Another "S" Storm

THREE DAYS OF SATURN?

A nightmare! Another winter storm. Saturn. I briefly forgot about Nemo and thought that we had gone full cycle from s to s- Sandy and now back to Saturn. No, this is a severe winter storm, a nor'easter, one of The Weather Channel's newly named group of winter storms. This is to be a three day "Sit and Spin" a phrase so aptly used by our favorite weather guy...see link
http://nycweatherguy.blogspot.com/

Timeline

Tuesday- morning sky is clear blue reminiscent of  9/11, unusual for a winter sky and especially lately when all is grey and cloudy. White clouds drift in quickly and the look changes. We are advised, alerted and warned by weather reports that this will all change. The spring feel of this sunny day will soon be gone. Liam  explores outside on the mushy half thawed lawn. He is not a fan of moisture unless in a bowl. 



Wednesday- Wind, severe weather alerts every half hour on all channels, Gusts have captured and deposited garbage cans all over. We have gained another. I have to find its owner and do. Power stays on
with a brief flicker midday. Liam barks at the wind.
No howling hound, he saves that for passersby. He watches, no interest in romping.
All devices are charging. Expecting a rattling noisy shaky night with power loss waking up cold.

LIAM FEELING SAFE ON UPSTAIRS LANDING

Thursday- Morning, power on, less wind, no gusts, a coating of snow. wintry mix falling. Early afternoon, the "eye" of the storm... I know. I am mixing hurricane and winter storm, only hurricanes have eyes. News updates have more whacking later...the weather folks will not give this one up.  Hey, we have been waiting since Tuesday. This is stressful. Folks fearing flooding, power loss, tree damage. impassable roads.
Nothing happening.

LIAM AND FRIEND CHECKING THE BACKYARD

The half hour reports have stopped. Jim Cantore is up in Massachusetts. He goes where the action is. This makes me think it is done. Liam checks the backyard. Are we spared? More warnings that the commute might be slushy.  Slushy... we can take that, Snow showers mentioned for tomorrow...

LIAM SOAKING UP THE HEAT IN CASE POWER GOES

Nightmare storm?  not yet...hope it is okay for all.

Talking of nightmares.  My deepest thanks for all the suggestions, sharings and support I received on last week's "BadDream Girl" blog story.  I did think about and try to use all ideas. Guess what? Progress. I "won" a few times. A night or two the dreams vanished, leaving no bad sad mood residue. Sincerely appreciate your feedback and comments.

Now if we can get through this part two of the nightmare storm, I can return to my routine nightmares. Stay calm, be mindful, meditate. It should be over by Friday noon. I bought wine for tonight.

ONE MORE NIGHT, LIAM CHILLIN'

Woof, Woof

BadDream Girl

GOOD DREAM DOG

Bad dreams are generally classified as nightmares. They are labeled unpleasant dreams in the wiki definition following -an interesting compilation here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightmare
What are the causes of bad dreams? Well just about everything from unresolved past and present conflicts and anxieties ...triggers might be people, places, coffee, food, wine, movies, music, sleep apnea, restless leg, medication, almost anything except dogs. Nightmare is a word we throw around to describe anything really terrible "What a nightmare!" That would be a not so fun happening. I can say this every morning as I have bad unpleasant/dreams/nightmares EVERY night. I decided that this year I would fix this. Each January since retirement I have decided to fix something in me that is broken. I figure in retirement I have more time to devote to big broken things. I started in January 2008- the first month of my retirement. My first fixer was to adopt a rescue dog on 1/1/08. Liam fixed me in many ways. He has his dreams also, some seem bad...as he shakes and shows his own restless legs, probably unsuccessful squirrel chasing. I put him in a thundershirt to calm him.
In 2009, I decided to wean myself from paxil (anti-anxiety drug) It took about 2 months. Last year was the year of the "no"- I had to simplify my life. I was extremely over-scheduled. I fixed the year as it went ...no, no no..."no, I won't be back" No, I will not be available... extricating myself from classes, activities and unnecessary commitments. In 2013 I now have the year of the nightmare fix. March 1 is here and how am I doing? I seem to be having more nightmares or maybe I am remembering better. I have tried most suggested solutions-therapy (years) dream catchers (several) turkey before bed (Liam got that sandwich and fell asleep) recording and analyzing (I am on my second journal)
this link offers more dream info
http://www.dreammoods.com/dreaminformation/dreamtypes/recurringdreams2.htm
My nightmares are about being left out, not having the right tool to do the job I am assigned, having my place of work move without notifying me (I still work in my nightmares) not having proper clothes for an assigned task or event, being held captive and trying to escape to find where everyone has gone. Usually all in one bad dream. I know of the universal "bridge" dream, the "late for the test" dream, the "naked" at the meeting dream. Not to diminish their impact but I would love to have a few of those. As I am writing this song is in my head-

So tomorrow is March first, and historically I have made progress on my yearly fix at this point. Not with the "year of the nightmare." If I could "win" more times in my dreams I would consider it an achievement even if I still had the nightmares. I have not really put my mind to a pre-sleep mantra of dream mindfulness. So I will. 

Would like to go back to going to sleep and expecting pleasant dreams as in this childhood photo

CAROL IN CRIB

some fixes are what Liam does- A buddy to cuddle with, a blanket, a pillow
Tonight I resolve to rewrite the script of my nightmare. Or be a winner in it

READY FOR WINNING

Woof, Woof

Home Yoga

LIAM GETTING READY FOR YOGA

I have decided to do Home Yoga. I take a yoga class at the library once a week. I really like it and only recently have been able to recall many of the positions. For four years I was not able to remember more than a few sequential poses. The emphasis had been on breath work-very heavy breathing. Liam demonstrates in next photo.Our current class is geared more to movement. Now the poses seem to be staying in my head. I find this very heartening as new knowledge is supposed to be hard to keep as one ages. I store my library class mat in the car with the other paraphernalia that goes with class yoga- pillow and blanket.  I buy a second yoga mat for the house. I bring both inside and lay them out to see if I want to switch them up. I notice the new one is smaller in length, width and thickness. Hmmm... Ideally the new one should now go to class because space is limited and this would give the class an inch or two extra. If we all got this size mat we could fit another person! However, I decide to keep the new one at home, open space here is not so plentiful either. Liam finds all this very interesting and sniffs around. I am sure there is a smell to the new mat. I do a few of the moves and Liam is mesmerized. Many yoga poses are copied from animals and nature. Maybe he thinks I am a tree, a pigeon, a cat, a cow or of course the famous downward facing dog.

DOWNWARD FACING DOG

          He follows me through and shows me a pose 

   I have never done

 though it is an iconic beginner one.

CHILD'S POSE-A CLASSIC IN YOGA

I find I do not need to refresh my memory too much as dogs know how to stretch and how to move their bodies to un-kink them. I can watch Liam instead of remembering. I have a buddy. Our own home yoga class. Thanks Liam for the variation on the downward facing dog-upward facing dog-another new one for me.

UPWARD FACING DOG

Woof, Woof

Rim Runner

LIAM LOOKING AT SNOW

The snow arrives Friday afternoon February 8. An ice rain snow combination affectionately dubbed a wintry mix by weather forecasters. This season The Weather Channel began naming storms and we are up to "n." This one is Nemo. If you don't know their rationale here is the link explaining why it is good for storms to have names
http://www.weather.com/news/why-we-name-winter-storms-20121001

Nemo deposits about 12 inches here in New Hyde Park, Long Island. When Saturday arrives we have no losses: we maintain and gain- we maintain power, trees, roof and we gain snow. We have a 5 year old rescue dog Liam who has been waiting to go out and do his business.  He takes a look and heads out reluctantly.
I expect and anticipate watching him play in the snow. Dogs love the snow. This is an oft repeated statement. Unchallenged. Supported by a media deluge of doggie snow photos from all over whenever there is a snowstorm. And right next door we have an "up close and personal" performance of "Dogs love the Snow."  My neighbor's granddogs, Tango and Charlotte, run, jump, hug, roll, play dead, circle, feign disinterest, pop up, fall. What a joy to see! Pure pleasure for them and for the audience. Dogs love the snow.

LIAM WATCHING THE DOGGIE NEIGHBORS PLAY

HUG THE PERIMETER, THEN RUN THE RIM

 
Tango and Charlotte are called in, our voyeurism is over. Liam hugs the perimeter of our yard in his careful exploration of the blizzard landscape. He then takes off for a full run of the rim. He stops at a tree to check on a squirrel. Treeing. I have learned this term from this week's annual Westminster AKC Dog show. There are breeds who keep animals up in a tree. Good for hunting.
Liam trees a squirrel.

TREEING A SQUIRREL

The squirrel remains high up in the oak. Liam shows no interest in the snow. I watch the Nemo news reports and see many videos featuring dogs frolicking in the snow. Liam does not like the snow on his feet. He is low to the ground and his belly touches the snow. He does not like that either. Liam will not sit in the snow, not for a second. He does not like any wetness at all near his body. Dogs love the snow. Really? I see photos of my friend's dog sitting in the snow in Central Park, snowfrosted twig in mouth. A dog loving the snow. This next photo is as close as fun in the snow that Liam achieves...Standing... looking...

                                                            

Paul points out that Liam is small and possibly fears drowning in the snow. Maybe. I have to content myself with you tube videos, Twitter,  FB pix and fun visits of my neighbor's dogs. I see that many dogs love the snow.

We are dog owners with a yard that has no paw prints .
Liam completes his leaping trip around the edges 
ends up back on the concrete and quickly barks to reenter the house.


 
                                                           Not all dogs love the snow

NO SNOW IN HERE

Woof, Woof

Hungry Games

WHEN ARE THE TREATS COMING?

Super Bowl Sunday provides an excuse to eat the wrong foods. I mean, everyone is doing it, or at least it seems so. We have the same sort of plans as many. Ready to go are all the treats that are off limits most weekends: mozzarella sticks, pizza bites and nachos, interspersed with palate cleansers of lime flavored Doritos. In order to offset this decadence we have on hand two jars of Paul Newman's super healthy salsa. An added bonus is the knowledge that all salsa sale proceeds go to charity.

WHAT AM I GETTING?

The family member who is not getting extra treats is Liam. He may have licks of lattes, yogurt and Edy's ice cream if they become available during the day.

I'LL JUST WAIT IT OUT

The day starts with some brooming of the snow. We have been receiving daily coatings of snow which respond beautifully to the push of a broom.  I have bought 4 brooms at Ace hardware -2 indoor, 2 outdoor- and the purchase is the cause for some smirking at the register. "Would you like me to wrap those?' No I'll just fly away on one...I know, obvious and I was so ready for my line


First up for TV watching is The Puppy Bowl #IX. Liam reacts only when he hears some barking which is not so often. Marta puppy is MVP. The starting lineup is featured in the video which follows

 
The consumption of the treats begins around 6 PM as does Liam's hope for a share. He tries the sitting in back technique, then on the side.

 

His patience and belief that he will get something are inspiring. He keeps at it through the powerful women's performances, the power outage, the 49er comeback and the stream of commercials,
his favorite being the Bud Clydesdale.

         Take a look if you missed it.

      Liam's odds are never in his favor with me, but he peeks through the table seeking an opening.

WILL DADDY LEAVE SOME LICKS FOR ME?

And yes, Daddy Paul comes through with the Edy's ice cream

for some last licks.
A long wait, Liam beats the odds and gets his luscious licks from the container. There is always a chance. And Liam goes for it every time.

"May the odds be ever in your favor" 

These Hungry Games are now closed until next year.

LIAM IN POST GAME COMFORT

Woof, Woof

Train the Trainer

LIAM IS READY FOR TRAIN THE TRAINER MONTH

January is National Train Your Dog Month. Each month of the year has its designations for causes, activities and groups' recognition. I did not know of this one until this month, this year. Perhaps I did not have a need to know.
Here is the link for more info
http://www.trainyourdogmonth.com/
And a Facebook page as well
https://www.facebook.com/NationalTrainYourDogMonth
If I am learning from experienced dog trainers, I suppose it will be a "Train the Trainer" series of sessions. I am being trained and then in turn will train Liam.

"I WILL BARK MY COMMANDS"

The phrase "Train the Trainer" is one often used in the workplace. I have been at both ends. I find myself in it again though I anticipate only one sided activity.

I am the trainer, Liam the trainee and he will not be training anyone else.

As soon as my training resolution.is made, Liam exhibits new behavior and it is not in response to any new training on my part. Liam tries a literal twist on "training the trainer" by initiating a new communication system of barks to obtain what he wants. How does he know that the human community has designated this month for dog training? I feel sort of a role reversal as I employ hand signals and he "speaks."


Liam introduces a proactive one bark command, sometimes with a follow me look. If I do not follow quickly he waits at the bottom of the stairs.

Other "train the trainer" commands are added to Liam's repertoire.

a looka bark for latte licks and success

 two barks in quick succession for a treat 

                                                                             
Daddy is home-several barks and a pause

then wait for Mom to follow

And if I don't follow, I soon hear Paul announcing "I'm home" heavy with the message that at least Liam came down to say hi!





 
Today is the last day of National Train Your Dog Month. Liam has learned a lot. So have I.  I use sit/stay commands with my gentle bark. Liam listens and performs most times. I listen to his barks and oblige if his request is reasonable. We are talking and training. That is okay. Ours is a month of mutual training.

YOU TALKIN' TO ME?

Woof, Woof