The Shrew

Dan Dailey's The Shrew, on display at the Corning Museum of Glass, aptly expresses my current state of mind.

Clean Bill of Health

Walter had his annual exam today. He loves going to the vet because they give him biscuits! Look how blurry his tail is from wagging so hard. Walter got all his vaccinations, heart worm medicine refills, and a blood test for heartworm. Poor baby had two sticks for the blood test, but the results were negative. Everyone at Veterinary Care of Ithaca loves Walter because he's so happy and such a character.

Believe it or not, Walter turns eight in November. He is healthy and active, and I tell him he has to live forever. At the same time, I have to admit I was worried about this vet visit. Several years ago, I was in a vet's office in Anthem, Arizona with Walter waiting for his annual exam and vaccinations. A woman came out of an exam room with two adorable pugs. Since Walter is a pug mix, we bonded briefly over the dogs. She told me that one of the dogs was two or three; the other eight. She'd brought the dogs in for a check-up and vaccinations and was breezily on her way home.

I'm not sure what happened next, it was so quick. In my memory, the older of the two dogs yelped, a harrowing, frightful sound. I'm not sure if that really happened. The dog might not have even been in the building at the time but in the parking lot. In any case, something was terribly wrong with him. The clinic staff rushed the client and her dogs back into an exam room, but nothing could be done. The older pug died within minutes. Meanwhile, Walter and I were in the waiting room, and I could hear the sounds of the frenzied, futile effort, and the sounds of the woman sobbing. I started crying myself, just as I am now thinking of the incident. It had no sense, no reason. The vet could only say, "Sometimes these things happen." Not much solace, certainly not for her. All that's left is to love in every moment, since the next could be the last.

URGENT! Turtle Torture Event Scheduled! | peta2 Blog

Please take action to help stop a cruel and barbaric event, Snapperfest, in which turtles are swung by their tails and hit on the ground. There is no excuse for an event that is so blatantly abusive. I am in tears reading about it, and I hope the event is canceled. If not, I hope that the participants and organizers are charged with animal cruelty. This event is scheduled for Saturday, August 20. Please take the time to send a heartfelt-and polite-email to the Commissioners of Ohio County, Indiana. If you can stomach it, watch the video at the link below. If you can't, you have to ask yourself if this is something that our society should allow.

URGENT! Turtle Torture Event Scheduled! | peta2 Blog

My Review of NO ________ SIGN

Originally submitted at UncommonGoods

Here's a statement piece we can get behind! Hang or prop this fill-in-the-blank sign in an office, dorm or home to bust bad habits and deflect unwelcome articles in your personal space. A tough, elastic band holds objects in place that help finish the sentence. Drop cell phones, candy or other ...

NO ________ SIGN

Funny and Memorable Reminder

By Aimee Dars from Fingers Lakes, NY on 8/18/2011

 

4out of 5

Pros: Funny, Bright, Attractive Design, Unique

Cons: Priced too high

Best Uses: Office, Gifts

Describe Yourself: Midrange Shopper

In my classrooms, I continually battle the surreptitious texting of my students. I thought I would purchase this novelty item to take to the first day of class as a tangible reminder to put away their cell phones. I like that the sign has a durable elastic band where you can place the verboten item.

(legalese)

My Review of PAPER POTS

Originally submitted at UncommonGoods

Turn that boring box of tissues into a sculptural statement with this functional and colorful tissue holder. Modern and refreshing, the paper pot is perfect for the bathroom as a toilet paper dispenser or as a tissue dispenser in any room. Pot unscrews and has a rod in the center to set tissues on ...

PAPER POTS

Buy This Great Tissue Holder!

By Aimee Dars from Fingers Lakes, NY on 8/18/2011

 

4out of 5

Pros: Durable, Bright, Unique, Attractive Design

Best Uses: Gifts, Living Room, Office

Describe Yourself: Midrange Shopper

I received a lime green paper pot for Christmas and absolutely adore it. Tissue boxes are never very attractive, and covers are often bulky or tacky. I love the paper pot. It's like a utilitarian piece of art. I purchased a second paper pot in orange for my office at work.

I gave the paper pot 4/5 stars, not a perfect 5, because I wish the rod for the paper were more intuitive. (It's completely easy, though. You just lie the tissue on top of the rod and viola.) The main reason I gave the item 4/5 is that I wish it were in a wider range of colors, particularly purple and black.

(legalese)

Green Vegetarian

I spent all day doing information interviews, so it was quite a treat to end the day with dinner at Green Vegetarian. I'd eaten breakfast there on Sunday with Christy, and I only wish I'd had time for more trips to the restaurant. On Sunday, we each had delicious french toast which was served with a wonderfully seasoned tofu scramble. Tonight for dinner, I decided to go Tex-Mex since it was my last evening in San Antonio. The meal didn't disappoint!



I wish I could take food home with me! Here's my meal before I devoured it: enchiladas with daiya cheese, rice, and refried beans:



Because it wasn't in walking distance of the hotel, I took the #2 bus, which had a stop just a block away. In the other direction, though, the closest bus stop was half a mile, so going back, I took a cab. I always think taking public transportation when traveling is a fun adventure.

I Like the Sound of This!