Saturday, November 08, 2008

Tales from Doggie Day Camp

Ernie is spending 3 and 1/2 weeks with my folks, since I am traveling so much for work this month. My mom sends me pictures of him and updates on his daily activites. Here's today's update:

I said to the two dogs [my Ernie and my parents' Bert] this morning, 'Want a Jumbone?' and the two of them starting jumping around like lunatics. I opened the cabinet to get them out, only to find that there was only one left in the bag. So I walked over to the regular Milkbone jar, and took one of them out for Ernie. I handed Bert the Jumbone, and she proceeded to run onto her bed in the bedroom, where she ceremoniously eats all of her Jumbones. Then I tried to give Ernie the Milkbone. He sniffed it, looked at me, walked over to the still-open cabinet and rested his head on the Jumbone shelf. I had to go down the basement and get a new package out for him so that he didn't continue to stand there, head in the Jumbone cabinet, for the rest of the day. Whatta goof!


Bert and Ernie

Friday, October 24, 2008

TWC: Upcoming Performance















BACH Mass in B Minor
Sunday, November 16, 2008
5 PM
Kennedy Center Concert Hall
Julian Wachner brings his expertise in the world of early music to one of the greatest masterworks of all time. Performed with internationally-renowned artists, don’t miss your opportunity to hear the crowning achievement of Bach’s life and a tour-de-force in the choral repertoire.

Plus, INSIDE THE SCORE
Saturday, November 15, 2008
10 AM - 1 PM
Georgetown Day School
4200 Davenport Road NW
Washington, DC 20016
Don't miss TWC's newest program! An annotated open rehearsal and masterclass with the chorus and soloists. Admission is free to anyone with a ticket to the performance.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Indian Summer

I had a fantastic holiday weekend with Lee. The weather was perfectly amazing and the weekend was chock-full of nuttiness.

Friday started with lunch at Ruby Tuesday, then off to Jumbo's Pumpkin Patch. We roamed around the farm, took a hayride, and picked our own pumpkins in the pumpkin patch.

The highlight of Jumbo’s was the corn maze. We were told it took most people 30 to 40 minutes to complete the maze, assuming they didn’t get lost. So, we paid our $4 and into the corn we went!

We roamed through the maze for around for about 15 minutes before somehow ending up back at the entrance. Oops. We tried heading a different direction, but landed at a dead end. About 15 feet through the corn, we could see another part of the path, so Lee suggested we cut through the corn and see where that path led. I didn’t object, so we took a detour into the corn and found ourselves in a new part of the maze. We continued around a bend and, shockingly, found ourselves at the maze’s exit. Huh? We just looked at one another and burst into hysterical laugher. Victory (albeit dishonestly achieved) was ours!

When the hay ride returned a few minutes later to pick us up, the tractor driver said, “I’ve never seen anyone get through the maze so quickly! How did you do it?” Lee convincingly replied, “I’m not really sure, but we did run quite a bit, which helped. We made one bad turn and ended up at a dead end, but other than that, we were just really lucky in our choices, I guess.” She was completely dumbfounded.

Later, we went to see Quarantine. Pretty darn good horror flick! I jumped out of my seat and actually yelped out loud a few times, which I NEVER do at movies, but I couldn’t help myself. It was scary! Then we spent the evening sipping lattes and chatting at Baltimore Coffee and Tea.

Saturday, we had lunch at Thai Rice and went to Catoctin Colorfest, a farts and crap show in Thurmont. All I can say is: what a bunch of over-priced junk! There wasn’t one thing I would even consider buying, yet most people were ambling around with armloads of stuff. Madness! But Lee and I had a good time walking around, people-watching, and laughing at the country crap for sale. Our favorite thing was a ridiculous plaque with hand-painted letters reading, “God Bless the Moon – and God Bless...” then a piece of paper taped to the plaque, with a scribble: “YOUR CHILD’S NAME HERE.” Who’s buying that?!

We stopped again at Baltimore Coffee for another caffeinated beverage and a long talk on the patio. That night, we ordered pizza from the local pizza shop and stayed in to watch DVDs.

Today, we did some window shopping in downtown Frederick and had lunch at Proof, before making one final visit to Baltimore Coffee and heading off to the airport.

A perfect way to spend a long weekend.

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Drugged-up Pup

I'm happy to report that Ernie is home and recovering nicely from his hectic day at the vet's office. Well, maybe "recovering nicely" isn't completely accurate:
Using a squeaky pig as a pillow seems to help.

Doggie Drama

Ernie is at the vet's office today getting his teeth cleaned and a lump removed from his neck. The procedures require Ernie to be anesthetized, so I had to sign a waiver stating that I understand there are risks associated with anesthetization. Of course, I've been fretting about this for the past few days. My mantra as I was getting ready today was, "He's gonna be fine...he's gonna be fine..."

So, Ernie and I walked into the vet's office first thing this morning, just in time to hear one of the vet techs saying to someone on the phone, "I know, I know...I'm so, so sorry....I know how much you loved him...He was a wonderful dog..." NOT what I wanted to hear. We almost turned around and left, but just then, another vet tech came out for Ernie and took him in the back. The tech returned a minute later to give me Ernie's collar and leash. I walked out of the building, got in my car, and started sobbing.

Say it with me: He's gonna be fine...he's gonna be fine...

Saturday, October 04, 2008

MB News

KB and I went to see Michael Buble in concert in Baltimore this week. His performance started off a little rough, almost like he was drunk, high, or had just woken up from a nap. But after a song or two, he finally got into performance mode and wowed the audience.

The set list included a two songs from his upcoming album, Stardust (one of my all-time favorites) and You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Well Said!

This made me laugh. And cry.

While witnessing, but not participating in, the home real estate frenzy in 2005 and 2006, I kept asking: Who is the idiot buying up all these mortgages issued on inflated home prices to all these people who have neither the capacity nor the intention to repay the loans?

Now I learn it was me.

TED THACKER
Ann Arbor, Mich.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Home Again

I returned from my vacation at Cape May on Friday night. There’s not much to tell about the week, other than that it was wonderfully relaxing. I spent most days relaxing on the beach, reading or listening to music, or browsing around the town, enjoying the quaint shops and unique sights. Sadly, the beaches and many of the parks had “No Dogs Allowed” signs posted, but Ernie and I still enjoyed several long, leisurely walks each day.

Many thanks to my Aunt Judy and Uncle Al for allowing us to stay at their lovely home!