Howl Therapy

Alright ! I know....I KNOW....it's been ages since I've posted anything. Sorry -- time just gets away, compounded by the fact that I can only post things from my work computer (hey, don't turn me in!!!) since my computer at home is powered by two very tired gerbils. But, here I am again.

I think I'm 'on' to something....I'm going to call it 'Howl Therapy'. Maybe it's been done, but I just discovered it this past Friday evening. Being that it was Friday, and it had been a loooooong week, I rewarded myself with a nice fresh 6-pack of Corona, since it goes so well with tequila -- but let's not get too much into the details. Let's just say that I was 'relaxing' after a long week, and the weather was very nice for February, and I had gotten home with enough daylight left that allowed me to spend some time with The Pack. We had played, and romped, and loved and eaten and the sun had pretty much gone down but there was some light left. The trio had settled down to chew on various things, and I was just hanging out with them, sitting on the edge of the deck. Just then, a pack of coyotes in the distance began howling and yapping. Gator was the first to respond, standing up, stretching out long, starting low and then slowly raising his head as he let out a loooooong "Howwwwwwwwwwwwl" that sounded just like the one Snoopy gave us in "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown." I egged him on as the two girls began to get in to the act as well -- each with their own voice, responding to the primal call of the wild. I was giddy ! I joined in, experimenting with various tones and playing off their melodies, until they all devolved into a chorus of short barks and yips that signal the end of the session. I layed back on the deck and just laughed and laughed, a catharsis of all the week's crap just let loose, until they all circled 'round licking and pawing me in one mass of 'packdom.' We were one.

Something interesting and fun and maybe even helpful is on the horizon in our efforts to 'deal' with the Irminator and her continuing decline -- I've volunteered for a 4 month study about 'care givers' of people with dementia. The focus of the study is to provide a new software via a home computer, high-speed interenet access, and a camera, which enables the caregiver to access more support than they may have available otherwise. (I know that sounds a bit vague, but it's the best I can do as far as a description until I actually get the computer and program and proceed). Various aspects that will be available include email access to a geriatric psychologist, evaluations, possible video link to mom (and maybe other siblings?), and other 'help' as yet undefined. I'm pretty excited about adding another tool to my arsenal against "let's not let Irma's crazy make US crazy..."

Other things on the horizon....going to a yoga and meditation retreat in a couple of weeks with one of my good (and silly!) friends, Sharlyn. For a taste of what it's about, go to: http://www.personaltransformation.com/meditation-retreat.html (Groovy, eh?)

Thought for the day: To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly. (Henri Bergson)

Love ya!

Back at it...

Gaaah ! Out all last week with something close to pneumonia, which was just added insult to injury since I was stuck at home for most of that time, waiting for the sleet to melt. The bad weather not only had most everyone shut down for 2 or 3 days, but it also had The Pack living indoors with the Pack Leader from Monday to Thursday -- all went well, very little loss incurred, and the newly fenced back yard was a Godsend for their potty breaks !

Although I came in to work for a few hours last Friday, it didn't prepare me for being back full time today -- my dragon is draggin' ! And, my beloved Darryl Anne (a.k.a. super yellow wonder kitty) is on her last leg....and I arrive home every day holding my breath to see if she's still 'with us.' Been holding my breath for about 5 days now.

On a lighter topic, I'm going with friends to the OU - Tennessee basketball game tonight ! Although I 'bleed Orange' (Go Pokes!) I'll be pullin' for the gals in crimson...even though it would also be very cool to have been at Pat Summitt's 1000th career win...

AND, there's the whole Irminator drama -- she's going in to a 'skilled unit' at a nursing home today for several weeks of physical therapy and rehab, hoping to regain better use of her legs. We're all hoping for the best, but preparing for the possibilty that she may become a resident as well. As I was driving over yesterday, it was all I could do to keep things straight: "Let's see...it's put the cat to sleep and mom in the nursing home.....or is it put mom to sleep and the cat in the nursing home?" I think it would be important to keep this straight.

Later, Gators...
MO