Teaching a Dog to Read

"If you wish to be a writer, write." - Epictetus

I've decided that I will write in the morning before I do anything else (except feed the furry kids and load up the day's pages for LASR/WC/Aurora). That means either I get my butt in gear and write my blog the night before, or my blog posts will be later in the morning than usual.

Not writing makes me cranky. Sad. Upset. Depressed. I have to write. And, when I don't, I'm not a fun person to be around. So, it's a priority from here on out.

I'm still not publicly announcing WHAT I'm writing, but I'm writing. And when it's done and submitted, I'll tell you what it is. Some of you know (because you're part of my crit group), but I feel as though talking about it will jinx the flow... silly maybe, but there it is.

I ran into a wall today at only 500 words, and I was determined to hit at least 700. So, I putzed around looking at writing prompts and dares and found one that worked for me ... have something random happen that turns out isn't really random at all (the example the site gave was having a car accident happen outside a cop's house -- the cop calls it in, then goes to help ... but it turns out that it wasn't an accident at all, that the serial killer she's been hunting needed to get her out of the secure house and was driving one of the cars).

So, it gave me an idea for the next scene and off I went. I managed a total of just over 1000 words. If all goes as planned, this story will be done by mid-October, if not earlier.

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I'm going to teach my dog the alphabet. No, really... I was talking to a lady who has a therapy dog and she's teaching hers. He knows all the letters in his name (so when she says, "Simon, how do you spell your name? Where's the 'S'... the 'I'..." he can pick them out).

One of the things required of a therapy dog is that they have a large bag of tricks. The cuter and more unusual, the better. Dakota can do the usual (sit, down, shake, etc) plus she high-fives, rolls over and bows. She can also hold a treat on her nose until we tell her to flip it, then tosses and catches it (most of the time). We want her to sneeze on command, wipe her face and speak (and whisper). It's a lot of work, but she's smart and picks up on things pretty quickly.

Our old trainer at PetsMart (who did Dakota's AKC Good Citizen training) offers a therapy dog training class (with official certification at the end), so we're going to look into taking that soon. Handlers only have to be ten years old, so DD can handle her, too, which is awesome.

With any luck, in the next few months, Dakota will be certified and we can start going to nursing homes, schools, libraries, etc.

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You Are Strong

You are tough as nails. You have amazing endurance, drive, and ambition. You motor through any obstacles in your way. It's almost impossible to deter you. You enjoy working hard, but you also take time to savor the sweeter side of life. You give yourself a break when you need it. This down time adds to your stability.

The Candy Bar Test

Works for me.... I'm craving chocolate now, though.

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For Rent: Corn Shucker -- Cheap!

The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too. ~Samuel Butler, Notebooks, 1912

Will work for treats:



As always, I'm sorry for the poor resolution. A new camera is on my Christmas list...

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You Are Brainy

You are a very detail oriented and precise person. You think everything through carefully. You aren't prone to dramatics, but you don't overlook what's important either. You are observant and philosophical. You seek to understand people more than judge them. You treasure your alone time. You area true introvert, and it's difficult for you to feel isolated.

The Sneeze Test

Okay .. really? They got this from a sneeze? Scary thing is ... it's pretty much exactly right. Weird.

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Blurbs and Reviews

Everyone needs an editor. ~ Tim Foote

The difference between the right word and the nearly right word is the same as the difference between lightning and the lightning bug. ~ Mark Twain

I have two things on my mind today: blurbs and reviews.

I was looking around a new eBookstore today, and clicked through on some covers that caught my eye (I'm a big cover person ... if I find the cover repulsive, I have a hard time buying the book. I know -- not fair, but there it is) and the first one I clicked had a grammar error in the first sentence of the blurb.

I wouldn't buy that book if it was the last book on earth.

Seriously, if a publisher, editor and/or author took so little care (or had so little knowledge of grammar) that the blurb -- a short, 200 word ditty -- had a glaringly obvious error that my daughter would catch, what will the rest of the book be like?

A blurb is your first impression (except maybe the cover) and you should want to put your best foot forward. If neither the author or the editor noticed the error, then I'm truly afraid the rest of the book will be abysmally edited.

How sad. And, perhaps it's not a good assumption to make, but I do. When I see a blurb littered with errors (and I see more than you'd believe, since I read every review released by LASR/WC/Aurora) I want to cry.

Once I got as far as buying a book, opened it and found a wrong word usage in the FIRST sentence. Same goes on this -- the first sentence should be where the author and editor are most alert. And if this error was RIGHT THERE, then what must the rest of the book be like? I closed it and deleted it off my computer.

Life it too short to waste on bad books. What do you think? Am I being too tough?

I also use reviews as a resource. Not just the ones we post at LASR/WC/Aurora, but others as well. A comprehensive, well-written review will sell a book to me.

One of my reviewers has started a blog discussing reviews, and yesterday she posted on one of my biggest pet peeves: the "synopsis review", i.e. a 'review' that does nothing but retell the story, with little or no real opinion given. I'd love for your input and what you think about that.

I had a review done for one of my short stories that was nearly as long as the story itself and was literally a lengthy synopsis of the ENTIRE story, including the ending (which was written to be a surprise). I was flabbergasted. And upset. Not only was it not a "review" at all -- the reviewer never said one thing that she liked or didn't like, not even a "I liked this book" at the end -- but it gave away the ending (and the entire storyline ... why bother reading the story when you know Every. Single. Thing. that happens?). After much agonizing over sounding like a prima donna author, I finally emailed the reviews site and expressed my dismay that the reviewer had given away the ending. The reviews site deleted that part, but left the rest and it remains a review that I never point anyone to. It was absolutely awful. Sadly, this site's reviews are mostly written in this fashion, and it breaks my heart for the authors.

What do you think about reviews as a reader and/or an author? Am I being too sensitive?

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You Judge People Based on Evidence

You know better than to judge a book by its cover, and you don't make snap judgements about people either. You look at the facts, and you try to make educated choices. You never mind admitting that you're wrong. It's hard for you to trust people that you've just met. You always need to get to know people. You never go with your gut, but you may be surprised. Your intuition is probably more dead on than you realize.

How Do You Judge People?

That's pretty much spot on.

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Gotta Write...

"Write what you care about and understand. Writers should never try to outguess the marketplace in search of a salable idea; the simple truth is that all good books will eventually find a publisher if the writer tries hard enough, and a central secret to writing a good book is to write on that people like you will enjoy." - Richard North Patterson

Just a quickie this morning ... I want to write! The story I'm working on right now is FUN and that's a good thing.

So, I've been invited to blog at a group blog. I'd only be blogging once a month, so I said yes. I think I can handle once a month... guess we'll find out. I'll give you more deets when things are finalized.

My dog is incredibly lethargic. Well, for her. For instance, we went to the dog park yesterday to play, and after only an hour she ASKED to go home. She was exhausted, but everytime she'd lie down, someone would pounce on her. Finally, she just walked to the gate, sat and waited.

She doesn't ask to play during the day, though she's always up for a walk. It's just really odd, because she's usually such a high energy dog. It's got to be the antihistimes. She probably feels like I do when I take cold meds (which is why I seldom do). But, hey, she's not scratching...

That's it from me today... I gotta go get words to paper (or... um... computer screen).

Have a great Sunday!

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Your Road is Paved With Determination

You are a person of substance. You believe that character is important, and you work hard to do the right thing. You don't mind doing what needs to be done. In fact, you tend to relish responsibilities and work. You are tough. You don't complain, even when you are dealt an unfair hand. You deal with life's ups and downs like a champ. Even if you have to pedal uphill for a while, you know it will be a sweet ride down the hill!

A Bicycle Test

Actually that's pretty close (though I do complain to select people...)

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Goodbye Earl

Dogs are miracles with paws. ~Attributed to Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy

I never realized how much I enjoy just petting my dog, until I couldn't. The past couple of weeks with Dakota, the slightest touch anywhere to her body would make her scratch. I could barely touch her and it was terrible.

The steroid shot is a miracle. She didn't scratch at all yesterday, and I spent half the day just petting her. It's such a small thing, but I'm so grateful that she's feeling better so I can give her a little love again.

For the most part, Earl missed us. We got some good rain overnight, and there's a little band of rain going through now, but no high winds (which were what I was most worried about). I'm thrilled for the rain though (more, please) and the cooler weather that is supposed to follow it (95+ degrees in September is crazy for here). Don't know what the cooler weather means for the Labor Day weekend though -- DH isn't certain he wants to go boating (the last trip of the year, normally). We'll see!

I'll be honest, though, it doesn't feel all that much cooler this morning.

Any plans for Labor Day in your neck of the woods?

And, I must leave you with this ode to Earl and Earworms everywhere:



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You Are a Down to Earth Dreamer

Just because you're practical, it doesn't mean you don't dream. You just like to put your dreams into action more than most people. At first you dream big, but then you stop and think... Can your dream actually be achieved? You're willing to rethink and refine your dream until it is possible. And then you go act on it!

What Kind of Dreamer Are You?

Pretty close.

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When One Thing Leads to Another

If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit... ~Chief Seattle of the Suquamish Tribe, letter to President Franklin Pierce

Good(ish) news about Earl ... looks like he's tracking more out to sea and those of us inland shouldn't have any problems (unless he turns back to land suddenly). I did want the rain, though. Ah, well, I guess I shouldn't complain!

Took Dakota to the vet yesterday. He checked her skin pretty thoroughly (she doesn't really have a lot of fur and no undercoat to speak of) and commented on how bad a rash she had -- I asked to look, and she does have little red dots all over under there. How could I have missed that (bad mom)?

He gave her a shot of some kind of steroids -- warning me that it may cause her to have to urinate more. Let me tell you, he wasn't joking! She was up about every 3 - 4 hours last night!!

She also has stronger antihistamines to take twice a day until we get our first hard frost. He checked for mites (I hate skin scrapes... they look like they hurt) and that came back negative. He figures it for environmental (i.e. pollen, etc), but if it doesn't stop after everything dies, he'll want to run allergy tests. Oh boy. Here's hoping they stop by October!

Yesterday afternoon, I went out to pick a tomato to use in our salad at dinner. When I got there, I saw that the butternut squash plants were totally dead. I picked the remaining squash from there, then pulled up the plants and threw them into the woods.

Then I saw our completely worm-ridden broccoli and decided it was stupid to leave it in the garden since I wasn't going to eat any more (all it takes is ONE bad worm experience ... just saying), so I pulled it up and threw the plants in the woods.

A quick glance confirmed that the cucumber plants were also dead -- so I picked the last remaining cucumbers and pulled up THOSE plants. Then DD came out and asked what she could do, so I had her pick all the cabbage, and then peel back leaves until there was no sign of any worm activity (I HATE cabbage moths/worms ... hatehatehate). Next I propped up my summer squash that had fallen over (because I'd missed picking one squash that was now HUGE and must have weighed ten pounds) and then weeded around it.

That made the rest of the area look messy, so I weeded the entire front of the garden. Of course, I still needed the tomato, so I looked for one, munching on cherry tomatoes the entire time.

Nearly two hours after I'd gone to pick one tomato, I went back inside (and showered ... because, hello, 98 degrees yesterday!!).

I really, really didn't have the time to do that, but I couldn't seem to help myself.

Do you have that happen to you? Where you only have the intention of doing one thing, but then get caught up in something else totally different?

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There's a 75% Chance You'll Be Rich

There's a huge likelihood that you'll be rich. In fact, you may be rich already. You're smart as a whip, but you don't rely on your intelligence alone. You also work hard. You know that earning money is half the battle. You're got at saving money too. It's likely that your friends think you should be already living in style, but you know better!

What Are the Chances You Will Be Rich?

Cool! I'm ready now ....

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Be Prepared

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." — Seneca

Got all my hurricane prep done here yesterday ... keep in mind that we're pretty far inland and don't expect to be significantly impacted by anything buy high winds and heavy rain (if that). But, as we've learned in the past from all the lengthy power outages we've had the past couple of years: better safe than sorry. My mom used to have a plaque that said:

Be prepared! It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.

I do worry for my Maine friends... the projected trajectory of Earl looks to hit them far harder than it will us. I know a couple of you are up in Maine ... keep in touch, okay?

Doing the errands did put us behind a bit, and then having agility last night meant DD didn't get her homework done. We were up until almost ten and she still had math. BUT... one of the bennies of homeschooling is she can finish this morning. I just warned her I'd wake her up a little earlier than usual.

I also got a little bit of writing done -- a VERY little bit, but it was something. And, despite being ridiculously far behind on pretty much everything, I still plan on setting the timer and writing for at least twenty mins today.

My dog is still itchy. I *thought* was giving her Benedryl, until yesterday I found the pills on the floor in various places in the house. So, I don't know whether it's helping or not. I'd decided last night to take her to the vet, because we have a long weekend coming and if she gets worse, it's a longer wait, but now, since I found out she wasn't taking the meds, I'm on the fence again. I gave her a dose last night with rolled up ham and saw it go down her gullet.

What to do? *sigh*

Today, any hurricane prep will be from here. I'm going to harvest everything I can from the garden as high winds and heavy rain is probably going to destroy plants. My squash, in a moment of irony (since I protected them against the borers successfully) have gotten a fine white coating (mold?) all over their leaves and are dying. Now, I gotta figure out how to treat THAT problem. My tomato plants are nearly by and the cucumbers are getting bottom heavy which means they're starting to try to make a lot of seeds (indicating that the plants think the growing season is pretty well over, too.

I need to cut down more perennials that are done blooming and prune some bushes. Today or wait until the weekend, which should be pleasant, cooler and sunny.

So, that's MY exciting life. Anyone doing something better? Share and let me live vicariously.

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Accomplishment is in Your Big Picture

You're not sure how long it will take to get where you're going... but you'll feel amazing once you've arrived. You've got an uphill journey ahead of you, and you can't even really see what's around the corner. And while you have your destination in the back of your mind, you are going to enjoy every turn of this road your on. You're gaining strength, skills, and insight as you travel. And you won't be the same person at the end of the trip.

What's In Your Big Picture?

Mostly right!

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