Art free form

I painted the background of the wooden hook in the last class. In this class, I first painted some practice rounds on wax paper. Then I transfered the vine and flower placements in pencil. I then painted the vines and leaves free form. Then the flowers, all with breaks in between. And did I mention it is with my left hand? I got a lot of guidance from my instructor, Laura. There are three other people in the class that meets twice a month.

Physical Therapy

There are all kinds of diabolical contraptions for me to work out on in therapy. Thankfully it's only for an hour. I use the leg extension with just the left leg "so I don't cheat", says one of my therapists. I use a single-point cane (in back) when I'm at the facility.

Elvis is in the house

We are going to Balboa Park tonight for a potluck with other stroke survivors ("Comebacker's Club"). Then as part of the Twilight in the Park series, we will heads over to the organ pavilion to see Graceland – An Elvis Presley Tribute. See there site at http://www.gracelandsandiego.com/

Because I'm from Cali now, I am dressing warmer for the cold nights after sundown. For the first time, I put on jeans and a white long-sleeved blouse in almost two months. I think that, like Sue Silvester of "Glee', I will stick to track suits. Yoga pants, t-shirt, and (gasp) pajamas are more my style of the moment.

(Reba read the blog and came down for the concert. How-cool-is-that? )

Artability class

Larry said that my art side finally had a chance to come out.

This was from last week's art class. I painted violets on wax paper (to trace on templates.)

I continue to paint at home too.

One month and day by day

I would like to thank all of the folks who sent me loads of cards and flowers, rebuses too. Now I'm home and can commit myself to typing one letter at a time on a goofy keyboard.

The first week of rehab is today, 3 hours worth, 2 days a week. Try to act professional ("Bad Santa").

On a side note, these are things more important to me:

• Be more patient
• Spam (never was)
• My day job (still love it & the people)

(Ashasia is still a problem)

This is one cool cat. Puffin is pretty laid back and just ignores Josie unless she happens to confuse Puffin with a dog who actually wants to play. Then it's time to swat if we have to put Josie in her place. Here, Josie can hang and enjoy a nyla-bone with Puffin.

Good news for Puffin & Larry this week: He's off insulin for two weeks. His dosage was steadily declining while on the new wet food diet (Puffin, that is). Good news for Larry as he was the trooper administering the needles.

Josie and the pussy cats

All of a sudden, there we were, all hanging out on the bed together. Josie has learned some cat etiquette and keeps to herself when in the presence of felines. Exception: it's cool to hang with the Puffster.

Josie has learned how to be-have around the cats. The wrath of Ccino is too intimidating. Wooster has picked up on these defensive hissing tactics rather than the earlier flight technique. This was a sweet moment not seen before or since.

Welcome Josie

A friend couldn't keep Josie any more, so we went to the Humane Society on Monday to rescue her. She's a chihuahua/Italian greyhound mix. We and the kitties have known Josie for her six years, so it should be an easy transition. Still true:

1. Josie is a ladies lady. If I'm not home, she's with Betty, not hanging out with Larry.
2. Josie is smart. I didn't think it was possible, but she has been taught not to scarf down the cats' crunchy bowls that are all around. Exception: anything on the floor is fair game.
3. Josie likes to snuggle. Thankfully, she has also been trained to sleep in her crate and doesn't have to be with you shifting under the covers all night.
4. Cappuccino has stepped up as Alpha cat to maintain the cat space. No crazy puppy hijinks within 6 feet of Alphaccino.
   

That's a yawn in the picture, but if you want to come up with your own caption . . . .

1. Easy with the Spock touch, Betty-san.

Getting ready for Christmas

Dead grass and more in the neighborhood on Halloween night.

Neighbors kneeding the camera.

Meet Ladybug and Little Dead Riding Hood,

and her brother the big bad wolf!