Soon, Star was at my house every weekend. About a year later Star and another corgi named Clancy (isn't that a great name) had a date, a date that eventually turned out real well, because Star was with puppies.

Starbina 2 puppies on 10/20 just a week before my birthday. John asked me if I was ready to try another dog and if so, told me to pick out a pup. I couldn't pick! Both little girls were adorable, this was gonna be hard. By the time the pups were about 5 weeks old one of them started following me around and shortly she became my shadow. A pup picked me and everything changed! Enter my first corgi, a pup named Rosie. Her sister went to a ranch outside of Chicago and her little boy named her Sport...against his parents wishes.

I found corgis to be amazing. So very smart, affectionate and great watchdogs to boot. Couldn't walk them without someone asking about them "What is that?" and my go to answer was "You know the Queen of England..."

Bear then joined our corgi crew and God, is he a gentle soul! Miss Otis followed. We got her at the age of 4 months and she was a shy little girl. I help her in my arms all the way home from Wisconsin and the bond was instant. After a couple years Miss Otis and Bear had some privacy on the farm, even though some breeders told us how to artificially inseminate her. EWWWW! I said it it ain't happening naturally, it ain't happening! Besides, I don't think Bear would have gone along with the program. Miss Otis had 3 babies. I knew I wanted to keep one, but couldn't decide which one. Again, one started following me, became my shadow...shades of my Rosie. She turned out to be my Annabelle (Batbutt) and her brother and sister, Bentley and Dusty, found the most amazing home in Louisiana, right off the gulf on a big ranch with the incredible Dawn Weeks.

Rosie has since passed, just a week ago as a matter of fact. Some folks tell me that having all the other corgis should help with the grief. It doesn't really.   

So, corgis make great pets. Corgi owners, such as most of them in the Corgi Nation (that's another blog) are amazing people. Oh, and the corgis love my cats.

If anyone is reading this, thank you.

As usual, Peace Out, Homies!

10/06/2010


So, I've started a blog...

Wow, some people have actually subscribed by email to my new blog and I still haven't figured out some of the 'blog stuff' so please bear with me. Yesterday's challenges were deciding whether or not to start a blog, figuring out how to add something you could click on to subscribe. The challenges were met thanks to the help of some knowledgeable and very kind people. I cannot figure out if I can actually see or let you see how many folks have subscribed? This will all take time and I cordially invite you to come along with me on this journey.

What in the world will you write about, Hal? Beats me! I guess whatever strikes my fancy. Could be a rambling in my head, something I saw posted on Facebook, an event or news story. Lord only knows!

So, thank you to the one person or many people who are actually going to follow this blog...and as always, Peace Out, Homies.

10/05/2010

Greetings. This is my first post. I will be sharing all kinds of things like stories, links, funny stuff (or what I consider funny.) I may post something political or something you don't agree with and you're more than welcome to respond. I will NOT however condone hate, profanity or anything that is just plain disgusting. Let's make this fun...and as always, Peace Out, Homies!