MORE SLUSH AND STUFF

This is a bit different from the last "Slush and Stuff."

In this case the "Stuff" includes some dislocated joints in my back. This, courtesy of Her Ladyship, Miss Sadie, who is now strong enough to move me around at will — as in her will. This is a real pain, both physically and in matters of canine management. Bear will survive both, thanks to good medication and extra rest, and some good planning (which has yet to be done).

The "Slush" is inside the Bear's head, thanks to another "black dog" (as Sir Winston Churchill put it) who has come to reside. This seems to happen every year when winter turns to spring. Bear will survive; the other dog will leave. Bear just doesn't know when.

Please Bear with me; Bear has other stories to tell, when he is able.
v

SLUSH AND STUFF

First, the hangover got much, much worse.

Then, the walk beside our house turned into an ice track. Ideal for Bobsleigh, Luge, or Skeleton — except the Olympics are over.

Then the ice started to melt — thanks to warmer weather and a well-place application of salt and grit.

I've been able to do some chopping as well (after a few days of dodgy health). Now, it's almost safe to walk beside the house. Miss Sadie and I have done it a couple of times, without incident.

In a few days, I expect the path will be clear.

And by then, our very muddy back yard will appear, and I'll start thinking of building Miss Sadie her own private race track, so she isn't bringing half the back yard into the house, four paws-full at a time.

Ah, well.

Hope your spring it turning out nicely at this point.

What's happening in your corner of the world as spring emerges?

HANGOVER

It's Day 16 of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. Things got off to a bit of a slow start, but picked up — at least from the Canadian perspective. We've now won or are assured of 20 medals or so. Not the 30 that the politicians wanted us to win, but nothing too shabby, either. (I think this may be close to a "National Best.")

There's been lots to celebrate in the last few days. A gold and silver in Womens' Bobsleigh. Gold in Womens' Hockey. Silver in Womens' Curling, after a heartbreaking last shot. Back-to-back victories in Mens' Hockey (which means we will get either gold or silver, tomorrow, playing the USA). A chance for gold in Men's Curling tonight.

For those who are into celebrating, there's lots to celebrate. If Bear were into Mead, Bear would probably have a hangover, like a lot of other people.

But Bear isn't "into" Mead.

Bear's hangover is more troubling.


Spring thaw has begun. Water is dripping from the melting snow on the roof, then freezing at night. The evestroughs (gutters) are plugged; the water is falling on the ground, leaving a long icy path from front to back of house —


and coating the back stairs.


It is a challenge for man and beast (or, in this case, Bear and Dog) to come and go in safety.

So, how do we get out for our thrice a day walks?

VERY carefully.

§ § §

Hark! The kitchen timer sounds. The peanut butter cookies are ready.

If one cannot do useful things outside, once can attempt to do useful things inside.

THE TRANSFORMATION OF MISS SADIE

This is a bear.


This is a dog.


How do you transform a Bear into a Dog? By giving her a hair cut. Which is what happened yesterday.

Of course, that sort of thing won't happen to this Bear. (Some "friends" might try to tell you otherwise; don't believe them.)

One other confounding factor.

When Miss Sadie goes for a walk, she doesn't just stick to the path. Oh, no! She loves to get out and play in the snow, right up to her belly. And when she does that, she doesn't just run; she leaps like a deer. (Sorry I don't have video.)

Today's question: If Miss Sadie a Bear, a Dog, or a Deer? You can leave your vote in the "added thoughts" section at the bottom.

One thing is clear, however. No matter how the vote goes, Miss Sadie is a "dear."

§ § §

By the way, having less hair hasn't stopped Sadie for a minute. After breakfast, she went for her regular two kilometre walk, as happily as ever. And when she got home, did she want to come inside, and warm up? Of course not! She insisted on playing "fetch" with her toy "cat" in the back yard, as usual. And after that, she had a great tear around the yard, and up the path beside the house. When she finally came in, did she come downstairs and lie in front of the gas heater? No way! She insisted on lying upon the sofa in our unheated back porch.

Which reminds me; I should go check on her before I head out to Morning Worship.

OUR BIG BABY

This is Sadie — nine months old today. She weighs 50 pounds, of which 45 pounds are muscle and enthusiasm. And, yes, she is strong enough to pull me over. Which means I have to be a bit more careful when I'm taking her for her walks.


P.S.: She is going to get a hair cut in a couple of weeks; I'll post a new picture when she looks more like a dog and less like a Bear.

"DEMOCRATIC DEFECIT"

Those words caught my attention right away: "democratic deficit." It was part of a larger sentence about Canada facing “a huge democratic deficit, with trust in Canadian government and public institutions on a steep decline.” That assessment certainly rings true when I stop and consider what a lot of people are saying.

But I suppose one could argue that's true in many countries — countries with so-called "democratic governments" — in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Maybe Canada is just a model for a much larger examination.

The whole story unfolds at "Democratic Well-Being" on my Bears Noting Blog.

YOU ARE WHAT EATS YOU

If you've lived since the 1960s, you've probably heard the phase, "You are what you eat." (It's the title of a book by Victor Lindlahr, written in 1942.)

But what happens if the thing you're biting bites you back? Aye there's the . . . pain.

Interested? Then check the whole story at "You are What Eats You" on my Bears Noting Blog.