“Oh the ignominy of it all” July 9, 2008

Bath Day

It is with some reluctance that Frasier takes a bath.  After corralling him into the bathroom and lifting him into the tub I start to run the water.  As it begins to pool about his feet Frasier politely lifts one, then another for a delicate shake and looks at me as if to say “You seem to have a bit of a water problem here.”  After I’ve soaked him down and gotten out the shampoo he knows he’s in for it and won’t even look at me.  He turns his head to the wall, “I can’t believe I let this happen again.”  Wash. Rinse. Shake.  As soon as I’ve toweled him down he flies out of the bathroom.  He once tried to get out so fast I didn’t have the door all the way open yet and he got his head stuck. After the bath is done he comes racing back and wants to play *bullfight* which mainly consists of me holding a towel and him running into the towel and growling.  And now I have a clean dog who might even get to lie on my bed (provided I can keep him out of the compost bin).

soothing June 18, 2008

I spent most of today feeling overwhelmed by decisions, my inability to control  circumstances and worst yet, my seeming inability to control my emotions. It was exhausting and I’m feeling a bit spent. So I’ve been reading a little poetry…here’s one I’m finding comforting tonight.

The Gospel According to Helena

Damn
She loves to sing
She knows she may not even be that good
What does it mean when somebody
Loves to do something
So much
She
Doesn’t care
Whether or not
It makes any sense to the world

What does it mean when somebody
Does something just because
It makes her feel more alive
Opens her eyes

What does it mean when somebody
Does something just because
She’s missing God
And wonders if she always will

She must know that all good songs
Are a form of prayer

Copyright 2007, Linford Detweiler

it’s been rainin’… June 10, 2008

so I’ve been reading. Flew through The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. Composed of 1-2 page entries of a girl’s experiences in a new neighborhood. Liked it, I liked it.

In answer to certain parties… June 4, 2008

who think the dog to fiance picture ratio needs equaling out.

Points of interest this week:

I had a patient with a condition called dextracardia…meaning his heart was on the right side of his chest.

I read a good book called Black Swan Green by David Mitchell recommended by JNF.  It’s about a 13 year old British boy and was fairly painful to read. I had hoped that it would be something like The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4 but Swan was less comedy and much more emotional.  Well written and worth it.

I think I found the dishes for Josh and I at this cool store www.bureauliving.com . It’s a gem on the Cass Corridor, around the corner from Avalon, one of my favorite Detroit haunts.

thank goodness i bought that digital camera after all May 16, 2008

My camera is well traveled. I take it all over the place…but then forget to take pictures…and basically end up using it to take pictures of my dog. Do I have pictures from my recent trips to Florida and Illinois? No. Do I have more than a handful of pictures from my engagement party? No. Do I have pictures of Frasier wrapped in a towel? Ah yes, that i have. oh well.

Joanna and the happiest dog in the world

Amy, Colette and James

Lola

Flower Girls Unite!  Liviya and Valerie

for mary anne February 7, 2008

MA, here are some of the pictures I’ve been promising to post for you. First, the ornament boxes that i made for the girls, and then the results of my first class at Pewabic Pottery.

“November 30th, toilets or no toilets.” November 13, 2007

That is a direct quote from Amy regarding our moving date. Here are the latest pictures.

The slate in the kitchen looks amazing.

This bedroom is one of the rooms with newly refinished woods floors.

First coat of paint on the living room and hall.

My sitting room…just needs the trim and ceiling painted, then carpet.

The amazing “Is it olive? Is it brown? Is it yellow? Paint” in my bedroom. The answer changes depending on the time of day, the angle you’re looking at it from, and what lights are on. A decorating enigma.

Cross Creek October 16, 2007

by Majorie Kinnan Rawlings

Vignettes from the author’s 13 years as a grove owner in rural Florida in the 20’s and 30’s.  Having lived in Florida I found her description of geography interesting, but her perceptions of race and culture are extremely dated and difficult to read.  I suppose I’m used to current culture where people still hold prejudices…we just wouldn’t write (read:admit) about them.

signs of progress. October 16, 2007

People have been asking how the house is coming along and I’ve been reluctant to put up more pictures because the lion’s share of the work that Nate has been doing is very necessary, but doesn’t look very exciting. The house has been completely rewired and plumbed; the kitchen doorway widened; the paneling in the mudroom cut down to waist level, new drywall hung and the doorwall replaced. Various rooms are in various stages of being mudded, sanded and painted. So anyway, that said, here are few pics.

Lowe’s my home away from home.

The kitchen (all the cabinets are stacked in the living room)

Almost done painting the kids’ room..carpet coming soon.

My bathroom is plumbed, soon to have fixtures, beadboard, tile, drywall.

frasier in his *dress* collar that MA sent from Kenya. I tend to reserve this collar for bath days.

it’s gonna be great. i swear. August 23, 2007

They used duct tape to *seal* the door wall. Yeah, Nate had to totally replace that.

This is the kitchen. C & V were skeptical about this information.

Dining room looking into the kitchen (and the mudroom beyond that) and off to the right the hall that leads to the first floor bathroom, Nate and Amy’s bedroom, and Nate’s office.

Living room.

A view of the huge kids’ room.

This is my bathroom. Really.

Beneath the ancient tile in my bedroom was newspaper circa 1950.

The basement.

Believe me when I say that it looks better gutted than it did shoddily finished. You just have to catch the vision. I won’t lie, it took a couple walk throughs for me to catch it.

Since these pictures were taken 3 weeks ago Nate, and a rotating crew of dedicated souls, has rewired and plumbed the entire house. Pretty soon we get to start replacing windows and putting the walls back together. Fun stuff.

PS. Since Frasier is the star attraction of this blog I thought I would mention that he’s doing well and sends his regards.