Picking Up the Poop, and Applications Outside of Dog Walking

sodahead.com

We no longer have a back door for letting out the dog. We need to remember all the important little things to take along like a bag, the leash, treats, sometimes a ball, and keys to get back in the apartment. Only then do we head out the door, zip down twelve floors, grab an extra bag on the way out because you never know, and walk around to the side lawn in order for Addy to “do her duty”. (Incidentally “do her duty” is what my parents dubbed the process when I was a kid. “Please take Candy out to do her duty.”). 

Yes, it’s a process.

I was under the impression that everyone living in this vertical, highly dog dense, living arrangement went about this process essentially the same. Was I ever wrong.

Here is where the process breaks down.

Dog owners have two opportunities to grab poop bags, in their apartment, or exactly the moment they are exiting the building. Never mind there is even a sign to remind you to grab one.

I don’t want to be a sourpuss, or not believe there’s inherent good in 99.99% of the people walking around out here but, I can’t understand how someone can neglect to remove their dog’s poop. Then live with themselves.

We can assume they just watched their dog drop some fresh stuff (yeah, it’s sick because we do watch for it). They know they didn’t bend down to pick it up after watching it happen. They are also fully cognizant of the fact that they are walking away leaving a ticking land mine behind for some unfortunate schmuck (read me) who will subsequently step in it while holding a poop bag for their own dog’s junk.

I just don’t get it! And it’s all over the place.

I guess this behavior has some application outside the dog poop context. There are people who clean up their messes, and those that don’t (like in the SCUBA diving world where there are people who pee in their wetsuits (yuck!), and people who follow the unwritten rule, which prohibits this behavior out of courtesy to the next person wearing it!).

Excuse me while I get a knife to extract Fritz’s excrement from my gym shoes.

Pluck. Chew. Dash. Roll.

The temperature outside is handily visible through the glass above my sink. Affixed to the big maple, the gage reads a frigid 29 degrees. In this part of the country, at this time of year, degrees mean nothing until you factor in wind chill. 

If I were sailing, I’d use the treetops as a yardstick to measure it, the wind, but the trees are leafless now. I watch the top branches sway anyway and suppose a sweatshirt under my Patagonia down coat should do the trick because it's always twice as windy when whipping through the park. 

She begins to dance as the words “Do you want to w…” leave my lips. My gloved hand reaches for the hook where her leash hangs and this seals the deal.

The park across the street looks like frozen tundra. The prairie grass has been sheared for the season and the playground is uninhabited. The old metal slide is covered with icy crystals.

I zip in tighter as precipitation, something between ice and snow, stings my cheeks. I can feel its weight and chilliness in my hair so I lift my hood.

Circumventing the first pond, we venture further inside, to the desolate space in the park’s center where she can explore unleashed with true Labrador unbounded enthusiasm.

Pluck, chew, dash.

Roll.

Pluck, chew, dash.

Roll.

Pluck, chew, dash.

She appears almost childlike and I brim with envy. It takes me a moment to comprehend what’s enthralling her so.When it finally dawns on me, I can’t get her attention because she’s in heaven. So I zigzag run behind her through a field of icy doggie delicacies (frozen goose poop) trying to catch her collar. I shout, as she licks her lips,

“Addison! Get over here!” “Stop eating that.” “Oh, man! That’s just plain gross!”

Then finally,

“I’ve got TREEEEEATS!”

I promise them out of desperation and disgust, and it's a lie, but she comes to me because I usually have them in my pocket. 

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33-333 words for the third definition of:

PLUCK: (transitive verb)

1: to pull or pick off or out

2 a : to remove something (as hairs) from by or as if by plucking    b : rob, fleece

3: to move, remove, or separate forcibly or abruptly

4 a : to pick, pull, or grasp at    b : to play by sounding the strings with the fingers or a pick 

College and Dogs, Endorphins, How French Women Stay Thin, Sleeping Naked

Only time for a very short burst of randomness today!

I really should be in the car, right at this very moment, driving down to Indiana University to see my kids. It’s not a long drive (3.75 hours) but I’m dragging my heels here. It’s a really big week! Addison, 80 lbs. of chocolate Lab-ness, is visiting campus for 3 days AND staying with Matt at his fraternity. They’ve nicknamed her “Frat-ison”. Their plan is to walk her up and down past all the sororities. They say a dog is a chick magnet. Hopefully, things will go down as planned!

Actually, I’m still catching up from a surprise visit from three college boys (and 5 loads of laundry (just my son’s)). They were fantastic. And I’ve been so incredibly pleased with each and every friend my son has introduced us to from his fraternity. We had five stay with us at the lake this summer for a long weekend and now these two this weekend. They’re all polite, helpful, engaging (look you in the eye and converse type of engaging), smart and they made their beds. What good boys! And they didn’t wake up momma at night with any loud or noisy behavior.

Probably my favorite type of workout is spinning. I love it. Talk about an endorphin rush! And the sweat pouring off…there’s nothing like it. Of course, the thought of burning 600 calories in an hour is addicting, too.

So watch this very short YouTube video (only 45 seconds) of how French women stay thin. 

 

 I knew there was more to it than just walking to the market everyday.

I love when I hear a favorite song on the radio that I’d forgotten about. And since I have Shazam, it’s easy for me to download it. So here is that song I forgot I loved so many years ago. I need more Bob Seger in my life. Plus I missed Music Moves Me Monday. So here's one from me...

Every morning when I go around the corner for coffee, I hear the question of the day by a local radio show. Most often I catch just the question and I’m not around to hear the answer. Today I tuned in just as Eric said, “Correct answer!”

So the question was, “At night, what do men do 3 times more than women?” I didn’t have the opportunity to hear the other guess and I’m not sure this would have been my guess but the answer is…….

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Sleep naked!

Would you have gotten that? I hung on for the brief conversation after the correct answer. Who feels more awkward in bed when one is wearing jammies and the other is naked? And the overwhelming response was the clothing clad person feels awkward that the other person is naked. Hmmmm…..

Happy Tuesday~

Thanks Stacy Uncorked, Shawn and Impulsive Addict for another Tuesday!

A Question For Three Types Of Mammals

Is it a realistic expectation to be able to do what you'd like, when you’d like to do it, for as long as you'd like or even for a short period of time if that's what you want? Is it fair to expect others in your life to allow for this?

I love to read. Everyone who knows me knows this. And even if you only know me a little, you know this, too. It’s one of the basic. It’s me.

Picture Belle from “Beauty and The Beast” walking around her village with her nose in a book, bumping into things. I’m not always that absorbed but I can be and if I have a spare moment, my hands will open a book.

I always have a book with me whether it’s downloaded on my phone from my Kindle through my iPad or a “real” book stuffed on my person or thrown on the passenger seat of the car. You have the idea, right?

Obviously I can’t read when I’m driving, although I would if I could, and actually I did once in college. Returning from a visit with my college love who lived an hour away and I needed to read a marketing article in preparation for class.

Anyway…All I wanted to do Monday was read even though I was looking at a very long “to-do” list of chores. Don’t you think the word “chore” has negative connotations? I do.

I ripped off the inside portion of the list and got to it; whipping through everything in an hour. I did a slightly better than a half assed job of it, in my opinion. Things looked decent and I declared myself finished for the day.

It was sunny and breezy and perfect for reading at the end of the pier. I snuck down unbeknownst to anyone.

Peace and quiet. Sun lounger and lemonade. Book and me. Ahhhhh!

It’s was perfect for ten minutes until 75 lbs. of furry brown fun came pouncing down to water's edge, ball in mouth. If she could speak, she was saying, “Play with me. I love water. Throw the ball. Again. Again. Again…”

This wasn’t working but I played for a while tiring her completely until her tongue was almost sweeping the ground. She plopped down and left me alone. Post shake, that is.

Mood only slightly diminished, I moved to the front yard. Set myself up on two chairs, cushion under my rear, legs propped up, and book opened….again.

After a few minutes, I heard a familiar chirping, not like a bird, coming from a spot 10 feet away and 20 feet above me. I knew what it was from its very first utterance.

It was this squirrel on its perch in my tree. I don’t know if it’s the same squirrel that constantly torments and taunts the dog but I knew its game here and I was really starting to get annoyed. Every time it started yipping at me, I would look up at it and it would stop. The minute I’d look down at my book, it chirped incessantly. This went on three or four times until I laughed and said out loud, “Really? You’re kidding me, right?” Nope, not kidding. I threw a stick up at the perch. 

But I began to wonder why it seemed like everything wanted my attention and/or didn’t want me to read. Could that be it?

Two attempts, two strikeouts. Third time a charm?

I readjusted myself and started again.

Not more than 15 minutes goes by and my husband, finished with his to-do's, showered, two margaritas in hand, sits down. “Wanna do something?”

I flip a few pages to see where the chapter ends and say, “Four pages. Can you wait for four pages?”

“Do you want to play cribbage or go for a boat ride?” he responds.

“I’m not doing anything until I read these four pages. Are you okay with that?”

“Sure, but what…”

“AH!” I interrupted holding my hand up.

That bought me enough silence to read ten more pages (I snuck in a few extra while he sipped his drink).

The dog, a crazy ass squirrel and my husband all made repeated attempts to disrupt me today for their own purposes. None of them are readers. Well, two can’t be. One doesn’t “get” it or consider it an immensely important part of life like I do.* The best I can relate it to is golf. For him. That's what reading means to me.

So, I tried to ignore them all. Tune them out the best I could. Engage in something I really wanted to do with my time. Told them to hold their horses! Just short of "Leave me alone."

Am I being defiant? Well, maybe. Yes.

I’m taking what I want. Everyone else does. They need to learn to entertain themselves, anyway.

I love them (well not the squirrel) but reading is my love, too. There are worse things I could be choosing to do with my time. It’s not like I’m hanging out at the bars.

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*I have talked up The Hunger Games so much, “It’s right up your alley, Honey!” so just maybe…. I’ve only been able to get him to read three books, Private Parts by Howard Stern, Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton and Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson and only on vacations.

It's All Too Tempting!

A 33 word original fable for Trifecta

“Best to walk by. Don’t look. Definitely don’t sniff! NOT as good as you imagine. The urge passes.”

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“It’s too tempting. That smell!” 

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“Remember our lesson on consequences, young grasshopper.”


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GULP!

Why Do Dogs Leave Earth First?

I don’t know who wrote this but it was given to me as a gift yesterday along with a beautiful framed photo. If you happen to know the author, please share.

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Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found that he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything more for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for 6 year old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family surrounded him. The young boy, Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a long while after Belker’s death, wondering aloud about he sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, “I know why”.

Startled, we all turned ot him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I’d never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try to live.

He said, “People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?”

The 6 year old continued, “Well dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”

The Very Best Way To Spend A Morning

A sweet friend recently asked me what my three most prized (tangible/material) possessions were. We were stumped, both not really into that kind of stuff. At the time, I answered photos and my grandmother’s wedding ring. I couldn’t come up with the last but TODAY I remembered exactly what that third one would be…

My road bike! Riding it makes me smile and happy and feeling free!

I probably say this way too often. There are few things in my life that I love more than spending time with my close friends. I’m lucky and I know it. So when Cathy called this morning and said, “Come ride with me. It’s the perfect morning.” I simply answered, “Pick me up.”

Cathy and I have been dying to get on our bikes and really ride…actually since we put them up in our respective garage attics last November. And today proved to be all anyone could ask for in an ideal morning. It was truly gorgeous and I couldn’t have imagined a better way to spend it…with her and on my bike.

Also, I’ll never hesitate to do anything that gives Cathy some peace and enjoyment (A Post About Hope).

Throwing our bikes on her rack, we drove to the I & M Canal (the old shipping and barge route) just 15 minutes away to do the 24.6 mile loop. Living in the suburbs of Chicago, it’s pretty challenging to find streets less traveled (scary for fear of vehicular/bike collisions).

There’s only one place better to bike in the Chicagoland area and that’s the lakefront.

What’s great about the bike trail here is that it’s meant for this purpose…strictly biking. You get serious racers, people looking to get in a good workout yet be able to converse, as well as leisurely afternoon pedalers. We all coexist in the most harmonious way. You just have to remember to say “On your left” loudly AND unclip when you stop!

It was beautiful and quiet. We probably saw only 10 people in close to 25 miles.

Did you know when butterflies hit you in the face as you're going 18 mph it actually hurts?

This awesome morning transported both of us to another place. Of course, my troubles don’t hold a candle to hers. 

For me, I enjoyed two hours away from my increasingly sad way of life. I’m entirely consumed with getting Eleanor to her favorite place in the world, the lake, so she can just "be" for as long as she has left to do so.

Soon, old gal! Soon!

Sometimes, escaping reality in a simple way, if only for moments, makes all the difference in your day. 

Have You Ever Seen The Rain

By Creedence Clearwater Revival

Someone told me long ago

There's a calm before the storm

I know it's been comin’ for some time

When it's over so they say

It'll rain a sunny day

I know shining down like water

I want to know

Have you ever seen the rain

I want to know

Have you ever seen the rain

Comin’ down on a sunny day

I Hate Grumpy Days!

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a grumpy day. I actually can’t remember the last one. Not sure why it turned out to be today. Well, maybe I do.

I don’t do well with lack of sleep and I’ve been sleeping like crap since I got home late last week. I love my home; I love my bed but I hadn’t been in either for a very long time. The problem I’m having with both is that neither are on a beach or by the ocean. Post Vacation Stress Disorder?

Two weeks ago, I was here.

One week ago, I was here.

There’s got to be more to this funk.

I got stuck at home this morning, all morning, waiting for a service person to show up. You know those timeframes they give you? We'll be there between 8:00am and 12:00pm, Ma'am? I hate that! I usually make up something like “I’ll be at work. Will you call me? I can be home in 10 minutes.” (I actually do work less than 10 minutes away but I don’t usually use this approach on days I’m ACTUALLY working). Of course, the guy shows up on the back end of the timeframe. Rude! This forced bondage to my house causes me to stare at the things I have, should or don’t want to do (laundry, cleaning, and stuff everyone hates).

It was also raining this morning. Haven’t seen a drop in over a month and I had planned on my first outdoor ride, with a dear friend, since the fall. Had to cancel; really got me p-o'd. That’s another thing that gets me grumpy…missing a workout. I’m a morning or bust workout person. If it doesn’t happen before 11:00am, it’s not happening at all and then I just feel lazy and chubby. I know it...crazy me.

So how does Gina cure this crapola mood? Watching the sun peak out, I throw Addison into the car.

We roll down the windows, turn up the radio (Rascal Flatts playing on 99.5 US Country) and take to the road. Nothing like singing to my dog, rather loudly, to straighten out this attitude.

So she and I did the banking and we both got treats (biscuit and lollipop). We hit the market for something to make for dinner, and ran to the fruit store where we saw an old couple arguing in their native tongue, and two moms exasperated by their bickering kids…put a smile on my face and I don’t know why! 


I ran into The English Garden and bought myself some flowers, 

then Jennycakes for a carrot cupcake.

As soon as I got home, I downloaded some happy pictures from my trip and POOF!!!

Grumpy mood cured!

Things That Make Me REALLY Happy

The title of this post was originally going to be "Things That Get Me REALLY Excited" because, as I'm learning from another blogger, a title alone can be cause enough for people to visit and leave a comment.  However, the comment in most likelihood won't be related to the content at all. So.......

Waking up on the right side of the bed is just AWESOME, plain and simple! Top Ten reasons why I'm happy today:

1. My scale smiled at me today! She's usually a really big bitch and I have a habit of avoiding her at all costs. Today, I'm feeling good and, you know what? She REALLY likes me. I'm loving her so much right now that I did a happy dance which guaranteed she won't end up in the trash anytime soon.

(Not my ugly toes. Mine are ALWAYS painted. A mans?)

2. Don't know what's with the dreams I'm having lately right before I wake up...some crazy ass stuff. Today, I'm smelling the most incredible food (I LOVE food) and for whatever reason, my nose is 6 inches from my grill (I grill all winter) and I am starving when I wake up. I descend to the kitchen a few short minutes later and there's a breakfast taco waiting for me. Yeaaa! AND a note about the dry cleaning I forgot to pick up : (.


3. Addison and I get in the car for my mandatory, first things first, coffee from the shop right around the corner. Turn the radio up because my favorite band is playing. A great cup of coffee and music...starting my day out right.

4. My Thursday morning workout was particularly brutal but Dave, my partner in crime, is wearing a Rocky tee-shirt just for me so I hit him really hard for a half an hour. He makes me laugh and I get to hit him. Doesn't get much better.


5. I'm feeling very motivated and, therefore, really productive. Checking off things on the to-do list right and left. Cleaners, check!


6. Only blip so far is a text from my college guy. He hates Finite Math and "my teacher goes too fast and sucks", "I have lots of studying to do before this test". At least he's texting from class so I know he's there. "Hell Week" this week at his fraternity is bringing this pledge way down. As a mom, you're only as happy as your most unhappy child and this one sucks it out of me if I let him. Not today!!!


7. Just received a call to plan the second of two warm weather vacations for the month of February. Looking way, way up! I'm an admitted traveloholic.

(Island of Nevis, West Indies)

8. I texted my next door neighbor to go for a long walk this afternoon in the glorious weather and she said yes. 


9. My 13 1/2 year old Chocolate Lab is not wincing in pain and limping anymore from when I ran over her a week ago Monday. Thank God because...

10. The very best thing of all is my daughter is coming home today for a spur of the moment visit! She called yesterday and asked, "Would it be an inconvenience if I came home this weekend?". Are you kidding me? "I'll cook you anything you want, take you shopping and do your laundry (yuck). We'll have a glass of wine." (She's 21 so we can do that). 

It's only 10:00 a.m. and it's got the makings of a great, great day!

Focus and Motivation...Lacking in Both!

Tabata high-intensity strength/cardio interval training- 1 hour (568 calories burned)
Tabata training is a form of cardiovascular exercise which is beneficial to burning fat. This method uses 20 seconds of ultra-intense exercise done as quickly as one can (ex. squat w/ shoulder press) followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated continuously for 4 minutes (8 cycles) with 30 seconds rest after all 8 cycles are finished. This is done with 10-12 total exercises for an hour workout. I'm pooped!


Now to address my focus and motivation issues...


It must be that Christmas is virtually here because I am not feeling either of the above today in the least, wasn't yesterday and probably won't tomorrow! I'm feeling like the calm before the storm. I'm ready for the weekend but that's when my mind plays tricks and tries to convince me that I've forgotten something really big.  Calgon...take me away or to "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"!!!! However, I'm not one to panic so I'm thinking of just rolling with the rest of the week and see what happens, marinating in my shortcomings. My kids are older so there is no terror of blowing the beard off Santa, hiding all the presents above the pulldown steps to the attic, or secret midnight wrapping...Thank God! 


The only two things I've done today are workout and make a gigantic batch of cinnamon roasted pecans. Is that enough? Wait...I'm writing so that's something too. And I've answered the door when Fed Ex guy came. I've done four things!!!


So far, the true highlight of my Wednesday was seeing the 16 year old neighborhood Bassett Hound, Buddy, taking his 1 of 3 walks down the block today (you'll never know when you've seen his the last one). Imagine Tim Conway walking Tim Conway. That's how fast Buddy and his, younger than me, owner walk. It's a riot, especially when I see them somewhere unexpected like in town which is three blocks away. I wonder how long it took them to get there and how many hours do they spend walking each day...Buddy in his coat and Owner in his trapper hat? For the longest time, we thought Owner (sorry I don't remember your name but I smile and wave to you every day!) was smoking weed in order to be willing and able to walk that slowly. (Actually, we truly did wonder about the weed!) Owner of Buddy, do you have a job and it's okay if you don't? Now, we just think they both enjoy their time together everyday as they meander the streets of our town!


I don't think I'm going to accomplish anymore today. I am going to chalk up this day, lacking in focus and motivation, to my wine hangover and call it! No pressure! I wonder what time the movie is playing this afternoon!