LiamLicks

Thursday, May 23, 2013

You're Hired!

LIAM LICKING THE CELEBRITY ICE CREAM CREATION

The season finale of All Star Celebrity Apprentice this past Sunday had as its final task the creation of an ice cream flavor for Walgreen's. Here is a link with all you need to know about the ice cream task as well as the show... you can pick and choose what you want to read...real easy, it is mostly visual

http://www.nbc.com/the-apprentice/photos/may-the-spoon-be-with-you/13330/#item=288801

A little background

There are two celebs remaining Penn Jillette http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penn_Jillette
and Trace Adkins.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trace_Adkins
Penn is the Vegas magic guy who works with the non-talking guy Teller. Trace is a country singer with a big hat and pony tail- that does not narrow it down too much. They are both 6'6'' with long hair. These men are the two finalists who will hear the two words, "You're hired." after a season of hearing "You're fired" as each of their cast mates was voted off. Their final teams of helpers consist of previously voted off celebs from this season who hopefully will throw their support to their new leader. This is Donald Trump's show and it has had its ups and downs. Currently The Donald seems to have hit upon a winning formula- having celebrities battle for their charities.
Team Trace is fundraising for the American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/
Team Penn for Opportunity Village http://www.opportunityvillage.org/

Getting the Ice Cream

TRACE ADKINS AND PENN JILLETTE ON THEIR PINTS

It occurs to me on the afternoon of the show that having the team products for the finale might be fun. Our pack of three can be part of the show; Liam can have some licks. Off I go in drizzly weather to Walgreen's. I am surprised to find the display ad taped on the sliding glass door of the frozen food section. Their products really made it from the TV to the store! I look and look. I do not want it to appear as if I am planning a binge. Other customers are filling prescriptions and loading their carts with drug store like items, not peering into the ice cream shelves. I think of padding my order with some Kleenex or Advil to obscure my pints. However, upon checking the freezer, only one type of ice cream is on the shelf. Team Trace's Maple Macadamia Mash-up. I grab a Mash-up pint and search the freezer for Penn's. No, Only Trace's. Does this mean Penn's Vanilla and Chocolate Magic Swirtle is sold out? Is it a clue as to who will win ? By now my opening and closing of the freezer door has steamed up the glass so I no longer can see in. My search is over. With only Trace's pint, I head up to the checkout counter. My task incomplete. You're fired, echoes in my head. Nearing the checkout, I see the manager and blurt out "Tonight is the Celebrity Apprentice finale and I need both featured ice creams, do you have Penn's?"

THE FLAVOR NAMES

"Of course," he replies, and turns back to the freezers. I am not sure if I am expected to follow him into the storage room. I don't. Then I think is he going to load them in from inside and should I wait till they appear in the case? I wait. He emerges through the door with two trays. Oh whoops! Maybe he thought it was a party! I only want one pint. Just then he sees a friend and is distracted. I take one Penn pint, thank him and hurry down the aisle out of sight. I pay and go.

Back home Paul and Liam are delighted with my surprise treats.

When we get to the final hour of Celebrity Apprentice I take the two pints out. Team Penn's Swirtle (vanilla ice cream with chocolate covered caramel turtles and swirls) turtle plus swirl =swirtle. Liam waits for a lick but no chocolate allowed even a trace might hurt him. So he tries Team Trace's Maple Macadamia Mash-up.

We decide Penn's wins. It has chocolate, swirls and a salty aftertaste. Trace's is a little too sweet. Liam's ardent sniffs indicate his approval for the turtles. Photo to the right shows Liam with Penn's pint.

The following pic has Liam going for the last licks of the Trace concoction.

Liam is ready for more licks, tongue poised. But we are done with this task.

LIAM READY FOR ANOTHER TASTING

Oh and Trace Adkins won the title of All Star Celebrity Apprentice. It's not only about the ice cream.

Woof, Woof

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Squirrel Switch, Bunnies Beware

ARE YOU LOOKING AT ME?

On Wednesday May 1, 2013 Liam encountered a squirrel. Only he and the squirrel know what happened and the squirrel is no longer with us. We blogged you the story and included photos of the dead (squirrel) and injured (Liam)
http://liamlicks.blogspot.com/2013_04_28_archive.html
The vet did not think Liam's wound was from a bite or a scratch- no teeth marks or claw punctures. I speculate that during the race through the yard, Liam smacked his hard boney head into the fence, the foliage or furniture. The squirrel witnessed his Cujo-like attack manner and collapsed in heart failure.

The cut has healed and now there is only skin. No fur there yet. It is freaky because it appears that Liam has a third eye. See in photo to the right, brown eye, white "eye" and other brown eye. Liam sleeps and I think he is looking at me and then I realize it is the white crescent over his right eye, not the white of his right eye. I wonder how long if ever he will go back to two eyes. I searched the web with a carefully phrased comprehensive question "how long does it take for fur to grow back on a dog's wound?" You might be surprised at how many others have asked this questions and variations of it.

I am even more amazed with the number of folks who took time to craft a caring informed reply. The sum of my reading is that probably or maybe or maybe not the fur will grow and the time frame is... soon... later...or never.
Another genre of replies consists of suggestions on how to stimulate fur growth. These recommendations veer away from "wait and see" and go proactive. Rubbing of creams, ointments. We know Liam is a Licker so special dressings, ointments and shampoos are not for him.

I AM PART DALMATIAN SO A WHITE SPOT IS EXPECTED

Paul's idea is to color the white spot with a magic marker. I know people dye their dog's fur so I suppose the skin can be done also though anything on the skin might seep in and be poisonous... Maybe a spray tan, like the tanning salon lady.

There is more. Since that unfortunate morning two weeks ago no squirrel has been seen in our back yard. In the trees, yes. But not one has been munching, lounging and running on the ground. Is it the third eye the squirrels fear? Has the word gone out there was a casualty and that Liam's new evil eye has made him a fast and focused predator?
Liam has moved on.
Liam is now into bunnies.

He has always been interested but up to now only a squirrel has made him leap three feet in the air. Now the bunnies of the block have caught his interest. They don't dawdle or tease like the squirrels. They do not hang out in our yard. Pre-Liam we always had seasonal spring bunnies. Now only on his walks.

Will Liam's third eye improve? Will the squirrels return? Bunnies beware

Liam gazes out at the front yard. Squirrels still play there. Will instinct return? Maybe the third eye must heal before the balance is restored to the back yard.

LIAM WITH HIS "THIRD" EYE

Woof, Woof

Thursday, May 9, 2013

The First Saturday in May

LIAM ON THE FIRST SATURDAY OF MAY

The first Saturday in May is traditionally the Run for the Roses, the Kentucky Derby. This year there is a woman jockey, Rosie Napravnik, a Jersey girl. I am betting on her.
This first Saturday in May is also a Run and it is to benefit women's cancers. The Revlon Run/Walk- its acronym EIFRRW written out is- Entertainment Industry Foundation Revlon Run Walk. This link explains it.
http://do.eifoundation.org/site/TR/RevlonRunWalk/NYRRW?pg=informational&fr_id=1101&type=fr_informational&sid=1149
Liam checks out this year's tee shirt-the words against and women's cancers are clearly visible.

We are doing it in a united team of hope captained by breast cancer survivor, Lori Phair. She is a woman to bet on for sure.
I am on the 7:35 LIRR train to Penn Station with a group of other participants-many wrapped in pink and some already bibbed with their numbers. Somehow I have managed to go out to Crabtree's last night, party and now am ready for this event. Sort of my pre-race version of pasta loading, except with wine and dinner.

I am wearing my jeans jacket and its 6 pockets are crammed. No bags, backpacks are permitted at the event so my jacket has a lot of work to do. I have a gift latte waiting with a friend at Penn. I have Lori's book and will have a boa

and a baseball cap once we meet up with the team at 45th and Broadway. The train arrives on time and with lattes in hand we start walking uptown.

A chilly windy dark walk to Times Square. Daylight blocked by the tall glassy buildings. I am layered so no problem at all. Bracing. Fun. Alive.
Liam is cozy at home with pillow, papers (his paws are too big for the touch pads of reading devices) and he waits for this year's boa. He will not have latte licks today though. My drink cup is in NYC.

We are there! Let the picture snapping begin. Striking a pose in photo at right. That's me on the left publicizing Lori's book, Rack Cancer and hiding my latte behind it so there is no competition for your visual attention. I have blog-featured her book previously. This is its first time attending the race. Here is Lori's donor page and her words about why she walks.

http://do.eifoundation.org/site/TR?px=1053822&pg=personal&fr_id=1101&et=bkXucfthX4mrujMtXuaKSg

The opening speeches begin, nice to see Emma Stone and Olivia Wilde back again, and then the Star Spangled Banner focuses the crowd. Then "We're off!" As each team shows up on the big screen we cheer.

TEAM SIGN- THE START, TIMES SQUARE

The team is singing "Livin' on a Prayer"...yes Bon Jovi, the Jersey boy, is with us, at least his song is. Our theme song and team name is a line from this song....the line is...We're Half Way There. And here is a treat, the video of Bon Jovi singing "Livin' on a Prayer" from the 12/12/12 Sandy Relief concert. We sounded just like him

Why this song? Lori is a Bon Jovi fan. The story is further explained in her book. See more on Lori's author page

https://www.facebook.com/LoriWhitneyPhairRackCancerSharingHope

As we round the first turn and head into the park the sun hits us, startling and brilliant. It feels 20 degrees warmer. No garbage cans anywhere. No hidden horrors. Event people hold clear plastic bags in which we can place our garbage. A personal connection as we dispatch our drink cups.

Around the stretch we come! We have spread out and bunched up during the walk but now we are all nearing the finish together with our boa rimmed team sign always showing the way.

As each team approaches the finish line they are announced. And so are we.

We're Half Way There is a winner!

WE ARE ALL THERE AT THE FINISH

A rousing unifying day. I sort of feel high.
Words on our tee shirts

EIF LOVE

walk cancer women's

survivors NEW YORK Revlon CELEBRATING times square fun

treatment

FIGHT AGAINST

beat

We again end up on the east side even after asking a policeman how to get back to the west side. I am sure he pointed the way we chose. Central Park. A tricky place. Where is The Dakota when you need a landmark? A reward of margaritas (it is almost Cinco de Mayo) at Tracks and then home.

Next up, the Kentucky Derby. The race goes off a little after 6:30. Rosie on her horse Mylute finishes 5th. The highest finish ever by a woman. Progress. And she was right with the top pack, only 3 and 1/2 lengths back. A woman will win someday soon.

There is always hope.

Liam was home. There were dogs at the walk. They were sniffing out danger for us. Liam would have been sniffing for squirrels. Liam supports the walk by submitting to neck leis

LAST YEAR'S LEIS

LEIS LIAM LEIS 2013

Woof, woof

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Anticipation

LIP LICKING ANTICIPATION

This is a recent behavior in Liam. The licking of his lips. Not to be confused with the yawn which also might display the teeth and tongue.

Though he does not have lips so what would be the dog term? Maybe dogs do have lips. Just as with all their reactions dogs show their feelings without any social filter. I do not often see any human licking his/her lips in anticipation of a meal or during or after. Except maybe with ribs, hand held food, Maryland crab fests then you can get away with it under the guise of neatening up the mouth area. Or because it is part of the dining experience. Expected as a show of appreciation. Probably Liam knows that the latte Starbucks cup means licks later

and the Edys ice cream might.

ANTICIPATION then PARTICIPATION

this could be the start of either a yawn or some lick lipping.

Is there a bird or squirrel? or an outdoor latte?

FAKING SUN SLEEPING WHILE, EYEING A LATTE

    AND GETTING ONE




         Enjoy Carly singing it

This Wednesday Liam's anticipation appears to have collided with reality in the form of a squirrel. I let him out propping the side door open with that handy slide thing. Liam is gone too long. I look out from the upstairs window and see him circling what appears to be a plastic bag. Suspicious though as it is not billowing or fluttering and Liam is sniffing. I grab my eyeglasses. Oh no! A stretched out face-up non-moving squirrel. Dead. I have seen it before. No lip licking, tongue rolling. Sniffing. Curiosity. Suddenly Liam's jaws open, scoop up the body and he walks out of view. Good, he is hiding the squirrel, I can deal with it later. I come downstairs and am met at the side door with Liam, squirrel in mouth, ready to enter. No! Liam, No. He deposits the squirrel and runs off. Did he do this? Cause this squirrel to die? What happened? Did he finally succeed in catching his squirrel? Or did he come upon a death scene in progress. Then I see the injury to his eyebrow? Do dogs have eyebrows? No marks on the squirrel. My theory is that he runs after the squirrel, through the bushes cuts his head and the squirrel dies of a heart attack. That's our story. No witnesses and Liam is not barking about it.

WARNING:

THE FOLLOWING PHOTOS MAY BE DISTURBING TO SOME SO VIEW WITH CAUTION

LIAM RIGHT EYEBROW WOUND

quick trip to the vet, a shot and the anticipation begins again

Birds, squirrels, licks of lattes, ice cream, Greek yogurt

HE KNOWS SOMETHING

Woof, Woof

Thursday, April 25, 2013

The Dog is Dead

DRAPED DOG DREAMING

I am in a dream. It is almost a nightmare. I have written about my bad dreams recently in the blog post Bad Dream Girl. http://liamlicks.blogspot.com/search/label/nightmare%20nights

Are the dreams better? Yes, a little bit. I win sometimes and other times I forget the dreams. l fight better and longer and don't give up. This one has me back in senior year in high school. I think maybe because of our upcoming 45th reunion on June 22. In this dream yearbook pictures are being taken and I am told I am not dressed properly. I do not have the requisite pearls and draping. Yes, you read correctly. Hmmm. I am arguing about the unfairness of my exclusion in front of a panel. They are listening. My usual nightmare elements of isolation, being left out, being treated unfairly and not having the proper tools all present. I hear a voice "the dog is dead" what? Who said that? The yearbook photographer? My thoughts spin away from pearls and drapes. Jumbled thoughts of dogs and drapes

Again, I hear "the dog is dead." I struggle out of the unfinished dream into a confused consciousness. Two realizations meet in a crazy coalescence-I am not in the yearbook and I am being told "the dog is dead. "The" dog.

IS THIS "THE" DOG?

This sounds personal. Our dog? Paul is standing in the doorway of the woman cave. What! Liam!!! Dead? Why, how? I feel a cold dread and a visual of Liam's stiff body somewhere in the house.

No. 'That's not what I said. Not dead....fed," Paul repeats "the dog is dead" which I now know to be "the dog is fed." I am not wearing my hearing aids; I take them out for my klonopin nightmare world.

Hard to process. We usually leave a sign for each other so we will not feed Liam twice. We leave out the bag of greenies to show one of us has fed him. If we don't Liam will just go to the other parent for more.

WHICH ONE? UPSTAIRS OR DOWNSTAIRS?

I do not understand why I have been wakened for this news. For some reason Paul thought it important that I be told personally. I tell Paul that I thought he said the dog is dead and that is why I jumped and screamed about Liam. The dog is not dead, he is fed.

I have recently finished reading a book about hearing loss. Shouting Won't Help written by former New York Times reporter Katherine Bouton part memoir, scientific reporting and little bios and interviews with famous people with hearing loss... see link for more http://nyti.ms/YEr9UF
The book's last two lines strike home.
A conversation between Katherine and her husband
"When are we eating?" My husband says.
"Chicken," I answer.

Part of my yearly ENT visit includes a hearing test. I was there yesterday. On my way in, the technician looks down and says " I like your purple." or was it "I like your pocketbook." I am wearing purple UGGS and my bag is hanging right near where she is looking. I usually receive compliments on my handbag, but am ready to glow in UGG praise also. I thank her. Maybe soon the answer will be revealed. It is. As we walk she continues. "I have 8 pairs." Okay has to be UGGS as pocketbooks/handbags do not come in pairs.

My test shows no further hearing loss. Holding pattern. Mine is described as an interesting loss. I like that. I do not want to have an uninteresting hearing loss. My ENT doctor meets up with me for the closeout and says "You are perfect in discriminatory hearing. You did not miss a word, only sounds." Really? Those were easy words they asked me to repeat..cow, sit, bell, sing.... My doctor says a word. could be Variation, No irrigation. wants me to irrigate my nose. My nose has its own issues. Too dry.

I CAN HEAR AND UNDERSTAND "SIT"

I am glad that

Liam is fine.

My hearing loss is interesting.

I am perfect in hearing small simple words

I do not need new hearings aids.

Irrigate.

Back to the nightmares and fixing those.

I AM FED, NOT DEAD

Woof, woof

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Sweet Caroline

LIAM COMFORT DOG

It is Monday, April 15, 2013.

It is tax day.

It is the anniversary of Jackie Robinson's debut in baseball.

It is the day of several birthdays of family and friends.

This April 15 2013 is the third Monday.

and the third Monday in April is Patriots Day in Massachusetts. It commemorates the start of the Revolutionary War. The war began with the battles of Lexington and Concord which took place on April 19. The observance though is on the third Monday of April. For many years the Red Sox have played a game that day and the Boston Marathon is also held. This is a three day weekend for many as it is a state holiday. Here is a link for more info.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriots'_Day

The day is going well. A cool sunny day. People from all over the world are running, walking, watching and waiting. The men's winner crosses the finish line in 2 hours 10 minutes. He is Lelisa Desisa Benti, a 23 year old from Ethiopia. A little while later the woman's winner comes in at 2 hours and 26 minutes. She is Rita Jeptoo from Kenya and is 32 years old. Runners keep finishing and folks keep greeting and cheering. By the fourth hour- the elite runners are done and those folks coming are happy to finish and eager to join with family and friends waiting at the finish line.

At almost exactly two hours after Benti wins the race there are two separate explosions near the finish line close in time. Those waiting at the finish line are down. The two blasts come from the side. The medical units are there for the runners, not the welcomers. The world is upside down-those watching need the help not those running. Injuries look like those we've seen in wars. The day is changed.

It is Tuesday April 16, 2013

Caroline Kennedy is on the Kelly and Michael show for her book
I think of Boston of course and Sweet Caroline-her song
She is interrupted almost immediately by a special report on the bombings.

Later the Yankees come up with a tribute to their Boston rivals

The singing of Sweet Caroline at the stadium. It is certainly a NY rendition, a little all over the place and inconsistently delivered but that is how we do it.

It is Wednesday April 17, 2013

The comfort dogs are visiting Boston

Liam once again wonders if he can go.

the comfort dogs have been deployed -some from Newtown-Luther and Ruthie and their friends. Those with mangled limbs are calmed by petting them. The hospital staff bends down to cuddle with them.