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‘Random Thoughts’ Category

  1. Allie Has a Tummy Ache

    July 18, 2011 by Rod Peckman

    My dog has the constitution of a Spartan soldier. In the 5 years since I’ve rescued her, her worst affliction has been the occasional ear infection. Last Friday was different. She must have eaten a poisonous plant because she came down with the worst case of, let’s call it, gastric distress I’ve ever seen in a dog. For the first time since I brought her home, she had an accident in the house—actually, she had many, many accidents. She redecorated the place. I opened the door and was hit by the stench and she came to me hanging her head in guilt. I felt so bad for the girl. Not her fault, after all. She seemed fine by that time, so I didn’t call the vet;but the next day I did buy a steam-vac.

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  2. Waiting Is the Hardest Part

    by Rod Peckman

    A couple months ago I was told by an editor of a highly competitive anthology that he wanted to include two of my poems. I was ecstatic! This particular publication is listed as one of the top 25 most competitive poetry markets in the country, receiving over 10,000 submissions per edition, which features about 75 poets. Ah, but there was a catch: he then informed me that, while he loved the poems, they had to pass muster with his co-editor. I’m still waiting. Don’t know if that’s good or bad. Not sure if I’d rather he’d never mentioned it until the final decision had been made or not, as my hopes are high. . .

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  3. “This is Getting Bizarre”

    July 16, 2011 by Rod Peckman

    For all you sun lovers, I’m sorry. This is from Cliff Mass, all-around weather guru and professor of meteorological Sciences at the UW:

    “I think we communally must have sinned. I have followed the weather around here for a long time and I can’t remember such sustained cool, cloudy weather during the middle to end of July (including what is going to occur). The latest round of model runs–including the ensemble forecasts–suggest this situation is not going to end during the next week. In fact, some days will be worse.”

    And believe it or not, one of the reasons he posits, although conditionally, may be due to global warming or, more accurately, climate change. I know my lilies have taken more than 3 weeks longer to bloom this year. I’m glad I didn’t plant my usual mess-o-basil.

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  4. May in Paris

    by Rod Peckman

    I’ve spent many wonderful days and nights in Paris, but it’s been too long. I will be visiting again next May to see a friend who will be there on an extended stay. We are thinking of things to do. My usual mode is to avoid the tourist areas and simply walk all day, visiting regular neighborhoods, outdoor markets, stopping for coffee or a beer at a cafe or bar. I’d usually walk so far in one direction, I’d be forced to take the Metro back to the hotel, as it would be getting dark by then.

    I always loved it when a French person came to me to ask for directions. Alas, no matter how well I dress, I’m afraid I’m too fat now to pull off the Gallic look now. I’ll just be happy if I order something in a bistro and they don’t immediately switch to English. One touristy thing I do want to do is visit the Paris Opera and spend some time looking at Chagall’s ceiling. I’ve never really had the chance, and his work is a favorite of mine. As Picasso said, “I don’t know where he gets those images; he must have an angel in his head.” I couldn’t agree more.

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