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Bedtime: Not As Much Fun As It Used To Be

The prolonged heat of this summer has left me with another case of eyes so swollen and sore that I can barely see. Having the air of fans or AC blowing across them – even while I sleep – has caused a serious enough situation that I needed to take action.

Oh no! Mommy is being kidnapped! No, I am just covering my eyes to help keep them protected from the fan while I sleep. Hey, someone help me to bed, will ya?

I tried a bandana, but that didn’t work.

Not my image

If your eyes are bad enough, there are sleep goggles to keep your eyes hydrated at night.  They also make you look a bit like Carrie-Anne Moss in The Matrix.  The catch?  They are around $60+ shipping, and they only last a few months.

 

The blindfold didn't work, but I read that wrapping your eyes with plastic wrap might keep them protected during the night. Could one of you help me to bed? Hey, you're covering the wrong part of your face.

As an alternative, I found someone’s more economical suggestion of using clingy plastic wrap to cover your eyes.  I don’t have plastic wrap, so I borrowed some for  my nocturnal experiment.  That night I put a big blob of what amounts to ophthalmic petroleum jelly in my eyes, wrapped them up and tried to sleep.

The plastic wrap was hot and crackly, but it did clue in to something I hadn’t known before.  I had never realized that I open my eyes even before I fall asleep.  The plastic crackled every time I did, and I would force myself to close them again.  Sadly, the gel and the plastic wrap still did not solve my problem.

I think I've got it this time. Now I am using tape to keep my eyes clsoed! Boys? cCould someone help me to bed?

Yup, the next step was taping my eyes closed.

I am one of those lucky individuals who has a negative reaction to the adhesive on surgical tape and Band Aids.  This led me on a hunt for hypoallergenic tape that wouldn’t cause my eyes to swell shut.  (Although that probably would have solved my problem.)

Interestingly, while searching to tape, I found out that the latest fad is “mouth taping”.  Seriously.  It promotes breathing through your nose while you sleep, and it is supposed to cause you to sleep more deeply and wake more refreshed.  Imagine all those logopthalmic mouth breathers all taped up like mummies at night!

I still haven’t discovered a proper solution to my problem, but I’ve found that using tape and plastic wrap over my eyes gives the most comfortable results.  (My mom cringed when I told her that.  “Comfortable?” she asked.   Oddly enough, yes.)

hello, Canine Protective Services? HELP!!!

Toby innocently stands there, wondering what mommy is looking at.

Isn’t there someone out there who would like to adopt a little terrier? I am a good boy, and I don’t bark too much.  Please?

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Oil painting of Westie puppy.Oil painting of Westie puppy.

Capture memories of your own furry companion with a pet portrait from L Bowman Studios.  Pet portraits make great gifts for birthdays or Christmas.  You can also order one as a loving tribute for a friend or family member who has lost someone dear to them.

Information about sizes and pricing are available at my website:  L Bowman Studios.

 

 

 

 

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Lagophthalmos – Why Toby Sometimes 吠

Many moons ago, I developed an eye problem so severe that I could barely see at all.  It were as if I had a sheet of waxed paper held right next to my eye.  I was able to see light and a little color but precious little else.  A visit to an eye specialist yielded the diagnosis of “We’re not sure what’s wrong, but here are some drops.  Maybe your eyes will get better.”   It took many long months, but eventually my eyes healed and my vision returned to what it usually is.

For six months or so, though, I was at a total loss what to do with myself.  I couldn’t watch TV.  I couldn’t read or use nascent computer technology.  (This happened decades ago.)  I couldn’t go for a walk or even read a book.

In desperation, I scoured my bookshelf for something that I might be able to read.  What I came up with was a Chinese textbook that I always meant to study but never got around to.

New characters were a full inch tall, and if I leaned close, I could make them out.  Out of desperation because I had nothing else to read, I learned to read Chinese.

I really enjoyed what I was doing and kept it up for three additional textbooks.  Based on the series I used, though, my vocabulary mostly consists of knowing how to talk about students studying literature at such-and-such university.

Anyway, that is why Toby sometimes barks in Chinese.

And as for the eye problem?  Years later the same thing happened again.  After three visits and two specialists they figured out that I sleep with my eyes open.  Uni 1

My boys were embarrassed to be seen with me while I was dealing with this problem.  They claimed I looked like the Unibomber.

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Oil painting of Westie puppy.

Don’t forget to place your orders for Christmas pet pictures early.  (It will give me plenty of time to work and to allow the paint to dry.)  For more information about ordering, visit L Bowmn Studios.

 

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Of Clowns and Purslane

Picture of clown

Ecch! What happened to you? I think I'm allergic to purslane.

Little dog sits on chair and writes in his diary.

Dear Diary, It would appear that purslane turns humans into clowns. Perhaps a more aggressive program of weed eradication may have saved the children of Derry from being pulled into the sewers.

Dear Diary,

It would appear that purslane turns humans into clowns.  Perhaps a more aggressive program of weed eradication might have saved the children of Derry from being pulled into the sewers…

See the source image

Purslane.  (Not my image.)

An innocent afternoon of pulling weeds has left me with eyes itchy and swollen shut.  This weed is still a mystery to me.  It doesn’t flower, so pollen isn’t the problem.  It seems that if it touches my skin, my face swells.  I wear gloves to weed, but the coating on the gloves cracked, and I guess I got a dose of plant ichor.

For the next few days I had best not carry balloons lest the children of the neighborhood run in terror from me.

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Memory quilt near window

close up of memory quilt

Speaking of quilts…

After my grandmother passed away, I asked for her nightgowns.  I used them to make the hearts on a series of Memory Quilts that I shared with various family members.

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If you would like to have a quilt that I have made – this one perhaps? – I now have checkout at my website!

Madison House wall hanging sized quilt.

This Madison House Quilt is 41″ square.  It is made of three layers of 100% cotton with the quilting and binding done by hand.  You can see more by clicking here.

 

 

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Kick Your Butt

 

By the time this knee heals, I am going to need a waleker. Aren't you that old already?

You are lucky I can't balance on one leg or I'd kick your butt!

Bad news, Toby.  I can balance on one leg now!

Go away. I'm sleeping.

We both know you’d never kick my butt.

I can get away with anything.

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Governor Groundhog stuck his head out of his den and declared that our quarantine will continue for another three months.  That means Bitey and Toby will have free rein at the museum for the whole summer!

Cover of the book Dream Our World

If you would like to see what they have been up to there, pick up a copy of Dream Our World.  In Dream Our World, Bitey and Toby visit the Museum of the Imagination and view the world of art from a canine perspective.

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National Doughnut Day

 

You know how salad gets all brown and slimy after a couple of days? Yes...

You know what doesn't? What?

Doughnuts!!!

But I thought you liked salad. NOT for breakfast!

Happy National Doughnut Day!

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Now is a perfect time to order a custom pet portrait for someone you love.L Bowman Studios

The gift of a pet portrait can be very touching to someone who has recently lost a companion.  It is also a fun way to celebrate a new addition to the family.

Stop by my website for more information:  L Bowman Studios.

 

 

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My Boys Help Out

Wow, look at you! We decidded to help you while you're hurt. See? I brought you a bowl of kibble.

And I am going to fix your hair for you.

Punk is still "in", isn't it?

I have found that invalid hair and Covid hair are pretty much the same thing.  A wreck.  So happy to get to look bad two years running!

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If you are looking for a special gift for an upcoming occasion, consider giving  pet portrait!

L Bowman Studios

I work in a variety of mediums and have something for nearly every budget.  Stop by L Bowman Studios and see for yourself.

Coming soon, I will be offering note cards with some of my more popular pictures!

 

 

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Helping Mommy Walk

Now that Mom is hurt, i tis our responsibility to help her. The best thing we can do is stand directly wherever she needs to place her foot when she is walking.

Oh my gosh, would you please go away?!?

I'm sorry! I didn't mean that. I want you with me always. Since I can't lean over and hug you, take these biscuits instead. You're right. Helping is the best!

Yes, my boys took full advantage.

Unhappy terrier wearing Christmas Santa outfit.

Now why would I ever want to trip you?  Hmm…

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Sketch of black cat with stuffed white bunny

Help keep small business alive and small dogs in biscuits!  Tell your friends how much you would like a custom pet portrait from L Bowman Studios,  .

Or you order a copy of Dream Our World.

Cover of the book Dream Our World

Inside, Geordie and Toby run unsupervised through the museum of their dreams!

Dream Our World is available from Amazon.

 

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She’s Beauty and She’s Grace

Remembering last year’s Fall…Woman with injured legs struggles to walk.

Kind of reminds me of when the coyote got the boomerang glued to his butt. As graceful as a sea cow on land!

In the year since the fall I have regained the ability to walk, but there is no grace to my gait.  I move like a broken wind-up toy.

IMG_0259 - Copy

Aw, I would never make fun of your walk.

Cairn terrier stands over slain toy

 Yes I would!

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My boys are still at large at the museum, unsupervised.  If you would like to see what they have been up to while everyone is gone, pick up a copy of Dream Our World.  Inside, the pups visit the Museum of the Imagination and view the world of art from a canine perspective.

Cover of the book Dream Our World

Dream Our World is available from Amazon.

 

 

 

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Catch Up On My Reading

Still remembering The Fall…

While I am injured, maybe I can catch up on my reading.

Mom, he keeps stealing my toys! This little twerp is hogging all the sunshine!

Come here so I can beat you up! Yeah, well I'm gonna go pee on your bed!

I'm hungry! When's dinner? I gotta go potty! Then again, maybe I won't.....

Go away. I'm sleeping.

How dare you portray me as anything but the angel I am!

Chewed up cover of the book Wild Land.

(Quit showing stuff like that!)

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If you would like a book for your puppy to interrupt, order a copy of Dream Our World!

Cover of the book Dream Our World

Inside, Toby and Geordie visit the museum of their dreams while they enjoy a day of unsupervised fun.

Actually, I have thought of this often lately.  Several copies of Dream Our World were being sold at a local museum when the world came to an end.  Bitey and Toby really have been locked – unsupervised – in a museum for months.  It makes me wonder what kind of adventures they have been having without my knowledge.  Hmm, maybe someone should write a book…

Dream Our World is available from Amazon.

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