Elsie and the squirrels

Yesterday Elsie wore herself out trying to catch two squirrels. Maybe she didn't want to catch them but she sure was interested and irritated. They taunted her by running up and down the palm tree but staying just out of her reach. Since the pic looked so much better vertical I turned the camera while making the video. What a bonehead I am...you'll have to turn your head a little if you want to view this footage.

The second video is just me playing around with Zoe while Elsie was chasing squirrels.

Zoe and Elsie, lounging and ready to lounge

This is Zoe lounging by the pool one evening. She has become an outdoor kitty. She has full run of the yard and screened pool area. There is a door where she comes and goes as she pleases. Sometimes I find her in the garage - asleep on the floorboard of the Miata. Elsie scored bigtime when the Egal's went to PA. This is just one of the many adorable outfits she has added to her wardrobe. This is not the best picture of her but ...isn't she still the cutest dog in the world? Yes, that is her pink and black 'dog in a box' transportation device.

Snake Identification needed!

I was watching Zoe through my stamp room window play around in the front garden and then saw her start chasing something. This is the same garden I spent a couple of hours in last weekend working - yikes. Anyhoo, I had to go see what the little huntress had captured. This time it was a snake. Anyone know what kind of snake this might be? This picture makes it look HUGE but if you notice, the grass looks exceptionally large as well. I cropped and enlarged because I was standing far, far, away from the creepy thing.

So proud of herself! This is a better representation of the actual snake size.

New Music for Old Souls - Hoots and Hellmouth

Totally lifted from their site:
http://www.hootsandhellmouth.com/redex.php
At our core, Hoots & Hellmouth consists of Sean, Andrew and Rob, frequently augmented by Aaron Blouin, Matthew Stein, Todd Erk or Tim Celfo on bass, but the people at our shows really drive us to the point that we consider them all to be a part of what's going on. We wanna break away from the traditional roles of performer and audience...the exchange of music is a bond...a way to build community...an environment in which to share the experience of being human (ups, downs, all ways). Living in a void leaves one empty. So much in the culture of modern living has convinced us to cut ourselves off from human contact - that such interaction is unnecessary in the day-to-day transactions of life. Whether it's the cold, lifeless embrace of technology or the "hipper than thou" clique-building attitude of society's disaffected individuals, it seems the world is finding itself more and more isolated on an individual level. Which is kinda weird when the going trend is ostensibly "connectivity." Connected to what exactly? We'd love to provide space at our shows (and in your own private listening/site-surfing experience there) where anyone and everyone can come and feel free to just be...free to check your job titles, family roles and "demographic buying habits" info at the door. No demands, no pressure. We're not trying to sell you a product or influence you in any particular way. We're not espousing any ideology other than that which builds community on a local level. All religions, no religions, political shades all across the spectrum (including the infrareds and ultraviolets)...we welcome you! We're bringing what we know - music - to the party. What will you bring?


This was a very fun group of guys to watch. I hope the videos capture for you the magic they presented last night at Skipper's. The crowd was varied and to my dismay a little sparse. For a Tuesday night it wasn't too bad.

With their first song the energy was apparent and the crowd joined in the enthusiasm.

This song is dedicated to a co-worker from another co-worker....

Veteran's Day Parade, Orlando, FL

Dogs with beads

This blog sucks lately. I promise I will post something fun and Perfectly Amusing soon... but for now.... I'm a big baby again.

I wish they made a pill for ‘don’t’ take it personally’ or a potion for ‘growing thicker skin’.
I have been composing this post in my head all the way home today. I used a vacation day today and volunteered at a golf tournament on MacDill AFB. The tournament itself was kind of fun although I realize how much I still don’t ‘fit’ with that group of people. When you are just a volunteer you are treated like….well, like a volunteer. Some golfers were very nice and seemed like real people – others, well… I guess that is what makes the world go around.
As I was thinking about this post I realized how much time and effort I would waste on something that really doesn’t matter. But, since this is a form of therapy, I had to put something here….
Back to the volunteer event…. one of the first things I was asked upon arrival (10am) was if I had a problem talking to people because they needed someone to sell pecans (yes, the nuts) and raffle tickets. Of course I can do that and I sold many $8 bags of pecans and $10 sets of raffle tickets to complete strangers.
Then, they decided they needed an additional volunteer to work at one of the par 3 holes. This duo would encourage people to bid on the ‘live auction’ of donated prizes. Even if you aren’t a golfer you may know that it takes a few hours (like five in this case) to golf 18 holes so we were looking at a day on the course.
Well, during the first couple of hours I chatted with this chick also assigned to Hole 3. This section of the course is known for the raccoons that come around and are even brave enough to steal snacks out of your cart.
Around 330pm (the tournament started at 1230) a foursome was talking to us and asked us about the raccoons. We told them that we had seen two on the green but none near the tee.
Then... a statement was made about how much I talk (and had been talking since we arrived at the hole) and that talking kept the raccoons away. WTF
Let’s just say I have enough info about this person to write a bio so I don’t think I was doing all of the talking.
A little while after the too much talking statement (and after her husband had played this hole) she claimed she was hungry and needed to go the WC. She walked to the clubhouse and then called and said she was going to stay there and help with the raffle. Oh yeah, and that she had left her sweater in the cart and would I bring it. Again, WTF
As soon as the last foursome played (around 5pm)I headed to the clubhouse, gave them back their shirt, hat, and name tag and got out of there.
I am social but the more I go out in public the more I want to stay home with Elsie. Maybe I’m just getting old and cranky and need to stay home. I guess if I just typed all this I probably do talk too much. LMFAO

It all started as a simple post and then a request for help for my brother....

...and what do I get in my email but this gem: (not only was this sent to me, but it was also sent to a long list of other people - most I don't know.)

Hi Shelley Rene, (my name is Shelley Renee)
Hope U R Well!
! tried to call which U wanted me to do and I did. (I did not ask him to call me)
You weren't answering which I new U wouldn't. (Nope, I don't answer his calls anymore)
That's OK !
Jesus loves U any way! (WTF. He will never learn)
and I love U. (that is another crazy statement.)
Sounds like from your "Blog" some one in Montgomery county Needs to get a JOB. Will pray for that person! (yep, praying will surely help)
I like your Blog and love that little Elsie! (ok, on this we agree. I love Elsie too)
Thanks for thinking of me and your text message! (um, the text message was a direct plea/demand for help for my brother)
I am praying for U and a whole bunch of other Christians R praying, for U also. (I've asked him repeatedly to not waste his time on this... I am not a Christian (GASP) nor do I need prayers. I think I'm ok just as I am. Well, not really but to the outside world it would appear so).
Your Dad, (WHAT? I have a Dad?)
Awsome blog page, (I'll take that shout-out)
Thank you!
Molater (translation: More Later.)


So, since the above message was copied to a sheetload of other people, I couldn't resist the opportunity and so I replied:
and why did we copy the world on that message? Yes, your son needs help as usual. I've suggested they go to the nearest homeless shelter. I am researching that now.

I just got home - I was as out on the bike so if you tried to call, i didn't hear it. Please don't waste your prayers on me, it isn't worth it. If you want to help someone, look towards your second natural born child.

I don't know half the people in this list but soon they will know all about me.


And it gets better, from someone I don't know, broadcasted to all of those peeps on the original email: (name withheld)
Eeeek
It is sad to see family not getting along - obviously none of you have every experienced extreme lonliness with no living family... what a pity.


To which I replied: (isn't this heartwarming? I've been depressed all day)
I am lonely all the time. But, I try to surround myself with positive, happy friends who make me smile. When my paternal and maternal grandparents (the only perfect people in this world) passed a few years ago I lost the people who truly cared about me. So, you wanna talk about being lonely?
I agree, it is a pity. I’m not sure who you are but you must have the cover story about Doug and his ‘family’. It is a shame…. it is sad to see one’s family member living in extreme poverty while others … nevermind. (this email chain continued privately and I will keep the results confidential)


Meanwhile I rcvd this from him in a few different notes:
I'm doing what I can (maybe not what U think I should) and will continue to let God work on my Children (who by the way are accountable to Him as I am and not accountable to Me). So with that said Jesus is coming and I hope my children are ready to meet HIM!
I know U R thinking about eternity. U just are stuborn (Hard headed as My Mother would say) like I was !! When U get saved you will really be a wild Red Head for Jesus!!!
U have a good heart it just doesn't belong to Jesus yet!!
U might as well get off that pity party and get Jesus in your heart!! He will forgive U and make it Right "Miss Perfect". What good name U have and I was half of the cause of it!!


Have you had enough? Wait, there is more:
Your decision to NOT be a Christian is going to get U to Hell when U die!
Ask (name deleted by Shelley) if that's true or any other Christian U know!!
Ask them !!

SO I AM GOING TO HELL! I THOUGHT THIS WAS HELL. Now, I ask you Christians... is that a very nice thing to say? I think the message is a little harsh.


Anyhoo, the interesting part is the number of peeps who replied privately to me about the situation. I'll keep those responses confidential. Thanks to all for your support.
Let the flames begin.