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?