Tail is wagging
Mouth is grinning
Collar is red
Hair is whiter
............Many black spots
Hips are thinning
Trouble walking
Trouble sitting
Can’t get comfy
............She is fourteen
Heart is racing
Breath is heavy
Can't fall asleep
Bones protruding
............She’s not eating
Nose is wetter
Eyes are cloudy
Time is coming
Sooner than late
............Tears fill my eyes
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Ashes - Part 2
The call came in
The time had come
Emergency
We’ll wait for you
............Lump in my throat
Tail still wagging
Mouth still grinning
Trouble breathing
Carry her in
............Spirit alive
Tail stops wagging
She is nervous
Wants to get out
She won’t sit down
............Can’t get comfy
Pink injection
She fell asleep
Burst out crying
No more Ashes
............We will miss her
The time had come
Emergency
We’ll wait for you
............Lump in my throat
Tail still wagging
Mouth still grinning
Trouble breathing
Carry her in
............Spirit alive
Tail stops wagging
She is nervous
Wants to get out
She won’t sit down
............Can’t get comfy
Pink injection
She fell asleep
Burst out crying
No more Ashes
............We will miss her
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Passwords
Does anybody else think that computer passwords have gotten a little out of hand? About a year a go I decided to do all of my banking online. I signed up for online statements with banks, credit cards, student loans and my cell phone. Now, each one of these accounts has a different log-in name and password. I would have loved to use one log-in name and password so it would be easy to remember. That is not the case. Each company had a specific requirement for the log-in name and password and I’m taking about requirements way beyond adding a number at the end or a capital letter in the beginning.
No, some of these companies wanted special characters, while other companies wouldn’t allow them. The number of characters varied as well, some companies required no more than 7, while others required 6-10. Not to mention the companies that require a user to change the password every 30 days, and other companies that require a change every three months. It seems like every time I log on, I have to change the password for some account. At one point in time I counted 16 different companies, 11 different log-in names, and 10 different passwords and the list keeps growing.
Just the other day I was ordering pictures online through Walmart and I had to create a username and password. This very blog requires a username and password. It seems like I can’t do anything online without having to create a log-in name and password.
It got to the point where I would have log-in failures because I couldn’t remember my log-in name or password. How bad is that? I can’t even access my own account. I guess that is just really good security?
Trying to remember passwords and usernames got so bad that a few months ago I created a word document with all the companies, log-in names and passwords just so I wouldn’t have to try and remember it all. Think about it. I couldn’t remember my passwords so I had to put them down in writing. Doesn’t that defeat the whole purpose of a password? Now, if anyone saw this document with all the company names, passwords and such, they could have the account information of every single account that I have. How scary is that? What good is a password if I can’t even remember it?
No, some of these companies wanted special characters, while other companies wouldn’t allow them. The number of characters varied as well, some companies required no more than 7, while others required 6-10. Not to mention the companies that require a user to change the password every 30 days, and other companies that require a change every three months. It seems like every time I log on, I have to change the password for some account. At one point in time I counted 16 different companies, 11 different log-in names, and 10 different passwords and the list keeps growing.
Just the other day I was ordering pictures online through Walmart and I had to create a username and password. This very blog requires a username and password. It seems like I can’t do anything online without having to create a log-in name and password.
It got to the point where I would have log-in failures because I couldn’t remember my log-in name or password. How bad is that? I can’t even access my own account. I guess that is just really good security?
Trying to remember passwords and usernames got so bad that a few months ago I created a word document with all the companies, log-in names and passwords just so I wouldn’t have to try and remember it all. Think about it. I couldn’t remember my passwords so I had to put them down in writing. Doesn’t that defeat the whole purpose of a password? Now, if anyone saw this document with all the company names, passwords and such, they could have the account information of every single account that I have. How scary is that? What good is a password if I can’t even remember it?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Leaving Late at Night
It seems like every time we have people leaving our house after dark they flip the light switch up and down in an attempt to turn on the lights outside. This act actually makes the lights not work because, little do they know, the lights are on a motion sensor. For them I write this:
When leaving late at night
And in need of light
Just walk right out
And you’ll see about
When leaving late at night
And in need of light
Just walk right out
And you’ll see about
Sunday, August 15, 2010
An excerpt from: Anthony The Ant Becomes Human
At 5 A.M. the army horn sounded. Everyone woke and stood at attention except for Anthony. Anthony laid there sleeping while his comrades stood waiting for their orders. Trevor stood next to Anthony and nudged him trying to wake him. Anthony suddenly realized what was going on and he began to stand up. All of the army ants could see what was happening including one of the generals. The general approached Anthony and proceeded to scream at him.
“What is your problem solider?” The general screamed.
Anthony’s head was pounding and he could barely keep his eyes open. Anthony said quietly, “I don’t feel very good.”
“What did you say solider?” the general screamed.
Anthony spoke up, “I don’t feel very good, sir.
“You don’t feel very good?” the general yelled. “You don’t feel very good?” he repeated. “This is war solider. We don’t stop because we don’t feel very good. Report to me after today’s announcement.”
“Yes, sir.” Anthony responded.
The army ants all standing at attention were silent. They didn’t dare say a word or even look in the general’s direction. The commander-in-chief gave his morning speech:
“Attention soldiers. We have 250 troops arriving later today. We will continue to enlarge our base and continue to stock our food supply. Over the next two days we should have an army of 1,000 ants. We will then set up a base inside enemy territory. Once established we will begin our sneak attack on the humans food supply. Soldiers, move out!”
All the ants moved fast. As Trevor was leaving he leaned over to Anthony and said, “Sorry, Ant.” Anthony stood straight ahead and wondered what was in store for him. Once everyone had left the chamber the general approached him.
“Soldier, can you tell me why you don’t feel very good?” the general said with a stern voice.
“Sir, I drank honey last night.” Anthony said sheepishly.
The general became angry, “YOU DID WHAT!? Do you understand that honey is strictly forbidden inside the military?”
“I do now, sir.” said Anthony.
“Where did you get the honey from, soldier?” the general said with a disgusted tone.
Anthony thought for a moment. If he told the general where he got it from then the other ants would get in trouble and he didn’t want that to happen. “Soldier, I asked you a question!” the general shouted.
Anthony came up with a lie, “I found it hidden in the food supply.”
The general didn’t like Anthony’s answer. “Hidden in the food supply? You had better be telling the truth. If I find out you’re lying, you soldier, will be court-martialed.” Anthony trembled at the thought of being court-martialed. That meant he would be kicked out of the army, he would lose his trust with the colony, and have to do the worst job in the entire colony; he would have to remove…ant waste from the toilet chambers.
The general continued, “Now for your punishment. You will be attending boot camp today. I’m sure all the physical activity will make you feel much better. Do you understand, soldier?”
“Yes, sir,” Anthony said quietly.
The general shouted louder than ever, “I CAN’T HEAR YOU, SOLIDER! I SAID, ‘DO YOU UNDERSTAND!’”
Anthony mustered up his strength and yelled as loud as he could, “YES, SIR!”
“What is your problem solider?” The general screamed.
Anthony’s head was pounding and he could barely keep his eyes open. Anthony said quietly, “I don’t feel very good.”
“What did you say solider?” the general screamed.
Anthony spoke up, “I don’t feel very good, sir.
“You don’t feel very good?” the general yelled. “You don’t feel very good?” he repeated. “This is war solider. We don’t stop because we don’t feel very good. Report to me after today’s announcement.”
“Yes, sir.” Anthony responded.
The army ants all standing at attention were silent. They didn’t dare say a word or even look in the general’s direction. The commander-in-chief gave his morning speech:
“Attention soldiers. We have 250 troops arriving later today. We will continue to enlarge our base and continue to stock our food supply. Over the next two days we should have an army of 1,000 ants. We will then set up a base inside enemy territory. Once established we will begin our sneak attack on the humans food supply. Soldiers, move out!”
All the ants moved fast. As Trevor was leaving he leaned over to Anthony and said, “Sorry, Ant.” Anthony stood straight ahead and wondered what was in store for him. Once everyone had left the chamber the general approached him.
“Soldier, can you tell me why you don’t feel very good?” the general said with a stern voice.
“Sir, I drank honey last night.” Anthony said sheepishly.
The general became angry, “YOU DID WHAT!? Do you understand that honey is strictly forbidden inside the military?”
“I do now, sir.” said Anthony.
“Where did you get the honey from, soldier?” the general said with a disgusted tone.
Anthony thought for a moment. If he told the general where he got it from then the other ants would get in trouble and he didn’t want that to happen. “Soldier, I asked you a question!” the general shouted.
Anthony came up with a lie, “I found it hidden in the food supply.”
The general didn’t like Anthony’s answer. “Hidden in the food supply? You had better be telling the truth. If I find out you’re lying, you soldier, will be court-martialed.” Anthony trembled at the thought of being court-martialed. That meant he would be kicked out of the army, he would lose his trust with the colony, and have to do the worst job in the entire colony; he would have to remove…ant waste from the toilet chambers.
The general continued, “Now for your punishment. You will be attending boot camp today. I’m sure all the physical activity will make you feel much better. Do you understand, soldier?”
“Yes, sir,” Anthony said quietly.
The general shouted louder than ever, “I CAN’T HEAR YOU, SOLIDER! I SAID, ‘DO YOU UNDERSTAND!’”
Anthony mustered up his strength and yelled as loud as he could, “YES, SIR!”
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Oh, Those Many Have To Dos
Oh, those many have to dos make me frown
My Mom drags me all over town
First, for groceries at a supermarket store
And it was already a quarter to four
Then she made me get a haircut
All the way home I continued to moan
I ran to my room to use the phone
Mom said, “Set the table first.” I replied, “But…”
She nodded her head and refused to listen
I now had to wash the table until it would glisten
Finally, to my room I would go
But soon after, the dinner bell would blow
I quickly called Mike
Who had just finished a hike
But before I knew it
It was time to eat
Yuk, we were having a loaf of meat
During dinner all Mom wanted to know
“How was school today?”
And “What did you learn?”
I hoped the conversation would turn
Or I could eat in my room for just one day
Hopefully, the lawn didn’t need a mow
After dinner was what I would dread
Washing dishes and cleaning the table
Tomorrow in class we had to read a fable
Man, I had a scrambled head
Now it was homework time
I was board out of my mind
All these math facts I couldn’t find
Writing poems with words I couldn’t rhyme
Not even a minute break
And it was almost time for bed
Now I had to shower and brush teeth
Tomorrow morning a bed to make
And dishes to wash after I was fed
I want to fly high with the world beneath
Another school day
Thank goodness it was Friday
Oh darn, a writing test
Oh, how I would contest
Another new math fact
I felt like my head was already compact
How I wished for summer to come
When all I have to do is be a bum
Somehow I made it to recess
The end of school was an hour or less
Running, jumping and twirling, oh yes!
Look at that mess
A girl with ketchup on her dress
While counting down until the end of school
A test was passed back with an “A” on top
I was so shocked that my eyes did a pop
I guess I can write with this pencil tool
As I left that day
My teacher just had to say
My hard work will definitely pay
So keep up the good work
I hoped no one would call me a dork
I walked slowly out of the classroom
Just as the girl with the ketchup dress
Walked out of the girls bathroom
She said, “I must confess
I really like your haircut”
All I could mutter was “uht”
She smiled and skipped away
I think her name is May
She was kind of cute
And my heart gave a little toot
When I got home my head was spinning
I told my Mom about the test and the girl
She was happy and gave me more good news
We would go to the beach at my Aunt Sue’s
I dropped my bag and started to twirl
All I had to do was finish my room cleaning
Because of all the hard work I had done
We could spend the weekend there
I could bring a friend too to have fun
I gave her a big hug like a bear
It turns out hard work does pay
It just may not seem like it at the time
All day on the beach I would lay
And all the jetties I would climb
But I couldn’t help but think
About the cute girl named May
Ketchup stain or not
I wondered what I would say
So nervous my stomach would sink
It’s amazing how an annoying haircut
And a girl would make me such a nut
I guess haircuts aren’t so bad
And getting good grades makes me glad
Something I never thought I would say
I can’t wait for Monday
Just so I could see May
My Mom drags me all over town
First, for groceries at a supermarket store
And it was already a quarter to four
Then she made me get a haircut
All the way home I continued to moan
I ran to my room to use the phone
Mom said, “Set the table first.” I replied, “But…”
She nodded her head and refused to listen
I now had to wash the table until it would glisten
Finally, to my room I would go
But soon after, the dinner bell would blow
I quickly called Mike
Who had just finished a hike
But before I knew it
It was time to eat
Yuk, we were having a loaf of meat
During dinner all Mom wanted to know
“How was school today?”
And “What did you learn?”
I hoped the conversation would turn
Or I could eat in my room for just one day
Hopefully, the lawn didn’t need a mow
After dinner was what I would dread
Washing dishes and cleaning the table
Tomorrow in class we had to read a fable
Man, I had a scrambled head
Now it was homework time
I was board out of my mind
All these math facts I couldn’t find
Writing poems with words I couldn’t rhyme
Not even a minute break
And it was almost time for bed
Now I had to shower and brush teeth
Tomorrow morning a bed to make
And dishes to wash after I was fed
I want to fly high with the world beneath
Another school day
Thank goodness it was Friday
Oh darn, a writing test
Oh, how I would contest
Another new math fact
I felt like my head was already compact
How I wished for summer to come
When all I have to do is be a bum
Somehow I made it to recess
The end of school was an hour or less
Running, jumping and twirling, oh yes!
Look at that mess
A girl with ketchup on her dress
While counting down until the end of school
A test was passed back with an “A” on top
I was so shocked that my eyes did a pop
I guess I can write with this pencil tool
As I left that day
My teacher just had to say
My hard work will definitely pay
So keep up the good work
I hoped no one would call me a dork
I walked slowly out of the classroom
Just as the girl with the ketchup dress
Walked out of the girls bathroom
She said, “I must confess
I really like your haircut”
All I could mutter was “uht”
She smiled and skipped away
I think her name is May
She was kind of cute
And my heart gave a little toot
When I got home my head was spinning
I told my Mom about the test and the girl
She was happy and gave me more good news
We would go to the beach at my Aunt Sue’s
I dropped my bag and started to twirl
All I had to do was finish my room cleaning
Because of all the hard work I had done
We could spend the weekend there
I could bring a friend too to have fun
I gave her a big hug like a bear
It turns out hard work does pay
It just may not seem like it at the time
All day on the beach I would lay
And all the jetties I would climb
But I couldn’t help but think
About the cute girl named May
Ketchup stain or not
I wondered what I would say
So nervous my stomach would sink
It’s amazing how an annoying haircut
And a girl would make me such a nut
I guess haircuts aren’t so bad
And getting good grades makes me glad
Something I never thought I would say
I can’t wait for Monday
Just so I could see May
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Writing Words
Just about everyone who has written words in English has written what I have written. The only difference between me and everyone else is the order of the words.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Crossing the Country – July 25th
I caught the 9 o’clock ferry from Bremerton, just a stone throw from Seattle, with my truck this time. I took Route 90 all the way to Montana. In Idaho there was a backup, traffic was stopped. A van carrying a trailer went up and over the divider. The trailer flipped on its side. There was only about eight feet of room to get by so tractor-trailer trucks could not get through. Driving trough the mountains my truck overheated. I pulled over for about ten minutes and it cooled down so I was on my way. I didn’t get to Glacier National Park until after 9 o’clock. I was heading for a primitive campsite when I went the wrong way. The dirt road to the campsite was closed before I could reach the camp. I slept in my truck. Now, I six miles up this dirt road that ended so I was about as far away as I could be in a jeep from the park center. I decided to stop listening to stupid noises and sleep. There would be nobody that would bother me here.
When I woke up the next morning, I sat up and nearly shit myself to see a car parked right in front of me. So much for isolation.
When I woke up the next morning, I sat up and nearly shit myself to see a car parked right in front of me. So much for isolation.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Day 15 – New Zealand
Wanaka wasn’t exactly our favorite place. Not that it was bad but maybe it just didn’t meet our expectations. When we first approached, it had that small town nestled by a lake feel. It looked promising.
It was just about noon when we got there so we decided to get lunch. We took a quick spin around to check things out and weren’t impressed with the menu selections. Some places we even closed. We went back to the first café we came about. Nothing on the menu struck our fancy but I ended up getting a chicken, mushroom, cranberry and brie panini, to drink a chamomile tea. The panini was good but wasn’t that filling and the tea was quite tiny as well. I’m used to a nice big personal pot of tea. So much that I could barely finish it.
Holly ended up getting just fries with sour cream. The ginger tea that she got wasn’t that tasty either. Ginger really isn’t my thing so I don’t have much to say about that.
We did leave the café on a good note. Holly got her hokey pokey ice cream and to fill my unsatisfied appetite I got a roasted vegetable muffin which was quite delicious with a spot of cream cheese on top.
At one point in the day we stepped into a music shop and I was impressed with the music selection, however, the owner or clerk was too busy trying to satisfy a woman’s musical needs. I chimed in at one point inquiring about a band and he responded a bit dismissive so Holly and I left.
We did hike up to Mt. Iron which was a pretty step trail. From the top there was a 360 degree view of the town, lakes, and farms. We definitely worked off the cold temperatures. We were taking off our jackets by the top.
After our hike we hit up a supermarket, went for a quick drive to Mt. Aspiring view point, and scoped out Cardrona ski area. I plan to ski there tomorrow. Then we found a spot on the side of the road to spend the night.
It was just about noon when we got there so we decided to get lunch. We took a quick spin around to check things out and weren’t impressed with the menu selections. Some places we even closed. We went back to the first café we came about. Nothing on the menu struck our fancy but I ended up getting a chicken, mushroom, cranberry and brie panini, to drink a chamomile tea. The panini was good but wasn’t that filling and the tea was quite tiny as well. I’m used to a nice big personal pot of tea. So much that I could barely finish it.
Holly ended up getting just fries with sour cream. The ginger tea that she got wasn’t that tasty either. Ginger really isn’t my thing so I don’t have much to say about that.
We did leave the café on a good note. Holly got her hokey pokey ice cream and to fill my unsatisfied appetite I got a roasted vegetable muffin which was quite delicious with a spot of cream cheese on top.
At one point in the day we stepped into a music shop and I was impressed with the music selection, however, the owner or clerk was too busy trying to satisfy a woman’s musical needs. I chimed in at one point inquiring about a band and he responded a bit dismissive so Holly and I left.
We did hike up to Mt. Iron which was a pretty step trail. From the top there was a 360 degree view of the town, lakes, and farms. We definitely worked off the cold temperatures. We were taking off our jackets by the top.
After our hike we hit up a supermarket, went for a quick drive to Mt. Aspiring view point, and scoped out Cardrona ski area. I plan to ski there tomorrow. Then we found a spot on the side of the road to spend the night.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Wedding Vows
I, Holly, choose you Troy as my best friend, my love for life. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you and comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. I promise to cherish you and to demonstrate love and compassion in our married life.
By: H. Roy
Holly, who would have thought ten years ago we’d be standing here today. Sometimes you find what you’re looking for right in front of your eyes. You are my best friend. Together we will enjoy life and grow old. I promise to always love you with all my heart.
By: T. Roy
By: H. Roy
Holly, who would have thought ten years ago we’d be standing here today. Sometimes you find what you’re looking for right in front of your eyes. You are my best friend. Together we will enjoy life and grow old. I promise to always love you with all my heart.
By: T. Roy
Sunday, July 4, 2010
If We Could Only
If I could only
If I could just
Make it to the summer
Get a new job
If I could only
If I could just
Sleep a little more
Have some more free time
If only I didn’t have to
Mow the lawn
Do the laundry
Make the bed
I wish I could
Get away for awhile
Stop and smell the roses
Go for a walk
If only I would stop wishing
I would be content
It’s all in my head
The glass is full
If I could just
Make it to the summer
Get a new job
If I could only
If I could just
Sleep a little more
Have some more free time
If only I didn’t have to
Mow the lawn
Do the laundry
Make the bed
I wish I could
Get away for awhile
Stop and smell the roses
Go for a walk
If only I would stop wishing
I would be content
It’s all in my head
The glass is full
Thursday, July 1, 2010
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