An Angelic Anniversary

With the busy week I had I missed posting about a really important anniversary here at our house. I'm going to correct that today. 

On Saturday February 12, 2005 at an animal shelter in Hardinsburg, KY; James, Brandi, Paula and I went to pick up the puppy we found on Pet Finder.com. James had been asking for a puppy for a while. Dory was full grown when we adopted her a year earlier. He wanted a puppy to play with.

It was the special connection, pictured above, I captured, digitally, during their initial moments together that told us that we had made a good choice. 

That day we brought home our 2nd family dog. We named her "Angel" because it was close to Valentine's Day. We agreed that it was close to "Cupid"; but was a better dog name. She as been our family pet for 9 years as of this week. 

She fit in with our family right away and still does. Being a mix of border collie and Jack Russell terrier has made life with her very interesting. She's been, and still is, an affectionate companion and a protector. She loves us just as much as we love her. 

Life is very different for Angel these days. Until last summer she spent her entire life as a "sister" to our other dog, Dory. She's adjusted but I can tell that even after 6 months she still misses her. 

But some of the subsequent changes Angel has enjoyed . She has free run of the house now almost never being restricted to the "dog room" or being secured in her crate. 

She can eat her food when and how she wants to without having to "protect" it. She gets to go to the groomers instead of having to endure the stressful process my giving her a bath. 

She spends her nights sleeping on her pillow just inside our bedroom. Protecting us by guarding the slightly opened door. Leaving the door open allows her to go in and out of the room without having to wake us up. 

So Happy 9th Anniversary to our pound puppy. We love her and by the way she prances and "talks" to us whenever we come back from being away she loves us too.  

God willing she will go on being our "special Angel" for a long long time.

Love In Legos

It's Valentine's Day. I want to show you the way I'm telling my Valentine and the Love of my life how I feel about her on this special day. This is what my wife saw on our TV stand last February 14th. 

Now with Valentine's Day coming around again, I wanted to express the same sentiment in the same medium but in a different way. It's not all that different but here's what she found this year. 

Of course, this is not the only tokens of affection she will be receiving today. But I want the others to be surprises. 

From the very beginning of our love I've known that we make a cute couple. 

Happy Valentine's Day, My Darling Paula Kaye. You are the everything to me. From the moment I met you, my life has gotten better than I ever thought it would be. Thank you for loving me like no one else has, does, or ever will. You have my heart always and forever. 

Of course, I cannot write a post about Valentine's Day and the one who has my heart without mentioning my little Valentine, Aria Nicole. 

This beautiful little girl steals my heart with every look, every laugh and every smile. Each time I see her I can't help but gaze in amazement at how much I love her. As you can tell from this picture taken on her first birthday last April, I think the feeling is mutual. 

So lots of Love to both of my Valentines today. Each of you make me so happy just being a part of my life. I am a man blessed beyond anything he deserves; not just today, but every day of the year. 

K9 Celebrity Encounter

Real live animals who are used by businesses as mascots, in commercials or other advertising venues may be effective but there's one thing that cannot be forgotten. They are still animals. That fact came into play when I had a chance encounter with a beloved local animal celebrity the other day. 

This cute boarder collie is the mascot of a local TV station, WNKY NBC 40. He appears on the station's weather broadcasts, community service announcements, and makes public appearances to promote local business and community events. 

He is such a local media icon that in an area survey he's been named the favorite TV personality every year for at least the last 5 years. 

I have met and pet him many times, mostly at Hot Rods games. He once made an appearance at a job fair held at the Sitel call center when I worked there. 

I remember pointing out as a joke to my co-workers that there was a dog just sitting in our call center lobby making more money doing nothing than we were talking on the phone. 

Radar is a charming and sweet dog who is normally very gentle and personable. At the very least he's calm and passive. I've never seen him do anything the least bit aggressive; not even barking unless prompted by his handler.  

Here's the reason I've written all of that:

This past Monday I went to 325 Emmit Avenue in Bowling Green to apply for a job with a taxi cab company whose office is in that building. The WNKY TV studios are also part of that complex. 

While walking from the parking lot to the main entrance of the building I saw something that surprised me. Sitting on the lawn out in front of the steps, all by himself, was Radar the Weather Dog. 

I called to him trying to get him to come to me but he stayed sitting where he was. He looked at me but didn't move from that spot. I couldn't figure out why there wasn't anyone around to watch him and make sure he didn't run away. The area was totally open. No fence to keep the dog from just taking off. 

I went inside to the taxi company. No one was in the office so I left about 30 seconds later. 

When I exited the building and headed down the steps, Radar was still in the same place. One more time, I tried to cajole him over to me but he just only turned his head and looked at me. I concluded that, being a border collie, in his mind he was guarding the NBC 40 studios and he couldn't leave his post. 

I decided that no matter what I did I wasn't going to coax the TV mascot  to come visit with me. I turned away and walked to my car. When I got to my car I turned around saw Radar standing on the sidewalk not 20 feet away. He had followed me. 

At first I was kind of startled because I hadn't heard him follow me and couldn't rationalize that he could get that close so fast. It reminded me a bit of a scene from a scary movie. 

I decided that he finally wanted to be friendly. Once again I called him over to me but he didn't move. He was even with the front door of the TV station's offices. So I decided to walk toward him. When I did he started barking at me. I could tell from his body language that he saw me as a threat. 

The barking brought a female station employee outside and she calmed Radar down. I apologized to her for getting the dog upset. 

She told me that it was okay. She explained that what the dog was reacting to was my trying to get him to come across the wire that forms the perimeter of the invisible fence that keeps him "at home" in front of the studio. 

The girl explained that Radar knows his limits and that he knows testing them would give him a shock and hurt him. He sees anyone that tries to get him to go past the invisible fence wants to hurt him. By instinct he gets defensive.

Once I saw the wire for the electric fence (it really was truly invisible unless you knew it was there) I understood. 

I apologized again and walked inside the wire to try and get friendly with Radar again. I was very cautious and he was still somewhat tentative. But he did allow me to pet him. I told him he was a good dog and that I was sorry. 

I was so impressed that I saw someone so famous just sitting there by himself that I forgot something. For a few minutes I forgot that Radar is a dog with basic instincts that he's going to act on above all else. 

I still like him and he's a great dog. I only blame myself for what happened. He was just a dog being a dog. If I'm ever at the WNKY studios again and the same situation occurs I know what I'm going to do. I'll probably call the dog once and if he doesn't act friendly, I'll leave him alone. Lesson learned.  

Lego Movie Review

Spoiler Alert: This post has spoilers in regard to the content and ending of "The Lego Movie." It is not my intention to circumvent anyone's enjoyment of this film. If you have yet to see it and don't want it to be "spoiled; postpone reading this post until you've seen "The Lego Movie". 

The last time I felt "obligated" to go see a movie based its source material was Tim Burton's treatment of "Dark Shadows" back in May 2012. That turned out to be one of the worst movies I've ever seen. 

So when I decided to go see the Lego Movie I wasn't expecting much. But I had to see what parts the mini-figures I collected in Series 12 played in the film. 

I thought I was going to see just another of the "cookie cutter" animated movie that the Hollywood cartoon factory has been "mass producing" over the last few years. But I was wrong. 

"The Lego Movie" wows you visually with almost constant action and movement. The film makers never take themselves too seriously. Never straying too far from the understanding that the film is based on a children's toy. But they also flaunt the fact that that toy is immensely   popular. 

The movie encompasses Legos history by using it's vast variety of mini-figures; past, present, and future, as main and back ground characters. It brags about the many facets of it's products by showing a variety of different Lego worlds. 

The best thing it does is emphasize the importance of remembering that Legos may be a "plastic brick building system" but it is also a "fluid" toy. "Builds" should never ever be thought of as "finished." The bricks need to be a constant tool in the utilization of one's imagination and creativity. 

The ending of this movie explores the constant moral conflict between conformity and order versus fun and adventure; illustrating it in the form of a father and son relationship.  

I identified with it because it reminded me of my constant internal battle between my obsessive compulsive personality and the creativity of my spirit. Both have their values and need to continuously exist in a symbiotic relationship. 

So in conclusion, if you are a Lego geek, no matter what your age, you will love, love, love this movie. If your understanding and knowledge about the Lego world is anywhere from minimal to none you will still enjoy the story and the message. 

I highly recommend the Lego Movie. It's a great family film. I will no doubt go to see it again. It will also definitely be part of my movie collection when it's released on Blu-ray. Because when it comes to "The Lego Movie", everything is AWESOME!!! 




   

My Own Spring Training

This season winter seems to have a stronger hold on South Central Kentucky this year than any other since I moved here almost 15 years ago. 

The cold temperatures and continuous pattern of light snow and ice have kept us in Jack Frost's grip. Most years the usually tulips are starting to poke their way through the soil around now.  

But fear not fellow Kentuckians a sure sign of spring, not just for us, but for the entire nation is happening this week. 

Major League Baseball teams open their Spring training camps starting this week. This means that warm nights at the ballpark are on the horizon. Of course this picture of Bowling Green Ballpark (borrowed from the Bowling Green Hot Rods' Facebook page) taken just a few days ago doesn't make that idea very believable. 

Nevertheless, pitchers and catchers reporting to camp marks the start of another MLB season. Each team and organization begin again with hope, optimism and one goal: win the World Series. 

In that same spirit, I'm starting my own "Spring training" with a personal goal I want to reach by the time the World Series trophy is held aloft in the lucky locker room in October. What is that goal?

Last year I finished my collection of MLB t-shirts with one for each of the 30 MLB teams. My goal involves that collection.  

Before I explain this let me show you something I saw the other day that I want to add to my closet next to my t-shirts. 

While watching the Price Is Right the other day, I saw a contestant wearing this shirt. It's a button down with cartoon drawings of MLB baseball team bobbleheads. 

I love love love this shirt. I want one. I have Googled it but can't seem to find any information on it. It will remain on my radar. Hopefully, I will find one someday. 

Now back to the t-shirt collection already I have in my closet. When I finished collecting them last September I had little problem; actually it was a big problem and it was me. 

I had ordered the last six t-shirts in a size extra large but I had let myself go and couldn't fit into them. Knowing that I would need something to motivate me to lose what I'd gained over 2013 I ordered them in that size knowing that initially they wouldn't fit. 

Now that the new year is here and baseball season is starting in a couple of months, I have gotten the shirts that didn't fit last year back out of storage and put them out where I could see them. I took this picture. 

Like the jeans I wrote about in my January 2 post, my goal is to be able to wear all of these by the time the Yankees win the World Series in October. One part of that sentence is wishful thinking and the other part is a goal. Those of you who know me can decide which is which. 

I'm already restricting my daily intake of calories. I try to do some type of exercise 3 or 4 times a week; either at home or at our church gym. 

But as the weather gets warmer  I'm going to start my own "Spring training" by, once again, walking my dog and riding my bicycle on a regular basis. Those are both types of exercise I really enjoy. 

Even though there is still winter, I'm warming up to the idea that some time during the baseball season I'll be able to wear my Padres, Indians, Diamondbacks, Marlins, Rockies, and Twins shirts. 

Then on summer days I'll have a choice of any of 30 MLB team t-shirts to wear. When I reach my goal I  assure you there will be pictures posted here. 

Miss Penny

In 2008 my sister-in-law, Theresa, became the owner of a cat named "Penny." The cat belonged to a friend of Theresa's, who lived in Tennessee, and needed a new home. She was an inside cat that was very shy around people. Theresa had just moved into a new apartment after selling her Bowling Green home. She decided to take the cat in. 

When we went to Theresa's apartment for Christmas that year, Penny wouldn't even come out from under the bed. 

It wasn't until Theresa moved back up to Smiths Grove that Penny got used to me and Paula being around her. She grew to really like me. Whenever I would walk into the house she would appear from wherever she was sleeping and make it a point to come up on the couch and sit by me.

A couple of years ago Theresa moved back to Bowling Green. I continued to be one of Penelope's (as I'd come to call her) favorite people. Whenever I visited, the cat would continue to get up next to me on the love seat wanting me to scratch her back. Sometimes she stayed down by my feet on the carpet and rubbed her face up against my sneaker. I have no doubt it was an expression of affection.  

Over the last year Penny has had some health problems. Theresa has spent a lot of money on visits to the vet, tests, medication and surgery. 

But recently the cat had started raising her tail, backing up against a wall,"marking her territory."  She did this all around the apartment causing a constant need for Theresa to clean up after her.  According to the vet there was no physical reason for this. Theresa was not physically able keep up with the cleaning.

So this past week she had to give Penny to the local Humane Society. Needless to say my sister-in-law was very very upset. She now has to get used to life without Penny. 

Having had to say "good-bye" to two pets of my own just a little more than 6 months ago. I know how she feels. I understand the sorrow she is feeling

I went by the day Penny left and gave her a hug. I tried to comfort her but there's nothing that can console such a heartache but time. 

Penny was Theresa's constant companion for more than 6 years. Now that she's gone there's an empty hole in my sister-in-law's heart that nothing is ever going to fill. 

I will miss Penny as well. Being one of her favorite people kind of made me feel special whenever I went to see her. I know that in her own unique way she loved me. She was special to me too. 

So for one last time with a heavy heart I have to say "Good-bye Penelope." Thanks for being a part of our lives. You will be missed. 

   

A Decade Of Preparation

I mentioned in a post a couple of weeks ago that the ultimate job is one that you'd do even if you didn't get paid. 

This past week I got one of those types of jobs. In this part-time position I'll be doing some of the same things I've been actively doing for quite a while. 

I'm not going to give the details, here online, but I will tell you that its a part-time job where I will be working with children in a local "after school" program. 

For the last 10 years, I have actively been teaching and ministering to kids at my church. I have been planning and presenting lessons and teaching children's church at my church. 

During that time I have worked with every group from preschool to middle school age. I know how to relate to all of them. 

The skills that will help me be successful at this job: creating crafts, making up games, telling jokes and stories, entertaining with puppets, I've been honing over the course of a decade of ministry. 

As I stated earlier, this job is just part-time; only 18 hours a week. But other than getting used to the setting it shouldn't be much different than when I'm working with the kids at church. 
This will be a good addition to my resume too. 

I found out this past Friday, that I'll be working 5 days a week from 2-5:30 in the afternoon at a school in Bowling Green. I'm looking forward to applying my skills to help kids on a daily basis. I'm grateful for the opportunity.