The John Wayne of Popes

It's funny because my husband and I just sat down last weekend to watch The Quiet Man. A John Wanyne film set in Ireland about a newly married couple and their struggles to understand each others culture and background. That movie sparked an ongoing conversation between our family and the Wasson family. My husband got a great kick out of the movie, and now it's probably his favorite movie.

Anyway, my husband asked me to go to this website called Creative Minority Report to look at an article comparing Pope Benedict to John Wayne. What a great article. Please read it, I'm sure you'll enjoy.

Knit-Wit

I have finally gotten back into knitting. I've had a 5 month dry spell, but I am excited about the project I am working on (pictured above), and I am also excited about the project I am about to attempt, as soon as I get the yarn. It is the most beautiful Victorian lace shawl. I think I can do it, with a little help from my good friend Kimberly, who has been knitting for many more years than myself. I do have some difficulty understanding the instructions for certain (most) patterns. It is hard for me to visualize what I am being told to do. Kimberly says it's because I don't have the needles in my hands. I guess we shall see. I did knit my first button hole last evening, on the baby sleeper (above)! It wasn't hard, just something new that I had never done before. I will keep you posted on the monster knit (the Victorian shawl) as I am working on it. Hope to get the yarn soon. Anyone know of a yarn comparable to the Peruvian Uros Aran yarn? The colors pictured are nice, but I was hoping for more of a light beige or cream colored yarn.

Living with a Big Galoot!

Ratzinger, the Big Galoot...
I love my puppy, Ratzinger! Yes, he is still a puppy. He will be two in September, and still has some filling out to do. As you can see from the pictures above, Ratzinger can quite easily reach the counter top. If we do not watch, he will help himself to any leftover crumbs on the counter, or even a sandwich if it's there. When we do eat, we command him to "Get on the couch!" This usually works, unless Ratzinger is being stubborn. Once the command is given, he looks at us with his saddest, most pathetic look, as if to say, "Awe, do I have to?" Yes Ratzinger, you have to "Get on the couch!" As if it were to worst, most uncomfortable place to be banished to.

Ratzinger, the coward...

You would think that being a gigantor would give you a sense of security. That you would feel confident in your abilities to intimidate others with your fearsome size and your deep, loud bark. Well, not Ratzinger. He is the most cowardice dog I think I have ever seen. He is so afraid of the unknown. Last night I brought in a shower seat that my mom had let me barrow. Ratzinger had to walk by it to get up the stairs. He slowly crept by as he watched it intently. Finally as he passed it completely he started to run for the stairs, you know, just encase the chair had decided to go after him at the last second.

A neighbor boy used to come over quite often. He was very good with Ratzinger and the two enjoyed each others company. Well, for a couple of months the boy did not come around so much. Then when he did come back, he had grown about a foot taller. From then on Ratzinger has been very leery of the boy. Whenever he comes over, Ratzinger barks at him, but cowers behind me with his tail between his legs.

Ratzinger, the defender...

Often, my husband and I will rough house or play fight. Whenever we do Ratzinger will immediately come to the rescue. He will run over to us barking, as if to say, "Break it up people. There will be no rough housing on my watch!" For some reason Ratzinger will not tolerate violence (or what is violence to him) of any kind.

Despite his grand size he is the most gentle yet clumsy dog. Sometimes we (as in myself and Erin, not Tim) wish he were smaller, but all in all we love our big galoot!

Back from PA.

Well, I'm back from PA. Actually, I have been back since late last Thurs. night. I'm just a little slow on updating my blog.

We were on the road about 8 hours on Wed. The scenery was beautiful. We were caught in the rain a couple of time. Once, it was raining sideways. All those hills going up and down. And the tunnels through the mountains. I think we went through 4 different mountains. The drive back was about a half an hour to 45 minutes shorter than the drive there. Less stopping along the way. The hotel or motel was horrible. We made the most of it though, since we were only staying one night anyway.

My appointment went well. I expect to have surgery, to hopefully fix my fertility problems, sometime in either September or October. Either way, I'm on the list.

A funny thing happened in the doctor's office, while waiting to be seen. My mom was telling me a funny story, and as she did my eyes became watery from laughing. Completely forgetting that I had put makeup on that morning, I started rubbing my eyes. Rubbing and rubbing, and finally my mom said, "You're smearing your makeup!" She started laughing, and then I started laughing. I looked like a raccoon, only there was no mirror for me to see the damage I had done. I rushed over to the sink and in the midst of my laughter, I said in a more serious voice, "Mom, help me before the doctor comes in!" I finally started washing my face with soap. That did the trick. My raccoon face disappeared, but the laughter didn't stop. Finally, we pulled it together and as we sat there, we wondered if the doctor had come to the door during our laughing fit, and just decided to come back a little later. Mom said, "They had to have heard us out there, and just wondered what the heck all the commotion was about!" Later on, during the drive home, mom just busted out with laughter. I asked her what was so funny, and she said, "I just keep picturing your face with all that makeup smeared all over." It was definitely the most comedic part of the trip.

Here are some picture from the drive home...