Toby insisted that I paint this picture for him. (He is fascinated with pretty girls.)
I would be even more interested if the painting smelled like something other than linseed oil.
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Care to see what other artwork the boys enjoy? Then come with them to the Museum of the Imagination and enjoy a day of unsupervised fun! Dream Our World and other fine gifts are available from my shop at L Bowman Studios.
After waiting six months for an appointment with a neurologist, I had my appointment cancelled at the last minute. I was kicked to the back of the line as if I were a complete newbie. This was on Nov 18. I was so frustrated that I requested to see a different neurologist from a different group on Nov 21. The doctor asked which neurologist I would like to see, and I provided a name. Two weeks later I received a call from my PCP saying that someone from the new neurologist’s office would be calling in a few days. I realized that it was unlikely anyone would be punctual so close to the holidays, so I didn’t panic when I didn’t hear anything right away.
On Thursday I felt that I had waited long enough and called my PCP to ask that they remind the neurologist to phone me. The woman who answered the phone said, “What? You would like an appointment?” Then she tried to rattle off the number of the doctor I refuse to see. No, no no! I told her that things had already been arranged with someone else. She put me on hold. “Oh, you were supposed to call them.” No I was not!!! Not only was I not to call them, I do not have their office phone number. She put me on hold again. Then she tried to give me the number for central booking where no one can answer any questions because they are only scheduling, not the office. I was so angry that the ball had been dropped yet again and I had this person trying to push the responsibility for it on me that I snapped. I yelled at her and told her that the information she needed is in the file and that she needed to go back, look it up and make things right. Then I hung up on her. (One thing I miss with cell phones is the ability to slam a phone.) Now I have to call yet again and try to talk to someone who has a clue.Is there something wrong with me that I am so exasperated? I know medical offices are shorthanded, but so is everybody. In spite of that, the garage fixes my car. The bank handles my money. Amazon ships my goods. UPS delivers my packages. Everyone else is managing to keep good records and perform their jobs. There is no excuse for this level of incompetence.
I have a feeling that I am never going to make it to see a neurologist. I am going to have a stroke first.
Ugh, not another “you” story. You’re so boring.
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My neighbor says that when her granddaughter visits, she can’t go to bed without her copy of Dream Our World with her. Aw, how sweet!
If you would like to see what enchants this little girl, pick your own copy. Dream Our World and other fine gifts are available from my shop at L Bowman Studios.
Toby is usually gentle with his toys. Geordie was the one who dealt with stress by destroying stuffed animals. At Christmas, Toby was so agitated by lack of exercise and being unable to poo that he destroyed his gifts as soon as he got them. (Then he went back to the tree looking for more.)
He was really upset when I had to finally take the tree down. I think he was hoping more gifts might appear.
(Sorry. Dopey mommy got tendonitis and is behind in her storytelling as a result.)
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Come see what my boys have been up to at the Museum of the Imagination as they view the world of art from a canine perspective and enjoy a day of unsupervised fun!
Dream Our World is available from my shop at L Bowman Studios.
In grade school we had to do a play where characters needed to learn that the greatest gift was not gold or silver but love. I have come to learn that the greatest gift is not love: it’s poop.
Across north America we faced unusually cold temperatures over the Christmas holiday. In this area it was -5 with a windchill of -30 for days. I know other parts of the country had far worse weather (and our hearts go out to you!), but this was the worst that Toby had ever encountered.
My boy was willing to run out and do super-quick #1s, but when it came to #2 he said he could wait. And wait he did…for days and days. By Christmas eve, he was the crankiest puppy I had ever encountered. He had two meltdowns that day, just like a human toddler. He was in such a mood that he decided to start opening presents – any presents – even those not his.
I tried to tell him it was OK if he went inside. I even set out some piddle pads just in case. I told him he could go anywhere he wanted and not be in trouble, but he just looked at me as if I were crazy to even suggest such a thing. Sneakily I kept giving him pumpkin and coconut water, trying to make going so easy that he could get done before his paws froze to the ground.
Finally, late at night as shepherds kept watch and angels sang, Toby finally went #2. Of all the gifts I got for Christmas, I think this was the best.
Silly. Any dog could have told you that poop is the greatest gift.
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In case your taste in gifts doesn’t run toward poo, consider a soft, warm cardigan. Classically styled Tweed Cardigans are comfortable enough to wear on chilly evenings at home yet handsome enough to wear to work or even to religious services. Hand knit of a merino wool/alpaca/Donnegal tweed blend, this extra soft cardigan will wrap you or your loved one in warmth for years to come.
Tweed Cardigans and other fine gifts are available from my shop at L Bowman Studios.
My boys are different enough that Toby would see playmates; Geordie would see prey.
Max is just a sweetheart.
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This heirloom quality handmade patchwork Hebrew Alphabet Picture Quilt is not just for babies. It would make a beautiful gift for any member of the family. For the little ones, the colorful illustrated blocks would introduce them to the alphabet of their ancestors. For adults, it could be a wall hanging used as a conversation piece in the house. For seniors, it could provide a connection to home that they may be missing if they if they are in a residential care facility. For a family member who has had a stroke, the alphabet and pictures could provide good exercise for their recovering brains.
Hebrew Alphabet Picture Quilt and other fine gifts can be found in my shop at L Bowman Studios.
Each year my folks ask for gift suggestions for what I would like for Christmas. Mostly my lists are practical items like food, books or shoes, but I also like to throw in a wild card like a pony or a sports car just for fun. This year I had seen a decoration that I thought was adorable. It was a light up Christmas puppy. I decided that would be this year’s wild card.
To my surprise, I got the wild card! Christmas Puppy has been a hit with the neighborhood ever since he arrived. So many people have stopped to comment on him. Here he is sitting next to the remains of Pee Man. I tried to get Toby to pose next to Christmas Puppy, but…well, Toby.
Here is Christmas Puppy siting next to our garden pumpkins.
Here is Toby posing with the garden pumpkins.
(I think Christmas Puppy will be Toby’s stand in from now on.)
I don’t know why you are making such a fuss about that thing.
I am your real Christmas puppy!!
Toby isn’t kidding. He is an almost-Christmas birthday boy!
It’s a little early, but Happy Birthday my evil, bitey one!
You’ve heard of putting sauerkraut in chocolate cake, haven’t you? Well….
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Combat covid apathy by dressing your young person in a classic, silk necktie. It could be worn for a formal occasion, religious services or even to school for classes. It could also make a very smart accessory for a ring bearer or guest at the next wedding you attend.
Gold Silk Herringbone Tie and other fine gifts can be found in my shop at L Bowman Studios.
No matter how much training we do, Toby frequently ends up wearing his dinner. I imagine his groomer is mystified at the myriad of things stuck to his head.
Personally, I don’t see the problem.
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Thankies, the Thank You Handkerchiefs, are a perfect way to tell someone just how much you appreciate them in a way that is longer lasting than a paper card. Or, you can use them to clean your puppy's head after his dinner! Thank You Handkerchiefs and other fine gifts are available from my shop at L Bowman Studios.
…is not like the others!
Ha! Now you won’t be able to get that stupid song out of your head all day.
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So, how is the arm thing going? Acceptably. Over time I’ve found that if I sleep as close to sitting up as possible, I have less pain and paralysis. The catch is – as anyone who has ever had a head cold can tell you – you can’t really sleep sitting up. Perhaps if we could do as the astronauts do and sleep velcroed to a wall, life might be easier.
Whoever says sleeping sitting up is hard has never met me!
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Having trouble putting your child to sleep? Perhaps the subliminal message of this Sleeping Teddy Bear and Hearts Quilt will help your little one to drift off to Dream Land. Whimsical quilt would also make a great lap blanket for someone you love. Keep a dear one warm and cozy this winter with the gift of a Handmade in America blanket.
Teddy Bears and Hearts Quilt, as well as other fine gifts, are available from my shop at L Bowman Studios.
I do NOT poop in the house. Don’t listen to her.
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While waiting for an appointment with a neurologist, I may have accidentally stumbled onto what’s been wrong with my arms and hands. Mind you I have described these symptoms to half a dozen doctors yet no one brought this up as a possibility.
In the mornings, I wake up with what I refer to as “Barbie arms”. They are paralyzed – frozen in one position. I can’t move my hands or bend my arms. It makes things difficult because I need to use eye drops as soon as I wake, but I can’t pick them up. Also, trying to use the bathroom is quite challenging. Sometimes my arms and hands hurt badly, sometimes not as much. My arms are weak so that I can’t hold them up unless I concentrate it. Last year I had to buy an electric jar opener (not can opener) because I could not grip a lid.
Each doctor I’ve talked to has thought this to be MS, but of all my symptoms, I thought this one was a bad match because the pain and paralysis depended on what I was doing.
Finally my pain started localizing on my upper arms. Out of curiosity I looked up that part of the arm and learned that the ulnar nerve is located there. Compression of this nerve can cause cubital tunnel syndrome – a very common relative of carpal tunnel syndrome. So why did no doctor recognize it? I’ve told everyone to the point where I’m sure they are sick of the sound of my voice.
I found some stretching exercises online that are supposed to help with this syndrome. I know that the root of my problem is related to sleeping position, and I don’t know how to fix that, but maybe these exercises can give me some of my life back.
Yet another thing to be grateful for this Thanksgiving!
Hope all of our Bitey World friends had a nice Thanksgiving too (even if it wasn’t technically Thanksgiving in your country)!
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The holidays are coming! Don’t forget to pick up a copy of Dream Our World for all those you love. Not only will it be a gift of love and laughter, but you can say that you know the author. (Toby and I can sign the copy, if you’d like.)
Dream Our World is available from my shop at L Bowman Studios.
The Adventures of Bitey Dog 