old dogs barking

Is there anything more precious than an old dog?  Maybe an old dog barking.

Mika the border collie, almost 12, and Baxter the beagle, 13, have slowed down in many ways.  They are not as fast as they used to be.  They sleep even more now.  Mika's eye sight is so bad she's only catching the tennis ball about 50 percent of the time.  Bax is limping from arthritis of the neck. 

One activity that most certainly has not declined: barking.  These dogs have not let old age hamper in any way their long held job of protecting the house.  Mail/UPS/FedEx people dropping off stuff.  Barking.  Doorbell or knocks.  Barking.  Dogs walking by the house.  Barking.  Car doors slamming shut nearby.  Barking.

And now it appears they have upped their protection.  Relying on experience in the absence of good eyesight and fast reflexes, they are barking at everything.  I close my closet door.  Barking.  The other border collie Sami, age 3, moves unexpectedly and makes a noise.  Barking.  Paul drops something.  Barking. 

Old dogs barking just in case.  Adorable.  

Big Sister is watching

I am a little scared of the power of my smart phone, a Samsung Galaxy S5.  It's the overreach that concerns me.  I get that some sites glom onto your cookies and then suddenly a kid in China knows your every move.  Certain ads appear seemingly out of nowhere.  Some even embarrassing.  Never mind which ones.  Although annoying and frustrating, I get how my phone becomes my stalker.

Then there are other behaviors of my phone that I don't get.  At all.  Such as the times I open the screen after it's been resting and a random page appears. 

Take this morning.  I awake my phone by swiping across the lovely faces of my daughter Jenny and granddaughter Jodi, and up pops the screen with the voice activated browser asking me to "Search Bonobo apes."  I kid you not.

Initially, I am confused.  Then intrigued, leaving only one course of action: obey the "S Voice." 

Here's what I found:
 
Bonobo Apes are one of humankind’s closest living relatives, yet most people are not even aware that bonobos exist. These great apes are complex beings with profound intelligence, emotional expression, and sensitivity. The most unusual and compelling feature of bonobos is their society–matriarchal, egalitarian, and peaceful. Bonobos are also well-known for their creative and abundant sexual activity. Their gentle and amorous nature has led some people to call them the “Make Love, Not War” primate. The last great ape species discovered, bonobos could be the first to become extinct unless concerted action is taken now to protect them and their rainforest home.

Get outta town.  So interesting.  But so very, very random. 

Oh well.  I always wanted a Big Sister. 

Copy that, Mr. Trump

Years ago my aunt described a guy in Fort Worth as, "too rich to be ignored."  That stuck with me.  At the time I thought it was funny.  She was right.  You know, money talks.

Donald Trump has a lot of money and lately he has been doing a lot of talking.

Last presidential election cycle he was given the role of kingmaker - or queenmaker.  Remember all the candidates making a seemingly obligatory pilgrimage to Trump Towers?  This time around he is a candidate.  Or so he pronounced last week before a cheering throng of paid supporters and tourists grabbed off the street.

Out of the gate he reveals his true self and it wasn't flattering. His adlib comments about the low character of Mexicans coming to America certainly spoke volumes.

The response seemed to be a collective "Copy that, Mr. Trump."  First Univision dropped his Miss Universe Show, then NBC and both hosts of the show bowed out.  Then Macy's severed ties.  I haven't checked lately what other dominoes have fallen. 

Of course there also was a surge in his popularity in parts of the country as well.  Iowa, specifically.  Just enough salve to sooth a bruised ego, if Mr. Trump's ego is capable of bruising.

Yes, Mr. Trump is too rich to be ignored, but all the money in the world couldn't buy him the presidency of our great country.

No question about motive

As we search for understanding about the motive for the recent mass shooting in Charleston, SC, maybe this time we don't have to think so hard.

It was racism in its most pure and uncut form. 

Now, what do we do about prevention?

Avalanche Trail, Glacier National Park

 Roaring Avalanche Creek

 Soaring cedars

 Avalanche Lake

Paul and I hit the trail early last Wednesday morning.  We had forgotten, somehow, that it was all uphill.  Just two miles.  It helps that one is distracted by sights, smells, sounds, etc. In the beginning we got a little spooked at being the only people on the trail.  It didn't help that a sign at the trail head warned: "You are entering Grizzly country."  The sign also displayed a picture of bear spray, which we didn't have. We relaxed a bit after meeting up with a recent college graduate, laden with geological equipment.  She, too, was headed to the lake. She assured us the trail likely was safe as it has about the most human traffic of any trail in the park. She described encountering a grizzly bear the day before on another less traveled trail.  She called that experience "sketchy." I would use a different, less nice word. Turns out the only wild animal we encountered was a chipmunk begging for food while we sat on a log on the shore of Avalanche Lake. By the time we return to the trail, dozens of hikers are heading up.  "Is the lake close?" many ask.  We always offer words of encouragement.  "Almost there."  We pledge to do this hike again.

  

Frank and Shirley

Photos from recent visit to Missoula, Mt.  Frank no longer knows Shirley.  Every visit she introduces herself.  "Frank, I'm Shirley.  Your wife."  She kisses him on the lips.  Usually he kisses her back and chuckles.  His attention is aimed elsewhere through most visits.  He likes to read words in the newspaper, spelling out the ones he can no longer pronounce.  He also likes to  move and match  dominoes and playing cards.  "I miss him," Shirley says.

Hello, Montana

Leaving Billings on I90, heading west to Missoula.  Pretty nice drive if you like an expansive view, winding rivers, buttes and mountains.  What is a butte anyway?