"It was imprudent of us, in the first place, to become authors. We could have become something regular, but we managed not to.
We were lucky, but we were also determined." Roy Blount Jr

"I don’t change the facts to enhance the drama. I think of it the other way round, the drama has got to fit the facts,
and it’s your job as a writer to find the shape in real life."
Hilary Mantel

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Valentine's Eve & Day

Lola slept through the second night of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. The Chap missed the first hour by watching American Idol on a television upstairs.

Ruth, on the sofa with me, got very interested when the Herding Group took the ring.



Look, a Border Collie! Like me, only bigger! And purebred.



James, the English Springer Spaniel, was my choice for Best in Show--can I pick a winner, or what? The Chap liked the Akita, my second choice.

We were thrilled about the Pedigree Challenge, which raised $1.1 million to help rescue and shelter dogs find homes.

To backtrack a bit, I had a quiet Wednesday morning and an active afternoon. Did some shopping for the parish Mardi Gras dinner to be held Sunday night. On the way home I voted in the special town election--to determine whether our town will accept the donation of the historic meetinghouse, circa 1861, in danger of being demolished due to the construction of a convenience store. For about a year I've been writing supportive editorials and letters to the editor and attending meetings. Of course I voted yes!

Came home, threw together a crockpot chicken curry, and headed out to an Open House at the new Training Center the power company has established in the next town. (Local legislators were invited to attend, and did, along with the Chief of Police, the Fire Chief, a couple of Selectmen, and local citizens.)

I don't know when I've had so much fun, or learned such cool stuff! We toured the facility, which has some state-of-the-art training models. We saw the innards of transformers and cables. We had a tutorial in the equipment--I now know how heavy the linemen's tool belt is and things with the cleats they wear on their legs. I put on one of the work gloves, also very heavy. (The PR person is supposed to send along a picture of me wearing that giant glove!) Everybody, from the bigwigs to the trainers to the public relations staff were so proud, of the facility and their safety record and the reputation of their line crews.

I will never look at power lines or poles the same way again.

After the tour we had cake and coffee.

In the evening, just before the dog show started, one of our Selectmen phoned to announce that the old Meetinghouse is saved--the town voted to accept the building and move it to the town-owned property occupied by new library and our historic Town Hall.

We're having a White Valentine's Day. This snow is a birthday gift to Lola, who has turned 14. When we adopted her 12 years ago, on February 17th, she'd just turned 2, so we chose this for her birthday.

Due to the impending blizzard, it was announced late yesterday that all Senate and House activities were cancelled at the State House. This is fairly unprecedented. My committee had numerous hearings and an executive session, which have been rescheduled. The Chap's office had a late opening this morning. I predict an early release for him, because the conditions are supposed to worsen as the day wears on.

At the moment we've got about 5 inches on the ground. Could get as many as 12, or more, by the time it ends tommorrow--when we have a joint House and Senate session to hear the Governor's budget. That won't be cancelled.

Here's Ruth, flying up the snowy back steps this morning.



Ruth and Lola stalk a red squirrel they've just chased off the deck.



The Valentine's Day bounty. We'll open cards and gifts as soon as the Chap gets home.



Happy Valentine's Day to all!




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