Christmas Eve, a reflection

The daylight on Christmas Eve seemed to shine a little brighter, and the air became somewhat crisper. This is perhaps only my own personal perception of the day yet I feel as if things were much more in focus. The melodious peal of a finely crafted silver bell would surely have been a timorous footnote tucked in as an afterthought to the profoundly overwhelming glory my eyes did...

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Kiwi (A Master Thesis)

Better Half comes to mind...

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Wine Tasting

It is time for the annual Christmas Picture of Autrice. I have pasted it above so that you might break a rib or two in laughter.We attended a splendid wine tasting this evening. Better Half thought it would be a romantic change of pace (he was correct) so we bundled up and headed over to Valley Wine Cellar.Kim and Mary, the proprietors, outdid themselves. I absolutely adore their...

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A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,Transforming the yard to a winter delight.The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.My eyelids were heavy, my breathing...

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The start of the Holidays, 2007

I am filled with a certain dread: the holidays are upon us and my home is not ready. Ten years ago, it would have been completely festooned the day after Thanksgiving. This is 2007 and I finally got around to putting up some garland today.Better Half hauled up the Box of Indoor Garland this evening and I busied myself with hanging everything to perfection. The boughs must drape...

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Truffle is Home

I am home!After several days at the veterinarian, you wouldn’t believe that I was the same dog. I am feisty and curious (and famished.)We are pleased to have Truffle back at home with us. She battled her way through the blitz of parvo and kept her chin up; a very indomitable dog. The Good Doctor vaccinated the other dogs today (bringing them all in at the same time was an adventure...

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Shoo

C. Clymer, shoo. There is nothing for you he...

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Canine Parvo Virus (CPV): what is it and how can it be treated?

I have had several requests for information regarding parvovirus. Most of my knowledge of it was out of date as I have not worked in veterinary medicine in over ten years. I found the links below to be informative.If you suspect that your dog or puppy may have parvovirus, I urge you to seek veterinary care immediately. Do not delay receiving a proper diagnosis. You may have gathered...

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Truffle Update

We heard from the sellers. They were quite concerned and told us that they would cover all veterinary costs. This is a huge burden off my shoulders.We do not have an update from the vet (they shut down their front office at 5 PM on Tuesday...

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Truffle Update

Update (combination of several calls to the vet throughout the day):Truffle survived the night. The Good Doctor reported that she was alert this morning and placed her paws on his chest in order to lick his face. She vomited a little of her water earlier today, and had kept her lunch down (as of 5 PM.) She is still resting on a hot water bottle.Visits are not allowed as she is in the ICU. She is receiving antibiotics and subcutaneous fluids throughout the day. Her prognosis is still guarded and her percentages are still low. My poor girl.We have not heard back from the...

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Evening Truffle Update

Latest news around 5:00 PM. She was alert and showed some interest in the vet tech. She was curled around a blanket and hot water bottle.In other news, the damned leak in my office is back. We have had rain for most of the day and tiny drip paths of water are trickling around the Dread Pillar. My coping skills are at an all-time low. The depression that has been present since last year has gnawed most bitterly at me today. I am at the point of apathy towards the leak (let the house fall in.)We have wiped down surfaces in the house and have done several (bleached) loads...

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Truffle Update: grave news

Truffle UpdateWe brought Truffle in to Crestview at 10:30 this morning. Her vet, who we absolutely adore for his positive outlook and good humor, was shocked at her level of lethargy. As he stated in regard to her apathetic response, “this is not a puppy.” She had no energy. He asked us to leave her in order for him to run tests and take x-rays.The Good Doctor phoned twenty minutes ago: prognosis very guarded. Truffle’s Parvovirus score lit up before the control registered. What this means is that she “tested very positive for Parvo.” I had hoped in my heart that my intuition...

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Truffle

My level of frustration is at an all-time high tonight. Truffle has been unable to keep any food down since we took ownership, and perhaps the problem was prevalent before we even picked her up. I do not know. I do know that she threw up during the car ride home, which I attributed to motion sickness. She seemed to do all right yesterday but threw up this morning, and again this evening.I am not one to panic under normal circumstances. I did work as a veterinary technician nearly a decade ago. I do know the signs and symptoms of parvovirus and I am pleased to say that Truffles...

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Tea and Truffles on Tuesday

Hello. My name is Truffle. I am named after the chocolate version of the highly sought-after edible species of underground ascomycetes. My registered name will be Tea and Truffles on Tuesday. I was a gift from dad.I am seven weeks old and was chosen because of my serene temperament and clever curiosity in regard to my surroundings. I am a Pomeranian and my new mother (this crazy...

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Thanksgiving and Black Friday

Happy belated Thanksgiving to all of you.Better Half and I took pleasure in a relaxing holiday. We watched the Macy’s Parade, lazily prepared our dinner and goofed off. Our (orgasmic) duck cooked to perfection, the Parisian green beans tasted spectacular, and the giblet stuffing (a tradition in this household) was moist. It was an effortless yet elegant fare and we completed the...

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Theobromine Revisited

A clever N’Tran caught an error in my “brainy” scribbling. The picture was cropped too closely and some bits were left out.I shall make amends:This is Theobromine. It is quite similar to Caffeine. Both are vital to my existence.(Woooo. Two Hydrogen and a Carbon separate the two! Now you know why a dash of cocoa mix in your coffee seems to blend so well. For the chemically challenged:...

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Sunday Scribbling #85: I carry...

I carry…The ghosts of memories; regrets that I can not undo.I carry…The blissful smile of two sweet children; tucked into the corners of my heart, the recollection of those happy days uplifts me.I carry…The sorrows of the world; the bloodied sands in Darfur, the famished people in Zimbabwe, the tortured looks of the orphan children in the Ukraine as they rock in their cribs.I carry…My family in prayer; may God bless them and keep them sound.I carry…Burdens and obligations, laughter and tears, anger and depression.I carry…Myself....

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Roadchick's technical support

Once every so often I reemerge in blogging land and scamper to all my friends' sites in order to catch up with their life and times. I am pleased to say that Roadchick did not leave me hanging today. I promptly opened my "new post" feature and began typing this. (Perhaps not "promptly", as I did need to wipe the sprayed coffee off of my screen first.)Roadtrip: Technical SupportAutrice loves the 'chick's hum...

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SS #84 - Left & Right: Between Minds

My “left-brain” is too lethargic to deal with any actual work this morning and it has entrusted my “right-brain” to come up with a post for this week’s SS entry. Alas, my right-brain tends to follow all known mapping for brain hemispheres. My left-brain is perfectly content to allow my right-brain to maintain this (grossly inept) way of thinking, as it enables me to be more productive...

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Kecksburgh UFO's, Clinton aids and Nazi Acorns

One winter night in 1965, eyewitnesses saw a fireball streak over North America, bank, turn and appear to crash in western Pennsylvania. Then swarms of military personnel combed the area and a tarp-covered flatbed truck rumbled out of the woods. Now a former White House chief of staff and an international investigative journalist want to know what the Pentagon knows, calling on...

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The Moon

The moon hung low in the sky last night, spherical and pure and clad in a prismatic halo (we called those “moon doggies” when I was a child.) Indeed, I could not recall Luna appearing so pristinely white. She outstripped the satin of a virginal bride’s gown; the glow of new fallen snow in deep winter would seem tainted and dim in comparison. She hung like a pregnant goddess swollen...

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Sunday Scribblings #82: Hospital

hospital1242, "shelter for the needy," from O.Fr. hospital "hostel," from L.L. hospitale "guest-house, inn," neut. of L. adj. hospitalis "of a guest or host," from hospes (gen. hospitis); see host (1). Later "charitable institution to house and maintain the needy" (1418); sense of "institution for sick people" is first recorded 1549. Hospitalize is from 1901, "Freq(uently) commented...

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Are You Honest?

Are You Honest?This test only has one question, but it's a very important one. By giving an honest answer, you will discover where you stand morally. The test features an unlikely, completely fictional situation in which you will have to make a decision. Remember that your answer needs to be honest, yet spontaneous.Please scroll down slowly and give due consideration to each line.THE...

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TV Wars, IV

If there is one exasperating thing in my life, it is that the idiot box is currently located in my office. I have tried to get Better Half to see the light concerning this disruptive device. This morning was no exception.Ideally, the idiot box would be situated in the living room. Although I loath the idea of having my living room “trashed” by daily living, it would be worth the hassle of daily cleaning if only to grant me the ability to work in my office sans any distractions.I have been outlining my novel for some time now and thought I would sit down and scrape out a rough...

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A Quiz

This came in from MoosooPerk. Thanks, doll! (My mother can slap me later for publishing it.)An engineering professor is treating her husband, a loan officer, to dinner for finally giving in to her pleas to shave off the scraggly beard he grew on vacation. His favorite restaurant is a casual place where they both feel comfortable in slacks and cotton/polyester-blend golf shirts. But, as always, she wears the gold and pearl pendant he gave her the day her divorce decree was final. They're laughing over their menus because they know he always ends up diving into a giant plate...

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A Slow Friday

There are a few indications that fall weather has finally arrived. One need not step outside or switch over to the weather channel on television. One need only look around our house.The first indication is the appearance of our breath in mist form (as Better Half always waits until icicles take shape on his moustache before switching the AC to heat.) As it so happens, Better Half...

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A no-prompt prompt

Sunday Scribblings:...

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Hello World!

It has been quite some time since my last sincere post. I will not bore you with the details, darlings (as if anyone actually still reads my blog, no thanks to my continuous prolonged absences.)I am delighted to report that we did manage to get our outside decorating completed. The Grapes of Wrath are now adorned with their fall leaves, the back deck is now clear of all furniture and various bits (we did not have much of an opportunity to utilize it last season.) The downstairs living room and dining room have been set up, miscellaneous furnishings are now in the garage, and...

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Blah

I have not bothered to update my blog in a while due to some ongoing problems with my health. I am alive and kicking, but in a feverish and groggy manner.We have put our furniture arranging and fall cleaning on hold temporarily. We did manage to complete the dining room and have only a few articles to set up in the living room (at the moment, knickknacks are simply placed in order...

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Sunday Scribblings: Hello, my name is...

Hello, my name is…Softest sound,Quiet as drops of dewThat slides from the bladeOf grass, touchingLightly upon the soft earthBefore being swallowedBy the thirsty sandsSurrounding the impressionLeft by a form that fellJust as the moon roseLast night.The hunting owlWings spread in flightCast little warningIn shadow form asShe glided in silenceOver the fields of wheatBut her eyes,So...

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"Other Men's Sons", a review

I have had the most extraordinary day. Perhaps it was the moments spent with Pat and Wally Kutteles in their Kansas kitchen, sharing their journey and embracing their loss. Surly the wine I sipped with Scott Merritt at the Sutton Place Hotel bar only enhanced this day. It may even have been from the euphoria in regard to missing the moose as I was whisking along the road towards...

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Reagan Diary Rumors - the End!

A lot of speculation has been flying in regard to the "Reagan" quote, penned by Michael Kinsley. It is time to give credit where credit it due, for in the end it is the satire that survives whilst the speculation shrivels and dies.Kinsley is best known for his quote, ""A gaffe is when a politician tells the truth." He is an American political journalist, commentator television...

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