Back To Work Soon

State Government Shut Down.
The Governor blinked first, backed down, made yet another offer, and the Republicans apparently accepted it.  No one won, and the citizens of Minnesota are the biggest losers.  I hope when all those legislators come up for re-election, the voters remember that they toed the party line, did not increase taxes for those best able to pay, and that those with the least will have even less.   No word on when we will be going back, but my unpaid vacation will be ending soon.  Going back will be difficult, except for the part about getting paid!

So much happened over the past two weeks, so much fun, so many adventures, so many projects completed.  Eliminating the work-related stress allowed me to really relax - can't remember when I last did that.  Just as well we will be returning soon as I could easily get used to being retired - but still have projects to complete!

The Arboks at 5 days

The little Arboks are doing well, growing like crazy, all chubby and polished by their very attentive mum.  Reebok is starting to get bored though, and follows me around the basement when I do fish chores.  She's not quite so eager to come back indoors after a visit to the dog yard, and has suggested that she would like to come upstairs to the family room.  This weekend I will crate up the others and let her come up for a visit, leaving the basement door open in case a pup squeaks and she has to dash down and check it out.

Went through pictures last night and posted a number of flower pictures to Facebook.  Was particularly pleased with the Water Lily and Orchid pictures, but I am annoyed that I can't display the pictures the way I want them here. I can generally make corrections to the html coding, but am at a loss for why one picture won't align right. Oh well.


Water Lilies




Orchid





Hibiscus


Patio door finished, but WHY did I think it was a good idea to stain it myself to save $200.00?  It turned out fine, but was a lot of work.  My pay per hour of work was very low!  Nice to have a screen again, but Josie has already tried to stick her nose through it, and I had to put up a piece of tape at eye height to keep Ron from walking through it.  I have a feeling that this screen will not survive very long here.

Next project, finishing the bathroom.  Wonder if I can get all the wallpaper up this weekend, plus cut and paint a new door frame?  Probably not, but I know that with puppies to tend, and all the resulting company it is now or never.   Pups are so darned cute that if you plan to visit them for a minute, it quickly becomes an hour.

Not much more to be done in the yard this summer, other than keeping the weeds out - and the mulch helps that a lot.  While digging behind the new fence, putting in a walkway outside the gate, I discovered old flagstones beneath 2 inches of sod.  No wonder the grass always dried up so quickly in that spot!  I felt like an archaeologist digging up ruins.  The stones are now covered with mulch which works better, and the ornamental grass I purchased at the Arboretum has been planted.

My birthday sofa arrives today, and the elderly radio/phonograph that took up so much wall space is on the deck covered with plastic, waiting for Ron to take it apart.  Good bye old friend.  Now to figure out how to arrange things.  Might also be a good time to change the pictures, some of which have been in the same location for 25 years!  Where does time go?

What Now?

Wrestling with \Dino

Argus has been standing watching me, sending me thought waves.  "So what fun things are we doing today?" he wonders.   He's had quite a week and assumes the adventures will continue.  He finally decides that if he does something cute, like wrestle with the Josie's dinosaur, that I might respond.  Or at least get their breakfasts ready.

We had such a good time with Laurie & Nikon, and Argus particularly enjoyed the walks around Lake Como and playing in the water with his cousin/ex-wife Nikon.  It was such a busy week and we actually did all the things we had planned, including taking the dogs swimming, going out to the Arboretum, taking the train to Mall of America where we did the aquarium (twice!) and paid a visit to Como Park to do the Conservatory and ride the wonderful carousel.

One of the gorgeous carousel horses

The carousel was fabulous and I took pictures of many of the horses which will go in a Facebook album - watch for the link.  Anyone who loves carousels, horses, or has wonderful memories of either would love the carousel.  Laurie and I rode it twice, and were definitely not the only adults sitting on the horses with big smiles on our faces.  We both had fond childhood memories of riding the carousel at the Minnesota State Fair.

After 75 years on the fairgrounds, the privately owned carousel was scheduled to be put up for auction, as antique hand-carved carousel horses are extremely valuable.  A group of volunteers was formed to purchase the carousel, and it was eventually restored to its former glory.  After a short time in downtown St. Paul it was moved to Como Park to a wonderful pavilion created especially for the carousel.  The City Of St. Paul owns the pavilion, but the carousel is owned, maintained and managed by a private non-profit group called Our Fair Carousel, Inc. and is run by volunteers - something I'd like to be involved in when I retire.



The Arboks

The pups are doing well, and Reebok is proving to be an excellent mother.  She's very attentive, but goes out willingly (we had to lift her out of the box at first) and really enjoys having company.  The babies are very plump and polished looking.   Yesterday they were packed up and went in to have their dewclaws removed.  They were pretty vocal about traveling, and Reebok was distressed about their absence and shredded the papers in her box, but everything went smoothly, the pups checked out perfectly, and once Reebok had cleaned them thoroughly and rid them of any "foreign" smells, she relaxed.

I had suspected that the two girls were actually livers rather than blacks, but it was hard to be sure in the glow of the pink heat lamp bulb.  When I could see the pups in normal daylight it was obvious that they were indeed liver.  So Reebok is liver-factored, much to everyone's surprise. Rosie is very pleased!  It's about time to start thinking of names for the pups, although I may wait until after I'm sure of their hearing status.  I find it harder to deal with deafs if the pups have names and identities, so for now they are known collectively as the Arboks, short for Argus-Reebok puppies.  So the Arboks live in their Reebox and are doing well!

Vacation Continue . . .

State Government Shut Down - Will We Ever Get Back To Work?

Nikon and Argus having a good time

In the meantime, I'm having an excellent vacation, doing all the fun thing I normally don't get around to doing.  Helps to have a house guest who enjoys the same kinds of adventures. 

Yesterday we went for a walk around Lake Como and practically had the place to ourselves.  The "point" was deserted, so we took off the leads and let the dogs swim and splash.  Nikon retrieved a few sticks, and Argus ran and splashed, sniffed and tasted, and checked everything out.  Everything!  Mr. Curiosity doesn't miss a thing.

We drove through my old neighborhood just north of the park, checked out my parent's ex-house, and drove past the Transportation Building where I am supposed to be working.  So deserted. So sad.  Am sure the restaurants in the area and the Sears store across the street are really hurting for business.  This shut down hurts so many people.   Delicious breakfast sandwiches at White Castle, then home to hose off the dogs.  The lake smelled fresh and looked clean other than some green algae, but it's always wise to rinse off dogs after swimming in city lakes.

Ron dropped us off at the train station and we took light rail out to Mall of America.  It's a great train, fast, efficient, affordable and fun.  We visited Sea Life, a huge underground aquarium with enormous marine, Amazon, and North American fresh water tanks.  It's set up as a tunnel, so the fish are on both sides of you and swim over the top of the tunnel to get from one side to the other.  Sharks and rays are particularly impressive when viewed from below.  The seahorse and jellyfish displays were also entertaining.

When we arrived there was a sign saying that laid off state employees should check in at the ticket office.  We did and discovered that I could get in free, and Laurie's ticket was half price!  Wow, what a nice surprise!  It was really appreciated, and just the beginning of a wonderful visit.  Because we had saved so much money and had such a great time, we signed up for the behind-the-scenes tour, which was relatively inexpensive and lots of fun. 

A small group of us with a tour guide visited the laboratory where the water is tested and any animal injury or illness can be treated, and the ultra-clean kitchen where all food is prepared - the kitchen is inspected just like any other commercial kitchen.  Then on to the holding area where sick or injured animals cab be isolated and treated, new animals can be quarantined, and animals too young/small for display tanks can be kept.   We looked down on the giant display tanks from above, and learned about the behind-the-scenes maintenance.  What a good life those animals lead and it was interesting to learn that many of the display animals had names - all the large turtles, the octopus,  and many of the sharks.  The endangered giant sea turtles were all injured animals who could not have survived in the wild, but were thriving in captivity  What an adventure!

Then off to the Rainforest Cafe for noveltry drinks and excellent nachos.  Our table was next to a tank full of wonderful marine fish including a Clown Triggerfish, two large Puffers, and some Unicorn Tangs, one of which kept displaying for Laurie - I could swear he had a crush on her!

Pups are doing well, trim is coming in fast, and Reebok is settling into motherhood.  I even convinced her to go outside this morning without a leash - had to lift her out of he box and drag her outside the first day!  

Puppies!

State Government Shut Down Day ? - When Will This End?

Peekaboo - a pup peeks out from under mom's leg

In the meantime, we have pups to tend!  It was a very good thing I got the Reebox finished on Saturday, since I was anticipating pups on Monday.  Reebok had other ideas and the pups were born early Sunday morning.  We had done only one progesterone test to be sure Reebok was "about ready" for breeding, but it takes a series of tests to be able to pinpoint the days - necessary only if you are doing chilled or frozen semen breedings.  We did just one and "guesstimated" the arrival date - and were off by a day.

We all guessed wrong on number of puppies, thinking Reebok would have at least ten. I was the closest at eight. Although she hung low, Reebok was never "coffee-table wide" like Josie or Peaches or Perdie (hey, I didn't pick the name!) when they had litters of twelve.  The whelping went very smoothly, as if Reebok had read the whelping book, with pups coming every twenty minutes or so.  The last pup arrived at 6:00 AM, but I was sure she still had at least one pup left, just based on her bulk.  However there were no contractions and Reebok was very relaxed, so we waited it out - hoping that perhaps we would get that one last pup born hours later.  Many breeders fall asleep thinking the litter is complete, and wake up to one additional pup, clean, dry and nursing.  Didn't happen.

The down side of the litter was two stillborn pups, #s five & six.  Absolutely normal in every way, just as long but thinner than their littermates.  7-8 oz pups as opposed to 11-14 oz pups.  Perhaps they had poor placental sites, or the placentas detached prematurely.  There are dozens of possibilities.  I'll call the Vet School this morning and see if I can take the pups in for necropsy.  Because this is Reebok's first litter, it is particularly important to do this, and something that every breeder should consider.  Probably nothing will show up, stillborn pups are not at all unusual, but it's best to check things out.  The two pups were wrapped in paper towels, placed in a plastic bag, and stored in the refrigerator.  No, Oh Yucks, please.  Sometimes you have to have a strong stomach to do things right.

The five survivors are three boys and two girls, all black-spotted (I'm disappointed but that's what we expected), and no patches.  I keep checking them, hoping I was wrong on color, but I guess not.  We were hoping for more pups, but five is a nice litter and from a breeder's point of view it only takes one special puppy to make a successful litter.

For the first two weeks I will tend these pups but not get attached to any of them.  Because deafness exists in the breed, until I know everyone hears I won't get attached to any of them.  Argus was from an all hearing litter and has done very good hearing numbers except for one litter.  Reebok is from a litter that contained a deaf pups, so it could happen.  We'll do lots of finger crossing here for a few weeks!

In the meantime, we'll get dewclaws removed.  Dewclaws are the small thumb-like toes on the front legs.  Most breeders have them removed during the first few days, although it is not required.  Penny & Charlie have their dewclaws and it certainly did not hurt their show careers.  They were such tiny pups I did not want to add any stress, so left theirs on.  These five are all robust vigorous pups, so will pay a visit to the vet for check ups and dew claw removal.  I have done them myself, but absolutely hate doing it, so we will pay for veterinary service.

Now, time to get ready for a walk around Lake Como and breakfast at White Castle.  That was planned for yesterday, but the arrival of the pups changed our plans!

Preparations

State Government Shut Down, Day Whatever . . .
Another busy, fun-filled day yesterday, also my birthday.  How can I be 63?  That used to be old!  Why don't I feel old?  It seems as if the 60s is now the New Middle-Aged.  (At least I hope so.)  Friends who are my age certainly don't seem old, although I have to admit we don't actually look young anymore, but we sure don't act old.  I remember a few years ago discovering that the mother of a friend as actually younger than I was, but I had always assumed she was an old lady, because she acted like an old lady.  That's NOT for me.

Argus catches a fish

Laurie and I took Argus and Nikon down to Hidden Falls Park for a hike and a swim yesterday morning.  It was already warm, and the dogs enjoyed splashing in the river.  Because the water is still very high, there is no exposed beach where the water gradually gets deeper, which would be more fun or the dogs but they both had an excellent time. 

Argus found a fish floating along the edge, carefully picked it up by a fin and brought it to shore where he studied it for signs of life.  Perhaps he thought we should take it home and give it tank space.  He enjoys watching my aquarium fish, and treated this one the same way he treated the Ctenopoma who jumped out of his tank.  Argus found him under the edge of the fish rack, whined softly, pulled the fish out with his foot, and studied him carefully.

In the afternoon we all went to Slumberland to pick out furniture for the family room.  My birthday gift, although Ron & the dogs will get the most use out of it.  Decisions, decisions.  Did I want the upholstered sofa & loveseat or another leather sofa?  Finally decided on the latter, easier on Ron who was stressing out over the need to get rid of one of the chairs in addition to the old loveseat.  He hates to part with anything and is convinced that the Salvation Army will come for the old loveseat because someone will want it.  Yep, his bedraggled, hairy, broken down beloved piece of wornout furniture. I reminded him how hard it was to get rid of the last furniture we replaced, and it was in much better condition.

Dinner with Ron, Laurie, Jess and my mother, then on to mom's for Rhubarb Pie.  I can honestly say it was just about the best pie I have ever eaten - or was it just because it was shared with family & friends . . .  Over 200 birthday greetings from Facebook Friends too.  That's fun, and such a hoot. I really enjoy that part of Facebook.

Worked on the whelping box in the afternoon, as Reebok will be needing it soon.  It's called the Reebox!  42 x 36 inches and triple-walled corrugated cardboard.  Love these big boxes and they can be recycled rather than stored.  I'll add "pig rails" tonight, bumpers along the walls so pups don't get caught between mom & the sides of the box.  I don't normally use them, but because Reebok is so large and ungainly now, it's worth the extra effort.

Reebok with her "puppy"

The puppies must have started shifting around yesterday evening as Reebok was very restless.  She couldn't decide where she wanted to lay, then finally decided that perhaps she would dig a nest on the loveseat next to Ron.  Because the whelping box wasn't quite ready yet I couldn't put there, so moved her to the big crate in the basement and gave her some blankets for nesting.  That was exactly what she wanted.  I had to put a leash on her to get her out this morning, and on the way in she discovered the pink toy that she has been keeping in her crate.  Her puppy!  It went back downstairs with her, where she is carefully washing it and encouraging it nurse.  Her practice pup!

I'll take her temperature this morning before we leave for Jess & Don's. Assuming it's still above 100 degrees, things will go on as usual.  She's really not due before Monday, but . . .

Better Late Than Whatever

What an amazing Daylily

Whew, busy times. Yesterday Laurie & I went to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and later, joined by Ron, we had a wonderful meal at Caribe.

Haven't been to the Arboretum in years, and really enjoyed my visit.  Going during the week was perfect as it wasn't crowded like it is on weekend.  Saw many awesome plants and flowers, although we were sorry to have missed the Irises and Peonies.  The Roses were not all out yet, but the Annuals, the Daylilies and the Hostas were spectacular.  We took the tram ride to see all the outlying sites as it was too hot and humid for walking, and had an excellent lunch as well.  Such fun!

Caribe was just as busy as it had been the last time we were there - Tony said we must bring them luck.  I had the Monfongo special again, but this time it came with skirt steak, which was incredibly tasty, juicy and nicely seasoned.  I added the Pique' to my Mofongo, Vinegar full of peppers and onions and garlic.  Delicious!  The dinner came with beans and rice which are "OK" but I was allowed to substitute Curried Bananas, which are so much tastier.  The Sangria was good, service was pleasant and efficient, and we had a lovely evening.

Happy Birthday to me!  I'm having a great time, but need to get ready to go to dinner.  Good Earth with Ron, Laurie, Jess & Gram, then over to Gram's for home made Rhubarb Custard Pie. 

I'll do better tomorrow, Cassidy, I promise.

Losing Track Of The Days

The Monarda are hardy & colorful

State Government Shut Down - what day is it now?
I'm really into this, my Practice Retirement.  I obviously need to win the lottery so that I can afford to retire sooner rather than later, but of course lottery tickets are not currently available in Minnesota due to the shut down.  The newspapers and radio talk shows are starting to stress how much the shut down is costing the state, but the Republicans are still not willing to discuss a compromise.  Sigh . . .

Waiting patiently

Laurie arrived from Virginia, along with her trusty sidekick Nikon, Penny's mother.  We have lots of plans for the next few days, including a trip to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum today.  Argus will be disappointed to be left behind, but I promised we would take him and Nikon for a hike along the river tomorrow morning, assuming the mosquitoes don't eat us alive.  They are starting to show up in my yard, and I noticed (and removed) mosquito wigglers in my daphnia pond yesterday.

Picked up Reebok's whelping box, a triple-walled cardboard carton just the right size.  It will make a perfect whelping box and can be recycled when we're done with it.  One less thing to have to store.  When we return from our field trip today, I have to finish cleaning the front side of the basement and set things up for Reebok.  Just a few more days to go, and she needs to be comfortably settled into her box by this weekend.

Tomorrow is my birthday and I'm picking out new furniture for the family room.  The old loveseat is pretty battered and needs replacing, but the piece that really needs to go is a large radio/phonograph combination that was in my parent's house when I was a teenager!  The radio still works just fine and it's been tuned to WCCO radio for over 25 years.  I vowed that I would keep it as long as the radio worked, but the piece is pretty battered, very out-dated and obviously the radio will work forever.  It's a heavy thing too, but with Laurie here we have some additional help. Time for a change!

How Many Puppies???

Breakfast on the deck!

State Government Shut Down Continues
and I'm really starting to enjoy this.  Is this what retirement is like?  Last night I slept straight through the night, no worrying about things I can't change.  Might as well seize the moment, or whatever.

Breakfast on the deck is a great way to start the day, especially when it's warm, sunny and not humid (at least not yet).  Ron and I have been eating separate meals, since he does not enjoy eating outdoors (although he makes an exception for a picnic).  I eat most of mine outdoors when the weather permits.  So nice to have a deck and a yard full of flowers.

This blog is a little late today as my first chore was to put in my application for Unemployment Insurance.   State employees were given an assigned day to register, to spread out the volume of new apps.  Nice website, easy to complete application.  A novel experience for me - never expected to have to apply for UI, but glad it's available.  Half my salary is better than none, especially if this lasts a long time.

Poor Reebok

The countdown has started, less than a week until the puppies are due.  Hopefully they will arrive on Monday, during the day, during Vet office hours in case we have any problems.  Dals are generally easy whelpers and good mothers, so hopefully things go smoothly for us. 

Wonder how many pups we will have?  Because Dal litters can contain patches (they can't be shown) and deafs (who we do not place), a good-sized litter increases the odds of getting show potential puppies.  Then there are markings to consider and whether or not the pups will have complete eye and nose trim.  Too heavily or too lightly spotted are problems, as are missing bits of eye trim and areas of pink on the nose.  THEN we start worrying about structure and movement, tail carriage, correct bites (they should be scissors) and eye color.  And attitudes!  Some dogs are born with hey-look-at-me personalities, while others are quieter and more laid back.

Things that may keep a pup from being considered show potential are often valued by buyers selecting a companion pup.  Patches and blue eyes are particularly popular.  While we can show blue-eyed pups, most breeders would prefer dark-eyed show prospects.  BAER hearing testing and a vet check are also part of the process.  Male pups must have two testicles, and we prefer that show prospects hear in both ears.  Hearing in one ear, called unilateral hearing, makes no difference in companion pups, and most owners wouldn't even notice that their dog only heard in one ear.  Having unilateral hearing does not disqualify a dog from the show ring, and a number of top showdogs have been unis.  Unilateral hearing increases the possibility that the dog will produce deaf pups though, so they are generally bred to dogs who produce particularly good hearing numbers.

When I told Reebok that ten pups would be nice, she just yawned and smiled.

The Real Deal

State Government Shut Down Day 5 - The Real Deal
I should be going back to work today.  The new accounting system should be up and the new budget should be in place, but it's not and the real lay off has begun.  The Governor is setting up an advisory group made up of past politicians and current business leaders to discuss the impasse and suggest possible solutions.  Time to try SOMETHING new.

Mom at 87, Coral at 13, Watson at 11

A very nice Fourth of July - hope yours was too!  Somewhat productive as I planted the new herbs, watered and weeded some flower beds (mulch sure makes weeding easier), went to Menards for some more border fences, and painted the bathroom radiator.  We had a picnic with mom, and had real picnic weather for a change, warm and sunny.  Mom brought home made Salsa (Al's recipe) and her ever-good Potato Salad (her recipe),  I made Onion Burgers (Lipton's recipe) and we had Von Hanson's excellent hamburger buns - their burger and dog buns are the very best.  Ron picked up a small watermelon - they always feel like the Fourth Of July.  Cold Coronas hit the spot.

Mom and I reminisced over past Fourths, the ones spent up at the cabin on Rainy Lake when Al and Kris and I were kids and my grandparents were all still alive.  Those were great times and left me with wonderful memories.  Memories of fishing for walleyes, swimming off the dock in ice cold Rainy, trips to Sand Point Island for swimming and picnics, trips to Dry Weed Island for blueberry picking, walking to the frog swamp, picking pine cones, climbing the ranger tower and so many other adventures.  Also things like dodging horse flies, picking off wood ticks, swatting mosquitoes, breathing black flies, and being repulsed by leaches.  Annoying at the time, but all things that still make me smile.

As children we were fortunate that both sets of grandparents lived in the same small town, just half an hour from the cabin near International Falls.  Our summers always included weeks and weekends spent in Littlefork, and "up at the lake".  My dad and grandparents are gone now, the cabin was sold many years ago, and my brother lives in Costa Rica.  But I still have my memories of growing up in a extended family, in small town Mid-America in the 50s and 60s.  There wasn't a lot of money but there was lots of love, and family, and the childhood adventures that make memories that will always be a part of me. 

Whelping Boxes & Nature Hikes

State Government Shut Down Day 4 - Lay Off Day 4
No work related dreams last night.  I must be adjusting to being laid off, although we'll see what happens tomorrow when I should be going back to work!  Instead, my dreams included puppies.  Two litters of puppies, born the same day and raised in adjoining bedrooms in my upstairs.  One litter was Bambi's and the other was Tasia's, and there were all kinds of problems keeping the mamas and the babies separated.   At least in my dreams.  This never actually happened, and Bambi and Tasia have been gone for many years, but it sure seemed real!

Poor Reebok . . .

Poor Reebok is looking a little uncomfortable with only a week to go, but she's in good spirits and still enjoys her evening walk, although she's puffing pretty good by the time we get back.  She even plays with Argus, but in very short spurts.  Trying to decide if I will use the large carton we got at the super market, a triple-walled corrugated box that originally held water melons.  It's just the perfect size, but I hate using old boxes if I can avoid it.  It will hurt Ron's feelings if I don't use this one (he found it) but tomorrow I'll check with the Tilson Box Company and see if I can purchase a 4 x 4 x 3 foot triple-walled box.  They really make wonderful whelping boxes, and can be recycled when the litter no longer needs the box.  Because they are so sturdy, a rail can even be attached to the sides of the box.

There are so many options for whelping boxes.  You can pay a small fortune for a really nice one, more of a whelping mansion with all sorts of extras which might be a good option if it would get enough use.  But it wouldn't here.  There are also very nice boxes for several hundred dollars, others that are cheaper still, and of course you can always make a whelping box.  I've used many homemade wooden boxes over the years in a variety of sizes, and particularly liked to bottom of a #500 Vari Kennnel - which was borrowed and never returned. Vari Kennel shipping boxes work nicely too.  The crates are shrink wrapped for shipping now so the boxes are not an option, but the box company has a great selection if you is willing to pay for a cardboard box - seems like a weird concept, right?

Many breeders use the kiddie wading pools and then throw them away when the litter is done.  I've never cared for them, as I prefer my whelping box to have an opening that the pups can climb though once they are mobile.  I did break down and use one for Tess's litter - the litter I lost to Canine Herpes, one of the most horrible experiences of my entire life.  I'd have nightmares if I ever used a wading pool again.

There must be squirrels here

Argus & I spent Sunday morning exploring Hidden Falls Park, a place I had not spent much time at in many years.  He had a wonderful time sniffing, splashing, and hunting, while I walked along amazed that such a beautiful place existed so close to my home, in the middle of a major metropolitan area.  We used to take the dogs there to swim in the river - Jocko, Murphy, Sidney, and Eloise particularly enjoyed the water.  Argus certainly enjoyed it, though he still has to stay on leash since the water is so high, the current is so strong, and he is so inexperienced. 

After our walk we went to White Castle for breakfast (Argus appreciated the Breakfast Sandwich but does not care for Hash Rounds), then Argus went home for a bath since he insisted on rolling on a long-dead fish.  A trip to the Farmers Market resulted in pea pods, fresh local broccoli, and wonderful green onions. 

Is this what retirement is like?

Note:  Someone asked about Pauli as I mentioned in a previous posting that she was retired for the time being.  Her co-owner Wendy has some job-related concerns too, so Pauli is home for the summer.  It's quite expensive to have a dog out with a handler and they had a nice run.  Pauli is well-ranked in the Top 10, so she's taking a break.  Wendy plans to train Pauli for road trials, so perhaps they will get started on that this summer.

Day Three



No more dog shows for Pauli

Government Shut Down Day 3
I found this quote in the Strib yesterday, after the article noted that a shut down does not mean that expenditures suddenly disappear. 

One of the biggest new expenditures: unemployment benefits for roughly 22,000 freshly laid-off state employees. In most cases, those workers are entitled to collect 50 percent of their pay while not working, according to a spokeswoman for AFSCME, the union that represents 18,000 state workers.

Those workers also will continue to receive health insurance at a cost of $4.7 million a week to the state. Altogether, the state could be shelling out $13 million a week to keep all those workers idle, based on the average salary of $38,000 earned by a state union member.

Additionally, the state is receiving no income from such diverse things as the state lottery and the car pool lanes.  And just wait until the lawsuits begin . . .

So far I'm doing OK, at least during the day. Nights are rougher as I wake up at 4:00 and spend the next two hours worrying.  How will we ever get caught up?  How will we deal with all the additional problems the shut down creates?  How will we do that while switching to the new accounting system?  We're supposed to be working in both accounting systems until "hard close" in August, but what if we are not back by then?

Is this just a smaller version of what the federal government will soon be dealing with?  What's wrong with these people?  What's wrong with simply restoring the tax rates that were in effect before Pawlenty did "favors" for all his wealthy friends?  How much money is "enough" money for them?  What lies ahead for the rest of us?  Chaos?

There's nothing I can personally do about any of this!  Guess I'll feed the dogs, get dressed and take Argus down to Hidden Falls Park along the Mississippi.  The Hmongs have taken over Como for their enormous Sports Festival, and there will be no parking for the rest of us, so we'll do our Sunday morning walk elsewhere.

Settling In

State Government Shut Down - Day 2 aka Lay Off - Day 2
Wow, I could get into this if it weren't for one little issue - money.  Like so many others, my lifestyle is based on my disposable income.  A full pay check yesterday (we have direct deposit), a partial paycheck in two weeks, and then nada.  We were assigned a specific day to apply for Unemployment, based on the last digit of our SS number, so I will be applying on-line on Wednesday.  Having never applied for UI before, this will be a whole new experience.  Apparently I have to go one week with no pay at all, then I will receive 50% of my regular pay for x number of weeks/months.  Let's not go there - hopefully this will not be for THAT long.

This stool will benefit from being refinished!

My list of projects is getting longer, not shorter, but it now includes little things that I would never get around to otherwise, like stripping and refinishing an antique (well at least it's OLD) stool that is currently covered in layers of chipped blue paint. Because it is solid wood and not a veneer, it should be quite nice when stripped, sanded, wood-filled, and repainted.


Yesterday was spent bumming, running errands, and checking out a new place I've been wanting to visit called The Betta Store.  The young owners are very nice and I wish them well in this venture.  Hard to believe they can sell enough Bettas (they also carry a few other fish plus supplies) to make a go of it, but because of our large Asian population, "fighters" are big sellers, especially the Five Star Fighters who are large, solid, short-finned fish supposedly bred for fighting.  Fish fighting is presumably illegal, but it is said to be very widespread in this area. Like dog fighting and cock fighting, bets are placed on the fish.  Does it bother me?  No, actually it does not.  I am totally against dog fighting, and not so sure about cock fighting, but I would not mind going to a fish fight. 

Aggression is very common in many species of fish, and it's mostly about territories.  It is not "meaness" but the way a species is able to survive, find suitable spawning sites, and sufficient nutrition.  Many of the Rift Lake Cichlids are extremely aggressive, and that is true also of Bettas.  In the wild, Bettas live in shallow ponds and mudholes.  They are anabantoids (air breathers) because warm shallow water does not contain sufficient oxygen to support other types of fish.  The males fight for spots to build their bubble nests, and guard the sites and nests from other fish. 

Long finned Bettas retain some of this aggression but are not bred for aggressiveness.  Even so, it's almost impossible to keep two male Bettas in the same tank, although multiple females can live together if given enough room and some hiding spots.  Bettas are fine with other fish, just aggressive with their own kind.  Short-finned Bettas are known in the trade as Plakats, and fighters are just Plakats bred for aggressiveness.  They tend to be stocky, drab and particularly hardy.  Plakats can also be bred for ornamental purposes, rather than fighting ability, and are much different in appearance than the "fighters".

Did I buy a fish?  Well . . .   Yes I did. I purchased an ornamental Plakat, suckered in my his handsome appearance, great attitude and the fact that he was red, white & blue!  The store also carries Giants, the first I have seen.  The ones in stock were rather plain looking (but large!) fish, but apparently the store gets attractively marked fish from time to time.  Guess I will have to go back!

Practicing For Retirement

Lay Off - Day One
Here I am at home on a Friday, a day I would normally be working.  There was no last minute budget resolution, so the State Of Minnesota is basically closed for business.  Troopers, prison guards & other people essential to the safety of Minnesotans are still working, and there is a skeleton crew of MNDOT people to take care of road safety issues such as pavement blowups which will most certainly occur today as the temperatures move into the mid-90s again.  There was no last minute Lights On Bill to keep the state running for a few more days.  The Governor had said he would not go that route because it would only postpone the real problems, and he was as good as his word.  The Republicans vowed there would be no tax increase, not even for the wealthiest Minnesotans, and they did not back down either.  So the rich will continue to be rich, and the middle class and under classes will continue to get poorer.  Such a sad state of affairs . . .

Our office has been under an enormous amount of stress recently as so much needed to be done to prepare for the lay offs, in addition to all the training and testing required for the new accounting system which was to have gone live - today.  All the contractors sent in up-to-the-minute bills as they often need their payments to meet their payrolls.  So much paperwork to be done in notifying all the state's vendors and so many payments to be made.  In my area we had a number of large upcoming condemnation actions that required payment during July, and and those had to be taken care of (just in case) and even yesterday I was making payment for parcels in the Central Corridor Light Rail project.  Payments would have been due in August, but who knows if we would be back in time, and the Central Corridor project continues.  All regular road construction is cancelled for now, but not the Light Rail which is a Metropolitan Council project (but we purchase the right of way for them).

I thought I was ready for this and would enjoy a "vacation" but when I turned in my badge, put prepared messages on my phone and computer, when I made arrangements for my office plants, rechecked to make sure I had everything completed, and packed up any personal items I might need at home, I felt sick.  As if I had been kicked in the stomach, and perhaps in the heart.  This kind of thing should NOT be happening in a civilized country.  In a civilized state.  When did things get so crazy?

It was a pretty glum evening too, but this morning I am OK with everything.  I feel so bad for the people who will be affected by this much more than I will.  I have some savings, and will be able to collect unemployment which will help, and I've never had a REAL vacation at home as I normally use my days off for dogs shows, and generally just a few at a time.   Like most of the rest of my office I NEED a vacation, a chance to get my head together, and get caught up on my sleep before the new accounting system goes live. 

Lots of projects lined up, but first - breakfast!  No more peanut butter toast breakfasts for me.  Today we are starting with an asparagus, onion, red pepper & tomato omelet.

The giant blue Hosta does not fare well in the heat

Then off to set up a sun tarp to protect my gorgeous blue Hosta which really suffers in the hot sun.  The sprinkler is already running in the alley garden and the rest of the flower beds need watering.  Then I'll take a look at the multi-page To Do List.  Yep, I plan to make the best of this, and yes I will make a point of doing a blog entry every morning.  No excuses now!

Alley Gardens

An Alley Garden award flag

Many years ago our Mac/Groveland Community Council started giving out Alley Garden Awards, in part "to prevent crime and encourage residents to clean up and beautify their alleys, the community's most neglected spaces."  I won an award the first year, before I even knew the program existed, but since then have kept the alley area weeded and mowed but nothing more. I enjoy "doing alleys" when I walk the dogs and admire the winners every year.

When the new fence went in last month I decided to work toward an award.  The alley already had hostas & ferns and reasonably good grass, but there were no flowers, and the area near the garage door was a pile of discarded sod & soil covered with weeds.  Ugh!  When the half barrel planter proved too large to fit in the area where I had to move the side fence, it was moved to the alley (what a chore that was), planted and mulched.  The heap of soil was dug up, weeded, smoothed out and planted as well, and rocks were added along the sides to keep the soil from washing.  It was heavily mulched since that area is hot and dry and hard to reach with a hose.

Judging is a mysterious process, with flags suddenly appearing when its been completed.  When I came home last Friday, there was a note in my door telling me that I had (almost) won, but was missing one piece.  One of the requirements (I've never seen the requirements before) was house numbers prominently displayed which is apparently a law.  Who knew.  The note said to get that taken care of and notify the Council for rejudging.  Argh!  So close!   No way to put the numbers in a readable location on a stone garage with minimal wood trim (which is why there were no numbers there) so they were put on the fence even though I cringed at the idea of pounding nails in my new fence.  A quick email went off to the chairman, and a few days later the flag was in place and there was a note in my door inviting me to an awards ceremony in the fall and asking permission to take pictures if they wished.

Just a small thing really, but something I wanted to accomplish, and something that gives me great pleasure.  When Argus and I go for our evening walk, we'll stop to admire all the award winners in the area and perhaps get some new ideas for next year.

Friends & Family

The guest room is ready and waiting for Laurie & Nikon who will be coming for a visit, just in time for my birthday.  They're driving from Virginia to visit relatives north of the Twin Cities, then staying here for a few days.  Laurie is originally from the Twin Cities, but we were introduced years ago by an mutual friend when she was already living on the east coast.  Nikon is one of Coral's daughters, one of Argus's "ex-wives" and mother of Penny.  Both are great houseguests and we always have such a good time.  Because Ron is a typical close-mouthed Finlander, it's also nice to have someone around to talk to, other than the dogs of course.  (Yes, I talk to my dogs as if they were people.  Don't you?)

Duderino & friend

An email from my brother to see which weekends I'll be home this summer.  All of them, I told him.  No money, no plans.  Al is planning to come up from Costa Rica for a week or ten days, stay with mom, get together with family and visit old friends.  He also stocks up on things I can not buy in Costa Rica, although they have an increasingly large number of "American items" available - which probably means they were made in China.  We all wish that his wife Alison would come along too, but she's content to stay in Costa Rica and tend to her projects and their pets.  Their newest family member, who I refer to as Al's foster son, is pictured above - a Capuchin Monkey, aka Organ Grinder Monkey.  Duderino is a "rescue" who was illegally owned, and because Alison is involved in dog rescue she was asked to take in the monkey who can not be returned to the wild.  My mother says that Al has many humorous stories about their adventures with Duderino, so I'm sure I'll have a few to relate.  The monkey spends his days outdoors swinging from the trees and harassing the dogs, but he comes when called, eats anything except bananas (!) and takes twenty foot leaps from lamp to lamp.  Very glad that Duderino will not be traveling with Al!

Puppies In Ohio

Nati and friends

Love this picture of Nati, who long time readers may remember as Naughtia, the puppy I kept from the Argus & Boji litter.  When she was about 5 months old Naughtia went to live in Ohio with Ann & Dave.  Ann's family had shown Dals and raised a few litters of pups, and Ann thought she "might" want to get back into the sport.  I sold the pup with the agreement that she could be shown and eventually bred if Ann was truly interested.   Shortly after Nati joined their family, Ann & Dave came to the Dal National and watched Argus go Best Of Breed.  Welcome back to dog shows!

Fast forward three years.  Nati is now a GCh with a CHIC # and is expecting her first litter of pups in August. Ann DID get hooked on showing, finished Nati's Championship with a specialty major, and then continued on to her Grand Championship.  She also completed all of Nati's health testing, including eyes, hips, elbows, thyroid & cardiac (the BAER hearing test was done here when Nati was a pup) and Nati received her CHIC # for that.

Nati was bred to a handsome, well-bred Champion Dalmatian who also has all of his health testing.  James comes from a "good family" and we are all anticipating a nice litter.  Hope to be able to see the pups before the go to new homes.

Have fun, Ann & Dave!

So Where Did My Weekend Go?

Charlie Brown at two.

Got lots accomplished this weekend, so why is my To Do List still so long?  Maybe I am subconsciously planning for the upcoming layoff.  Only four more days of work unless a budget agreement is in place very soon, and the list of projects to be done during an "enforced vacation" continues to grow.

I went to the office on Sunday morning intending to stay for "a couple of hours", but ended up staying for five.  Way to waste a weekend, BUT I got so much done!  End of fiscal year, preparing for shut down, new accounting system soon to be launched, AND doing a second job as well as my own makes it impossible to keep up during a normal work week.   Actually, NOTHING is normal right now.  Just wish I got paid for overtime.

On Saturday Jess & I met up at Charlie Brown's to get some current pictures.  We had not seen him since last fall and he was in beautiful condition.  Brook & Michael have done such a good job with Charlie.  Wish all puppy buyers would listen, ask questions, and follow through as they have done.  Charlie is well socialized, has nice manners, and is in perfect condition.  And he knows that he is a dog.  They have not treated him like a child, which will make it so much easier on everyone if they have children some day.  Dogs do NOT benefit from being referred to and treated like Fur Persons.

Reebok with 2+ weeks to go.

After doing pictures of Charlie, Jess came over to meet Reebok and help me get some pictures of her.  Thanks Jess!  I have not had any company since Reebok came to stay, so I wanted to see her reaction.  Excellent!  She was incredibly friendly and acted as if she had known Jess all her life.  Just wanted to be sure that Reebok did indeed have the kind of personality I breed for - friendly, outgoing, enthusiastic and silly!  She passed with flying colors.

Argus and I went walking along the Mississippi later that day, but he did not get to swim off leash.  Had to content himself with swimming and splashing while on a Flexi Lead.  With all the rain, the river is flowing strongly, and he's not (yet) an experienced swimmer.

It was a great weekend for Argus kids, with lovely Tia going WB at the Mt. Hood Specialty to finish her Championship (with 2 specialty majors, 2 Bests In Sweeps, and 2 Group placings).  Number 13 for Argus.  Son Wills picked up a couple more points, daughter Cassie picked up 11 more points & 3 majors towards her Grand Championship, and both Pauli & Krash earned Bests Of Breed.  I considered driving up to Cambridge to cheer Pauli on, but decided that I am better off staying away from dog shows so I am not tempted to enter shows I don't need to enter.

Discovered a lump on Coral's back on Saturday, a small dark lump that at first looked like a wood tick, but oozed when we fussed with it.  She's due for a blood panel anyway, so I'll get it looked at this week.  Hopefully it can be removed with a local anesthetic as I can't see subjecting a 13-year old to more than that.

Time to get ready for work.  Going in early and donating more time to the Minnesota taxpayers.  Bet they won't thank me either. . .

Sun!

Thank goodness!  Some time last night the clouds moved on, the sky cleared, and the sun is poking it's head up over the trees.  Hooray!  Everything is so lush and green, but we really need sun and should almost be able to hear things grow today.  The cardinals are singing, "What, what, what cheer. What cheer."  Me too!  It's been a really tough week at the office, far too much to get done, and I have not been sleeping well. Gray skies and endless rain didn't help.  Why is it that sunshine makes things more bearable?

Josie got her stitches out and everything checked out great.  She was not very happy to walk back into the clinic until she remembered that they have CATS that wander around.  When the Tech took her into the back for the suture removal, I had to warn her that Josie considers cats to be "house squirrels" and fair game. Dr. Jim took a look at her foot and said it turned out perfect.  She hasn't been bothering the wound on her cheek at all and it's almost completely healed.  What a great patient she was, never fussed about not getting her walks or spending extra time in her crate.  Although Ron normally walks her, Josie & I did a celebratory walk last night and I annoyed her by not allowing her to grab the rabbit that crossed the sidewalk in front of her or the bird that flew right over our heads.  Josie the hunter.

The parents of my new fish

New fish arrived on Wednesday.  Another species of wild livebearer Phallychthys fairweatheri "Dickfish".  Know I need to recheck the spelling on the genus - that does NOT look correct.  (It is.) These are "pedigree fish" because they came with location information which is important for wild fish - those not being commercially bred.  Pedigree fish are direct descendants from the originally imported fish, with no other strains mixed in.  The location info for these fish is Collected by Jaap-Jan de Greef in Rio Pucte, Guatemala in 2005.  I paid for 6 babies and the seller sent 10, all of which survived the trip and are doing well. 

I now have two tanks of new livebearers, as the Illyodon cortesae youngsters are also doing very well.  Hopefully they will grow up and produce for me some day.  The problem this summer will be keeping the fishroom from getting too warm. Because the whelping area is also in the basement, and because I will use a heat lamp for Reebok and the babies until they are 3 weeks old, the basement will get warmer than is ideal for the fish.  Wish I could afford a portable ac unit for the fishroom itself?  The dehumidifier that runs in the fishroom gives off quite a lot of heat.

This area has to be turned into a nursery

Where to start?  This weekend I have to turn the front side of my elderly basement into a whelping area, not an easy chore!  I have always envied people who actually have a whelping room.  I have extra bedrooms, but they are in the upstairs of my two story house, and it's too difficult to keep mom and babies upstairs - NOT handy for getting anyone outside.  So this weekend will be devoted to fixing up a whelping area in the basement.  Reebok will be comfortable with it, as she stayed in the big crate on the right when she was in season, and enjoys following me around the basement when I do fish chores.

Turning The Page

Josie and Argus

And still it rains.  Am so glad I have smooth-coated dogs and that I have a rock-and-block dog yard so they can be outdoors for awhile without tracking in mud or tearing up the yard.  None of them are bothered by rain, so as long as it's not raining too hard we just go about our business.  Am not sure how people survive where this weather is common nine months of the year.  I NEED SUN!  And pretty soon I'll be complaining about too much of that, along with heat and humidity.

In addition to the two responses to yesterday's blog I got three emails from other Dal friends, all older, all forced to cut back on their dog show activities because of age, finances or both. They could identify with my situations and my sadness. I'm fortunate that I am still able to show, that I have good hips and knees, and no age-related health issues.  I hope to be back in the ring eventually when I have a youngster to show, and Argus may get out for specialties from time to time, but I'll never be able to campaign a dog again.  It's just too expensive and too time consuming.  And so much work . . .

The nice thing about dog shows is that you can do it at many levels.  Once a year if that's your choice, or every weekend if you have the time, money and drive. While many people (like my daughter Jess) prefer to show in the classes, I love showing a Special.  The lows are so low, but the highs make up for it, and nothing really compares to going Best Of Breed over a large entry of quality Dals, showing in a Non-Sporting Group full of top specials in a variety of breeds, and winning the Group.  Best In Shows are more exciting at the time, but they are so often a case of being in the right spot at the right time.  For owner-handled dogs, there is a lot of luck involved in going Best In Show.  To consistently win Non-Sporting Groups is the thing that gets my juices flowing.  I'll miss that most of all.

Next goal is a really fine puppy to show & finish from the Bred By Exhibitor Class.  I've done that before, but not for quite awhile since we've had so few pups, and because I've concentrated on Specials while Jess does the class dogs.  My turn now.  Perhaps Reebok or Penny will do the right pup for me, or maybe Pauli will do that next year.  Because I will be involved in Lucy's eventual litter and have selected the dog she will be bred to, I'll ask to be signed on to her so I will be a co-breeder of her pups as well.  A breeder is always looking forward to that next litter!

Can't wait for puppies!

Unpacking My Life

For the past three years, ever since my return from judging in Australia, my small purple suitcase has been laying on the chest under the window in my bedroom.  It got temporarily replaced by the larger purple suitcase once a year for DCA, and this year for Westminster as well, but normally it sits on the chest, waiting for me to finish packing for a dog show weekend.  Because it was often used two or three times a month, there seemed little point in putting it away.  Some things were always packed and ready, including a blow dryer, curling brush, some over the counter meds, a few cosmetics, panty hose, a few "coffee bags" (like tea bags), and a small flask of rum.  I'd just add whatever I needed for the weekend, and I'd be ready for another dog show.  The suitcase was like a piece of furniture, always sitting in that spot.

While cleaning house last weekend, I suddenly "noticed" the suitcase, still sitting there, still waiting.  For what?  When would I be using it again?  When could I reasonably expect to travel again?  Maybe this fall?  Maybe not.  So I unpacked the bag, put everything away, and sadly stowed my trusty purple suitcase in the extra bedroom, and then wiped away a few tears.  That chapter of my life is over.   Onward.

Several pictures to use today but my computer seems to have been hijacked again.  The CPU is running hard and I can't get the pictures uploaded to the blog.  It's not the virus software or the spyware software, although it sure sounds as if it is updating something.  Must be the aliens.  Well, maybe I can add the pictures tomorrow.   Sure wish I understood what went on behind the scenes in my computer!

Things are dreadful at work and we are no where near ready to go live with the new accounting system.  And yesterday the old one was not working either, or at least MY appropriation wasn't working.  Millions of dollars that I could not access - all payments from that approp received the error message of "invalid budget fiscal year".  Obviously "someone" made some kind of change over the weekend, but no on is available to help me figure this out.  All personnel are working on the new system, rather than supporting the old one.  NOT a good deal for me, with tons of work to get done by next Thursday when we turn out the lights because no budget is in place for us to work in the new fiscal year . . .  Ah, such fun!

Breakfast with Sue



Breakfast from White Castle, umm umm good!

Woke up groggy & hungry this morning.  It rained much of last night and I don't sleep well when we get heavy rain.  Living in an old house with a marginal basement, elderly gutters & a middle-aged roof, heavy rain is always a concern, especially when accompanied by strong winds.  I was awake much of the night, got up to check things out a couple of times, and when sleep finally came it included a dream about a leaking roof and collapsing ceilings.  Far too realistic!

If it was Sunday morning, I'd walk Argus around Como, and then head off to White Castle for breakfast.  It amazes me to see the lines for breakfast at McDonalds when White Castle does a much better job.  I find McMuffins to consist of cardboard muffins, rubbery eggs, equally rubbery cheese and grainy tasteless sausage.  White Castle breakfast sandwiches are made with tasty muffins, freshly fried eggs, cheese that actually melts, and tasty sausage.  Plus the counter people greet you with a smile and seem genuinely glad to see you, and the drive through people wish you a good day.  What a difference!  I'm told that White Castle treats their employees well - it certainly shows, and their breakfast sandwiches, potato cakes & coffee are all delicious.  Not something I could eat every morning as it's still high in calories, sodium & cholesterol, but I've always felt that if I am splurging on something that is not exactly good for me, it had better TASTE good!  Try it, you'll like it!  Argus certainly approves.

Reebok is doing well and has settled in comfortably with us.  She runs with Argus & Watson, and I'm very careful when she is out with Coral & Josie as she worries about them.  Although my girls are quite friendly, get along with other dogs, and are used to visiting girls, Reebok has had some bad experiences and worries about them, so I don't take any chances.  She's doing well on Pro Plan Lamb & Rice (that's what she's used to eating at home) for breakfast, and raw for dinner, usually chicken backs which she absolutely adores.  With three weeks to go, she looks to be carrying a good-sized litter.  We go walking every night as it's important that pregnant bitches get enough exercise and she's puffing pretty good by the time we get back.   Need to start planning my whelping set up, I guess.

Reebok as a show dog.




Three weeks to go.



Bad Weather On The Way

The yard is looking good

Rain in the forecast, ugh!  We just got 2.5 inches, certainly don't need another 3 or more.  So far I have not had any water in the basement, but always worry about that.  My planting is done, the dog yard is pretty much finished (you can see it in the corner surrounded by privacy fence), the grass looks great after a slow start, the perennials all survived, and the annuals are all planted.  Flower beds have no room for anything to be added,  and even the alley along the back fence is planted!

Argus enjoyed splashing in the lake.

A pleasant and productive weekend, although most of the chores on my list remain undone.  It's such a novelty to think that if I don't get them done THIS weekend, I'll be home to do them NEXT weekend.  After three years of being gone at least two weekends most months, I'm still not used to this.  One of the things that did get done was taking Mr. Argus to Lake Como for a Sunday morning walk/splash. Unfortunately there was some kind of 5K walk/run so the first part our walk was done with a lot of joggers, walkers, and people pushing those large-wheeled baby strollers made for joggers.  Even saw several guys pushing double strollers.  The scary part was how many obese people were trying to jog.  Hope they all survived!  They need to start with walking until they get their weight under control!

This blog was longer, but Blogger did not save it before the page froze up.  How annoying.  I'll save my griping for tomorrow, I guess.