Birthday Girl

Guess whose birthday is October 1?  Caele Armstrong!!  In just a few hours we'll celebrate Caele's 7th birthday.  Ok - we'll probably celebrate it in the morning since we'll all be asleep.  

I can't believe that my little girl is 7 years old.  I remember driving to PA to pick her up (from the mafia), the holes she chewed in walls, pooping on the carpet right before Easter dinner . . . I just can't believe she's been with me so long.  I really don't know if I could have made it all this way without her.  Caele - we love you and happy birthday!

Birthday photo tribute from top: Caele in her snuggle nest - do not disturb!  Caele in her piggy costume with Aunt JJ and Dad.  Caele and Mama on our trip to Niagara Falls in summer 2007.

Doggie Paddling

Today was the much anticipated (in our house) doggie swim at the local gym.  They have an outdoor pool, and on the last day of the season they allow the doggies to invade (god bless them!).  The thunderstorms held off although it was dicey at times.    We showed up with our $10 (donation to the local SPCA) and swam for a full hour and a half!  Here's the deal: Caele is a FISH. We still weren't sure if Jackson was in fact a swimmer.  So upon arrival Caele acclimated quickly.  At first Jackson only ran laps around the pool with other dogs.  When he jumped in, his back legs didn't work very hard, so we usually had to stay close by.  But after some practice, he got the hang of things.  By the end of our swim time, Jackson was a willing and adept swimmer.  We were so proud of him, and of every other dog at the swim.  The gym staff said that there were about 75 dogs there, which meant some great cash raised for the SPCA, and there were no dog fights to speak of - just lots of urban mutts (ok - golden retrievers and chocolate labs) swimming until they just couldn't stand anymore, and gourmet dog treats for everyone.  Yes, there are awesome picts from this event.  No, they are not on the blog.  After some troubleshooting, BF CDW has concluded that we need a new cable from the camera to the MAC.  I hope to work on that tomorrow. When I do convince the camera and computer to speak to each other again I promise you some fab picts of doggies relaxing up in CT, and swimming picts that Aunt Carol took this evening.  

PS - Post swim Aunt's Carol and Amy and Uncle Charles had dinner at Little Havana with Jody and Chris.  A good time was had by all.  Mama had too many margaritas, but she was closing out margarita season (margarita season coincides with pool season which ended today, but daddy is petitioning to extend margarita season to coincide with marathon season - says that the extra salt benefits his training).

The Green Letter Bible

What's that - the word bible in a post on this blog?  Yep.  Most of you know that I am not especially spiritual in the tradition sense - spirituality for me is more about long runs and my yoga practice.  BUT a lot of our friends and family are very rooted in their faith, and I hope that even if you don't fall into that group that you will check out this book, The Green Bible.  I'm not endorsing religion of any kind, but I think this is a wonderful viewpoint on animals and our environment that will resonate with a lot of people.

There is a helicopter rolling down my street

That's right.  Actually 2 helicopters - Army ones.  If I had the camera (I do not) I would have posted photos - although I'm not sure photos were welcome at this motorcade.  There has been a defense conference of some kind going on at the Convention Center the last few days.  Yesterday there was a big motorcade.  Most likely someone very important and very Republican was being escorted out.

Back to the choppers.  There were two rolling down my street, being pulled and pushed by souped-up looking golf carts, men in uniform walking on each side, and chips-style cops blocking traffic.  Good thing I didn't need to go anywhere this AM.

Going to the Chapel

Guess what?  My cousin Jessica and her bf Marc are engaged!!  Woo hoo!  We're so happy for them because Marc is a super guy - can't wait for him to officially be a part of our family's madness, and of course he and Jess make each other really happy.  Hugs to them both - we're looking forward to the wedding.

Connecticut is Mmm- Farm Fresh!

This morning the Baltimore family visited the Litchfield Hills Farmers Market. Chris's Uncle Bill and Aunt Joan have been really involved in making this thing a realty - it is now in its second season and thriving.  We were able to take the furkids - some of the vendors keep dog treats on hand.  A great way to secure a sale from this family!  Anyhow, some of the goodies we came away with include granola that we bake fresh ourselves, pork tenderloins (for dinner tonite - we're still eating pork), peaches, lots of local honey, and dill goat cheese.  We ate something called a dirtbomb - which was dough baked and covered in cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg, etc.  So yummy!  And the best part is that all of these goodies came to us directly from the farmers that raised them!

We also had the opportunity for a family photograph.  I wish that I had known about that in advance as I might have put a little more effort into my appearance, but in any case, the picts are for an art project supported by a grant.  The project is called I Am America, and the installation will eventually be up here in CT.  Instead of being in a museum or other building, the photographs are reproduced in grand proportions and put on buildings, in corn fields, etc. Cool, yeah?

For more information about the market we attended today check out:

http://www.litchfieldhillsfood.org/

In other New England news, the doggies are having a grand time.  Caele is indulging her senses with the local . . . scents.  Jackson is frolicking all over the yard all day long - he can barely keep his eyes open at night.

Pass the Veggies Please

We've considered the idea of becoming vegetarians a couple of times.  When I lived on the Eastern Shore the chicken trucks used to really upset me.  It's not that either of us doesn't like meat - we both do.  Personally, I LOVE pork in its unhealthiest forms - bacon, sausage, etc.  Ostrowski Sausage anyone?  And I know that CDW enjoys a steak.  

Tonite we watched Fast Food Nation, and it reminded me of what my real problem with meat is - it's not humane - to anyone.  It's not humane to the animals, to the environment, to the slaughterhouse workers, or to the citizens of our country.  Jackson was so upset by the film - he could only comfort himself by nibbling on one of my ski gloves.

I just don't know if we can continue to eat meat, and sleep at night.  So here's the call - who can help us transition into becoming veggie??  I'm thinking gradual transition here.  First we cut out the red meat (I think that will be easiest for me).  Then we move to pork (I think I will consume a few pounds of bacon the day before).  Then to poultry.  I don't love chicken and turkey, but they are easy to prepare.  I'll miss that.  

We need books, websites, recipes, hints . . .

For more information about factory farming in the US, and how to make your kitchen sustainable, check out these websites:

http://www.sustainabletable.org/

http://www.meatrix.com/