Summer vacation 2007

July was our summer vacation.
Despite what most would think as completely crazy we did go to Tucson, AZ in July!
Yes, it was hot, but a dry heat, then later the monsoon came with great thunder storms and rain, humidity which is not as bad as today's 100F with 35% humidity and feels like Hell.

It took us three days to get to Tucson going via Kansas-Colorado Springs, CO -Albuquerque, NM; for a total of 1695Ml.
Below the story in pictures....


We crossed Kansas flat as a tortilla, and after a 15 hours drive and thinking I am on the top of the Earth skin head we got to Colorado Springs, CO. Taylor is a great traveler, she sleeps a lot, watches the road, and enjoys the Rest areas with flowers and grass.





Once we arrived in Tucson a bad news disturbed our joy: Ingrid's Dad Mr. Rob Zwickey had a massive stroke and ended up in the hospital and is slowly recuperating at SouthHealth with speech, physical, and occupational therapy.

We met Ms. Anna, Ingrid's and in the old days my neighbor and had our traditional visit to Sweet Tomatoes and one more home cooked dinner at Ms. Anna. Taylor knew right away how to run to Ms. Anna's door and was ecstatic seeing her again and checking her back yard with quick sniffs :-)

Taylor remembered all the neighborhood walks even if she was not really fond of the big heat... Then we have met our friends Scout and Siegfried and their Mom Sharon, and we have met new friend Mac - Chihuahua boy- and his parents :-) in the Lambert park...

Helped Jonathan my friend move to University of Hawaii West O'ahu
I was glad to be there the last day when Jonathan moved away from our "home town" since he moved me here at SIUE. Good timing in this vacation!
Good luck Jonathan!!!
Visited my home school U of A and got some new UA brand items :-)


The focal point was the Lambert park close to Ingrid's home since they have green grass and ... sprinklers :-)

The big heat and travel and excitement kept us be sleepy and there were even days when we took a short mid day nap...

I have met with Dr. Sabers, Dr. Streitmatter, Dr. Rosser , my advisors and teachers. Met with Toni and Mary in the Ed Psy department Administrative office. Also with Mrs. Karoleen our retired Administrative assistant who organized for us every Thanksgiving the International Thanksgiving and fostered us through our study years.


Taylor didn't want to bring disgrace on her hunting breed, so she caught a little dove :-(
Which of course did not want to give away...

Pool at Sharon's house was the major attraction. Taylor and Scout played "Pirates of the Southwest"

Scout is as sweet as ever but time goes and leaves marks on his eyebrows and ears... better said takes away the black color and leaves... white....

Siegfried is also whiter than two years ago, still proud "His Highness"

Our freinds Mowgly, Sue, and Dan are well, but time passed on Mowgly as well and he does not chase Taylor anymore. Taylor did not understand why...

Coming back we took via Oklahoma City, OK and saw a huge cross ...

As when we went at return we started each day at 6AM to beat the heat... gorgeous Sun rise every day. Via Oklahoma City, OK in three days we came 1519 ML.

Once home we were hit by the humidity, but very glad to meet again the farmer at the corner of the road and buy peaches, pepper, tomatoes, squash, and egg plant. The summer traditional dish tasted very good with all home grown organic produce.



Taylor was glad to meet again the squirrels and bunnies in the neighborhood :-)
We hate the humidity which is worse than the entire monsoon season in Tucson. The air conditioner started this morning at 7AM and did not stop since, the temperature in the house cannot go lower than 80F, but my neighbors told me their AC cannot keep up either, in their home is 81F even if the temps are set to low 74F. The weather prognosis for the rest of this week is up to 100F with heat index 112F and head advisory.
I did not mow the lawn in the hope the grass keeps shade to itself.
One of my Maple trees dried out, looks like late fall with all leaves completely burned brown; the lower branches are still flexible and Dad says "it will come back next Spring, just keep watering it".... I really hope Dad is right!

Dog bite

Yesterday morning 6:30AM walking with Taylor a dog from a house came and attacked us. Before I even had a chance to pick up Taylor the dog run on her. The owner of that dog was there outside in the front porch smoking!

Taylor has some punctures one on her face and two on her side. I put some ointment on them. I was worried since she was panting a lot, might have been in pain.

I went to ask if the dog had its rabies shots and the young man owner was extremely rude, blaming that I should not walk on the street and keep my dog home. When I told him that his girlfriend was out with the dog and his dog attacked us, bite my dog, and me also, he asked "What, is your dog dead or something?..."

I was very mad on him.
Not only Taylor got the bite but my hand as well, now looks better since yesterday I kept it bandaged. Luckily the dog did not have a good grip of my wrist but only made a scratch that hurts pretty bad, I don't know why that small bite hurts, it is a little swollen, I hope I won't get mad or enraged of it :-)

Lazy Sunday afternoon...

It is hot and humid outside... after a very short rain the air became filled with steam, reaching a 88% humidity. We took a short walk but got home pretty fast to cool down inside.
Taylor and I were lazy. Flipping channels on the remote control and sleeping over boring TV shows... and even over the remote :-)

AZ to MI / friends

My dear friends from U of A/ Tucson, AZ are on their way to their New Home and New Life.
Kelly, Abby, Michael, and Dalai stopped for a night rest and in the morning took the road up to Eastern Michigan University/ Saline, MI.

Abby will have soon her own blog: My New Life in MI :-)

Dalai and Taylor had a blast. Definitely they will meet again, when Abby will come to visit us with Dalai. Now we are just 4 hours appart :-) OK, 4 hours if Abby's Mom & Dad drives half way and we meet to get Abby and Dalai.

I forgot to tell Michael "HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!" But I am sure he and family are very happy and excited to be tonight in their new home.

Congratulations to all of you for your new life in MI.
See you again!

Missouri Earth Dogs

Taylor and her friends Max and Morgen had lots of fun on Saturday and Sunday morning.
They had a chance to hunt in the barn, go in the tunnel under ground, race for the lure on the Doggie Fun Zone, and then Sunday race in the competition on flat and over hurdles.

Taylor got so excited before the race that when it came the time for raceing she just stopped mid course and layed down to cool her tummy. She was so proud and happy to be on track she decided to stay a little bit there :-)

Of course she ended the last in her category but the first on having fun!
Even the rain stopped for the JRTs to have fun.
It really was a blast!

Taylor running - JRT trial at Purina Farm, Mo

Big love

Taylor & Morgan having fun

Chicago - AERA

This past week I was at the AERA conference in Chicago.
Tuesday afternoon when I arrived it was a nice afternoon, by Wednesday morning it was raining.






Rain quickly transformed into snow and winds were blowing ferociously so that many of the flights from Chicago O'Hare, were canceled. Since the conference was hosted in couple of different hotels (Sheraton, Hyatt, Mariott, Swissotel, Inter-continental, etc.) the walk between hotels was not pleasant at all.

Thursday the snow stopped and only some little rain sprinkled all day long. Wednesday seemed to be very long time ago when... by Friday morning the Sun was shining once again as if the winter was long time gone...
So, Friday morning on my way from the presentation to the AirportExpress shuttle I could see in plain construction on the Chicago river shore the new Trump hotel & tower .


That was it. This year AERA was extremely busy and since it was so cold and windy staying inside was the best choice.
I really have to go see Chicago another time :-)

Happy Easter!

The temperature outside is more appropriate for Christmas....
It's 35F daytime, and we just broke the cold record since 1929 with 20F nighttime.

No matter how cold is outside in our hearts is warm and light because the Lord is Risen!

Have a Happy Easter!
Kellemes Husveti Unnepeket!
Christos a inviat!

Lost in the winter

My little Fat Albert Blue Spruce did not survive the cold icy winter.
I noticed after the winter storm with the ice and freezing temperatures that the lower branches of my Fat Albert started to loose the needles, and be brownish.

I asked at Market Basket what does it mean, and was told that they hibernate, and should come back with the Spring.

But this Spring, my Fat Albert dried up and became brown not green.

They did not have Fat Alberts at Market Basket, but only Colorado Blue Spruce.
This new one is much smaller than the late Fat Albert.
I hope it will survive...

India night music & dance

India night

India night came sooner than I thought, but Spring is here, March is almost at end, and it is time for India night. Good food, music, dances, and wonderful costumes.

My friends Sunita and Siva are now graduates and with their first job. Some of their new colleagues came to the big event on SIUE Campus.
The food was great and abundant.
The girls and guys were in beautiful clothing.

with Sunita and Siva

with Sunita

with Abhi

traditional dances

...and modern music...

Vacation company :-)

Max and Morgan were our company since Thursday.
Morgan (the brown bigger one) felt like home, he and Taylor had so much fun. They played, they slept together, and guarded the yard.

Max (the small white and black) was Momma's boy. He was in my lap and did not roam around with the other two. Taylor loved the company, they are really good boys.
I discovered how bossy is little Taylor. She was on her grounds. Her house, her Mom, her toys, her yard :-)

Morgan felt like he lived here forever, he had no adjustment problems and loved playing with Taylor. Max loved sleeping in my lap :-)

Their Mom picked them up today and now Taylor is taking a good nap, kind of lonely, as usual after our company is gone. She is a little lonely, a little sad, she will miss them a day or two then she'll forget....

For Taylor was a great vacation, and I'll hopefully finish today grading my students' midterms.

MORGAN

MAX

Taylor & Morgan

...the bunny is mine! No, it's mine!

Spring break

Is not as much of a Spring (still 20F night and 37F day time), and definitely not a real break!
I am grading Midterm exams, done with the undergraduates and have all the Literature reviews to read for my graduate students. Couple of meetings at school, two papers to finish and submit, some readings to do (lots of them!), and definitely a house cleaning squeezed in.
Taylor's agility class and my riding class (one hour each) is the fun part of this break.

From Thursday to Saturday we will have company :-)
Yes, on top of all the work. But I am sure Taylor will enjoy it!

Spring break is only one week, this week, and already is Tuesday!