Honey, where's the dog.....

                                           Group Photo, Crown Point, Oregon - J. Lopez

At first glance this group portrait of my friends last weekend on our Columbia River Gorge outing seems quite commonplace, innocuous, and really of no importance (dull even) to anyone other than ourselves.  However if you thought that you would be wrong!  Every time I look at this I experience a hearty belly laugh. 

That darling little white terrier front and center - the one that looks as if it belongs to us and has been in our lives for years... is in fact not ours.  We had no idea whose dog it was but it quickly latched its poor little self to us and the kids as we lavished it with attention right before this momentous photo was snapped.  It had been wandering around the parking lot the whole time we were there with a look on it's sweet wee face of  "Are you my people"?  It was obvious that someone had inexplicably left this dog behind.

Thankfully it had a dog tag with it's name - Jules; his home - West Seattle; and a phone number.  I should tell you that my nickname is in fact "Jules" and everyone in that group photo (except for 2) are actually from West Seattle.  Cuddling and petting and fawning all over Jules I declared self-righteously how we should just take him home with us as any pet owner who would leave such a darling dog should not own a darling dog!!  Mind you, I have 2 cats and live in a condo so this was a ridiculous emotion-fueled statement that I could not back up but kept thinking of ways it could work besides that fact.

With less emotion and much more smarts, V, called the number on Jules tag and left a message that this dog was at Crown Point and if it was their's they could call her.  Everyone (except me and the kids) wanted to move on to Multnomah Falls and so we all jumped in our cars to leave.  Driving away with the look on that little dogs' face was killing me - killing me.  Jules tilted head and perky furry ears was breaking my heart. I  wimpered to my friends as to how could we ourselves leave that little guy to fend for himself.  We sighed and drove on.

There is a happy ending to this story.  Not more than an hour later, V,  received a call from the owners.  They were in Portland (1/2 hour away) and hadn't noticed that Jules was not in the car with them.  (???)  They were on their way back to Crown Point at that very moment to pick him up.  And another call that afternoon from them when they were reunited with Jules and a big thank you to 'V' for calling them!  Since there was reunitedness and happiness in the end for Jules I won't expound on the assinine owners who didn't notice that there beloved dog was not in their car.....?.....  Nope - not going to comment.

And for your viewing pleasure - here is a lovely iphone doodle art from Keira Hamalian of our new favorite white terrier doggie that doesn't belong to us (but actually does in our hearts!!).

Have you ever left something behind somewhere?  Do tell!!

                                                                                                  

Jules by K. Hamalian

7 random things

I have been 'blog challenged' by Julochka over at Moments of Perfect Clarity.  It feels a bit like a Bobby Flay Throwdown.  Without further ado, here are my seven random things:

1. Taco Trucks

How can one not love street food. People who provide delicious homestyle mobile food have a special place in my heart. It's a little like international travel without the suitcase or full body airport search.....




2. Non natural hair color

Since my 20's I've always wanted to dye my hair some ungodly beautiful shade of green, orange or blue. I never did and now, approaching my 50's I feel my window of appropriate opportunity has passed. But that doesn't keep me from admiring those who do! As a shortcut, just today I bought a new wig to be worn at the Shamrock run I'm participating in this Sunday in Portland, Oregon. Can you guess which lovely look I chose?
 

3. Olives in beer

Years ago while filming a documentary in South Dakota I learned something new from the locals I drank with in the evenings. The South Dakota Martini. What? Never heard of this delightful apertif? Quite easy to make - any old tap beer and 2 green olives! So simple yet so divine. To this day I can't have a regular beer without throwing in a few olives. And if said olives are stuffed? Icing on the proverbial beer cake!




 

4. The first moments of a film in the theatre
   

I love that feeling of great anticipation as the lights dim and the movie starts in theatre. There is such a sense of being swept away from everyday life and into a huge story unfolding before you. My heart always skips a beat as my face turns into a huge cheshire grin.




5. Clowns

Don't like. They are scary and simply not right. Especially headless clowns.




 
 
 
 
 
 
  
6. Cheesy catholic tchotchkes

I have an unnatural affinity for all things velvety religious. The more ridiculous the better. If I owned a large home with several rooms I would devote one solely to this fine overlooked art! The day I lost my moving eye Jesus keychain was a very sad day.  You think I'm joking don't you?  I'm not.





     
7. Kharmann Ghia's
 
Every time one of these super cool cars drives by  I sigh with longing and think -  "that is one lucky ass individual"!  Would I sell my soul to own one of them.  Of course not.  That's silly.  A '67 camaro?  You betcha! 

A lag in productivity

I'm experiencing a personal energy crisis. Without the structure of going to work 9-5 5 days a week I'm finding it easier to be more catlike than productive.  I knew this would happen just not so soon.  Oh I have my weekly schedule with carefully placed daily items of to-do importance.  Evidence below.

However I find that by mid-morning my cats seem to have the right idea - napping in the noonday sun.  Yes, even the beautiful unseasonable weather we're enjoying seemingly plots against me as it streams in the windows onto my chair and couch.  A couch ready made with snuggie and lap cat.  I mean cats really have the life don't they?  All they have to do all day is eat, sleep and poop - with an occasional chomp on some mind altering catnip!  I'm a wee bit jealous truth be told.  Mind you, not so jealous that if my fairy goddess-mother arrived down my chimney and offered me three wishes I'd choose to be a cat.  It would be more like financial windfall wishes....and a crunchless flat belly.....and endless chocolate.....!  There, three wishes already used up and none having to do with fur, four paws or catnip.  Don't worry - haven't gone 'round the bend' thinking fairy goddes-mothers will soon be showing up.  No no, my fairy goddess-mother arrives like everyone else's - from the lottery store down the way.

So back on topic - productivity.  Yes, must find a way to stay on task.  After all, these are tasks that I actually want to do!  Tasks I never had time to do before when I was working the cubicle life.  How does everyone else do it?  I mean once I get on the computer there are so many blogs I want to read and photos I want to look at and news to ponder.   Well once again friends come to the rescue.  Today, Red and I went for an extra long walk to Golden Gardens beach with Sasha the retriever who she is pet sitting over the weekend. 

Not only was it a great walk to a beautiful beach but I took so many photographs I had extra to choose from for my 'photo of the day'.  And so with typical Julie style, I'm learning something new yet again - how to 'be on task' when I'm the one being the taskmaster!  Wish me luck.

Sasha who hasn't yet learned the fine art of walking. 

Photo by J. Lopez