Hi Nora!! Tom just headed home. I'm taking a break to feed the animals and then back for Bacchus.

sj, I hope you find something wonderful soon.

Huh. I did not know David Ogden Stiers came out a couple of years ago.

Yup. It was very sweet and sad -- he said he was getting old and lonely and wanted to find a true partner for his twilight years, but he couldn't ask anyone to both be truly with him and stay quiet and closeted; just because he himself was frightened and shy enough to have kept quiet all those years, he had no right to expect the same of anyone else. So it was just time to be truthful and at peace, everywhere, with everyone, so he could be the kind of person worthy of being a true partner and spouse.

That's totes adorable.

sj, thirding walking away.

This is a buyers market. You will find something good. No point in dealing with a house where neither the agent nor the sellers are truly motivated to sell. Maybe you can mention that to your own agent. If they want to come back to you when they are feeling less like Divas you can consider it then, if you have not already found something else.

Now, if you see me rock climbing at Joshua Tree, your eyebrows might validly be raised, but seriously--think the scenarios through before you get all reactionary.

Eh, I have cheerfully parked in a handicapped accessible spot at a state park, hung up the placard, and accompanied the relevant individual on a 3 mile hike (Yeah, ok, not so much with the rock-climbing, but it wasn't all paved and flat). Of course this person wears a helmet - making it unlikely that anyone else would question the parking place. Still needs exercise, still enjoys fresh air - and by gum, benefits from having staff who know her well enough to know which days she can manage the 3 miles, but cannot manage 3 miles plus another 20 feet. Even more important, if she is going to have a seizure while out and about, I greatly prefer the results of her doing so on a dirt path than on a paved parking lot.

I will check other vehicles for tags or placards, but if they are in place, I don't question whether I see something I think justifies their presence.

The former teacher doubled down on her position on the handicapped plate and another teacher who I adored in high school just backed her position. I really should have just walked away rather than posting again, but I don't seem to be able to walk away from a fight today.

It was bittersweet taking the dog back today. His person was clearly relieved to have him back. I'm so glad he has such a great place to be...without me.

Biology trumped all my other concerns when his carpet allergy bloomed into a bright red rash and bumps. I thought the vet was grasping at straws...I've never heard of such a thing...but the Dx appears to be dead on. Just 45 minutes in my 100% carpeted home and he was itching and scratching.

Also, he was very nervous getting into my friend's car and I had to pick him up. I'd been told that he was around 50lbs. If that dog is less than 70-75, I'd be shocked. I simply could not pick him up. In fact, I think I wrenched my neck in the attempt.

For a guy with mobility problems, I just can't imagine being any sort of help.

Bartleby weighed 40 and I could 'fireman' carry him when needed.

Sigh.

Back to the 'personals.'

I'm sorry this was not the right dog for you, bonny - but I am glad that you knew it before making a decision that would make things tougher. Lots of warm thoughts from me, and purrs from Harvey, who just now jumped up onto my forearms and started his motor going.

Thanks, Hon. The friend who drove us out to meet his 'mom' kept saying, "He's so sweet, are you suuuuuure?"

Supportive in a not so much sort of way...but still heroic for trekking a half hour in each direction.

He really is sweet. An actual lapdog, which Bartleby never was...but at his bruiser weight, the lap sitting wasn't so much fun.

Thank Harvey for the validation. It's nice to hear from the kitty caucus.

I'm feeling horribly homesick, missing Tom and parades and Mardi Gras and New Orleans. But I also have a representative from the Kitty caucus, my parents' elderly cat Beeblebrox. I actually adopted him and his brother Arthur in the summer of 1995, after graduating college. I had to foist them off on my folks when my living situation changed, but it worked out ok- they love the life of the non-urban outdoor Kitty. Arthur passed away a few years ago, but Beeblebrox has mellowed into a total love.