One afternoon, I was in the backyard hanging the laundry when an old, tired-looking dog wandered into the yard. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home. But when I walked into the house, he followed me, sauntered down the hall and fell asleep in a corner. An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out. The next day he was back. He resumed his position in the hallway and slept for an hour.
This continued for several weeks. Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: "Every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap. "
The next day he arrived with a different note pinned to his collar: "He lives in a home with ten children - he's trying to catch up on his sleep."
 
I cried from laughter
Sorry, if not left a message on Rules.

/m275 Thanks, Sam, and good luck with the new job.

/m277 Hear, hear!

/m277 /m278 Thanks, guys! - I'll pass that on to Helen.

Well, gang, since the Spoonbill has been out of commission for so long, I decided to post a link to to the ZP on its QT. We'll see what happens.

I also looked around for other venues on the Internet that might be suitable to publicize the ZP, but I didn't immediately find much. So, I'm open to suggestions.

/m280

I had lunch with the Spoonmaster last month. He's had a number of other projects which have now completed, and he was talking about reviving the Spoonbill although, since he'll need to move it to a new server, I didn't get the impression it's imminent.

On ZP 213, I had a vague idea that we'd do four poems, one for each season, six stanzas long, each introducing the next (just because that's how the first one panned out) so I've continued it, but I'm happy to be overruled - at the present rate of contribution, it'll take a decade to cover a year anyway :-)

Hey all. I know it's been a long time since you heard from me. This last year has been quite rough in a lot of ways, but I'm hoping things will be better in 2009. Hope you guys are all well.

I do need some help from the computer literate among us. I am thinking of switching from IE to another browser and wonder if you have some suggestions. Thanks!

Edited by author 02-04-2009 06:12 PM
/m281 Sorry it's taken several months for me to get back to you, Beefy. Regarding 213, I was hampered for awhile by the word 'hamper', which to folks around here usually means a thing you put dirty clothes in. However, I looked it up on the Internet somewhere, and it appears that you might have meant what we call a 'picnic basket' here. Anyway, Will seems to have gotten the idea. I tried to continue it just now, but I accidentally ended it in the process. :-( Sorry about that!

/m282 It's great to hear from you again, Karin! As you may have seen, things have been pretty slow around the ZP lately. Regarding browsers, I personally favor Firefox, but Opera is also good, probably even better than Firefox - I'm just in the habit of using Firefox so I tend to stick with it.

/m283 Sam, thanks for the input. Unfortunately I think I'm actually going to have to get a new computer first! This one appears to be in its death throes. Any advice from you or anyone else on a dependable desktop?

I also have some sad news. My beloved Mollie, whom I've spoken of so often through the years, passed away yesterday morning. She had been through some illnesses recently and Sunday morning it was obvious she had worsened quite a bit so we made the decision to end her suffering. She gave us an incredible amount of joy and was a vital part of our family, so we're really down right now. Her little "brother" Rainer was extremely attached to her so he's depressed too. Mark and I are trying to make sure we give him lots to do to keep his mind active and help him bounce back. Fortunately for dogs, they're able to get through this more quickly than humans can.

Karin, Mollie felt your love and you gave her a good life. My condolences.

Francine,

Thanks for your kind thoughts here & on the other board. I know you are a dog lover too and understand how I'm feeling. :)

Hey guys, I read this article and thought my fellow word lovers would find it interesting as well: http://www.nypost.com/seven/05162009/posto...t_169585.htm?page=0.

Edited by author 06-09-2009 01:49 PM
/m287 Thanks for the link, Karin. I enjoyed that one.

BTW, I saw "Marley and Me" recently which made me think of your loss of Mollie. I hope you're beginning to feel a little better by now.

Karin, I had to recently put down Boots and Moe about a month apart and when I came across this article about the dignity of old dogs I thought I'd share with you, knowing that you also experienced a loss:

http://www.theweek.com/article/index/89914...s_are_the_best_dogs

/m288 Sam, thank you so much for thinking of me. I'm at the point now where I only cry about my Mollie 2-3 times a week, instead of (at least) 2-3 times a day, so I am making progress. I hope you and your family (human and pets) are well.

/m289 Francine, I am so very sorry to hear of your heartbreaking double loss. I know how much you loved your boys and can only imagine how difficult a blow that's been for you, especially since I've been so grateful I still have my Rainer with me. I hope your loving memories of Moe and Boots can give you comfort. I appreciate your sharing the link to that story. It was such a touching and heartfelt expression that reminds us all of us dog lovers why we feel the way we do. I know that you might not be ready yet, but how do you and Rick feel about getting another canine companion?

/m290 Their passing has left a hole in our lives and now and then something reminds me of them and I get a sinking feeling. Time will heal though I'll always miss them. I know what you're going through with the passing of Mollie but she and the other furry angels did brighten our lives for a span. I don't think we'll get another pet because Rick will be retiring next year and we hope to travel. Sending good wishes your way, my cyber-friend :-)