A few good things have come from having my family around more: they added soft, comfy furniture to the porches and they took down the gate at the bottom of the stairs. Checking out the new porch sofa. At night, I wait until the lights go out, then I climb the stairs and check to … Continue reading In My Own Voice #33: We Need a Sofa Upstairs
Ahab Had the Whale
Ahab was obsessed with finding and killing Moby Dick. A whale. Leviathan of the sea. Photo credit: World Wildlife Fund I appear to be obsessed with a toilet. Somehow, it doesn’t have the same cache. One winter break when I was in college, I worked as a temporary secretary for an office at which just … Continue reading Ahab Had the Whale
In My Own Voice #32: Tips for Training Your Human: The “2-P” Approach
Training your human can be a frustrating and discouraging endeavor, but, I assure you that you will have success if you follow my plan and never forget the two Ps: Perseverance and Patience. Whether you are teaching a new skill, or merely refreshing a skill that has been lost, it is best to start small, … Continue reading In My Own Voice #32: Tips for Training Your Human: The “2-P” Approach
In My Own Voice #31: Making Sense of My Topsy Turvy World
The rules keep changing. For years we had a routine. It was good. The people left in the morning. The youngsters came home in the afternoon. The older ones a bit later. We ate breakfast together. We ate dinner together. While everyone was out, I had free reign of the downstairs. Well, actually, even when … Continue reading In My Own Voice #31: Making Sense of My Topsy Turvy World
My Pandemic Plagues
Is it crazy of me to believe I am in a pitched battle with a bathroom? If you had lived through what I have, you too would understand that my second floor bathroom has declared war. Maybe it believes it is being asked to step up unfairly now that we are all home. The jury is … Continue reading My Pandemic Plagues
In My Own Voice #30: BATH is a Four-Letter Word
The other day I overheard one of my bros talking with the female about a bath....for ME. Now bath is not a word that gets bandied around with my name attached. The few times the two were linked were memorable. Is it possible they have forgotten what happened when they tied my leash to the … Continue reading In My Own Voice #30: BATH is a Four-Letter Word
The Milano Effect
A companion piece to If At First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again In case you don’t know, and, if so, I feel sorry for you and suggest you immediately rectify the situation, a milano is a type of cookie. Two, oval-shaped, pale cookies held together by a thick layer of chocolate. A bag of … Continue reading The Milano Effect
If At First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again
A companion piece to The Milano Effect Pettigrew has never been allowed into our bedrooms on the second floor. Occasionally, if the gate at the bottom of the stairs were left ajar, he would slip up. A tempting space between the gate and the wall. Perhaps Pettigrew could slip through. Sometimes we would be in … Continue reading If At First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again
In My Own voice # 29: I Forgive You
Do you not know me at all? After all these years? Asleep. Do you not notice that I am Sound Asleep on the sofa? Yes, yes, I heard you. You’re not especially quiet. Collecting bags. Jangling the leash. Opening the drawer and rummaging for the key. Go on, get distracted. Go. Go. Run up the stairs for … Continue reading In My Own voice # 29: I Forgive You
In My Own Voice # 28: Stronger Together
Together. That seems to be the operational word these days. And, you know, it’s not all bad. I actually like my family. It gives me a lift to see them first thing in the morning. Sometimes I greet them at the bottom of the stairs. Sometimes they come in before I’ve gotten off the sofa. … Continue reading In My Own Voice # 28: Stronger Together
