Miles (and Bailey) on Monday

Miles had his first real trip to the groomer today. I take Bailey every 6 weeks and when Max was still with us he went every other time. Of course it did not do much good because invariably Jon would take him to the woods but at least he was beautiful for a day.

6 weeks ago I took Miles along for the ride when Bailey went up and it was fairly easy. I just picked the little guy up and put him in the car. Today it was a different story. He does not (underline that) like to get in or ride in the car. And he is no longer a "little guy" - After much pulling, pushing and shoving I got him in there. Bailey, of course was waiting with a look on his face as if to say " Come on - get in here. The results are below along with more of the story.


So I got him up there and had to coax him out of the car. (Actually there was more pushing, pulling and prodding) but I got him inside. I had meant to take the camera to show you the place and the other dogs that were there but I forgot it (the perils of getting older) and so no photos. He went inside and lo and behold there were three dogs there already. All of them barking and wanting my attention. I of course, gave it to them. Miles, being a boy dog was most interested in a tiny Yorkie female and his nose went right to her nether quarters. (I wonder what a Yorkie/Collie cross would look like....no matter for Christmas Jon has him scheduled to be neutered)

Jon has been working with him on sit, drop and stay but that all went right out the window. He totally ignored me in favor of the tiny dog, (She is only a year old and smaller that Bailey) It was old hat to Bailey and he knew the routine. Miles is going to require some more work but he is (underline that also) only 4 months old and I think he is doing quite nicely.

He has not had an accident in the house since about the second week...of course he is killing off some of my grass--- but no matter. He is very polite and while he does like to jump up on me and put his head over the top of my laptop he is getting better at understanding what I want. He is so very intelligent.

All of this excitement tuckered him out and after coming home and going right outside to do his business it was time for a rest.
The picture below shows that a little bit of Max's ghost may have slipped into Miles as this is typical of the way Max used to sleep in almost the same place. I think they like the cool air and the linoleum to rest on.

Jon came over this afternoon to tell me about his test and lab that he had taken and I played some fetch with Miles Then Jon and Miles played tug. There is a video that is being processed which I will add to this post in about a half an hour so feel free to come back to watch it. (Actually if I were not so cheap I could pay money and go right to the front of the line but I have more time than money so we will have to wait)

Tugs from Jay Simser on Vimeo.

Jon and Miles are in taking a nap right now. Jon is going to Utah in January with an ISU student trip. It is to Snow Canyon. He would like to take Miles with him but that isn't going to work out so Uncle Jay will get to spoil him. Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week. Hugs, j-bear

Random Thoughts for the Day:

I have been on the computer all day writing essays for the Scottish Rite Master Craftsman program so no time for blogging. enjoy the random thoughts stolen from somewhere. Thanks for stopping by.

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8 Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12 Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this -- ever.

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Damn it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

17. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

18. My 4-year old son asked me in the car the other day "Dad what would happen if you ran over a ninja?" How the hell do I respond to that?

19. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

20. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lites than Kay.

Two Brothers

Yesterday Craig and I went to Des Moines to meet with the newest member of the Iowa College, Societas Rocruciania in Civitatibus Foederatis. Bob had been unable to attend the Fall meeting and so this way we were able to take him in and welcome him as a member. He is the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Price Hall Grand Lodge of Iowa (I know that is not the official title but it is close) and as fine a Mason as I have ever met.

Then today Severn stopped by to pick up his dues receipt for Specialis Procer Lodge. He is moving
to Los Angeles (Lucky guy) and wanted to have his receipt with him so he could visit Lodge there. I will miss him. He is the first person we initiated into Specialis Procer and has become a friend as well as a Brother. I wish him Godspeed.

Two Brothers, I would never have met either of them if not for Masonry. I am grateful for both of them.

Thanks for stopping by. Hugs, j

The Blind Side

Ever since I saw the trailer for this film I have been anticipating seeing it. For one thing I love Sandra Bullock and Kanthy Bates and for another the story just grabbed me. Besides it is a true story.
Here is the synopsis

Synopsis: Drama. (from Rotten Tomatoes) "The Blind Side" depicts the remarkable true story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home, taken in by the Touhys, a well-to-do white family who help him fulfill his potential. At the same time, Oher's presence in the Touhys' lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own. Living in his new environment, the teen faces a completely different set of challenges to overcome. As a football player and student, Oher works hard and, with the help of his coaches and adopted family, becomes an All-American offensive left tackle.

Well, I was not disappointed. As far as I am concerned it is the best movie I have seen all year. There are laugh-out loud-feel-good moments, and poignant tear-your-heart-out scenes. I have always enjoyed Sandra Bullock and this is perhaps her strongest performance. I consider it award winning. She nails the part of Leigh Touhy and touches your heart. Country singer Tim McGraw plays her husband and ther children are played by Jay Head and Lilly Collins.

But the movie's main character as far as I am concerned is Michael Oher played to perfection by 6 foot 9 inch Quenton Aaron. You can learn more about all of them at the IMDB.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie even though I am not a sports fan. (It almost made me want to be one.) The main thing I liked about it was the power of compassion and education and what it can do when applied with love and caring. I whole heatedly recommend it.

Proud to be a Freemason

And grateful for the Brothers it has brought into my life.

Bob's Adventure

Bob sent me an e-mail from Antarctica this morning. He suggested that I steal some images from his blog to share. You can see more of his incredible ice-berg shots by visiting his blog. Those of you who came looking for jokes today - There will be no Found For Friday as I put up jokes the last two days. In the meantime enjoy Bob's pictures and his comments about South Georgia and what he has to go through to visit there. The pictures will not embiggen if you click on them. It is very expensive to upload photos from there so this is what you get folks. (The first one will embiggen, however)

Bob writes

It is Friday, November 27, and as I write this it is 11:05 AM for these waters, and folks in Iowa may just be getting up....or not! The island of South Georgia is at our bow as I write this, and we will be disembarking in about two hours or so for our first of many on shore adventures. Prior to doing that we had to see an informational video from the government of South Georgia, and sign a document that we had viewed it, and were aware of their strict laws regarding the environment, animals, and what we may and may not do, while there. After viewing the video we had to take down to the mudd room (the place where we get on the Zodiac rafts) all of the items we will take ashore, so they could be examined, cleaned and vacuumed out. That included my high boots, gloves, parka, and camera bag. All items in bags and pockets had to be removed so all traces of soil, food, or other items that may be there could be properly disposed of before going ashore. All that is done and I am just now crusing along as the island gets larger and larger in the wide windows of the Chart room, just below the bridge. You WILL see more photos from South Georgia, as we will be circumnavigating around the entire island, and will stay here for nearly five days as we see hundreds of thousands of King Penguins, many seals, Elephant seals, and species of Albatross. It is cloudy, windy, and the temperature is about at 32 degrees F, at the moment. More to come....

This was just a sample - more at his blog.

Thanksgiving at Aunt Jo's

I had Thanksgiving Dinner at Aunt Jo's. The food was wonderful and the company excellent.

A beautiful moist turkey

The trimmings.

Vicki's Grand-daughter, Avery.

Lauren (her mom) and Avery

Adorable

Three generations

Aunt Jo, She won't like it that I put this picture up but I deleted all the others.

Georgia came up after dinner with her family and we called Ginny (my sister) and talked to her. Hopefully next year she will be close enough to come for Thanksgiving.

The sky was beautiful when I came out to go home - much prettier than this photo shows. - And some folks have all their Christmas up already. Web Album is below. Enjoy!

Johnny and Doc - Thanksgiving

I am about to go to my Aunt's for Thanksgiving and I just found this on AmericaBlog. I had not remembered that Doc Severenson was so funny.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Science Humor

h/t 3quarksdaily

I am Thankful for Humor

May your stuffing be tasty May your turkey be plump, May your potatoes and gravy Have never a lump. May your yams be delicious And your pies take the prize, And may your Thanksgiving dinner Stay off your thighs! Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Miles Goes to the Ledges

Master Miles and Jon went to the Ledges State Park today. It is the first time that he has been over there and he had fun,
The Ledges is a beautiful area near Ames and Boone in central Iowa. It has a creek and sandstone cliffs and lots of trails. Miles is not fond of the water.
He did not like being on the spillway. He just sat there and said "Jon get back here and rescue me."
He is just 4 months old. People think he is a Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd. When he gets his full coat they won't make that mistake.

I love the angle of this picture.

Jon borrowed my camera to get these.

Jon had to rescue him here also. He got "stuck"

There is a Picasa Web Album to look at and a movie. I hope you have enjoyed them.






Miles on a Sandbar from Jay Simser on Vimeo.