Christmas 2005

Can you believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve?

I've been a sick dog all this past week. Though that's not quite an excuse, it does explain the absence of blog entries. A sniffling dog without the energy to bark is no fun at all.

Ok, so what's up? Well, we have a lot going on behind the scenes. :-) I'll wait until after the New Year for the big news. It's not HUGE big but it's big big. Ya know?

Swell. So, then I'm hearing HAPPY HOLIDAYS. In advertising: Wal-Mart, Target, etc.. It's gotten quite ridiculous. The absence of Christmas also finds it's way to packaging: Christmas Lights are now holiday lights, a Christmas tree is now a holiday tree, and those aren't Christmas Candles...no, that's a holiday display of holiday candles.

Give me a dog gone break! So, the baby Jesus with Mary and Joseph, am I to assume that is now a "Holiday" Display? I wonder how many realize the word holiday is derived from the word holy. Ha ha!

Oh wait, there are no nativity displays because that would offend some people. Grr. Ok, so school breaks for Christmas are now referred to as "Winter Recess." You guessed it, using the word Christmas might offend some people. I've even caught myself almost saying the offending greeting--but luckily, I did catch myself and barked (in a nice way!) the appropriate MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Then cards this year. I think the card world decided Happy Holidays was a little too religious. So, the majority of cards had about 75% with the apathetic "Seasons Greetings." Ok, so it's not that bad. But, in some ways it is...

I love Christmas. I'm tired of people bashing it and trying to erase what this country was built on. I'm sorry but it has worked since 1776, so why the sudden need to change?

I'm at a loss as to what to say. This dog loves walking the neighborhood and looking at Christmas lights. It's breathtaking. Magical and nostalgic.

So, here's what I've done: I've hung my CHRISTMAS ornaments on my CHRISTMAS tree with CHRISTMAS lights, sent out my CHRISTMAS cards saying MERRY CHRISTMAS with CHRISTMAS stamps, greet everyone with a MERRY CHRISTMAS, and hope I can spread some CHRISTMAS cheer.

Merry Christmas to all...

Bark at you later,
PJ the CHRISTMAS loving dog blogging dog!

Marble Magnets ?

Well, I finally did it!

This furry dog discovered the fun of marble magnets. They are a lot of fun and make for some sticky paws, but what a midnight madness craft. When I have a spare minute (I'm going in the car! woof!) I'll post a "how to" or tutorial. Fun fun fun.

Did I forget to mention? MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-P

Peach PoPs and CoBBlers!

Howdy folk!

I'd say folks, but this dog here thinks maybe, maybe, one person reads this here blog.

Ok, so this week we've been busy. Err, I mean M and M have been busy. I have been decked out in Christmas balls and Shiny Brite this and Whirl Glo that...I mean, it's dog gone festive around here! I love Christmas! Ok, so the top photo shows a carved wood ornament of a Welsh Corgi dog. These are very unique. When I get the time, I'll snap a photo of some more. We have a whole Christmas Tree with handmade PeachPoP CoBBlers of all sorts of dog breeds and cat breeds on every branch. M and M had to dedicate a whole tree just for them. See, M, she wouldn't give up some of them. Then, she turned into an elf and carved like crazy. I tell you, this here dog knows the smell of fresh wood as it curls into little ribbons. Plus, I like watching the wood become..a dog. It's nifty!

The second photo is of a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Dog family. I think one of the M's had a bit of nativity and Christmas inspiration on this one. A little bundle of joy for the New Year. Hearing a puppy snort as he/she sleeps is so....well, it's Christmassy.

Off the top of my furry head: I love those so many different ornaments! Vintage is my favorite of course. Metal icicles that catch the twinkling lights, Whirl Glo revolving lamp shades, bubble lights that gurgle with liquid colors on Christmas tree branches, CoBBlers (my fav!), Santa Claus ornaments, shades that cast shadows on the wall, twirl lights, and so many more.

I bet you have your favorites too. I'd love to hear about 'em. Make my "howdy folk" greeting plural this year. Purty please?

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog.

Fresh PeachPoPs!

Fresh from the oven! Two of the six new PeachPoPs!

The first is a comical Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog. The second is a whimsical West Highland White Terrier Dog (or a Westie).

Beep beep! Have you got your Christmas decorations up? Lights under and around the eaves of your home? A big smiling reindeer or three sitting on your lawn? Maybe a family of snowmen? Or are elves climbing the rooftop as the big jolly elf Santa Claus struggles to stuff his bag of toys into the chimney?

Merry Christmas!

Bark at you later,
PJ the jolly holly dog blogging dog!

What makes my nose tickle?

The answer would have to be Trader Joe's Sparkling Blueberry Juice! It's 100% juice and it is oh-so-yummy delicious. I love it poured over crushed ice.

Now, I seem to have some lights to hang around the eaves. Perhaps a few doggie snowmen?

Merry Christmas!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-P

Madness, Mayhem and War: Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas ?

I'm an adventurous dog. I'll admit it. However, I'm not THAT adventurous. Did you see the people lined up in sub-zero weather outside malls and Wal-Marts for $199.00 dollar laptop computers? Are they crazy or dog gone crazy? This dog, for no reason what so ever, would stand or sit or lay down on the cold cement for a bargain.

Why, it's ludicrous! But, then again, I did stand, sit and lay down on cold cement for Disneyland. So, who am I to judge?

Ok, so how many laptops were there? According to different news sources, there were about 25 laptops at each store. Vouchers were given out and the first twenty five people standing in line from 2am on got them, right?

Wrong. The buzzer sounds.

Actually, those people were bamboozled by people sitting in their cars. Oh, joyous fun, line jumpers grabbed the vouchers. Now, that's just plain unfair. I surely would have bared my gigantous teeth and given way to a frenzy of wild barking had I been waiting in line for four hours in the freezing snow. Wouldn't you?

So, then I read (I love reading, as do my other doggie friends) that Friday is known as "Black Friday" for retail brick and mortar shops because they go from being in the red to being in the black. And here I thought it was the black cloud over my head as I tried desperately to dig through bins of whatever was left over after the mad rush at 5am at Toys R Us. :-)

Did you know the Monday after Thanksgiving is known as "Cyber Monday"? Isn't that nifty. Well, I think so. But then again, I am easily impressed with fun new cyber phrases. Lol. Ok, so the Monday after the turkey gobble, people go to work and what do they do? Shop online. Now, that there is way cool.

What else has my head chasing my tail? Well, it would have to be the media, stores, and greeting cards. I am about to bite my paw off if I hear "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." Grrrrrrrr.. If you don't know what I'm talking about, please see the following site which will take you to Amazon and to a book title which says it all. No, I'm not getting political. Sheesh, I'm just a dog. I'm just going to bite my tail to the nubbin if every commerical on television starts singing "We wish you a Happy Holiday." Helloooo! It's "We Wish You a MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Yes, I said it. I'm going to say it again and again and again. In fact, I said it while on my evening walk. Though, I'm not so sure the Tuxedo Cat or the Scottie Terrier understood me. I was afterall, running quite fast and they were clear across the park, but I did try.

I'm also going to wear a very stylish pinback that says MERRY CHRISTMAS too. Maybe, I'll get M and M to put Merry Christmas bumper stickers on their cars. Yes, yes, I can see it now. And then, out front, a huge, we're talking twenty foot tall, sign saying MERRY CHRISTMAS. Now, maybe I can sell mint flavored doggie bones door to door and raise enough money to fly one of those cool banners in the sky over the whole city. Yes! Good idea.

I'm thinking Mutt Mints. Sounds dee-lish.

Toodles for now. :-P

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog!

PS. Just an afternote: The spell check wanted to replace Christmas. There you have it...a conspiracy through and through. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!

NanoWrimo, Ta da!

This dog is happy! Tails are wagging. I'm barking up a storm and I think I've been spinning in circles for some time. I took a break long enough to make an entry on the blog. For anyone still struggling, if this dog can do it, so can you! I'd love to read your NanoWrimo Novel. Email me and maybe we can do a switch for fun.

I'm off to my comfy dog bed. Tomorrow, I'm sleeping in since I don't have a word count to paw over.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging NANOWRIMO FINISH LINE blogger :-P

Happy Thanksgiving !

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!
Right now my nose is going crazy from the following: the smell of fresh cranberries popping open as they boil, the aroma of giblets as they simmer in a pan on the stove, and cinnamon. Oh, this dog can't wait to Gobble gobble gobble.

P.S. A howl to all those NanoWrimo writers out there. Here's to 50,000 and may it come sooner than later. :-P

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog

NanoWrimo : Some Helpful Sites that can Keep Those Paws Typing!

Ok, so in my quest of reaching dog gone 50,000 words by the end of November, I have run across a few sites which might be helpful to other Nanoers:

Dictionary.com
Onelook.com (another dictionary)
Alta Vista Translator (English to Italian, etc.)
SlangSite.com ( Learn the lingo)
Wikipedia (Online encyclopedia)
Professor Gibson's Wonderful World of Editing (Useful Grammar tips, etc.)
What Does That Mean? (Catch phrases, Idioms, etc.)

I'm sure there are many more, but PJ is mucho tired and needs a doggie nap.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog. :-P

Happy 230th Birthday to the Marine Corps of the United States of America!

Today marks the 230th year of the Marine Corps. Back in 1775, the birth of the Marine Corps began. Thank-you for protecting our nation and keeping the red, white, and blue safe.

Ooh-rah!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog.

Another day, Another NanoWrimo Word Count

Over at Nanowrimo, you enter your word count. It's a small goal to reach each day, so that by the end of November, 50,000 words are staring back at you from your word processing file.

That's all fine and dandy until you realize typing, "All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy," just won't cut it, unless of course you live in a certain hotel.

Ok, enough rambling. Back to the easel, err, typewriter, oh phooey--I'm hitting the dog house and taking a nap.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-P

Busy day.

I've been busy Nanoing (see sidebar for a link to explain more), so haven't been blogging as often as I should. This dog finds these paws a bit tired after typing for a couple hours each and every day, you know? So, I should be back to normal and up to speed once I get the hang of it. Then, I'll be the mad blogger, finding myself blogging for hours on end with no point at all to the blog topic at paw.

Hope you're having a swell week. :-P

Toodles and Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog.

Halloween is over already?

I always find the end to Halloween a bit sad. I'm not sure why. Perhaps, because just around the corner is Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. The year will be over soon. A new year will begin.

Maybe I should just focus on today. It was a good day. The skies were blue. The clouds sparse, but fluffy and white like puffs of oreo cream. Yes, it may be the end of another Halloween, but it's November. And this dog loves November. Turkey gobbles and leaves change color. Dog walking is brisk in the crisp cool air as winter approaches California.

Welcome to November. Did I almost forget? Nanowrimo has begun. Yippee! :-)

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog.

Happy Halloween !

May your evening be a delight,
filled with candy apples all night.

Here's to doorbells ringing, as the sun begins to set.
On the other side of the door, a goblin will be met.

A zombie will pass your window with no thought
but you'll be safe in your costume, homemade not bought.

Perhaps the ghosts will fly over your head,
and the goo-dripping goblins will not hide under your bed.

Your pillowcase full, with ruby red wax lips grinning back,
skipping home you hear the ghouls following your track.

Closing your door, you hear the fading screams,
but Halloween isn't over...

...vampires and witches await you in your dreams!

---by M for PJ---

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog.

Boo!

Mischief Day

Tomorrow is one of my most favorite days of the year. Halloween! All the ghouls, goblins, witches, vampires, and ghosts come out to scare the screams out of you! Yippee.

Essentials for Halloween:

• pillowcase


• wax lips


• pop rocks


• gummy eyeballs


• glow-stix


• Jack-o-Lantern(s)


• spooky mask


• witch hat


• cobwebs


• licorice spiders


• wax bottles


• toilet paper (hee hee)


• good manners


• screaming!

My list would be longer, but I have to go put the finishing touches on my oogie boogie scary costume. :-)

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog

P.S. Don't let a black cat cross your path on All Hallow's Eve! It's dog-gone bad luck...

What day is today?

I can never figure out why some days I can remember that that day is Wednesday or Thursday. But, other times, I lose track of the day all together. I think today I have an appointment with Skippy. Skippy is a funny cat who moved into the house three doors down. She has no whiskers and likes to eat steamed asparagus. And, to top it off, she likes playing with the 'hood dogs.

She's a strange mowser, but I dig her. She likes to play tag. For goodness sake, Skippy will play all day long! Now, that's a cat!

Oh yes, and it turns out today is Wednesday. Now, why is that so hard to remember? I don't know. It's perplexing to say the least.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog.

Tag, you're it!

It's Saturday, Blah.

It's overcast. So, I'm not heading to the beach. Blah.
It's cloudy. So, resting out on the grass for some warm sun is out. Blech.
It's not sunny. So, alas, I don't feel like taking a walk around the block. Yawn .

I'm b-o-r-e-d.

Wait! It's a good day for videos. Horror flicks to be exact. I think I'm in the mood to watch two of my favorite dogs, Nanook (played by the dog Cody) and Thorn (played by the dog Folsom) from The Lost Boys.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog.

What's the big deal?

Why can't everyone just leave things alone? I am so sick and tired of hearing how "Under God" and the use of the word "God" is against someone's civil rights somewhere.

Ok, here's another dog gone revelation. I'm not going to stop saying "Under God" when I say the pledge of allegiance (Yes, dogs say the pledge too). You know why? Because I am an American. Another thing. Since when are the civil rights of atheists or other religions superior to my rights? I want the word "God" to stay on our currency. It's my right. Where are all the people fighting for their civil liberties to have the word God stay put, where it belongs?

It just makes me tip my head to the side and wonder. I much prefer the days when people flew the American Flag on their homes, said the allegiance without questioning the ending, respected persons in authority, and believed in The United States.

God Bless America!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog.

It's Raining, It's Pouring!

This little dog has been snoring.

Ok, I love the rain. It makes me sleepy. I get pampered with goose down throw blankets and warm coffee. If I shiver even the teeniest bit, I am wrapped in a warm snuggle and cuddled. Now, how's that for spoiled?

Like I said, I love the rain.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog.

My Hero

Sometimes I can't help but be in awe around a true hero. One hero, is Ranger. He was a police dog recently killed in the line of duty in California. He served and protected. He was a good dog.

I hope you have a Ranger to look-up to too.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog.

R.I.P. Ranger.

Nano Again

Oh, I'm so excited! Just had to announce that I can now access NanoWrimo's website with Earthlink. This is astounding! It was not coming through due to a problem with Earthlink.

Barking & Running in circles.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog.

Faeries

Have you ever seen a fairy?

Well, today, I think I saw one! She was resting on the topside of a lemon leaf. Sound asleep. I barked, out of habit. Then I relaized, perhaps I scared her. Well, boy did she give me the what for in whatever language she was speaking. It was a strange clicking sound, followed by what sounded like chirps.

So, I not only saw a fairy today. By the way, is it faerie or fairy or both ways? I can never remember. Anyways, I not only saw a fairy, I made a fairy so mad she threw a lemon at me. Lol.

Later, we made up and played fetch. I fetched her blossoms from the garden and she sang a sweet melody that attracted hummingbirds from everywhere.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog.

Thin Crust

What is it about a thin crust pizza?

I'm not much of a pizza hound (ok, I confess, I'm a doggie pizza eating mutt!). I just love a thin crust pizza. Toasty thin (remove those onions, though), with fresh tomatoes, organic cheese, and just the right amount of basil and garlic. Yum.

Now, the problem is...
sharing.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog.

Klondike ?

What is it about solitaire?

I remember seeing folks play this game and wondering what all the hoo-ha was about a deck of cards.

Then, I began playing solitaire. This game is very addictive. If I have a brief moment of downtime, I play solitaire. There is something serene about being repetitive and working toward an attainable goal. Of course, it's also a waste of time and an excuse to procrastinate. Somehow, I don't care.

The plain truth is I like playing solitaire.

Aces!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog.

Nonsense?

Bee bop a loo bop. Nano-nano.
Whurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....
KaBooom!

Gotcha!

And that's what a dog is thinking as they pounce on their red rubber ball.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog.

The Discovery of a Sunflower

Sunflower

I discovered a sunflower growing out near the Cecil Bruner Rose bush. The thin green stalk was peeking from behind a small violet and a tendril of Cecil with small tight fisted buds. The youngster is only about 8 inches tall. I don't know how I missed this little lovely ? Perhaps my nose got the better of me as I made my jaunts outside over the last few weeks. I'm not sure.

Discovering a flower planted by wild birds, is magical. The birds brought a seed from somewhere else in this vast world and it landed here, in my yard. I don't know where the seed was or to whom I should offer thanks. But, the least I can do, is say Thank-you and let my words carry on the lift of a gust of wind.

I held back my urge to dig up the sunflower. Being a dog, this is considered extreme in terms of control. I was able to master this ability by concentrating on those devious devils, my arch enemies, the Irises. I can rip through them in seconds. The bulbs are fun to toss around, once you get a whole pile of 'em. But, I digress.

I shall let this sunflower alone. Perhaps it will open up to a large foot wide sunflower smile soon. Maybe the leaves will be landing strips for monarchs and hummingbirds.

We shall see. Gobble up some PeachPoPs while you're at it.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog.

Are you a Scooby or Worry Wort ?

Here's the scenario:

I have a final coming up in Organic Chemistry. Now, for whatever reason, I find it necessary to clean-up and organize the following: my handwritten lecture notes (sometimes I even rewrite them), my folders, notebooks, and handouts are rearranged, my desk at home is tidied up and reorganized for better productivity and I'll also most likely clean around the area I will be studying at.

Is this weird ? It's like I have to de-clutter my surroundings and my study tools (notes, desk, etc.) as a means to clearing my mind and making way for the boat load of information I will cram inside my doggie head.

Now, I find myself doing the same when I start any new project. I think it comes down to me being a freak. Yes, I said it. I'm a doggie freak in the dog world.

I have come to the conclusion that there are two types of dogs in this world. The first type of dog I like to think of as the scrappy fur-flying Scooby, who will impulsively buy a Plasma Screen at 3 o'clock on a Sunday afternoon and not a worry will pass over their fur. In fact, they will pass on the extended warranty because they have never needed one.

Then, there is the second type of dog, a dog who obsesses over what by-products are in his/her/its dogfood and is often an incurable Worry Wort. This dog will research all the different types of TV's available (analog, digital, tube, high definition, plasma, LCD screen--yikes!), compare prices at different online venues and offline real world places, read review after review (at places like epinions, amazon, etc.) until those big doggie eyes are bleary, and finally will make a chart (with a ruler of course) of features among the top five or so models before finally making a choice 3-4 weeks later.

I'm guessing the second type of dog also reorganized his/her/its notebooks of reviews and prices during those 3-4 weeks too.

Oh, to be a freak. Aroooooooooo!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog.

I can't help but wonder sometimes...

Why it's so hard to just Love, Listen and Remember.

There are quite a few people who have passed on in my life. Not a few of whom, I'd love to be able to give a hug to. I'd relish in being able to wrap my paws around their backs and slobber a big doggie kiss on their rosy cheeks. Being that I am a relatively young pup, I shouldn't have had this many deaths in my life already. But, the fact remains, I do. It's not something I get blue over, I have just accepted it. However, there are lessons to be learned from losing so many so fast.

I've learned most of my lessons by observing the humans around me in hospital waiting rooms, dinners here and there, and just plain everyday living. Most people dismiss a doggie and don't "see" them. So, I'm the symbolic "fly on the wall." :-)

1. Not saying "I love you" when you could have and should have, but didn't. I can honestly say, I have no regrets there. I have always expressed my "I love you"'s with an over-eagerness. I've even won over a few who never said it. It's really not that hard to learn and the return on your investment of three simple words, is priceless for your soul. Say it now. Call up a loved one who you haven't spoken to and offer those three words across the telephone line. What can it hurt?

2. Listen. Many people I know, don't listen. Sure, they nod and mumble "uh-huh" and "yup", but they aren't listening to the person who is sharing part of themselves. Perhaps it's the last conversation you will ever have with this person. But listening can garner many things: oral history of your family, genealogy information, medical history, or simply childhood tidbits that will be held as precious gems in years to come. You never know. Heck, I've got two flap jack ears that I can perk up and listen with at a whim. You've probably got two ears, like satellite dishes (ok, I'm a dog with big ears, forgive my simile), and you don't have fur covering them. It's an easy habit to learn.

3. Keep a journal during a loss. You'll be wondering what so-and-so said on his/her last day a year or so from now, and guess what? You probably won't remember due to stress and grieving. Take the time to write things down during a time of grieving and you'll be happy you took the time later. It's the little things we can hold onto after someone is gone that make it easier. Perhaps, you will stay awake one night wondering if you had told your brother about something important. He's gone now. Did you tell him? Well, check that journal or diary and ta-da. You don't have to wonder. Sure enough, three days before he passed away from pancreatic cancer, you find a note jotted down about that exact conversation you and he had as you sat on his hospital bed. Phew. And, that's just the tip of the heavenly iceberg...

Ok, enough lessons of the day. I'm dog-gone plum-tuckered. Maybe you'll get something out of this blog, and maybe you won't. But, at least I gave it all four paws.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog.

Sign-Ups Worked @ NanoWrimo

How often does my tail wag?

Well, the other day I was finally able to sign-up at the NanoWrimo site. Now, sign-ups still won't work if you're using Earthlink. But, they're working on it by having customers call Earthlink about the problem.

So, tail-wagging happily along...

I am a Nanoer! I know, what's all the fuss about? Well, it's just plain fun. Or, so it seems. This will be my first year and I am amped up about trying to meet the 50,000 word deadline in a month. A month? Yes. Isn't that just dog-gone crazy cool?

Well, see. I never said I was cool. I'm a hip insomniac dog. But, cool? Naw. It's the simple things in life that make my tail wag. Fresh blooming lavender. The smile of a Grandparent. That sorta thing.

And of course, one more reason to stay up late and play on the keyboard. My paws go clickety clack when I type. Really!

Oh, I almost forgot to mention the nifty software I think I'll be using. If you'd like, give Jers Novel Writer a gander. He's a multi-Nano winner who developed a writing application. I think it's nifty, if I do say so myself. It allows you to have margin notes, outlines, and a database for characters, etc..

Welp, that's it for today folks. It was a hot day with Santa Ana winds. My fig tree didn't offer much in the way of shade. I drank about a gallon of bottled water (I'm not a spoiled dog, am I?) and I even got a doggie treat--a popcicle. Yummy!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging Nanoing dog. :-P

Nano NanoWrimo

I am so excited about NanoWrimo. What is NanoWrimo? It's a website where people from all over the world try to meet a 50,000 word deadline during the month of November. NanoWrimo stands for "National Novel Writing Month." Now, who are these people who begin writing on midnight of the 1st of November? I'm not sure. But I can't wait to find out.

On Saturday, October 1st, sign-ins began on the NanoWrimo website. Unfortunately, there was a major server crash that has made signing in unavailable for new users.

In the meantime, I am looking forward to a month of insomnia and character development. Hey, a dog can dream in exposition, right?

Until we pass on the dog walk.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog

PS. I almost forgot. The dog flu has made it's way to Orange County, California. Now, just to be cautious, I'd say it's best to stay away from dog parks and kennels until we know more about this doggie flu. There's a 10% fatality rate. That's scary. Stay safe.

It's October!

October is a great month.

Scary monsters. Ghouls. Vampires. Witches. Spiders and cobwebs. Bobbing for apples. Candy apples. Caramel apples. Ghosts. Jack-o-lanterns and the best of all...

Halloween!



What's great about Halloween?

1. Knott's Berry Farms Halloween Haunt

and

2. The Nightmare Before Christmas makeover on the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland!

Plus, I dress up as a werewolf and go howling around the block. Have you ever seen a dog grab pillowcases of halloween candy?

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog.

100 Degree Weather?

It was so hot today.

In the car, the outside temperature registered at 106 Degrees (F). Can you believe it's that hot in September?
I'm glad my M had the A/C cranked up, or I'd be a hotdog. Literally.

So, what's new? Well, we've been working on a lot of art projects for the fall. Everything is hush-hush right now. I've been napping all afternoon. I even had two different acrylic paint colors on my paws--bright orange and crimson. I was a walking rainbow this evening.

Toodles until we meet again.

Happy Tails to you...

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog.

Archiving is a Slow Process

It was a good doggie day today.

I meant to get around to archiving more blog posts from my old blog, but I procrastinated. Isn't that strange? I mean, isn't it weird how easy it is to find things to NOT do when you need to do something? I am good at procrastinating. I could comb my fur the opposite way instead of doing chores. It's much more exciting, don't you think?

So, anyway, I managed to plant some forget-me-not seeds in the garden. Funny how easy it is to lose track of time. I watched hummingbirds soar about the tops of the Wisteria on the back patio.

I even got around to digging a hole under the brick retaining wall.

Like I said, it was a good doggie day.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog. ;-P

Oh, Rita!

Well, Mother Nature is sure socking it to the Gulf Coast.

Hurricane Rita looks like the evil step sister of Hurricane Katrina. I'm almost afraid to even think about the images that we'll be seeing on tv after Saturday. It seems like it just keeps coming and coming.

Around these parts, we had a freak lightning storm. This little dog was scared! We had over 50 strikes in our local area over a 3 hour period. Then, more the following day. Needless to say, I didn't take many long doggie naps. I snuggled close to M and sipped her coffee at 2am.

We've even had some earthquakes too. Minor quakes, but still...the faults are shifting.

In the art studio: There are a TON of projects going on. It's fun keeping busy. But it's hard to concentrate when our thoughts are with those in the Gulf Coast.

Take care and keep in touch.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog.

Fun ArT

I've been having fun with drawing silly things.

Here's a little one that M of M & M created after midnight during an insomniac spur-of-the-moment session in the studio:


It's a whimsical depiction of an Airedale Terrier. Colored pencils and pen & ink were used on watercolor paper. Have you ever noticed how much fun colored penciles can be? :-)

Here's hoping your day is filled with sunshine and doggie hugs.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-P

Photoshop, Preferences, and Tiger, Oh my!

Have you ever had one of those weeks?

This week has been that kind of week. The kind I wouldn't want to repeat.

First, I was so excited about upgrading to Tiger on Mac. Being a dog, I give Tiger 4 paws up! Is it me or do the photos in iPhoto 5.0 seem crisper? It was a bit of a learning curve to archive & install. I read every article I could over at the Apple Forums . I read posts at MacRumors too. Preparation is always a good thing.

So, after making a bootable back-up (dogs can be cautious too, you know), I then did an Archive & Install.

However, the problems didn't creep up for a few days. I was too busy updating all the software updates through Apple. Then, I was having fun with GarageBand, iPhoto, and Dashboard Widgets. Boy, are the widgets addictive.

Anyway, I went to use a printer and surprise surprise (Gomer Pyle voice barking in my head), the printer didn't work. Ok, update those drivers for *every* single thing. Only one teensy problem, most of my printers are over a year old. Guess what? Those manufacturers don't like updating drivers. So, I had to cherry pick through the old driver downloads and make them work with Tiger. Keep those paws crossed.

Ok, drivers are just a pain. So, needless to say, I was tired.

But then the real whammy happens. Photoshop.

Have you ever seen plist files? Well, welcome to plist files under Tiger and Photoshop CS.

I won't go into the gory details (because I'm a friendly Mac loving dog), but boy-oh-boy did I wonder what I was going to do in a world without Photoshop in my life everyday.

A few sleepless nights later, and too many cups of butterscotch coffee to keep track of...

I finally slept last night. Curled up on my doggie bed and dreaming of preference files.

Anyway, am I boring you? I shall be back to archiving the old blog posts as soon as I've had a few naps under the fig tree and eaten a few too many peanut butter dog biscuits. Yum.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog.

Switched!

I had to switch to another blog utility AGAIN. Can you believe it?
More to come as I try and migrate all the old archived posts from 2004-present to Blogger.

Bark at ya later,
PJ the dog blogging dog. :-)

9/11 : A Dog Remembers

Today marks four years since 9/11. September 11th is a heavy feeling I carry with me everyday I wake up and stretch my paws.

It's sad how there are fewer flags flying year after year. The videos of the planes flying into Tower 1 and Tower 2 at The World Trade Center become split-second promos on TV.

I remember.

I'd like to think everyone will never forget the feeling of vulnerability that has never left the heart of any true American. It's a scary feeling. Sure, that's what the terrorists want, Americans to feel scared and fearful. But, denying that I feel scared isn't helping.

I'm supposed to go on and live life normally.

I'm sorry, but that is impossible. The last time I did was September 10th, 2001. I see a plane fly over my head and I can't seem to not think about the planes going into the side of the towers. I see a movie where a building explodes and people run from the smoke, and I can't help but remember the images of New York and all the ash and dust. I see an old episode of Friends and the Twin Towers are there in the opening credits. I see a fire truck drive down the street, and my heart jumps. It comes back to me, that day, with a grip on my soul.

I remember glancing at some Mourning Doves on the morning of 9/11. They were eating birdseed. But, the air was still. No wind. No movement. A silence that blanketed all around me. The doves made no familiar sound. They too, were silent.

Four long years have passed. How things have changed and how they have stayed the same. Threat Level: Elevated.
The saddest part of all is that I used to feel safe living in America. I could stare up at the blue skies and watch the fluffy clouds and hear the rumble of the jets fly across the Pacific Ocean.

Today is September 11th. And tomorrow, September 12th, I will remember that it's been 4 years and 1 day since the world changed. The blanket of silence I felt four years ago still remains. It has never been lifted. I used to think military jets would zoom into action if domestic flights were taken over in US air space. I used to think any plane that threatened the US would be shot down and questions asked later. I even imagined there was a green or blue laser that would appear from between the layers of clouds and vaporize any threat to our homeland.

The reality hit that morning.

The emptiness that has stayed, is perhaps, the absence of security I once relied upon. Now, the anticipation of when, not if, hangs in the air. When will it happen again.

Bark at you later, PJ the dog blogging dog.

Hurricane Katrina Part II

This dog is still crying thirteen days later after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast.

The images of flooded homes, piles of boats sitting on land, bloated bodies on the side of the freeway ramps, and a trashed Superdome are heartbreaking. The faces of children crying for their parents makes me so sad. I want to reach my paws through the television screen and offer them some hope along with a doggie hug. The relief on the face of an elderly woman, as she is rescued from her attic, 13 days later, makes this dog speechless. Why were so many elderly forgotten?

I see the dogs in chest high water, while boats go by. I see the dogs on front porches, who have been left behind for thirteen days without clean water or fresh food. I watch the video images on CNN, Fox News and MSNBC of the stray dogs with wet fur, contaminated by the waters of NO, and I see pain.

If this is how we treat our animal companions, how can we wonder at how the elderly and disabled are treated in a disaster like Hurricane Katrina? I am not berating the rescuers, they are heroes. I am berating the people who do nothing to help the animals or their human companions. Thank goodness for the www.aspca.org and all the animal rescue groups who are banding together to help.

I am sickened, appalled and utterly on the brink of tears when I DON'T see what has happened. I am SICKENED (yes, I am yelling, because I can't believe the media seems to have glossed over soooooo much) at what went on in the Superdome. I have to read messages on boards *outside* the US to hear first hand what went on inside--the racial tension, the rapes, and the murders. Why hasn't the media focused on how unsafe the British Tourists felt inside that inferno? Why is it glossed over? Why?

Why is calling someone a looter considered racist? If you are stealing electronic items, when they are not necessary for survival---you are a looter. It has nothing to do with skin color. Calling someone a refugee or evacuees--does not mean people are being racists.

Why is the race card being played in the first place? No matter what skin color you are or were--Katrina didn't care.

And so, the blame game begins.

And this dog can still cry.
Bark at you later, PJ the dog blogging dog.

Hurricane Katrina

A dog can cry.

That's what I've been doing. Crying. I cry at the images of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina on CNN. When I hear the stories of the people trying to survive Katrina by hanging onto a tree for three hours through the worst of it...I cry.
It's heartbreaking.

Then, I growl. I get angered. I bark at the images of the looters on the news. The excuses for looting make my doggie tummy sick. It literally pains me to see people trashing stores and stealing. I understand about having to survive. Guns, electronics and clothing aren't survival necessities. Unlawful selfish people are what looters are in my eyes.. And it makes me so mad! Go save the people off the roofs of the homes who have been there for three or more days. Get in a boat and help the elderly, disabled and others who have no one else helping them. Listen to the child screaming for help as she stands atop a car pleading for help and drenched head-to-toe--and take action by HELPING them instead of yourself. That's what I'd like to scream at those looters.

A dog can cry.
Bark at you later, PJ the dog bloggin' dog.

Stray PuRRlies have arrived at PixelgirlPresents!

Say what?

You heard it here first. Stray PuRRlies, our newest Mac icons, are here:



Kitty icons. Woof! I'd like to chase them all around the block and back again. Yes, I really would. These were a lot of fun to do (according to M--she loves working on icons during the wee hours of the night) and I hope they go over well. There are 9 in the whole set. Whimsical kitties that you don't have to feed or water. The're well-trained at sitting still. Well, they do stare a bit. But, at least they're smiling, right?

Oh wait, did I forget to tell you? M entered this set of Mac icons in the first ever Icon Battle over at PixelGirlPresents! This site has a wonderful variety of Mac icons to choose from for your desktop enjoyment.

So, we're crossing our paws and hoping for the best.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog.