When there's really nothing to write ...

... just turn to the wise words of today's philosophers.

"A bookstore is one of the only pieces of evidence we have that people are still thinking."
- Jerry Seinfeld

I'm Worried, Truly ...

About education.

Here's why: 1) A certain president, who will remain unnamed at present, is pressing ahead on a No Child Left Behind (NCLB) program that is hell-bent on punishing non-confirming and non-performing schools moreso than praising those who are excelling. Ask me WHY certain schools can excel and some can't. I'll give it to you rather bluntly. 2) A complacent public who has grown rather accustomed to public education taking their children early and attempting to mold them in a custom way, forgetting that the potter's wheel still turns at home - as bad as some homes are ... 3) We have expectations of children nowadays that are most unrealisic, no thanks to a president whose name I still won't mention, but has the initials: GWB. 4) Testing run wild. I can't imagine any child in this day and age taking ANY test these days, classrooom or otherwise seriously, since all they have to face each day is more and more testing ... Gracious.

Goodbye, Little Friend

Little friend was, indeed, this man's best friend ... His registered name? Mimi's Mon Ami. Mimi is short for Meagan, our precious daughter. Mon Ami, shortened to "Meezer", a few years ago, along with a few other pet names he always recognized from each, was Mea's 9th birthday present. A dog, Yes, a dog ... a full-bred, black as spades, in the beginning, mintoy poodle. All 11 pounds of him. He was always underfoot and taking care of his momma, daddy, and sis, no matter how many times he got stepped on or tussled.

If Ami wasn't crapping or pissing outside, it was the nearest convenient spot inside, be it curtains, clothes, furniture, or whatever spot was vacant at the time. As much as he slept during the day, acknowledgeing no one, not even the teenage burglars who broke into our house many moons ago, he was forgiven. Still, he was a pretty good watch dog when he wasn't on sleep watch.

After nearly thirteen years of tireless faithfulness, joyfulnes with our presence, and untiring and undying love for his compatriots, his end came rather quickly, but sadly. So many years of tireless devotion came to an end nearly two weeks ago. Deterioating eyesight, paralyzed hips, and a uncrontollable bladder left him hapless, nothing he'd ever faced at any point in this life. Those cloudy, cataracted eyes looked to us and asked, "what is going on with me?" His body being overtaken by systemic shutodwn, he was no worse for the wear, minute by minte, as his head bobbled side to side and his front legs - his last line of defense - were giving way. After solemn and last goodbyes and thank you kisses from momma and daddy, he met his death under the eye of a most kind vet's needle. God bless the vet.

Ami, you are missed. You wouldn't believe the habits we've grown so accustomed with your former presence. The gates and house doors are still closed behind us, immediately, and every now and then, a shadow comes by when we feel the need to let you in or let you out. You were what and who we tended to in our daughter's absence. You can't imagine just how much you are missed, already.

Thank you, Ami, for many, many wonderful years of faithful companionship. I wish all dogs could be as wonderful to their masters as you were to us. Surely, and hopefully, all dogs DO go to heaven ,,,