The next most exciting thing that has happened recently is a black bear visited our yard this past week - during the day, while we were home to see it wreak its havoc on our stuff. I've said before that I hate nature, and it's really not true, but I don't like bears in my yard. I know that we've been visited before because of bent poles, stolen feeders and other evidence left behind, but this is the first time we've seen one. Ever. Well, we saw a grizzly in Alaska but this is the first time seeing a wild black bear in NH.

It happened about 5:00 pm. We were about to go walk Bobby, so I'm glad I saw it first. I wouldn't want to be outside with that thing near me. A few minutes before we saw it, Java came into the kitchen with the fur along her spine sticking straight up and barking like there was something outside. We went out on the porch to see if there was something out there but saw nothing. I'm glad I didn't let her out to investigate.

A few minutes later, I walked into the living room, which looks out on three sides of the house. Through the window that faces north I saw black fur. A bunch of black fur. I knew immediately what that meant. I stepped forward and sure enough, there was a bear under the apple trees eating the drops off the ground. I have never given the apples much thought as bear bait, but next year I'll be tossing the drops into the woods. Here's a not too good picture of it eating an apple:



So next it went into the backyard and ate the suet I had hanging for the woodpeckers. Here's a video of the bear tearing the feeder down: *Warning there is a little bit of swearing by me at the bear.*



Then he went from the back yard to the front yard and pulled down my suet feeder there. Here's that video: *Turn down the volume on the computer if barking dogs will set off your dog*



Bobby saw the bear out the window and was quite upset. I thought he was going to jump through the window to get to him. We called the police but they said "Do nothing. Don't go outside and it will just go away." So that's what we did. It was here for a good long time.

Saturday night it came back while we were asleep and knocked over the empty birdfeeder pole in the back yard and my little crabapple tree in the front. I hope it didn't kill the tree. We have it staked upright and hopefully it will hold over the winter.

I hope it goes to sleep soon.

Bobby came with that name, so we kept it, even though my husband's name is Robert. I don't call him Bobby so there's no confusion. The only confusion happens with my family who sometimes call Robert Bobby so I'm not sure if they're talking about the husband or the dog. Robert's family stopped calling him Bobby when he was 12 or so.

Bobby (the dog) has added a lot of life to this house. We take him for a mile or so walk twice a day, so we're getting our exercise, too. He's a lot of fun. Java likes him, but they're not allowed to play together -- not that Java would ever deign to play with him -- because of her spinal problems. Right now she seems to be really good -- almost too good, actually. She has been jumping up on the furniture even though she's not supposed to.

Here are a couple of Bobby videos:

Well it's November and it's National Blog Posting Month, so I'm going to try to post a blog every day for the 30 days of November. I remembered last night while I was in bed, so I co-opted DH's computer (he was working) and threw up a quick post.

Since there's a lot of new stuff going on, I'm going to spread it out. I'll start with the best news first. On September 19, we tried fostering again. We picked up Bobby from the transport and were shocked at his size and his looks.


His rescuer who pulled him from the Jonesboro, Arkansas shelter maintains that he is purebred Boston Terrier. I say no. We think he's mixed with Boxer and quite a few people who know dogs have proffered the same theory. So we're going with that.

Someone lost him in Arkansas but never claimed him. He was wearing a red collar when he was picked up, but had no tags or microchip. So he winds up here in NH with me, available for adoption.


But not for too long. He really is a good, sweet dog. We are taking him to obedience and he picks up his lessons very quickly, so he's smart. He got a long with Java from the get-go. I was very nervous making the introduction, but it went well. Java did her alpha growl and he submitted to her and since then it's been peace and harmony in the home.



They even took a nap together in the sun a few weeks ago. We found ourselves dreading his being adopted by another family more and more. So we adopted him. We felt that the only thing we couldn't give him in this life is kids to play with. He would really love to play with kids. So instead we bring him to doggy day-care a couple days per week so he can play with other dogs and burn off some of his energy. We think he's about 2 years old, so he's really crazy. He'll calm down as he gets older.

Happy November! Lots of stuff has gone on; I'll be updating soon.

I am feeling a lot better about the whole Ste. Genevieve experience today. Genny is bossy, says her new foster mother, so really it's not anything I failed at. The two dogs were just destined to not get along. Next time I try to foster, it'll be a male who won't challenge Java.

I've been wondering where the love of animals comes from. Is it hereditary? Learned? If it's hereditary, it would make sense because both my grandmothers were animal lovers. My Nana always had a cat; sometimes a dog. They were always neurotic, though. My Grammy, who died when I was almost 4, had tons of dogs - literally. She had Newfoundlands. I can still remember how that house smelled. There was a lot of hair and a lot of slobber. She didn't mind, though. My uncle James also had the animal-lover gene. His dogs were his family. My Dad liked animals but I don't think he got the gene. Same thing with my Mom. I know that I definitely have the animal-lover gene, if there is one. I like kids but never wanted any of my own. I just want dogs, cats and the occasional goldfish.

Sometimes things just don't work out

This morning I tried to walk Java and Genny together and as soon as I put Genny on the ground, she and Java went at it. It was scary and horrible. I tried to separate them, but my hold on their leashes wasn't close enough. I tried with my foot and they went around me. I finally picked up Genny, who had Java in her mouth, only to have Genny drop Java, who fell onto her back. It was terrible. In my horror, I called the foster coordinator who said she'd take her for me. I feel like such a failure, even though it's a dog thing and not something I did. This was destined to be the outcome at any rate, she was not a dog I was planning on keeping, so I have to tell myself that it's not my fault and maybe I'll feel better if next time I have a success.

First photos

She's here

I'm very bad because I don't have a picture yet. It's yucky outside so I didn't want to take it there, and any one I take inside is going to stink because of the flash. She's adorable. Very tiny. Java is more stocky than she is and I consider Java to be petite. I fed her and she ate; she did all her business outside. She could use a bath. I've heard her sneeze a couple of times so I don't want to bathe her while it's cold out, in case she's got kennel cough. She's curious - she broke into the living room where Java was lying in her crate. Needless to say there was barking involved on both parts.

It was really emotional seeing the transport truck and knowing that the dogs are going from bad situations into hopefully good ones. A second chance at a good life. I wish all dogs were so lucky.

One of my favorite websites is world prayers. I found this prayer and I love it:

Dear God, protect and bless all living beings.

Keep them from evil and let them sleep in peace.

reverence for life - dr. albert schweitzer - 1964

Today's the day. I'm a little nervous. The truck doesn't arrive until 2:30 or 3:00, so that gives me time. It's pouring out. It looks like dusk instead of first thing in the morning. Days like this make me want to stay in bed. Maybe I'll bring Java up for some cuddle time before Ste. Genevieve gets here. I hope Gen doesn't hate the rain as much as Java does. But knowing that she's a Boston, I'm sure that she does. I'll bring an umbrella. I keep thinking of her and what it must be like on that truck with so many other dogs, stopping here and there and some dogs get out and don't get back on. She must be scared. I wish we could communicate with dogs so that they'd understand. My plan is to keep Gen upstairs in the guest room, where it's quiet for a day or so before introducing her to Java. I'd like SG to get used to being here a little before she has the run of the house. And I don't even know how I can introduce them when it's just me here? Especially on neutral territory. I just don't know physically how it can be done if you don't want them to meet on Java's ground - how do I get them both to neutral territory without them encountering one another? It's a conundrum.

Change of Plans

Thanks to Tropical Storm Danny, no one is going to the lake this weekend, so neither am I. That way, I can go pick up Ste. Genevieve myself and not have to have another volunteer get her and keep her overnight. That way it's a little less disruptive to the dog.

I looked up Ste. Genevieve and she's the patron saint of Paris. When Attila the Hun was going to attack Paris, causing the locals to flee, Ste. Genevieve convinced them to fast and pray to try to avert the attack. It must have worked because Attila changed course and did not attack Paris. The building Le Panthéon in Paris is consecrated to her.

Ste. Genevieve

We're getting our first foster dog on Sunday. Her name is Ste. Genevieve, she's 8 or so years old and weighs around 18 lbs. Originally I wanted to wait until September to foster, but there's a truckload of dogs coming from down south and there aren't enough foster families for them all. How could I say no?

My idea is to keep somewhat of a diary about Genny (I can't call her Sainte) for her adoptive parents, with photos and tales of her exploits. I wondered if I should blog about her here or if I should create a separate blog. I settled on doing it here, because I fear letting this blog fade into oblivion if I start another one, so I'll talk about her here.

I knew I would end up taking a dog earlier than I had planned. The reason I planned on waiting is that I am going to the lake this weekend while Robert is at a blacksmithing class in Maine. I'm still going, but I will cut it short to go pick her up. Nancy, another volunteer, is picking Genny up in Nashua on Saturday and keeping her until Sunday, when I can pick her up. Another reason I had wanted to wait until September is we have plans to go to Snow Farm in September and will be boarding Java. I can either board Gen at my own expense or find someone to take her for the weekend. We'll see what happens.

August 24, 2009

Something stole my bird feeder and bent the hand-made pole it was hanging on. All I know is that the little thistle feeder is no where to be found and the nice blacksmithed pole Robert made for me is bent. It must have been something strong, or heavy, as the pole is substantial. I'm hoping it was a big fat raccoon mama who did it - they kind of have hands to carry away a feeder - rather than a bear. I think a bear would have gone for the other feeder in the backyard as well, as it is larger and full of tastier morsels. I told you that I hate nature.

Java is feeling better, although she did have a setback where we had to put her on prednisone to get the discs to calm down. She was on a full dose for a week. She's now on a 1/2 dose and I'm hearing pain sounds again, so I don't know what to do. Hopefully it'll work and her back will settle.

We applied to a Boston Terrier rescue organization to be foster parents for Bostons. We were approved and it looks like we'll be getting a foster dog pretty soon. I'm excited but also nervous. I remember how uneasy I was when we got Barney and that was all for no reason. I guess it's the unknown. Will s/he get along with Java, or with the cat, etc. I think it'll be hard to give up a dog, but if I keep it in my mind that if I adopt this one, I can't foster any more, that'll help me.

Every morning we go out to breakfast. I really should stop, but I enjoy it so much. We bring the newspaper, which Robert reads while I work on the crossword puzzle. Robert has the same thing every morning: oatmeal. I have a few favorites that I pick and choose from according to my mood. After breakfast we stop at the local farmstand and get vegetables for that night's dinner. I try to choose the produce grown on the farm (the stand sells stuff that they didn't grow as well), thanks to my friend Amy. The corn and tomatoes this time of year are fabulous. I've really been enjoying them. Today I picked up some NH-grown wild blueberries and white peaches. We'll have a yummy dessert tonight. I've been really loving that greek yogurt. It's just like regular yogurt except it's been strained so it's thicker. It has a great mouth-feel and if you add a little splenda it tastes like whipped cream. At least I tell myself it does.

August 6, 2009

I hate nature. Well, I don't hate it. I just have a hard time with it. Today while walking to the mailbox, I found a bright red feather. Ooh, a male cardinal! I thought I was so lucky. But on the way back to the house I found another and another and another. Uh oh. Then I found a downy feather like a breast feather tipped with red. It looked like the male cardinal met an unfortunate end. Indeed, tonight the female cardinal made her nightly stop at the feeder and she was most definitely alone. Usually she is with her mate, who would sometimes feed her and watch for danger while she ate at the feeder. I feel very sad for the widow cardinal tonight.

August 4, 2009

So yesterday I played around with some off-mandrel stuff on the torch and this morning I went to collect it. I made two pendants. Before I even got a chance to see one of them, I dropped it. I watched it fall, spinning in slow motion, toward the tile floor and then land, scattering pieces of it across the room. Ouch. I think it was probably beautiful before that happened. The other pendant also wound up in the trash because the loop had a little crack. I will get better at making these things and I will learn not to drop them, too.

Java is feeling better. Last night she was perky and moving around a bit more. This morning I haven't heard her snork in pain too often. She's still doing it but not all the time. The other day she did it with every movement. I'm just happy that her pain seems to be subsiding. I took her with me to Dunkin Donuts this morning. I got a coffee and she had two munchkins. She loves them.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do today. I ordered some antique keys to make some beads on. That'll be fun. You then can hang little doodads off the key and it has a bead on the shaft and looks arty and funky. Till then, I have to keep on thinking of what to make. This artist stuff is hard sometimes.

August 3, 2009

I just added up the number of posts I've made this year and right now it's under 25. That's a scant number. I've pondered before on how much detail or minutae of one's daily life does one go into for a blog to still be interesting. I figure I'm down to about three readers at this point so I can post as much junk as I want.

Java is not feeling well. She's had a relapse of her back problems and is in pain when she moves around. This we can deal with by keeping her crated so she can't move around. It's when she is in pain lying around that it gets bad. Fortunately it hasn't gotten to that point, but I'm living with the fear that it will get that bad. It's kind of stressful, having that dread, a gnawing in my stomach and waves of nausea if I've just eaten, 24 hours a day. It's getting better though. I think there's some maintenance of Java's condition and maybe a little improvement this morning. So I'm hopeful. We're still keeping her in her case as a precaution. I think her recent problems came from our having our living room rug cleaned and consequently her sliding on the newly exposed hardwood floor. Who knows? No one can say for sure. We've since moved some rugs down into the living room from other rooms so that problem is solved for now.

I may make some beads today or I may not. I came back from the Gathering a week ago and have been spending time in the studio every day but nothing is really gelling for me right now. I had a lot of compliments on my beads at the bead trading event so that was a boost. Some of my favorites were the ones to go last, though and I'm not sure if it's because they were the physically largest ones or if because they were the less-favored ones. Last year I came back and was a bead-making fool. This year I'm still struggling to find something that moves me to make more.

Here's a pendant I made inspired by a Gathering demo. It's made completely off-mandrel.

August 2, 2009

Gary loves our porch. He's not allowed to go outside so this is the closest he gets to being there. I caught him in this pose the other day and had to snap a picture. He looks so contorted but yet so comfortable at the same time. When I was on the porch, a female hummingbird stopped by my feeder, so I took her picture too. Unfortunately it's through the glass, but one of the closest shots I've ever been able to take of one.

Happy August!

Here it is, the first of August. It doesn't feel like we've had a summer yet, with June and July being so rainy and gross. This week the humidity is up, so everything feels wet, and we run the air conditioning just to remove the moisture from the air.

This summer I purchased a hammock for myself. I really enjoy being outside, and being able to look at the sky and the trees. Until I bought my hammock, there was no comfortable place to do this. Last year I tried lying on my stone bench or the granite front step - neither was good. I mulled over an adirondack chair, but felt the hammock offered multiple ways to enjoy it, where the chair would offer only one. I can lie down in the hammock in the traditional way, or I can sit in it like a chair. I prefer to sit in it like a chair and rock as I watch the nature in my yard.

The hammock:

A couple of views:


Speaking of nature, the other day I walked into the backyard through the gate in the fence. There was a bird swooping and calling and really getting upset at my presence. I had no idea why, until I looked at the fence a little closer, and found this guy. He had probably just fledged and momma bird was taking care of him by bringing him his meals to go.

I got a new phone! It's so cute. I hope I don't hate it the way I hated the last new one I got. I ended up going back to an old one until I could find a new one that I thought I would like. My requirements were: it had to have a place for a cell phone charm, it had to be a cute color and have a QWERTY keyboard for texting. I found this little blue phone and it's perfect! I made myself a new charm out of one of my spare beads.




On another note, Java is doing really well *knock wood*. We are still keeping the restrictions on her, so her back doesn't get any worse, but for now she is doing great. Today she is loving the return of the sun and celebrating it by lying in a sunbeam on the porch. The other day I caught Gary lying down next to Java, which she doesn't allow very often. I was able to snap a quick pic.

I'm so happy the sun is back out. I took out the hammock and showed Robert the joy of sitting in it and looking at the sky. Today was just perfect weather-wise, sunny, mid-70's and breezy. I could almost say that this day makes up for the last three weeks of rain. Almost.

Wow, I completely managed to not post in June. Huh! That's funny because a lot of new things have gone on. First of all, I got a tattoo! It's Java's pawprint on my inner ankle. I've always wanted a tattoo but could never think of something I'd want to have forever. I know that I want Java forever, which obviously can't happen, so I'll settle for her pawprint.

Second is that we went to another game at Fenway. We watched the Red Sox cream the Yankees 7-0. It was a great game (for a Red Sox fan) and ended up being a great series. We were on TV, being 9 rows behind home plate. I DVR'd it and I go back and watch the little section where you can see us.

Third is that we spent a fun weekend in New York City. Although it's enemy territory we had a blast. People didn't even mind us using our Red Sox credit card all over the place. We saw two shows: Waiting for Godot and Wicked. Our hotel was amazing and very welcoming. We did a little shopping and went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Saturday.

So that's a five minute recap of June. Hopefully I'll be better about blogging in July.

My sweet cute little car has a dent. Some jerk hit me while I was parked somewhere and never left a note. I have no idea when or where it happened. I'm dropping it off to the body shop tomorrow and I'll be without her for 10 days! *Sniff*

Here's a picture of my press storage all filled up. There are 112 boxes and I have all but 8 occupied. Amy needs to invent some new shapes so I can fill it up! The great thing is the boxes are built so that they will each accommodate two presses if need be. Hurry hurry Amy!


Today we planted two azaleas and one mountain laurel outside the bead cottage. We needed something out there. I think these will be very pretty.


Last week we went to Manchester (along with 8900 other people) to see John Smoltz pitch. He was doing a rehab start for the Red Sox with the Sea Dogs. They ended up beating the Fishercats, which is not surprising. Smoltz did well and I can't wait till he can start for the Sox.