Bad Boy, Dog Toys

Take a look at this bad boy. Could be a female but I'm calling it a boy.

There’s a story behind this photo and it’s a bit embarrassing but I need to share it. While I’m writing this I’m laughing and analyzing my sanity.

This morning I attended a conference at a hotel in uptown Charlotte and on the way back to the office I saw a large, black blur of a bird to my left with its head buried in a carcass. My decision to pull over was made in a fraction of a second and I landed in a little ditch off the side of the road. It wasn’t a deep ditch but a ditch nonetheless. I knew I was safe. My 4WD SUV was leaning downwards to the right, so I had to sort of push the hatch open to slide out.

My navy pump fell off my right foot before I had both feet on the ground and it rolled under the car. Damn! On my hands and knees, off the side of the road (mental picture), I discovered that the shoe rolled down into the grassy ditch and I muttered, “bitch”.

With one shoe on and one shoe off, I climbed back into the car to move it forward enough to grab the shoe. While I was dusting off the bare foot, putting the shoe back on, and brushing the soil off my knees, I noticed two construction workers watching me across the street. Wearing their hardhats, reflective gear, and holding pipe in their hands, they stood motionless. Didn’t they have anything better to do? Were they concerned that I might be in trouble? Or were they laughing? I refused to glance that way again.

My dignity was in jeopardy, no doubt. So, I straightened my nice suit, dusted off a bit more, held my head high and proceeded to cross the street. But I had to make a u-turn because I forgot the damned camera. My coolness was sucked right out of me.

The big black blob was gone. But the carcass was there so I thought that bird might be somewhere watching me. I wandered around a bit without giving those two guys the satisfaction of my knowing they were watching me. I regret not taking their picture.

But I found the bird. Seeing a Black Vulcher fly away so near to me was incredible. I believe its wing span must have been four feet. He flew off directly into the sunlight and I lost it in the glare.

The embarrassment was worth it! But I wonder what those two men are talking about over dinner tonight…

The grocery store had a new display of summer toys so I picked up a few things for the dogs. Hula hoops, a bouncy Pooh ball, and some wonder bubbles.

I need to add that this grocery store chain bothers me. I agree with parking spaces designated for handicapped, but why on earth are there designated parking spaces for pregnant women, patrons with children, and grandparents? When I was pregnant, I walked the mile to the front entrance. And when I had a baby in the stroller, I walked the half mile in the rain. Why so many privileges these days? Do I sound a bit too nasty? I think not.

My girls love toys and must have them. Lots of them. When I held that ball up, they could hardly contain their excitement. Ready, set, GO!

Three seconds.



Seven seconds.




Chloe: “Why do you buy cheap balls?”



Bella: “Can we play b-b-bend the hula-hoop now?”

Fifty seconds of dog joy - $1.49. Not bad.



Sun setting from my front porch at 6:15 p.m. Days are getting longer!