mr b Stories

February 4th it was "paws on the pavement for Peltier". It was a cold and rainy and windy day but the spirit was strong and we were ready. The week before Rita had made neck kerchiefs and head bands with Leonard Peltier's picture and the place and date on them. (She'd never done iron on transfers before so it was a real experience for a good cause). Friday nite Aunti Jeannie drove up from Eugene and we had pizza and a jammie party then, early to bed for the big day. Rita had made ham and cheese biscuits and got a case of water. Aunti Jeannie had made two kinds of cookies. This was to donate to the after march meal (we couldn't stay because we wanted to be home before dark). The march was so exciting. Aunti and Rita put on neck kerchiefs and I had a banner on my parade vehicle. There were young and old and Native and non-Native Americans all marching and calling out. Lots of police in cars and on bicycles. They were awfull nice and respectful. I felt they were there to protect us. But nobody was rude to us. Rita had gotten me a parade vehicle with a rain and wind shield but i didn't want anything to block my view or quiet my voice when we shouted out "Justice". Aunti took pictures and rita made a video. There was a wonderful Aztec dance team when we all got to the Federal Court House. One of the dancers lit a small fire and we were blessed by the smoke. Tired we made it to the top of the hill and caught a city bus back to where our car was. Aunti Jeannie took my parade vehicle home with her to give to her daughter who works with children and can give it to them. I hope Leonard Peltier felt the love and prayers. I'm all ready for the next one. I almost forgot a really neat thing. Rita had bought 3 packages of tobacco at the nearby tobacco shop and Aunti had brought white sage to carry on the march. When we got home Saturday night Aunti made packages of tobacco, sage, cedar, and the kerchiefs and head bands that had gone on the march. So much excitement. I'm proud I could participate.

Christmas Story from Aunti Jeannie

my dear mr b

here is a little story. close your eyes and get under your banky. Rita will read it to you.

Once upon a time, in the land of Oregon, there was a little boy named Tommy. When he was very small he began to develop very vivid imagination, an imagination that "what if'd" all kinds of things. As he got to be a grown up he kept a lot of this imagination inside his head and heart. Since he never married, not finding the right princess (well, maybe Sandra Bullock "he" says) he never had any children. So you can just imagine his delight when his sister, Mary, told him he was going to be a for real uncle! He wished and wished for this baby to be born on his birthday because he knew that would be the best birthday present in all the world. And he wished sooooo hard that in the evening of his birthday he became the uncle of a little girl named Rahne (pronounced like rain).

Now, it is the very important duty, (and I know you understand how serious duty is, mr b) that an uncle attend to certain responsibilities and entertainments for his charges. Uncle Tom took this as serious as you would Mr B. So one of the duties was to see that Rahne knew all the important things about Santa and Christmas. So he taught her all about Santa's Christmas Gazelles (though most people don't recognize them till they've been taught the difference) They come up the bathtub drain instead of down the chimney of course, not liking all that soot and stuff, and want their cookies and carrots left by the tub. You can hear them chortling down there sometimes on Christmas Eve after your bath. It sounds kinda like a gurgle, but it's a chortle. One time here, we did surprise the gazelles and they dashed back into the drain and dropped presents onto the bathroom floor and in the tub by accident!

These Christmas Gazelles are good friends of the Easter Froggy who comes to leave all those colored eggs in the spring. Well, did "you" ever "see" the Easter Bunny? Nope? Well, it's cause he's really a Froggy. If you ever see the Bunny just ask him. He will tell you. Once when Rahne was about three or four we did see the Easter Bunny in Salem's Lancaster Mall. She ran up to him and grabbed him around the knees, threw back her little head and looked into his pink bunnie eyes and asked "do you know the Easter Froggy?" and he said "Why, yes I do! He's my friend who delivers eggs!"

So there you have it Mr B. The story of Tom's Christmas Gazelles and The Easter Froggy all rolled into one tall tale.

Now stay snuggy warm under your banky and dream good dreams and maybe the Gazelles will fly by in your nite

Aunti Jeannie

010106 - Well i can certainly see that i've failed to keep up with my journaling. It was a hot and busy summer with a lot of work to do. We spent the last of summer, all of fall crocheting baby snuggies, scarves, hats, and shawls. Baby snuggies for the grandbabies of our heart sisters and for women who might not have something special for their little one. Hats and scarves to keep people warm. Shawls for our heart mothers in particular. We were very involved in the hurricanes issue. My heart was just broken at all the suffering and loss. While i didn't actually do all the crocheting i supervised the selection of colors and kept her company while her fingers were busy. We sent letters and faxes to elected folk to keep their minds on what is important. And, just for fun we put a book together that was a heart trip across the country gathering our friends and making a joyful noise as we travelled. The book is now in the hands of the artist to make the drawings that will be included and then the search will go out for a publisher and then on to the marketing. The goal is to earn money for Rose Haven in Portland OR. I made and sent out Christmas cards with my poem on them. We had an incident in our apartment building of assault and battery on a woman so we were involved with local law enforcement and the court system. It will go to trial next month. February I've committed a Saturday to marching for Peltier. I'm really looking forward to it. Our sister Sheri went into hospital for surgery and encountered serious problems. She is better now. Prayers are answered. I go with happy anticipation into 2006 waiting to see what is to happen. I shall continue to the best of my ability to address the forgotten First People who suffered mightily from the hurricanes and were given no big media coverage. I sent faxes to everyone I could think of but the silence was deafening.

081605 Being homeland security warden is a civic function that i perform gladly. But another civic function i performed today gave me even more satisfaction. There is a gentleman who lives across the hall from us who didn't have a bed. He had blankets on the carpeted floor. I asked her to find an army cot that we could give him and she did. I believe it is important to be aware of one's surroundings and to lend support when we have so much. As has been attributed to me in a joking manner when porkchops are being prepared: "sharing is caring". It is true.

081505 The summer is hot but it is so much better than last year with her shattered kneecap. We continue to do patrols and pass out my calling cards. During the day I keep an eye on things from my window lookout in our 3d floor aerie. Occasionally it is necessary for me to remind folks, in a professional way, that I am on duty. About a week ago there was a suspicious individual in my patrol area. As it was after midnite and he appeared to be studying the airfield through the fence I placed a call to the Sheriff's substation and they sent out several cars. The ran him for wants and warrants and suggested he move on. It doesn't appear that I'll be doing any training this summer which is all right because I feel time away from my patrol duties isn't good right now.

080605 I sent the following in a fax to the Chinese Consulates in WA DC, San Francisco, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The Houston and New York numbers were disconnected.

Freedom, Democracy, Human rights, Freedom, Democracy, Human rights, Freedom, Democracy, Human rights, Freedom, Democracy, Human rights, Freedom, Democracy, Human rights, Freedom, Democracy, Human rights, Freedom, Democracy, Human rights, Freedom, Democracy, Human rights, Freedom, Democracy, Human rights, Freedom, Democracy, Human rights, Freedom, Democracy, Human rights

072105 This evening while I was doing evening patrol I saw what appeared to be two suspicious males. I contacted the local authorities so they could check further. Perhaps I’m a little jumpy after the two attacks in London recently but I would rather look silly than “peaceful”.

July 7, 2005 This evening at/about 09:55pm She and I were walking along the sidewalk which borders the Ruby Chow Park when we were attacked by a dog belonging to squatters living in a green van and a pickup truck. The owners were unable to catch their dog as it repeatedly ran at us. She ignored her own danger and picked me up. While I honor her intentions I was unable to protect her; and if it weren’t for two of our neighbors I don’t know that we would have escaped unscathed. I sent a fax of the incident to the Mayor and Chief of Police identifying myself as the Homeland Security Warden Northeast Boeing Field Perimeter asking that pertinent laws be enforced. A few days later my staff received a call as a result of the fax to the Mayor. Community Police Officer Wilson was apprised of the facts of the incident and he provided us with his personal number and will serve as liaison for future local incidents. I appreciate the cooperation of local law enforcement and will gladly work with them for our common goals.

Independence Day 2005 was celebrated without any major issues. After enjoying a neighborhood BBQ (steak for me) we packed it all up and I went on patrol. I stopped to visit with paramedics in one of the Ambulances that use the parking lot across the street as a break/staging area. I gave them a card. They seemed pleased to know there was a homeland security patrol in this area. As they left they called over their loudspeaker "keep up the good work mr b". That really warmed my heart. So, with the sound of fireworks we went to be on a very good 4th of July.

Well, this spring has been busy gearing up for the hot summer weather. I've increased my patrols and had business cards made. I like to pass them out when I'm on patrol to alert folk to my presence. I had the opportunity to meet with a member of local law enforcement and gave him a card so he wouldn't be concerned at seeing me on a regular basis and would know that I was one more resource he could count on. I've contacted local law enforcement and elected officials with regard to some of my concerns over homeland security issues. Today I toured a "street fair" in downtown Georgetown to stay alert to on going local events. I met a number of people and passed out cards. I think the public "meet and greet" events are particularly important in maintaining a high security posture. I'll be attending the local Independence Day BBQ to observe safety and keep an eye on things after I patrol my area. Whew, who knew when I took on the warden's position there was so much involved? I believe this year will be much better on the home front than last year after the serious accident that incapacitated my support staff for several months.

Last Wednesday we went to the bank to get parking meter quarters.

The bank manager and the tellers have always been so very polite, and that day he gave me a large bone cookie. She offered to carry it for me but i saw it as an opportunity to get in some field training.

I mean, after all, if I'm to stay prepared for my duties as Homeland Security Warden for the northeast perimeter of Boeing Field i need to make use of every situation.

The cookie was wider than my shoulders but I was able to balance it nicely the three block walk home, followed by the three floors of stairs to our apartment. It tasted great and was well worth the effort.

New years, Easter, and April fools day are the holidays since I last posted events. Christmas was just wonderful.

I wish I'd been there that night

When Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem

In the cold dark night when there was no place

for them to stay but with the animals

I would have stood guard while the Christ child

was born

I would have lain next to Him to keep Him

warm while Mary rested

I would have traveled with them to Egypt

to protect them on their journey

I would have fought an entire Roman Legion

to protect Him, had I been there…..

The New Year brought new hopes and dreams and plans. The winter wasn’t bad and the spring is just wonderful. She has worked very hard to keep her business going and her clients happy. Life has been very good. I have stepped up my patrols as the Boeing Field Northeast Perimeter Homeland Security Warden. I was involved in a bit of surveillance this past two weeks. She had built three benches, from scrap lumber she had, each one was stolen. She had also built a tripod to hold the BBQ pit, this all being done for a neighbor in our building who is a very nice person. She finally built a lightweight angle iron stand for the BBQ pit and used her last board as a countertop area. To try and catch the thief we set up a video camera. It was rather boring and the new BBQ stand wasn't stolen. Still it was good refresher training. I've contacted the local government with regard to energy savings at Boeing Field. I don't have much hope they will pay attention but I feel it is part of my duty. I made a quick stop to the medic today. I injured my foot while doing patrol. It isn't serious but I need to be in tip top condition to meet any potential emergent situations. I've made tentative arrangements to do my field training this summer. I've stayed in pretty good shape since the last training exercises and I've put into practice the skills I learned so it may not be necessary if my schedule doesn't permit.

Here it is a few weeks before Christmas and I've been so delinquent in posting my life experiences. October we went to Portland for a class reunion picnic. It was cold and fun. I met a lot of really nice people and some even nicer folks like me. I'll try to find a pix to post.

Thanksgiving was great but she's in a HUGE snit. I wanted porkchops for Thanksgiving dinner and she agreed. Now she's upset because she really wanted turkey and all the fixings. So that's what we're having for Christmas dinner. She's been working very hard and using the stairs and clutch in her '81 VW van to exercise her mending knee.

We have a new neighbor down the hall. Actually there are two new neighbors down the hall. The really tall one is a very young Iraqi veteran. Who knew they made them that young. The other one is like me only a puppy with funny feet. I had her give him a sweater she made. The little one (Twister) likes his sweater.

Her daughter and husband are coming up at Christmas time for a "jammy party". We really like jammy parties. We drink and eat and watch movies. It is going to be so exciting.

Saturday morning and we slept in really late. She got home about 0430 after working and buying this week’s groceries. It was about 1000 hours when we finally went downstairs for our morning perambulation. As we were coming in the front door I spotted what appeared to be marijuana tied in the corner of a sandwich bag. Concerned there may be drug peddlers or users in our building I contacted the city police station. They sent out an officer and I turned it over to them for proper disposal. It always pays to maintain good relations with local law enforcement. You never know when you may need them to have your back when things get dicey. Luckily my previous training and experience with drug enforcement and seizures stood me in good stead. I’ll be keeping my nose alert for the scent of marijuana in our building.

Just for fun and a little schadenfreude I made a flyer with a big happy face that said: “I found your marijuana. You may claim it by calling 911.” I taped it to the front door of our building. It was gone later when we went downstairs. I’m thinking someone doesn’t have a sense of humor.

The president visited Seattle last week and Boeing Field was in lockdown with lots of police watching the perimeter.

I was able to serve in an advisory capacity. I contacted the police and secret service to alert them there was a potential soft spot in their security due to the broken lock on our apartment building and that the windows on the second and third landings had a VERY good view of where the President's plane will park. The landlord stopped by to replace the lock and there are police parked across the street facing our building.

I didn’t meet with the president as I was performing security duties on our place.

Undercover Work

Water Patrol

Homeland Security

July 5^th was a simply awful day. She fell in the bathroom and shattered her kneecap and all I could do was offer support while she called emergency services. They came and took her to hospital. Before she left she put me in charge of home security. Later Gina came and invited me to go camping with her and Jay. We packed my favorite rations, snacks, and bankies and hit the road. It was a field operation where we practiced homeland security maneuvers and water safety. It was very exhausting but I was glad for the training. Being a Georgetown bon vivant one needs a bit of variety now and then to keep one’s skills sharp and senses honed. It ain’t all urban warfare and trooping the perimeter of Boeing Field International Airport or scoping out the indigenous denizens of Georgetown. After about a week I returned home tired but glad to be in my own bed in my familiar surroundings again. She had had surgery on her knee and was going to be gimping around for a few months but she and Aunti Mary went to work together every morning to keep the green coming in. She’s a hard cookie with a tender middle and needs taking care of. I’m just the one to do it. I try to keep her spirits up when we go outside which is tough for her to do, I mean a third floor walkup ain’t a float on the river when you got a bum knee but we manage. I’ll always be grateful to Gina and Jay for the three hots and a cot that week. It’s been a couple of weeks now and things are settling into a pattern. We’re gonna make it.

HOT it is so HOT! I am really having trouble dealing with it. I can't go outside during the day because the pavement is tooooo hot for my feet and I can't burrow under my bankys at night because we aren't using any bankys. I am NOT a happy camper. I don't like the cold but this heat is not happy making either. I'm just glad we have a fan.

I have learned a really big secret. I know where money comes from. Every week we walk to this place where a person in a box hands us money! They are all so nice about it and I get to let people see me as I walk the sidewalks of Georgetown. We have more clients now so we can have porkchops twice a month. I just wish my portion were bigger. But even when I give her "the eye" she doesn't give me any more. On Saturdays I take her to the Sunday paper place. It isn't a long walk but she does pretty good at keeping up with me.

We are really settling into our Georgetown residence. There are so many places to walk and we troop the perimeter of the North end of Boeing Field to ensure that all is well. There is a threat of terrorist action against the U.S. this summer; I say "bring it on". There isn't anything a nasty old terrorist can do to change our opinion of them. We had sausage gravy on mashed potatoes this week. Who knew sausage gravy was so good? We get to sleep with the windows open most nights now and with the screens no flying things disturb me under my bankys.

I tell you the things a fella has to do to get some sleep! She is always dragging me out from under my bankys in the morning to use my potty papers in the bathroom under the sink. If I don't stay up while she is warming the water in the shower she drags me out AGAIN. Well I made my point the other morning when I waited until she was in the shower and I snuck out and used the papers and went back to bed. Served her right for waking me up! I am really in a snit. She bought a wonderful pork roast and I had to smell it while it was cooking. (I almost burnt my nose on the oven door) But then when it was done I only got a small portion. I thought it was mine. There is an inequity being perpetrated here and I'm going to file a complaint (if she ever gets off the computer).

Just call me “mr b of Georgetown” as I now make my residence in this peculiar little enclave in the Southern portion of downtown Seattle. Odd little businesses in aged buildings. I love it! I walk the streets of my new home and the variety of smells and sights is truly invigorating. A small park lush with grass and trees goes unnoticed by Seattle’s street people. When I walk down the sidewalks people step back and smile. How very kind. Yesterday Mary came by and we had a lovely visit. Life is very very good.

Oh sure - Yesterday was Easter and, we had, in anticipation of the Holiday observance created a paper with the four stories of the Crucifixion (by Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) side by side so they could be easily read individually. Then I waited in patient expectation of a feast. Well first we went outside for a long walk in the sunshine and then after we came back we had ham steak. OOOOOOOOOO I love ham steak! Not as much as porkchops but it was very nice. Then we went outside for another long walk. Ok, I guess it was a good holiday but I would have liked more ham steak.

She says she has a fur coat and laughs "hah!" at everyone who against fur coats - Her fur coat is on me and doing very well thank you.

Today I walked the streets of Georgetown with her. It was very exciting! The weather was warm and I saw everything there was to see. We were with a neighbor and she was kind enough to show us where we could go for PIZZA and beer and other wonderful things. We stopped into a wood craft shop and the guys there offered me cookies and petted me. Clearly I will be a future hit in the small community of Georgetown; as it should be.

I love it! she put that rug on a shelf next to the window and i can lay there and watch the world! And.... we had ribs this week! I'd forgotten there were other pork things besides pork chops which I really love.

Boy is she in a snit! She told me I had used up a year's worth of mischief. She was up at 0400 to clean the offices and when she came back at 0715 she found the garbage strewn all over the bathroom floor. She just looked hard at me and asked why. Later in the evening after the mess was all cleaned up and she was through for the day I was sitting on my new rug at the window when I felt the need to piddle. I got another hard look I can tell you. and thats when she told me I'd used up all my mischief for a year!

She got me two new rugs! one to sit on at each window. It is so nice to sit on a soft rug and look out the window.

I taught her another trick - She puts down special potty papers for me in the bathroom and when I use them I get a cookie! It works everytime. She found some screens for the windows so now I can sniff the air and enjoy the sunshine from my window seat. I tried to store my steak bone on the bed but she got all bossy and told me I had to leave it on my rug. sometimes she's a grumpy boots.

Cookie - to get a cookie you first start with "the look". An unflinching stare out of wide eyes. When you get her attention you follow up with the second step which are the full faced slurps, lots of them. Then when she's laughing really hard and threatening to kill you you jump down and head for the cookie jar. Lastly you pat the cookie jar with your paw so she is in no doubt as to what you want. And that folks is how you get a cookie. Because she opens the lid and steps back so I can make my selection.

It's all her fault. She had to go to work and if it snowed it would be dangerous driving. So she prayed for rain instead of snow and we got flooding. But she was able to go to work! I just don't understand. She used to frown really hard if I pooed and wee'd in the living room at our old house. And now when I poo and wee on a special paper under the sink in the bathroom she gets all silly and hugs and kisses me. So confusing but I like all the hugs and kisses.

Eyuuk! The TV people are saying we may have snow this week. I like looking at it from my windows but it isn't any fun driving in it. But, we're as ready as we can be. I'm warm and dry and have a large supply of kibble and cookies and vitamins. I think I saw her stick a couple of pounds of bacon in the freezer. I love bacon! Pork futures. I got pork futures for my tummy.

I found my windows. We have two in our new home and I can watch the whole world from them. It is so exciting! She says that this Spring she will build heavy screens and secure them in the windows to keep me safe so I can have the windows open when it gets warm. Oh boy! I like open windows.

There are some folks that the Father uses as models when He creates good people and strong friends. Mr and Mrs Jim are two such folk.

Gina and Jay visted us this weekend. It was good seeing them and the Christmas presents they brought me. I got a wonderful new sweater. It shows me off to great advantage. I didn't get to go out to dinner or shopping but we had a great jammy party.

We made it through the snow of '04. We were warm and snuggy and stayed in for two days. We watched the world out the windows of our third floor aerie. It was wonderful to see. Afterward she fixed us a pork steak and my little tummy was so full. She wants me to use the toity papers in the bathroom. I wait until she's in the shower and then I do but I like to make her take me outside so I can smell everything and feel the breeze on my ears. My sweater keeps me toasty.

Busted! She fixed herself a mixed drink and put it on the small table next to where we sit. I thought it looked pretty good so I helped myself to a slurp or three. Chocolate liquor....great stuff! This week is New Years and we go to Aunti Mary's for T-BONES oh boy!

She said I was struttin' my stuff on the streets of Seattle today. I say I just wanted to see the Christmas events downtown. It was raining a lot but I walked a couple of blocks where the big department stores had nice awnings. I looked for the Christmas tree and Menorah in the West Lake Mall and didn't see them. I guess the heathens have finally stolen our religious holidays. I don't want to be standing nearby when Father deals with them. I felt I should make a statment of my own so I left a small message on the corner of a large downtown business. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanakkuh.

Oh boy! It is Christmas time again. We get to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child AND Santa Clause. I like a holiday that is two-in-one. Songs and food (especially food) and videos and presents (i love presents)! I like my new house. I get to wear my turtleneck sweater when we go out walking. Even if I say so myself I look pretty good in it. It's a French thing I think. She is working hard and I'm watching the house so we are both busy. Her sister Muggsy has her new nest and that is such a good thing because it makes her happy. We have some Christmas decorations to put up for the holidays. I like decorations. Maybe we'll have porkchops for Christmas. I like porkchops.

Finally! We are all settled into our new home! Our mechanic George at Porbug and his friend had worked so hard on making our new (to us) VW Van all nice and livable. They were soooo kind to us. She felt guilty that rather than living in the Van we have a regular place. It is wonderful having a Van because it is so convenient for her business equipment and she promised that this summer we would go CAMPING. I’ve never been camping but it sounds like fun. Especially if it means food and running through trees and being warm and snuggy. I like warm and snuggy. Times were tough for a long time but we held on and with the prayers of our friends and family we’ll be ok she says. I know she was worried. She wants me to use the “paper” when she is gone to work but I just wasn’t brought up that way so we go up and down the three flights of stairs in the early morning and evening and just before bedtime. I think Dr. Passmore will be pleased that I’m maintaining my weight. So day after tomorrow is Thanksgiving (boy do we have a lot to be thankful for) and she has all the shopping done. Next month is Christmas. I hope I get a new sweater because my old one is just so familiar. I want red this time.

Snow! we woke up to snow this morning. We sold our house and have the yard all cleaned up and the heavy stuff moved out. We have a new home in a place just our size. It's a high up place where I can look out the window at everything. We were going to live in a VW Van all snuggy warm and cuddly but she was worried about me. I tried to tell her I would protect her but she got us a really building to live in. Our van is just wonderful but now we don't have to live in it, it will be really helpful in her business because of all the space to carry her work tools. She tells me every day that Father gave us a house and that we get to have a real Thanksgiving and Christmas. I'm really glad that she is happy again.

The summer is gone and the weather is getting cooler. She didn’t get all her yard work done because she was pretty sick the past few months. I’m too little to help her. It’s been a pretty good summer because we’ve been together. She got to go to her high school reunion and meet a lot of other students from different years. It has been two years since the terrorist attach and the United States is still here caring for others around the world. Life is good.

We went for a walk on the beach! It was so exciting. I've never been to the beach before. I wore my stud muffin sweater because sometimes the beach is cool at 0630. There weren't many people there so i almost had the beach all to myself. I didn't wade in the water because it was so big and kept moving toward me. I'll have to see what I can do about the size and movement thing before I go the next time.

A bath! She gave me a bath this afternoon. I feel so refreshed in this summer weather. I like sitting on her lap when she is at her computer, not only because I can see what she’s typing but because she is soooo comfortable to sit on.

We ordered a pizza and rootbeer. I like pizza crusts. I’ve never had any other part of the pizza because my portion is the crunchy part. Yumm!

Last nite the lites went out in New York and it was very scary because I thought they would go out here also. But she said we have candles and a lantern; and I have a big container of food and bottled water so we are all set and I’m not going to worry.

Well Finally! After days of pulling my stud muffin sweater off the shelf to let her know I wanted to go for a walk she got the message. Not that I needed my sweater because it is so hot but my walking leash was in the car and it was the only thing I could think of to let her know. It was really funny when we were out walking because a huge dog was yelling simply awful things at us as we walked by, but he was inside his yard and I was out walking in the cool evening. Serves him right, the big bully. It has been soooo hot I just wasn't in the mood to do much. I'm sure it was just a case of ennui due to the heat because I could hardly bring myself to chase the vacuum cleaner. The 4th of July was just horrible with the loud noise. I had trouble hearing myself think.

Berries! we got berries! Blackberries and raspberries. I don't know if I like them or not but I taste them occasionally. She really likes them and soon we'll have grapes too. This weekend we're going to seriously work in the backyard. I'll watch carefully to make sure it all gets done just right. I like to lay in the doorway with the sun shining on my back and keep an eye on things. Sometimes I have to remind the neighbors that I'm here and keeping an eye on things. She worked hard last week and I was home taking care of the house. I don't do the housework but I follow her around while she does. Off I go to troop the perimeter.

I was going to get even with her for leaving me on Mother’s day weekend and her high school Reunion weekend. So I waited and watched and was searching for a way. And, I found it. There was a space just the size of my nose under the fence in the front yard. I scriggled under the fence and then I COULDN’T GET BACK IN! It was terrible. She was in the front yard looking at me standing on the other side of the locked gate and she was really scared. And, I wanted BACK IN! She ran for the key to unlock the gate and when I ran inside she picked me up and gave me such a hug. And the next day just to remind her how awful it was I went under the fence again. Boy was she mad! She got a piece of plastic garden screen and closed up the hole under the fence.

I make her crazy when she’s sitting her recliner chair now. Sometimes she forgets she has to hug me so I hop up on the back of the chair and slide down and give her such a slurp. When she laughs at me I thump her with my tail. Then she really laughs and says I’m the only one she knows that can slurp her with one end while beating her with my other end. I like it when she laughs, especially when it’s because of me.

Sunshine! I can put away my pith helmet for a while. I was in very real danger of having a permanent crimp in my ears. The back door is open and I can lay in the open doorway basking in the sunshine. We did the front yard this morning and it looks really nice. She has to work tonight and early tomorrow morning but then we’ll spend the rest of her birthday together. I’ll give her such a birthday slurp.

She's home! I was so sad she was gone. She came home and dug me out from under the covers where I was patiently waiting for her and gave me hugs and kisses. Life is good again. She met some wonderful people at her reunion and got to stay at the home of her new friend and "rose" sister. Her sister Mary and Mary's friend were also there. Before she left for the reunion she got really sick and had to go to the emergency room at the Veteran's hospital. She's had a lot on her mind. The "Rose Notes" book she made from all the emails and getting it printed. It was very expensive. Trying to work and get new clients so we can stay in our house. The reunion with a lot of emotions. I tried my very best to be comforting and do my share. The sun is shining and we are together and that is all that matters.

I helped her move into the computer that her daughter built for her. It has all kinds of wonderful things, is very fast, and she can make CD's (whatever they are). Now it will be easier for her to complete the book she is creating for her high school Reunion. Which I haven't been invited to!

She said eating small kibble would be good for me and keep my fangs clean. I tested that theory almost immediately, I gave her such a chomp and then ran like hell.

We went to Dr. Passmore's today. She was worried because she thought I wasn't eating properly. Dr. Passmore said I was overweight! How rude! I mean a guy gets a little heavier in the warm weather and right away he's accused of being FAT! He told her to limit my portions and to just leave it down for 1/2 an hour before picking it up. What if I'm not hungry right away? I'm going to talk to her about it. And another thing - he always checks under my tail before he checks my teeth. It is sooo undignified. He's awfully nice and kind but a fella needs his privacy. I've made a note to discuss it with him next time we meet.

I just love it when the weather is warm! When we go out in the car she opens the sun roof. If I was taller I could stand up tall and let the breeze ruffle my ears. But, since I'm not I just poke my nose out the wing window and sniff the air as we go by. She always brings a bottle of water for me too. I love riding in the car.

We have a new tree out front. The city planted two on our parking strip over a year ago and one didn't make it. I'm so excited because when we go for our midnite walk I can personally welcome it to the neighborhood. I've been watching her pretty close to make sure when she leaves the house she comes back really soon. It isn't that I don't trust her but I don't want her to go away and leave me alone like she did on Mother's day weekend. They painted the Space Needle and we got out the binoculars and looked at it. It is really pretty. I made her crazy this week when I wouldn't eat ground beef. I'm not worried about Mad Cow disease or anything I just got tired of it. So she cooked a pork roast and put it into to portions for my meals and froze them. I think next it will be fish.....

She came home after a Mother's day weekend visit to her daughter. While I was really glad she was home I was really hurt about the smell of two other dogs. If there were other dogs why couldn't I have gone also? I don't mind a nine hour car ride. She said a huge black urban assualt vehicle had defective turn signals when it changed lanes in front of her at 70 mph. Maybe I'm glad I didn't go but served as home guard in her absence. All is well and tomorrow we'll get the yard done. She promised.

Finally! the sun has been shining for three days now and she has time to mow the lawn. It's been a real jungle out there. I've been getting misplaced in the tall grass. It isn't my fault that all the landmarks just disappear when the grass is so high. Even my pith helmet hasn't kept the water from getting in my eyes. But I didn't stop patrolling the perimeter even so. She had a busy last week. It looks like business will get better. I have my toes crossed and include it in my nightly prayers. We did a good job in Iraq. Might don't make right but this time it freed the Iraqi people from a monster. Now they can run their own country and have enough money to take care of themselves.

I am just exhausted. On Sunday the sewer backed up after doing laundry and the plumbers came out on Monday morning and worked all day digging out the sewer line and replaced it on Tuesday and then covered it all back up on Wednesday. Those South West Plumbing people are just tough to keep up with. I tried giving them a few pointers but they just went about the job in their own way. I have to admit it all got done in a timely and professional manner but they could have at least listened to me. So anyway life is settled again and I'm back to watching CNN cover the Iraqi situation. I'm so proud to be an American. There are those who won't be marching back but they served well and are a credit to their family and country. I hope British people realize the wonderful job their soldiers did in the face of very challenging obstacles. We sent a letter to the Editor of the P.I. and the Times about Daylight Savings Time. It is certainly time that silly old practice was ended. It makes me crazy trying to remember all the clocks that need to be changed twice a year. My tummy don't change it's clock.

I'm here, I'm there, I'm in her chair....computer chair, recliner chair; whenever she stands up I'm there when she goes to sit again. She laughs and asks me how I move so fast. I have her fooled. She thinks I'm magic because when it is bedtime we leave the recliner together and when she gets to the bedroom I'm already there curled up in middle. After all I'm entitled to my share of the bed and I happen to like the middle. I particularly like to curl up behind her when she is in the computer chair. Sharing is caring and I care for her more than any human I know.

She has looked high, she has looked low, and she has even checked my pockets. But she never found my "Human Owner’s Manual". I showed her a new trick and she wants to know what is next. When she serves my dinner I pick up my dinner bowl and take it to my corner of the livingroom from the kitchen and put it on my rug to eat. I like to keep her guessing. A confused human is a happy mr b ;-) We went to Aunti Mary’s house Saturday and I visited with the ladies. Ms Lou is so much better now and even remembers me. President Bush has told that awful Saddam Hussein to hit the road. I said a prayer for Mr. Bush. I’m going to do my best to show my support for him. The world is in a state of change now and we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. I’m going to stay strong and troop the perimeter every night, even in the rain.

Well a pox on the rain. I know, I know we need it for the plants and things but I can't go walking in the rain at night. I am sooo excited. She ordered a book for me from http://www.nativeamerica.net the name of it is "Freddie Came Home & Other Coyote Tales" and she promised to read it to me at bedtime. We're keeping an eye on current events and working on my website. It is a lot of effort but I think it's important to share my opinions. My personal viewpoint may be about ankle high on humans but my political view point is about ankle high on humans. Ankles are very telling things ;-]

We started a new thing - at nite when everybody is all snuggy asleep we walk around the block. It is so quiet and peaceful and I get to check out everything I want to. I leave "secret" messages for the other dogs in the morning ;-) It's a lot more fun than trooping the perimeter inside my fence but dooties are dooties and I do my dooty. We spent Friday nite at Mary's house while she did some computer things for her. I patrolled the hallway to keep the ladies safe and then got nibbles in the morning. I was really pooped saturday afternoon when we went home I can tell you. Sometimes the Taliban looks like an American person or agency. We learned yesterday that it is ok for a hu-man under color of his badge to assault women with impunity. Deputy John Vanderwalker kicked a woman who was on her knees in front of him and then maced two women sitting in a closed car during the 1999 WTO protests. He was fired and then re-instated and now we learned after a FBI investigation there were no civil rights violations.

We stayed all nite at Mary’s house this week. We had a lot of fun. I helped take care of the ladies. We went to see Dr. Passmore. DVM yesterday. She asked about my diet and I got some vitamins. She told Dr. Passmore a lie. She said the only difference between me and a goat was that a goat had horns. I admit I do enjoy a wide variety of foods but I absolutely do not eat tin cans. Hey, if there was an axe murderer and a SUV driver in danger of drowning who would you save? The axe murderer…because they may not murder again. Hee hee hee. She’s been working hard and promoting her business. I finally got her to finish the Geneology of Jesus and then helped her post it to my web page. She makes sure I do two things everyday; thank God for the day and pray for the safe return of all the missing people. So many things to do and pretty soon it will be spring and I’ll have to get out my gum boots and pith helmet to patrol the perimeter.

Well I've been very busy the passed few weeks. It is really a dog's life I can tell you. At home I patrol the perimeter and explain the rules to any neighbors walking by. I help with the laundry by escorting her on all her trips outside to the basement. I warm the bed by jumping into the middle of it just before she pulls back the covers. I make sure she stays healthy by sampling her dinner. I go to Mary's house and visit all the ladies in their rooms before their day starts and then check on them during the day. Ms Lou even remembers me sometimes, I think. I keep a running inventory of all the cookies in my Christmas cookie jar. It gets exhausting.

O yum! She and Mary went out to dinner last nite and she brought me home my portion of the really huge rib steak she ordered. I still have the bone to gnaw on in memory of the fun time they had. They used the Keg gift card Mary gave her Christmas before last. I'm glad it was still good. Then today I went with her to Mary's house while they worked on Mary's family reunion announcements. I made sure they worked hard while I sat on their laps.

Wow! am I glad New Years only comes once a year. It was so exciting. We went to Mary's house and late New Years eve we made her neighbor's crazy when Mary bar-b-qued the 2 HUGE t-bones we brought. One for my her and one for Mary. I had to watch them to make sure they saved my portion. We all chewed and chomped til we were stuffed I can tell you. They had baked potatoes. I don't like them but the T-bones were great! New Years morning we made breakfast for Mary and the Ladies. We brought sausage and hashbrowns; I really liked my share of the sausage patties. And then I had her make Mary a hooded shawl that she can use when I go to visit and need to be snuggled up close to Mary, Mary really likes it. I taught my her a new trick over the holidays. I sneak out from under the lap robe when we're in the recliner and climb up to the back and around her neck and slurp her until she gets up and opens the lid of my Christmas cookie canister. I have to show her where it is and wait for her open it. She laughs and says "don't make me kill you" when I slurp her. But she has learned that when I stand next to my Christmas cookie canister I want her to open it and let me select a cookie. I finally taught her also that when she stands up she'd better check before she sits down again because I'm already there taking my share of the chair. All in all we had wonderful holidays. I'm going to rest up for the next ones now.

I had a wonderful Christmas! I spent all day at Mary's house visiting with the ladies and getting petted and nibbling on turkey and things. Gina gave me a locking ceramic cookie canister. I have it in my corner next to my rug and it only took me two days to train Her to open it when I ask and give me a cookie. Life is very good. Now I just have to wait until New Years for my T-bone at Mary's when we bar-b-que. Yippee!

She said the "g" word! We get to go to Mary's house and fix breakfast Christmas morning. I'm so excited! I'll help her with the tasting and scraps so she can cook the sausage and hashbrowns. Then...we're going to stay for Christmas dinner! Mary is going to fry the turkey. I've never had it that way before but if Mary fixes it I'm sure I'll like it a lot. This is going to be a wonderful Christmas! Tonight is Christmas eve when Mary and Joseph were looking for a place to stay in Bethlehem. If I'd been there then I would have curled up next to the Baby and kept him so warm. Maybe even a slurp if he started to cry. And Santa Claus is going to bring presents to people. She got a present from her daughter Gina and is saving if for Christmas morning. I don't know how she does it. If I had a package I'd open it right away. We're going to check www.noradsanta.org to keep track of Santa. Merry Christmas!

Finally, she got her money from her ex-employer. After all the money taken from her check they should have sent the postage, it would have been more. She’s still going to get me a T-bone steak for New Years even after she caught me in a sneaky last night. She made another huge pot of beans and hamhocks but forgot to give me the bones. So after it got all cooked she put the pot on the deck to cool before putting it in the refrigerator. Using my initiative I went out my door into the cold freezing rain, around the house, and up the stairs to the deck. But, the gate was closed and locked. When I went back inside and hopped on her lap she hugged me and dried me off. She still didn’t know. A little later I thought I would just innocently ask her to open the front door. When she opened the door I casually checked the covered pot and she saw me. Busted! She laughed at me! At me! It was all her fault because she never gave me the hamhock bones.

Well how rowdy can you get? I was sound asleep in bed under my covers and she starts tossing and turning and I gave a polite growl to let her know she was disturbing my sleep and she started laughing at me. She said she couldn’t see even a lump in the covers but she could hear me growl. Just because I’m not really big it doesn’t mean you have to laugh when I object to being disturbed in my sleep. And I’m really concerned about New Year’s dinner. She promised me a T-bone steak for dinner and it doesn’t look like those people she used to work for are going to send her money to her. They were playing mean little cat games with her and now that she completed all the forms and sent them off they never even called her to tell her when to expect it.

It's Christmas time again! Oh boy! I like Christmas. She sent away for all the gifts to be mailed. She got a thank you card from the Sipesville Volunteer Fire Company and Ladies Auxiliary. They were the wonderful folks that provided so much for the 9 trapped miners that were rescued. That was very kind of them to send a thank you card for the money she sent. No body sends thank you cards anymore. She put it in her special scrapbook. Mary has a bad cold. Poor Mary, she works so hard and then she gets sick and can't even lay around under a banky all snuggly. I get to lay all warm and toasty in front of the kerosene heater we have in the livingroom. It's a pretend fireplace (it doesn't look like a fireplace and that's why we call it pretend.) It's the second best place to curl up.

It was an exciting Thanksgiving this year. Wednesday night we got a call from Judi in Denver. They talked about old times and her roommate who is my size. She was so happy with that phone call. Then Thursday she was up early making bread pudding to take with us to Mary’s house. What a great visit we had with Mary and the ladies. She got a call from her daughter Gina while we were at Mary’s house. What a nice surprise. The Thanksgiving dinner Mary prepared was wonderful and I got to eat the turkey liver. Our tummies were full and our hearts were happy when we got home. The day was so sunshiney and bright. Sometimes Thanksgiving days are stormy here. I curled up under the banky on her lap and we watched TV. Life don’t get no better, except I do wish she wouldn’t tickle my toes when my tummy is full and I’m all comfy. When I growl at her she laughs and calls me her grumpy lump. I'm going to have to check what does "grumpy" mean and get back to her.

What busy times we’re having. She’s working on her new Midnite Mom business and I’m the new personal assistant to the president, and I watch the house. I remind her of things to do (feeding me, taking me with her when she goes in the car….) and where she puts things. She asks me where something is and I tell her where she left it. It’s tough being in charge of the house and yard. I tell you I must really pay attention to what is going on outside. When she is gone I watch the house and when she is home I patrol the yard. I have to watch what she eats because she may not eat the proper thing and I sit on her lap when she is at the computer to help her. I sit on her lap in the recliner chair at nite to keep her warm and so she can pet me. I’m a very calming influence. I sleep all curled up under my blanky at nite to keep her warm and so I can hear what goes on outside. I think I’m losing weight with all these new responsibilities. Maybe it’s time to discuss putting more in my food dish. We’re going to Mary’s house for Thanksgiving. Oh boy. I get to see the ladies and Mary and eat turkey and be petted. I have lots to be thankful for I think.

I had to go see Dr. Passmore this morning. She was very worried. Friday nite she made a pot of beans and hamhocks and gave me a bone. I was pretty sick Saturday and a little better Sunday. She walked me around the block in the rain Saturday nite because the bone done me wrong. She said it was my greed and her stupidity. She isn’t stupid and knew I really like bones. Dr. Passmore gave me cat hairball medicine (now I ask you do I look like a cat?!) The medicine is supposed to help me. I feel much better now. Dr. Passmore said it was a good idea for me to walk around the block. Dr. Passmore said that if there was any problem like this again she was to mix mineral oil with some dog food to make everything move smoother. So now I’m back to being all curled up in her computer chair behind her when she does her computer stuff. Saturday we went to Mary’s house. I oopsied on her carpet and she didn’t even get mad. Today is Veteran’s day and I’m proud to remember that she is a Veteran who served her country. Life is good and she is working hard on her new business.

Woof – life has changed! I have her all to myself now. She got tired of being treated at work like I treat cats and she sent them a nastygram. She said they must not like women and just got married so they wouldn't get carpal tunnel syndrome (i'm confused, i thought tunnels were for cars). She no longer works there. But she’s having fun building her private business. I’m so proud of her. She’s gonna succeed I know. We went to visit Mary last Saturday and had a great time. I don’t understand why humans have to be so mean to other humans. Dogs don’t do it but cats are another story.

I didn’t get to go to work with her all week; until Saturday. I visited with Mary and the ladies and helped her all day with her chores. Boy was I tired, my dogs was barking ;-) I like riding in the car. She opens my wing window and I can sniff the air as we go by. I was practicing my vulture when she was eating dinner. She laughs when I hang off the end of the footrest on the recliner and watch. She says "I know a secret" just before she tells me I get to go with her somewhere. She said that Friday night and I was so excited I was digging her out from under the covers. She said we had to hurry up and go to sleep so we could wake up Saturday. I don’t understand. Why can’t we just stay awake.

Friday was sooo busy. I’m just worn out. I went to work with her and to the pet store (she is still on a quest to find a supply for my dinners) and to the hardware store where we bought a saw so she could build a shelf for Mary and to the grocery store for her dinners (sausages, I like sausages). I saw Sheri when she came in to pack up her things, I didn’t give her a slurp but I let her hug me. It was very sad. Sheri was locked out of the computer so she couldn’t get her things off it. After 26 years she’s a crook I guess. My her’s boss asked her to set up a going away party for Sheri; it is the right thing to do. My her had remarked that Sheri wasn’t being recognized for her work and years. Sheri had been notified by a phone call to her house from the Secretary Treasurer and Counsel who gave her two hours notice, with no benefits or severance. Sheri didn’t even get to have union representative or me there. Sheri was told that if she resigned or retired there might be a severance. I’m back in a snit again! My she won’t let me use the words SHE used. I don’t think it’s fair that I can’t say them when she does. Humans are strange. By law they have to pay women and men the same for the same job but then they hire a man as "GOD" and salary and seniority don’t mean a cat’s tail.

I am in SUCH a snit! And I don’t plan on getting over it anytime soon. My friend Sheri got really sick, was in the hospital and missed work. Today she was "laid off". They told her it because there wasn’t enough money to pay her salary. She had been with them for years and years and can’t afford to retire early. She is so afraid she’ll lose her house. I wish I had something buried besides bones. I’m going to give her such a slurp and snuggle the next time I see her.

What a beautiful sunny Sunday it is! I am helping her with the laundry. Yesterday I went to Mary’s house with her. I got to visit all day with the ladies. We had a great time. Mary said I could come back anytime. Last week I went to work with her again. She’s very busy and works hard. There was a somebody from back east on Wednesday. She was invited to the dinner for him because a wife of one of the men couldn’t make it. She stayed home with me. We turned off the phones and drank scotch (she did, I just kept her comfy in the big chair). Friday she went to two grocery stores looking for my food. There wasn’t any to be found. She said she is going on a quest to find a supply for me. I hope she is successful because I really like that kind, after her kind of course. We’ve been working on my website all morning. I’m exhausted. She does the typing but I do all the thinking. A guy really takes on a lot when he decides to create a website. She is really excited about working on women’s rights issues. It’s very strange that in a lot of nasty countries human women aren’t considered human and so it is ok to hurt them. My she is going to join other human women to help them.

Busted! She was talking to the neighbor lady and I got caught sneaking under the fence. I really got a talking to and then she went and got the plastic screen she’d removed a month ago and put it back so I couldn’t go under the fence again. How rude is that. I mean a guy shouldn’t have to have the fence screened. I know she doesn’t want me to go under the fence.

Tuesday I went to work with her. Everybody that was there the last time I went remembered me and gave me cookies and petted me and talked nice to me. Of course it is only to be expected, but it is always nice to have things go as they should. My friend Sheri wasn’t there. I know she is going to be in a snit when she finds out I was at work and she wasn’t. Sheri is pretty sick in the hospital. I’m sorry hospitals don’t let folks my size in because I know that a great big slurp would cheer her right up. I might even let Sheri tickle my toes, well, maybe not tickle my toes but I’d let her hug me a lot. I was so tired when I got home I just stretched out in the recliner for the rest of the evening. Maybe I’ll go back again soon and help her with her work.

Well I must confess I wasn’t looking when the calendar was returned to 1802 when women were fair game. I promise that any pervert filming up her skirt is going to get such a chomp!

I went to work with her yesterday. Boy was it fun. Everyone was so nice. I finally got the attention I truly deserve. I ate cookies and helped the teachers and her boss. I drew the line at being the "victim" in the medical class. I do have my standards. She sure works hard. I was running like crazy to keep up with her. She shared her hamburger with me at lunch so that was ok. I was so pooped I slept all evening. Except when she was tickling my toes. I just think it’s rude that she makes free with my toes when I’m napping on her lap under my banky.

It’s been a week. Her heart is at peace now. She went to New York and spoke with a police officer and cab driver and got to tell them how proud she was of them. She got to see the chapel, George Washington’s pew is still there. The streets were crowded with so many people from all over the world. I’m glad she’s back. She was so tired. I went to work with her the next day to help her catch up on everything. We bar-b-qued hamburgers tonight. She was laughing at me. She says I run so fast between the grill and backdoor that my back end is going faster than my front end. I’m sure that isn’t true. Last Friday nite she built a podium for one of the instructors at work. She let me help by asking my advice on how to cut the wood and where to place the nails. She hit her thumb with a hammer and didn’t hardly swear at all. She brought back a present for Sheri and Mary. I never saw them but I’m sure they were nice. I got her for MY present.

I got to go to work with her last Friday. I helped her do her work and mail letters. But first we went to the Vet because my tummy was all ooky. Dr. Passmore was so nice. But the tests he ran shouldn’t be done to a dog. Then I couldn’t have any food for a day and no snax. I’m all better now. But I didn’t get any t-bone steak or nothing this weekend. Boy that being sick is sure a bummer.

She’s all excited about going to New York City. She’s packed and repacked and changed her wardrobe a million times.

Yesterday she worked for Mary and then came home and we made her a page. It was fun.

She said she came home early today to be with me because she missed me. If she really missed me so much hows come she stopped at the video store first and brought home three movies? I ask you. I fooled her later though. She thought I was outside barking in the rain and she was standing at the door calling me. I was inside all the time and my fur was dry too!

We visited with people across the street today. I let them pet me and say nice things to me. Then we ate a huge BBQ’d T-bone steak. I deserved it.

She doesn’t want me to know yet but she is going to New York City on September 11^th. She says the blood, smoke, and World Trade Center are gone and she needs to pay her respects to the strength of the city and survivors. Just to be, for awhile, in a city that did it right in the face of such horrific adversity. I guess that sometimes you have to bring peace to your soul by daring the unknown. She will leave early in the morning on the 11^th and spend the day with her video camera recording the sights and events, and come home to me late at night. I will miss her until she comes back to me.

Last week she went out to start her car to go to work and laying all curled up in furry splendor was "Nemesis"! That Persian/Siamese creature that is always showing up where it isn’t wanted. She stepped back to let it out of the car and that’s when I saw it and let it know it just wasn’t wanted.

After being wakened early in the mornings by barking dogs and listening to them all Sunday afternoon, she finally found where they were. When she went over to talk to the owner she found two large dogs inside the front gate barking. These barking dogs got the large dog at the next house barking so it was very noisy. I was worried because I was in my front yard watching and couldn’t protect her. She came back home and I was really glad. She sent an email to animal control and wrote a note to the dog owner saying she done that and signed her name. She took the note across the street to where all those horrible big dogs were and left it in the fence. Well then she gets forms from the people at animal control. They didn’t even want to come out and see what was going on. There was a stupid letter attached. So now we have to deal with noisy dogs AND lazy city workers. Nothing new there. I’ll just have to take care of her myself. She’s nice to sit on so I’d better keep her safe.

She knows a nice person at the bus company that she can send email to when she has bus concerns or commendations. He has a place big enough for burros but doesn’t have any yet. She told him she liked bus route 128 because it is just three blocks from the vet. We went there last month. I like riding the bus but I don’t like having to sit still and not check things out.

The Independence Day celebrating was just awful this year. It started a week early and went on for two weeks. She taped the neighborhood with all the smoke and noise and neighbors dancing in the street to the sound of the fireworks. We couldn’t call the cops because they were all out protecting Seattle from the terrorists.

We grow raspberries on the south fence and we shared them until they were all gone. Then we started on the blackberries on the north fence. Doncha just love summer?

I learned more about pork futures and pork belly this hot summer. We can bbq pork steaks. I try to hurry her up but she says we have to wait for the coals then wait for the pork steaks to cook and then wait for her to cut out my portion with the bone and then wait for it to cool. What’s with all this waiting? I’d rather have pork belly than pork futures.

We walked to Target at the mall to check out their videos (I wanted to get a dog movie, but noooooo) and a woman stopped us just inside the door and said we couldn’t come in. I was wearing my walking outfit and she was carrying me and we were clean and quiet and had money. As we turned to leave she said to the woman "and yet they let you in". She is soooo bad.

Wow! We were just glued to CNN during the story of the Pennsylvania miners. 9 ALIVE. They are the America I’m proud to be part of. The Governor and people and miners and their families, what a class act. She sent a check to the volunteer fire department that provided for the families during the awful hours of waiting. This was the same fire department that responded to the 9 ELEVEN plane crash of heroes.

She went to visit Mary and the ladies yesterday and I had to stay home.

I like the ladies and the one who used to want to grab and hold me tight doesn't remember me any more; so why did I have to stay home. She says it's because I always want to sit on her lap when she drives and it makes her crazy. Well, so what? I want to be comfy and see out the window when I travel.

She gets all grumpy when I sleep in the middle of the bed between the covers. She says she has to hang onto the edge of the bed with her finger and toenails and hasn't enough covers. I tried to get her to understand that I'm more comfortable in the middle of the bed between the blankets. Sometimes she just doesn't understand that sharing is caring, that it is better to give than receive, that being in love means never having to say you're sorry...

The sun shined bright all week (well mostly) and she came home early Thursday and Friday from work to be with me. She said it was to work in the yard but I know it was to be with me.

We had the bestest Memorial Weekend ever. We watched videos Thursday night, mowed the backyard Friday morning, and Friday afternoon we walked three miles to the small shopping center to return the videos and get postage stamps. Saturday we had BBQ'd T-Bone steak and I even shared some. She said I was wonderful for walking all that distance and that she was proud of me. She got a thank you email from a friend because she's an Army Veteran. It was really a great weekend.

It was soooo funny. I was outside exercising my First Amendment rights and she went to the door and clapped her hands. She was clapping her hands again when I tickled the back of her leg. She never saw me come into the house behind her. We had a good laugh at my trick.

What a wonderful weekend. The weather was wonderful! The backyard got mowed and she got to visit with her daughter to celebrate Mother's Day and her daughter's birthday. I got a drumstick Sunday night.

The grapes are growing and the blackberries and the rasberries. It should be a yummy summer. When the rain stops.

The front yard got cut and I can see what all the neighbors are doing. She didn't bother to tell me about the squirrel sitting on the fence trying to be invisible with holly leaves in it's mouth. I think I'm going to be in a snit for a long time.... Ok, I'm over it.

She calls me her treasure. Oh sure, if I'm her treasure why can't I drive her '78 Super beetle with the sun roof? She doesn't even take me to work with her, and I never get to go grocery shopping. I like groceries.

So now the back yard is cut but my primary patrol area still needs cutting. I'm getting the blame because I take my afternoon naps on her lap and she doesn't like to disturb me, but is that any reason for not doing the front yard? And now she's taken to making up new "b" words such "brave", "bold", "beautiful", "burrower", deboniar (and that ain't a "b" word). Now I ask you, is all that necessary? I am just plain mr b, no big letters and nothing fancy.

Well it was a real close call. I saw the next door baby with her father and I was explaining the rules to her and my she came out and picked me up. She got all gooey about the baby's new teeth and then she held the baby, I thought my she was going to keep that baby but she gave her back. Then we went across the street so the neighbors could pet me while they talked about the trees they rescued last year when they were broken. My she and the neighbors used halved pvc pipe as splints with plastic tie wraps. All is well now; the trees are fine and the baby is on her side of the fence.

I've been checking the L.L. Bean catalog for gum boots and a pith helmet. The spring rains have been so heavy and now the grass is very tall. When I troop the perimeter it is very hard to see through the grass.

Last week I found the big fluffy grey cat in the garage and sent him flying over the fence. She was very worried for me and gave me a big hug. She took off from work two days to do the yard and with the heavy rains it is impossible. It seems I'll have to do my evening patrols in the tall grass for a while yet. Gosh my feet and ears get so wet. I really must finish my catalog shopping.

She's been very sick since Saturday afternoon. I kept her warm when she was shivery and when she was fevery I stayed near to comfort her. I shared her food so she wouldn't be lonesome and patrolled the perimeter to keep her safe. I'm so glad she is much better now.

"Pork Futures" is when she asks me if I want some leftover roast pork and "Pork Belly" is when I eat it all gone.

Life don't get no better than sitting in the recliner with a favorite new bone and watching TV. I got my her, my bone, my comforter; I tell you it's a dog's life.

Why does she laugh when I walk under the bed covers, tippy toe over her very carefully and walk out from under the covers on the other side. I don't understand. A dog has to get comfy. One just can't sleep anywhere.

Wow! More snow stuff! She came home early so our car wouldn't get hurt by other drivers. Some big tow truck almost hit her anyway. I'm glad she's home. I didn't get my dinner any earlier though and I'm going to have to talk to her about that. I think when she comes home early I should eat early. And then, she was really slow giving me a bit of her dinner. I like eggs. Well her, lap is really comfy and my chin is on her arm while she writes on the bright thing. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Hey! it's snowing! That's what she calls it, snow. Funny white stuff falling from the sky. it gets on my nose and makes my feet wet.

I have to tell you that making lemonade out of lemons can be a lot of fun. Last Friday nite our car wouldn't start. So...Saturday she called to Les Schwab to have a battery delivered. What was bad was the human on the phone g