Historic Storm/October Snow

LIAM SHAKING OFF THE FLAKES

RUTH'S SNOWY ROSE GARDEN

Historic Storm/October Snow-two headlines often used this past week to describe the storm of Saturday, October 29, 2011 that surprised and smacked the Northeast.  Also used -Freak Storm-probably a nod to Halloween.   Though it does not have a person's name, I don't think it will fade in memory any time soon, as folks are still without power.  Heard often-" I don't remember this happening in prior years.   Did we lose power so often?  Why are so many trees falling every time we have a storm?"
Over the last few years-we have set records-I have included links throughout in case you want to read  up

2009-the almost rainiest June   http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/07/second_wettest_june_in_new_yor.html

2010-the hottest summer   http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/01/nyregion/01summer.html

2011-The snowiest January
,http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-27/winter-storm-may-ease-as-new-yorkers-start-the-day-update1-.html
a hailstorm 8/1/11 with plum size hail
an earthquake
hurricane/TS,
and a nor'easter in October.

Words we hear, read and write

tree   power outage   charge 

water   flood    ice   hail

electricity   school closing   darkness

silence   car dings   generator   batteries   lightning

thundersnow

Thundersnow. Is this new? I only remember it from this year but TWC has often reported it with exciting live feeds.  The reporter who seems to be a magnet for this explosive weather wonder is Jim Cantore.  His experiences with it are documented with montages well back into the 1990's.  Check out his reaction in the following video

and then we have the devastation in Central Park.  1000 trees down, The NYC marathon on Sunday.   Will it be ready?  Will trees continue to fall?
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/01/nyregion/central-park-cleanup-has-sunday-deadline-for-marathon.html

One bright spot- The Holiday cups are out at Starbucks.
Liam is getting his latte licks. No fancy ones yet. Eggnog, gingerbread, peppermint licks might be a bit too rich.

LOVE THE HOLIDAY CUP LICKS

Woof, Woof

Liam in his Cups

LICKING THAT LATTE FOAM

We say we do not give Liam any people food.  This is true.  Except for a few last licks here and there.  Oh and that popcorn with Paul on Fridays after Crabtree's.
A few favs-
#1  Lattes

#2  Edys vanilla ice cream

#3  anything sweet in a cup

 

and when the last licks run out, a few paw licks will do.

PAW LICKS

Happy Howloween.  Liam does not wear a costume, he barks every time the doorbell rings and then jumps up to lick the trick or treaters.

Woof, Woof

These Walks

LIAM THINKS PINK

We did the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk Sunday, October 16, 2011. Third straight year for NEPSC Retirees.
http://www.newsday.com/long-island/jones-beach-breast-cancer-walk-raises-2-9m-1.3252428
I think the Breast Cancer walks might be the most numerous of all the walks. They take place in so many cities during October.
When I see the color pink all I think about is breast cancer. That would be a successful association on the part of all who organize, market, and participate.   I know there are colors for other cancers. Unfortunately, I  have gotten to know some of them this year.  See link for some cancer colors
http://www.chemoangels.net/angels%20corner/Sub%20Folders/cancer_colors.htm

Too much pink? 

I have read some articles recently and heard some remarks about overuse of pink.  Like, enough already, we get it.  They say we are abusing pink just to sell stuff. Yes, it sells and part goes to cancer research, awareness and counseling and more. You can read all that is done on any cancer website, I do not have to say it.

Why the walks?

I am sure that you can read many statements from those walking as to why they walk.  They are all over the news this month.

I know that when Paul and I reached the turnoff for parking fields at Jones beach and I saw the huge wildly flapping pink flag, my eyes filled with tears. It happens every time.
I know I cannot prove to the doubters that the money raised this past Sunday will cure cancer.

WINDY WALK

I only know how I feel and think about these walks.

I feel pride in all who come out to honor, support and remember their friends and family and strangers.  The sense of sharing and unity is electric. You feel connected.  And let's face it, everyone thinks he/she might get  cancer.

Seeing survivors feels very good. 

Remembering those gone feels comforting.

I think sharing stories soothes pain.

Think I would much rather give money to a walker than put it in an envelope to an organization.

And the thrill of getting a donation! Woo hoo. You see the email and it just makes your day. It says, "someone has made a donation"   It is like getting a present.  Then you scroll down to see who it is and just are so grateful to that person for doing it. I feel emotional every time. Never gets old.

You see kids and parents walking. 

Kids wrapped in pink blankets to ward off the chill.

When I was growing up, you did not mention breast cancer; people got sick and died and no one talked about it.  

Kids did not know what happened to their parent or relative.

I feel that the stigma of getting it and the fear of checkups are lessened by the "pinking"

LIAM  IN MY GIFT SCARF-- PART OF COST TO THE CAUSE

Don't we root for teams?  It is the pack mentality.  Dogs know the power of the pack.

Why walk? Too much pink?

2.9 million was raised in the largest breast cancer walk in the country on that day Oct 16, 2011.

Walk, Walk

Liam hates being groomed

GROOMED WITH VACATION SCARF

Every two months Liam gets a full groom at Best in Show Pet Resort;  yes, that would be the same place where he attended the party he did not like.  His "full groom"  involves washing, nail clipping/ polishing and the teeth brushing. I am most proud of Liam's gleaming white teeth.  I tolerate his barking when I should not just to see his teeth. I am late in bringing him on this day, Friday, September 30. Our tree cutting guy was late in coming.Then an unexpected visit by a neighbor added time and soon it was nearly 10AM.
Liam knew he was going.  His traveling bag was out, a tote from the SPCA with heart wrenching dogs and cats as its design. We made a donation after we received it, so it really is our bag. I wait for the morning of Liam's spa day to pack a few Kong toys, his pillow and treats. Otherwise he will know the night before and act a little wild.
Something is different in his reaction this day.  He tries to get out the front door while I am checking him in. He attempts to pull his head out of his collar, a feat I thought undoable, but I now think is possible.  Not a routine drop off.  Liam always accepts his delivery into their loving arms and walks away with a staff member wagging his tail all the way. Not today. I have to leave and not look back.  If I do my heart will hurt.
After the drop off, I return home to a day spent watching two oaks being cut down, leaves falling, logs, smashing to the ground, the house shaking at times.The sun is a small glimmer at first, then a blazing light as the cut down trees gradually reveal the sky.
Why are we doing this? Hurricane Irene really rocked our New Hyde Park neighborhood. Falling oaks causing much damage. My neighbor friend and I decided it was time to remove an oak each. I needed to stay and watch the action so I called Paul and asked him to pick up Liam, on his way home from work. Which BTW was not on his way home. We had our usual dinner resos at Crabtree's.  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crabtrees-Restaurant/123761394359663
After being in the house most of the day, I was psyched to go out.  I expected a puffy, oatmeal scented Liam, eager to play and throw around his red Kong toys.

LIAM AS STATUE

Paul arrived home with a different Liam. Liam looked stunned.  He was also immobile. Just stood like a statue. He has never returned like this from a salon day. Paul said, "We cannot go out, Liam is very upset."  "Oh no, we are going," He just needs to rest. We need to have our dinner out.  He'll have his popcorn treat with you later."  I say all this to convince myself, and I do.
A weekly routine after Crabtree's-Paul and Liam share a bowl of popcorn-a bromance. I am not part of this boy bonding.

THE FRIDAY NIGHT POPCORN RITUAL-BOYS ONLY

Popcorn is one of the few non dog foods we allow. I remove Liam's kerchief-he hates any adornments. Maybe this necktie has upset him.  We go to Crabtree's.

We enjoy our dinner and arrive home. We have been gone about 2 hours-(never turn down a buyback)
Liam is upstairs.  He is so into ball position that I cannot find his head, tail or legs.  Paul makes their "boy" popcorn bowl and Liam refuses to eat.  He is not better.

Paul turns on a baseball game and proceeds to watch, falling asleep after a few innings. I think, maybe listening to "The Boss" will help-pop in a Springsteen concert. 

LIAM AND BRUCE

I have what I think will soon be a dead Liam.  He is lethargic, unresponsive.  I spend an hour or two talking to him, teary from the wine, promising him all sorts of treats if he will just be Liam again.  I also think I told him my entire life story which might be why I bored myself to sleep.  

I wake up. It is early morning, I am alone.   Liam and Paul are not downstairs.   I find them happily sleeping in the upstairs bed. How do I know it was happily?  Liam is stretched out, as is Paul in that very content position of sweet dreams.

The next day Liam bounds down the stairs for his food .  At the suggestion of my neighbor, I called the Pet Resort  to see if anything unusual had occurred during the grooming and play group,  Nothing.  I trust them. Both boys are on the couch looking just fine.
I am off to the city (told you about that last blog)

Liam has an appointment this Monday for a vaccination. Coming on the paws of these last two visits; I am not sure what to expect. They are a loving, caring and patient group at Best in Show.  I think Liam is just tired of being treated like a dog. I am sure you would guess that while in the waiting room Liam sits next to me on the couch while the other dogs sit on the floor by their owners.    

TOTAL RECOVERY-NICE TEETH AND KONG TOY

We'll see. I have to have a talk with Liam Joseph McNiiff-Nikol and explain that he has to do certain things. Life is not all play.

Woof, woof

TimesTalks then Del Posto

LIAM WATCHING TV, NO NYC TRIP FOR HIM

The event title is sort of like my blog title- TimesTalks/Liam Licks.
TimesTalks-http://nytimes.whsites.net/timestalks/
attended Saturday, October 1 with my Virgo pal.  Lectures with-

Guy Fieri- love this guy (sorry, he uses that joke also)   some of the talk-his hair, got it done 12 years ago.  Started cooking at 10 years old. Parents were hippies, who made their own bread. He so much wanted to have a baloney on white bread, but no one would trade him for his healthy sandwich.  His show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives features lots of huge sandwiches, meats, and what appear to be huge portions. In real life, he loves kale, Asian cuisine and sushi.  He said his most frequent comment when seen in person is  "You are not as fat as I thought you would be."  I agree.  He is in awe of Mario Batali  Why does he always have a huge sandwich in his mouth or is throwing  brisket to the chef in one of his shows?  He loves all food and this is his shtick.
Guy Fieri- real, fun, grateful, talented, surprising
http://www.foodnetwork.com/guy-fieri-bio/bio/index.html

Next- Eric Ripert and Jennifer Carroll. Eric is Le Bernadin's Chef and Jennifer was his sous chef there and now is in the Chef de Cuisine at Eric's 10 ARTS in Philly and soon will be on her own. A video of Eric and Jennifer at the Philly restaurant

Eric Ripert  What he said.   Asked by the moderator if having the only continuously rated 4 star NYC restaurant for over two decades is stressful, he replied simply. "No."  He also spoke of his belief in Buddhism and of his collection of Buddhas. What about friend Tony Bourdain's  remarks about Paula Deen?  "He says what he thinks."
Eric-unflappable, calm, serene, visionary,supportive
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/r/eric_ripert/index.html

Jennifer Carroll- is leaving Eric's restaurant in Philly to travel to other countries, cook with other chefs, get ideas for menus. Upon returning she will open her own restaurnt.  She expressed her strong feelings for Eric-that he is family, confidante, friend, mentor.  And of course the queston. What happened on Top Chef All Stars?. Not what she wanted. Regrets. Yes.
Jennifer- passionate, intelligent, funny, creative, good loyal friend ( I could just tell)
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Philadelphia/Dining/10ArtsLounge/Team.htm

Then you have Del Posto, the  only 4 star NY Times Italian restaurant in NYC
last one-1971-take a look-
 http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/reviewing-del-posto/

There is this thing called Lardo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lardo that you put on bread or whatever-I am addicted now-they kept slipping it to  me-respectfully hiding it from my Pescetarian dining partner Anyway, where is Liam?  Home with Daddy Paul.  Resting Boys day home. WOW!  THAT WAS SOME MEAL Woof, woof

A Party Animal?

LIAM RESTING ON HIS PILLOW-NOTE INSCRIPTION

Billed as the third annual Customer Appreciation Day, Best in Show Pet Resort, held a sort of doggy play date, indoor street fair, and adoption event on Saturday September 24, 2011.  And as it happens with such events there are raffles, and prizes and pawing and licking.
I feel it is my duty as a parent to bring my only child, Liam Joseph McNiff-Nikol. You may not have known his full name. I put in Joseph as his middle name to honor his  Daddy Paul whose middle name is Joseph. Of course, it is one of those fake Confirmation names, not a legal one. Catholics without middle names do this, having felt deprived of a middle name, they use this religious event to stick one in between their first and last names. That is another story, for another blog post.

Liam Joseph does not like doggy gatherings.  He prefers the company of humans. When dogs and humans are together he will always go to the human and leave the dog. So why did I think that he would love this party? Or even like it?
On his report card after a boarding stay he always receives high marks in the "Lounging with Staff"  category.

We arrive.  Liam only shows  interest in licking and kissing  the staff, trainers and other doggy parents.  When he is brought into the play room, he expresses his disdain for this doggy party by trying to escape through every door. Failing to achieve that; he jumps and kisses the party monitor. 
He then climbs on top of the highest elevation and stays put until we rescue him from his party misery.

A DOGGY PARTY-ER ATTEMPTS TO BE FRIENDS

LIAM IS WHERE HE WANTS TO BE

WELL THIS WAS FUN

There will probably be a Halloween gathering.  Liam will not wear a costume. He is the only dog that will not pose with Santa or even enter the room where the Holiday photos are shot.
I am bringing him to all events though.  I worry that he will really forget he is a dog. I want him to have doggy friends. I want to compare notes with the other parents. I want to support  Best in Show Pet Resort.

Once home on his couch, Liam sits with the IPAD.  He much prefers this kind of Social Network. This excursion has been exhausting.

LIAM LIKES THE ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORK

Woof, Woof

The Heat Is On

LIAM TRYING TO WARM UP

It happened last Friday. We turned the thermostat up to 70 degrees. This meant the heat would zoom on within minutes. The house had a definite chill.  It felt warmer outside. I am sure we are one of the first to turn on the heat. Liam had been looking at the hot air vents for the last few days.

WAITING BY THE VENT

It was not cold, no nip at night,  not even "bring a sweater with you" weather.  What then? How did Liam know that very soon he would be basking in indoor heat.  Perhaps the slant of the sun or the kids walking by from school. He knew that soon his beloved heat would be shooting from the vents; his little fireplace would again come alive. A new season.

HEAT COMES OUT HERE, BUT WHEN?

The forecast said that Thursday, September 15, 2011 would start out humid, muggy, a summer day and then we would have that nip and sharpness of a fall breeze later in the day.  What they call a front in the weather world.  And it happened just that way.  The weather folks also thrill to that first fall chill. Great sleeping weather, they say.  Open the windows!  Let that bite in.
Our home is bizarro world.  The first few hours of a drop in temperature, the house draws in the cold, holds it and acts like a mini fridge. No window needs to be opened to let in cool air, we open it to let in warm air.

A SHAWL FOR WARMTH AND FLYING KONG TOY

Opening the windows on this first chilly day is for the sole purpose of letting in some warm air so that we will not have to put on the heat so soon. This attempt did not work out. The house held fast.  The temp dipped to 60 degrees indoors. Liam hid behind a pillow to get cozy. I wrapped him in my shawl while he played with his toy.  He went outside to soak up some sun.

SOAKING UP SOME THE WARMTH

I then said "How about we take the chill off, just turn on the heat and warm the house a bit. We can always turn it off." We did it.  Put it on 70.  Liam was outside;  I opened the side door and encouraged him to return "Liam, the heat is on!"  

LIAM HEARS THE CALL

He came running. Both Paul and I pointed him to the hot air vent; he looked at each of us, back and forth and I rooted for the air to come on. Then a blast!  Liam went down immediately, claiming his spot in front of the hot air vent.  

THE HEAT IS ON

Ah, pumpkin spice latte season is here.

Addendum-as Liam prepares to pawblish his blog, the heat is off, summer is back on this eve of fall -expect the unexpected this weather year.

Woof  Woof