At 6, 6:30, and 7 the national CBS radio news breathlessly talked about the ongoing tragic fires in southeast Australia.  Their announcer talked about the inferno near Melbourne and throughout the province of Victoria. Finally, I couldn't take it any more and called the KCBS news tip line.  Australia has states and territories.  No provinces.  It's the State of Victoria.  The KCBS woman on the phone seemed stunned -- of course, she said. She'd let national know. The 7:30 national news talked about the fires in the State of Victoria. I know news budgets are cut. But, I hope CBS [...]

Last weekend redozdachs and I visited the home of the woman who bred Syntax (our healthy 17 year old) and Audit (who died last month at 16 years. Ellen, the breeder, wanted to see Syntax who is her oldest surviving offspring. Syntax had a big day for an old girl, but maintained her composure in style.  I've posted pictures on Facebook. We hadn't seen Ellen in 12 years.  She'd gotten married and stopped breeding and started playing with grandchildren.  Recently, though, she was given a beautiful dog with great bloodlines (with a connection to Audit).  Ellen's first litter in probably a [...]

... Array would still be Queen. We took her in today to the eye specialist because her right eye has filled with blood.  The eye is permanently blind says the doctor.  We're giving medication to see if the pressure goes down. Otherwise, it'll be surgery, eye removal, and eye patch time. What happened? Who knows?  Maybe a tumor (most likely benign)? Maybe cataract? Maybe a sport injury?  If the meds don't work and we remove the eye we'll know more. Here's hoping for permanent ignorance.

We went to the Golden Gate Kennel Club show at the Cow Palace this morning. Unlike most shows, this one is "benched". The dogs and their people exhibit on benches for the whole day, so the general public can come up and talk to the people and admire the dogs close-up. Seventeen years ago we went to the same show meet breeders, and we met Syntax's breeder Ellen there. Today we watched the judging of the long hair dachshunds in the ring, and then wandered through the three huge halls filled with dogs and canine accoutrement. Fun. We also met [...]

We're glad to have the familiar Toyota back in the garage. I picked it up from Alioto's garage Thursday morning, and driving it around made us think that The City had suddenly repaved all of the roads. Aside from 24 days of Kia Spectra rattling tin-can annoyance — and aside from the time and trauma of the initial crash — this has been an easy accident. Bad enough, though. No more, please!

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"As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience’s sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and [...]

Champaign is chilling, redozdachs is readying popovers (our traditional holiday breakfast), and a couple of friends are coming over to crowd into our spare bedroom to sit in front of our old-style tube TV to watch and listen.  As soon as the sun rises, the flag is going up.  I am a pessimist.  But, I think we may make it.

As modeled by its creator, fuzzygruf,at tonight's sewing circle. I am ready.

Lilliput's Empress Norton ML "Audit" passed away in her sleep on the floor of her beloved kitchen last night.  She had been in genteel declining health for several months, and her energy level had lowered noticeably in the past week. She was 16. Audit spent her last evening sharing an honored spot on the TV room bed surrounded by other members of the Ozdachs pack. Her last meal was a handful of delicious chicken, and she died protected, loved, and cared for. In her earlier days she was a refined show girl, winning championship points for Best of Opposite Sex [...]