Here's Henry doing something that many of us can relate to - sticking with the comfy shoes and avoiding the scale (really though, the only weight-watching done for him is making sure he doesn't lose).
Henry had a rough week last week. His appetite went away so he didn’t eat for nearly a whole day (after some vomiting). Also he had some litterbox problems (of the number two variety) and was obviously in some pain. He was having trouble walking (limping on all 4 paws) and very lethargic. He had to go the vet Wednesday, Thursday and Friday… got observed, x-rayed, sub-q fluids, tummy meds, hungry pills, a cortisone shot, other prodding and poking, and an increase in his prednisone home dose {head spinning just thinking of all of it}
We really thought it might be his time to go, he’s 17 years old, a little old man with arthritis and a lot of other issues. He’s already on pain meds, so when I took him in late Friday afternoon, I was really looking for advice on how to manage his increased pain – or maybe even to let him go if it was likely something serious. The vet was great, she stayed late rather than let us go to the ER, and set us up with a regimen of home care and good instructions for the weekend. (The vet's office is closed on Saturdays.) Turns out, the poor little guy apparently just had some bad indigestion. Who knows what causes that? He always eats the same exact food! But he is old, and that’s the answer right there. The parts just work as well as they used to. A lot of us can relate to that too. By Monday, he seemed to be back to his normal self, and now he's being a fussy eater but not starving himself.
So Sugar Pie Henry, our Bringer of the Sweet, is still with us, and we enjoy every minute we get to spend with him.
The Band of Heathens, “Here’s to You”
“Don't let the door hit you on your way out.” That sentiment from the song kind of sums up my feelings for Sarah Palin. Enjoying watching her wither under her own heat. This weekend also brought the return of the so-called tea parties, although their numbers have dwindled greatly. There were 2 of them in Austin; one starring the infamous (not really named) Joe the (never was a licensed) Plumber, and another tax-protest party the following day which starred Rick Perry and John Cornyn. Cornyn was booed at the rally, both before and after he spoke. If that doesn’t give you a chuckle, then his claim that he is not part of Washington should do the job. Even Perry was booed when he mentioned that he’s adding some toll roads (why he would mention that during a tea party is beyond me). So… I guess Joe the Plumber and Ron Paul are the only real heroes for that bunch. We stayed far, far away from all that ugliness. The heat itself is ugly enough (it’s been in the 104° range every day with hardly any relief), but we did get out a bit for music over the weekend, all freebies. Friday evening Del Castillo played at a sprawling mega-shopping complex.
They played an absolutely great show, but I think I was worn out between the blistering heat and Henry the cat having some health issues (more on that later), so we watched most of it from an uncrowded distance. This complex includes over 125 stores, including Super-Target AND Wal-Mart, and sprawls out in such twisty turns of parking lots that the earlier time we went there, we nearly gave up in exasperation while looking for Specs (which is a BIG liquor store)!! They were having a free beer tasting event, and it would take something of that magnitude (or a free show by Del Castillo) to get me to ever visit it. Saturday evening, the 4th of July, we went to another mega-sprawl to see one of our favorite bands, The Band of Heathens. The video at top is from Saturday, and happened at the massive Hill Country Galleria out in Bee Cave TX (across from The Backyard). This is a 2-year-old high-end complex that is now threatening bankruptcy in the economic crisis. They actually have a fairly nice place for music (except that the stage is unsheltered from sun or rain), and when we were there 2 years ago for the Grand Opening to see the South Austin Jug Band, they had a little beverage stand for the concert-goers. Not so this time. People brought coolers, but there was nothing in the event ads about coolers so we came without. Not the best situation considering it was still over 100° at 8pm. There's a restaurant behind the little amphitheater but they didn’t allow you to leave with booze and I’m not willing to give up my good concert seats for mere beverages. I hiked around the place a bit, hoping to find a convenience store, but with no luck. It’s a holiday and you’re supposed to be having a party, damn you Galleria. Anyway, we survived with flying colors, The Band of Heathens (who are all set for a taping of the TV show Austin City Limits this week!!) played a great set. They had fireworks afterward, but by the looks of them, our neighbors back at the homestead had bigger ones in their backyard (now that’s pathetic), so we headed home to attempt to soothe down the panicky cats. Jax hates fireworks, and having spent his first 7 years as an alley cat, I imagine he has very good reasons to hate them. On Sunday we went over to Central Market at noon for MilkDrive and welcome them home from their first tour as this band. Their official CD release party is on Tuesday at Fiddler's Green music shop (7pm). I will be there (right after Sarah Jarosz has her official CD release party at Waterloo Records). So, big day of music on Tuesday, hopefully no vet visits for awhile... and if it rains it might even cool down to under 95-99°.
Yes, He said that. Even though the affair started back in 2008 or even 2007. Whaddya think, dittoheads? Are ya dittoing that one too? Really? The other finger pointed the wrong way is that of Maria Chapur, the Argentinian lover of Mark "Sanctity of Marriage" Sanford:
[source] But she denied the "hacker" is a friend of hers _ as has been widely reported here _ saying he is as much a victim of the media frenzy as she.
"I have a strong suspicion of who is responsible for this evil act that was directed at me but also destroyed the lives of so many others," Chapur said. "But without sufficient proof, and for legal reasons, I am obligated to not reveal the name.
"It is not for me to judge anyone. I leave it all in the hands of God," she concluded.
[emphasis mine]
Sooo, someone accessed her email. Not very nice, and not defending that, but she seems to think that getting caught was the main source of the problem here. The hacker destroyed those lives, Maria? Maybe you should take it out of the hands of God and take some responsibility for your own actions.
The “Cool House Tour” is a tour of houses which have gone to great lengths to become green dwellings. It’s an admirable effort, not only are these remodeling / building / and passive design elements (such as incorporating shade trees) good for the planet, they represent long-term savings for the consumers – savings on energy bills, etc.
For me it’s just partly to see the green renovations but mostly to just get to see all the marvelous houses. The art studios, the kiddie accommodations you wish you'd had, the courtyards, the tile, the gorgeous patios, the incredible countertops and showers and closets, and gizmos! In this pic you can see a screen that goes up or down with push-button controls. Then the doors behind it can optionally be opened accordion-style to completely open the area to the courtyard. Gah! Plus, these people are just so damned organized! And tidy! Even with children! And pets! grrrr.
I have to say that while MrB is inspired and encouraged when he gets home from a House Tour, I mainly just feel like an inadequate failure. That grrrr is not for all those people whose houses and lives are better than mine - it's for me. What a loser I must be to have all this clutter and such a huge pile of things I've been meaning to do but can't seem to start - and all of them covered in dust.
New Despair. (I have house envy... and regular envy. In fact, I am green with envy... does that count as being green?)
We are in full-on summer right now. It's been about 105° all week, in the shade, actual temps, not counting heat index which has been as high as 114°. I really tend to wimp out in this heat. It makes my head hurt.
Saw quite a few of these queen butterflies recently enjoying the front yard shrubs. This blue mist is like crack for butterflies.
We are at maximum sunflowers now. The birds are enjoying them, especially the dead heads, which aren't real pretty but they serve a purpose.
Friday, I couldn't bear to try and endure KGSR's Fan Fare Friday. I usually go to that. It's broadcast on the radio, and that's the way I experienced it this year. Friday night we went to a big concert event with Sarah Jarosz and The Greencards. Maybe more on that later. Today (Saturday) we basically ran errands, and on Sunday is the Cool House Tour. MrB is pretty big on going to that. He's a greenie. Anyway, we will be trudging around looking at houses and then getting back in the hot car for several hours tomorrow while the temps exceed 100°. Nuts. But it's really very interesting and always enjoyable, although I expect my brain will feel like it's been skillet-fried by afternoon.
Henry's not too sure how he likes this new apartment. It's got a nice patio, but the paparazzi just won't give him a break.
Jax has been enjoying his beer box, and looking very much like Nonie from the online comic strip The Mows. Yes, there's a cat in the box, and it's a black cat - another belly lick-shaving black cat just like Jax, only Nonie is a girl. The other kitty character is Tigey. The cats in the strip are based on real cats. Anyway, the Sessions box is a big hit with Jax, as he has been happily punching holes in the top edge for customization. Henry has jumped in there a couple of times, but has pronounced it stinky and gotten right out.
Ex-insurance exec confesses health insurers dump sick people This is testimony from former Cigna senior executive Wendell Potter to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. They will scour your past for anything that might qualify as as a pre-existing condition, and then they can deny coverage even though you've kept up premium payments. So, all you anti-health-care-via-government folks - do you trust Cigna? or Humana? or any of the other bottom-line oriented corporations?
More on pre-existing conditions (CNN): The industry's trade association, America's Health Insurance Plans, has a proposal to help people with pre-existing conditions as part of a comprehensive health-care reform plan.
But there's a catch: The association says insurance companies could guarantee coverage for people with pre-existing conditions only if all Americans are required to purchase coverage. If that happens, the group says, not only would people with pre-existing conditions be covered, their premiums would not be higher.
I've heard these stories many, many times - so, no, it's not surprising.
Read the articles at the links. There's lots of information there. I'm sick of hearing about America's health care being the best in the world. That's incorrect, and the people spouting that are highly delusional, or filthy rich. All people need to have health coverage. It cannot be based on employment status or existing health conditions. Everyone needs to be covered, that's the minimum we should accept or it isn't really reform.
What a day! I figured there would be another shoe to drop as part of the ridiculous Sanford meltdown. Affairs aside, how incredibly irresponsible are these actions for the Governor of a state? Check out this timeline at TPM. First the silly cover story about "hiking" - did his staff lie for him, or did they really not know anything? Worst of all is that the Lt. Governor had no clue where the Governor was.
Sanford was one of those voting to impeach President Clinton:
[source] This is "very damaging stuff," Sanford declared at one point, when details of Clinton's conduct became known. "I think it would be much better for the country and for him personally (to resign)... I come from the business side," he said. "If you had a chairman or president in the business world facing these allegations, he'd be gone."[*]
Explaining his decision to back impeachment articles against Clinton, he added, "I think what he did in this matter was reprehensible... I feel very comfortable with my vote."
Sanford's complaints were directed primarily, although not entirely, at Clinton's lying about the affair rather than the affair itself...
[*] Um. That's not really true. Business people get away with that stuff all the time, affairs and accompanying cover-up lies. What they wouldn't get away with is seriously dropping the ball on your responsibilities, leaving the State with no one in charge when you are off the grid, MIA, and agencies are using taxpayer money trying to track your ass down.
That's not where the hypocrisy ends. Looks like he spent over $21,000 of taxpayer money on international travel last year - some of it in Argentina - and this is after his big fuss on trying to turn down stimulus money. Republicans care soooo much about those tax dollars.
The list of Republican presidential hopefuls just got smaller. hee hee.
Now here's the rest of it. If Sanford's staff knew the truth about this and lied for him while he used taxpayer money on romantic entanglements, I want to hear some 'splainin'.
[Slideshow of Stonehenge Solstice 2009 at BBC news] The caption for this picture quoted a man who claimed to be a Stonehenge Druid, and I am hoping a nice Druid and not one of those nasty cannibal types. Have you seen National Geographic's recent feature on new discoveries about Stonehenge and its creation? Fascinating stuff - pre-dates the Druids by quite a lot, and apparently the Druids just took it over at some point because it really is a pretty cool place. This day was called Midsummer from ancient time, and is still called that in many places around the world. I don't know how the day became designated as the first day of summer in the USA and other places, and I have to wonder why someone would pick the day that begins the shortening of the days as the BEGINNING of summer. Makes no sense to me. Anyway, Midsummer is always a day that I wish I could be "Pagan For a Day." Hey, I could very easily become a Pagan if it didn't involve having gods. At least their holidays are to celebrate very real earthly events, like the solstices.
As for real earthly events in this geographical spot, here's our weather forecast. That partly cloudy stuff coming later in the week is only going to run up the humidity. [update: jun30: it ended up being several degrees hotter than predicted. whew!]
There are lots of activities coming up, but more and more I limit them in the summer. The Greencards play on Friday night (an outdoor show at Threadgill's) with Sarah Jarosz opening, and we are doing that for sure, but I believe that this year I will give a pass to KGSR's annual Fan Drive all-day concert at the same venue on the same day, because I don't want to be completely depleted from a whole day out in triple-digit heat. Here's the lineup at Threadgill's: 7am: Dean Seltzer 8am: Grupo Fantasma 9am: Rosie Flores 10am: Joel Guzman & Sarah Fox 11am: Kelly Willis 12pm: The Band of Heathens 1pm: The Gourds 2pm: Bill Carter 3pm: Surprise Guests! 4pm: Seth Walker 5pm: Bettysoo 6pm: Vallejo – Debuting their brand new single
...okay... tempting... now I am thinking I might scoot over there at least to catch Vallejo. Then I can coast into the evening after the blazing sun sets at 8:36 PM.
As for Father's Day around here, this is one of the cards received by the Dad of the house:
Does this look like food to you? This stuff would make me step back a few paces. See lots more really weird stuff that somebody thinks is food at the Food Network Humor blog. Found via J-Walk.
