you little charmer

Nick is in need of a visit to the beauty parlor. When I called the groomer this evening and gave her Nick's name, she said, 'I know him. He's the exceptionally handsome dog, right?' It would seem Nick makes an impression. Everybody loves him. Here he is wooing me this evening while watching a movie.

have yourself a merry big christmas

Happy Christmas! This was the first year I haven't spent with my parents since moving out and I don't have a Christmas tree, but there's a festive door instead. It's been a good morning full of Willie Nelson gifts, fancy toast, excellent Hawai'ian coffee, and Nicky dog's new toy. Right now we're listening to the Chipmunks, so it's officially Christmas. Hope everyone's having an excellent day. <3

modern technology and classic soul

What's this? The possibility of my dream to convert my Etta James Argo LP collection to digital audio nearing reality? That's right. Costco was selling these amazing turntables that plug directly into the USB drive, and I'm currently trying to get her third LP onto my computer. It's really quite exciting. If you run into me this week, anticipate a lot of Etta chatter. I'm giddy.

the fate of all smug gingerbread people

My parents are visiting tonight--a sort of Christmas celebration, since we'll be apart on the actual day--and we added to the festivities by giving Nick his very first plush toy. It was a stuffed gingerbread man wearing a scarf and Santa hat with a rattle and squeaky thing inside. Nick loved it. He obsessed over it for a couple hours until he succesfully pulled the eyes off and ripped the rattle out and we had to throw it away. He hung out by the trash can for a bit, but is now fast asleep in bed. It was a good party. Here he is going to town.

the lazy sunbather

Here's Nick enjoying two of his favorite things: sunbathing and getting his belly scratched. The latter is just as much fun for those of us who can't keep our hands off him.

there's always tomorrow for dreams to come true

I'm currently sitting at the airport, waiting for my flight home. I'm feeling awfully sentimental and nostalgic now that I've said goodbye to my folks and my vacation is more or less over. We've had a great week and they were wonderful hosts who took very good care of me. We haven't been to Disney in a few days, but I thought this picture of Cinderella's castle during Monday night's fireworks was a fitting picture to cap the entire experience. Can't wait until I return. I seriously don't think I'm misspeaking when I refer to visiting my folks as going home. Aww.

strange faces make the most beautiful lights

No sooner than we were let into our rooms to unload our luggage, we turned around and went back out to wander around Downtown Disney. We ate dinner on the patio of the Rainforest Cafe, then spent the rest of the night exploring. This is from my walk back to my room toward the end of the night. That's what the marketplace at Downtown Disney looks like from the other side of the lake.

sitting not waiting

We had a little time to kill while we waited for them to prepare our villa, so my folks and I spent a bit of it on a bench in the shade. This was my view as I made calls and sent text messages. That sidewalk winds around the lake and ultimately leads to Downtown Disney.

where the natives go

So my parents surprised me with a night's stay at the Saratoga Springs resort at WDW. They got a really fancy Vacation Club villa that's sort of like a condo, split up with their half and my half. I'm there now, and I quite like it. Anyhow, just outside of my room is a little trail that leads off to a gazebo looking out over the lake at the Cirque du Soleil building. Next to the gazebo is a little river that seems quite untouched compared to the rest of the Disney environment. It was fun standing there watching the critters go about their lives on the riverbank.

ugly betty? cutie nicky!

Here's a picture of my guy about a half hour ago, right before we headed upstairs to bed. This is the comedown after Ugly Betty. We've watched every episode together, so far, though he usually just curls up in my lap while it's on and falls asleep. Still, he wouldn't miss an episode.

pumpkin season

This evening I went pumpkin hunting with Randy, Lori, and Maddy. It was the first heavy coat weather of the season, but I was only wearing a track jacket. Tomorrow's supposed to be even colder. It's about time we had some autumn weather, seeing as how it's almost November. We chased the pumpkin gathering with pumpkin cheesecake and I preceded it with a pumpkin spice latte. Somehow, pumpkins tend to make everything taste better.

money says it all

Today my department moved to another floor of our building and became a new department. Basically, I got hooked up because I now sit in front of a large wall of windows looking out over Greektown, I've got an awesome cube in a quiet part of the office, and the carpeting and lighting on the floor are aesthetically pleasing. I love it. I had to do a lot of cleaning in my cube, though, because apparently the person ahead of me had no home training and trashed the desk. It was so bad that I had to get a brand new phone and the closet I hang my coat in is so foul that my jacket now smells like stank. Pictured here is a drawer full of condiments that had a mysterious slip of paper with a phone number labled 'money.' It was the crown jewel. But seriously, I absolutely love my new cube. :)

nick rules the neighborhood

Here's another one from Sunday. Nick and I took advantage of the warm weather and spent a little time porch-sitting. I think he was about ready to bark at another dog in this picture. He does a good job protecting the neighborhood. My neighbor even commented on it, saying he rules the neighborhood. He wouldn't have it any other way.

head back chest out

This picture's from Sunday and I meant to post it that day, but I forgot. That's a-ok, though, because I'm in desperate need of a little sunshine today, and this picture may just be the trick. Look at how beautiful this guy is. He's nobility, I swear.

don't be fooled global warming can appear beautiful

We're already a week into October and it feels like August. Temps up around ninety, humidity, and new flowers. I went to visit my doctor on Saturday and he commented on allergies being behind schedule by more than a month. If you don't believe in global warning, I don't believe you're capable of rational thinking.

the sun plays the xylophone better than me

I took this picture yesterday. No particular reason other than the sun shining on my xylophone made it look pretty.

the ebb tide and human cycles can be quite beautiful first thing in the morning

So the days are getting shorter. And one of the benefits of the season change is taking Nick out in the morning and being greeted by the moon and stars. Every morning, my guy relieves himself under Orion. I even saw a shooting star last weekend! I wasn't able to capture the constellations on this tiny machine, but the moon was bright enough to make an impression. Here it is in all its binary glory.

the sunlight patches for nicky dog to dream

I don't know why I didn't post this when I took it, but here's a rather angelic Nicky dog sleeping in a patch of sunlight, while I was watching the Michigan State football game this past Saturday. He loves sunbathing, and he loves napping. This was a moment of bliss.

the troublemaker

I was filling the sink with water, getting ready to do some dishes when I hear banging in the next room. I walk in to find Nick playing with my shoe. Here he is looking innocent for the camera, but just how did my shoe end up on his blanket? Hmm? Busted!

how you like them apples?

Could it be? The autumn's creeping in! College football's in full swing (MSU's in fine form!), the weather's cooling, pumpkin flavored coffee drinks are appearing, and now fruit is falling from the trees. I love this time of year!

september and seals

I know it can be cliche, but I very sincerely can't believe it's September. I didn't have a summer, though it seems to have had me. But I'm not complaining. It was a wonderful few months. I love this time of year, as the world transitions toward autumn. Last year I kicked off September by visiting my folks; this year it was a trip to the zoo.

loving a job is truly amazing

Today was the very best day I've ever had at any job. I showed up at my normal time only to turn around and head out for a field trip. We took the people mover over to cobo and caught a boat at the dock. An old-school tri-level river boat. We spent a few hours cruising up and down the detroit river and it was breath-taking. Truly. I spent most of the time walking around the decks talking with coworkers, basking in the perfect sunny-and-seventies weather. I got to know a few people from other departments and bonded even tighter with my team. It was wonderful. Here's a shot from one of the decks looking at the ren cen and downtown Detroit. It was sort of a spiritual and life-affirming day. I truly felt like I was at the right place, doing the right thing. Total confidence like that is rare in my life. I needed to experience today.

rows of sharon

Today's been a beautiful late-summer day. It's been sunny with temps in the seventies and a nice cool breeze. Absolutely lovely and ideal. I haven't taken Nick in the backyard for quite some time, but he wanted to go back there after our walk this afternoon, so we did. The two rose of sharon trees were in full bloom with way more flowers than I've ever seen them have. It was a nice suprise. A bit of beauty following a week of rain and the worst thunder storm I'd ever experienced. What a trade-off.

sometimes nick looks like a little bunny

This isn't Nick. But sometimes Nick resembles a bunny. I'm at EPCOT with my folks, walking around the World Showcase, and we stumbled upon this cute little guy. He wasn't even phased by our presence. He was having too much fun eating grass. He is a cool guy.

the man on the moon has nothing on the crescents in my guy's eyes

So, Nick's long back from the groomer, and boy is he handsome. Look how sharp he looks. But my favorite part of this picture are the white slivers on the edge of his eyes. They make me melt whenever he looks up at me and here they are preserved in binary. Puppy dog eyes, indeed.

nicky dog come home

This morning, Nick and I sat right here playing with that squeaky toy before going out for a walk around the block. After our walk, he went to the groomer and I went to breakfast with Megan. Now I'm home and he's still off getting groomed. And I miss him. It's quite strange to walk in the front door and not be greeted and followed around. How much fun is a sunny Saturday morning without a sidekick? He was trembling when we walked in the groomer's front door because they also offer kenneling services and now I'm feeling quite guilty. I hope he's having fun and being treated well. I have a feeling he's gonna be smothered with love after I get the call to come get him.

detroit romance

Following the Tigers loss to the White Sox, Comerica Park was kind enough to present fireworks. It was a wonderful way to shake off the loss and the alcohol. Great night!

beautiful losers

I'm at a Tigers game, and things aren't looking good at the top of the ninth. But all is not lost. Besides, the lights of the stadium have a way of making the night beautiful anyhow.

flowers named after girls some of them brutalized

I absolutely love this time of year. It seems every time I take Nick for a walk around the block, there are beautiful new flowers to greet us somewhere along our journey. And I've never appreciated flowers like I do now, thanks to our adventures. It's nice how one enhances the other. Oh, summer. xo

landing lover

I live with a dachshund named Nick. I love him a lot. Here he is doing that thing where he's cute.

godsend

It's amazing how beautiful the world can be. I've had the worst day at work, the kind of day where it feels like the world is crumbling. I've spent the last hour detoxing--sitting on the porch with Nick, drinking a beer and watching the world go by. The temps are in the seventies, there's a light breeze, and all is well. We met a seventeen year-old dog, saw the neighbors come home next door, and saw the guy on the corner head off to a barbeque. It's been beautiful and quite necessary. Michigan clouds can sure bring a change in the weather. This is when my spirituality is confirmed.

good morning july!

Summer is for taking walks around the block. Fortunately, Nicky's always game.

even lillies like the weekend

I went to throw out my dog's excrement this morning and found a beautiful day lilly hanging out by the trash can. How nice that it made its appearance on a saturday when I'm home to enjoy its beauty. Luverly.

giving flowers to a guy

So, I got a new car yesterday. I love it so far. After I signed all the paperwork, the salesman gave me a dozen roses. I thought that was nice, but almost immediately after, one of his coworkers gave him a hard time about giving flowers to a guy. Anyhow, I decided to share the good cheer, and took them to work for my coworkers. I wish my folks were still in town so I could give one to my mom AND my dad. They smelled so good.

sha la la la

Nick thinks he's a fire engine. Here he is howling along to a siren on tv. Bless. He makes me proud.

fortune cookie prize

I took my folks out for father's day and this was my fortune. It says, 'this year your highest priority will be your family.' Sort of magical, no?

this midwestern

So my folks are in town and we all (minus nicky) went to comerica park for a tigers game. They lost, but it was a very fun time of pizza and drinks and perfect june weather. Now I gotta get some sleep so I can wake up in five hours and go to work. That's a whole other story...

lesson from the wild

The bird feeder in the backyard seems to be quite popular with all sorts of species, yet this was the first time I'd ever seen birds, a squirrel, and a chipmunk all hanging out together, feasting. It was a beautiful sight. See? Peace beyond barriers is possible. At least it is at Chez Love.

heironicky

Ancient cavefolk used to draw pictures of the things they loved on cave walls.

happy birthday nick!

Today's Nick's birthday! He's four years old. I couldn't stop thinking about him today while I was at work (big surprise) and have made a point to constantly wish him a happy birthday and call him the birthday boy. I'm not sure if he understands it all, but he's been smiling and wagging his tail because he knows *something's* exciting. This evening he was treated to a birthday surprise of a peanut butter covered doggy treat, and we're about to sit down to watch 'Lady and the Tramp'. Hope he's having a great birthday. Here he is smiling at all the hoopla.

there is a light

So my very dear cousin, Camille, got married today. It was so hard to fathom that i never found the strength to go talk to her at the reception. She was in her element with her chosen family and seemed quite happy. I'm glad for her. Anyhow, my folks had a romantic moment of their own toward the end of the evening (slow dancing in the country club lobby to that 'lady in red' song) so I went out to the parking lot to give them their moment. This lamp post and I ended up having a moment of our own. You know, like the Smiths song.

pelle carlberg

Oh my goodness. Just saw the Swedish phenom Pelle Carlberg play at a tiny bar in town. Nobody knew who he was and they made him play first--before two local bands. Works out for me because I'm home early, but It's sad to see him not respected in the states like he should be. Here he is with Henrik from Edson backing him up. Excellent, excellent show.

dusting for paw prints

Tomorrow is garbage day. As i was getting the kitchen trash together, the sun was setting and hit the stainless steel waste basket at just the right angle to uncover a paw print on the side. There's only one member of this family with paws of that size, so it became quite clear that someone in particular had recently jumped up to smell the garbage inside the basket. Even though that's a big no-no. I won't say who that someone is, but i will say that i quite love the little sneaky pants.

memorial day peony

Happy memorial day! It's been a beauty of a day--seventies and sunny. I didn't get any pictures of the local parade, but i did snap one of a pretty peony. I seem to have a thing for flowers these days, but the first peony of the year has been special to me for a while now. Long story. Here's the first one i've seen this season.

best thing to come home to

So, i'm officially a working man once again: i got my first paycheck. So nice. But still, i totally treasure the year off that i spent with Nick and coming home to him every day is the best thing ever. I try to watch a movie with him every night, so we can still have some quality bonding time. Here's my guy a little bit ago. He loves sun bathing.

some more spring beauty

I've been so busy trying to adjust to a new job and a new daily schedule that I think I've been taking all of the beautiful weather and spring world for granted. I put an end to that this morning. I was walking Nick and noticed some stunning irises. I love how these different flowers come in waves--there's always something new to look at. To borrow a concept from Alice Walker, 'God makes the different flowers for their beauty to be noticed.' Only that's not the language she used and she was comparing love to wildflowers, but you get the point. I need to make sure I appreciate the beauty around me.

elvis costello

Just riding home from seeing Elvis Costello & The Imposters--great show. He played like five encores which is usually pretty annoying, but this was Elvis. So many great songs. Here they are playing 'Pump It Up.'

welcome little bird!

This shell was found in my backyard this morning. It was clearly a robin egg, but I'm not sure that properly comes through in the picture. Either way, finding things like this remind me of the world of mystery that surrounded them as a child. Like how Nick must still see it when he ran up to the shell, sniffing it. I love having a dog and rediscovering the world and the outdoors.

(this) man's best friend

So, today is my last day of unemployment. After a year of hanging out with Nick the dachshund every day, I will once again return to the nine-to-five world on Monday. I've been looking forward to getting back to work, but I'm having a hard time accepting the fact that I won't be spending my days at home with Nick. I've gotten used to always having him around, and I quite like the way our relationship has totally become a companionship. This little guy has completely stolen my heart. I'm thankful I was able to spend so much time with him this last year. I'll always treasure it. Very sincerely. Here we are on the porch this afternoon, enjoying the perfect weather. Next to sitting in laps and going for car rides, this is one of his favorite pastimes.

smell of spring

Well, the flowering trees are all going bananas, causing the air to smell like spring. I love that smell. It's beginning to feel like the winter is officially over!