Doodle's Ode to Spring

Throwtheball, throwtheball, throwtheball already!

What was that? Can I EAT it?


This grass in entirely too tall. Mow it, or get your own damn ball!

And so it can now be said...

Over 15 million hits on Youtube over the last week, Susan Boyle has become a sensation. I attached her video to my blog a couple of days ago because I was very impressed by her, and then thought about why this particular moment in time was so inspiring to me.

It is not the lesson of don't judge a book by it's cover, although I would bet this was the lesson for some of those millions. For me it was her amazingly clear spirit and humility. From the very first, when she walked out on this stage, her gait clearly shows a woman unaccustomed to wearing high heels. Finding the mark, and looking over an audience fully prepared to rip her spirit to shreds, she continued to stand her ground and smiled. When she answered her age, it was obvious she was prepared for the negative reaction, and tried her best to laugh first with attitude. And that small smile just before the first note. as if she knew she could sing, and would come Hell or High Water. And so she did.

During her performance, she backed off her mark slowly, almost as if she was retreating from all the eyes focused on her. I doubt she heard anything but her own voice, and the promise she made herself in her head."Just do it." She had won just being there. That is why she started to walk off before the judging I think, because she was just that thrilled to have participated. I doubt she heard most of what the judges said, and her childlike reaction when she realized she would be coming back to sing again was a genuine delight. She was used to hearing no, a yes more than she could hope for. Stomping and whooping when she heard three yes votes, that was her spirit let free.

Success comes at the perfect time for you Susan. When you can best enjoy it and appreciate it with maturity. I wish you best in this competition, but regardless of the outcome you have won already. My wish for you is that you work as hard as you can to preserve yourself, the core of you that inspired us all. Keep your cat and your home, resist anything that doesn't feel right for you. Just keep singing for us all!

Outstanding!

A very deep puddle. :) Susan Boyle sings "I Dreamed a Dream" and shows Britain and the World what talent looks like. You GO girl!

Click on blank space to view Youtube video

Bunnies and Vacuum Cleaners

Today I did something I have never attempted. My vacuum cleaner was on the fritz, blowing out dust instead of sucking it up. Now this machine is nearly new, and on a whim and armed with a Phillip's screwdriver I decided that I was going to open it and see what the problem was. I took this machine completely apart, cleaned and cleared out the dust bunnies and clogs, and it lives again! It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. and now it works like a charm. I have never been mechanically inclined, so this is a real accomplishment for me. I didn't even break a nail.

Rainy day here, and I am busy doing some Spring cleaning. I'm also making a big coconut cake for Easter in honor of my grandmother. She always made coconut cake at Easter, I was an adult before I realized other families made carrot cake. Making it from scratch, with two cans of flaked coconut just like she would. I'll try to take a picture of it before it is crumbs. (LOL)

Happy Easter to all. A nice time to appreciate growth and regeneration, and of course coconut cake. :)

The Force of Nature called by the name Doodle

String Chew Toy before Doodle

String Chew Toy after Doodle and three hours

Ecco Walking Shoe before Doodle

Ecco Walking Shoe after Doodle and three months

This little McDonald's kids Happy Meal toy is built like a tank. Doodle has been chewing this a while and it is still intact, a major engineering achievement to be sure. Last night, after winding it up (when wound it wiggles like it is alive) and throwing it for him the billionth time, I actually watched my dog WIND the toy himself and bring it back to me wriggling. Let me repeat this...he used his teeth to grasp the winder and turned it until it started moving and brought it back to me. He is so proud of this accomplishment he has spent the morning winding and rewinding it.

I figure a videotape of this on Youtube will get a zillion hits. What on earth kind of alien chew monster am I living with? (LOL)

The Show Must Go On

Finally shaking off some long time emotional shackles and moving forward. The last few months have been rough, I am here to tell you that the economic crisis is not just a concept to me. Otherwise I am healthy, happy with my little dog friend and moving forward in new directions. Watching the current meltdown of the economy and the bursting of a huge societal bubble has been interesting. Especially watching people that have been the most self absorbed and selfish in the "Me" decade scramble around like cockroaches to get out of the line of fire. Is it me, or does the mob assembling somewhat resemble the French Revolution in some cases? (LOL) Well, lets hope the C.E.O.s of several major corporations don't make any cake-like utterances. Pitchfork at the ready here. I will end with a great quote from the Jewish Buddha.

"Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out...

Forget this and attaining Enlightenment will be the least of your problems."