Choupette

Three month old Choupette is a replacement dog. I had heard that an unleashed Shih-Tzu had been run over and killed last week. This Shih-Tzu puppy is his replacement, not that there weren't tears in the telling, the smile is testament to the joy of a puppy. Pet portraiture is dangerous work. I had a cat lady come completely undone over the December first death of her older kitty about ten days ago. I hope I offer a sympathetic and healing ear.

Yesterday was a heal-up day: lots of naps and supplements to get the minerals in order. I may be fighting a bug-swollen neck glands in the mornings. Hanging out at the park has its joys. Steve, one of the volunteers, borrows my hose to water some nearby trees so we chatted this morning. I like to ask people what spots they have found to enjoy around here. Steve started talking oysters and how many he ate in South Padre Island, Texas. They had a neighbor lady who was always asking what they were going to do. Steve's wife was getting a little tired of the nosiness so she said "Well all those oysters Steve has been eating are starting to work so we are just going to stay in today." The woman whacked her husband and said, "Why don't YOU eat oysters?"

Long story short, I ended up at the Grumpy Grouper for dinner, including a dozen oysters on the half shell tonight. The place is "old Florida" which means it is one lava lamp away from completely tacky. But the food and service are great. Next time I will go for the early bird specials. God, I am becoming one of THEM!

In search of a better platform for my beverage refrigerator, I hit the Salvation Army again. I found a great little table for $9.99 plus it was 25% off day. They'll probably get it back at the end of the season but it is just the ticket-sturdy. Nearly naked Harold stopped on his way to the showers to help me put the fridge on it. The Canadians watched the televised funeral of the high school students and were clearly affected by it. They are not as jaded as we are. It was a national tragedy- Pope Benedict sent condolences, the stadium overflowed. Lots of tears. The locals gathered this evening. Nary a mention in the U.S.A. press.

Went photographing to the windy beach today, and to the Lake Worth Park. I think some nefarious things go on there in addition to horseshoes, bike riding, fishing and walking. I'll let you know later.

Pretty breezy but 68 degrees, today. Brother Rich called with a Casper Weather Report- breezy there too but only 6 degrees. Home is 14 below.

Memory Hook: Citibank wrote off 24 BILLION dollars in bad mortgages today. This is the same outfit that lobbied for tougher laws to keep regular people from escaping credit card debt when declaring bankruptcy. Alan Greenspan joined a Hedge Fund today.