Bad Dog! - or Playing?

Today, when I was out having lunch with friends Craig, Jim and Jeff- and Tom was home gardening and doing house repairs, our weimaraner and dachshund were sitting peacefully on the lawn with Tom for a long time. At one point an older woman and her husband walked by with their small dog-and our Weimaraner ran at them barking and jumped on the woman scaring the heck out of her (bringing her to tears, I'm told). I wasn't home unfortunately and heard about it from Tom. Luckily, our neighbor who is a county police officer was outside putting things in his car and grabbed our Weimaraner who was barking at their little dog.
Was it dislike or play? - After all, our dog plays with other dogs at day care all the time, and she's passive, not agressive, and is a submissive dog, not a dominant dog.
Why does our Weimaraner not like little dogs? One reason is that this past winter, Tom's sister brought her little Yorkie over during the holidays. Our Weimaraner, who always loved every dog, was trying to play with the little Yorkie, who in turn, bit our weim through her nose causing it to bleed a lot (it's the most painful and sensitive area on a dog). Since then, our weim hates little dogs other than our dachshund. So, trauma will even affect dogs.
In fact, whenever we walk the dogs in the neighborhood, our Weimaraner barks at some of the little dogs (usually the white furry ones, which is odd because the Yorkie that bit her isn't white). So last night while walking her past a fenced in yard with a dog she barks at, I had a bag of treats with me that I let her sniff before getting to the fence. She barked once and I told her sternly "NO!" I commanded her to "WALK" and put the treat in front of her nose and led her past the other dog behind the fence barking like crazy- but our dog marched on and didn't bark. She IS very obedient (been to school a year for it), and got her treat in the end. I felt badly for the older woman, but our police officer neighbor was outside, and calmed her, and there were no injuries from the jumping, thankfully.

New! Sherlock Holmes Movie Trailer

I've always loved Sherlock Holmes...likely because I've always loved Batman, the "World's greatest detective" as he's often called. There's a NEW MOVIE coming out on Dec. 25th this year "Sherlock Holmes." - It stars Robert Downey Jr. as Mr. Holmes and Jude Law as Dr. Watson. The trailer looks good!

Please Click Daily to Help Dolly's Weim Rescue Obtain a Grant!

(Photo of Rob when he adopted Dolly from Wolf Creek Weimaraner Rescue on March 11, 2005)
PLEASE HELP The Animal Rescue Site choose our dog Dolly's WOLF CREEK WEIMARANER RESCUE, TENNESSEE receive special funds to help animals! JUST ONE CLICK A DAY- and one vote every day for your favorite rescue (Wolf Creek Weimaraner Rescue, TN)/
More than 60 grants will be awarded for a total of $100,000 going to eligible Petfinder.com members by the end of July 2009.
To Vote: http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces Click ON THE TOP RIGHT: "VOTE FOR SHELTER"
- then type in "Wolf Creek Weimaraner Rescue" "Tennessee" to bring it up. Once you vote, you'll just need to type in what type of animal pops up to verify your vote. Thanks!

Post Vacation Projects!

We returned from our vacation on a Thursday afternoon, so what did we do from Friday through the extended holiday (Memorial Day) weekend?
Well, we installed five new sections of fence in the backyard as a starter.

Then, we took out the awning from the attic and installed it over the 2nd floor windows, so that the sun wouldn't shine in directly and superheat the upstairs.

Then, we went to a nursery (our 2nd in four days) and bought azaelas for the backyard, green pepper plants for Rob's herb garden, and hanging flowers for the front porch. We even replaced the flag out front with the Maryland flag.

Tom painted the garage to match the new front door we had installed for us a couple of months ago. Now the house looks more uniform.

Finally, while Rob did laundry, etc. inside, Tom painted the front sections of the fence to match the house. Oh, we still had one more day to go, too...

College Humor Superhero Spoof Cartoon

College Humor.com has come out with a couple of cartoons spoofing superheroes. I recently found this one thanks to the LA Times Blog.

I'm Furious- California Judges Refuse to Grant Gay Marriage

At 1:10pm EDT today, Judges in California's Supreme Court upheld the ban on gay marriages in California. Why? They said they were afraid to turn over the slim majority that voted in Proposition 8 last November that would remove a civil right from gay people to marry. BASTARDS. Okay, so now it has to go back up on the ballot. General consensus indicates that the feeling has now moved the other way in the voters' opinions. This is a legal right that everyone deserves, NOT a religious thing. When are they going to get it?
So, who am I really furious with? The Damned Mormon Church and the Catholic Church (that I used to belong to) and other churches who USED CHURCH FUNDS to advertise and get gay marriage banned in California.
Where in the hell is the IRS to remove their tax-free status?
Who the hell are they to decide equal rights under the U.S. Constitution?
If churches decided equal rights, people of color would still be enslaved and not able to marry anyone they want to marry. Churches need to get out and STAY out of politics. Religion has been this country's downfall in the last 8 years, as sad as that is to say.
Yes, the church taught me how to have faith, but when they strayed into politics and demanded people vote for their stupid conservative ways- they needed (and still need) to be closed down. I still have faith in God, but I don't need churches and man-made religions to brainwash me into useless, hateful conservative thinking. Conservatives ruled this country for 8 years and ruined it. Further, conservatives and so-called "religious" fanatics usually wind up being the biggest sinners and hypocrites. Conservatives need to go away and realize everyone deserves the same rights. Period.
The CNN story: http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/05/26/california.same.sex.marriage/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

Vacation Days #4 and 5: Portsmouth, NH and Freeport, ME

DINNER WITH FRIENDS IN NH - After visiting Portland, Maine on day #4 we drove south to Portsmouth, NH where we met two of our old friends Laureen and Lisa for dinner. Each of them live near the area, and we all met at a restaurant in downtown Portsmouth. Afterward, we walked to a nearby bakery/cafe for dessert.
As we were walking to the Bakery/cafe, Tom tried to get out of the picture...

"GETTING THE BOOT"- Our last day in Maine was a drive north to Freeport, home of L.L. Bean Company. The outdoor retailer has huge stores that are open 24 hours a day. Here's a photo of Tom and Jeff sitting on the oversized boot display (that you're not supposed to sit on) outside one of their shops.
"THE BITTER CHALLENGE" - Jeff was his funny self, and issued us a challenge because we were criticizing some things we saw in a fun way. He said "The next one to say something bitter buys everyone lunch." I happened to be driving in Freeport near L.L. Bean (before we went inside) and saw a post office, so I pulled in the parking lot to mail postcards I wrote earlier. Jeff immediately said "This isn't Rob's private mail service car... Oooops!" He realized he said something bitter, and we all laughed for about 5 minutes. Yup, he bought us lunch.
- The next day we drove Jeff north to Portland, Maine's airport then turned around and drove ourselves to Manchester, NH's airport (where we flew into). It was great to come back and get our dogs and be all together again.
I like short vacations, because I hate being away from the dogs, and home.

Vacation Day #4: Weimaraner Murals!

Famous Weimaraner photographer William Wegman has a summer home in Maine. We learned that at the information station after we crossed the border into Maine. So, the state commissioned him to do a mural in two of the rest areas. This is a close up of several photographs running side-by-side. Each photograph appears to be taken in sequence.

Here's the entire mural in sequence. Notice that one of the dogs in the back disappears from view by the time you get to the far right mural. He must've been hungry. Anyway, the mural is stretched out inside the rest area welcome center over one set of doors, at mile marker 25 off I-95 in Kennebunkport, Maine.
This is a photo of the commission from the state of Maine to William Wegman to develop a mural.

Vacation Day #4: Portland, Maine

Day four was a visit to Portland, Maine - after dropping Gary off at the airport (he had to go home early), so we kept touring with Jeff. Our first stop was the Portland Observatory (which was only open for school kids, but we snuck in). Since 1807, the Portland Observatory has offered spectacular views of Portland’s busy harbor and served as a beloved symbol of the city’s rich maritime heritage. Named a National Historic Landmark in 2006, the Portland Observatory is the only known remaining historic maritime signal tower in the United States. The Observatory is located at 138 Congress Street, on Munjoy Hill in the East End of Portland.

Rob and Tom outside the Portland Observatory... We also found a nearby Dunkin' Donuts, and a comic book shop for me! :)
We next toured the Victoria Mansion, also known as the Morse-Libby House. It was called the finest example of residential design from the pre-Civil War era in America. It was very dark inside (period colors) and although I didn't sense any spirits, I was very uncomfortable as soon as we got in the house. It was built between 1858 and 1860 for Ruggles Sylvester Morse and his wife, Olive Ring Merrill Morse. A native of Maine, Morse made his fortune as the proprietor of luxury hotels in New Orleans during the 1850s. His experience as a hotelier shaped his taste in design, and when the time came to build a summer home, he sought out some of the nation’s leading designers.

SAW RAM ISLAND LEDGE LIGHT - from the shore. This 72 foot granite tower was built in 1905 on a narrow ledge of rocks that threatened the entrance to Portland Harbor. It is nearly a twin of the Graves Light in Boston Harbor, which was built around the same time. A total of 699 4-ton granite blocks were cut from the quarry in Vinalhaven and carefully shaped and numbered before being shipped to Ram Island.
Ram Island Ledge can be easily seen from Portland Head Light (which is where I took this photo from!). The light now shines through a 300mm plastic optic, powered by a long underwater cable from Portland Head.

LUNCH OUTSIDE THE PORTLAND HEADLIGHT- LIGHTHOUSE - Despite wind gusts to 35 mph, and temps near 60F, we were determined to eat outside there! Portland Head Light Station is a lighthouse located in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, USA. It has been called the "Most photographed lighthouse in North America." The lighthouse is visited by nearly one million people per year. Construction began in 1787 at the directive of George Washington, and was completed on January 10, 1791. Whale oil lamps were originally used for illumination.

Vacation Day #3 (Continued): Kennebunkport, Maine

(NOTE: CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE)
After touring Ogunquit in the morning, we drove south to Kennebunkport, Maine, and explored that town. Before leaving though, we had to fill up on Dunkin' Donuts coffee, and when I pulled into the drive through, I had to look twice, because the trash can had an extended chute, and looked like it may be where you speak into to place orders!

Kennebunkport was a quaint little town surrounded by water, just like Ogunquit. They had a great dog store there that had everything (although I can't remember the name of it). Here's a photo of part of the downtown area.

It was still cold that day, only reaching 54F, with wind chills still in the 40s, so we were bundled up here in front of the welcome sign for the town.

"THE WEDDING CAKE HOUSE" - A plaque placed at the side door of the George W. Bourne House in Kennebunk, Maine by the Maine Society, Daughters of American Colonists, tells us that "In 1825 the shipbuilder George Washington Bourne (1801-1856) brought his bride, Jane, to this new brick Federal-style home. Inspired by Milan's Gothic Cathedral, Bourne started the house decorations in 1852, using only hand tools. He completed the work shortly before his death. By century's close, the name "Wedding Cake House" was widely applied.

Of course I had to give Tom a smooch in front of the Wedding Cake House!

Vacation Day #3: Ogunquit, ME... and One Ghost!

Maine's coast is filled with stories of ghosts inhabiting various places. There are three Inns in Ogunquit that have stories of ghostly visitors. Luckily, the Gazebo Inn where we stayed was not haunted- I would've known. I was a little leery when they said it was a 200 year old farmhouse totally overhauled...but no one came to me, which made it more relaxing.
A ghost came to me in a gift shop called "Revelations" in Ogunquit. The shop (located at 59 Shore Road, P.O. Box 1730, Ogunquit, ME 03907, www.revelationsgifts.com), had really nice gifts in it, and it was located in the old United Methodist Church. The church was founded in 1874, and moved out in 2003, when the gift shop took over the space.
As I was walking on the right side of the shop, I got a headache in the back left side of my head, indicating that a ghost or spirit was around. The ghost said her name was "Agatha" and gave me the year 1934. That could be the year of her birth or death, I'm not certain. She showed me singing, but not necessarily in a choir. I think that she enjoyed going to church and singing the hymns. She then revealed to me how she passed. Sometimes ghosts will do that- they'll share some of the pain they experienced- so I started heavy labored breathing in the shop, and felt a twinge of pain on the left side of my chest, indicating heart failure. I left the store to alleviate the pain and heavy breathing, and it cleared once outside.
I called the shop on May 23rd, and spoke to a male employee. He said that recently a clairvoyant woman came in and also sensed a man. The employee also told me there's a rumor that someone hung themselves in the bell tower when it was a church- but I know that wasn't Agatha. I'm sure it was the man the other medium sensed.
Here's a photo of the store (formerly United Methodist Church).

Vacation Day #3: Ogunquit, Maine!

Our third vacation day was spent exploring the town of Ogunquit, Maine- where we stayed. The weather was nasty... 54F, cloudy, damp, and windy, putting the wind chills somewhere in the low 40s (they were strong, gusty winds at the coast!). There's a 1 1/4 mile path that follows the rocky coast called "The Marginal Way" and we walked some of it (because it was really bitter outside!). Here we are posing for a picture on some rocks jutting into the ocean.

Here's a typical picture of what the coast looked like most of the time we were in Maine. Big waves crashing on rocks. What really surprised us was that there were people in wet suits trying to ride surfboards in that gusty, chilly weather. Oh, yeah, the water temps have to be in the 40s.

Tom and Jeff were more explorers than Gary and I were, so they ventured out far toward rock edges. Here's Jeff stumbling, but Tom and I just said that Jeff was "A Poser!"

Funny picture of Tom and I (Rob) when I was trying to set a timer on the camera and didn't quite make it in time to sit down!

Here's another picture that I thought was funny. "Jeff's a Poser!" - That's what we like to say about my mom, and Jeff showed that he does it, too. Notice Tom in the background on the bench giving a big yawn!