Covid Times . Dogs . Retirement . The General
Border Lines & Border Terriers
On April 18, 2020 by SperanzaDisclaimer: Not one of my ancestors!
I’ve always had a dog. Crinkled family photos show well loved dogs owned by ancestors that I never even met. In my early married life, we had dogs in multiples – six at a time when we had a small acreage – so it has been strange and unsettling to have since endured an entire decade without any at all. The last dogs I had were Shar-Pei, exceptionally easy-going, companionable, intelligent and despite what you may have heard, ours were the very best with children. Sadly, we only had 7 years with The Incomparable ‘Hobson’ and once he and the others (‘Rose’, ‘Neon-Moon’) all passed away in quick succession after my husband’s departure, I had nothing left to give and no money for vet bills.
Introspection
Pandemic
On April 16, 2020 by Speranza
When I was a young child my mind had – and still has – an uncanny but undesirable ability to remember scary, dreadful things just as I was trying to fall asleep. Literally, as I felt myself start to loosen, I would be snapped awake by the image of a grinning, menacing rocking horse that was moving independently (when I was five) or a collage of swirling, terrifying news bytes which happen to be true (last night).
Retirement . The General
You’ve Got (Unwanted) Mail
On February 18, 2020 by Speranza
The General and I were out shopping recently and eventually approached the counter to pay for our few wares. The young woman who came to serve us was buoyantly attractive with the cartoon appeal of those sloe-eyed creatures (without pores) who inhabit many an Instagram account.
“So, guys,” she said brightly – but slowly – in the manner of someone who has very recently attended a (mandatory) customer service seminar. “We’re going to start off by getting an email or phone number, ‘kay?”
The General leaned in to me and observed, sotto voce: “Is this an interview? I just wanted to buy toothpaste …”
Love this man.
Frasier . The General
Getting New Material
On October 30, 2019 by Speranza
I have never been frightened of things that creep. I actually enjoy picking up (little) snakes, frogs, toads, ‘pill-bugs’ (which John Steinbeck likened to ‘tiny armadillos’, one of the best descriptors ever) caterpillars and worms. When Frasier was young, he had a bearded dragon lizard which I was the main caregiver to. I have often shunted spiders into an envelope for transport to a safer, more suitable locale if they are of a reasonable size. (There was one in the basement this week that had a startled, unpleasant facial expression and a head only slightly smaller than my own. He is still down there.)
Art for Art's Sake . Music . The General
The Joke – Brandi Carlile
On October 20, 2019 by Speranza
The General and I were talking recently about how disposable music seems to have become. Except for the boldest of hipsters among us – the kind who listen to bands that are not yet invented and eschew everything but vinyl – there are very few ‘liner note’ devotees anymore. I have often been surprised when my own boys know very little about a musician they admire. I’m not talking about being able to recall what colours the band members like here but rather, more basic stuff like, say, their names or nationality. Instead it seems to be just a bit of fleeting interest they have downloaded and may soon forget about.