Who knew I needed to 'tie one on'?

Megan, me, an astonishing loaf of rye bread, a home-made apron, and two dogs.

Although I could not have told you this before Megan walked in my door armed with an apron-wrapped loaf of homemade bread, the day before Thanksgiving is apparently 'National Tie One On Day' (sponsored by the apron industry?). One is supposed to bring the objects mentioned above to a to a friend in need of support/spiritual sustenance. I qualify! I qualify! And Megan came through in marvelous style, successfully making me feel loved, decorated, protected from culinary messes, and fully indulged in gluten. It made my week.

Dancing for joy in my new apron (seriously!)

Other activities for the past few days include hosting siblings for feeding (I have major plans to keep dogs in a turkey-induced stupor for weeks to come) and lounging. And, unforgettably, wrapping my sister in duct tape. Seriously. She has taken up dressmaking (or has big plans to), and learned, via youtube, of course, that the easiest way to make tailored clothing is to make a dress dummy shaped exactly like you. Hence the tape-wrap, removal with blunt scissors, and imminent stuffing with polyfil. I am amazed and honored that she trusted her sister to fully immobilize her with duct tape and then slice her out of it. The duct tape masterpiece is the future resting place of a many a perfectly-fitted garment (made by and for my sister - no crazy delusions about my own crafting ambitions - don't let the apron fool you).

Semester thunders on, winter holds back

I am in a perpetual state of astonishment about the speed of Fall 2008. The semester is almost over (-ish), kids are getting grumpy and losing their motivation, and I have to psysch myself up a little more to get up there and entertain each lecture. I had to scold a bit about partial credit - "When doctors are only partly right, people die" got their attention. We'll see if it sticks. Lots of rain, leaves still trickling down, but no sign of winter yet. We are promised our first stretch of freezing temps next week.

Railroad bridge on an old railtrail up near the town of Woolrich (yes - factory town for the clothing company, yet everything in their outlet store there was made in Indonesia, Macau, or China). Wanders over creeks, along farms houses hills roads... Will be a great ski trail if winter ever decides to come.

Other than that: Haircut (see excessively cheerful self-portraits on either side), health kick, check-up, packing up the ex's belongings (all the typical "shake it off" post-breakup crap)... Been keeping busy. The siblings are descending into town for thanksgiving which is much anticipated.
Christmas break, which will be far too short, brings more family and hopefully a trip to Boston, for a meeting and lots of catching up with grad school folks. Maybe someone will hand me a job...

Long walk, not quite to forever

Zoe supervising Fall from Jones Mountain

Finally ended our under-appreciation of Fall, got out into the woods for a walk with friends, both canine and human. Zoe and I got to have a date, partial apology for all the time I've spent with Misha while she pined away at home. While hunting season prevented her from truly having the time of her life (she looks enough like a black bear or something that generally ought be shot that she had to stay on leash), a good long walk with all kinds of new poop flavors to roll in (she has been referred as "ass-dog" lately around the house, due to this particular proclivity of hers and the ensuing odor) made her a happy dog.

Human & canine friends




QT in the woods with Zoe and the newly adopted (not by me) Bandita. I wish friends would get new dogs more often, so I could enjoy the process and all the excitement, without actually acquiring more dogs myself... I think I have signed up for the Blue Heeler fanclub, though.

I am also feeling particularly smug and a little excited about November, because I actually remembered to say "Rabbit, rabbit" - first words out of my mouth this morning. Where does that come from?

Newly minted D.O.T.

Nope. Not starting our own department of transportation. "Dog of Therapy" (said in same voice as "Pigs. In. Spaaaaaaaace.") Misha just passed the exam (a long, complicated written test - I had to hold the pen) to become a certified therapy dog. Which means we get to wreak havoc amongst the old & infirm!

The way I figure, I am committed to some form of community service, I don't have time to run around at odd hours playing firefighter anymore, I hardly have the time I want with my dogs, and I am firm believer in the healing power of dogxytocin (the rush of soul-soothing hormone released in response to fondling/cuddling with a really cute dog). You add those all up and you realize that being a therapy dog escort (ok - they call them handlers, but escort sounds more intriguing) meets all my needs in one go.

Our long-suffering instructor, with the patience of a saint....

Misha demonstrates that he is impervious to airedale antics.

I was awfully proud of my ex-feral moose-herding beast - he was a flawless little guy and elicited envy and admiration from all witnesses. The whole process was a lot of fun - a weekly class with cool dogs and nice folks. It gave some structure to my training (since I'm mostly the one who needs it - Misha just needs the update now and then RE what exactly it is I'm trying to tell him), and some dedicated Q.T. with the Mouse. Sorry to see the class end, but as soon as the paperwork is done and we have our ultra-legit-looking therapy dog ID card (no, I can't take him in restaurants or in the cabin on planes with me, sadly - not the same as a service dog), we'll take the local nursing home world by storm. Look out.

Misha practices the lapdog aspect of canine therapeutics on a proud human

A little North Carolina

Reclaiming a ticket that was supposed to be to Iowa, I hustled myself down to the Outer Banks, NC to meet Sally for what felt like a well-deserved vacation. I was impressed by how intensely I miss/love the coast - being near the ocean again cured me of all ailments (at least temporarily). Sunshine (70's!), a nearly full moon, a room spitting distance from the waves, QT with Sally, some Carolina BBQ and more lovely lighthouses than any one person needs... We stayed in Nags Head and ventured as far south as we could to see the Ocracoke Island lighthouse (as well as Hatteras on the way back). I spent some time at the Nags Head Woods (Nature Conservancy hiking trails) and saw a pair of pileated woodpeckers, which made my day and almost made up for my severe lack of bug dope. Finally ended up with a few hours in Norkfolk and spent them at the Botanical Gardens, which was a great way to stretch out pre-flight (it's 5 min from the Norfolk airport).

Sally and I plot to take over the Hatteras lighthouse and thereby rule the world

The Ocracoke lighthouse - got to take a ferry over to the island and see terns, pelicans and porpoises...

Sally and I mugging on the ferry... Salt, wind and sun cheers me up any day.

Self portrait with peacock statue in Norfolk Botanical Gardens

I am currently paying for the too-short trip by facing the pile of things to do (exams to grade, lab reports, job applications...) that I walked away from on Friday, but it was well worth it.