Kiss of Death

I feel like such bad luck. Every time I try to do something, it fails. If I buy a product from a company, it goes out of business. If I train for a career, it becomes obsolete.
One time I applied to work in an other country, and it was plunged into a civil war from which it still hasn't recovered.
Now I've volunteered to work the fundraising dinner at church. I wonder if I will destroy a whole religion or only a congregation. Honestly I feel like the kiss of death.
Maybe if you brushed your teeth more often?
Oof

See? I told you I don’t get any respect.

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Little pig smiles as she lies on her favorite blanket

Has your pet had a bit too much to eat over the holidays? Then celebrate your food good fortune with a personalized painting commemorating the event! I welcome the opportunity to meet your furry or feathered family and get to know them through my work.

Information on sizes and pricing are available at my site L Bowman Studios.

Shhh!

Crunch!

Toby and I were out for a walk the other day. As neared his nemesis’s house, (star of such posts as The Great Roundup, and The Day After ), I noticed he was completely silent. Not even his tags jingled as he tiptoed down the street. Realizing he was trying to sneak past the little dog’s house so she wouldn’t come after him, I did my best to imitate his soundless gait. It is hard to walk on stones in boots and not make noise, though. Every time my shoe crunched on a piece of gravel, I got serious stink eye from my boy. He doesn’t know how hard it was for me not to laugh every time he glared at me. Any neighbors looking out their windows must have thought us both crazy as we crept in silent slow motion past their homes.

Thanks to you, you big-footed elephant, I almost got bit!

Some time in the not-too-distant future a can of Halt! will be delivered. Paws crossed it will work to discourage other dogs from coming after Toby. Better still, hopefully we never have to use it.

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After my experience with my GP’s office, I decided to contact the neurologist directly to see if I could schedule an appointment. When I call, I am only able to reach an answering machine. So far I have called every day and left a total of 10 messages, but no one has called back. I guess in the new world, squeaky wheels are ignored and not greased.

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Dream Our World

Come see what my stinky boys have been up to at the Museum of the Imagination in Dream Our World! Inside 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.

Nude Reclining on Sofa – Oil on Canvas

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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Dream Our World

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.

@#$%! Part III

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!

Dream Our World

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.

Creamed Cabbage

Hey jerk. Hey twerp.
You know how kale is just loose-leaf cabbage, and you can make creamed kale with it? Yeah.
So, if yoiu wanted you could make creamed head cabbage...even using one of those purple ones? I suppose.
Doesn't it seem dishonest that the results would come out all pink and lavender like a tasty confection? I mean, it's cabbage!
By the way, when is mommy's birthday again?

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.

One Of These Things…

…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.

@#$&*! Part II

In following up after Friday’s scheduling debacle, I decided approach my GP first. At a previous visit she had said that she might be able to expedite an appointment with a neurologist. The GP wasn’t in the office today, but she is expected on tomorrow. I left a message so that she has the opportunity to get the ball rolling even before I check in again.

I also brought up the idea of Evoked Potential Testing. I said that if she thought it might help with diagnosis – and was able to schedule it herself – I could have it taken care of before any neurological appointments. From what I’ve read, this is a pretty good test for determining whether someone has MS or not.

I also plan to request an additional appointment with a different neurology group. Then the two can compete to see who keeps their appointment first.

Oh my gosh, you are so boring. Just throw the ball already!

@#$&*!

I’m so angry I can’t see straight. I have been waiting six months for an appointment with a neurologist to find out what might be wrong with me. After being turned down for two jobs, I thought maybe it was fate’s way of telling me that I needed more information before promising an employer I could do X or Y tasks. This afternoon – Friday at 4:00 pm – I got a call saying that my appointment on the 30th has been canceled and moved to May. It’s as if I were a brand new patient moved to the back of the line instead of someone who has been waiting for six months (and nearly a year before that). It appears that my health issues will continue to be mine to figure out, because no one else can be bothered.

Mommy made me go for an angry walk with her, and now I’m pooped.

Pretty sure I’m going to call that doctor’s office Every. Single. Day. until I get the answer I want. I also plan to see if I can get a referral to someone out of network. Someone who can keep an appointment.

The Snowman

Look, it's snowing! I think I'll build the boys a snowman while they're sleeping.
They're going to be so surprised.
The next morning...
Hey guys, come see what I've done!
Yay, a pee man! If I give him my hat, can I bring him to life?

Yesterday was the first snow of the season. I took Toby outside to play, and we decided to build a snowman. As I rolled the snow across the ground, I picked up pee spot after pee spot after pee spot. When I was done, I had more pee than snow. Toby was thrilled and even kicked the dirty snow into my face. (Thanks, Toby.) It was one of the grossest experiences I’ve had.

After some of the pee melted off, we decided that the snowman looked like a despondent cat.

Cairn terrier pup standing in snow.

You didn’t like my pee snow? I don’t believe it.

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Bear Paw Quilt

Looking for a gift this holiday season? Consider giving the gift of warmth with this hand quilted Bear Paw Quilt! Heating costs are projected to be 28% higher this winter, so a nice, cozy quilt could help keep utility bills down. Plus, what is more fun than snuggling up together with someone you love on a cold, blustery evening?

This Bear Paw Quilt and other fine gifts are available from my shop at L Bowman Studios.