Author: andrew puntch

married, dog owner, current events, politics, history, baseball, weather/climate

Early morning walks

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My walks with the dogs are good ways to begin interacting with the world, to accept that I have to go to work to continue having and enjoying these walks. We often see, smell, hear interesting things. This morning the first sense to hit me was that it’s breezy this morning, which is a harbinger of today’s rain and the approach of tonights’ cooler weather. the second thing to hot me was the smell of onions. Whether of our green onions or the ones on someone’s farm, I don’t know.

Robins are still here, I hear them calling when we walk. While walking Achilles and Stella in the half light this morning one almost swooped in to land on a yard within Stella’s reach. It quickly swerved away. As I opened the door to head out with Kendal we saw a bird, some species of raptor, trying to make headway against the south breeze. On opening the gate as we got home the first few raindrops hit us.

Time to head to work.

Curled up pup

We allow the dogs on the furniture.

Sometimes they allow us on it.

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Bo the dog

Bo the dog

Taken with my PlayBook.

During apple pressing on Sunday, Allan and Connie’s dog Bo wandered in and out of the scene. Bo is a CoLabSki (can you parse out the breeds?) and a friendly, open boy. He likes meeting people and other dogs. A while ago Faye and I stated there with our crew and everyone got along fairly well. Bo found a loose apple and happily munched his way through it.

Achilles

I invited Achilles inside and he declined. Chili dog is by and large a very good boy in the back yard. He very rarely digs, does not bark without reason, is content to watch, listen, and smell the world. Achilles is generally welcome to be outside unsupervised as long as he wishes.

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Apple press

Apple press

On the go much of this Fall Your Clock Back day. Off to the Auburn Pancake Breakfast which Margaret, my mother-in-law likes to do, visiting with Raymond and Gwen along with making the acquaintance of their new dog Levi, Allan and Connie who put apples through a grinder/chopper (?), putting the resultant product through a press, and making juice (which was delicious!). The photo shows the results of chopping apples which will then go to the press. Home just after sunset to find three dogs more than ready to go outside to pee, then come back in and investigate the dog smells on our pant legs.

Kendal

Kendal

Taken with my Windows phone.

Kendal at rest on his bed, padded with a blankie, with his Spidey squeaky toy (no squeakies, thank you very much Achilles :-/ ) as a cover.

Stella’s world

Stella's world

Taken with my Windows phone. That tan speck above the centre is Stella. I took her to the spray field behind the high school and unclipped the leash so she could be a dog. So often, too often, dogs have to conform to human needs and expectations, being on leash, not sniffing crotches or humping legs, having to live in a human world, not being a dog. She got some time to be a dog for a while, running after her nose, ears, and eyes so to speak.

Kendal, I don’t think that was a dog

Kendal, I don't think that was a dog

We returned from our walk a few minutes ago. I stopped briefly to chat with the neighbour at the corner about the windy start to the day. As Kendal and I turned onto our street something scuttled across the street about 30 feet in front of us. It was black . . . with a white stripe down its back.

I stopped to allow Mr. (or Ms.) Skunk unimpeded crossing rights. Kendal had other ideas but seeing that we were downwind it seems prudent to stand where we were. The skunk is probably somewhere in our next door neighbours’ yard.

I think all three dogs will stay inside for a while, until it’s much more light outside.

Why I write what I do

Why I write what I do

Some of you, my good readers, know that I have opinions (some of which are pretty strong) in the realm of politics and current affairs and may wonder why I don’t post them let alone discuss them here. The world and the internet is full of strife and strident opinions, while people can easily find them it’s less easy to find calm and contemplation.

Yes, I do have opinions.

The Duffy/Wallin/Brazeau affair is yet more evidence (to add to the muzzling of back-bench MPs, the long-form census, the CF-35 procurement process, proroguing, the long gun registry, the omnibus budgets, campaigning for a UN Security Council seat, and more) that much of what the PM and the PMO does is lightly coated with slime. I eagerly look forward to my first opportunity to vote.

The McGuinty administration badly botched gas plants, wind power, eHealth, and has probably thrown away the once comfortable Liberal Queen’s Park majority, now only a plurality, to te NDP or perhaps the Tories (if they activate the ejection seat under Tim Hudak).

Rob Ford is a buffoon.

I did not get as a US citizen, and do not now get, American gun culture.

But I prefer to not talk about these things here. When I started this blog I mentioned talking about politics among many other things. My intent has evolved since then, and now this is a place of quiet, relative peace, occasionally contemplation, gratitude and thanks for all of the blessings in my life. My wife, our dogs, our humble home and garden, and life. I will continue sharing my thoughts on and experiences with all of these blessings while occasionally (verging on rarely) mentioning politics.

My blog is now and will continue to be an oasis. I hope you will continue visiting.