Public Behavior

Last night, while I was at work at the track, I noticed a couple of the guys looking at something behind me. I turned around, and saw a girl, straddling a guy who was laying in the grass. She was . . . wiggly, and her jeans were down. WAY down. Like, a couple of more inches and we would have REALLY had a show. One of the guys, laughing, took a picture. The girls friend, who was standing beside them, pointed out the picture taker. The girl then came over and said, "You need to delete that. I'm a teenager." Now. First of all, yes. As soon as the guy realized she was a teenager, the photo was deleted. But still. Where the heck were her parents? If I had acted like that . . . ??? She came over again and was indignant. "No one should be taking my picture." If you're going to put on a show, you better believe someone is going to watch. I don't care how old you are. If you act like that, you are going to get the results of that behavior.

Your thoughts?

Puppy Update

After ducking out of work just a little early, and rushing over the mountain, I was able to pick up my Britney dog. She's groggy, a little confused as to which paw goes where, but is otherwise quite happy to be home. And me? I'm going to sleep so much better now that I just have my same old 6" of bed back. Welcome home, Britney!

Britney Surgery

It's a well known fact that I love my puppy. I've had her since she was 4 weeks old, and she's now 10 years old. She had ACL surgery when she was 5, and has progressively gotten more and more gimpy. Last night I noticed that she was even more "off", and once we got home, I noticed that she had a large jelly-bean size mass in the middle of her paw pads. I called my vet this morning, and they worked her in, not only for the appointment, but also for the surgery they did today.

While right now I am sitting here missing the sound of her ticking toe nails, and her growling over a bone, I am so grateful for a vet that is sensitive to the limits of my finances, respectful of my time (it's a 40 minute drive, so they try to do as much as they can in one visit), and who calls to let me know the results of the surgery even as my dog is just waking up.

I've been advised that one of her kidney levels was slightly elevated, but liver and other levels were normal. The message said that she sailed through surgery, and that the mass didn't seem to go into her toe, and no amputation was needed. The other mass on her stomach had very shallow roots as well. Thank you, Bedford Animal Hospital, for taking care of my baby girl.

And, Britney? Hurry home. My bed is WAY too big for just me!!

Saturday Night Observations

As you may or may not be aware, on Friday and Saturday nights, I work at our local drag and dirt tracks. Weather puts a serious damper on these, and last night called for a 60% chance of rain. Just as we were going to open our gates, showers started. We waited it out, and eventually got underway. The drag strip, right behind us, wasn't able to get the track dry, and shut down. By the time the dirt track was rolled in, the sun was setting. The opening prayer was offered, and the National Anthem started. As it was playing, I was struck by how quiet it was. Normally the drag strip is running, and people keep talking. But this time, none of that. And, you could hear the anthem sounding off of the hills. People stood at attention, kids stopped playing, and the world seemed perfect. I thought about the Navy SEALS that were killed this weekend, and thought about how grateful I am that there are men and women like them, that allow us to enjoy our weekends and days as we choose.

Thank you, each and every one of you, for your service.