Phobias and Snow?

Yesterday morning we experienced severe thunderstorms across the metro Atlanta area. I think it was worse than the other day when there were so many tornados spotted in the area. I did hear that Carrollton did indeed get hit by at least two tornados, one an EF2 and one an EF3. The storms flattened trees, knocked out power to at least 93,000 homes and left injuries across metro Atlanta.

One man was injured in Carroll County when a tree fell on his vehicle, impaling him. He was taken to Tanner Medical Center. There's no word on his condition. The wind that ripped through Carroll County picked up Linda Bryant, 64, and blew her into some nearby woods as she walked from her house to her car. She is listed in serious condition at Tanner Medical Center. Two Lassiter High School students were injured in Cobb County when a tree fell on their car. The tree was a direct hit and neighbors and firefighters feared the worst. But the two went to the hospital with only cuts and bruises. Three people were trapped in their beds by falling trees and all sustained injuries requiring hospitalization.

Before the fast moving storm was near us, dear Lucy began her panting and shaking and barking. You see, she is phobic of storms. The hard driving rain, the thunder, and the lightening all scare the mess out of her. I had given her a few droppers of some holistic stuff called Relieve de Stress. It's mostly flower essences and does seem to help. I also wiped her down with a dryer sheet. They say this eliminates static electricity thus relieving the dog of some of the symptoms of the phobia. It also seems to help.

However, I think we might try some Melatonin next time. This is basically a sleep aid for humans. Given at a 3 mg. dosage for dogs, Lucy's doctor advised it may help but certainly wouldn't hurt. So, we will try that. I worry about her and wish I knew what she was thinking and wish I could help. I've never had a phobic dog, however, Savannah (the Ragdoll cat) is also phobic. She just cowers under the bed until it's all said and done.

I can sympathize with Lucy and Savannah as I, myself, am quite frightened of really bad storms. During my childhood in Florida, we experienced many bad storms but we always left town when a hurricane was approaching therefore I never really experienced that sort of weather until I was way into my 20's. However, the tornados we endure in Atlanta cannot ever be compared to hurricanes because they are unpredictable and can crop up out of nowhere. Therein lies the fear. And there is no basement in my home. Many times I have gathered the animals and have hunkered down in the guest bathroom which is the most central room in the entire house. That, in and of itself, is scary - 3 dogs, 1 cat and me all in the guest bathroom! :)

And if the recent stormy weather wasn't weird enough, this morning most of Atlanta received a dusting of snow. Yes, snow again. That is three (or is it four?) times this winter! What is up with that? At my house we didn't see any of the white stuff, however Accuweather did forecast flurries in my area during the morning hours. WOW is all I can say!

The Oscars and Tradition

Well, last night the 80th Academy Awards show was broadcast on ABC, straight from rainy southern California! Whew what a night. Ever since I was a little girl I've enjoyed watching the Oscars. The biggest thrill is seeing who wore what and then trying to speculate who will be on the best dressed list and who will be on the worst dressed list. Last night was almost a no brainer. Katherine Heigl definitely hit it right on the head with the beautiful silk georgette Escada column gown she wore. She looked smashing and definitely bought back fond memories of past starlets like Elizabeth Taylor or Natalie Wood who had such style and grace when walking the red carpet.

Of the worst dressed, oh my, there were many. Top of the list was the wife of Daniel Day Lewis. And he with his brown shoes with a black tux with brown trim. And then there was Jennifer Hudson. That dress absolutely did nothing for her figure. I'm certain another choice would have been much better. And then there is Tilda Swinton in her black one-shoulder "croaker sack", as my Dad would have called it. Absolutely horrid! In the famous words of Jay Leno, "What the heck were you thinking?" Don't these people have stylists?

I know I'm no fashionista but I feel certain I would not have made some of those choices. C'est la vie, I suppose. It was still a very classy and wonderful evening. And doesn't George Clooney get more handsome and more debonair every time you see him? I am not even going to comment on what his date (Sarah Jane Larson) was wearing. OK, yes I am. It looked like someone's drapes made over into a strapless dress. I think even Scarlett's forest green velvet drape-made dress in Gone with the Wind was more becoming than the one Sarah was wearing. But, oh, I digress.

The highlight for me was the traditional lobster dinner that I always make in honor of the Oscars. I also enjoyed a stuffed baked potato, corn on the cob, and plenty of Mojitos! For dessert, some of that wonderful chocolate ice cream I made on Saturday. Oh, and because I couldn't finish my entire lobster tail, what do you think I did with the remaining uneaten half? No, I didn't save it for later but instead decided to share it with "the girls"! Yes, and they loved it! I've also discovered they are quite fond of shrimp. Thank God they aren't allergic to shellfish!

Last Night

Well, last night my good friend Kim and her husband, Guy, came to dinner along with their three greyhounds, Rosie, Lindsey, and Bella. They really love coming over and the girls enjoy seeing each other as they are also the best of friends. The original idea was to grill Bubba burgers and sit outside so all the girls could enjoy being outside with their very filled Kongs. Well, the temperature never rose to the predicted 65 degrees (in fact it was darn cold) so we had to hang inside which was just as much fun. We did grill burgers and along with that had baked fries and boiled corn on the cob. Here's a little video I took right after dinner. Remi had left the room for some peace and quite, I guess, so there are only five dogs in the video. Oh, notice who is sitting on the sofa and love seat. Well, there is one human there but the dogs have the run of the place as you can see. Sugar, there on the left on the sofa looks as if she's had way too much to drink and can't get up! Don't worry, this is normal behavior for her!

And after dinner while we were enjoying the movie Forrest Gump, we took a break to make our ice cream sundaes I had planned for dessert. I had made homemade chocolate ice cream with homemade whipped cream! Yummy, it was delicious. You can see the girls had nothing else on their minds! There were 6 dogs in the kitchen but by the time I picked up the Flip, 3 had left the room! I guess they knew they were not going to get any dessert while the 3 who remained apparently believed we would indeed, give in, which we did not!! What a night. We all had a wonderful time!

Lure Coursing

This certainly isn't Lucy's best run, but this will show you what it's all about. Hopefully I'll get a better video at the next trial.

Lure Coursing

We coursed this past Saturday at the Chase trial at Old Mill Farm in Cartersville. All three girls attended, however, only Lucy coursed. She ended up taking a 2nd place out of 3! We were hoping for a first placement but that's okay. I've learned throughout the years that it's better to have a safe and healthy hound at the end of the day than a ribbon or points although the latter is always welcome! From the three trials Lucy has run in where she could earn points toward her Field Champion title, she has earned 57 points thus far. That isn't too shabby for three trials! The points are based on placement plus the number of hounds she beat in her category. Right now she is still running in Open, until she acquires 100 points and then we move to Field Champion. She is looking forward to that where she can "run with the big dogs"!

I have a video that a friend shot of her first course on Saturday. As soon as I get it, I'll load it here for your viewing pleasure.

Our next trial is the Chase trial March 15-16 at Gang Park in Calhoun and then the weekend after that is the SEGC trial March 22-23 at Bear Creek Farm in Moreland.

We have alot of conditioning to do between now and then but we are definitely up for the challenge!

Happy Birthday Sugar!

In my near death illness this week (not really but I have been terribly sick), I failed to even remember my Sugar's birthday which was Tuesday, the 12th. She turned 7 years old! What a joy she has been every day since coming into my home back in 2004.

Sugar was picked up by the Henry County Humane Society back in the spring of that year. She had been seen wandering around I-75 but I think was picked up while rummaging in someone's garbage, if I have the story correct. Research was done and no one claimed her nor did her owner on record know anything about her - it's a mystery. She had not been spayed. I picked her up from HCHS to foster her. What a sweetie even then. The Human Society began calling her Shuggie which I shortened to Sugar. Her registered name is PB's Honey Fritz. Anyway, she was adopted out to a family South of Atlanta who had some acreage, loads of children, and Emu's as well (and other farm type animals). After a few months it became apparent to the new adopters that she was NOT Emu tolerant nor did she care for the children so they returned her. Filthy, I might add and with a flea collar on! Of course, I was appalled and immediately cut that flea collar off and when I got home with her gave her a good scrubbing!

Come to find out, she does like children she just doesn't like to be chased (who does?) and I can't vouch for the Emu tolerance but I do know she has nabbed a few squirrels in the backyard so I am guessing that part is accurate.

Well, in 2005 I began lure coursing Sugar. She had an excellent lure coursing year winning Best in Breed for Greyhounds at the International Invitational that year as well as the Texas Trophy, presented to the most accomplished SEGC Greyhound in his/her rookie year of lure coursing.

Needless to say, I am very proud of her. Happy belated birthday sweetie, and many, many more! (I promise something special tonight in your food dish!)

PS - I have since found out it was more like an Emu massacre! Oh my!

This Is Hysterical!

Not Your Typical Saturday Night

Nope, not at all. I have to say though, many fond memories flooded my head as I was preparing for our first ever Greyhound pajama party! Yep, you read that right! Remi, Sugar, and Lucy invited their Greyhound buddies Rosie, Lindsey, and Bella over for an old-fashioned pajama party.

It was great! Just as I remember those I attended as a teenager. We didn't have a seaonce nor did we make prank phone calls but the Greyhounds were just as happy to jump into their jammies for their version, while we all enjoyed the movie "Pretty Woman" and some great food, if I say so myself.

The problem with having a Greyhound pajama party is this - all they want to do is sleep! Check it out!

Perhaps next time we'll invite some boys over and have a co-ed pajama party. Don't you think that would excite the girls a bit? Maybe they would get off the couch or off their dog beds long enough for the popcorn! And they totally missed the ice cream!

Silly dogs, we'll just have to keep them up to midnight the next time so they can truly experience a real pajama party with all the necessities (perhaps I'll make some Frosty Paws for them). Just like the ones I remember so well!

I must put in a plug for the jammies. I purchased them from http://www.greyhoundlove.com/ . All proceeds benefit greyhound adoption groups. If you decide to order from them, check with Polly, greylove@ptd.net, before placing an order to see what prints she has available and what sizes. She can send you a PayPal bill as well so you don't have to snail mail your order. Well worth it, I say, and much as I hate to say it, I hope we have a few more cold nights so the girls can enjoy their jammies before the season is over.

Last Weekend

I've been remiss in mentioning our field trip to the Birmingham Race Course last Saturday. We, Southeastern Greyhound Club, go over once a year usually the 2nd or 3rd weekend in January. This year we had 68 people signed up to go. We met at Cumberland Mall and then met the West-side folks at the first Alabama Rest Center on I-20. Unfortunately I overshot the reststop and had to drive about 20 extra miles to get off and get on exits to turn around. OMG, I won't be doing that again!

Anyway, we then took our caravan from the Rest Center to the track getting there right on time to start our tour of the Adoption Kennel and then the one of the Racing Kennels. Then, on to watch weigh in and then up to our Skybox to watch a few races.

The highlight, of course, is getting to see the dogs race. Oh, and that they did. Here are a few pictures. Just an awesome time watching the Greyhounds do what they love doing!

Oops, It Did It Again!!

Snow again! Twice in one week - who would have thunk it? The girls really aren't all that thrilled about it. Actually, Remi and Lucy love it but Sugar could do without it. She'd rather be inside where it's warm!

Here Remi and Sugar are smurfing the snow. They are really eating it. Brr, it's got to be cold! But they didn't seem to mind all that much!

Here Lucy is just being Lucy!



It's almost all gone now but now they are forecasting freezing rain for in the morning! This is Accuweather's forecast for Tuesday:

High: 47°F RealFeel®: 46°F

A bit of rain or drizzle, freezing on surfaces early; mostly cloudy

Ergh!! I've got Spring fever something fierce! Come on Spring, hurry!!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

It finally snowed! Yeah!!!! And the girls enjoyed it so much. Well, I say that and I think they did but check out this shot. They aren't dummies - they were under cover and weren't getting wet by those big bad white very wet snowflakes!

It really was quite beautiful as you can see by this picture. Unfortunately I had a meeting to get to so I didn't get to stay home and enjoy it. Instead, I was driving in it. Not so bad, not like others were thinking it was going to be. There were only 6 people at the meeting! I should have stayed home!

Here the girls are way back in the back corner (you can't even see them it's so dark) sniffing and playing. It was really nice that they were able to see snow. Sugar grew up in Colorado and raced there as well so she has seen it but Remi is an Alabama dog and Lucy a Florida dog, so they were due to see some of the white stuff. Maybe we'll get some more this winter! I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

I'm Curious

Well that title is pretty loaded, isn't it? I'm curious about alot of things (thank goodness), but on my way home yesterday from work I was driving along approaching a 2-way stop sign. I stopped, looked to my right (as I was taught in driver's ed class back in high school) and was about to look to my left when something caught my eye. It was a big beautiful doe running full stride across the road on my right. I wondered how it could move so fast across the pavement since their hoofs aren't particularly made for such a surface. I imagine they perform much better on the surface of the forest. Nonetheless, she was running pretty fast and, of course, she did not look both ways before crossing! :) I did, however, and after marveling at her and her majestic self, I proceeded across the road to continue my journey home. I was very cautious as I was afraid she'd come barreling out of the woods toward me! Been there, done that and it ain't fun!

I'm curious though, do you suppose a deer could out run a Greyhound? I'm going to say no. We all know that the Greyhound is the second fastest land animal having been clocked at speeds up to 45 mph. Second only to the Cheetah who has been clocked at speeds up to 46 mph. That would be a good, competitive race, don't you think? I think the Cheetah would win if it were a long distance race because the Greyhound is a sprinter, however, if a short distance it would definitely be a close race.

BTW, it looks like the ole deer can only run 35 mph. Not even a challenge for the Greyhound! Actually I know some Greyhounds who took down a deer not so long ago. It wasn't a pretty sight and it shows they are no doubt slower than the Greyhound.

In The News

I just have to say how disturbing the news is of late. In particular, last week was absolutely a heinous week for brutal killings, or so it seems. There was the case of the missing hiker from Buford, Meredith Emerson who was found beheaded, her body and head found in different places in the woods of Dawson County. The man charged with her death, Gary Hilton, is also accused of killing a north Florida woman whose body was found in December in the woods of the Apalachicola National Forest. She had also been decaptiated. There are many details of both murders which are very similar and which link Hilton to both. He will be charged with her death as well.

Also, North Carolina officials have named Hilton as a suspect in the slaying in October of an elderly couple. Avid hikers John, 79, and Irene Bryant, 84, were last seen alive on Oct. 20 in the Pisgah National Forest in western North Carolina. Her body was found bludgeoned three weeks later while John Bryant remains missing and is believed dead.

In each case, officials have placed Hilton in the vicinity. Further, each of the victims' ATM cards were used, and the bodies were recovered in state or national forests.

Then there was the disappearance of Cayle Bywater who was last seen with her dog at Memorial Park in Athens on the afternoon of Dec. 29. Her dog was found and her glasses were found a few days later but no Cayle. Her body was found in a lake in Memorial Park on Friday, January 11. An autopsy performed on Saturday confirmed she had drown. The authorities have determined there was no foul play and no link to Hilton.

Then the man from Idaho who believed he bore the biblical "mark of the beast" actually used a circular saw to cut off one of his hands, then he proceeded to cook it and then he had the foresight to call 911 before he bled to death. The man, who is in his mid-20s, was placed in protective custody at a mental health center. Do ya think?

And then there was the Vietnamese man who has admitted throwing his four young children off an Alabama bridge. The children ranged in age from a few months to three years. Two bodies of the youngest of the four have been recovered. Divers and search teams continue to search the bayou shoreline for the remaining two bodies.

Oh, and I can't forget to mention the man in Texas who killed and mutilated his girlfriend. Officers found what they thought was her ear boiling in a pot on a stovetop at the crime scene, and a hunk of flesh on a plate, impaled on a fork at the kitchen table. Authorities say it is unclear whether McCuin consumed any part of the woman's body.

I think the country has gone mad! I can't recall a more horrific news week. It honestly makes you not want to turn on the TV or read a newspaper. All I can say is it is all very disturbing. I am more than ever convinced I need to purchase a handgun for protection. Not to worry - when I do I plan to attend a gun handling class in my county that is specifically for women!

What else are we to do, I ask? That and perhaps put Prozac in the water system around the entire country! :) Now, that's an idea worth pondering.

Oh My doG!

And people actually think I'm nuts for buying jammies for my Greyhounds? That ain't nothing compared to this, www.dogscouts.org. What an absolute hoot! But you know, it's probably fun for the people and definitely for the dogs. I might have to check into it. :)

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

This about sums it up . . .

Post Christmas

Well, I managed to make it through another Christmas! I say it like that because it is always so difficult without my mother being here. She passed in April of 2001 due to complications from pneumonia. She was a life-long smoker as well, and had severe emphysema. I actually quit smoking myself around 1998 mostly due to seeing her rapid decline after the initial emphysema diagnosis. It truly is a slow death. Her lungs were so fragile by 2001 that all it took was a bout of pneumonia - one that she just couldn't recover from.

So, with that being said, the holidays are always difficult. It was last year that I purchased a beautiful fake tree at Lowe's and put it up in the living room, using decorations that are pretty much all made by my sister. Those decorations had not been used in six years. I just couldn't get into the spirit and it just isn't the same. Christmas was always such a wonderful holiday in our household growing up and even since my move to Atlanta. So many great memories.

But it's those memories that help ease the sadness I always feel. Unfortunately, I don't think it will ever go away.

But you know, life has a habit of going on no matter what you feel and what you think (which certainly beats the alternative). I look forward to the next holiday which is New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Nothing ever spectatular is planned or expected. It's just a time to enjoy some traditions I've set for myself - a delightful lobster on New Year's Eve and then those wonderful black eye peas on New Year's Day. I truly think every year gets better so that is always a welcome anticipation. Every year except 2001!

Best wishes for a wonderful 2008!

Prior Perspectives

Found another trio of writing by most of the same folks.

Part I - Matt G
Part II - Ambulance Driver
Part III - BabsRN

Good Stuff

As was posted on a friend's blog, check this out. Read in order provided.

Part I - LawDog
Part II - Ambulance Driver
Part III - BabsRN

Mondays

Another start to the work week and this one will be longer than most because I must work 50 hours to make up for being off next Monday and Tuesday for the holiday. Next week, I'll work 30 hours. So, that would make it 80 hours for the two weeks. Whew! Being an IT contractor is nice but the downside is NO HOLIDAYS and NO VACATION or SICK days! This time of year is the toughest, it seems.

And I made it through the birthday! It was pretty low key this year. Dinner at Kim and Guy's home was nice and relaxing. My navigational system got me lost on the way over. I know how to get there but thought I'd go "her way" this time. Big mistake! She had me going down two pig trails (in my SUV with three greyhounds in the back nonetheless). I thought she knew how to get me there but she didn't. I managed to find my way there without her help. Guy made his trademark barbeque ribs for dinner. Yum, yum. He'll make them again for Christmas day. I could eat ribs every day of the week, I think. We had corn on the cob, salad, and butter muffins. Dessert was praline cheesecake. I should have jogged home after all that but I didn't! :)

On Sunday Kim, Guy and I met at the kennel to cat test the 11 new greyhounds who came in on Saturday and also do their photo session. With Guy's help we finished in record time and were able to then enjoy our afternoons. I went home and built a huge fire in the fireplace, put in a movie and worked on the laptop in front of the fire all afternoon. The three girls were passed out on couches, dog beds, and the floor and the cat even took her afternoon siesta on one of the dog beds. She was a bit tired herself from the morning spent testing the newbies. It was nice to just hang out with them for the afternoon.

But on to getting through Monday! And on to the next holiday, I say!!

TGIF

Thank goodness it's Friday! What a week. A big news week for Atlanta with the Vick sentencing, resignation of the Falcon's head coach, and then the revelation of steroid use by some ex-Braves players - none of which is a surprise, really.

Personally, I finally made it to the Dr. to get my flu and pneumonia shot so have been pretty sore from those until today. The day after the shots were given, my left eye turned really red on the inside sclera. There is a bump on the sclera as well. I went to the ophthalmologist this morning and it's just an infection, probably caused by my contacts. So . . . it's a week in glasses and plenty of prescribed eye drops(a steroid and antibiotic combo). He is a bit concerned about the bump on the sclera - more so than the redness. All I know is that it hurts and keeping it closed is the only relief I get but we all know we can't sleep 24 x 7. So, I'll just have to muddle through life the next 7 days in these hideous glasses. Actually they aren't that bad as the frames are relatively current. I just don't see as well with them and feel as if I'm groping my way around. Imagine how the driving is! :)

I found a new drink recipe this week that I want to try. It's called an Old Cuban and is pretty much like a Mojito except that it's suppose to be so much better. I must get some bitters and champagne so I can mix up a batch. In my research for this drink, I found a fabulous club in New York called the Pegu Club. It sounds intriguing with it's emphasis on mixing the best cocktail with the freshest ingredients known to man. On my next visit to the big city, I definitely plan to check it out. It's in the Soho District I believe.

Tomorrow is another birthday for me. Whoo hoo! I have plans to have dinner with my BFF and her husband and a friend and then it's just some R&R for the weekend. It's suppose to finally turn cold so perhaps I'll just hang in the living room with a fire in the fireplace all weekend and watch a few movies. I'm buying Bad Santa today so that should be fun to watch.

Toodles.