Miss Posh

A quick update of the queen bee. She is now an agility dog! Every Tuesday she and I go to “dog school” and it’s a blast!

Here are some pics of the princess.

 

If I Had Cable

I would waste more of my time on shit like this-

I “heart” the internet.

 

Spring Resolutions

I’ve been spending a lot of time farting around.

Time to get down to the nitty gritty.

I resolve to:

write more

have sex much much more

kiss my kids a million times a day

read more

surf less

stop obsessing on the Havanese web forum

say no more

go see at least one local theater production

sing everyday

spend less

pray

try and make “to do lists”

try and get there “on time”

go on one trip somewhere new with my family

go camping

floss

give myself a break

don’t take everything personally

figure out how to use money vs. need money

love life

spend more time with nature

spend more time in the city

be uncomfortable

be comforted

write real letters to my friends

Hell, the list goes on.  To Spring and the new growth it brings. Sat Nam.

 

I Can and Will, Will You?

As an American woman I will vote in today’s primary caucus election. Honestly, I have friends on both side of the political divide, and although they disagree with me and I with them, I feel encouraged by the dialog among us women.

Mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters like us alienated themselves from others and intentionally put themselves in harm’s way to obtain the right to vote. I don’t know if I’ve ever made that kind of sacrifice for the “greater good.”

I will do the honorable and dutiful thing tonight and vote.

Will you?

I was inspired as a wannabe filmmaker by this video. Yes, it’s a lot of beautiful people, a bit like a cool Gap ad or Apple campaign. Meanwhile, it’s savvy. Consequently, I’ll take out the cynacism and get to the point.

Vote ladies, vote.

God bless America where we can come together as a people and speak our minds and opinions.

Oh yes we can….

 

Cafe Maude and Other “Cool” Things

I finally went to the mecca of South Minneapolis cool, Cafe Maude, albeit for breakfast.

I had been to the Best New Bands of Minnesota 2007 event at First Avenue the night before with two of my best-est friends, Kambria and Conley (Jo).

Kambria and I had an omelet each.  It came with a little pool of Harissa, and that’s it.  No toast.  No parsley.  No orange slice.

I don’t care how cool a place is, for $8.50 you think you might get some toast or garnish.

The service was zealous, the ambiance Edina-esque, the food tasty, and yet all we could think when they brought us our food was, “I’m going to have to go buy a bagel at Dunn Brothers after this, because I’m damn hungry.”

I must say they were ingenious with the bill arrival.  It came in an old book binding, complete with “library checkout envelope”where you stuck your credit card.  A few people had written “notes” to their server.  One noted that they felt like they were in New York.

Oh

Come

On

People

It’s thirty below zero, do I sound like a cold bitch?

I started this post thinking I would list “cool” things and now I’ve drunk too much wine, so instead, I’m going to bed.

Say la vie.

Life.

 

Grammar, Year of the Rat, and Otto

So my little brother called me last night and told me my grammar was not so good on this blog.Since, I’m basically using this as an outlet for some of my madness, I’m not surprised.  Thank God for spell check and red underlining. “Thank you God…”However, I went through my last few posts, and I have to say it wasn’t as bad as the fly boy made it seem.  Ahem…Again, I have shirked my blogging responsibilities and have tried my best at tending to my job, children, dog, my mom’s dog which we are currently caring for, my husband, and the ever mounting laundry.  Also, I’m finishing Jon Katz’s book, A Good Dog, and I barely get time for that.  Now may you all imagine me on the loo, book in hand, tears streaming down my face.  The crazy thing about the internet is I might have just turned some weirdo on right now by talking about me sitting on the crapper.Scary.In February the Chinese New Year will begin.  2008 is the year of the rat.  Doesn’t sound too good, I know….I got this from good old Wikapedia.

Being the first sign of the Chinese zodiacs, rats are leaders, pioneers and conquerors. They are charming, passionate, charismatic, practical and hardworking. Rat people are endowed with great leadership skills and are the most highly organized, meticulous, and systematic of the twelve signs. Intelligent and cunning at the same time, rats are highly ambitious and strong-willed people who are keen and unapologetic promoters of their own agendas, which often include money and power. They are energetic and versatile and can usually find their way around obstacles, and adapt to various environments easily. A rat’s natural charm and sharp demeanor make it an appealing friend for almost anyone, but rats are usually highly exclusive and selective when choosing friends and so often have only a few very close friends whom they trust.Behind the smiles and charm, rats can be terribly obstinate and controlling, insisting on having things their way no matter what the cost. These people tend to have immense control of their emotions, which they may use as a tool to manipulate and exploit others, both emotionally and mentally. Rats are masters of mind games and can be very dangerous, calculative and downright cruel if the need arises. Quick-tempered and aggressive, they will not think twice about exacting revenge on those that hurt them in any way. Rats need to learn to relax sometimes, as they can be quite obsessed with detail, intolerant and strict, demanding order, obedience, and perfection.Rats consider others before themselves, at least sometimes, and to avoid forcing their ideas onto others. Rats are fair in their dealings and expect the same from others in return, and can be deeply affronted if they feel they have been deceived or that their trust has been abused. Sometimes they set their targets too high, whether in relation to their friends or in their career. But as the years pass, they will become more idealistic and tolerant. If they can develop their sense of self and realize it leaves room for others in their life as well, Rats can find true happiness.According to tradition, Rats often carry heavy karma and at some point in life may face an identity crisis or some kind of feeling of guilt. Rats are said to often have to work very long and hard for everything they may earn or have in life. However, a Rat born during the day is said to have things a bit easier than those who are born at night. Traditionally, Rats born during the night may face extreme hardships and suffering throughout life. Rats in general should guard themselves against hedonism, as it may lead to self-destruction. Gambling, alcohol and drugs tend to be great temptations to Rat natives.Traditionally, Rats should avoid Horses, but they can usually find their best friends and love interests in Monkeys, Dragons, and Oxen.Professions include espionage, psychiatry, psychology, writing, politics, law, engineering, accounting, detective work, acting, and pathology.

Espionage?  Cool.Well, we’re in a new year anyway, and a lot has happened in the last twelve plus months.Our family lost two members of the canine variety, our beloved border collie Beauty and her partner in crime great dane Otto.  We put Otto down two weeks ago, and at the time I just couldn’t write about it.  I wanted to write something poetic about how I would capture his footprints in the snow after he had gone.  I remembered taking plaster of Paris and putting it deer prints, raccoon prints, with my dad as a child to make something fragile permanent.  I wanted to at least take a picture of those prints.It snowed the next day, covering the past, reminding us how fragile our existence is.  Like footprints in the snow or sand, washed away by the surf or snow.We’ve lost two dear friends and have found two new.  My mom adopted a mutant Shetland sheepdog in June (I say mutant because she’s nearly thirty pounds and looks like a shrunken collie) and we became the proud Mama and the Papa of our lovely Cuban girl, Posh.  She has delighted us in ways we never knew before.  Imagine big dog people becoming toy dog people.  For all you anti-”shit kicking dog” people out there, you don’t know what you’re missing.Well, this entry is up to nine hundred and seventeen, now nineteen now twenty one two three four six words, okay nine hundred and thirty three.I quit.

 

The Sound of Music is Everywhere

Last week Violet and I were listening to NPR’s This American Life when the “Lonely Goatherd” song from Sound of Music came on. Violet wanted me to “play it again.” I had to explain to her that this was the radio, not a CD, and I couldn’t just put it “on repeat.”

I told Vee I would buy the song from iTunes once we got home and she could play it over and over again if she wanted to. This got me thinking, that if she liked the song so much, she would probably like the entire musical. When we arrived at home I visited my local library via the fabulous internet, and requested a DVD of Sound of Music be delivered to the local branch. We watched the movie as a family on Saturday night. Violet loved it, and I sang along to every song. I haven’t had so much fun with this musical since I played the youngest VonTrapp singer, Gretl.

Since Saturday, this musical has come up several times. A friend of mine filled out one of those lovely procrastination tools, a survey/bulletin on MySpace and shared that her daughter was watching Sound of Music in the next room, singing the songs, of course. Meanwhile, tonight on the premier show of the new season of Medium, my “I can’t believe I admit to watching this cheesy show but I love it,” the oldest daughter, Ariel was auditioning for the role of Maria!

Kind of strange….

Consequently, we’ve all been singing:

How do you solve a problem like Maria…

 

Sweet Ahem O

Whilst visiting my brother Andrew and his wife Sharon in Arizona, I was introduced to a delightful place called Sweet O owned by husband and wife team Pierrick & Jeanette Dubreil

It’s a beautiful cafe which specializes in wine, chocolate, and cheese. Hello?! Cue the music.

When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad. I simply remember my favorite things (wine, chocolate, and cheese), and than I don’t feel so bad.

Thanks for the advice Frauline Maria.

Sharon is working as a server at Sweet O, and has been raving about her job and employers since she started. She suggested we share the “Cheese-O,” a trio of delightful cheeses, non of the names which I can now remember. It was yummy, and went perfectly with my wine flight, Jet’s Red Eye, a trio of the owner Jeanette, aka “Jet’s,” favorite reds. Each wine was unique, the last glass had such a flowery bouquet. Of course, I don’t remember what any of the names of the wine I tried are. I will be sure to have Sharon let me know, and maybe I can “edit” this post and sound less like a lush, and more like a wine connoisseur.  EDIT: These are the wines I tried in my Jet’s Red Eye Flight:  Prinsi Barbera D’Alba -Italy,  Foris Merlot- Oregon, Veriason Cabernet Franc -Napa Valley.

This chocolate and wine lounge is situated in a new conceptual city center trying not to look like an outdoor mall, called Westgate City Center in Glendale Arizona. It’s a pretty cool place, with the “downtown” idea of working, living, and playing in the same area. However, it still exudes the smell of big corporation chain store vs. unique charming downtown independent business.

Sweet O is a little guy independent swimming in a pond with big corporate chain sharks. FYI, the very nice couple who own the biz have already been approached about becoming a franchise. They have declined offers so far. Meanwhile, even though I’d like to see them stay owner managed, I can’t say I wouldn’t like to see a Sweet O in Minnesota.

By the way, Sweet O comes from single Origin, as in chocolate and grapes. So get your mind out of your pants will you?!

 

Humilation in the Knitty-est Form

How could I resist knitting a dog sweater for Posh? She didn’t put up a fuss when I slipped it over her head. But the look on her face tells me how she really feels.

Although, it did seem to serve a purpose as she seemed to have more fun in the snow since the last time I took her out “au natural.” I’ve also inherited a cute little pink waterproof “vest” that seems a bit more practical than this sweater. It was a peach to knit this. I think I’ll do another one soon, and perhaps incorporate a little Cuban something…

I used up some scraps I had sitting in my stash bucket that Violet liked. I think it turned out “spicy.” Here are some more photos of little Miss Spice Girl Posh.

 

Snow Day

Today was one of those Winter days where the snow blankets the ground and tucks one in the silence only fresh snowflakes bring.

We all overslept.

I awoke in Violet’s bed, Sage pleasantly snoring above Violet and me in his lofted bed, the alarm clock near my and Adam’s bed crowing. Adam had fallen asleep at the computer wheel last night, and woke up on the couch in the wonderful “oh shit! I’ve overslept” mode that no one wants to find themselves in.

He wouldn’t be driving Sage to school today. I looked outside at the steady falling snow, and thought, “Neither am I.”

When I was six months pregnant with Violet I was in a bad car accident about a mile from our house. On my way to a prenatal appointment, feeling secure in my four wheel drive car, I headed down the snowy county road to town. Going only about 35 miles per hour, I was “sucked” down into the ditch and hit an extremely large oak tree head on. The airbag went off, my car was totaled and I have since suffered “panic attacks” driving in the snow. Not good when you live in Minnesota. Meanwhile, I have a love/hate relationship with that white precipitation. I love watching it fall whist listening to Rufus Wainwright and baking cookies, sipping spiked egg-nog, and playing board games with the kids. I love walking in the woods near our house on a fresh snow day, enveloping myself in the quiet and reflecting on what is really valuable in my life. I love a white Christmas. I love how the snow masks all the shit I neglected to clean up in the yard. But, I hate hate hate driving in ANY kind of snow.

I’m a big wimp.

I have too many people in my life that need me to take risks when it comes to safety, and so today, Sage and Violet stayed home with Mom. A little bit of an impromptu “snow day.”

It was lovely. One of those days that I think will have a lasting impression on Sage, and yet I can’t fast forward to know what he’ll really value from his childhood. However, I remember days when my parents took me out of my normal schedule and took me to “the big city” to see a play, or go to a museum and those moments are cherished treasures.

Sage started his snow day by playing outside for over an hour. I decided that television would not be an option until the school day had finished. So, I asked him if he would like to learn to knit today. A few weeks ago he had asked me, and of course this warmed my heart. Sage is a fast learner. He decided he didn’t want to learn by making squares, or a scarf, and that what he really was interested in was making a hat. Since I learned to knit “in the round” making a hat as my very first project whilst studying in Scotland for a semester, I thought it would make sense that he learn this way too. We looked through my stash and he picked out some lovely purple wool Grandma Jayne brought back from Canada. It’s a nice 4 ply worsted weight yarn that won’t fray while he learns, is soft on his hands, and he it’s not too dark so he can see what he’s doing. He is a natural. Honestly, I can’t believe how easily he has picked this up and it’s wonderful to see him quiet and still and focused. Tonight he was knitting while watching a movie, knitting while listening to bedtime stories, and he asked me if he could knit in the car on the way to school. The apple sure doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Violet cracks me up. The temperature has hovered around the teens for the last couple of days, and we never keep our thermostat over 64 degrees, and yet she is running around in summer dresses and bikinis. She is my little furnace. I’ve started putting some Christmas decorations up, and the stockings have been “hung with care in hopes of St. Nick…” Violet is always looking for new “accessories” and is a big fan of knee high socks.

Posh’s potty training reminds me of my old days as a smoker, taking seven minute breaks every two hours or so. During those cigarette breaks ideas mingled with smoke rings. Now, I still find my thoughts wondering as I follow Posh looking for yellow snow and poopy piles. Meanwhile, I’m taken back to the days I would freeze my ass off just for one more drag. Sometimes I yearn for that “heat grate” outside the St. Olaf student center. It would be nice to sit down and wait for her to do “her business.” Last week I brought a beer to have with my “cigarette.”

She’s way cuter than a cigarette, smells better, and is good for my health, so I’ll put up with the cold and watch her “go potty” until she gets it down. Lately, she only has poopy accidents, and honestly after having a great dane, picking up turd the size of Lincoln Log really isn’t a big deal.

On Saturday we were able to have a brief, but lovely visit with my good friend Pam, her almost 4 year old son Emmett, and Pam’s amazing mother Debbie. Pam’s visits are always too short. Adam states my feelings exactly every time we say goodbye, “It’s a shame you live so far away from each other.”

Pam is my favorite person to knit for. I was dying to give her a sweater I had knit for her from a 1962 issue of Vogue Knitting. I think I started knitting this for her last March. Everyone who saw the color and the pattern looked at me cross-ways. No one trusted that it would work out, but I had faith and I think that the color x the pattern = modern meets vintage.

I’m not so good at finishing my projects, hello common knitting problem, and so the pockets weren’t totally done, but Pam’s mom is a retired Home Economics teacher and she said she’d sew them for me. Yay!

I had to have Adam snap a picture of the two of us together.

Emmett also modeled the sweater I knit him for his third birthday. He looked damn adorable, as you can see below. For both sweaters I used my favorite Merino wool from Uraguay, Malibrigo.

I haven’t been knitting lately, even Adam has noticed my lack of yarn…I’ve been reading! Imagine that?! I just finished Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal Dreams. I absolutely loved it!!! Now, because I’m kind of dog obsessed I’m reading John Katz’s Good Dog.

I think I may have to try and knit while I read, Posh needs a sweater. ‘Cause baby, it’s cold outside.