Heard at the dog park

"WOW! Look at the size of those paws!"
"They are going to be HUGE!"
"You have TWO of them?!"
"You're going to have your hands full!"
"They are SOOOOO cute!"

Your Brain on Music

I just finished "reading" This Is Your Brain on Music by Daniel Levitin. I use the word reading loosely because it is a very scientific book with lots of big words and not very many illustrative stories. My attention span couldn't take it - oh, look! A chicken!

There were TWO good quotable spots in the book, however.

1. on page 132, he discusses memory retrieval and perceptual completion, or how we often "fill in the blanks" of memories with gaps. He uses the retelling of a dream and how the transitions between parts of the dream are not always clear and that we can't help but fill them in. That isn't the cool part; the example of the dream he gives is: "I was standing on the top of of a ladder outside listening to a Sibelius concert, and the sky was raining Pez candy..."

(Do I need to go on?)

2. on page 230, he discusses Raffi, Barney, and tic-tac-toe. "When music is too predictable, the outcome too certain...we find the music unchallenging and simplistic."

To illustrate: "Suppose you're hitchhiking....you may be willing to tolerate a few shortcuts, especially if the driver is friendly, believable and up-front about what he's doing. (If not), your sense of safety is sure to be violated. Some react with sheer panic ("That Stravinsky is going to kill me!") and some react with a sense of adventure...("Coltrane is doing something weird here, but what the hell, it won't hurt me to stick around awhile longer, I can take care of my harmonic self and find my way back to musical reality if I have to.")

Now THAT'S funny!

Things heard around the house today

1. No!
2. Electric cords are not a chew toy!
3. NO!
4. My shoes are not a chew toy!
5. NO!
6. Furniture is not a chew toy!
7. NO!
8. I am not a chew toy!
9. NO!
10. Good dog!

Whatever you ask for.....

If any of you out there really want something, just tell me. I'll pray for God to give it to ME, and then YOU'LL have it in no time. That's kind of the deal He and I have. Put your requests in NOW so you'll get your heart's desire by the holidays!

Who's training whom?

Guava and Queso are 9 weeks today and growing FAST. They got their shots a week ago, and they had both doubled their weight in the 2 1/2 weeks I've had them. I started crating them separately at night last week, and yesterday I separated the crates. Last night was whiny, but tonight, they are doing better. I took them both into the pool briefly today - didn't think THAT one through! It was all good until they got out and decided to roll and play in the dirt. THEN I had to give them both a bath, which involved me getting into the tub to calm them down. They were pretty mad at me afterwards, but by dinner, all was well. After dinner, I took them out to the backyard one at a time and worked on some commands. As long as they are alone and I have food in my hand, they can come, sit and lay down. We're working on "stay" next. Can't wait for you to meet them!

Training

Training 1 puppy = hard work
Training 2 puppies simultaneously = insanity

Training 1 human = piece of cake. Signed, the puppies.

The Butcher AND the Baker

In case you get bored, this might come in handy.

When push comes to shove, it's not how it looks as much as how it tastes. OK, it's a LITTLE bit about how it looks.