The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Friday, July 5, 2013

The Inside Secrets

       If you were inside my house last night, with all the firecrackers going off, you would have been welcome by Foley, our hospitable Golden Retriever. Always the charming host, he would have paced around you...endlessly. If you spent the night, he would have scratched at your bedroom door to get in, and then would have scratched on the door to get out...over and over and over.



      Foley is storm-/firecracker/rustle-of-leaves phobic. He paces and pants and isn't comfortable anywhere when thunder or fireworks disturb the airwaves ...unless he's drugged. We avoided the dispensation of the doggie downers last night--but tonight, it may be a different story. 

     Of course, my neighbors have cleared all the furniture out of their house so they can fill it with firecrackers the holiday is over, my neighbors obviously do not have a calendar and have no knowledge it is now no longer the 4th of July, so I'm sure tonight will be just as noisy as last night quiet.

       How did you celebrate the holiday? What are your hopes for the United States? America is a wonderful country but it's far from perfect.

      And hey, speaking of perfection...If you're in the moooood to read some perfect advice about writing, go have some coffee with your muffin. My guest post was inspired after reading James Lipton's memoir. (He's the host of Inside the Actor's Studio.)




      Check it out. You might find something of substance there...

 

19 comments:

  1. I feel so sorry for dogs during firecracker days!

    Read your great essay on WOW sight...so good!

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    1. Bookie--I do, too. And thanks. You write in veins that I haven't explored, nor do I think I have any talent, so I need to prod myself...

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  2. I am ruminating on the Muffin, smarting a bit from the cattle prod. Well done, Madam.

    We did not set off fireworks last night, for the first time since the kids were toddlers. Our dogs usually make themselves scarce during the early darkness, in their houses on the opposite side of the porch. The good thing about living in the country is that your neighbors are acres away.

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    1. Val--We all occasionally need a prod now and then. I do envy the spot you have in the country.

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  3. Bosco was trying to dig to China last night, and I felt so bad for him. The 4th of July is no longer a day, it's a six week extravaganza of idiots blowing things up. I have come to hate it.

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    1. Me, too. We gave Foley some "ace" tonight, so hopefully he won't have such a bad night tonight.

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  4. I'm so glad that my dogs aren't firecracker-phobic. They'd never make it.

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    1. Mama Zen--Yeah, it's rough on them. But other than that, they have quite a cushy life.

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  5. I was able to catch a panorama view of eight - yes eight - fireworks displays from my tiny balcony. No traffic, no drunks, yes, mosquitoes.
    What do I hope for the USA? Wow, woman, are you asking for real? To start, I'd like sanctity of life to be our foundation. No abortion, no cruelty to human or animals, no sticking our elders in closets. I think we all have an innate sense of caring concern, but respect has devolved into a "me first" mindset. Here's hoping it's not too late to put the constitution back together. (Maybe the reason kids aren't taught how to read cursive writing anymore is because the Constition and Bill of Rights are written in fancy cursive?) Remember, you asked!

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    1. Marcia--Thanks. You are the first one who was brave enough to speak her mind. I think the "me first mindset" has a whiff of a great sound bite. Perhaps I'll see you running for an office at some point? ;)

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  6. I grew up with German Shepherds and I remember that the firecrackers always sent them in hiding. I had one dog that would hide his head under the couch even though the rest of his body would be shaking outside of the couch. It was so sad.

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    1. Pat-Yes, dogs are just like toddlers. 'If I can't see them they can't see me.'

      You know, Chicken Soup for the Soul is looking for dog (and cat) stories. Do you have any to share?

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  7. I'm heading to WOW after this. Do you write for WOW weekly? We do nothing for 4th of July, but every now and then we jump because we think someone just shot us with a gun. Ha. Oh, there's so many things regarding hopes for the US... could be an interesting essay, eh?

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    1. Lynn--No, I only do an occasional guest post on Fridays.

      I agree. It WOULD make an interesting essay. Care to take it on?

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  8. Great post at the Muffin, Sioux. It is good to stretch our writing muscles and find new areas for creative exploration.

    Sorry poor Foley is so disturbed by the noise. We used to have a pooch, Sandy, who became totally distraught by fireworks or thunder. She tore whole rooms apart. Fortunately, our cats don't care, and our current fur-babies, though they become a bit anxious, don't carry on too much.

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    1. Lisa--Thanks. I'm glad your four-legged friends are calm during storms and fireworks. It makes for better sleeping at night, that's for sure...

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  9. I am at this very moment having coffee with my muffin [top], and it is in fact quite substantial! I'm so sorry about Foley's distress. Nearly all of my dogs have suffered through the 4th every year, so I can relate. And Foley has the face of a dog-angel. Now all that prodding is pushing me to those sites you mentioned.

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    1. Tammy--At least you only have a muffin-top. Mine is a bundt cake.

      Yes, he has the face of an angel, but he eats dog poop and chews up any piece of paper/plastic bag/throw pillow he can get his jaws around, and only barks when we leave the house. Yeah, he's some dog!

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