Birthday Parties for Dogs and Toddlers

A while back a friend was telling me about her toddler grandsons' birthday party.  As you can imagine, she said it was fun but exhausting.  Now don't get me started on having birthday parties for kids under the age of 5.  I think they're crazy.

But then I read an article this week about the growing popularity of having birthday parties for dogs.  Yes, that's crazy too - but the point is, the suggestions work equally well for little ones and dogs.  So here are some of the most helpful doggie party ideas that work equally well with toddlers:

     - Have the party in a fenced yard - with the emphasis on the word "fenced."  Imagine having a dog birthday party in the house.   Now imagine have the same party for 1 to 3 year olds.  It's the same image, right?  But don't try the yard party without a fence because herding dogs and toddlers is like, well, herding dogs and toddlers.

     - Have a responsible adult accompany each dog or toddler - no drop offs!  Actually the article suggests the dogs should be leashed upon arriving until they get to know each other.  While this is probably a good idea for the toddlers as well, I'm not recommending it.

     - Crates available for dogs who might need "alone time."  OK this is not going to work for the kids for the same reason as the leash idea.  My daughter tells me they used to have a big comfy chair, blanket and cuddly stuffed toy available for a weepy or unhappy child.  Her husband, greeting kids at the door, would text her "potential cryer in foyer."

     - Costumes - The dog party experts suggest having plenty of props for photo ops like bow ties or tiaras and party hats.  The toddlers might like these as well along with princess and Thomas Train outfits.  But nothing scary for either group.  That would be encouraging "accidents."  

     - Doggie Bags:  The dog experts suggest tennis balls and dog-friendly baked treats.  This could work for both groups.

     - Games:  The recommendation for dogs is "bobbing for hot dogs."  Slice up hot dogs and put them in a shallow dish filled with water.  Don't try this with the toddlers!  They are notorious for choking on hot dogs.  Besides, most moms today think of hot dogs as the next thing to poison.

The other game suggestion is non toxic, big bubbles.  "Dogs try to chomp them in the air, it's hysterical ."  This would work for both groups.

The article ends by saying "Luckily, dogs don't know or care how much you spend."  This is true for toddlers as well.  My best suggestion is to leave the dogs and toddlers at home and attend a grown up party.

You're welcome!


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Healing in Body, Mind and Spirit

Lynn Julian, Actress

Scott Weisberg, Physician 

Yesterday angel-faced terrorist Dzhokhar Tarnaev officially received his death sentence for his part in the Boston Marathon massacre.    But I wasn't nearly as interested in Tarnaev as I was in the victims who were interviewed afterward.

Beautiful actress Lynn Julian who lives a block from the finish line, suffered hearing loss, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.  All invisible wounds.

Likewise, Scott Weisberg, a doctor, who also lost his hearing, suffered a traumatic brain injury and  PTSD, said that his patients and others in his life have no idea what he faces every day.

Henry Borgard, Student

But Lynn and Scott are working to get well.  They've continued to run in the marathon and are active in their support groups.  They both agreed that Tarnaev's apology at his sentencing was not believable.

The third interviewee, Henry Borgard, was not a runner but  a 21 year old college student simply walking to class on April 15, 2013 when the second bomb exploded.  I don't know the extent of his injuries but he now gets around with a service dog.

Henry said, The past 2 years have been hell.  No words could ever do justice to the atrocities that the Tsarnaev brothers committed.

But Henry has a different take on Tsarnaev than Lynn and Scott, whom he referred to as his "compatriots."

He said he couldn't believe that Tsarnaev is two years younger than he is.  Henry also said he forgives Tsarnaev.

  The folks who can't fathom this "forgiveness" concept sometimes just don't understand it.  Henry doesn't want Tsarnaev to be set free and certainly doesn't justify any of the evil he did.  But Henry wants to let go of the hate.  Here are Henry's words:

For me to hear him say that he's sorry, that is enough for me, and I hope, because I still have faith in humanity, including him, I hope that his words are genuine.  I hope that they were heartfelt.  I hope that they were as honest as the statements you heard today in court from victims and survivors.

My personal wish is for Lynn, George and Henry to continue to heal in body, mind and spirit.  I believe they will.



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Who Does This Remind You Of?

Titled Strawberries - but looks like
Superman to me. 

This big painting (approximately 2 feet by 3 feet) hangs in our living room.  It was done by a favorite painter of Dave's, Amy Cordova.  Dave loves contemporary art.

Amy Cordova lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico and much of her work depicts Native Americans.  Her art is full of brilliant, vibrant colors.  She also illustrates children's books.

Another of her paintings hangs over our bed.  It depicts a Native American lying in a cornfield and it's called "Corn Dreamer." I love it.  It makes me think.

Christopher Reeve - My Favorite
Superman

When I first saw the "big" painting in Dave's house in Edina, Minnesota, it was at the end of a long hallway.  It immediately reminded me of a famous character  - and still does.  It's titled "Strawberries" but I think it looks like Superman.

Dave doesn't see it but here they are together.  I'll bet you see it.

Corn Dreamer

Moving to Breadstick Nation

Chicken Parmigiana Breadstick
Sandwich $7.99

As you well know, I like the Olive Garden.  We eat there maybe four times a year.  We both have the exact same thing.  Soup, salad and breadsticks.  At 140 calories each, I usually enjoy one and one half breadsticks.  (Math lesson:  If you eat seven breadsticks, as many people do,  you are pushing 1,000 calories - for just the breadsticks.)

Meatball Breadstick Sandwich $6.99

Like we Americans love to do, Olive Garden has taken a good thing and gone crazy with it.

On Thursdays an Olive Garden Food Truck was in downtown Orlando to help promote their new breadstick sandwiches.  Lots of folks drove a long way to get a free sample.  Including standing in line to get the Meatball
Breadstick Sandwich, eating it, and then standing in line to get the Chicken Parm Breadstick Sandwich.

The sandwiches are cheap, and come with fries, soup or salad and - you guessed it - unlimited breadsticks.


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Sibling Rivalry

 Lindsey Graham announced his bid for the presidency a few days ago.  As a life long bachelor he said that his sister could serve as first lady.

Really?  If I were Senator Graham I would give that some more thought.

He was correct in saying that other women have stood in for the first lady in years past, but they were rarely sisters.  That's a very special kind of relationship.  Has he never heard of sibling rivalry?

Here are some little known things about "First Ladies."

• Andrew Jackson's wife, Rachel, was a bigamist.  She married Jackson before she was divorced from her first husband. 
• Grover Cleveland's sister served as House hostess until President Cleveland married his wife, Frances who was 21 years old at the time.  (I wonder how sis felt about that replacement.)
• William Howard Taft's wife, Nellie drove a car, supported women's rights and smoked cigarettes. 
•  Jacqueline Kennedy had her own press secretary and won an Emmy; Betty Ford was a professional dancer, Nancy Reagan was, like her husband, an actor and Barbara Bush was both first lady and first mom.  (And might be again.)

But being a sister is a different thing.  I can imagine one of my sons being president.  I can imagine one of my daughters being president.  I cannot, under any circumstances, imagine one of my daughters functioning as her brothers' "First Lady."

Jeb Bush, when he announced his bid for the presidency this week said that the best thing that happened to him that day was that his mom, Barbara Bush, finally admitted she loved him best!

Sibling rivalry is a real thing.

Food for thought, Lindsey Graham.


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Looking Ahead

When an old person dies it's like a library has burned down.  - Dr. Art Cross


When I discovered that two OLD PEOPLE were going to speak at Forum this morning I was a tiny bit sceptical.

By old, I mean they're in their 90s.  Each has had what we might call an unusual life.  But, on the other hand, if we live to be 90 plus, we will all have some unusual stories to tell.

The first speaker was Pat Patton.  I wrote a blog posting about him on 4/6/15 titled "The Man Who Invented Radar."

 I liked that he began this morning by saying that his generation was defined by the great depression and World War II.

The other speaker was Dottie Norton.  I was impressed when she told us her parents were highly educated.  That certainly wasn't the norm in the late 1800s.  Pat explained that his parents went to the 8th grade.  That was the highest level of education offered in rural Alabama at that time.

Pat and Dottie were insightful, honest and incredibly funny.

Dottie spent 28 years teaching in Europe.  She told about an experience in France when she was traveling in the countryside with friends in a black Mercedes.  Along the way the car was shot at.  Naturally they stopped to tell the gendarmes.  It was explained to them that somebody was trying to assassinate Charles de Gaulle.  And he was riding in a black Mercedes.  So Dottie suggested that she saved Charles de Gaulle's life!

But prior to going to Europe, Dottie went to Mexico.  There she experienced an earthquake.  They were all gathered in the lobby of a hotel which was swaying back and forth in the middle of the quake.  One man in the hotel spent the night praying to the Virgin of Guadalupe.  The next morning he announced they were saved by the Virgin.

But Dottie said to us this morning "the virgin who saved them was me!"

Pat and Dottie also gave us some tips for living a long life.  Pat said to marry well.  Dottie said to live a clean life.  Both good advice!


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Happy Birthday Barbara Bush

Barbara Bush turns 90 tomorrow.  I have always admired her.  She has a well deserved reputation for saying what she thinks.  She's always been a "take no prisoners" kind of gal.

The current Time Magazine has a short Q & A with Mrs Bush.  The first question and answer go like this:

Your husband jumped out of an airplane for his 90th.  What's your plan?

Not jumping out of an airplane.  I'm not an idiot. 

To me, she wasn't speaking disparagingly about her husband, she was just speaking her own truth.

I've noticed that Mrs. Bush has lost weight in the last few years.  Remember when Phil Hartman would portray her on Saturday Night Live?  I think she had a sense of humor about it.  By the way, I like the way she looked then and I like the way she looks now.

I remember well, in 1990, when Barbara Bush gave the Wellesley commencement speech.  There were protests prior to, and booing during, the speech - not because of her politics - but because she didn't have a career.  Following is a portion of that speech:

For over fifty years, it was said that the winner of Wellesley's annual hoop race would be the first to get married.  Now they say, the winner will be the first to become a C.E.O.  Both of those stereotypes show too little tolerance for those who want to know where the mermaids stand.  So I want to offer a new legend:  the winner of the hoop race will be the first to realize her dream - not society's dreams --- her own personal dream.

And who knows?  Somewhere out in this audience may even be someone who will one day follow in my footsteps, and preside over the White House as the President's spouse--and I wish him well. 

Happy 90th Birthday, Barbara Bush!


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Cicero and the Forum

You are aware that I love the class I attend every Sunday called "Forum."  No, it's not like the Roman Forum, but these two concepts sort of merged this past Sunday when our presenter, Gary, asked us to discuss Cicero's "Six Mistakes of Man."  As it turned out, we had to postpone the discussion for another time.

Cicero, Roman Orator, Philosopher,
Politician, Writer, Lawyer
Born 106 BC, Died 43 BC            

Wouldn't you love to be in a group of smart, kind, open folks who want to hear your opinion on serious issues?  And then share their own?  I have this every Sunday. 

We'll discuss these "mistakes" at a later date.  Maybe you'd like to join us.  In the meantime, here they are.  What do you think?

Cicero's Six Mistakes of Man. 

1.  The Illusion that personal gain is made up of crushing others. 

We like to kid around about how this is a job description for lawyers.  But Cicero was a lawyer and Dave and I attended a funeral for a lawyer yesterday and heard many stories of love, kindness and generosity.  It is possible to be a successful lawyer or stock broker or real estate developer without the goal of crushing others?

2.  The tendency to worry about things that cannot be changed or corrected. 

Easier said than done. 

3.  Insisting that a thing is impossible because we cannot accomplish it. 

On Sunday we went straight from Forum to the worship service which started with a short video about Roger Bannister running the four minute mile.  Prior to that time, experts had said that it was impossible for a human being to do this.  Since Bannister did it, hundreds of people have done it, including kids and older folks.  I used to think I could do it.  But this made me think about "Mistake #2" and how do we really know that things cannot be changed or corrected?

4.  Refusing to set aside personal preferences. 

5.  Neglecting development and refinement of the mind, and not acquiring the habit of reading and study.

I'm totally with Cicero on this one. 

6.  Attempting to compel others to believe and live as we do.

I know people who think of this as their mission - but this is definitely not what Forum is about. 

I can't wait to discuss this stuff.

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