love is good

2011-12-31T23:51:00.001-05:00

Sometimes Nick borrows my shoes when I'm not home. Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T23:49:00.001-05:00

Inverness had a ton of Spanish moss. How southern gothic. Very Carson McCullers or Truman Capote.

2011-12-31T23:47:00.001-05:00

When we first drove into Inverness, I fell in love with this peninsula cooter turtle sculpture between Cooter Lake and the Citrus County Sherriff's Office. Smart looking fellows.

2011-12-31T23:46:00.001-05:00

I made my parents pull over so we could check out Cooter Lake. Cooter Lake! There are alligators and turtles in there!

2011-12-31T23:45:00.001-05:00

We drove to Inverness Wednesday afternoon to find my grandparents' old home that I haven't seen since Autumn 1994. Here's the street right in front of their home on Dawson Drive.

2011-12-31T23:44:00.001-05:00

This Florida Sandhills Crane came to visit my parents' place Wednesday morning.

2011-12-31T23:40:00.001-05:00

December 26 was a lazy day, and I spent a good chunk of the afternoon engrossed in the new Jeffrey Eugenides novel, The Marriage Plot. I got to a point in the book where I was quite choked up by the love and humanity and loss in the novel, and I realized the room had grown dark. I looked outside and saw this. It fit perfectly.

2011-12-31T23:38:00.001-05:00

The Christmas come down. Kevin and Steve left midday, and the afternoon was spent running around with my parents, trying to find an elusive Christmas ornament. When the hunt was over, we stopped for food in Kissimmee and saw this on the side of the road. Life is a limited run; don't forget to pump the brakes and appreciate what you got, while it's there. I love you folks, and it's not even Christmas.

2011-12-31T23:36:00.001-05:00

Christmas Eve at Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World.

2011-12-31T23:34:00.001-05:00

My parents' Mickey Mouse car antenna thingy is missing an ear. Last Thursday we parked next to their car's soulmate: another vehicle with a one-eared Mickey. Look closely.

2011-12-31T23:31:00.001-05:00

This was waiting for me at the Orlando airport when I arrived on December 20.

2011-12-31T23:30:00.001-05:00

Nicky catching some pre-holiday sun. Cute, much?

2011-12-10T15:52:00.001-05:00

Today I wore my new socks patterned with pictures of bulldogs in Santa hats, listened to a lot of Husker Du, and hung out with Nick. Those things felt good.

2011-12-02T19:57:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year where it sometimes snows on dachshunds when they go outside. Nick's a good sport about it.

2011-12-01T20:23:00.001-05:00

Walked out to my car at lunch and the sun was shining just right that it illuminated Nick's nose marks on the back window. I love those little smudges. A gentle reminder of what's good in life.

2011-11-30T20:30:00.001-05:00

The catch up pt. 17: Shadow puppet. Not as cute as the real thing.

2011-11-30T20:29:00.001-05:00

The catch up pt. 16: Oh Christmas tree. And Fozzie.

2011-11-30T20:28:00.000-05:00

The catch up pt. 15.5: A clown in the America's Thanksgiving Parade.

2011-11-30T20:27:00.003-05:00

The catch up pt. 15: Kermit at the America's Thanksgiving Parade.

2011-11-30T20:27:00.001-05:00

The catch up pt. 14: Thanksgiving at the MSU Detroit Center.

2011-11-30T20:26:00.001-05:00

The catch up pt. 13: Nick is so patient with me.

2011-11-30T20:25:00.001-05:00

The catch up pt. 12: Autumn in Michigan.

2011-11-30T20:24:00.001-05:00

The catch up pt. 11: The early morning moon over the San Francisco Bay before our flight back to Michigan. Walking Nick the morning of October 23.

2011-11-30T20:22:00.001-05:00

The catch up pt. 10: Leaving San Francisco. Somewhere near the Sunset.

2011-11-30T20:18:00.001-05:00

The catch up pt. 9: The collage outside the chapel at Jess's memorial.

2011-11-30T20:17:00.001-05:00

The catch up pt. 8: Two of my favorite people on one of the hardest, yet most heart warming days of my life. They followed me out to the car after Jess's memorial and we walked off to look at the duck pond and take this photo. I'll love them forever.

2011-11-30T20:15:00.001-05:00

The catch up pt. 7: More pics from Oyster Point Cove

2011-11-30T20:14:00.002-05:00

The catch up pt. 6: More pics from Oyster Point Cove

2011-11-30T20:14:00.001-05:00

The catch up pt. 5: More pics from Oyster Point Cove

2011-11-30T20:13:00.003-05:00

The catch up pt. 4: More pics from Oyster Point Cove

2011-11-30T20:13:00.001-05:00

The catch up pt. 3: More pics from Oyster Point Cove

2011-11-30T20:08:00.001-05:00

The catch up pt 2: This is where we walked Nick while staying in South San Francisco last month. This picture was taken behind the Residence Inn Oyster Point on the morning of October 21.

2011-11-30T20:03:00.001-05:00

The catch up pt 1: Nick after his appointment with the groomer October 8.

2011-10-02T19:53:00.001-05:00

My folks visited this weekend, coming in Friday night and leaving midday today. As is the norm, I'm greatly missing them. Right after they left, Nick and I went for a walk around the block, enjoying the beautiful autumn weather; then sat on the porch, looking at the street where their car was parked. This household's missing them.

2011-10-02T19:49:00.000-05:00

Last Saturday morning, someone very special left this world. I'm still trying to sort through all of these hard new feelings and find peace. I didn't know the last time I saw her would be thee last. I wish I had more time with her on this planet, and I wish we could've returned to Provincetown together one more time, like we always talked about doing. Instead, I'm thinking about her constantly and playing her old records. Love you, Jessica.

2011-09-15T19:42:00.001-05:00

The sun only shines to light Nick's sweet face.

2011-09-13T17:50:00.001-05:00

This is what was left of the harvest moon when I took Nick for a walk this morning. This year's harvest moon yielded new records by Girls and Wild Flag. Bountiful.

2011-09-12T20:36:00.001-05:00

It was a fairly hectic day in the office, made right when I came home to this guy.

2011-09-11T20:58:00.001-05:00

Nick and I watched Lassie Come Home, then discussed the apparent talents of both Pal and Elizabeth Taylor in this early film.

2011-09-10T18:45:00.001-05:00

I woke up this morning to the sound of pouring rain. When it calmed down a bit, I took Nick outside and discovered the street was flooded. The sun wasn't up yet, so I didn't take a picture until a couple of hours later, but imagine the water level all the way up to the sidewalk, and that's how it looked. Kinda spooky. It's since receded 100%.

2011-09-09T20:32:00.001-05:00

Came home to find the Comcast guy, here to fix some downed lines from the Ferndale storms. He stopped to talk to me a bit about dachshunds and how he grew up with them and how his brother recently had a brown shorthair who needed medical attention on his spleen then grew a long coat. Wild! Nicest guy. His shirt says Storm Team. I really, really want.

2011-09-08T20:44:00.001-05:00

Nick's not a big fan of people playing with his paws. That's why I love how he puts his paw in the palm of my hand when he sleeps in my lap. Dreamy.

2011-09-07T19:52:00.001-05:00

One thing that's very key to the essence of dachshunds: they're sweet, patient creatures who never complain, but they truly abhor being wet. Nick, being the sweetest creature that ever lived, was very noble when it started raining on our walk this afternoon. He posed for a picture before toweling/shaking/mad-flopping off. Bless.

2011-09-06T16:33:00.001-05:00

I got the new GIRLS double LP in the mail today. It's sounding mighty pretty and the two-tone vinyl and artwork are beautiful. There's even a bonus flexi-disc and poster thrown in. All of this, and the record's not even in stores for another week. It's all quite exciting. And Nick is a good boy.

2011-09-05T20:33:00.001-05:00

The Catch Up pt. 9: My guy today, doing his Elvis. Bless.

2011-09-05T20:27:00.001-05:00

The Catch Up pt. 8: I can't keep my hands off this guy.

2011-09-05T20:26:00.000-05:00

The Catch Up pt. 7: Early morning Nick.

2011-09-05T20:25:00.001-05:00

The Catch Up pt. 6: Nick the Shadow.

2011-09-05T20:24:00.001-05:00

The Catch Up pt. 5: There's not much more heartbreaking than a lost animal handbill. Finds like this give hope.

2011-09-05T20:22:00.000-05:00

The Catch Up pt. 4: August stroll with my favorite dachshund.

2011-09-05T20:21:00.000-05:00

The Catch Up pt. 3: After a long weekend in Florida, I couldn't wait to get back to thus guy.

2011-09-05T20:20:00.001-05:00

The Catch Up pt. 2: Spent a beautiful day with my folks in Mexico, Florida.

2011-09-05T20:19:00.001-05:00

The Catch Up pt. 1: Nicky surveys the neighborhood on an August evening walk.

2011-08-05T21:09:00.000-05:00

I melt for this dachshund.

2011-07-30T15:55:00.002-05:00

OK, this is from my New England vacation, too. I didn't realize this was a keeper until I was looking for an iPhone wallpaper and this little charmer surfaced. This is from the parking lot of the place where we stayed in Mystic, CT; where I'd walk Nick.

2011-07-25T20:48:00.003-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 29: On the road home. Nick's had a full two weeks of adventure.

2011-07-25T20:46:00.000-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 28: The sign out front, car ready to go.

2011-07-25T20:45:00.003-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 27: Early morning fog over Mystic Harbor, as we get ready to leave at the crack of dawn.

2011-07-25T20:44:00.005-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 26: Another nighttime stroll.

2011-07-25T20:43:00.002-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 25: Nick loves Mystic.

2011-07-25T20:42:00.003-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 24: Nick in Mystic.

2011-07-25T20:41:00.000-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 23: Mystic Jellyfish.

2011-07-25T20:40:00.000-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 22: Nighttime stroll with Nick.

2011-07-25T20:39:00.002-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 21: My home in Mystic, CT. I miss it.

2011-07-25T20:38:00.002-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 20: I'm told this is what Mystic looked like in the nineteenth century.

2011-07-25T20:37:00.002-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 19: Historic Mystic Seaport.

2011-07-25T20:36:00.003-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 18: View from the back deck of our cottage in Mystic.

2011-07-25T20:35:00.001-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 17: Stuck in heavy traffic on the cape.

2011-07-25T20:34:00.002-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 16: Nick poses before leaving Provincetown for Mystic.

2011-07-25T20:33:00.002-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 15: Nicky howling at the Fourth of July parade.

2011-07-25T20:31:00.002-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 14: God bless Provincetown. City that I love.

2011-07-25T20:29:00.002-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 13: Nicky napping on my glowing white lap.

2011-07-25T20:28:00.002-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 12: Pilgrim Monument from reggae bar on the bay.

2011-07-25T20:27:00.000-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 11: Getting long on Dog Beach.

2011-07-25T20:26:00.002-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 10: Beautiful night, ethereal sky.

2011-07-25T20:16:00.001-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 9: Out on the pier.

2011-07-25T20:15:00.002-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 8: Waiting outside the marine surplus store. Provincetown!

2011-07-25T20:05:00.001-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 7: Nick dreams of sitting on the patio.

2011-07-25T20:04:00.001-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 6: Accidental picture of my feet, but I kinda like it.

2011-07-25T20:03:00.002-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 5: Nick on a walk in Provincetown, posing in front of the Boatslip.

2011-07-25T20:02:00.002-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 4: Finally made it tongue B&B in Provincetown. Nick's happy.

2011-07-25T20:01:00.002-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 3: Nick waits at Sears Auto for tires to be repaired. He's eager to get to Cape Cod.

2011-07-25T19:56:00.002-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 2: After discovering some issues, we gotta get two tires replaced in Springfield, Mass. Abe was confused.

2011-07-25T19:52:00.002-05:00

New England Vacation 2011 pt 1: First day on the road, and Nick's beat.

2011-06-25T12:41:00.002-05:00

Every summer we head east to Cape Cod. This year we decided to take a new route. Currently we're in New York (between Friendship and Amity...aww) and it's GORGEOUS. Thanks Google Maps and iPhone!

2011-06-25T12:39:00.002-05:00

Pudding face road tripping.

2011-06-16T17:48:00.003-05:00

My favorite boy. Sitting shotgun on the way home from the groomer. He's worth skipping work for. xoxo

2011-06-12T19:45:00.002-05:00

Nick and I made time yesterday for some porch sitting. xoxo

2011-06-06T21:04:00.005-05:00

Here's another angle, taken right after the other. A little clearer and a little less goofy.

2011-06-06T21:04:00.004-05:00

It's Nick's eighth birthday today and this is how he feels about it. Love this dude. xoxoxoxo

2011-06-05T13:50:00.001-05:00

This morning I came downstairs to the first peony of the year sitting in a cup on the kitchen table. Excellent!

2011-05-30T16:24:00.002-05:00

It was the perfect Memorial Day weekend. Friday I got a package in the mail from my dear friend Sarah with a book, peanut butter cookies, homemade granola, Nutella, and even dog treats for Nick. Yesterday morning was the zoo with e-distractions involving being retweeted by one of my favorite rappers and talking dogs/baseball with my favorite meteorologist. Yesterday afternoon was spent watching TV on DVD with Nick, then just as the storm clouds rolled in, went to a BBQ at some best friend's place where I drank wine and ate corn on the cob with tornado sirens going off. This morning saw bagels and a lot of laziness. There's talks of going out for ice cream soon. A boy can dream. This picture shows what as left of the storm clouds while I wad walking Nick after the BBQ.

2011-05-30T16:17:00.001-05:00

Nick looking longingly at the front door.

2011-05-30T16:16:00.005-05:00

The left profile of a pretty pup.

2011-05-30T16:16:00.004-05:00

Early signs of a SE Michigan spring.

2011-05-30T16:15:00.003-05:00

Knackered Nick.

2011-05-30T16:13:00.001-05:00

EPCOT flowers from my trip to Florida at the end of April. Purdy.

2011-04-17T13:25:00.002-05:00

"Some weather we've been having, huh?"

2011-04-13T20:46:00.002-05:00

2011-04-10T12:06:00.002-05:00

It's getting awfully purdy out. Took Nick for a walk then sat on the porch in the sun until I got too warm and had to come in. Should be near 80 today! :D