REDONDOWRITER'S SACRED ORDINARY

Zachary, Arlo and Elowa in Montana

Haven't shown you any of my grandkids lately, so here are photos of Zach, Arlo and Elowa during their two-week camping trip to Montana recently. Laura and Joe are outdoors people, but with the kids so little, they made life a little easier and rented a tent trailer to pull. Boy, it sure brought back memories of camping when my kids were little and big. Two of them have remained outdoor people, too--especially Joe. 

This is Zach with Elowa sound asleep under a picnic table. Zach turned three in April. His mom titled this photo as Elowa Pillow. My kids were also raised with dogs and have continued to love them. Now that Tony and Gretchen have moved to a bigger house, maybe they will get a dog. Christy has two pit bulls. 

And this is Arlo by a lake in Glacier National Park. He turns one on July 7 and grandma will be there for his big day. I'll arrive at their home in Pt. Angeles on July 3 and will leave on July 9 to take an art workshop in Pt. Townsend for three days. Other days will be spent with my sister in Tumwater. 

Update on Cookie

Cookie was back on her Cushings meds at half dose for a month and last week she began to get sick again and she had been doing so well. The vet stopped the meds and now Cookie has her appetite back and isn't vomiting et al, so obviously she can't tolerate the meds.

He thinks maybe it is Addisons instead of Cushings. All I know is that today she is great again except for the creakiness of old age. What to do next? We'll see what he says, but I'm inclined to leave her off the meds for the summer entirely so we can both have decent vacations.

This is my friend Lori, a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines, who had a layover in L.A. tonight. She was my roomie for 2 1/2 years in the late 1990s, when I got Cookie as a young pup. Lori wasn't married then but she is now and has an adorable 3-year-old daughter Abby. She lives in Toledo, OH.

I picked Lori up at the airport, we had dinner and then she came to visit "Cookie Monster," her pet name for Cookie--and Cookie remembered her.

She has to be up at 4 a.m. for her morning flight so I delivered her back to her hotel.

Here is Lori with her baby Abbigail. What a great evening we had. I've always considered Lori "one of my kids."

Beauty Queens, Baseball Players, Politicians, and Hero Dogs

Newspapers are going under as we speak, but I will always read them as long as they exist. It's the tradition, the feel of newsprint, the way the ink smudges on my hands. My bachelor's degree is in journalism and I was a long time advisor of a student newspaper. In fact, I have a special affinity for my local newspaper, The South Bay Daily Breeze.  I especially like the columnists. Yesterday, Breeze columnist John Bogert, wrote the following article which I wish I had written. You can e-mail him at john.bogert@dailybreeze.com if you want to comment on what he wrote. I did note that Donald Trump let Prejean keep her crown today.

If you read to the end, you'll see why I've enticed you in with a photo of Hoagie the Hero Dog.

By the way, Rain at Rainy Day Thoughts blog wrote an excellent entry yesterday on Elizabeth Edwards. Check it out.

Here's Bogert's article. 

Totally stunned, but why should we be?

What is the world coming to when we can't even believe in beauty contests?

Or baseball players? Or politicians? Or, worse, Hoagie the hero dog?

I don't know about you, but my world was shaken as tawdry revelation followed silly revelation out of a low-end intellectual dual between Miss USA contestant Carrie Prejean and blogger Perez "Mario Lavadeira" Hilton.

In a dramatic, semi-articulate, OMG! moment, Lavadeira interjected a question that, in the Barbie world of beauty pageants, was akin to asking one of these gussied up kids to describe the function of beryllium in a thermonuclear explosion.

Perez, who is usually described as "openly gay" in the same way that I am "openly who-the-heck cares," asked Prejean about (what else?) gay marriage.

Naturally, this reminded me of the day I heard a reporter ask a clearly homicidal Frank Sinatra a question, only to be told that he wasn't answering "no stupid damn questions from no stupid damn punk!"

In truth, I prefer Frank's world to one where a snot like Lavadeira asks a "hard question" in the most dumbed-down corner of our dumbed-down world and gets an answer that somehow leads to the contestant's breasts (reportedly financed by the pageant) being discussed on TV like they are grapefruit.

In Frank's world, a lot of people would have been mysteriously injured for talking like that about somebody's daughter.

Saying Goodbye to a Crib 47 Years Later

I'll admit that I'm a sentimental person and I have a hard time of letting things go, especially things that have to do with my grown kids when they were kids. They are now 47, 45, and 42. I have not been able to part with a lot of their stuff, but keeping the original crib is downright silly. It wouldn't even have been safe by today's standards. But I have kept it--until yesterday. 

It was a birch crib, probably from Sears. There's a big decal of two lambs on one panel. It was the crib we used for Joe, Christy and Tony. By the time we were done with it, it was pretty thrashed, but I couldn't part with it.

And then Christy gave birth to Whitney 22 years ago. While she was carrying her, my ex husband offered to refinish the crib so I could use it for Whitney when she stayed at my house. He was remarried by then, but we've always continued our parenting through thick and thin. 

Whitney slept in that crib at my house for the first days of her life. Later, after I had sold the family home and moved to Redondo Beach, Anthony slept in it when he visited; he's now 20. 

Back in the garage the crib went, but later when a friend wanted a crib for when their grandchildren visited, I loaned it to them. For about 15 years, however, it has been gathering dust in the garage. 

My son Tony and I were moving things around yesterday in my garage and I said it was probably time to get rid of the crib as all my kids tell me they are done having kids. But, what if Whitney and Anthony have kids in the next few years? "Mom, this crib usefulness is over," Tony reminded me. We decided to bring it up to the street and prop it against the palm tree so a passerby who needed a crib could have it. Even though it isn't up to standard, maybe it will find a home. If not, the trash truck will haul it away. That's how our neighborhood does things; I'm close to the pier and on weekends lots of people pass by. 

I have a great, great sadness, however, like an era has passed. As I type this I feel like I'm definitely a tribal elder, not a young mother anymore. I told Cookie to stand in front of the crib for a photo. I told her to look sad. Does she look sad to you? 

Feeling Loved From Pitbull Kisses

I'll admit that I am very leery of pitbulls and I am a dog lover personified. There's no one who hasn't heard the awful things that have happened to kids and others when a pitbull turns vicious. We also know that the breed has been exploited internationally to make money in the dog fighting world. It makes me sick to think about it. 

Today I saw a story on CNN about the pitbulls that were rehabilitated after Michael Vick's dogfighting ring was broken up a year ago. Usually fighting dogs are put down after a ring is closed down but the judge in Vick's case made him pay to have all 65 taken care of for life. Many of them now have happy homes after rehabilitation. All you have to do is Google pitbull and several sites come up with people who champion the breed. There is talk of eliminating the breed altogether. If you click the photo, you'll see the dogs larger and in more loving detail. 

My grandson was living with me still when his mom was given, by default, a pitbull found on the side of the freeway. That's Spooky on the right. I wouldn't allow Spooky to live here as I didn't trust her with Cookie. Spooky was named because she was spooked--afraid of people, trembling and hiding, but growling at people she wasn't sure about. Initially she growled at me. When Anthony moved back with his mom, Spooky was the happiest dog on the planet. Then a year ago Anthony rescued Justice, who is kissing me on the left. She is also skittish but both dogs are extremely lovable. Far more than Cookie ever has been. 

Both of Anthony's dogs have proved to be excellent pets, but I'll admit that my heart still races a little bit when I visit and both check me out for a second before they start kissing me. I found the poem below on The Last Rescue site.

American Pit Bull Terriers

You made me what I am today, courage at its best.
You wanted me to know no fear, a cut above the rest.
Not only did I master that, I've thrown in loyalty, too.
Look past my eyes into my soul, you know I'd die for you.
I'll watch your kids, I'll watch your house.
Your praise will be my crown,
ask what you will-I'll do my best.
I'll even be your clown.
But some of you don't like me, I'm sure I don't know why.
The only thing I'm guilty of is courage, love, and try.
But still they want to see me go, they want my breed to end.
Will I see you sitting idly by? You, whom I call a friend?
You made me what I am today, you never saw me waiver.
I've done my best to keep you safe. Won't you please return the favor.
-Author Unknown

Cookie is Wearing Eau d'Skunk

Cold, windy night and after I finished a late dinner and had paid Ryan, my handyman, for putting in a ceiling fan in my downstairs bathroom, I took Cookie for her last work before bedtime. 

I wish I hadn't. We had gone no further than a half block when she leaped into the neighbor's planter bed and attacked a small skunk. I thought I got her away in time, but she was frothing gunky, ooky stuff from her mouth. This is her fifth time since I've owned her that this has happened.

I short leashed her, wiped the offending juices from her muzzle with my good ski scarf (which I threw away), and walked her upstairs and into the bathtub. Tomato juice first and then I turned on the hand held shower and soaped her down with her foo-foo, good smelling shampoo--again and again and again.

Fortunately, the skunk goo only got on her face. I toweled her down and she is indignantly drying. She does look downcast, doesn't she? But so do I. I can smell it in the house, but I've seen her totally skunked a few times when nothing seemed to help, not even a professional groomer.

Wow, the 'hood can get pretty exciting sometimes. So, now we both deserve to go to bed with a book, don't we?

Dog Tales: A Reading Program for Kids and Dogs

If you have a child who is a beginning or shy reader, what could be more fun than cuddling up with a patient and friendly dog as a reading buddy? This particular program with the photos I took today is sponsored by the Peninsula Library District and the Peninsula Friends of the Library in Palos Verdes. 

In the first of three dates scheduled for the Library's Dog Tales program, several children gathered in the Gallery Room of the Malaga Cove Library today, April 11, to read to dogs brought by Paws 4 Healing and its Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program. These dogs are registered with the Delta Society for their outstanding temperament and ability to stay calm and obedient among strangers. Children sign up for 15-minute time slots, during which they can cuddle up with a four-legged reading buddy.

If you live in the South Bay area of Los Angeles,  there are two more dates to participate: Saturday, May 9 and Saturday, June 13, 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Malaga Cove Branch. If you don't live nearby, you might want to check with your own library to see if this program is available in your area. Click on the photos to enlarge them. 

 This is Brinkley, a Portuguese Water Dog, which is one of the breeds President and Mrs. Obama may adopt for their daughters. His owner/handler said this breed has hair vs. fur and is hypo-allergenic. His reading buddy holds up her official card saying "I Read to Brinkley." 

This Dalmatian mix dog was busy being read to and I didn’t catch his name, but I’m wondering if there are 100 more just around the corner.

 This is Riley, a Labrador Retriever/Canaan mix, who was a rescue dog in 2000. His owner/handler is Dennis Cajili and on Riley's behalf, he provides cards telling the story of his adoption and training. He has sunglasses when he reads himself. 

Space is limited for May 9 and June 13, so reservations are strongly encouraged if you are planning to participate in the Palos Verdes. To read more about Dog Tales, visit the Peninsula Library District website or call the Young Readers Desk at (310) 377-9584, x600. 

More Evidence of Spring at Redondowriter's House

SOME MORE EVIDENCE OF SPRING

The sun was out the entire day and I spent three hours in my patio garden this afternoon mopping up from winter. All the patio furniture is back out, plants pruned, re-potted and discarded where appropriate.  Next will be a visit to the garden shop tomorrow to bring in new bedding plants. My mood elevates dramatically when I can dig in the dirt again.

I cleaned out my bedroom closet today and bagged several sacks full of clothing I am never going to wear. I'm not quite ready to bring out the spring clothing until it warms up more, however.

My neighbor Ryan visited tonight; he is a great handy man and I'm having several things done around in the house in the next few weeks, including a new ceiling fan in the bedroom and a new water heater.

Sophia, the art mannikin, is wearing her first of her spring outfits, this one is periwinkle blue chiffon, spring flowers in her hair, one of my herd of rabbits (my favorite one actually with a little kid voice reciting "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep"), and my pink and blue lion power animal necklace.

Lordy, I remember way back when that my own body looked like this--and I thought I was too skinny.

The bench by the dining room table is occupied by the rest of the herd of rabbits. Who says you have to be totally mature when you're 71?

 

Cookie, though mildly indignant, posed for a Welcome Spring photo. You should have seen her in the yard with me today, hunting for the patches of sun to stretch out and snooze in. Life is very good today.

Cookie Buys Some Time: Yippee!

For those of you have followed this blog, you know that my dog Cookie is my fourth child. At Christmas time she became very ill and the tests and blood chemistry gave us very bad news. My dear, dear vet stopped the Cushings disease drugs and sent her home with 1-3 months to live. 

I began cooking special crock pot chicken and beef dishes to entice her to begin eating again--and she began to slowly improve. I knew it was definitely a day at a time. Then slowly she became more energetic and her bowels and bladder stabilized. 

Yesterday I finally took her back to the vet for more tests and when Dr. Steve called last night, he reported that a lot of her chemistry was within normal range, she had gained a few pounds, and the mass in her liver has actually significantly reduced. "Whatever you are doing, keep doing it," he said. I need to report back in in a few weeks as there are kidney and adrenal implications, but for now I would think she was five years younger than her 13 1/2 years. She has even started jumping up on the bed again which she hasn't done for at least a year--and she is ravenously hungry. I feed her twice a day and if a piece or fruit or a vegetable drops from the kitchen sink, she even gobbles that. 

I'm realistic given what we know scientifically, but I'm also very grateful for the time we have been given together for a while longer. In fact, for this first time in months, my friend who stays with Cookie when I've traveled in the past, will come and stay with her for a few days in a few weeks so I can visit my sister in Las Vegas. 

Cookie is sitting with my Vermont Teddy Bear momma and son that my youngest son gave me for Mother's Day more than 10 years ago. I am so sentimental. 

Dogbook: My Social Network Expands

When I was at the Malaga Cove Book Sale yesterday, I bumped into our Library Director Kathy Gould shopping for used books--just like all the rest of us. Kathy, however, passed on some information that blew me away. Between options for blogging, and posting occasionally to Facebook and Twitter, she said there is also a social networking site called Dogbook within the Facebook application.

Needless to say, Cookie now has her own profile on Dogbook. This is a photo taken of her tonight. I know that some of you have been Cookie's health woes because before Christmas she got really ill and was given a short time to live. She was taken off her Cushings disease meds then and about a week later she began to eat well again and all her bodily functions are working normally like they were a year ago. I know that she is seriously ill, but--

All I know is that she continues to be my companion day by day and today was a good day. 

Cookie is hypervigilant about cats, squirrels and skunks. There are no applications for squirrels and skunks, but there are categories for babies, cats, horses, rodents, ferrets, and fish.

Yes, I do have a life away from the computer, in case you are grousing about my wasting time.