Say What?

Rudy and Oscar have been with us for 11 months. Because they were strays, I sometimes wonder how they came to be abandoned. The scenario I've thought makes the most sense is that their original owners moved out of wherever they were living at the end of May and turned Oscar and Rudy loose when they left. They may have been on their own for a week or two before some kind person was able to get them and take them to the Humane Society. They were initially adopted by a woman, but she returned them after five days. They were probably too much for her. That's when we were contacted. Because I'm curious about where they were left to wander, I asked the Rochester Humane Society if they could provide us with an address for where they used to live. They're unable to divulge that information. I get that. It was worth a try. I've been a member at Planet Fitness for not quite a year. It's such a good value, and it's never overly crowded when I'm there. It feels grea...

It's Easter Sunday. In my previous life, I would have been rubbing elbows with the faithful at Hosanna this morning while listening to a condensed sermon from one of four or more services they would hold to be able to accommodate the demand of the C and E (Christmas and Easter) crowd. I used to love Hosanna—the convenience of its location, the meaning I would take away from the sermons, and the grounds (I used to mow the lawn at the church). I knew it was the right place for me at that time. I wrote about what I felt, and still feel, was a God experience the first time I attended a service there. It's an interesting read if you have the time. But it wouldn't last. Many years later, I would have a falling out with the lead pastor , and that left me disillusioned with organized religion. It's where I remain today. It too is an interesting read.  I still see Easter as a time of renewal; a time to reevaluate my life and consider changes I can make to be a better person. I ...

Cliff has learned to turn light switches on and off and control the dimmer switch from his perch atop his highchair. In the few weeks he's been walking, he's become very fast on his feet, no longer walking like he's inebriated but with purpose to his steps. It's been so much fun watching him grow and become himself. Rachel and Drew occasionally send us videos and photos of Cliff throughout the week, and they always bring smiles to our faces. We had fun with friends a few nights ago using ChatGPT to make our own personal action figures (a social media craze I wasn't aware of). Our results!  Use the script in my Instagram post to make your own. Part of the fun was the wait for the program to render the result, which usually took a few minutes, and then the laughter that followed.  I was released from physical therapy for my knee three weeks ago today after being a regular there for ten months (most of those months were for pre-hab ahead of my surgery). My doctor also ...

Cliff took his first official steps last week! He had been taking some baby steps with the aid of furniture, keeping in touch with it as he worked his way around a room, but these steps were unaided. Talking can't be too far behind. Rachel, Drew, Cliff, and PJ spent a night with us last weekend. At one point, I counted more than 40 continuous unaided steps by Cliff. Impressive! We're loving our role as grandparents! Oscar and Rudy have been with us for nearly nine months. We feel blessed to have them sharing their lives with us. Like all of our pups before them, they've wormed their way into our hearts in a big way. We have so much love for them. I tell them they're not just loved; they're "super loved!" I often think about how they beat the odds to remain together when they were strays and found their way to us. We're grateful. Rehab for my knee is ongoing, and I'm pleased with how far I've come, considering how difficult my recovery has been...

Serious question: now that all aid to Ukraine has been halted, and in light of all of the capitulations Trump has made to Russia — shutting down early warning agencies; halting intelligence gathering aimed at Russia; turning our backs on our allies; talk of removing sanctions on Russia; placed stooges in prominent roles; removed critical oversight, did I mention turning our backs on our allies as well as relinquishing our role as leader of the free world, etc. — how long will it be before Trump moves to help arm Russia? It’s terrifyingly shocking, but this is where we find ourselves.  Trump Is clearly acting on Putin’s behalf. Sorry to be blunt, but it takes a whole other level of gullibility not to open your eyes and mind to the possibility that you’ve been conned if you’re still supporting this pretender. We are watching the dismantling of our country and, with it, our democracy, our freedoms, and our way of life. What are we waiting for? That's all I've got.

I woke up to numerous songbirds singing outside our bedroom window this morning. Our snow is gone, with the exception of where it's been piled high after snow removal. With nothing but well above freezing temps in our forecast, even the piles of snow won't survive. I know it's too early to think our winter is behind us, but I'm enjoying the respite.  Tammy and I had appointments for eye exams last week. Dr. Cassin asked me if I was experiencing any issues with my vision. I took a few seconds to think about it before responding, "No, my eyes seem fine." It had been 2 1/2 years since our last eye exams.  An image appeared on the device I was looking through during the exam. The doctor asked if the two sections of a partial rectangle (left and right) I was seeing were lined up. I told him that one was quite a bit higher than the other. He made an adjustment and asked me again if they were lined up. "Nope, the right side is still higher." It would take s...