Pit stop

I was off work yesterday because I swapped days with a co-worker. So I decided to take the dogs to park. Actually, they decided that since I wasn’t going to work, that I should take them “for a ride.” They pestered me from about daylight until around 11 am, when I finally decided to get dressed.

It is so funny how Max, the almost eight year old, will get to dancing around; when he thinks he is getting to go for a ride. His hips get to moving from side to side, his tail gets to flipping back and forth so fast that it is almost a blur. It is almost as if he is winding up because he starts hopping around, backing up all the time. All I have to do is say “load up,” and both Jake and Max will knock you down to get to the “puppy wagon.”

After loading up and heading out to the dog park, I had to make a side trip to Costco for gas, because I didn’t stop the night before when I was coming home from work. (This happens frequently after working a 12-hour shift in the emergency room as I am tired and hungry). Before making the pit stop at Costco, Jake decided that he had to make his own pit stop, so I stopped in parking lot at Regions Park. Both monsters were leashed on the tandem leash and nearly pulled me down before they got to a tree to water. After the tree watering ceremony, they were reluctant to load up. This was new territory for them, and their need to sniff new smells and scents and leave their mark was heightened, so off we go.

While walking along the edge of the parking lot, we discovered an entrance to the Cahaba River Trail, a nice easy trail for hiking, (or in my case, being dragged through the woods). The trail is a wide path with packed dirt and gravel and has a few hills plus there is a creek that meanders along side the trail. The monsters loved playing in the puddles and the mud in the shallow areas.

The vivid green color of the moss was most striking. It looked as if someone had painted the base of the trees with the brightest bold green paint you could find. The pictures don’t do it justice. The moss must be close to growing spores. I will have to research this as I haven’t any idea. But it will have to wait.

Old becomes new again

I recently learned that a friend's microwave oven had quit working and the subsequent "discovery" of a stove top and it uses and it reminded me of a recent incident where I "discovered" something new again.

I rarely use the microwave except for rewarming coffee. Last weekend I was foraging through the pantry for a snack. I was on the edge of disappointment and discouraged until I noticed the bag of popcorn. It was on the shelf staring at me, and I could almost hear it saying "Pick me! Pick me! you have ignored me for that new kid on the block that likes to be 'zapped' in the microwave".
At first, I was a bit perplexed because I couldn't remember how much oil to heat in the pot. There were no directions on the package because someone (who shall remain unnamed) cut them off the end of the package the last time(???) we had stove top popcorn.
There was a debate to fly solo and wing it or to google directions on the computer. I soldiered on and managed to not burn the kernels. So next movie night, I will start the show with a bowl of popcorn.

new supervisor

Max and Jake are rotten. Those two would not leave me alone while I was helping David with the flooring. Jake literally would stick his nose right in my face and not move. I finally had to put a bed in the room, make him lie down. He was fine unless I walked out of the room. Up he would go and follow me. If we were making a cut to one of the planks, he would lie down in the doorway, watching us closely.  Jake watched with so much concentration, you would think he was supervising our work. As soon as the saw blade rotation would stop, he would raise his eye brows one at a time like he does, get to his feet and trot into the room, lie down and watch until the next  plank cut was necessary. Occasionally, he would get up, sniff David, give his seal of approval and then lie down again.

 

 

At 1:30 am, they woke me up barking. I went to check on them, and made them come inside. A few minutes later, they bolted out of the bedroom, down the stairs and out into the yard, barking like crazy. I put on some shoes and jacket and grabbed a flashlight to check on them. I quieted them and then heard leaves rustling along the edge of the woods. I shined the flashlight and couldn't see anything.  I went back inside, figuring it was a racoon. As I turned the lights off, I heard it again, this time it was a barking sound. It sounded like a fox. I listened for a few minutes but never heard it again. It could have been feral dog. 

Enjoying some early spring weather om Central ALA

I woke this morning to blue skies with a bit of orange as the sun, in all his majesty, emerged over the horizon and brighted our day. Recent severe weather in the area can be a bit troublesome and can cause great anxiety as just short months ago this area was hard hit with tornadic  destruction the likes of most have never seen before.

We consider ourselves lucky this time. 

As a practicing paramedic for the past 20 yrs (give or take), it was hard to sit on the sidelines during our communities needs.  Pete N, a paramedic friend, stated it eloquently when we realised that our services  were not needed. It feels strange not responding. No services needed. I been put out to pasture.

Fortunes side with those who dare--Virgil

By my nature and nuture, I am not a risk taker.  I don't jay walk, I don't drive without a seatbelt. I play the game of life by the rules set by others. I do what I am suppose to do, when I am suppose to do it  and I do it by the book. And this blog is going to help me become a risk taker and become an acheiver.

My goal to become a creative achiever, means that I will have to sometimes put it all out there and let my guard down so others can see the real me  So part of the goal means accomplishing a better photographic eye, a better taste for different dishes and taking risks by trying different things