#104-LUKE (A TWEAK TO REMEMBER)

Several years (early 90s) ago I adopted a year old German Shepherd named Duke from the local shelter.  I immediately renamed him Luke.  Originally I went to the pound to see if I could fine some big, mean, ugly, cats to keep the rats down in my son’s horse barn.  But, when I saw this sad and depressed dog I immediately clutched my heart.  I asked the lady, “What’s the story on this dog?”  She told me how his drug-dealing owner had hung himself in the local jail,  making this pure-bread animal an orphan.

With heightened anticipation I asked to take the dog for a walk.  When the he and I approached a bench I said, “Lets sit for a while.”  Before I could get the for a while part out of my mouth he plopped his behind down onto the ground and looked up at me.  My eyebrows jumped up a notch and my mind started to race (well it always races, and this time it raced off in a different direction).  We walked a little further and I told him to sit again, he did.

He also walked nicely by my side, laid down on cue, stayed on cue and came on cue.  I WAS ECSTATIC.  Cats completely forgotten I left the shelter with my new dog on a rope.  Rats be darned.  I had myself a brand new BFF!

Three weeks later he still hadn’t perked up so I took him to my vet.  The poor guy had heart-worms.  Several treatments and $$$$$ later, Luke was hale and hardy.  However, the process of nurturing him through the poisoning they had to do to cure him, caused Luke to become my shadow and protector.

At first he had anxiety separation problems so I took him everywhere I went (even to church).  One day, during Sunday school, I look over to see him standing in the isle by my pew.  When one of the churchgoers walked in Luke started to walk in too.  When the guy blocked his way Luke let out a low rumble in his throat, which caused the guy to step aside.  I took Luke back out to the car and rolled the windows up a little more. 

As the days and months went on I became aware of his protective nature and watched him closely.  However, as long as no one got rowdy or approached me in a surprising way, Luke was a lamb.

Well, that next year I sustained a spiral fracture of the right tibia. I was in a PLASTER cast from my foot to my thigh.  This in itself is a story but I want to tell you about how my dog Luke protected me during this time. 

There was an old man who lived down the street who occasionally brought me vegetables from his garden.  The only problem was that he wanted to be rewarded with a hug.  Which in itself is not a problem, IT WAS HIS HANDS!  

One day the old man came to my door.  I was still in a wheelchair and my shadow was by my side.  The old man expressed his sympathy, gave me some vegetables and reached past the threshold to collect his hug.  Luke was calmly standing on my left side and just as calmly took matter into his own hands (or should I say jaws).  In the quickest, slickest move I have ever seen, my dog had grabbed the crotch (and its contents) of this man’s pants.

Luke didn’t bite, he didn’t growl, he just did a little “tweak, tweak” and let the man go.  The old man froze and said, “Ahhhh, did you see that?”  I immediately replied, “Yes, are you OK?”  He rubbed the area, told me he was fine, and left.  Between giggles, I congratulated Luke for the delicate way he handled the situation.  I never saw that old man again!

I considered several other titles, but since this is a "G" rated blog I had to ignore the ideas.  HOWEVER, YOU COULD MAKE SUGGESTIONS IN YOUR COMMENTS!

kt2011  

#103-VERBAL GIFTS?

 

My Uncle David used to accuse me of having verbal diarrhea.   However accurate it may be, it is not something one can put on a resume, smile and point to.  Uncle David has suggested taping my mouth shut several times over the years.

If I wanted to be sure my students or children did what I asked I simply said, “ Do you want to...bla… bla,…bla…or get a lecture from me?” They ALWAYS chose what ever it was I wanted them to do.  They hated my LONG lectures.

I don’t know if it is a gift or a burden but it is who I am.   I wasn’t on the debate team because that caused serious research and mental acuity.  No, I was in DRAMA club and I guess that is why my life is ALWAYS filled with DRAMA. 

Having a voice that can carry to the back of an auditorium is another one of my verbal gifts.  I can thank my college drama teacher for that.  “Prooooject, Karen, Prooooject!” was what he would continually shout.  I was in a couple of plays, liked it, but couldn’t pick up my cues.  I would get so involved with what was going on around me (darned ole ADHD again see blog #29) that I would usually be startled into my line by a kick, pinch, or shove.  Therefore, I was always in comedies where the prompts of cast members usually drew  laughs.   

It is here that I learned I liked to laugh and liked making people laugh.  That launched me into a life time of telling my "little tales" to my friends and family. And, here I am today telling these stories to you.  

kt2010

#101-SUNDAY'S SONG (Matthew West - My Own Little World)

IT IS SO EASY TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY.  WE ALL DO IT EVERY DAY!

Matthew West expresses how we neglect the needs of our brothers and sisters.  How we should choose, TODAY, to do one thing to make a difference in someone's life.
Even if it is only a $5.00 McDonalds card, a Walmart card or a can goods donation to a shelter... ... ...
This will bring a blessing to all involved.  kt 2011

#100-NEW YEARS RESOLUTION

THIS PARTICULAR CLIP REALLY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, OR DOES IT?    IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WE ALL NEED TO MAKE A NEW YEARS REOLUTION TO WORK HARD TO BE AS HAPPY AND ENERGENIC AS THESE TWO!.

WATCH THE WHOLE THING.  THEY HAVE SOME FANCY FOOTWORK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CLIP.    kt2010

#98-THURSDAY'S PICK (jhitomi) to #68 (Whoopie)

I love reading people's comments.  Therefore, I have decided to pick a comment each Thursday to post.  Of course this will fall FLAT if you guys aren't making comments!  This is no longer an issue.  In fact, I have so many wonderful comments to choose from that I am having a hard time keeping up.  THANK YOU!  ALL OF YOU!

TODAY'S PICK:  To #68 jatomi said...I think this is my favorite posting of yours so far! It's so funny, well written, and honest! But I say, never give up on future whoopee! We knew an 80 something year old widower gentleman...my husband taught him how to use a computer and do email. He got on classmates.com and looked up an old grade school friend, a widow now, and they ended up getting married and he moved to Florida to be with her! See, you're still a kid compared to him!

Thanks, Julie.  Yes, I can see it all now:  

Hey, kt, where are you sweetie?
I'm feeling frisky!

  

I'm a commin', I'm a commin'!    
keep your britches on! (or not!)

kt2011

#97-RUNAWAY RUG aka CAVORTING CARPET

I HAVE A TRAVELING RUG AND IT IS MOVING SLOWLY TO THE EAST.

Psst, don't tell her, but
she doesn't have a clue.
One of these nights I'm
going to hover over her
bed and scare the $#@!
out of her!

One might say that most of the foot traffic is probably from the west to east through my bedroom.  This is definitely a good theory since the rug is usually at the foot of my bed.  I can travel from the kitchen, through the half bath, east through my room, and on into the hall which offers me a number of choices of rooms.  However, the reverse is also just as true. So, the foot traffic should move the rug both ways (brilliant deduction, so say I).  "So say I"?????where the heck did that come from?


Being curious, I performed my first experiment.  I moved the rug to the side of my bed where there was very little foot traffic.  The darned thing kept slowly migrating east.


There are a number of possibilities, I guess, but several weird ones just popped into my head.

One:  My house is situated on top of some kind of vortex or magnetic fei.  Nawh, if that were true all my rugs would migrate.

Two:  The rug IS wool.  Is it possible it was made in the Middle East and is trying to get home?  Nope, can't be (well, I don't think that is the case).  It could be a flying carpet that has lost its"oomph." Maybe it is a recycled Muslim prayer rug!

Three:  The "P" (poltergeists) from the C.R.A.P (Computer Related Attack by Poltergeist - see blog articles #48 and #58) on my computer have escaped and are hiding in my rug.  A definite possibility.  Be right back... ... ok, I put a crucifix in the middle of the rug, just in case.


Four:  The coriolis effect (see definition below) is moving it that way.  Uh-Uh... if that were the case then more rugs and smaller objects would be moving east too...wait...gotta check and see if anything has moved on my dresser (it will be easy to see because of all the acumulated dust)...  Nada...no tracks!

         Co·ri·o·lis effect    (kôr-ls, kr-) KEY 

         NOUN:The observed effect of the Coriolis force, especially the deflection 

         of an object moving above the earth, rightward in the northern 
         hemisphere and leftward in the southern hemisphere.  You know, it's the reason 
                  that the water in our toilet bowls swirls to the right when we flush.
I PUT THIS PIECE OF INFORMATION HERE BECAUSE I READ SOMEWHERE THAT BOLGS SHOULD BE INFORMATIVE.  SO...THERE YOU GO!  YOU ARE INFORMED!

Five:  Those danged ants have somehow gotten into that rug and are slowly trying to sneak it out of the house (see blog article #92)!  Wait...I'll be right back...gotta check.  PHOOEY!  No ants there, but to be sure I STOMPED the heck out of the rug anyway (carefully avoiding the crucifix).


Six:  Oh, mannnnnn!  Maybe I have bed bugs and they prefer my rug!  Wouldn't blame them if they did as I am a restless sleeper and probably keep them awake.  Ok...that thought got me itching...gotta go strip the bed...gotta put the rug in the sun on the front porch...gotta find the crucifix that fell of the rug when I picked it up...gotta take a shower.


THE NEXT DAY:  Found the crucifix under the bed.  Oh, mannnnn, I just thought of another one! Seven:   Could it be that  something has been hiding under my bed!  YIKES!


Ok, calm down.  I guess I need to do some more thinking on the situation to see if I can figure out why this is happening.  Maybe I should run some other experiments.  It might be useful to see how fast it is traveling.  Also, I might find a clue by Googling those desert rocks that mysteriously travel.  Or, perhaps I could just let it wander (instead of pulling it back) and see where it is headed. Maybe I could put a leash or teather on it.  Or, perhaps nail it to the floor... ...


This is getting too weird.  Guess I will tackle this mystery another day.  It will be ok until I wake up some morning and find it leaning agaist the wall or hovering above my bed.  


OH-OH thought of another one.  Eight:  ALIENS!!!!!!!

kt2011

#96-A SHORT(S) STORY

This IS me after I fixed
my shorts.  REALLY!
(Eat your heart out!)

Sometimes I feel like a real idiot!  Like one morning this last fall it took me longer than usual to get dressd.  Why, you ask? (And even if you don't ask I'm going to tell you anyway!)


I had lots of things to do outside and I was in a hurry to get them done before the day got too hot.  I bounded out of bed, stubbed my toe on the bed leg, mumbled a curse of some sort, threw on my undies, shirt and shorts (Ahhhh, sorry, this is how my mind works...need to take a slight detour).


Why would they be called shorts?  I mean I am only putting on one pair not two therefore it should be short not shorts!  Explain this to me.


Back to my story.  So I yanked my shorts short on (over my throbbing toe) grumbled a little (actually a lot) and then tried to zip them up.  No, I am not going to say they were too small (shame on you for thinking that).  The problem was I couldn't find the little tab "thingy" to pull the zipper up.  I fussed and fumed; poked and prodded to no avail.  


Stimied, and thinking it must have broken off, I slowly strolled (with unzipped shorts clinging to my ample bottom) into the kitchen pondering the problem.  That is when I passed the wall mirror and noticed that I had something sticking out from my shorts short.  Yep, you got it.  It was a pocket! I had the darned thing on wrong side out!  When I realized what I had done I really felt like a dunce!  


Now, if this had been the first time I've done something like this I wouldn't worry about myself.  But I have been known to wear shirts and/or slacks, shirts and/or blouces wrong side out, to work,  But, to be honest about it I have often had to get dressed in the dark (since I usually had to leave for work very early).  This also facilitated the wearing of hidious color combinations, different colored sox and in one case different colored (but similar style) shoes.


My coworkers took it all in stride because it gave them someone to make fun of for a day.  I didn't mind because I do this kind of stuff even when I don't get dressed when it's dark (like my shorts short, for example.  


Ok, Ok, short doesn't work but I am not going to the trouble of changing them all back!  Get over it!

kt 1/11/2011

#95-THE DAY AFTER "FLU?"

I was reading one of my favorite blogs (grinandbaerit.blogspot.com) and an event in my life just popped into my head.   I quickly switched over to a draft page on my blog and got the basics written down.  It took me weeks to get the feet to go with this piece.  Thanks for the memory, Nicki.

As I was crawling down what seemed to me was a very long hall I had doubt that I would be able to make it.  The room appeared to be spinning.  Then two little feet come into view.


Although it caused me great pain, I gradually raised my chin and followed the legs up to the body and head that were attached to those small feet.  They belonged to my young son, Gene.  His six-year-old face looked concerned, his brow was wrinkled.  

He got down on all fours, too, and said, "Mommy, are your sick?"

I moaned, "Mommy, has the flu" (which of course was a lie).

Slowly, I crawled into the bathroom and promptly released the gallon or so of Margaritas churning in my stomach.  My wonderful son held my long hair back and uttered the words of reassurance that I used with my children under similar circumstances.

I felt SOOOOOO very guilty and VOWED that day never to drink Margaritas again.  My son is 47 now and I doubt he remembers his mother's flu.  Although, I am sure he has had experience with that particular flu.

Bowling night was never the same after that.   I did modify my vow to never drink more than two Margaritas.   I am sure the manager of the bowling alley was appreciative.  When having only two Margaritas I thew less air balls than usual. 

kt2011

#94-SUNDAY'S SONG (There Will be a Day - Jeremy Camp)

I REALLY LIKE THIS GUY!  kt 2011

#93-SLOVENIA

OK, SLOVENIA!  WHAT'S THE DEAL?  I NOTICE YOU VIEW FREQUENTLY BUT, HOW COME YOU DON'T COMMENT ON MY POSTS?  I AM DEFINITELY INTERESTED IN HEARING FROM YOU.  


IF THE REST OF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT ABOUT SLOVENIA READ ON... ... ...

As of a few months ago I had never heard of Slovenia.  I just read that are celebrating their 20^th year of independence, this year.  So for those of you who have NO IDEA where or what Slovenia is I have gleaned a little information from the internet (http://www.slovenia.info/):

"Slovenia lies in the heart of Europe, where the Alps meet the Mediterranean and the Pannonian Plain meets the Karst. This small green country measures 20,273 km2 in area, and is home to sincere, hospitable people of great diligence. It has an exceptional number of top athletes, and a wealth of cultural creativity. In Slovenia it is not difficult to compare the value of goods and services, as they are priced in one of the world’s major currencies, the euro.

Slovenia has a population of two million, of whom the vast majority are ethnic Slovenes. People hailing from the other former Yugoslav republics make up a significant minority, albeit less than 10% of the total population. The Italian and Hungarian ethnic communities have protected minority status, despite their small size.

The majority of people live in towns and cities, but a significant number live in the countryside. Agriculture accounts for only a small proportion of the workforce, while the majority work in services and manufacturing. 

 

Slovenes are renowned as a diligent, hard-working nation, part of the reason that Slovenia is the wealthiest of the new EU members. They constantly aim to prove themselves and to progress. Their toil and persistence has allowed many Slovenes to achieve at the global level. A very good example is the country’s athletes, particularly those involved in extreme sports, from mountaineering and extreme skiing to ultramarathon biking and swimming exploits.

Slovenes are also very thorough in learning foreign languages to make themselves understood. Even primary school students can speak foreign languages. The majority of people can speak good English, while most have a good grasp of German. A large share of the population can communicate in the languages of the old Yugoslavia, while there are many fluent Italian speakers in the areas bordering Italy."

There are 15 natural spas (thermal springs), more churches per capita than any other European city and 80 ski areas.  It is the 3rd most forested country in Europe, 1% is covered in vineyards, 100 castles still stand, and it is one of the richest countries in Europe in terms of water.  There are 10,000 kilometers of marked hiking trails, 9,000 karst caves and the oldest grapevine in the world.  Also, my beloved, Lipizzaner horses have been bread there for 430 years.  There are over 3,000 churches and numerous chapels dedicated to saints.  They even have a 900 year old monastery.
And, I just recently learned they have their own BIG BROTHER show on television.
WOW WHAT A COUNTRY!
kt2011

#91-THURSDAY'S PICK (Patty) to #19 (Finaly Had a Comeback)

I love reading your comments.  Therefore I have decided to pick a comment once a week and post it.  Of course this will fall FLAT if you guys aren't making comments!

Here is today's pick:  To  #19 Patty (my daughter) said..."Love it. I've done something like this before when I lived in Dallas. Here we go...

Well, I was running late and needed to pick up something at the grocery store. Of course, it was packed, hot as hell out side and I couldn't find a parking spot. So, being a 20-something year old  I saw the handicapped spots. I was nervous to do this, but I was late! So as I got out of my car and rounded the back of it, some lady starts yelling at me that I don't have a handicap sticker and that I don't look handicapped.

So, when my mouth opened I started talking like a deaf person and said, in a very muffled voice, "I'm sorry, I'm deaf and couldn't read your lips. Can you please stand in front of me and repeat what you said?"

Needless to say she was speechless and just walked off.  So, I ran quickly into the store, got what I needed and got the heck out of there.

Lesson learned...don't park in the handicapped section unless you're really quick with comebacks."

THAT'S MY GIRL!  AS HER HUSBAND WOULD SAY, "APPLE-TREE!"  (as in the apple doesn't fall far from the tree).
kt2011

#90-FROM THE FRING PAN INTO THE FIRE

From the Frying Pan Into the Fire….

NO, MY FRYING PAN WAS THE FIRE!

         

         In in blog #29 I told you about my ADHD and the roll it plays in my goofy life.  So, my children were (and still are) used to my “weirdness” and mostly took (and still take) it in stride.  At one time in my life I used to burn up at least one frying pan a month.  


One day, while I was cooking dinner the phone rang. 

         
          My young daughter (about 5^th grade) answered it and, matter of fact type voice said, “Mother can’t come to the phone right now.  She's busy burning dinner.”

          She listened for a minute and then said, “Hey, Mom, come talk to Carol.  I’ll burn dinner for you.”

          When I put the receiver to my ear all I could hear was hysterical laughter coming from my best friend, Carol.


(FYI: another fire related blog is #32 and several future blogs.   :) 

 kt 2011

#89-HEY OUT THERE....WRITE ME!

I NOTICED THAT I HAVE READERS IN PLACES OTHER THAN THE USA

(Argentina, Canada, China, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia,  South Korea (this is probably my granddaughter Kallie who is in the Air Force), and the U. K.)

I sure would like to know how you found me and what you think about my BLOG.  What would you like me to write about?  Are you from the USA? Are you reading in English or translating the blog?  

Please leave me a comment.  I TRULY WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!


I live in the state of Missouri.  I know it is a little blury but this is the best I could find.

.

Now if you would look at the lower left hand corner, count up three counties.  I am in the yellow one right on the border.  My house is only a millimeter to the right of the border line.  My house is yellow too (squint and you should be able to see me sitting at my computer).
kt2011

#88-HEY ELMER, WHO'S THE NUT WITH THE LIGHT?

FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU GUYS FOR MAKING 2010 A GREAT YEAR.  I HAVE DELIGHTED IN WRITING THIS BLOG.  IT IS THE BEST THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME IN A WHILE.  THIS GETS ME UP IN THE MORNING AND FILLS IN THE BORING DAYS I HAVE HAD IN THE PAST (taking care of my 99 year old father 24/7).  AND, WHEN TV IS LOUSY (way too many times lately) I CAN TURN TO WRITING.  THANKS FOR THE MANY WONDERFUL COMMENTS AND FOR BEING SO GOOD TO ME.
Karen


I love fire flies (or lightening bugs).  In fact, when my parents moved me from Missouri to California in 1952 they were one of the things I missed the most.

One evening, this summer (2010) I sat on my small front porch listening to the frogs and enjoying the relative silence of the night. 

Hi!  You talkin to me?

Across the street a naturally landscaped vacant lot  with a drainage ditch, lush fescue and a variety of trees, was growing very dark.  The darkness was closing in and at that moment I was glad that there wasn’t a street light close to my home.  You see, since it was so dark I could clearly see the bright fire flies raise from the grass and drop from the trees.

It was like they were an earth bound Milky Way only I could see their movements.

Suddenly, I had a scathingly (I love this word) brilliant idea, rushed into the house, and retrieved a pen-light.  Plopping myself back in my chair I proceeded to blink the light; trying to pattern it to their rhythm.

The activity across the road started to change.  I would blink at them and some of them would blink back.  I would blink at them again and some would move closer.  This went on for about 10 minutes.

Drats! U aint what I got all lit up fer!

Much to my delight my whole front yard was filled with lightening bugs.  I sat there enjoying the light show and wondering how confused they must be when the bright light that summoned them did not court them as they had expected.  

kt2011

#87-FIRST HUG OF THE NEW YEAR

WE ALL NEAD TOHUG LONG, HARD, AND OFTEN!



HERE COMES YOUR VITUAL HUG!    kt2011

#86-Happy New Year 2011 Video Poem ecard

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!



SHARE YOUR #1 NEW YEARS RESOLUTION
WITH ME AND I'LL SHARE MINE.......

kt2011

#85-HAPPY NEW YEAR

I HAVE ONLY CELEBRATED ON NEW YEAR EVE  ONE TIME.

WHEN I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL MY PARENTS TOOK ME TO HOLLYWOOD AND VINE.  BY MIDNIGHT I WAS TOTALLY BORED BUT DID GET A KICK OUT OF THE COUNT DOWN.  "SO, THIS IS IT?" I SAID TO MY PARENTS.  THEY NODDED.  "BIG DEAL!" I UTTERED AND HAVEN'T PARTICIPATED TO THIS DAY.   kt 2010