Tag: dogs

Maddie on Things by Theron Humphrey

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Maddie on Things: A Super Serious Project About Dogs and PhysicsMaddie on Things. Finished 12-1-13, rating 3/5, photography, 160 pages, pub. 2013

Maddie is a sweet-tempered coonhound who accompanied her owner, Theron, on a yearlong, cross-country trip while he worked on a photojournalism project. In his spare time, Theron took photos of Maddie doing what she does best: standing on things. From bicycles to giant watermelons to horses to people, there really isn’t anything that Maddie won’t stand on with grace and patience. The poignant Instagram photos of this beautiful dog and her offbeat poses have captured the imagination of all those who long for a road trip with a good dog for company. Maddie on Things celebrates the strange talent of one special dog and will resonate with any dog lover who appreciates the quirky hearts (and extraordinary balance) of canines. 

from Goodreads

I saw this book as I was browsing the library and since I had 20 minutes until I had to go and pick up Gage I picked it up and read the Introduction.  This is the part that hooked me…

I would go into the world, traverse all 50 states in 365 days, and meet one person a day, every day.  I wanted to give them a small gift.  I wanted to share that experience I had then I photographed my grandfather and recorded his voice and his stories for the last time.  I wanted to connect with folks and learn to love my neighbors.  To celebrate all of the moments in between, the moments that aren’t graduations and celebrations, all of those mundane everyday moments that really make up a life.

page 2

Yes, he went on to mention that he would be taking his adorable rescue dog, Maddie, but I thought that the book would be about the other stuff he talked about.  It wasn’t.  It’s 300+ cute images of his beloved coonhound in some of the most creative places and poses you can imagine.  Here are a few random pages.

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It was a cute book, but there was no introspection or even people.  It is a love letter to his dog and I can appreciate that.  Only I wanted people and the journey.  When I looked it up online it looks like he has the people he met on his website if you are interested. I clicked on a few and it was fun.

If you have a dog lover in your life I’m sure they would love this.  They (and you) will be amazed at what Maddie can do.  Remember that Maddie is a professional and try not to injure your own dog by trying some of these things 🙂

Watchers, by Dean Koontz

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Cover ImageFinished 1-8-09, rating 4 1/2, fiction, pub.1987

“We have a responsibility to stand watch over one another, we are watchers, all of us, watchers, guarding against the darkness.  You’ve taught me that we’re all needed, even those who sometimes think we’re worthless, plain, and dull.  If we love and allow ourselves to be loved…well, a person who loves is the most precious thing in the world, worth all the fortunes that ever were.”    -Chapter 9

A top secret lab in California has created two new weapons for the US government – a gentle golden retriever and a savage best, both astonishingly intelligent.  One night they both escape and the NSA mounts a search, but before either can be found one is taken in by a lonely man and one begins killing at will.

Cursed Travis Cornell was looking for some happiness and found the golden retriever, who he named Einstein because of his human-like intelligence.  Through Einstein he found an equally lonely woman, Nora, and the three became inseparable.  The three found happiness together, but danger lurked because not only was the government still looking for Einstein, so was the beast and a crazy assassin. 

This is the ultimate book for dog lovers.  Einstein was nothing short of a miracle and I fell in love with him, just as you will.  He was playful, a protector, a source of comfort, and also possessed the intelligence to communicate fully with Travis and Nora.  The vision of Einstein lounging on the floor reading novels is one that warms this book lovers heart.  I confess that my dog received a lot of extra love and a few extra treats as I was reading this book.

Koontz writes books that move at lightning  speed, but also have heart, three dimensional characters, and a range of storylines that all move together perfectly.  He can do it all and with this book he does.  In the Afterward of my edition Koontz admits that this is probably his favorite book and that should be recommendation enough.

This is a suspenseful thriller, but also addresses some big issues like good vs. evil and the government playing God.  There is DNA mixing going on right now, but this was written 20 years ago!  This book will entertain you, make you think, and definitely encourage you to look at your dog and wonder how much of Einstein is in there.

This a must read for any dog lover!

Our Anniversary Weekend

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It shouldn’t come as a shock for those of you who regularly read my blog that Jason and I met in a bookstore.  I was an assistant manager at the B Dalton at Ballston in Arlington, Virginia, and his buddy in the Navy worked there part-time.  We met, had a few dates, and I knew I had found someone very special. 

We took a trip to Italy earlier this year that we called our 10 year anniversary trip, but decided we would mark the day with a trip down memory lane.  It’s been a little over 10 years since we lived in the DC area and when we left the house we didn’t even take a map.  Our first stop was the bookstore where we met.  I did become store manager eventually and I was disappointed to see that the place has really let itself go!

We drove by where my first apartment should have been, but it has been razed to make room for condos.  We found our first place together and marvelled at how far we’d come on 10 years! 

We found a sports bar to watch the Ohio State – Michigan State football game, which was a tricky thing on an anniversary weekend.  You all know I’m a Buckeye. but Jason is a Spartan and we are both trash talkers during the game.  So, the best thing I can say about the game is that we made it through, love intact.

I love the Metro system.  I love visiting places that have good public transportation.  We took the metro to the Mall and visited a few Smithsonians, the WWII memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and rode the Carousel like two kids 🙂  We basically acted like goofy tourists and had a fantastic time. 

We visited a favorite place for both of us, the Arlington Cemetery and saw the Changing of the Guard, Lee’s House, and spent some time getting lost in the history and the sacrifice that have made this country great.

Ten years ago, when I left the DC area, I was following my soon-to-be-husband to where he needed to be.  I might still be there if not for Jason and it was so nice to go back.  Before any of our DC friends become offended that we didn’t call, let me say that we did not call anyone.  It was a few days just for us.  I’ll be back soon, I hope, and I’ll be calling you all to put me up for a night 🙂

I have to add this photo of the cool dog that we saw at the WWII Memorial.  He was posing for pictures for anyone who wanted to take them.  How cute is he?!