Day 2503

Today had its ups and downs. I was delighted to see a few Orionid meteors as I was walking Dash before dawn this morning. The light pollution is so bad in Dallas that it is rare to see things like this. I got up so early this morning that I was able to eat a relaxing breakfast before the Friday morning crowds arrived. The hipster restaurant is slowly becoming my new go-to destination. The atmosphere is low-key and relaxing and the food is delicious.

I checked my trash can with some trepidation when I returned from breakfast and was somewhat disappointed to see that the black trash bags were still inside. On further inspection I realized that the truck hadn't even been by yet. None of the trash on the entire street had been picked up. The truck usually arrives about 7 AM, but when it still hadn't appeared by 4 PM, I began to get suspicious. Maybe the driver got mad that somebody complained and decided to ignore the street this week. I was determined to get my trash picked up this time, so I called the city again. Around 6 PM, the truck finally appeared and this time my trash did get picked up.

When I went to the vet to pick up more phenobarbital for Dash, I noticed that they gave me the wrong medication. I went back and had them refill the prescription, which delayed me just enough to put me right in the middle of rush hour traffic for a trip to REI to pick up the pants that the store had agreed to replace for me. Getting off schedule can be dangerous. I wasn't terribly surprised to see that Dot had pooped in her bed while I was gone.

Before running these Friday errands, I finished my new article and shipped it off to the client. I wonder how I used to write three or four of these articles every day. I could never do that now. It's amazing how time consuming these dogs have become. Every time I get started on something, Dot needs attention. Dash has his own quirks as well. Together they are quite a handful.

After completing two minor website updates, I decided to call it a day. I was going to take a short nap with the dogs, but as soon as I lay down on the bed, Dash woke up and both dogs started barking for their dinner. I've started dividing their evening meal into two parts on days like this. Usually, they'll go back to sleep for and hour or so after the early dinner, and then we'll have the late dinner. This ritual may seem a little weird, but it gives the dogs something to do and restores a little sanity to the house. Life was a lot easier when I could just let Dot and Dash outside and let them burn off their energy chasing each other around in circles in the back yard.

As I swept yesterday's rain off the roof, I wondered how long it it will take to reconnect with the roofers again. They didn't show up at all this week. I've got to get beyond worrying about the roof and the garbage, but these things are pretty basic. I definitely need a dry roof over my head, and regular garbage pickup would be nice too. At least I had a nice breakfast this morning and all Dot's accidents landed squarely on the Wee Wee pads like they were supposed to. It's the little things that keep me sane.

Lance is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day

Day 2120

I've been thinking about the concept of just enough lately. I've got just enough money coming in so I can pay my bills, but not enough to change my lifestyle. I've got just enough energy to take care of my own aging dogs, but not enough to rescue other animals. I've got just enough imagination to fix things around the house, but not enough to actually invent anything. I've got just enough tenacity to continue writing this blog everyday, but not enough to make documentary films anymore. I could go on and on. If you were to ask me how I'm doing these days, I'd probably answer "I get by."

Sometimes I think this state of affairs shows a serious lack of ambition on my part. At other times, I think being content with just enough is both practical and wise. Some of the most unhappy people I know are those who have overextended themselves and no longer have the resources to climb out of the hole they dug for themselves. You don't want to be a slacker though. I think the key to staying both productive and sane is to actually know what your limits are and never cross that invisible line.

I've started taking naps during the day when Dot gets me up in the middle of the night to change her bedding. It helps. An hour nap can make a big difference when you're up at 3 AM cleaning up poop. I no longer tell my clients when I'll have their projects finished. I just start at the beginning and methodically work my way towards the finish line. Artificial deadlines are stressful and I've discovered that my clients are still happy with how quickly I work. I no longer buy things using money I'll make next month. This had been a hard habit to break, but I'm a realist. My income fluctuates more than it used to and it's crazy to worry about how I'm going to pay for something I probably don't need anyway.

I got a check in the mail today, so I paid the electric and U-verse bills. Dash still seems to be having a problem with his right rear leg, so I made an appointment to take him to the vet tomorrow. I've examined the leg carefully and can't find anything wrong, but that doesn't mean there isn't a problem. Dash is a strange dog and the sporadic lameness could be anything. Hopefully the vet will be able to give me a better idea of what is going on.

I've been wondering why the Holly bushes in our yard don't have as many bright red berries as they used to. Now I know the answer. Squirrels eat them. This afternoon a watched a pair of squirrels pick the new green berries off a bush one by one and eat them like candy. They also eat the St. Augustine grass and dig unsightly hole int he ground to bury the acorns that have started falling from our three large Oak trees. These squirrels are destructive little rodents. I'm not a big fan of squirrels. Dot isn't a fan either and it really makes her mad that she no longer has the strength to chase them.

I've really grown find of my morning smoothies. I make them using a two raw eggs, a little half and half, three tablespoons of uncooked oatmeal, a whole peach, a half a dozen strawberries, a handful of blueberries, a banana, two scoops of vanilla ice cream, and a coffee cup full of ice cubes. Delicious! I could probably live on Vitamix smoothies and soup. The machine makes fabulous fresh soups too.

So there you have it. A good breakfast tomorrow and a good report from the vet about Dash and I'll be a happy camper. Well, I'll be happy enough anyway.

Lightning is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day