Sunday - Gardening Day

Sunday was a beautiful day here in Maryland - crystal blue sky, sunshine, and a high temperature near 73F. After a fun breakfast meeting with friends Steve and Jane at Panera Bread (our favorite hang out), we headed home and got the dogs- then drove to Home Depot for flowers. We spent several hours digging up old flowers at Tom's parents' house and planting new ones. Here's Tom digging up the old flowers. I (Rob) was on trash duty (because my green thumb is an old, dead, grey thumb!).

Franklin and Dolly sat outside of Tom's parents' house while we did the gardening. They were well-behaved and enjoying the outdoors as much as we were.

Here's photo of some of the new flowers Tom planted. The sign that marks the entry way to their 55+ community also needed flowers, so we planted those, too, and added a pumpkin.

Another picture of Dolly and Franklin enjoying being outside with us. Once we finished, Tom's folks took us out for a great big lunch. Then we headed home where I downloaded the photos for the blog, and Tom planted more flowers in our backyard! We need a nap!

Saturday / Reconnecting with a old friend / New Ghost stories!

PRODUCTIVE DAY - Nothing like a productive Saturday: vacuuming, gardening, grocery shopping, dog walking, making all 3 meals, dusting, emptying the attic, going to the dump, and finally relaxing at 8pm! Whew!
COMING BACK TO AN OLD FRIEND - Sometimes in life we tend to shy away from friends who have partners that we don't agree with, or care for. Such was the case with me (Rob) and my old friend Mark. His now ex-partner was a difficult guy to get along with- egotistical, controlling, and tough to warm up to. However, Mark is a great guy. Thoughtful, warm, funny, intelligent, sarcastic sense of humor, and caring. In fact, Mark helped me through some hard times almost a decade ago. I was able to reconnect with Mark this week (he left his partner a year ago after some serious issues). Tom and I had dinner with him last night, and he's as wonderful as I remember. It's like there was no time lost - that's the mark of a good friend. What's interesting, is that Mark is so sensitive that he, too, can sense ghosts and spirits.

MARK'S GHOST ADVENTURES - Mark said that when he was living in an old townhouse in Baltimore (when he was with his now-Ex), he always sensed a cold spot in a corner in the basement. (sign of a ghost drawing heat energy out of the air to manifest).
- Further, he said that the 2 cats in the house would be staring at the same corner of the house from different parts of the room - and there was nothing visible there.
-Finally, Mark said that he would often sense a figure watching him and standing in the doorway between the kitchen and the living room, while he was sitting in the living room watching TV. He said he was very uneasy in the house. (I think it was likely a former owner who didn't cross into the light).
- Mark also works in hospital, and says that often he'll pass people in the hallway, then turn around and they won't be there anymore - even if there is no possible way they could have vanished. He said he knows that ghosts walk the hallways of the hospital every day. I think I need to visit a hospital to help some people cross over.
- NOW, Mark, Tom and I talked about going to some of the local mansions (that I've found to be haunted) to see if we pick up the same ghosts... it's exciting to have a friend who has a similar ability!

Another Company Gets It Right - PELLA Windows and Doors

The other day, the handle to our sliding glass door (connecting the kitchen to the backyard) broke off our Pella door. I was horrified, because 1) I've never seen a sliding glass door handle break and 2) It happened to me and not Tom - so he naturally thought I was slamming the door or yanking it like a madman... neither of which were true.
Anyway, Tom called the local PELLA Door and Window store in Beltsville, MD, and a gentleman named Dan in the Parts Department helped him identify the needed replacement part. Dan checked stock and said he had it in, and we could get it the next day.
I went to the Pella store, found Dan in the Parts dept. and he knew who I was- which is a great sign of customer service. He took the broken part I brought in, and immediately got the replacement piece. He said that the sliding glass door was made in 2003 (he could tell by the part) and it was under a 10 year warranty, so there was no charge at all. THAT is customer service!
Bravo, Pella Doors and Windows! You've got our business.

A Very "HAPPY" Ending!

This afternoon at lunchtime I received a phone call from Mrs. Lee. She owns the local dry cleaner business, and we've been trying to help find her dog, a Cocker Spaniel named "Happy" who wandered away from the store this past Saturday. Mrs. Lee told me that a married couple brought HAPPY back to the store today!!! They found the dog wandering around the neighborhood and kept her until they saw one of the signs Mrs. Lee posted in the neighborhood. Tom and I are elated that little "Happy" has been found. - Now I need to contact the rescues, shelters and remove the ad from Craigslist. An ad is still going to appear in tomorrow's local newspaper, though - I missed the deadline, but I'm SO happy that "Happy" has come home.
I told Mrs. Lee she needs to get Happy MICROCHIPPED! - I urge everyone to do that for their dog. Microchipping puts a tiny computer chip in the back of a dog's neck that contains the owner's name, address, phone and even email.

What Causes Fall Leaf Colors

You may have heard before what causes leaves to turn colors, but I thought it appropriate as leaves are turning already in the northern U.S. States, and starting in the mid-Atlantic. Here's a good reminder (from Livescience.com):
The green color of leaves during the spring and summer is a result of the presence of the pigment chlorophyll, which allows plants to capture sunlight and produce energy by the process of photosynthesis.
When the weather begins to turn cool in the fall, chlorophyll, which is sensitive to the cold, stops being produced. As the green fades, yellow and orange pigments called carotenoids (also responsible for the orange color of carrots) take over. These pigments were always present in the background of the leaves' color, but can finally shine through as the green diminishes.
The red color comes from anthocyanins, which unlike carotenoids are produced only in the fall. These red pigments act as sunscreen for the trees by blocking out harmful radiation and preventing overexposure to light. They also act as an antifreeze, preventing leaf cells from freezing easily in the autumn chill. Some scientists have even suggested that the red colors ward off pests.

My Quest to Find a Local Lost Dog

I guess this is the week for helping dogs and their owners. Tom and I go to a dry cleaning business locally, and on Sunday, saw a photocopied 8x11 pierce of paper with a photo of our dry cleaner's (Mrs. Lee's) dog "Happy" on it!
On Sept. 26th, Mrs. Lee's cocker spaniel "Happy" wandered away from her business in Bowie, Maryland (off route 450 and Highbridge Road), and Mrs. Lee has been frantically searching for her. The owners are from either Vietnam or China, and don't speak English very well, so I'm trying to assist them. SO, I've contacted the two Animal Shelters, both local/regional Cocker Spaniel Rescues, wrote and posted an ad on Craigslist (Mrs. Lee isn't computer literate); and just took out a "Lost and Found" ad in the local newspaper.
I'm hoping that all of this will somehow pay off and Happy will be reunited with Mrs. Lee. When I went to the shop on Monday to tell her about the shelters, she broke down in tears. My heart aches for her. **PLEASE MICROCHIP YOUR DOG!**
HERE'S THE AD I put out: Desperately seeking lost, golden Cocker Spaniel. Female, 4-5 years old. Answers to "Happy." Lost from the DRY CLEANING STATION @ 6129 High Bridge RD Bowie,MD 20720 on September 26th. ***Reward offered*** Please call the store at 301-262-2121 OR 301-642-6730.- Resembles the dog in the attached image.

Baltimore Book Festival & Baltimore's Washington Monument

Tom and I drove up to the Baltimore Book Festival on Sunday, and met our friend Douglas there. We had a great time walking around and checking out all of the vendors, authors and book sales. I was looking for a potential publisher for my book on Ghosts and Spirits, but failed to find one (I'm about 1/2 way through the second round of edits on it now). I did manage to find comic books for sale through the Baltimore Book Exchange - and at a great price, so I was happy! :)
We also took the opportunity to check out Baltimore's Washington Monument. Neither Tom nor I have ever been in there. The employee was really enthusiastic and encouraging, getting people to do "George Washington's Aerobic Workout." What he meant was climbing the 228 stone stairs to the top of it. Tom, Doug and I were up to it, and managed to do it. Although, if you go, be warned! The stairways are VERY SLIM... and some wider people that go up may force you to go all the way back down, because you can't squeeze past.

Here's a photo of Doug in shadow with the view of Baltimore (facing North) from the top of the tower.

Here's goofy close up of Doug, Rob and Tom after climbing to the top and going back to the first floor of the building!

Transporting a Rescue Dog!

Because we adopted Dolly from the Wolf Creek Weimaraner Rescue in Lenoir City, Tennessee back in March 2005, we help them out by either doing local home inspections for potential adopting parents, or we help transport Weims to homes in the Mid-Atlantic or the Northeast.
Two years ago, we transported a Weim from Maryland to Rhode Island to his new dad. This weekend, we drove to Culpeper, Virginia to get "BUDDY" and bring him to meet his new mom in White Marsh, Maryland. The transport took the work of 4 different groups: Amber at the rescue who coordinated the transports; Sonya who drove from TN to Lynchburg, VA; Tracy who drove from Culpeper to Lynchburg back to Culpeper, VA- where she met us!
- It was quite a trip. In total, it took us exactly 8 hours. Of course, we had our kids, Dolly (the Weimaraner) and Franklin (the dachshund) with us in the truck, too, so we were all together!
**ALL PHOTOS ARE OF BUDDY, OR OF BUDDY AND HIS NEW MOM, CATHY**

Traffic around DC was a challenge, but we beat the jams. Our way down was good, because there was no rain. On the way back, the DC Beltway going our way was shut down from multiple accidents, so we wound up going south around the beltway, swinging around and going north past Baltimore to White Marsh, Maryland.

He is such a good boy, and so incredibly handsome, too. In fact, we thought he resembled our Dolly- same facial and body structure. He rode very well, and was excited to be in the truck, even with Dolly (our Weim) and Franklin (our Dachshund)! We gave him one of Dolly's favorite dental chews- Nylabone dinosaurs and like Dolly and Franklin, he loved it! (You can buy 'em for your weims and other powerful chewers cheapest here: http://www.jbpet.com/Dental-Chew-Dinosaur,1475.html - if you get them, buy the hard plastic white ones).

We took these photos while he was riding in the truck and one with his new Mom, Cathy. Cathy sent her thanks to all who helped transport Buddy (especially in the rain!). Buddy looked so happy- in fact, when he saw Cathy and her daughter, he jumped up and gave Cathy's daughter a hug!

It was a perfect way to end a long drive! We are so happy that Buddy is now in a happy and loving home, and Cathy promised to shower him with lots of love.

One thing I find is ironic, is that my dad passed one year and one month ago, and his nickname was BUDDY. I know he was watching over us today.

Franklin the Bunny Killer

MARYLAND -- September 25, 2009
It was a cool, dark evening around 10:30 p.m. EDT, when Franklin the dachshund and his sister, Dolly the Weimaraner were let out in the backyard of their home to patrol the grounds before bed, and do their business. That's when the incident occurred.

From inside the house, daddies Tom and Rob heard a squealing and screaming like a little girl on a rollercoaster. They knew that was Franklin squealing with delight that he had found an evil bunny in the backyard. One that was eating Daddy Tom's flowers and Daddy Rob's green peppers. So, acting on instinct, it is reported that Franklin chased the rabbit around the yard. The rabbit was apparently caught off-guard and didn't know how to get out of the yard. Franklin cornered the bunny near two lawn chairs and pounced.

Dolly, who doesn't have that instinct, but was curious, walked over to the area of the incident. The bunny lay still. Franklin walked away with grin on his little furry face, and a big sense of protecting the yard. Daddy Rob was horrified. Now there would be a bunny ghost hopping around in the backyard.

Word in the bunny community is that they're all looking out for Franklin. When interviewed, Franklin said about the incident, "I was just protecting the flowers and doing my job. Further, for anyone that thinks I'm still overweight, do you think a fat dog can catch a wild jackrabbit? I don't think so!"

Dolly's Trick for Treats

Dolly (our Weimaraner) is getting ready for Halloween
- she's doing tricks for treats. :) Actually, she's perfected
jumping up for them... and she even sneaks in hugs and
kisses to us when we're giving the treats to here. Here's
a video from tonight when Tom was tossing Dolly treats.
, the dachshund hasn't perfected this talent, so he lets the
treats hit him on the head whenever we toss them!

Animal Odd Couples: Unlikely Duos Find Friendship - ABC News

VIDEO: Animal Odd Couples: Unlikely Duos Find Friendship - ABC News

Animal Kingdom's Odd Couples

Three-month-old Asian camel Ldinka bends over a fence to nuzzle an adult Vietnamese miniature pig at the Royev Ruchey Zoo in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, June 2, 2009.
(Ilya Naymushin/Reuters )

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Dog Foster Homes Needed NOW / Tom's Eye update and more

Coast To Coast Dachshund Rescue Needs foster homes for rescued Dachshunds!
  Whether you live in Maryland, Penn., New Jersey or Delaware doesn't matter- what matters is if you can foster a homeless dachshund.  For more info, go to:www.c2cdr.org, yo  or contact the Maryland Representative at marcey789@yahoo.com
Tom's Eye update - Tom returned to work today, although his eye is still giving him blurred vision. The doc said it wouldn't be until Friday (tomorrow) that it would finally feel more like normal- but Tom's working a huge project (architecture) so he needed to go to work.  
Still Needing Educational Funding - My friend Fran's classroom in Baltimore is still needing funds to buy musical instruments for her class. You can donate at: http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=312882&utm_source=internal&utm_medium=email&utm_content=project&utm_campaign=TellAFriend
A New Dolly Parton Boxed CD Collection - Now available!  cool- lots of unreleased stuff, too: 
http://dollyparton.skyroo.com/se/view/music/index.html?&affcode=dpafa1