Katie's moved in.

Ellen went into the hospital on Sunday. She's expected to stay for 7 days, then come home. That gives Katie a week to test-drive me. She likes sitting on top of my couch, looking out the window.

Ellen and Katie

This is Ellen (The person) and Katie (the Westie). Ellen lives two doors down from me. She's got cancer and emphysema. She's been fighting hard, and been successful for the last few years, but recently, her health has taken a downturn.
This picture was taken at the same picnic as the one with my brother. She's a wonderful woman, very witty, and with the sense of humor that I love. She speaks her mind, and doesn't pull ANY punches. I'm going to miss her greatly.

Here's Katie. Ellen has asked me to take care of Katie if anything happens to her. Since Ellen is entering Hospice care sometime next week, I'll be watching Katie. I've got permission to take Katie to visit Ellen in the hospital though. Katie is a wonderful dog, and I'll love her as much as Ellen does.

It's saddening that there is nothing I can do for Ellen, but at least I can remove some worries.

Is that a dorky hat, or what?

My brother, Shane, insists on wearing that dorky hat, while I maintain that it's coolness evaporated in the early 60's.

This was taken at a cookout at my neighbor's house, yesterday.

I'm the handsome elbow rest.

Why I love my job

Recently, I was able to take these pictures of the Cleveland skyline from my vantage point on the Willow Bridge.

Shearing Maggie

A few weeks ago, I visited my friend Rick, aka Alpaca Dick, aka El Presidente. He needed a hand shearing his single Alpaca, Maggie, so I volunteered to help.

She's a beauty! This is her before the torture began.






I had the job of calming her, and trimming her neck and legs. Except for her sneezeing on me once and one kick in the ____, it wasn't too bad.












She looks a lot cooler now. Ok, it wasn't the best haircut, but what do you expect from a guy who shaves his head?