Book List

As of 08/28/2009

• Inubaka 4 by Yukiya Sakuragi. Valuable dog training tips in manga form.
• Stuck on Murder by Lucy Lawrence. My good friend and colleague at the library wrote this. Whether you like cozy mysteries or not, read it. The woman has a way with words.
• White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison. A little tired of Rachel continuing to be such a dillhole and yet I keep reading.
• Strange Haven – Brotherhood by Gary Millidge
• Inubaka 3 by Yukiya Sakuragi
• About Face by Donna Leon
• Highway to Hell by Rosemary Clement- Moore
• Bundori by Laura Joh Rowland
• Grand Finale by Janet Evanovich
• Lullaby Town by Robert Crais
• Stalking the Angel by Robert Crais
• Talk Nerdy to Me by Vickie Lewis Thompson
• Inubaka 1 by Yukiya Sakuragi
• Shirly by Kauru Mori
• Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together
• Tart by Jody Gehrman
• Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris – I enjoy every single Sookie book. This one was still good because I really like the charactor. And I liked that Eric is taking more of a role in her life.
• The Beast of Chicago by Rick Geary – Like “Devil in the White City” in graphic format and without all the detail of the building of the World’s Fair.
• Blood Noir by Laurell K. Hamilton – Reread and yet still can’t remember what the story was about. But I’m sure there was lots of sex.
• Love, Cajun Style by Diane Les Becquets – Teen book. Stupid title for a very compelling story with believable and likeable charactors.
• Boy Girl Boy by Ron Koertge – Teen
• Locked Rooms by Laurie R. King – Couldn’t put it down.
• Ellie + the Bunheads by Sally Warner

DOG Update

My mother thinks DOG had a stroke. I think we’re on borrowed time. He seems both better and worse. Just not bad enough to take him in for the final time, if you know what I mean. Of course I will if I think he’s in terrible pain. However, it’s my quality of life that is going down, not his. He can’t hear well. He’s been leaving poop on the floor overnight which he has never done in his whole long life. It’s sad to watch him get up and down. Every once in a while I help him sit and stand. When we take a drive, I lift him into the car the way cowboys wrangle little doggies. But give him a buffered aspirin in some cheese and he’s almost spry. Now we’re simply grappling with timing and hoping he chooses his own time and place. And that I’m with him when he does.

The Hits, They Keep Coming

I’m sad to report that my dog, DOG, took a turn for the worse today. This morning when Ruby and Winnie (yes, I’m watching Jeremy’s extremely irritating dog) went out early this morning DOG did not move. I thought maybe it was early, he didn’t need to go out. But he still hadn’t moved an hour later. When I tried to help him get up he yelped. I called Kristin then my mom when Kris didn’t pick up, in tears to the point Mom couldn’t understand me. My mother called Brandon and Gina. G told me to try to give him water. I put a bowl in front of him but he was lying on his side with no way to get a drink without moving. He didn’t seem that interested anyway and seemed slightly put out when I dribbled water on his muzzle. I lay on the floor with him and put the phone to his ear so Gina could say her goodbye. While I was out of the room, he pooped, got into a different position and spilled the water. I encouraged him to stand up which he finally did. Keep in mind, he’d been lying in that same position for at least two hours, probably longer since I don’t know that he wasn’t lying that way all night. He had a hard time walking and was very shaky but he did go outside. I coaxed him back into my office so that I could work and also keep an eye on him. Kris got my messages and stopped by on her way to work. She examined him (she really has learned a lot about vet care volunteering for the Humane Society) and said to keep an eye on him, give him the aspirin (I had already done that), put a hot towel on his back leg and give him a doggie massage later. We agreed that I’d keep an eye on him and if he is the same she’ll come with me on Saturday. This gives me a few extra hours with him.

He spent the day in my office lounging on his pillow. Ruby curled next to him, a first but I think she was more interested in lying on the fleece I laid over his pillow than in cuddling with him in the last minutes of his life. I wanted to take a picture but the second I picked up my camera he got up and moved over the cement area by the door. He sometimes likes to lay there. It was weird, though, because he didn’t get up and move like dogs will do. He looked disoriented and seemed to be trying to go into the shelf that holds my golf shoes, not that he’d fit. He finally got himself levered on the ground and seemed comfortable there.

This afternoon someone stopped by to look at my house which is for sale. This person did not bother making an appointment, a mistake. Jeremy’s (extremely irritating) dog barked the whole five minutes she was here. And also, DOG roused himself sufficiently to crap on the floor right in front of her. I don’t think she’s gonna make an offer.

Oh, and did I mention that it’s exactly two weeks from the day my dad died?

Digging on the Eagles… of Death Metal

When I’m working, especially on something repetitive, the optimal situation is listening the music. Total silence is like riding in a car; instant narcolepsy. Anyone who has ever been on a car trip with me knows what that’s like. I can drive for hours and be wide awake, especially with a Coke from McDonalds. Put me in the passenger seat and it’s lights out. Same with repetitive work.

Since a nap is not an option when I’m working (I really do need to get paid, you know) I have an ever-changing array of songs, albums and/or bands that occupy a space in my brain that lets me hear the music and not be distracted by it. Right now, it’s a band called The Eagles of Death Metal. DW picks it constantly when we’re on the Teen Desk. Now it’s all I can listen to. It is my repetitive work listening pleasure. How can you not love a band with lyrics like, “I want you so hard, I want you so good,” and “You be my sugar I’ll be your cherry cola”?

No Weddings, Just a Funeral

My father has died and I am Idaho for his funeral.

It feels dramatic to write the words. My father and I were not close but we did try. Our efforts didn’t take but there was effort. I took up golf so we’d have something to talk about. He liked to fish, too, but golf was much more reasonable for me.

I was able to get a flight to Idaho. Fortunately I did not have to “take advantage” of Delta’s bereavement rate which was more even than last-minute fares online. Not sure the point, other than the fee to change the ticket is waived. But if you’ve got a date for a funeral, I can’t see the point. Funeral dates are not moving targets.

But anyway, I made it to Idaho. The funeral is Wednesday, August 5. Two days before my birthday and one day after my sister Tiff’s birthday. Dad made all his own arrangements so I haven’t had anything to do.

For friends who have wondered, I’m doing well. There are sad moments that hit me at odd times but for the most part, it doesn’t feel different. Even though I’m back home. My visits with Dad have always been sporadic. My mom raised me so she gets the right to drag me all over the place on visits, I guess. This time is no different.