With a bit of nostalgia, a newfound fear, plus time to kill, I stumbled
upon this interesting experiment and story. It has been almost 8 years since I owned a car--without a longing to go back to those gas-pumping days-- and biking is
my preferred means of transport. But, city-living and me-on-a-bike
don't always mix. My adult years (worthy of distinguishing from my childhood years, for I am sure there were many more spills back in the day...) on a bike have landed me with an uncountable amount of bruises, painful stitches, a bumpy-lumpy nose, an irrational fear of SUV's driver-side doors, and a love for clearly marked Bike Lanes. I do like
to "put the fun between my legs" as my comrade likes to jest, but there really should be an easier way to please all road-based travelers. I once thought DC took the cake for the Worst Biking City, but after today, Baltimore wins this prize!
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Veggie Garden Delight
Our green thumbs have been protruding as of late. Been busy in the front and back yards, as you can see. Next up, churning the earth in the back and making it a yard. Plus, building more raised beds for the front. Even the composter exists happily.
Photo Opportunities
This Sunday morn affords one time to do purposeless chores. For example, uploading photos to Flickr and Blogger.
Recent Haps:
Dindin for the Birthday Boy:
School's been fun:
Recent Haps:
Dindin for the Birthday Boy:
School's been fun:
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Summer Storm
Rain pouring, was just snoring as great plans were forming.
Saturday's are my favorite.
Keba is healing nicely. He will have all of his stitches removed by Monday, that will ease our stratching woes. There is more swelling now, but that is to be expected. The pit bull owner dropped off a check for half of the vet bills, that was nice.
Not sure what else...going to stare at some raindrops and listen to some thunder booms.
Saturday's are my favorite.
Keba is healing nicely. He will have all of his stitches removed by Monday, that will ease our stratching woes. There is more swelling now, but that is to be expected. The pit bull owner dropped off a check for half of the vet bills, that was nice.
Not sure what else...going to stare at some raindrops and listen to some thunder booms.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
It's what?
Teacher Appreciation Week
The ever-present humongous knot in my back -- affectionately named different scholars at varied times of the day -- reminds me of how much I am appreciated. So does this article.
Yup...sure am feeling appreciated.
I am also not thoroughly exhausted and full of sarcasm, nope not one lil bit, totally sincere.
I keep telling myself, "Kerri, just remember, 'It is no secret that teaching is one of the hardest jobs in the world and, undoubtedly, one of the most important.'"
The ever-present humongous knot in my back -- affectionately named different scholars at varied times of the day -- reminds me of how much I am appreciated. So does this article.
Yup...sure am feeling appreciated.
I am also not thoroughly exhausted and full of sarcasm, nope not one lil bit, totally sincere.
I keep telling myself, "Kerri, just remember, 'It is no secret that teaching is one of the hardest jobs in the world and, undoubtedly, one of the most important.'"
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Scary Day Update (see post below prior to reading this)
Last night, as I chatted with one of my favorite aunts, A. interrupted to share some great news with me. The owner (the woman) of the TWO pitbulls (see below) informed us that she was bringing a check over! Wow, what a relief!
Since this horrific event I have been in quite an emotional funk. We spent a week at the hospital, report daily to a stressful environment hoping to evoke a bit of change but oftentimes end up feeling disgruntled, watched our dog be attacked, spent a night without our puppy, then were truly convinced that there was no such thing as human dignity and/or responsibility. Then, early last night, one phone call reinvigorated me with humankind. Despite this noticeable and incredibly large knot in my upper back, I am reinvigorated with this world and human beings.
But, I do need some help with this massive knot on my back.(I even put in long hard miles yesterday and it still won't loosen...)
Since this horrific event I have been in quite an emotional funk. We spent a week at the hospital, report daily to a stressful environment hoping to evoke a bit of change but oftentimes end up feeling disgruntled, watched our dog be attacked, spent a night without our puppy, then were truly convinced that there was no such thing as human dignity and/or responsibility. Then, early last night, one phone call reinvigorated me with humankind. Despite this noticeable and incredibly large knot in my upper back, I am reinvigorated with this world and human beings.
But, I do need some help with this massive knot on my back.(I even put in long hard miles yesterday and it still won't loosen...)
Monday, May 07, 2007
Our Scariest Day
Our lil family went through quite a scare on Saturday! A. and I decided to venture down a block for some lunch. We were both being picky and indecisive, but final selected the Dogwood Deli. Due to lack of seating, we took our sandwiches home to dine on the front porch. The day was just lovely: sun shining; cool breeze; neighbors milling about; Keba chilling with us on the front porch. But, all the sudden A. went into scream-mode with "Stay, Stay!", however Keba's merry self sauntered down the front porch steps, then A.'s screams increased and his voice changed into a voice I have never heard before...Then, I saw the cause.
There was a woman, about my age, walking with her TWO pit bull dogs. I froze, A. screamed more, and Keba began to detect his master's fear. He turned his head back to A. to see why he can't say "Hi!" to the dogs walking down his sidewalk. As he turned to judge the seriousness of A.'s scream (and they were blood-chilling), one of the TWO pits launched and bit into Keba's neck! OH MY GOD! I was still frozen on the porch, but now A. was punching the dog, screaming, the pit owner was screaming, neighbors were gathering and screaming. I finally realized that this dog may kill my essence of pure joy--my puppy--and I joined the fight. Through teary eyes I hooked onto Keba's collar and pleaded for the pit to give me my dog back. This evil pit seemed to have Keba's ear and much of his lower cheek tightly secured in his jaw. OH MY DOG!
A kind neighbor, who was gardening with a smile moments before, grabbed his shovel and began to smack, with the shovel's edge, the pit on the head. This sound haunts me still. There seemed to be no releasing my beloved pet. Then, like an angel, a woman appeared out of thin air, and dropped a bucket of water in the middle of the chaos. This freed the pit's jaw a bit and since all of my body, mind and soul was desperately trying to pull Keba for clutches of this horrific jaw (I was more than willing to give the pit Keba's ear in exchange for my puppy back), I launched backward with Keba in my lap. I scooped him up, ran him inside and couldn't stop his tears or mine. We hugged, cried and shook while A. talked to the girl with the TWO pit bulls.
When A. came inside, after chatting with the pit-owner, we knew we had to drive to the Animal Hospital, even though neither of us was prepared for another one of life's curveballs...Keba did seem fine at this point, but better to be safe, right? Right! Keba's cheek, extremely close to his eye and throat, was seriously cut. There was much blood hiding under his deep golden fur. But, we braced ourselves as the vet explained that Keba needed to stay the night, be put under anesthesia for many stitches and a drain had to be attached to avoid infection. We said our teary-eyed goodbye's and left him for the night.
We woke super early on Sunday to bring Keba home. Showerless and decaffeinated, we drove up Falls Road to bring our baby home. Neither of us was ready for the mangled cheek we were about to see, the teary fur from his night-long cries or the sad look in his eyes, but I guess nothing can prepare one for such hardship. We thanked and thanked the vet, gently lifted Keba into our borrowed ride and took him home.
He will heal physically, and we are keeping our fingers crossed for mentally. He is not perky yet, hating the Elizabethan collar and seems slightly more aloof than normal. He is on pain pills and antibiotics and has an uncountable amount of stitches. OH MY!!
There was a woman, about my age, walking with her TWO pit bull dogs. I froze, A. screamed more, and Keba began to detect his master's fear. He turned his head back to A. to see why he can't say "Hi!" to the dogs walking down his sidewalk. As he turned to judge the seriousness of A.'s scream (and they were blood-chilling), one of the TWO pits launched and bit into Keba's neck! OH MY GOD! I was still frozen on the porch, but now A. was punching the dog, screaming, the pit owner was screaming, neighbors were gathering and screaming. I finally realized that this dog may kill my essence of pure joy--my puppy--and I joined the fight. Through teary eyes I hooked onto Keba's collar and pleaded for the pit to give me my dog back. This evil pit seemed to have Keba's ear and much of his lower cheek tightly secured in his jaw. OH MY DOG!
A kind neighbor, who was gardening with a smile moments before, grabbed his shovel and began to smack, with the shovel's edge, the pit on the head. This sound haunts me still. There seemed to be no releasing my beloved pet. Then, like an angel, a woman appeared out of thin air, and dropped a bucket of water in the middle of the chaos. This freed the pit's jaw a bit and since all of my body, mind and soul was desperately trying to pull Keba for clutches of this horrific jaw (I was more than willing to give the pit Keba's ear in exchange for my puppy back), I launched backward with Keba in my lap. I scooped him up, ran him inside and couldn't stop his tears or mine. We hugged, cried and shook while A. talked to the girl with the TWO pit bulls.
When A. came inside, after chatting with the pit-owner, we knew we had to drive to the Animal Hospital, even though neither of us was prepared for another one of life's curveballs...Keba did seem fine at this point, but better to be safe, right? Right! Keba's cheek, extremely close to his eye and throat, was seriously cut. There was much blood hiding under his deep golden fur. But, we braced ourselves as the vet explained that Keba needed to stay the night, be put under anesthesia for many stitches and a drain had to be attached to avoid infection. We said our teary-eyed goodbye's and left him for the night.
We woke super early on Sunday to bring Keba home. Showerless and decaffeinated, we drove up Falls Road to bring our baby home. Neither of us was ready for the mangled cheek we were about to see, the teary fur from his night-long cries or the sad look in his eyes, but I guess nothing can prepare one for such hardship. We thanked and thanked the vet, gently lifted Keba into our borrowed ride and took him home.
He will heal physically, and we are keeping our fingers crossed for mentally. He is not perky yet, hating the Elizabethan collar and seems slightly more aloof than normal. He is on pain pills and antibiotics and has an uncountable amount of stitches. OH MY!!
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