Free Range Springer Ranch News

Heckuva week...

2009-09-04T17:28:00.000-11:00

From the source document (see the link "The source of this madness"):

3rd Sept - Condemner (sounds like a theme, doesn't it?)
4th Sept - Instrumentation
5th Sept - Refresher

I'm behind a day. The leader of this project is ahead a day (dang Aussies). I hate being late so early in the project. Truly.

It's Labor Day Weekend and I must work tomorrow, a run to George to pick up some machines and then up to Chelan to fill some machines at the Grandview Motel. Sigh. Buud has promised we take Sunday and Monday off. I hope we can.

Cursed September, and unfinished sonnet

2009-09-02T19:17:00.000-11:00

Cursed September, stealing summer time
A little less sunlight every day
Languid nights grow longer, less sublime
Wearing more clothes keeps the chill at bay...

Warranty

2009-08-31T19:39:00.001-11:00

The first thing that comes to mind when I hear the word "warranty" is 'planned obsolescence'. I was in an ABC Afterschool Special back in 1979, broadcast right after my birthday. As a birthday present, my parents got me a large (for the era) color RCA television so I could watch my special on a decent television, not the thirteen inch black and white I'd had for over ten years. It was a nice thing for them to do.

Two years later, the screen went blue - yes children, the blue screen of death predates computers. I got the huge thing down the stairs of my third floor walk up and to a repair shop only to find out that the warranty had expired about two weeks earlier. It would cost me $400 to fix the television.

I went out and bought a new one, Hitachi - thirteen inches, color, for $350. I still have it, it still works great.

And that is why I will never buy RCA products again.

Anticipatory Angst

2009-08-30T19:26:00.000-11:00

What the heck am I thinking?

The thirty day challenge starts in two days. If you noticed, my last 30 challenge stopped after almost three weeks. What you don't know is that I sustained a heavy emotional trauma and plunged into shock and depression.

Why do I bring this up? Because historically (or maybe hysterically), I've always struggled in September. I found out today that my mom and one of my brothers also struggles with September. I'm not sure why they do, but for me I think it has to do with giving up the relative freedom of summer away from home, etc. and going back to a school where I was taunted and a home where I was emotionally, physically and sexually abused.

I don't know if my thirty days of text challenge will make the full month, but I do need to kick my writing into gear and maybe it's the nudge I need to keep on keeping on.

We shall see.

Day 3

2008-07-04T05:15:00.000-11:00

Fierce!

2008-07-02T12:51:00.000-11:00

Early Morning Lap Nap

The Puppy Days of Summer

2008-07-02T10:43:00.000-11:00

Shot one is boring, a shot to show the scale of Hershey to an adult Springer, in this case, Sparo, the used dog.

Day 9 - Cat Wrasslin 2

2008-07-09T16:33:00.002-11:00

But this time they took time out from the furrioucious battle to pose for the camera.

Day 8 - First Vet Visit

2008-07-07T19:04:00.002-11:00

Hershey's first visit to Dr. Kathy, her second round of shots. She's not happy about it, she was even more unhappy with the microchip, as it's a larger needle.

We have to go back in two weeks for her Rabies shot, she's too young at the moment.

And here's a bonus, what happens when you try to nap while the puppy wants to play:

But you'll notice that the scratch over my left eye is healing nicely.

Day 7 - Cat Wrasslin

2008-07-07T04:08:00.000-11:00

I'm really hoping she naps again soon. The problem now is that when she naps, I nap too.

Seems most folks are putting money on the cat. Well, that's wise I suppose, but most matches end up in a forfeit when BobbyKitty gets tired of the whole game and runs up a tree.

Day 6 - Hershey's Big Adventure

2008-07-06T03:25:00.000-11:00

Hershey and Sparo are off on a grand adventure:

They are turning into good buddies.

2008-07-05T04:31:00.000-11:00

Balls are fun.

In answer to a question about raw feeding: Hershey's main diet is run of the mill puppy chow, we pass out bones to each, sometimes raw, sometimes cooked, so she'll have something to chew on long enough to give us a break.

She's pretty darn cute, and please excuse the burnt lawn. It's been really hot and the irrigation water was off for a couple of days and we're just catching up on the watering.

2008-07-04T17:40:00.000-11:00

There was a cute "puppies like horse poop" shot, but then we had The Battle of the Bones. Though not evident in this pic, Sparo has the other end of this bone in her mouth as well...

And the winner is...

I cropped this one tall because, for the first time ever, Bob climbed in the back of the salvaged stereo glass front cabinet.

But obviously, the puppy is ruling things around here.

Day 14 - Napping with Uncle Pete

2008-07-14T13:35:00.003-11:00

here she's saying "put down the camera and let me rest please"...

Having an Uncle Pete is great. Here's a full view:

And even more close up -
Noze and toez -

Day 13 - In Memorium

2008-07-13T18:13:00.002-11:00

Yes, too busy today , what with breaking up with my brother's gf and same brother visiting me, lots of meaningful chat; in re: the same... This is the true rle model and Hershey seems to be channeling many of the same traits.Springre, the best pup ever.

Day 12 - Sharing with friends

2008-07-12T17:19:00.003-11:00

Hershey shares a rawhide chew with Roadkill Blue (on Sparo's chair, no less).
I really should wash that slipcover.

Roadkill Blue was created (altered) for the Evil Child's room in one of our Haunted Theatres. I took him to class when I was teaching because I was dropping him off. The kids said "how did you get the tread marks on him?" I told them I'd smeared black paint on my tire and ran over him.

These days he's great for beating up the puppy without causing major damage to my hands, arms and legs. She loves wrassling with Roadkill Blue, and always wins.

Day 11 - She sleeps...

2008-07-11T18:20:00.003-11:00

I know this is a really crappy shot, poorly processed, etc., but it was a really busy day and consider this just a placeholder.

Day 10 - Romping and Frolicking

2008-07-10T14:14:00.002-11:00

Taken in late afternoon/early evening; hence the long shadow. This little darling is wearing everyone out except Bob, the kitty. She's always ready for anything.

Day 16 - Almost Tired

2008-07-16T18:17:00.000-11:00

Day 15 - Mom, are you coming?

2008-07-15T18:23:00.002-11:00