It's embarrasing and maddening

that a smart dog is smarter than me. But there it is; MacKenzie once again out-did me by going outside and avoiding being leashed for a medical visit.

That dog can read my mind. I probably looked at her funny, or paused too long in the room with her, or didn't follow my normal process to the tee.

When I phoned the doggy dentist, the receptionist said it's happened before; that was somewhat comforting. So we rescheduled and I'll try again on that date.

Of course, I can't wait to find out what a doggy dentist costs. I'll be sure to take my anti-depressant that day. AND I may need a Valium.

Have a new favorite show (not that it replaces any) that I indulged in this week end.  I find Leverage, a TNT series shown in re-runs on ION, an entertaining show. It's not complicated; it's old-fashioned style good watching.  Cast is good; stories are good; production values are high. It's a somewhat up-dated Mission Impossible, what with talented and smart folk performing extraordinary feats to solve problems. Not much about it's realistic, but it's fun.

And, I noticed in one episode the good guys sat down to view video and they were eating popcorn and drinking beer.  So there, Wanda. Some people think it's OK. 

This question arose before the last Beer Bd meeting as we discussed how maybe the Board should serve beer and provide noshes. I think it's a good idea, but I have three (3!) board meetings remaining in my public service career. Beginning in January I can watch the meetings from home (if I'm really that bored) with popcorn and beer and never mind what anyone else wants.

Looking for crafty and craft project ideas. Mandy and I are beginning to start to think about starting (it's almost that iffy) some things. Looking for simple ideas that don't require expensive materials. There must be a million of them, so perhaps just picking some will be the big issue.

But this is the shape of things to come; I will create gifts for friends and family, but I will no longer buy gifts. I'm letting everyone know this is my last year of sending gift cards, or carrying store-bought gifts to folk. It'll be homemade bread, maybe some jams, bath salts for personal care and other things that I learn to do.

That's the way it is.