Day 1992

The rain wasn't as bad today. Our stormy weather lasted from just before dawn until just after breakfast. The rest of the day was fine. Toward mid-afternoon, I even started to see a few patches of blue sky. We didn't lose power at all today. The dogs didn't have any major panic attacks either. I'd have to say that things are looking up.

There were a ton of little errands to run today. I filled the car with gas. I went to the bank. I got halogen bulbs for the living room floor lamps at Home Depot. I picked up a new set of ink cartridges for the general office printer at Fry's. There was a trip to Sam's Club for laundry detergent and paper towels and then it was back home again to get the standing water from the latest storm off the roof. I've been up on the roof for three days in a row, but I am getting much more efficient about water removal. If I bought two more sump pumps and 100 feet of extension cord, I might be able to automate the entire process.

When I was walking Dash this afternoon, I noticed that the Passion Vines were in bloom. Passion Flowers seem to be the rarest of the many native Texas wildflowers I see in the park. I only see these exotic looking plants bloom once or twice a year and it's usually right after a big rain. Maybe that's way I saw half a dozen blooms today, instead of the one or two I see in a typical year. I took a photo and Dash and I were on our way. These blooms don't last long. They might already be gone when we pass this way again tomorrow.

Dot is doing amazingly well around the house now. She doesn't even need to wear the Help 'Em Up Harness when she's inside anymore. She can back up when she's in a tight corner without falling over and can sit down with a lot more grace and finesse that she could even a few weeks ago. The only room that's off limits now is one of the bathrooms that has some pretty slick tile floors. We still use the harness whenever Dot goes outside or on a walk, but it doesn't seem to keep her from enjoying things. I'm so glad we made the right decision and had the surgery.

It's almost time for a new set of ink cartridges for the large format printer. I can't believe I've used an entire set of these expensive cartridges just making small test prints to keep the printer from clogging. I haven't made any large exhibition prints for almost two years. This thing would have gone to the storage warehouse a long time ago if I didn't have to keep using it regularly just to keep the lines from clogging. It seems like things you don't use frequently should just sit there, patiently waiting for you. This is not the case with printers. Whoever came up with that phrase "use it or lose it" probably had a printer like mine.

I wonder what excuse I'll come up with to keep from going to the gym tomorrow? I finished most of my errands and chores today, so maybe there isn't any excuse. We'll see. Believe it or not, it's not supposed to rain at all tomorrow. That would be nice.

Ollie is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day

Day 1672

When I was walking the dogs this morning, a guy stopped us and told me to be careful because there was a big snake up ahead. He pointed toward where the snake was and said I ought to keep the dogs to the right on the trail so they wouldn't get near the snake. I thanked the guy and kept walking. When we arrived at the snake's lair, I looked down and saw a menacing looking coiled up black bicycle tube next to a demolished tire. I'm sure the guy meant well. If you were jogging and didn't like snakes anyway, the tire and tube might have looked a bit like a snake. It definitely looked like a tire to me. I don't like snakes either, but I am slowly learning how to identify them. The ones with round eyes and small heads are generally non-poisonous. The ones with elongated eyes and triangular heads I stay away from. Most of the snakes in the park are harmless, but we do have Copperheads and Water Moccasins, so you've got to be careful.

The Summer heat is taking its toll on Dot. She is walking slower and doesn't have as much energy.  We kept her workout on the underwater treadmill very light today, but I could still tell she was tired. Luckily, the acupuncture session that followed the water therapy relaxed her and by the time we arrived home she was feeling fine again. I still think the water therapy is good for Dot, because she is much stronger than she was before we started these weekly sessions.

I saw dark clouds and heard distant thunder as we were driving home from the vet. During stormy weather, it's a blessing that Dot doesn't hear as well as she used to. She didn't notice a thing. We beat the storm, but it started raining soon after we arrived home again. The minute Dot got out of the car, she smelled the air and knew that rain was on the way. There's definitely nothing wrong with her sense of smell. It rained pretty hard for a while and I had to get under a blanket with the dogs to keep them calm. I'm surprised that this works, but it usually does. Getting under a blanket with the dogs was fine with me. I felt like taking a nap anyway.

The Passion Flower vines are in bloom again. I only see these ornate and rather flashy flowers once or twice a year. These exotic vines usually bloom in mid-summer, often right after a rain. I was lucky to see one this morning, because the blooms don't last very long. Usually, they have withered and died before I even notice them. It occurs to me that I have probably accumulated one of the best collections of local wildflower photos in town. If I could ever learn to identify the thousands of pictures I've taken over the years, I could put together a very pretty coffee table book.

I hope the weather clears up. I don't really feel like spending the day under a blanket with Dot tomorrow. Rain is OK. Thunder and lightning, please go away.

Dolly is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day