#Ella Oliver and Sulley

[trivialbob]

This afternoon I used some PTO. Work has been a little stressful lately, so it was nice to start the weekend early. Financially I'm in a position where if I got fired or laid off I could say, "Okay, cool. Nice knowin' ya. No take backs." I don't hate work or my coworkers, but I'm a little weary of all of it at the moment.

Sheila and I started the afternoon playing pickle ball at a newish club in downtown Minneapolis. I like the place. The building used to house a data center. There's a large old photo on one wall, showing people working at terminals in front of large computers. Thanks for making me think of work! But I quickly got over that.

Sheila plays fairly often there; I just go with her on a guest pass from time to time. She said the intermediate leagues have some Karens. Today we played in the rec league. The people were wonderful. I liked the other players enough that I got to know (and even remember!) their names. Sixteen of us took turns rotating through three courts for almost two hours. I'm going to do this more often.

After that we drove over to Hopkins to use a page from our Hop Passport. It's a buy one/get one at a large number of Minnesota Breweries. This little book is a great incentive to try new places.

We were not disappointed in today's brewery. At 2:30 PM on a Friday afternoon the place wasn't yet busy. The manager took some time to chat with us, which we liked. The beer selection (pour your own) was extensive. I tried two small servings and thoroughly enjoyed each. One was a stout made with baker's chocolate, caramel and dried fruits then infused with bourbon infused oak. Would definitely get it again. Sheila had a pear cider she really liked.

The kitchen was (figuratively) on fire. We split a piadina sandwich. Often we share at restaurants, so we don't get overly full. This flatbread sandwich with burrata, pesto, prosciutto, salami, artichoke and olive relish, and arugula was so good I came close to ordering a second one -- just for myself. We watched some pizzas come out of the huge oven. I thought about getting one to go. But I avoided gluttonous tendencies and arrived home not feeling gross from eating too much.

Today it's cold, damp and gray outside. For me this is terrific napping weather. Even better after drinking beer at lunch. Seeing these three lined up confirmed for me that a nap was going to happen. (Only one of them stayed on the bed for the nap.)

[trivialbob]

If your day starts out with you shouting at drive-thru employees you're an asshole. There is nothing else I need to know about you to confidently assert that.

From inside my car I heard all of it.

You got upset with the voice on the speaker, because the price of a caramel frappe vanilla pistachio mochachino, clearly displayed on the huge menu, shocked you. I too wouldn't pay a lot of money either for all that sugar, fat, coffee and flavoring. But I also know the kid taking your order didn't set the price.

Then you snapped at the passenger in your car who, hearing your rage, said it was okay to drop the drink off the order. Wasted words, because you already decided she wasn't worth the price of that drink. "Take it off the order!"

At the first window, where you pay, you made the kid reach way out to grasp your card. It was starting to sprinkle but wouldn't have killed you to stretch your arm a little and meet the employee halfway.

The person at the second window handed you and orange juice you didn't order. More loud words drowned out her apology. When she asked you to pull ahead to the spot were drivers wait when the order isn't fully ready, of course you let her know, with added decibels, that too displeased you.

When I got my order I looked at the woman then at that car in front. I turned back to her and said "Good luck with that." She rolled her eyes, smiled, and wished me a nice day over the sound of Ella, Oliver, Sulley and Stella barking at her. Dogs can be assholes too.

[trivialbob]

My dogs are peopled and dogged out.

Four extra humans and two more dogs were here for a few days. Jack said his dogs crashed hard when they got home.

Our Ella got sick. We're sure she didn't eat anything strange. None of the other dogs got ill. No need for gory details, but I have done a lot of laundry in the last 72 hours. Ella did not consume any food or water for two days.

This morning Sheila and I took her to the vet. Ella is nearly 13-years-old and has had another issue for about a month. We were prepared for the worst. Blood work looked good though. The vet suggested and prescribed some things for us to try.

Ella finally ate. We stopped for chicken McNuggets on our way home. She ate those like she'd never been sick. We also got some wet dog food at the vet's. It's expensive stuff, but Ella ate some of that too. She also got subcutaneous fluids at the hospital because she was so dehydrated.

Sulley and Oliver didn't get sick. Like Jack's dogs though, they are very tired. Last night Sulley spooned with me most of the night. He normally sleeps alone in a guest room where a window overlooks the street. Sulley likes to keep an eye on the neighborhood. When I woke up this morning he seemed irritated that I needed him to move.

I have PTO most of this week. My plans include daily naps, dog snuggles and maybe some pointless shopping.

[trivialbob]

I'm watching my son and daughter-in-law's dogs this afternoon. This little brown one is Lily. She and Sulley are sort of acting like I drew and imaginary line down the middle of the couch, and it can't be crossed.

Their other dog, Luca, is patrolling the back yard. My Ella and Oliver are napping in another room. All five had been playing together earlier.

The other day I mentioned here that I needed a new garage door spring. When the repairman got here yesterday he asked me to move my motorcycle away from the door so he could reach something. To move it we'd have to raise the heavy door (the bike was at an angle, nearly touching the door and a wall). He said he'd lift the door with the handle while I operated the opener.

I pressed the button. Nothing happened, not even a click or whirr. There had been a storm the night before. I wondered if lightning caused a power surge and hurt the motor. The spring breaking around the same time was a coincidence? But no other home electronics were damaged. The repairman said I'd need a new opener too.

So I ordered one from him. He didn't have it with, so I had to wait until today. This morning I thought to try one of the late 20th and early 21st centuries easiest maintenance tricks -- unplug it then plug it back in.

That worked!

Now the unit would try to raise the door (unsuccessfully though, with that broken spring). That meant all I needed were new springs. This one simple trick saved me $$$.

A different guy showed up today. I explained I didn't need the new opener after all, just the springs. He didn't even know what I was talking about, nor did he have a new opener with him. Had I actually needed the new opener, today would have been a waste of time.

As I typed this Luca came inside and took Lily's spot. Sulley found the energy to find a more comfortable position. When Jack and Ali return later we're going to the brewery and taking Luca with us.

[trivialbob]

This is a gate to get in and out of the airport dog park. That is my truck in the parking lot. 60 steps is what it take me to cover the distance between gate and truck.

The grass along this path is where my dogs most prefer to pee and poop. We stopped eight times (Sulley 3, Oliver 3, Ella 2). It's as if they need to clear their systems before the leashes come off and they can run. Nothing says they can't do that stuff in the park, off the leashes.

I just want to get into the park so I'm not holding three leashes with dogs going in different directions. One day I'll mess with the dogs. After they've excreted everything I'll get to the gate and say, "Well, you must be all done." Then I'll turn around and we will all go back home.

[trivialbob]

Six people and five dogs went camping.

A couple two houses down from Sheila and me have a trailer similar to the one we have. Mutual friends also have a trailer and 40 acres of land in Wisconsin. Those people who own the land have it set up with electrical hookups to support RVs. The six of us met there this weekend.

It is a Disney vacation for our dogs. Ella, Oliver and Sulley ran all over, chasing critters in the woods or just going back and forth between the trailers. Our neighbors' tiny dog is elderly, but she loved following the other dogs around and going inside other trailers. The people who own the land have a huge golden retriever that would check on us each morning, coming inside to see what we'd feed him.

At night my dogs had unconscious sleep. At home at least two of the three typically get up and move somewhere else in the middle of the night. This weekend they had all the ambition of stuffed teddy bears after the lights went out.

There is an adorable bunk house on the property. No one used it this time, but If the landowners ever have multiple grandkids there could be an epic fight over who gets to sleep in there.

Near it is an outdoor shower that even has hot water. I like outdoor showers.

The nearby small town has one brewery and some assorted bars and grills. We'd discussed going to the brewery Saturday night. We went swimming in the St. Croix river mid-day. It was so hot that in the evening we stayed at the trailers, playing cards, drinking some beer, and laughing a lot.

[trivialbob]

This evening Sulley and I walked around Lake Harriet. He swam some too. It was borderline too warm for the two older dogs to come with on a three mile walk. Also, three leashes are a pain in the ass to handle.

Going home we stopped at a brewery in a neighborhood near I grew up. I like going there once or twice a year. It's a nice, though tiny brewery, and I want to check out my old neighborhood.

At the blood bank the other day I received a coupon for a free beer or ice cream cone at one one of several breweries or ice cream parlors. It was good at this brewery.

Hooray for free beer.

I was told to not use the coupon the same day I gave blood. They even wrote the date on the coupon, instructing that it's only valid after that. Hah! The day I had a needle jammed into my arm I went to a different brewery. (Okay, the beer wasn't free. But I still feel like I won.)

Truth be told, the juicy IPA (named Internet Art) I ordered tonight was so thirst quenching and satisfying that I would have paid $15 for it. But it was free, so it was mind blowing.

Now we're home with the other two dogs. Ella and Oliver are a little salty about missing out, but a few treats rectified that.

Recently I found a pizza stone, buried in some kitchen cabinet. Tonight I'm using it. It must be heated in the oven for at least 30 minutes before putting the pizza on it. Gaia certainly weeps at how long I'm running the oven, but I hope the results are worth it. I'll even give her a free slice.

[trivialbob]

This morning I brought Ella, Oliver and Sulley and my BIL's dog Stella to the airport dog park. Last night there were storms in the area. Streets have a lot of leaves and broken sticks on them. The dog park was quite moist and a fallen tree blocked a path.

Stella loves to be in water. The dirtier the, the better. This mud puddle was sufficiently deep for her to get completely submerged. Rolling in the grass did little to remove filth, so she got a bath when we got home. Shortly after that video ends Sulley walked through the puddle but didn't lay in it.

It's 76°F with 80% humidity and a predicted high of 91°. I feel like I need gills to breath. The house feels hot, but the A/C won't kick in right now unless I lower the setting a lot. Today will likely be a two shower day.

[trivialbob]

Ella swam. Sulley jumped in too, but only briefly. I'm going to be sweeping and vacuuming sand for days.

All three have lodge privileges if the owner's dogs aren't inside already. Oliver planned to collect a little tax (taste) from anyone who bought an ice cream bar.

We have been visiting some area breweries that allow dogs. Nice people, good beer, great times. Bonus: beer is about a buck cheaper per pint around here than in the Twin Cities area. Drinking beer, saving money. I should have the printed on a t-shirt.

This nearby town has no dive bars, but some nice stores and a small-town grocery store. We usually buy local when vacationing, so I've been to that store twice already.

I love that the sign at the city limits can be quickly updated for population changes.

I haven't been out on the lake, but I sure like relaxing next to it and watching the activity. I wouldn't mind taking a jet ski ride, but the two-hour rental is about and hour and fifty minutes more than I really need on one of those things.

Sheila made an egg bake to share for yesterday's group breakfast. Today she prepared French toast with fresh strawberries and blueberries with a homemade berry-cream topping.

[trivialbob]

Taking the grand dogs to the brewery.

Sheila and I have Jack and Ali's dogs this weekend. Not that that will get in my way of going to the brewery.

Friday night it was Luca's turn. My three dogs were pissed, watching me put Luca in the truck while they were locked in the house. Luca was really curious about this new place. The boy was well behaved, though he never sat down.

Luca likes weekend naps as much as I do. He also likes to sleep on top of me. I don't mind a dog resting its head on my ankles. Luca goes that extra mile and tries to get his entire dog body on me.

Tonight I took Lily along. Once again, my dogs were terribly displeased being left home. With Sheila working both nights, there's no way I can take more than one dog.

Lily was also intrigued being somewhere unfamiliar. She thought strangers should pet her. Several times while I talked to someone next to me, Lily would turn to another person, stand on her back legs, put on a look of abandonment and dispair, and try to get attention.

It worked.

Lily likes to sleep in our guest room. Or Sulley's room, as we also know it. Sulley didn't feel like sharing the bed with Lily, so during my nap he got on the bed with me. And Ella. And Oliver. I managed to actually get some sleep but was sweaty and hot when I woke up.

Tonight I had a nice conversation with one of the other regulars. He's an attorney and mediator. His work stories are interesting to me. One of my favorite bartenders was working tonight too. I like hearing what's going on in his life too.

Today's nap won't interfere with a good night's sleep. The forecast says it's going to drop down to 52°F tonight. I turned off the a/c and opened all the windows. It won't matter how many dogs try to sleep on the bed.

[trivialbob]

Today work was busy, in a pleasant way. If I'd been paid by the keystroke retirement day would have moved up a little. Time flew by. I barely ate anything for lunch.

At the end of the day I was weary and hungry. It started raining, so I didn't want to grill anything though earlier today I had been looking forward to cooking outside.

With the rain, our usual daily trip to the dog park was out of the question. Ella, Oliver and Sulley hear the rain but don't make the connection to "We're not walking around in that." They were a little agitated.

Making lemonade out of these lemons, I took the dogs for a drive. We went to get Chinese food.

Halfway to the restaurant I realized I forgot my wallet. Luckily, I have a little pill container on every set of keys. Each one holds a neatly rolled $20 bill. I even put the containers on Sheila's key chains, (for me, in case I drive her car and need emergency funds). Frequently I check to make sure she hasn't used any of my $20 bills without replacing them.

My combo meal (chicken almond ding, fried rice and cream cheese puffs) was $12. So I was covered. Which is good, because I was starting to get hangry.

The lady at the restaurant was so nice and friendly. Her cheerfulness staved off my looming hunger crabbiness. It also kept me from eating my food in the parking lot with my bare hands.

Back at home I had to take a deep breath before diving in. If I'm really hungry and eat Chinese food too fast I get awful hiccups.

I fed the fortune cookies to the dogs. Sulley wanted to eat the little piece of paper too, but I wouldn't let him. As they chomped on the cookies I ate my chicken almond ding in peace.

Now I'm full. There are even leftovers. And I didn't get hiccups. The sound of the steady rain is soothing. I might doze off in this chair.

[trivialbob]

Not often do I see wide body jets when I'm at the dog park. Today this Airbus A350-900 landed while I was there. I checked a flight tracker to see where it came from. London? Amsterdam? Paris? Those are the usual flights with the larger planes. This one was all the way from Detroit.

I think Sulley will like swimming as much as Ella does. Next weekend we will be camping next to a lake. We'll see if he wants to follow us out to the floating dock. Ella will. Oliver sits on shore with an expression of "You are all so dumb."

This afternoon I rode my vintage mountain bike (1984 Bridgestone MB-2) around three of the Minneapolis lakes. It was muggy and hot, but the ride was decent.

While biking my wife was working. She texted a screen capture of a notice from a brewery. "We're getting a new walk-in cooler installed tomorrow and will be closed for for four days. We need to empty the kegs. $2 beers all day on Father's Day." Sheila suggested I bike over there from our house.

Sunglasses and sweat covered my eyes. The notice was done in the same colors and font as the brewery by our house uses. And why would she send me such a thing from a brewery not by our house?

After my bike ride I went to our brewery with a crisp $20 in my pocket. I asked a bartender for change, so I could pay $2 at a time instead of opening a tab with my credit card. I would help empty those kegs.

I held out two bucks for a beer. That earned me a strange look. "It's eight dollars," the bartender said. He's seen me many times. Maybe he wondered if the heat had gotten to me.

I wanted to go full Karen. All of you who've met me in real life know I can be a huge jerk! But a little voice in my head told me to peel off eight dollars, be quiet and drink my beer. Then I could re-check my phone inside, with air conditioning, instead of on my ass in the hot parking lot.

Wise decision, Bob. That text my wife sent me was for a bar in a different city.

An eight dollar beer does not taste as wonderful as a two dollar beer. Tonight after she's done working I may have Sheila do some role playing. She will bring me glasses of beer and I will give her $2 for each one.

[trivialbob]

Whew. I got a lot done today.

At 6:00 AM I was wide awake and feeling rested, so I got up for the day. Sheila probably had a clean work uniform ready for her shift, but I didn't take chances. I had all clothes washed and put away before she even woke up.

Then the dogs and I went to the airport dog park. Only one larger jet arrived while we were there (a Delta 767-300) but I was on the wrong side of the park to get a good look at it. We walked two loops (two miles). At the end Oliver looked at me like another 100 feet and I'd have to carry his butt back to the car. Or just leave him there. Don't worry, he's home tonight.

We've had decent rain so the grassis thick. I got it mowed, which always leaves me feeling good.

When I ran the dishwasher the drying cycle burned something. As I opened the door it smelled like Satan's toenail clippings roasting over an open fire. My eyes literally watered, and I gasped. After putting the clean dishes away I searched for the source of that vile odor. I found a lump of some gross, crusty thing under the heating element. I don't know what it was. I also cleaned a food trap device (which did not stink). Now my dishwasher has that new-dishwasher smell.

Tonight it was Ella's turn in the brewery rotation. She and I went over for a beer and a dog treat. Sulley and Oliver howled with displeasure as they watched Ella leave without them.

A three- or four-year-old girl really wanted to pet Ella. I told her parents it was fine. That kid got down and pet and hugged Ella who loved it. The girl's dad seemed to be missing his own dog, so he too sat down next to Ella and gave her some lovin'.

After reading the paper and finishing my beer I took Ella home. I was pretty grimy from all I did today. End-of-the-day hot showers are the best. Now I have a the satisfaction of getting stuff done, and I smell delightful.

The neighbors behind us have a fire going in their fire pit as I type this. I can't smell it, but I can hear the crackling. It's a nice way to wind down.

[trivialbob]

First day of school.

We had a tradition in this house of taking pictures of Matt and Jack on the first day of school each year, along whichever dogs we had at the time.

Tonight Sheila starts her paramedic school.

I could not get the dogs to look at the camera. Sulley and Ella were looking for squirrels. Oliver was staring at the car because he wanted to get in it.

[trivialbob]

First camping trip of the season

Getting the trailer out of storage always worries me a little. Did something break over the cold winter? What have we forgotten to bring? We take a lot of things out of the trailer when it's stored.

We did okay this time. Everything works. The tally of forgotten items is short. If I have to hold a cold can of soda or beer in my naked hand, without the benefit of an insulated sleeve, I can live with that. It won't happen again though because I'm making a list.

The shower bag with body wash and shampoo disappeared. No problem though, because we're not far from several stores, and I always love visiting small towns. At a small grocery store Sheila got those things and a loofah. It was kind of frilly looking, with golden strands woven through it. The cashier shot me a huge grin and said, "Oh I know this is for you!" We all laughed. And I did use it.

This four-day weekend we're in Southeast Minnesota, by the towns of Lanesboro and Preston. A great rails-to-trail bike path runs through the area, connecting several towns. We brought our bicycles. Today we rode from Lanesboro to Whelen, where the Aroma Pie Shop is. Sadly, it hasn't opened yet for the season. So bought ice cream at small gift shop across the street.

Someone left hula hoops at the bike rack outside of this little shop.

We did our usual walk of the campground first thing this morning. Sheila pet every dog. We said greeted or were greeted by everyone we saw. I love that part about camping. Last night at a restaurant we talked to a retired couple from Iowa. It was very nice meeting them.

Tonight we're driving to Fountain to check out the brewery and maybe a dive bar.

My son Jack and his wife Ali are staying at our house, along with their two dogs, watching Ella, Oliver, Sulley and Stella. Jack and Ali are helping themselves to my liquor and food. Lily and Luka feel right at home.

[trivialbob]

Last night Sheila and I went to the brewery for a short visit. We never bring more than one dog with us. It's just too much. I keep track of which dog's turn it is to go with us.

Sulley was up to bat this time.

He's not my favorite dog to bring to bars and restaurants. Ella and Oliver are easy. They like strangers and welcome affection. Sometimes I look like an ogre in the process, especially when Ella grabs someone's arm with her big Grinch paw after they stop petting her.

Damn, man, don't you ever pet this nice dog, or do I have to do it all?!

After getting some love, those two will lie down and nap. Ella likes to be under the table. Oliver prefers the middle of an aisle where he can be in the way. It's a power trip, I think, making people walk around him. Then I go on a power trip, forcing him get back to our table.

Sulley doesn't trust strangers. People want to pet him, but he will bark at them. Sheila decided to work on this problem.

Last night a rather large man came over to see Sulley and say hi to us. We had some things in common, so the three of us talked for a while (and drank beer). Sheila asked this guy to give Sulley some small treats. He was happy to help. Sulley's love of treats overcame his stranger-danger feelings.

Later, a couple we know well joined us at our table. The husband fed Sulley more treats. By the time we were ready to leave Sulley was looking for other 50-something men to give him treats.

It might be time to give him extra slots in the dog rotation.