Pause for four paws

This  picture pretty much captures what has been responsible for keeping this blog running.

 No, this was not quite this level of running we typically operated at, despite what one of us may have wanted you to believe

 But when we did put our heads, or whatever, together, we came up with some things.

 One of us knew the best ways to look sad

 Which might have been related to the zero m&m's that were shared with him

I guess it is time to get to the point. Fozzie's heart condition seemed to be taking on some new symptoms recently, but nothing that was really taking away the essence of Foz being Foz. I called last week to schedule a vet appointment for us to check in to see if it was time to tweak anything. The appointment was scheduled for yesterday morning. Over the weekend Foz stopped eating, which meant no medicine either. No chicken, no ground beef, no eggs, no pumpkin. Water and sleep were his only interests. His eyes had changed-the vet noticed too. There were other indications that he was in distress (of course, in true Foz style they were not the three big symptoms I have been watching for). It was time...

I told him I would let you all know, and that wings would be the last costume he'd have to wear.

 Run free sweet Foz

I can't think of a title though!

The other day I had an idea for a blog post I wanted to write. I wasn't exactly sure where on the growing list of posts I am absolutely going to accomplish it fell, but it had top five potential. I was driving of course, as that is where a lot of my ponderings happen - most likely because there are no dust bunnies clamoring for my attention like there tend to be when I am seated comfortably on the couch at home, laptop within reach. There were a few stop signs on my route, so I did a quick scan to see if there was any paper I could scribble my musings on. Nope. I considered asking Siri for some help with a reminder, but then decided I should have more confidence in myself and the worthwhile sentences coming together in my brain. I don't need to tell you how this story ends, do I? Maybe I could just update you some time WHEN THAT IDEA COMES BACK TO ME!!!!

Meanwhile I have at least three other topics doing a little pinball routine between my ears. If I write them down, or go one step further and create a post, will other long forgotten ideas come back to fill the vacated spaces? I could quickly jot some notes on that piece of paper with other posts I intended to write, but where IS that list? When I sat down just now, it was my intent to simply type, as in compose a blog post. Instead, I felt compelled to launch into this "one that got away" fish tale, but maybe there is time to turn this thing around (as apparently hitting delete is not an option for me).

Let's get ready to ramble...about fruit flies (yep, they are on the list, so now you have a glimpse at the quality of what you have to look forward to). One fruit fly is too many in my house because they are too challenging to effectively swat. That being said, I did manage to take one down that my recent nectarine purchase gifted me with. Several of the deceased's friends must have witnessed what went down and they got busy...well getting busy...to increase their numbers in the fight. I resorted to a homemade trap, that I learned how to make years ago, in hopes it would once again work its magic. I felt a bit of nostalgia.

It was probably fifteen years ago, and my then small children and I were at a playdate. I was already good enough friends with the other mom by then that fruit flies in the presence of a large bowl of fresh produce were nothing to be ashamed of. (Please note: you should never be embarrassed by actual fruit flies, instead, pat yourself on the back for trying to offer healthy snack options.) We decided the numbers were reaching a level that called for action. Sure, we were two adults with four kids between us and two functional vehicles in the driveway, so someone could have escaped to the store. I remember those days though when having another adult to talk to sitting right there next to me was worth more than a solo trip to the store for fruit fly traps. We could have loaded all of the children into one of our minivans, but I also remember those days when I would have punched someone for disturbing children who were happily playing. I also remember how many times it felt like my days did not offer as much purpose as I wanted it to feel like they had.

There was a problem - fruit flies. We were two intelligent women, one of whom has always had superior googling skills - not me. Next thing I knew, we were making fruit fly traps. Vinegar + some dishwashing liquid + water until you have a heap of bubbles on the bowl. Voila!

Gross? That seems extreme. Successful? Yes! I was so impressed with our efforts, as well as this piece of practical knowledge that I would now carry along into the future. It has been awhile since there has been an issue with such an easily accessible solution. I miss those days sometimes. Sure, things didn't always work out, like maybe I ran out of vinegar. Luckily, we had done more extensive research into other trap designs, and this works equally as well...

(That is fruit in container and there are small holes cut in plastic wrap)

Now before I can truly put this fruit fly thing to rest. (Seriously?) I have to add another little something so it doesn't try to make itself a whole separate stand alone post...

My grandmother had this really cool container to keep her homemade pies in. Now I coincidentally have this really cool container to keep homemade pies in. (I have nothing against store bought pies, but they typically come in a container already. Was that disclaimer really necessary?) Moving on, there are vents in the plastic cover so that the pie doesn't get soggy. Worked wonders for my grandmother at home and on various apple pie transporting missions. Guess what this contraption turned into at my house this fall when I started baking apple pies? Go on, you've got it...a fruit fly trap! Ugh...this could launch into another story about how things that seemed magical, or even simple, in my grandmother's hands turned slippery and impossible to hold in mine, but let's stop here for this time.

There was that girl down the hall, freshman year of college, who was a bio major and obsessed with the fruit flies in her genetics class. I have a picture of her fruit fly costume she made for Halloween that year. I think I could find it relatively quickly. NO!!!!!!!! I will end this post. I will not just save the draft while I go rifling through old photos, finding myself in a nostalgia spiral I cannot escape! Just a quick peek for typos, aaaaaaaaaand "publish"! (oh my gosh, I just realized there is no title!)

Who am I?

With all of this Halloween hoopla, I am starting to have an identity crisis! Am I the hamburglar? (Oh how I wish!)

I do tend to make a little piggy of myself, but rarely get to go to the market OR have roast beef. Alas, I am the little piggy who had none!

One thing remains unchanged though...I am a ROCKSTAR!

You Can Call me Al*

*Can I call you Betty?

Let me just get myself adjusted a little better here...

Ah - much better? 

I just don't feel like Foz is an appropriate name for my new persona. The plaid shirt and beard are very Tool Time, no? Or maybe just Jack? (Lumber implied.)

How many weeks left until November?

No better time than the random

Can you smell it? Something is in the air-October is here! If you've spent the past few autumns here, you know what that means...my birthday is coming...which also tends to mean that A NEW CREEPY MONKEY WILL SHOW ITSELF!!!!! (Last year there was a bit of a recap.) Luckily the horror delight of this year's offering appeared to a dear friend of mine who lives out of town. I could have missed the opportunity to gaze upon this...

She emailed this to me with a simple message that said "I assume we are going to this". Such rage on this banana-hearted monkey's face! It almost made me feel like I had no other option than spending the $800...would he haunt my dreams forever if I didn't?! I wonder what they are serving for lunch. 

Speaking of lunch, the other day I was wondering if I would be able to tell if the waffles I had made days before were still good...

...why, yes, it was rather apparent. Any other blatantly obvious issues around here? Oh, I don't know, like plants that need to be watered?

Hm! Any odors that need to be trapped?

Hey wait, what's the problem with all of that chocolate ice cream? Graphics team, go home and think about what you've done here. Why can't you be more like these marketing folks?

Seriously, this is my new favorite product name...ever! 

I guess it is time for me to go stretch out and rest now. Hopefully a bird doesn't slam into the glass and land dead on me while I do so (at least that is my CSI theory). 

I am sorry for sharing that one (kind of), but seriously, can you even believe my magnetism for such random? 

Walking where?

People around here seem really happy that October has arrived. I too am looking forward to some cooler weather, and crunchy leaves under my feet (now that the initial fear has passed). Then I remembered what one person in particular REALLY likes to do when Halloween is in sight. 

If you are new here, or just have a poor memory, here is my post from two years ago. Go ahead, I'll wait...Last year I decided to put my distaste into song. Take your time, the couch isn't going anywhere. I tapped back into my lyrical genius again this year, and I am certainly not walking in a Winter Wonderland!

Plastic bags crinkle

Are you listenin'?

So much fabric

Some of it glistens

A horrible sight

I am full of fright

This whole situation's out of hand!

Many costumes

Like a whole bunch!

Now I'm hungry

How about lunch?

These plans that you've made

Make me so afraid

This whole situation's out of hand!

We could build a fort out of Milkbones

And for shingles we could use some cheese

If I pretend I actually like it

Maybe this whole thing will be a breeze

I've been Vader 

And a cowboy

A peacock, a lobster

And what now joy?

Oh no, what the cluck!

I'm all out of luck!

This whole situation's out of hand!

Quick random story

So much, there is just so much going on. I can't find the words to do justice to any of the topics flashing by weekly...daily. Instead I am offering this simple story -

It was Dolphy Day at LeMoyne College in the spring of 1990. No classes would be attended, replaced instead with "beverages" and music outside all day long. The opening chords of Free Fallin' came out of the speakers. My roommate and I waited patiently for the first chorus, then started singing our hearts out - as one does. This friend of ours said "Who sings this song?" I remember thinking he was a complete dolt for having to ask, as I answered "Tom Petty". His response? "Let's keep it that way."