Tag: reading

March 2024

March 12, 2024

Today’s Gracie Update is written, not by a ghostwriter, but by a truly guest writer. Seth’s brother Tom and wife Jan are guests at Seth’s home today. I, Jan, a senior citizen, enjoyed the pleasure of walking a dog for the very first time in my life!! Actually, right out of the gate it was clear that Gracie was the one who was taking Me for a walk, actually more like a jog, then run, then walk, then stop and turn and walk again, and so on. We visited every culdesac and street in the neighborhood, mostly on sidewalks but sometimes on grassy areas and one time on a muddy way between houses –ugh- with Gracie’s nose to the ground everywhere we went. Sometimes she climbed upstairs as if going to a friend’s house or she checked out gardens and other features. At the point when I realized that I had no idea where we were, I also realized that I had left my phone behind, because when we left I didn’t realize we were going to go for an actual walk, but just for Gracie to relieve herself near home! I did manage to find my way back, however, and when Seth came home from where he and Tom had been I learned that Gracie is not Seth’s daily aerobic exercise routine but apparently, she knew that this substitute Gracie walker was a know-nothing pushover and she took full advantage of the opportunity. Truthfully, the experience was a win-win because it was a lovely, almost spring, morning and this novice dog walker enjoyed the Gracie-led adventure.

March 15, 2024

Gracie was thrilled to have Tom and Jan stay with us this week. (Me, too!) Tom and Jan were here to help me out while I had cataract surgery. It wasn’t just me receiving top treatment, but the Gracie noodle, too. She savored the extra attention. (And I did, too!) It was treasured family time.

Tom and Jan returned to their home this morning. Since then, Gracie has been moping around all day. Both of us miss them already!

March 25, 2024

I suppose AI doesn’t truly have a real “human” sense of humor but its ability to generate appealing, and often unexpected, responses amuses me! I asked AI to pretend it was a funny advice columnist. Then, I posed the question: “How do I convince my dog to start doing the dishes?”

Here’s how the chatbot responded:

Dear “Dish-Wash-Wishing Dog Owner,”

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA……………………………..

February 2024

February 12, 2024

A very happy birthday to Auntie Marci in New Mexico!

(Above: Gracie one year ago)

Today also marks the two-year anniversary of my bringing the noodle home with me!

(Above: Gracie two years ago today)

(Above: Gracie today)

February 14, 2024

February 28, 2024

Since owning a dog, I frequently observe instances of dog owners uncannily resembling their dogs. A few days ago was no exception. While on our afternoon walk, a stocky brown dog ran up to Gracie. The dog looked like a probable mix of a Bulldog and a pit bull. I walked up to the owner, who said he recently adopted the dog. I had to smile. This guy picked out a dog resembling himself! Like his dog, he was stocky and had brown hair, a round face, a thick neck, and bow legs. I swear if the dog had had underwear showing and his butt crack peeking out*, he would have been his spittin’ image.

*Actually both dog and owner did!

The picture below is not of the actual duo we encountered but shows a very similar resemblance.

January 2024

January 1, 2024

January 5, 2024

Since Gracie can’t actually write (at least not yet), I wanted to see how AI would craft some suitable New Year’s resolutions for her. And I thought it would be entertaining to have the prose generated in poem form. After a tiny bit of my guidance, a few AI reiterations, and my minor tweak here and there, here’s the resultant sonnet!

A Tail of New Beginnings: Gracie’s 2024 Resolutions

by the Barking Bard AI Chatbot for Gracie W.

A New Year’s here, it’s time to shine,
I’ll make some resolutions, and I’ll do them just fine,
No more naughty deeds, I’ll show restraint,
And with each verse, a new change I’ll paint!

No more couch-chewing, I’ll keep my jaws free,
No more holes, no more foam-filled glee,
I’ll find new ways to spend my days,
And leave the furniture in better ways!

I’ll stop jumping on guests who visit our home,
No more doggy pounces, no more guilt to own,
I’ll wag my tail with friendly grace,
And show them I’m a good girl in this place!

In 2024, I’ll be a better pup,
No more sneaky napkin theft, I’ll give it up.
No more stealing, that’s my vow,
I’ll find some toys to chew on now.

Counter surfing, I’ll resist the urge,
No more snatching, no more splurge.
My paws will stay where they should,
And my behavior, forever good.

I’ll keep my bodily functions under control,
No more passing gas, like a silent troll,
I’ll be a better friend to all around,
No more stinky surprises, only tail wags abound!

So here’s to the New Year, let’s make it great,
With my resolutions, I won’t hesitate,
I’ll try to be a better doggy, you’ll see,
And maybe, just maybe, you’ll forgive me.

🐾🎉 Happy New Year! 🎉🐾

January 7, 2024

I’m impressed with the Barking Bard Chatbot’s poem of Gracie’s New Year’s resolutions. But I think the fourth verse needs an even more personalized touch. So, I’m updating it with my own spin:

Verse 4 update:

I’ll keep my bodily functions under control,
No more passing gas, like a silent troll,
I can be much better, as you well know,
And leave all the farting to Mr. Hippo!

January 13, 2024

Earlier this week a huge storm brought a deluge of rain and wind to our area, causing lots of local flooding and power outages. Gracie and I weathered the storm. She spent most of the day in daycare. I was lucky to not lose power.

In the aftermath of the event, the strong winds and supersaturated ground left countless toppled trees and downed branches in its wake. Now, everywhere we go, Gracie finds a massive oversupply of STICKS. For her, that’s been like Christmas all over again.

January 19, 2024

This week brought the first significant snow accumulation we’ve seen in this area for several years. Today’s soft flakes fell throughout the day, coating the ground with a thick, soft blanket of white.

It’s a rare thing for me to spend hours outside in subfreezing, snowy weather. What it takes for me is a dog that loves the snow. (And two layers of long underwear, jeans, two fleece jackets, a heavy coat with a hood. 3 layers of socks, winter boots, thick gloves, a warm hat, and a wool scarf.)

The snow was calling for Gracie.

So, in the afternoon, Gracie and I walked to nearby Wilson Farm Park. I typically keep her on a leash in the park (it’s a rule), but with the exception of one wacky guy out there running in shorts, we saw no other people and no other dogs. So, I let Gracie off her leash. From the moment I released her, she sprinted – to romp, race, poke, dig, sniff, and roll in the snow. We trekked all through the park, forming fresh tracks everywhere we went. Gracie was exhilarated.

By the time we arrived back home, Gracie had thick clumps of ice caked on her paws, all four of her legs. her snout, and her belly. (I used warm water to remove all of the ice.)

The noodle has a new nickname now when we’re on these jaunts: Icicle-face.

January 28, 2024

Today has been a cold, rainy, wet, miserable day so there wasn’t much of anything to do except rip a tire off of a Subaru. (A toy Subaru, that is.)