Happy holiday wishes to you and yours!
1 Merwin 'Til Christmas
Monday, December 24, 2012
I realize I bring a version of this out every year, but I just think it is worth imagining the joy and exhilaration he feels right here in this moment. Plus, the ear thing is kind of funny.
3 Merwins 'Til Christmas
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Poor thing with his legs sticking out all over as I try to hold him.
4 Merwins 'Til Christmas
Friday, December 21, 2012
This photo is intended to let us all know that the world is NOT ending and we will indeed see beaches and sun again come June.
7 Merwins 'Til Christmas
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
I really do hate included myself in these things, but with one week to go until Christmas, it is necessary to show Merwin's absolute DELIGHT at donning these reindeer antlers last year. Can't you see how thrilled he is??
13 Merwins 'Til Christmas
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Easy to get into this position. Not so easy to get out of it.
14 Merwins 'Til Christmas
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
I just can't resist re-sharing his birthday photo for a few reasons. A) He is sitting at the table like a human and anytime dogs do human-esque things, it makes me laugh. B) The frigging cake. We/I got our dog a cake. Who are we (me)??? C) The look of absolute apprehension on his little face.
16 Merwins 'Til Christmas
Sunday, December 9, 2012
In addition to a view of our dirty floors, here is a demonstration of this dog's ability to seek rest in the oddest of places. In this case, on top of the chair leg and on top of the cable cord, wedged against the wall. How relaxing!
19 Merwins 'Til Christmas
Thursday, December 6, 2012
It was apparently way to hard to get all the way onto the bed.
21 Merwins 'Til Christmas
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Contrary to what you may think, this is indeed a photo of Merwin. He is the little white blur under the tree. He is running. He is happy.
22 Merwins 'Til Christmas
Monday, December 3, 2012
Figurehead. This picture happened before he fell off the boat. HAHAH.
Thanks, Lori, for both the picture and the boat ride.
24 Days of Merwin
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Back by popular demand (hahaha) is our Merwin Christmas countdown. Let us get things started with a slighty blurry, no nonsense version of the pooch cruising on the ferry to Martha's Vineyard.
Speaking of Countdowns
Friday, November 30, 2012
In addition to the opening of pocket number 1 tomorrow (see below), we (like there is more than one brain behind this operation) will also be launching the classic (as in it started last year) Merwin Christmas countdown. This is one of the more pathetic displays of my dog obsession, but it also sucks up the life of the blog and allows no room for anything other than Merwin's mug through Christmas. So when I came across this poem today, I felt the need to post it since otherwise, it wouldn't see the light of the blog-o-sphere until 2013.
I have always had a thing for trees during this time of year and I love how the poet captures the idea of them "yearning upwards." The poem itself is quite vertical and the juxtaposition with the inevitable horizontalness of our futures is interesting. Let's not think too much about that countdown...
Vertical
by Linda Pasten
Perhaps the purpose
of leaves is to conceal
the verticality
of trees
which we notice
in December
as if for the first time:
row after row
of dark forms
yearning upwards.
And since we will be
horizontal ourselves
for so long,
let us now honor
the gods
of the vertical:
stalks of wheat
which to the ant
must seem as high
as these trees do to us,
silos and
telephone poles,
stalagmites
and skyscrapers.
But most of all
these winter oaks,
these soft-fleshed poplars,
this birch
whose bark is like
roughened skin
against which I lean
my chilled head,
not ready
to lie down.
I have always had a thing for trees during this time of year and I love how the poet captures the idea of them "yearning upwards." The poem itself is quite vertical and the juxtaposition with the inevitable horizontalness of our futures is interesting. Let's not think too much about that countdown...
Perhaps the purpose
of leaves is to conceal
the verticality
of trees
which we notice
in December
as if for the first time:
row after row
of dark forms
yearning upwards.
And since we will be
horizontal ourselves
for so long,
let us now honor
the gods
of the vertical:
stalks of wheat
which to the ant
must seem as high
as these trees do to us,
silos and
telephone poles,
stalagmites
and skyscrapers.
But most of all
these winter oaks,
these soft-fleshed poplars,
this birch
whose bark is like
roughened skin
against which I lean
my chilled head,
not ready
to lie down.
Counting Down
Any Morning
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Any MorningWilliam Stafford
Just lying on the couch and being happy.
Only humming a little, the quiet sound in the head.
Trouble is busy elsewhere at the moment, it has
so much to do in the world.
People who might judge are mostly asleep; they can't
monitor you all the time, and sometimes they forget.
When dawn flows over the hedge you can
get up and act busy.
Little corners like this, pieces of Heaven
left lying around, can be picked up and saved.
People won't even see that you have them,
they are so light and easy to hide.
Later in the day you can act like the others.
You can shake your head. You can frown.
Crazy Christmas Ckelly
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
While I believe I have successfully toned it down in recent years, my holiday excitement has not waned despite the forced purging of reindeer and snowman tchotchkes (seriously, spell check??). This past weekend we had the pleasure of journeying into my first-ever experience with a tree farm to select this year's iconic seasonal symbol. The conversation with the tree farmers went something like this:
Farmer: We've got lots of varieties!
Kelly: Which lasts the longest?
Farmer: Well they're all pretty fresh since you'll be cutting it down yourself.
Kelly: I need this thing until March.
Farmer: Um.
Yeah, so if you added thousands of tiny puppies and an unlimited supply of hot pizzas, I think a Christmas tree farm is my idea of heaven. After 45 minutes of fondling dozens of trees, investigating them for their scent sensibility, and carefully evaluating fullness, we agreed upon a beautiful balsam fir.
Farmer: We've got lots of varieties!
Kelly: Which lasts the longest?
Farmer: Well they're all pretty fresh since you'll be cutting it down yourself.
Kelly: I need this thing until March.
Farmer: Um.
Yeah, so if you added thousands of tiny puppies and an unlimited supply of hot pizzas, I think a Christmas tree farm is my idea of heaven. After 45 minutes of fondling dozens of trees, investigating them for their scent sensibility, and carefully evaluating fullness, we agreed upon a beautiful balsam fir.
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Refreshment
Monday, November 19, 2012
We jaunted off to Martha's Vineyard for a visit with Simon's mom this weekend. What a refreshing, rejuvenating, and relaxing couple of days--long beach walks with Merwin, cozy fires and board games, yummy dinners. It was just what the doctor ordered!
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A Poem For A Monday
Monday, November 12, 2012
Major thanks to MJ, who brought my attention to a writer who I somehow neglected for years. Rainer Maria Rilke was a German poet at the turn of the 20th century who like Merwin, seemed to utilize imagery, objects and careful diction to express his ideas through the description of moments, a feat I've always admired and tried to replicate in my own attempts. Writer Stuart Holroyd once commented that the "poetry which Rilke wrote to express and
extend his experience...is one of the most successful attempts a
modern man has made to orientate himself within his chaotic world." Who's chaotic life doesn't need some orientation?!
Day in Autumn
by Rainer Maria Rilke
translated by Mary Kinzie
Day in Autumn
by Rainer Maria Rilke
translated by Mary Kinzie
After the summer's yield, Lord, it is time
to let your shadow lengthen on the sundials
and in the pastures let the rough winds fly.
As for the final fruits, coax them to roundness.
Direct on them two days of warmer light
to hale them golden toward their term, and harry
the last few drops of sweetness through the wine.
Whoever's homeless now, will build no shelter;
who lives alone will live indefinitely so,
waking up to read a little, draft long letters,
and, along the city's avenues,
fitfully wander, when the wild leaves loosen.
Biographical information and poem from www.poetryfoundation.org.
Biographical information and poem from www.poetryfoundation.org.
Three Days of Three Dogs
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
We're dog sitting for our friends' two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and they are just the cutest little things! It is a bit of an adventure to walk them--lots of tangled leashes and three noses trying to sniff their way in three different directions, but they're also massively adorable together. This morning, Merwin stopped abruptly to investigate a fascinating leaf pile and Luna plowed head-first into his butt...sort of like furry bumper cars. Here are some noses.
Most Dreaded of Holidays
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
1) Possible costume idea for Halloween 13.
2) Affirmation that I'm not the craziest cocker spaniel owner out there....
Happy Opening Day!
Friday, October 12, 2012
That's right, folks! Today is the opening day of the New York Rangers Hockey Season. What a thrill it will be to cheer them on as they play the LA Kings, the defending Stanley Cup Champions.
There you have it. A tiny sampling of what my blog post would've looked like if there was actually a hockey season to be had. After an oh-so-close brush with the Cup back in May and an endless summer of lame-o baseball, it would've gone on with giggly school-girl excitement to detail my hopes and dreams for the boys in blue.
Instead the number one goaltender in the world was out at a NY bar last night "playing a gig with his band." Players everywhere have retreated to European leagues to at least get a paycheck and stay on top of their games. Seems like no progress is being made between players and management and while it's not so bad right now, I fear the worst is yet to come. Dark, dreary winter nights without the comforting sounds of slapshots and bodies slamming into the boards. I feel empty.
Let's hope the Cardinals can pull out a win tonight, or our household will be doubly depressed.
Hello Filth!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Today marked the first day I went outside and was cold. This will last until May. Anyway, the cold reminded me that it is indeed fall, and the arrival of cool weather always brings my family a little chuckle as we welcome the season of "filth." Allow me to explain.
In elementary school, probably around first or second grade, each of us made a little "hot plate" to take home to our parents. I clearly don't recall details since I can barely remember dressing myself this morning, but apparently, Little Petey's assignment was to draw "the seasons." Pete was a smart kid, so he split the hot plate into four sections and drew summer as a nice field with a pretty red house and spring with a puffy cloud and an Easter Egg. Winter was a bare tree with what I assume were supposed to be snowflakes but actually looked more like little blue bicuspids. In each corresponding square, he wrote "Winter," "Spring," and "Summer." Quite impressive spelling for such a little guy with a big head (it's true, he was way out of proportion then). Then it went slightly awry. When you look at the fall picture, there is a nice tree with brightly colored leaves, but underneath it our future double Ivy Leaguer wrote "Fillth."
I mean, heck yeah! Go Petey! Things are dying everywhere and it does seem kinda brown and musty, so why not just say it like it is? I like to think that creatively renaming fall was an early manifestation of his artistic prowess. Perhaps he will let us sneak his very first "piece" into one of his shows.
In elementary school, probably around first or second grade, each of us made a little "hot plate" to take home to our parents. I clearly don't recall details since I can barely remember dressing myself this morning, but apparently, Little Petey's assignment was to draw "the seasons." Pete was a smart kid, so he split the hot plate into four sections and drew summer as a nice field with a pretty red house and spring with a puffy cloud and an Easter Egg. Winter was a bare tree with what I assume were supposed to be snowflakes but actually looked more like little blue bicuspids. In each corresponding square, he wrote "Winter," "Spring," and "Summer." Quite impressive spelling for such a little guy with a big head (it's true, he was way out of proportion then). Then it went slightly awry. When you look at the fall picture, there is a nice tree with brightly colored leaves, but underneath it our future double Ivy Leaguer wrote "Fillth."
I mean, heck yeah! Go Petey! Things are dying everywhere and it does seem kinda brown and musty, so why not just say it like it is? I like to think that creatively renaming fall was an early manifestation of his artistic prowess. Perhaps he will let us sneak his very first "piece" into one of his shows.
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| The earliest work of Peter Francis, entitled "Filth" (circa 1991) housed in a private collection. |
Fall Goodies
Friday, October 5, 2012
I don't know about you, but when the seasons change, I itch to buy new clothes. I often do this before I haul the "old" clothes out of storage and do a careful analysis of what I need. If I diligently followed that procedure I would realize that I certainly don't need anything.
However, this year's transition to fall was no exception. Despite that I am usually annoyed by the incessant emails from Loft highlighting their sales, when I saw that the latest deal was 40% off EVERYTHING, I jumped at the chance to update my fall wardrobe. Here's the loot:
Though the yellow top may be returned, I'm rocking the gray shirt today (coincidentally with a yellow sweater) and am eager for slightly cooler weather and that cozy sweater. But yeah, that's the latest thrilling update from over here. Have a happy weekend!
However, this year's transition to fall was no exception. Despite that I am usually annoyed by the incessant emails from Loft highlighting their sales, when I saw that the latest deal was 40% off EVERYTHING, I jumped at the chance to update my fall wardrobe. Here's the loot:
Ranting and Raving
Thursday, October 4, 2012
But back to Facebook. On Facebook, you can "tag" people in your post which both adds it to their feed, but also lets everyone know you're with them, talking about them, etc. Their friends can now see the post, increasing its exposure. Perfectly acceptable versions of utilizing this tool include things like "Loving this hike up Everest with Ruppert Jones" or "Sure wish Gertrude Flabberknocken would pick up donut holes on her way over."
Unacceptable uses of this blow my mind. This is what I mean:
"Wishing my husband Stanley Cupp a beautiful and romantic anniversary today. Four years ago, I stood at the altar and made the most important promise of my life. It seems like I have known you forever and you are the best thing that ever happened to me. I just can't imagine life without you. I love you more than you know and wish we were back in Bora Bora sipping gin and juice."
So here's the thing. I understand being pumped it is your wedding anniversary, but why would you broadcast your happy anniversary message to your husband across all of Facebook? I would get posting a message like "It's our anniversary! Let us eat cake!" or "Yay! Four years ago today I got hitched!" but why, why, why address it to your husband and tag your seemingly private message to him if it's totally public?!!?!? I just don't get it. Someone enlighten me!!!!!
Oh, and Simon, happy anniversary.
Life With Dogs
Thursday, September 27, 2012
If you were on the fence, get off the fence and get one! Plus, look at all these cute little cartoon dogs, ha!
Graphic from: http://www.lifewithdogs.tv
Graphic from: http://www.lifewithdogs.tv
A Poem For A Monday
Monday, September 24, 2012
the mississippi river empties into the gulf
Lucille Clifton
and the gulf enters the sea and so forth,
none of them emptying anything,
all of them carrying yesterday
forever on their white-tipped backs,
all of them dragging forward tomorrow.
it is the great circulation
of the earth's body, like the blood
of the gods, this river in which the past
is always flowing. every water
is the same water coming round.
everyday someone is standing on the edge
of this river staring into time,
whispering mistakenly;
only here. only now.
I kept a journal for many years, and in July 2003, I recorded this poem and wrote: "We're really so insignificant and time is so insignificant and it has all happened to someone before. All of it is essentially still here and always will be."
And here we are again. So much of us heavy with the past and still slogging ahead. Yet contrary to what I usually feel about my inability to savor the present, the narrator seems to imply that the present is worthless and overvalued; time is moving and circulating amongst us in ways that it has for hundreds of thousands of minutes, hours, days, years. To acknowledge that a slice of a moment can be unique and savored and be ours would seem futile. I like the idea of relating ourselves to what has come before and what will follow, but without those slices, without reveling in those tiny moments, I don't think we would be us.
Lucille Clifton
and the gulf enters the sea and so forth,
none of them emptying anything,
all of them carrying yesterday
forever on their white-tipped backs,
all of them dragging forward tomorrow.
it is the great circulation
of the earth's body, like the blood
of the gods, this river in which the past
is always flowing. every water
is the same water coming round.
everyday someone is standing on the edge
of this river staring into time,
whispering mistakenly;
only here. only now.
I kept a journal for many years, and in July 2003, I recorded this poem and wrote: "We're really so insignificant and time is so insignificant and it has all happened to someone before. All of it is essentially still here and always will be."
And here we are again. So much of us heavy with the past and still slogging ahead. Yet contrary to what I usually feel about my inability to savor the present, the narrator seems to imply that the present is worthless and overvalued; time is moving and circulating amongst us in ways that it has for hundreds of thousands of minutes, hours, days, years. To acknowledge that a slice of a moment can be unique and savored and be ours would seem futile. I like the idea of relating ourselves to what has come before and what will follow, but without those slices, without reveling in those tiny moments, I don't think we would be us.
Happy "Birthday" Merwin!
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Merwin turns three today. He probably actually turned three at some point in August, but we have designated the day we got him as his birthday. So it has been two years of Merwin-induced mania in our household and I have to say that I'm not sure how we survived without him. Also, three=twenty-one in dog years, so I predict a wild evening of drunken debauchery with Merwin and his buddies tonight. Or a new stuffed raccoon and a doggy confection. I'm seriously a lunatic.
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| The scene is set. |
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| Not so sure about this... |
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Fall TV Report
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
I didn't originally list "TV Watching" as an alternative to my hockey fandom but now that the NHL lockout is official, I will turn to more traditional methods of entertainment. The fall seems ripe with some good TV, and here's my take on the weekly calendar of what to watch.
Hell on Wheels--Sundays, 9pm, AMC
The main character resembles Henrik Lundqvist of the NY Rangers. That's enough for me. If that's not enough for you, Hell on Wheels takes place amidst the drama of a post-civil war United States and is all about building the big old railroad. I'm not sure I made this clear, but it also features a very, very attractive male star...
Revenge--Sundays, 9pm, ABC (Premieres September 30)
Yes, I realize I've listed two options for the same time slot. So either DVR one or decide that you're going to give into your inner desire for soap opera-esque drama with complicated webs of high-society betrayal, secrets, lies and of course, revenge. Revenge has it all and then some.
Major Crimes--Mondays, 9pm, TNT
This one is a bit of a disappointment but I can't pull myself away yet. As the spinoff to an all-time favorite show, The Closer, Major Crimes is inconsistent at best, but the main characters we came to know and love continue to play big roles that will keep me tuning in a bit longer.
Revolution--Mondays, 10pm, NBC
This is curious. Created by the producer of Lost, Revolution takes place in a post-apocalyptic United States after something mysteriously wipes out electronics--no more machines, electricity, internet, cars, coffee makers (!!) etc. It opens with a brief scene showing the moment it all goes down and then fast forwards 15 years where we're introduced to the new reality. It shows promise and we'll see where it goes, but I wanted a little more examination of how this new world works.
New Girl--Tuesdays, 8pm, Fox (Premieres September 25)
It really surprised me that I liked this show so much when it debuted last year. Featuring Zooey Deschanel and an odd assortment of characters, the sitcom chronicles the life of a recently-dumped thirty-something girl who moves into a loft with 3 dudes. It may just be my strange sense of humor, but I really think this is one of the funniest shows out there.
Justified--Tuesdays, 10pm, FX (Premieres January 17---ughhhhh)
Love Timothy Olyphant, just love him. We became acquainted when Simon and I were Netflixing Deadwood, another great "wild west" drama that ended too soon for my liking. But Justified is excellent, if at times slightly complicated to follow. Olyphant plays a US Marshall who grew up in the southern stix and now mans the area, dealing with former high-school buddies entangled in crime and family-members who, unlike Timmy, chose a different path.
The Office--Thursdays, 9pm, NBC (Premieres September 20)
Classic, still funny, and in its last season. Get it while you can!
Glee--Thursdays, 9pm, Fox
I hesitate to even include this one. I feel as though I may be over it, but this Thursday's episode features the music of my all-time favorite pop star, Britney Spears. If that's not enough to sell you on it, gee, maybe unlike me, you actually have brain cells.
Happy coach potato-ing to you and yours!!
Answer to the World's Problems
Friday, September 14, 2012
Not at all, but I think I've discovered a nifty solution to take care of Merwin's separation anxiety. We need to get him a gmail account. Gmail has a built in "chat" function, which is how I stay updated with the lives of my brothers and friends, chat with Simon about what he's making for dinner, and correspond with my life coach about fashion. If we could get Merwin to type, he'd have an open line of communication to us while home alone! No more squishing himself under the couch or anxiously staring at the door for hours on end.
This is what it would be like:
Kelly says: Hi Merwin.
Merwin says: Woof (Hi crazy lady that brings me furry things that squeak even though I have too many furry things that squeak and just really want to have a squirrel that I can chase around the house and rip out its insides which may or may not squeak but I don't care.)
Kelly says: How is your day going?
Merwin says: Woof (I ate and pooped. I saw seven squirrels on my walk but whenever I get close they run up trees and you never let me run up trees.)
Kelly says: Oh, wow. That's great.
Merwin says: Arf (Give me a treat.)
Kelly says: Well I'll be home a little later.
Merwin says: Squeal (That's great. I'm going to get really excited now and wag my tail and wag my butt and run laps around the house and squeal like a pig. What do you mean, "later?")
On second thought, I'm glad he doesn't talk or type.
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