In one week my feline prodigy has passed the first 3 levels of the Litter Qwitter. If she passes the next 2 she will officially be toilet trained! A nerdy thing to be excited about, for sure, but I've been scooping cat litter for 16 years. This would we awesome.

I ran another 5k tonight, and although my legs and lungs most definitely think I'm trying to kill them, it felt good in my head. My body's natural state is not "at rest", and I'm more than ready to get moving again and regain my conditioning. And being healthy in one way often influences others, so I'm having a tall glass of water with lime, and mint from my garden. And I made veggie-laden scrambled eggs and roasted sweet potatoes for dinner, and fruit-laden spinach salad for dessert. With honey goat cheese. (Just in case you were afraid I was getting TOO healthy.) And I *might* have some wine later to put me to sleep quickly. (Sleep is healthy! And I don't get nearly enough of it!)

Another true story. I felt great while running on Monday night (KCCC practice at the track), but have been hatin' life ever since!
I used the PicFrame app to cobble together a cartoon. Can't wait for Photoshop to hit the iPhone. ;)

Random Hallmark Moments: Mayhem

   The day got kooky at lunchtime when I fumbled my tray (still carrying things with only my left hand) and I spilled ice all over the floor in the humor department. Big mistake. When I walked through there later, I saw this:

Touche, Mr. King.

   At the end of the day, Gary and I were packing up and wondering aloud why on earth a big, yellow slide had appeared in Earl's booth... complete with a sign that said, "Don't Slide!" So, naturally, we mocked it:

    ...And when we came in the next morning, Earl (the owner of the slide) had done this:

   Note the photos of us taped to the slide, along with an additional caution sign, to warn wiser people of the danger. Good thing Earl's sense of humor is as good as ours. He draws a helluva body outline too. Is this what they call "innovation"?!

   Apparently Earl had bought the slide for his kids through our company's want ads, and he had to leave it at work because he had taken the bus that day. (As a fan of the bus, I wish he had tried it. How could that NOT end in a hilarious story?) 

   All this to say that I have the world's funnest & funniest coworkers. We're all under a lot of stress right now, so it's all the more important that we break (meaning "pause", not "fracture") for fun now and then.

Barkley the Shiba Inu

   Today an MSIR volunteer contacted me on Facebook to see where this Hallmark Shoebox card could be found (Answer: Hallmark Gold Crown stores, Walgreens, Walmart, and in Walmart—under the brand Saturdays). Apparently Barkley, the Shiba featured on it, is becoming an internet sensation. Not sure how I missed that one, but I'm a fan now!

Barkley's new boots video

Facebook page

Sponsor Team ShibaRunner!

   This is the official Shiba-Inu-powered fundraising page for Dog-n-Jog. You can sponsor our team by clicking here. 100% of your gifts will go toward helping the homeless pets (of all makes and models) currently at the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City's no kill shelter.
   I have donated artwork to HSGKC to support fundraising efforts since 1997. My partner-in-crime and lil' sister, Lindsey, hails from Ohio. This will be her third trip to KC to run in DNJ. While our 12-legged team is unlikely to place this year (I took my first run in TEN WEEKS last night, having finally been cleared to start exercising from my injury), we promise we will run our hearts out. Your support will make the shelter pets winners for sure!
   You can find more information about the event on HSGKC's site.

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

   This occurred to me after my orthopedic doc confirmed this miracle of the human body.
Also, I think from now on the light bulb = idea convention should use compact fluorescents, despite them being harder to draw. Let's get with the times, cartoonists!

Cleared for takeoff!

   Last week I ditched the sling, and today in PT Mike had me incorporate 1 lb weights. Yeah, 1. The fracture still hurts a bunch when my muscles fire. Mike wanted me to try to jog to see if I can handle it. So I joined Aaron for a KCCC practice session at the track, and ran a 5k. My breathing and tight legs were more upset than my shoulder. ;)
   Tonight I was walking the dogs and stopped to talk with Eunice, who lives behind me. I hadn't seen her for a while. I affectionately call her "The Dogcatcher" because she nabbed Taylor in 2008 when the gate blew open and he flew out of the yard. So, a favorite neighbor for sure.
   She was watering her lawn, and beaming, telling me that she recently got married to a man named Winslow. She said he's helped her a lot with the house and yard (which looks amazing), and that they walk together every day; 2 miles tonight.
   Eunice is 80, but looks closer to 60. It's remarkable. She asserted that exercise keeps her young, and that she runs or walks every day.
   Then she said she is recovering from shoulder surgery! She's just able to handle the weight of the garden hose again. I laughed and told her I was following in her footsteps. We agreed that it's a huge relief to be getting back to normal. She's right, though... Exercise does keep you young. And mentally sharp, energetic, fit, and happy to boot. I find Eunice to be a real inspiration: a hero in more ways than one!

ShibaDozer

   WaterOne has my whole neighborhood torn up. If they're going to leave their crap everywhere, I'm going to have fun with it.

Plus, he's always wanted a bulldozer. ;)

Typical Weekend Morning

Stealth attack!

Cat vs. Dog vs. laser. (Aki is thinking the dot will win.)

Smoooooooth...

Breakfast! Blueberry-peach-kale-yum!

Donate for a Great Cause

    Please consider making a donation in honor of a friend or family member you know who has battled and beat breast cancer. I donated on behalf of my grandmothers, Adele and Mary, and my friend Liz! This will be the 5th year my friend Natalie has done the 2-day, 39.5 mile walk with the Avon Foundation.   GO NATALIE!!!

Dog-n-Jog 2013

   Presenting the final t-shirt designs for Dog-n-Jog 2013: gray for participants, and green for the HSGKC board  members. You can register for the event, buy shirts, and make a donation from this page. I will be setting up a fundraising page and hitting up you pet lovers. This is a great organization, and obviously a great cause!

Paws and Pawsta Site is Live!

Check out my handiwork, and please attend if you'll be in Sonoma!
See my sketches here.

Saturday, August 10, 2013 from 5 – 8:30 pm

Richard’s Grove & Saralee’s Vineyard:
3575 Slusser Rd, Windsor, CA

Tri Tip, Pasta, Beer and Wine

Sonoma County Animal Care & Control
and the Healdsburg Animal Shelterhttp://www.facebook.com/pawsandpawsta
http://pawsandpasta.wordpress.com

Sleeping Tiger

   It's right between Kismet's second birthday (5/4) and the first anniversary of the day I adopted her (5/19). What a happy day!

   "Kismet" was Kristin's suggestion, and it turned out to be a very apropos name. It's Turkish and means destiny, fate, and fortune. I think it must also mean "perfect camouflage with the dog bed from which she has ousted the Shibas." 

   Nearly a year later, Aki still bears "the mark of Kismet"--a small scar by her right eye. This kitten's sweetest belies her inner fury. She is 8 pounds of awesomeness!

Love you, Mom!

Happy Mother's Day to the best Mom I could have asked for!

(Notice any resemblance?)

My Cat From Hell

You know what no one is? Perfect. Including pets. Kizzy, for instance, insists on faithfully following me all over the house... And "helping" me. These were today's shenanigans:

I've been watching "My Cat From Hell" this evening. And much like "The Dog Whisperer", the animal experts encounter a seemingly nonstop stream of people whose pets have behavioral problems. Pets seem complex if you don't work to understand their instincts. And they take time, training, and care. It's a lot of work. I get it.
What I do not get is why nearly all of these people think it's an acceptable solution to get rid of their pets (right up until someone swoops in as a "last resort"). It isn't okay. Ten times out of ten the owner is the problem. They are unwilling to devote time and energy; often, they are weak leaders. Or they're doing something that upsets the animal and manifests in unwanted behaviors. So they give up. And come to the conclusion that the animal has to leave.
I understand there are cases where people must surrender an animal and have no other options. But what drives me crazy about these shows are the arrogant, obstinant people who are looking for an easy solution. A pet isn't disposable; adopting one should be a lifelong commitment.
People make comments to me all the time about how well-behaved my pets are. They didn't come that way. I work with them every single day. And they bring me immeasurable joy. I wish these people would look harder for that. Or never get an animal in the first place.

Spring Flowers

Lots of gorgeous flowers in my yard, and... D'oh! Lots of violets too!

Green Feets

Walking in freshly-cut grass = green feets!

Smothered

They are still speaking to me despite the baths. Also, slightly smothering me. Send help!!!!

Spring Babies

Fledgling cilantro. Thanks Scott and Allyson! I can almost taste the salsa now...

Three Pets in the Tub

   After the morning hike, I weeded, tended my grass seed and did several loads of laundry. Noticing all the pet hair (not only in the lint trap, but also blowing around the hardwood floors since the windows were open) I decided it was time for another spa day, aka WAR ON SHEDDING. Even Kismet was not immune. Lucky for me, she is awesome and doesn't mind a bath and a nail trim. Getting to sunbathe on the deck is all she asks. All my soldiers cooperated.

   We all wanted to be out all day! Wish days like this could last forever.

Perfect Day

Glorious day to be outside, and to get up early for a fancy breakfast and a hike on the Tomahawk Creek trail and Leawood City Park. Mid-60s, sunny, wildflowers, waterfalls, baby geese and ducks, invisible bench... What more could you want?

The Eyes Have It

Kristin received the surprise gift from mom, Kelley & I today, and teared up. The engraved message on the back says, "We're so proud of you, Dr. Kristin!" And we are. :)

True Story.

Welcome to my world.

Eggplant Whatever.

Improvisation. I had a really beautiful eggplant that I'd bought at the Overland Park farmers' market over a week ago that I needed (and wanted) to eat. So I began slicing it up, prepping to make eggplant Parmesan. I opened the fridge to get the eggs, and... No eggs. Drat! I've been running all day long and had no intention of a 6:30 pm trip to the store. I googled "no egg eggplant Parmesan" and found this recipe: http://www.zestyflavors.com/2010/07/no-egg-eggplant-parmigiana.html?m=1
Sounded good. I reached up to get the breadcrumbs out of the cabinet, and... It was nearly empty. But I thought I could get by. I dipped and fried all the slices into golden-brown medallions and began layering them with spicy diablo sauce in the pan. I opened the fridge to get the Parmesan, and... Are you creaking kidding me?! None. But I did happen to have a little feta, goat cheese, and mozzarella. They would have to do.
Flash forward 350 degrees and 30 minutes, and I have the tastiest eggplant feta-goat-mozzarella I've ever had (and yes, better than Parmesan)!
This was also my second goat cheese centered meal today, having started my day at Room 39 for goat cheese pancakes with hazelnut syrup. I joke that I'd eat a brick if it had goat cheese in it, and it's almost not a joke. Yum.