The dog two doors down started getting downright aggressive towards Tabitha the other night in the parking lot. I don't blame the dog. Lot's of change, little understanding, don't care, not my dog, and person isn't worth the effort. Tab decided the best POA was to throw herself onto her back in a state of please don't hurt me I love you so much even you won't be able to stand it. Which was fine (preferable even). Once bitch face was pulled off, Tabitha stayed on her back and continued her frenzied rolling. It must have felt terrific. I am going to point out how little it rains here. That means the ground is fucking gross. Grosser than usual (for me). All her white became a very dark gray. This all amounted to bath time. I'm a huge fan of Wahl products so I went ahead and ordered two gallons of their Absolute Purple/Whitening shampoo. I use whitening shampoo on every color dog except black. It brings out any highlights the fur might have making me a genius. This shampoo is seriously lacking and it's bumming me out. You need a ton to really get the hair clean and it doesn't leave the coat brilliant. It ends up just mediocre. So, a warning. Absolute Purple blows ass. I wonder what I will try next?
I don't know what is up with me and HA, double L, O, W, double E, N. Some years I am so into it. Carving pumpkins, dressing up... Other years, like this year, not so much. We have made October 31 Tabitha's birthday because it's dead close and no one can prove us wrong. Jim's was decided to be November 1. How weird is that? I wonder if I should simply embrace all this, dress them up and go trick or treating with them? How fun would it be to BOOOO every time someone gave them chocolate?
Monday, October 27, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
The Feds do it a little bit different but I've never had them, like, break into my house while I was there.
There hasn't been much happening in the world of the JH. We went up to Flagstaff this weekend and hung out with some people I could have lived with never meeting, as they reminded me just how disappointing people can be. We also went into the wilderness which consisted of romping the truck through the woods, going for some short hikes with the dogs, stopping to check out one of the many creepy chain link, wire trip, traps. They were laced with hay and large enough to fit a cow (still not sure what they were there for). Of course, these were the moments I cherished. I foolishly proceeded to mention the unfolded laundry still on the bed. That got us home in time to fold and provide our minds with some brain crack TV before slumber. Like I said, not much going on.
Although... I am going to make everyone's Christmas gifts this year. Why the hell not? I'm not certain I should disclose any details because it's a mystery who is reading this. I will say my ideas are 100% bad ass. I would also love to meet the person who has the balls to a.) say they don't like the gift you made them with your bare hands and b.) refuse to display said gift. So it really doesn't matter who likes what now does it? Manners and Etiquette are bullies that cannot be stopped. Ignoring this advantage is foolish.
Mr. F's brother came over and while he and Tabitha exchanged pleasantries on the swing, she was rude enough to rip his necklace in half. Maybe she was thinking of me and thought a little project might help? Who knows. He should know better than to hand me anything. He had another necklace give out and I promised him I would not only fix it, but make it even better than before. I did, but it took about three months. I just couldn't think of a fabulous way to put it together. Not to be mediocre, I sat on it while waiting for inspiration. Then I had a very disturbing dream. It started with me sitting on the the couch making his necklace. I woke up all freaked out but once I had calmed down I remembered my sleepy brilliance and commenced making the new superior adornment.
Although... I am going to make everyone's Christmas gifts this year. Why the hell not? I'm not certain I should disclose any details because it's a mystery who is reading this. I will say my ideas are 100% bad ass. I would also love to meet the person who has the balls to a.) say they don't like the gift you made them with your bare hands and b.) refuse to display said gift. So it really doesn't matter who likes what now does it? Manners and Etiquette are bullies that cannot be stopped. Ignoring this advantage is foolish.
Mr. F's brother came over and while he and Tabitha exchanged pleasantries on the swing, she was rude enough to rip his necklace in half. Maybe she was thinking of me and thought a little project might help? Who knows. He should know better than to hand me anything. He had another necklace give out and I promised him I would not only fix it, but make it even better than before. I did, but it took about three months. I just couldn't think of a fabulous way to put it together. Not to be mediocre, I sat on it while waiting for inspiration. Then I had a very disturbing dream. It started with me sitting on the the couch making his necklace. I woke up all freaked out but once I had calmed down I remembered my sleepy brilliance and commenced making the new superior adornment.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Promises, promises...
I have a little time, and a little patience not to mention all my tasks for today are done. I had to hold off on filling the bird feeder because Mr. F just laid down some grass seed and doesn't want the flocks finishing off the seed and then heading for the yard. Which is what they did last time. So. I did fill the hummingbird feeders. The other day I was giving all the dusty indoor plants a cleansing shower when a little hummer conducted a thorough inspection of who I was, flew to the empty feeder, drank nothing and proceeded to fly in front of me and yell his disapproval. I don't understand hummer speak but if you were there you would have come to the same conclusion. Sugar water was measured and put into the feeders. I swear the little guy defending the grapefruit tree is the same one from last year... I am also going to go ahead and say he's a Lucifer Hummingbird.
Being home isn't so bad at all. The trip helped me chill out and prioritize so I am now as calm as the JH gets (which isn't saying all that much but still). Having KY on the To Do list helps immensely. Being back to work is a nice time filler. Which reminds me of a I'm back to work story.
One of my repeat clients went and got herself another dog. We'll call her M. M was adopted from a puppy mill rescue so of course everyone thinks she is far more special than all the other dogs. I say she is just a little more lucky. The dogs were checked in and I was alerted to the fact that the newest dog has only three feet. It was mentioned due to one of the techs making a comment about halloween and that finding a costume should be easy and she should go as a pirate. Pretty funny. The next thing you know, the same chick that got Jim into a scrap with mohawk man, comes into the grooming room and tells me M has only three feet. I said okay. She goes on to tell me not to worry because it's an old wound (everyone assumes from the puppy mill days). I say okay again but I am wondering where this is going and why she is still on high alert. She then goes on to say that she is only telling me because she doesn't want me to panic, feel guilty or think I did anything wrong. I stop, look up and wait for the laughter. I'm totally into jokes on poor workmanship, even if it's directed toward me, let's face it, they're funny. To my dismay, there is no laughter. She's serious. I tell her how relieved I am as I was looking everywhere for it and worried it had gone down the drain during M's bath. The tech assures me that's not the case and takes off. Give me fucking strength. First, it's not just a missing foot. We're talking gone from the last joint. The beginning of the hock, if you will. Can you imagine? How the hell could I (could anyone) cut through joint, possibly bone, while giving a bath. Second, let's say I did a little prep work. Just for the sake of argument. Let's say I took my hair scissors and did in fact lodge them in the bone. The blood paired with the screaming (and super aggressive behavior that arises from carnivores when they are attacked by another creature and can't get away) would, I'm assuming, be pretty noticeable, don't you think? I'm not saying my scissors aren't incredibly sharp, but they certainly couldn't slice through a bone like it was butter. I'm not sure where to go with this but it further confirms I need to do my own thing.
As previously mentioned, the giant sequoias were as massive as you would think. Not much different than the redwoods but enough to notice. Slightly shorter, fatter and they are less uniform. I did see some little guys that would have made the perfect Christmas trees. It's all about perspective. Some people see beauty, I see unfinished furniture. I digress.
Here are the rest of the pictures. They are from the Northern Unit of the Sequoia National Forest to home. We thought about spending another day checking out the Southern Unit but we were done. Wouldn't it just be more super big trees? Doesn't having a couple free days to ourselves before life takes back over sound grand?
Being home isn't so bad at all. The trip helped me chill out and prioritize so I am now as calm as the JH gets (which isn't saying all that much but still). Having KY on the To Do list helps immensely. Being back to work is a nice time filler. Which reminds me of a I'm back to work story.
One of my repeat clients went and got herself another dog. We'll call her M. M was adopted from a puppy mill rescue so of course everyone thinks she is far more special than all the other dogs. I say she is just a little more lucky. The dogs were checked in and I was alerted to the fact that the newest dog has only three feet. It was mentioned due to one of the techs making a comment about halloween and that finding a costume should be easy and she should go as a pirate. Pretty funny. The next thing you know, the same chick that got Jim into a scrap with mohawk man, comes into the grooming room and tells me M has only three feet. I said okay. She goes on to tell me not to worry because it's an old wound (everyone assumes from the puppy mill days). I say okay again but I am wondering where this is going and why she is still on high alert. She then goes on to say that she is only telling me because she doesn't want me to panic, feel guilty or think I did anything wrong. I stop, look up and wait for the laughter. I'm totally into jokes on poor workmanship, even if it's directed toward me, let's face it, they're funny. To my dismay, there is no laughter. She's serious. I tell her how relieved I am as I was looking everywhere for it and worried it had gone down the drain during M's bath. The tech assures me that's not the case and takes off. Give me fucking strength. First, it's not just a missing foot. We're talking gone from the last joint. The beginning of the hock, if you will. Can you imagine? How the hell could I (could anyone) cut through joint, possibly bone, while giving a bath. Second, let's say I did a little prep work. Just for the sake of argument. Let's say I took my hair scissors and did in fact lodge them in the bone. The blood paired with the screaming (and super aggressive behavior that arises from carnivores when they are attacked by another creature and can't get away) would, I'm assuming, be pretty noticeable, don't you think? I'm not saying my scissors aren't incredibly sharp, but they certainly couldn't slice through a bone like it was butter. I'm not sure where to go with this but it further confirms I need to do my own thing.
As previously mentioned, the giant sequoias were as massive as you would think. Not much different than the redwoods but enough to notice. Slightly shorter, fatter and they are less uniform. I did see some little guys that would have made the perfect Christmas trees. It's all about perspective. Some people see beauty, I see unfinished furniture. I digress.
Here are the rest of the pictures. They are from the Northern Unit of the Sequoia National Forest to home. We thought about spending another day checking out the Southern Unit but we were done. Wouldn't it just be more super big trees? Doesn't having a couple free days to ourselves before life takes back over sound grand?
Sunday, October 12, 2008
As not to leave you hanging...
I am so satisfied over being home that I continue to blow off blogging the final entry regarding the trip. I am puttering about the house unpacking and just generally enjoying things like the couch, friends stopping by and the likes. I had forgotten how incredibly comfortable our bed was. I mean, I remembered while away but I kept myself from dwelling on it for to long as I absolutely refuse to pine for an inanimate object. Man oh man, it's nice to wake up in that big old comfy bed. It is also the perfect time to get home. I'm not usually on top of my game when it comes to things like good planning and due to that I am enjoying it even more. The windows and doors have been thrown open and it's simply untouchable out there...
While I enjoy being home without responsibility you'll have to sit tight until I am ready to put some time into the last blog. I can type again so it might be a nice long one. You can never tell with me. Though I assure you the last leg of the trip will be here shortly.
I'll leave you with these pictures. Needless to say the sequoia trees were astoundingly huge and worth taking a peek at...
While I enjoy being home without responsibility you'll have to sit tight until I am ready to put some time into the last blog. I can type again so it might be a nice long one. You can never tell with me. Though I assure you the last leg of the trip will be here shortly.
I'll leave you with these pictures. Needless to say the sequoia trees were astoundingly huge and worth taking a peek at...
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Even larger trees? Get out.
The Scion is acting up big time. What was supposed to be a nice leisurely picture taking ride through the beautiful Yosemite landscape turned into a moving mechanical serenity shattering whine controlled by overly concerned people. Blech. My head was acting up big time to boot so there was Mr. F dealing with sick me and the not so cooperative and super loud xB. Today the B stands for "bullshit". Speaking of which, after stopping in Yosemite Village and listening to the local mechanics talk like a pack of yahoos... Example: I think that metal grinding on metal whining screaming noise is most likely your vacuum hose leaking... No wait, it's your AC, just turn it off and you should be fine. Air doesn't grind people. The AC hadn't been used in days. Step away from the Scion. We decided to chance the 90 mile drive through the woods to Fresno where there is a Toyota dealership. As much as I am not into paying dealership prices I am equally against handing my vehicle to "professionals" who proceed to look at it like it's an alien spaceship. It's unsettling.
So I ended up getting some neat pictures from the moving car. I have no regrets because after a bit we realized no matter how many pictures we took, Yosemite is a place you must go yourself in order to truly appreciate the awesomeness. And I'm not just saying that. The massive sheer rock faces are far to large and breathtaking to justify with a picture. Also, one of the towns had a rockslide large enough for the need to evacuate. This meant there were people everywhere. None of this is my idea of a good time. Besides, I all ready had a headache. Ha. As for what's coming up, I am very much hoping they can fix the little bitty in enough time for us to check out the Sequoia National Forest. Speaking of which, we stopped for a break and drink and I ended up purchsing a tiny Sequoia tree. I am planning on planting it in KY once it is old enough to brave the winters alone. In about 100 years, someone will have the largest tree in KY in their backyard.
The California coast was everything I wanted and more. The rock cliffs met by the powerful smashing ocean. Clam chowder that rocked my world. Cute little beach towns with fabulous little shops. I am now the proud owner of a keychain kite that flies like a dream and rolls back up to fit in it's little zippered case. Small enough to be inexpensive but large enough to enjoy. Perfection. The road to all of these places were sharp, winding, lacking a guardrail and on the edge of sheer cliffs that dropped from the edge at a 90 degree angle into the ocean, onto the beach or down into the trees below. Mr. F drove and enjoyed every single drop in the road leading to a hairpin turn. Not that I am unable to take the corners like a race car driver, I would just rather take pictures and say when to stop quite frankly.
But every good thing must come to an end, and thusly we entered San Fransisco. The Golden Gate Bridge is now a part of my picture collection and I am proud to say so. It was the rest of the city that threw me. I mean, the entire city is built on huge hills. Earthquake? The houses are super fun colors and the people are not. We stayed long enough to drive up and down those massive hills (with stop signs on the top and bottom of each and every one), see the (Rice a Roni) trolley, and my personal favorite (not to mention one of the only reasons I wanted to go) driving down Lombard Street, the most crooked street in the world. It usually has more flowers along it and getting a good shot of it is near impossible unless you are airborn but it was totally worth it. I would live on Lombard Street. Once done with the city stink and hysteria we blew town. Though not before driving in front of a trolley on one of those very verticle hills and having tourists flood in front of us while the trolly came ding ding dinging it's way up to us threatening to hit us (stopping is not possible for a trolly in that circumstance) while we attempted to get the people we were busy threatening to hit out of the way. That was the last straw and off we went... With this experience under our belt, we decided to skip LA. I doubt very much I am missing anything at all. When you remove the famous people and shops I won't be spending money in, what is left? Whores, pimps, crack and of course the natural sort of grime you would expect in any busy city. If I wanted that, couldn't I simply go home and see my friends in Boston?
So here it is. The next slideshow. As you can see I was affected by the fog which crawls over the land every evening like a wet live thing, consuming all color and visibility in it's path and replaces everything with chill and deer. The next morning it retreats from the army of the sun, back to the ocean where it waits far beyond the shore for the dusk to welcome it back.
So I ended up getting some neat pictures from the moving car. I have no regrets because after a bit we realized no matter how many pictures we took, Yosemite is a place you must go yourself in order to truly appreciate the awesomeness. And I'm not just saying that. The massive sheer rock faces are far to large and breathtaking to justify with a picture. Also, one of the towns had a rockslide large enough for the need to evacuate. This meant there were people everywhere. None of this is my idea of a good time. Besides, I all ready had a headache. Ha. As for what's coming up, I am very much hoping they can fix the little bitty in enough time for us to check out the Sequoia National Forest. Speaking of which, we stopped for a break and drink and I ended up purchsing a tiny Sequoia tree. I am planning on planting it in KY once it is old enough to brave the winters alone. In about 100 years, someone will have the largest tree in KY in their backyard.
The California coast was everything I wanted and more. The rock cliffs met by the powerful smashing ocean. Clam chowder that rocked my world. Cute little beach towns with fabulous little shops. I am now the proud owner of a keychain kite that flies like a dream and rolls back up to fit in it's little zippered case. Small enough to be inexpensive but large enough to enjoy. Perfection. The road to all of these places were sharp, winding, lacking a guardrail and on the edge of sheer cliffs that dropped from the edge at a 90 degree angle into the ocean, onto the beach or down into the trees below. Mr. F drove and enjoyed every single drop in the road leading to a hairpin turn. Not that I am unable to take the corners like a race car driver, I would just rather take pictures and say when to stop quite frankly.
But every good thing must come to an end, and thusly we entered San Fransisco. The Golden Gate Bridge is now a part of my picture collection and I am proud to say so. It was the rest of the city that threw me. I mean, the entire city is built on huge hills. Earthquake? The houses are super fun colors and the people are not. We stayed long enough to drive up and down those massive hills (with stop signs on the top and bottom of each and every one), see the (Rice a Roni) trolley, and my personal favorite (not to mention one of the only reasons I wanted to go) driving down Lombard Street, the most crooked street in the world. It usually has more flowers along it and getting a good shot of it is near impossible unless you are airborn but it was totally worth it. I would live on Lombard Street. Once done with the city stink and hysteria we blew town. Though not before driving in front of a trolley on one of those very verticle hills and having tourists flood in front of us while the trolly came ding ding dinging it's way up to us threatening to hit us (stopping is not possible for a trolly in that circumstance) while we attempted to get the people we were busy threatening to hit out of the way. That was the last straw and off we went... With this experience under our belt, we decided to skip LA. I doubt very much I am missing anything at all. When you remove the famous people and shops I won't be spending money in, what is left? Whores, pimps, crack and of course the natural sort of grime you would expect in any busy city. If I wanted that, couldn't I simply go home and see my friends in Boston?
So here it is. The next slideshow. As you can see I was affected by the fog which crawls over the land every evening like a wet live thing, consuming all color and visibility in it's path and replaces everything with chill and deer. The next morning it retreats from the army of the sun, back to the ocean where it waits far beyond the shore for the dusk to welcome it back.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Poor deer...
Here we are in Point Arena, CA. We ran over a deer last night. It was something. Don't misunderstand. We didn't hit the deer, we simply it over and further crushed the just fallen still warm body. I noticed his buddy crossing in oncoming headlights so I was watching the bushes and side road while Mr. F tried to avoid being blinded by high beams and stay on the road. The lifeless body was stretched across the lane just as we crested the hill. There was no avoiding it. Had it not been warm and squishy, the Scion never would have cleared it. We were both pleasantly surprised to see there was no body damage. Note to self, taking a lowered vehicle on a road trip might not be the best of ideas. I am comforting myself by knowing that were it not dead, it is now. I guess it made disgusting crunching noises as the bones broke. My brain is a comforting brain and made sure to talk loudly while the Scion rolled over the carcass. Thank you brain.
The drivers out here suck big time. Especially when it's dark and foggy and the road is thick with cute little Bambis. You'd think every car was racing to the hospital so the woman inside who was giving birth didn't have to have her baby in a ditch surrounded by wild deer. These roads are full of hairpin turns (and deer) so the last thing you want is someone kissing your bumper. They tailgate so close, you'd think you were towing them. However, once you reach the passing lane, they just stay on your ass. Mr. F has solved this issue by simply slamming on the brakes once we get to the passing lane. It shouldn't be funny. I know. But it is. It so is.
Here are the latest. Enjoy.
You can see him waaaaay at the end of this fallen tree...
The drivers out here suck big time. Especially when it's dark and foggy and the road is thick with cute little Bambis. You'd think every car was racing to the hospital so the woman inside who was giving birth didn't have to have her baby in a ditch surrounded by wild deer. These roads are full of hairpin turns (and deer) so the last thing you want is someone kissing your bumper. They tailgate so close, you'd think you were towing them. However, once you reach the passing lane, they just stay on your ass. Mr. F has solved this issue by simply slamming on the brakes once we get to the passing lane. It shouldn't be funny. I know. But it is. It so is.
Here are the latest. Enjoy.
You can see him waaaaay at the end of this fallen tree...
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Size matters...
We started the day with a little hike in Langlois Oregon through the woods on Blacklock Point Trail out to where it met the coast. Totally worth it. The woods were soaking and very rain foresty. I searched all over, but didn't turn up any Hobbits. Sorry. I don't know why the pictures all came out so hazy but I am guessing auto focus paired with the fog wasn't the best of matches... I didn't realize how much I miss the ocean. :F
We then went on to Woof's Dog Bakery located at Gold Beach as they have a nice little self service dog wash station and, as it turns out, great dog gear. Jimmy and Tabitha are now sporting new sweatshirts. We almost scored some sweet reflective waterproof fleece lined jackets but they didn't have Jim's size so everyone went without.
We shot down the coast toward the Redwood National & State Park. Just wow. It was getting late so I got limited pictures but you can see the massive size of these trees. Just wow. Don't you worry, more are coming.
We then went on to Woof's Dog Bakery located at Gold Beach as they have a nice little self service dog wash station and, as it turns out, great dog gear. Jimmy and Tabitha are now sporting new sweatshirts. We almost scored some sweet reflective waterproof fleece lined jackets but they didn't have Jim's size so everyone went without.
We shot down the coast toward the Redwood National & State Park. Just wow. It was getting late so I got limited pictures but you can see the massive size of these trees. Just wow. Don't you worry, more are coming.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Highway 101 Oregon
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Baker's Hole Campground - West Yellowstone to Superior, MT
We listened to something young die a horrible death last night right before going to bed in our suddenly not so protective cloth tent. As much as we were super clean and careful and therefore being responsible and "not asking for it" I went to bed wondering. The locals told us the #1 complaint is that no one is seeing any bears. Am I the only one noticing the irony in this gripe? I only ask because I have been hoping to see a bear badly and I am now caught in my own quandary.
Camping last night was everything I expected and more. The more being holy shit cold. It was so cold that our warm breath condensed on the tent walls and created puddles on the tent floor. Needless to say, we're now in a hotel and will not commence camping again until along the west coast where the weather will be more inviting.
Tomorrow we hike the morning away and then head towards Highway 1. Sandy beaches here we come. It's strange how I cannot wait to get home but I am having such a blast that I don't care if we ever go back. Traveling without a home to go back to is undoubtedly the way to go. Witness. Ha.
Camping last night was everything I expected and more. The more being holy shit cold. It was so cold that our warm breath condensed on the tent walls and created puddles on the tent floor. Needless to say, we're now in a hotel and will not commence camping again until along the west coast where the weather will be more inviting.
Tomorrow we hike the morning away and then head towards Highway 1. Sandy beaches here we come. It's strange how I cannot wait to get home but I am having such a blast that I don't care if we ever go back. Traveling without a home to go back to is undoubtedly the way to go. Witness. Ha.
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