Sept. 28 - Lisa's Musings (on teeth) and Every Day Life

Yikes ... tomorrow will forever be known in my life as a red letter day of a different sort.

I'm calling it "New Chomper's Day."

At 11 a.m., I will be in the dentist's chair saying goodbye to my old, rotted teeth and hello to my new fake ones. And hopefully, I will be totally unaware of the changing of the chomper's guard as I am hoping that I'll be happily in la-la land.

And be totally oblivious to the whole thing. Wake me up when it's all over.

Yup -- 52 years old and I will have top dentures. Not too sure how I feel about that but it's time and I can blame my dad for his part in my horrible, usually painful teeth.

He suffered from the same bad teeth syndrome.

So, I'm busying myself writing away today so I don't think too much about it. I'm covering a meeting tonight in Chelsea and plan to come home and write the stories, then take a modern pharmaceutical that will relax my mind and let me sleep through the night.

I've been having nightmares that include, but are not limited to, my new teeth landing in someones lap, talking and sounding like I have a serious speech impediment, and the dentures looking like something out of a bad Halloween costume.

Now, rationally, I know none of the above will happen, but ... it's hard to control a subconscious reaction to the unknown.

On the flip side, I'm excited for the chance to eat things like granola bars and steak and other crunchy and chewable foods that I've avoided for so many years.

I hope to blog tomorrow about the experience, but that depends on how I feel.

So forgive me if I miss blogging for the first time since I started this adventure more than 360-some blogs ago.

Sept. 25 - Lisa's Musings (on rabbit shows) and Every Day Life

It’s been a very long time since I’ve been to a rabbit show.

In another life, I raised and showed Holland Lop rabbits. In fact, I was one of the top breeders in the country and flew them to specialty and national shows all across the USA.

So it was fun to go to the Ann Arbor Rabbit Breeder’s Show at the Farm Council Grounds today. And see judges I hadn’t seen in many, many moons.

The last time I attended this club’s show, it was held in the summer and was a midnight madness show, which started in the evening and continued into the wee hours of the morning.

I drove all the way from Virginia to Ann Arbor because it was the last points show of the season, and I was running national points with my rabbits that year.

I remember it well. It was hot, hot, hot and my rabbits got their cute little butts kicked. Needless to say, it was a long drive back to Virginia without the points I needed to move any of my rabbits up in the point standings.

But, that was a long time ago.

Today, it was all about taking photos and talking to club members for a story. And it brought back some fun memories.

It was great to see those cute little Holland Lop rabbits I spent so many years raising, enjoying and showing. And the good news was the faults I'd worked so hard to breed out of my Holland lines were no longer a problem for today's lines.

I’m sure that in the backgrounds of some of these rabbits are the bloodlines I so carefully developed during my years in the fancy.

And it made me smile.

Sept. 24 - Lisa's Musings (on leaving) and Every Day Life

I'd planned to just say good-bye on Oct. 1. My last day.

But as more and more people find out I'm leaving the A2 Journal, I figured I better say something about it.

I've loved my time with the paper but I have two other jobs and a book to write. It came down to not enough hours in the week for work and for me.

It was high time that I won.

But I'm not really leaving for good.

I've agreed to still do some freelance writing for all the Heritage papers.

October will be mostly a month of rest and relaxation for me. I really need it.

A time to recharge my batteries (they take longer when you start getting older), a time to recover from all the oral surgery I'm about to go through to fix my teeth, and then I'll be back.

So I hope you'll enjoy another week of my daily blog and after that, ya never know, I might be back with a new blog.

Or not.

Sept. 23 - Lisa's Musings (on new teeth) and Every Day Life

Well, I've decided to just do it.

I'm finally getting new chompers. I had an appointment with a new dentist yesterday and am going for it.

I can't even type all the details because I told the dentist not to get graphic because I don't do pain or needles or blood.

What I can tell you is I will walk into the office, in a loopy, happy place, have my top teeth removed, and walk out with new 'teethies'. (Hopefully while I'm still in a happy daze).

My friend, Becca, will be by my side as she's been for many years of multiple tooth removals and root canals. She knows the drill, so to speak.

Then when I emerge from my time with marvelous modern pharmaceuticals, I'll have to figure out how to speak with the new teeth. I'm told I may sound like Tweety Bird for a while. And then there's not spitting on people while speaking to worry about as well.

I'm told it takes a while to get used to dentures.

And I'll find out soon enough.

People have been asking me if I'm scared to have all these teeth removed and yeah, I guess I am. I'm a real weanie about blood and pain. But anyone who knows what I've been through with what's left of the teeth I still have, knows the agony I've endured for years and year and years.

Or the food that I've not been able to eat because I can't chew it.

Anything that's hard or that requires real chewing has been out of the question for many, many years as I've tried to baby what's left of my teeth.

And I'm told it will be quite a while longer to find out what it's truly like to eat an almond or a steak, but find out I will.

And quite frankly, I'm looking forward to it. No matter how long it takes.

And the first hard thing I plan to eat -- a fat pretzel stick.

But in the meantime, I've stocked up on all the stuff I can eat and lots and lots of soft stuff to baby those new chompers once they're in my mouth.

I might even have some peanut brittle at Christmas.

Sept. 22 - Lisa's Musings (on new rules) and Every Day Life

There's nothing meaner than a hungry reporter.

I know. I get really, really nasty when I'm starving.

Maybe it's true of people in other professions, too, but I can only speak to what I know. So, I always bring snacks (sometimes sandwiches) and other "provisions" to meetings.

I'm rarely without my mug of coffee and when that runs out, I become the queen of vending machines. Mountain Dew, anyone?

And although I've been known to grab a free snack here and there, I'll admit it, after an invitation from one of the Ann Arbor Board of Education trustees, I had a plate of dinner before the last board meeting that began at 5:30 and lasted until after 11 p.m.

So today, all the reporters who cover the AA Board of Education got this note from the board secretary.

Food - I have food available for trustees whenever there is an early meeting (5:30 pm or earlier), and meals may be provided if the meeting takes place over many hours (typically more than 3). For budgetary reasons, I typically order meals for the trustees and meeting participants (administrative staff) so I appreciate your being sensitive to that. You're more than welcome to enjoy the snacks, coffee and cold beverages that are typically available.

Length of Meeting - Breaks are an infrequent occurrence, and even though a time limit may be given, please allow me, the superintendent or another board member to gather the remaining trustees to restart the meeting.

(I think this one was directed at me because the break was supposed to be 10 minutes and after 20 minutes, I announced that I was heading out into another room to round up the troops and get the meeting restarted. I have better things to do with my night than spend it waiting around. Even if I am getting paid.) So I plead guilty to this one.

Meeting Attendance/Participation - As guests of meetings, you are requested to sit on the periphery of whatever meeting room is being used, or at the spaces designated for media. Conference table seating is reserved for trustees and those participating in the meeting itself. If warranted, and whenever possible, a meeting will be moved to a larger room in order to accommodate an overflow of guests.

OK, I'm fine with this because I always sit away from everyone else on the sidelines (by myself) wherever possible. Less germs that way.

Questions/clarification - should you need to clarify information for reporting purposes, please see me prior to or after meetings, or during break times. It's fine to ask questions of trustees before or after meetings, or during break times as time allows.

I'm good with this one, too, as I've always asked my questions at the appropriate times.

For the meetings today, please be prepared to provide your own meals; I will have water and coffee and limited snacks available for the public. We have a kitchen available with a refrigerator and microwave. Feel free to make use of the extra tables that will be in the conference room for your laptop, etc.

No problem -- not going to this meeting so ...

But "assisting in" getting those trustees back in session -- now that one I have a problem with ... guess I'll have to bring more magazines to the next meeting.

Sept. 21 - Lisa's Musings (on helping others) and Every Day Life

They say there's a sucker born every day and maybe I was one yesterday, but I'll never know.

Here's what happened, so feel free to tell me what you think.

I pulled into the Westgate Shopping Center last night to go to Staples. For, duh, office supplies.

So, as I was pulling into a parking spot, a kinda scruffy man approached my van, and I rolled down my window.

He explained that he needed $11 for a new radiator hose; that he and his friend were stranded. He was very specific to show me a wad of cash and said he wasn't a bum.

Although I have to tell you, he sure looked like he could use a shower.

He said he hadn't had a job in nine months and was down on his luck. Plus, he was recovering from a (very evident) broken jaw. I did not ask how he got it.

He also had an ace bandage wrapped around his forearm, and proceeded to pull down the bandage to show me what he described as a spider bite that had gotten infected. It looked more like a stab wound to me, but what do I know?

So, I gave him eleven bucks. He thanked me profusely and vanished. I didn't watch where he went.

The whole thing took about 5 minutes from start to finish, so I really didn't give it a lot of thought.

I just handed him my money, and to be honest, I hoped that his story was legit and that I'd done something nice for my fellow man.

So, here's what went through my head: The guy did have a wad of cash on him and he asked for $11 bucks -- not a dollar or ten dollars or could I spare some change. He had a goal to reach and I may or may not have helped him reach it.

I'll never know.

But one thing I do know is this guy was down on his luck and had definitely seen happier (and cleaner) days. And I guess if I was in trouble and had to ask perfect strangers for help, I'd like to think that someone would take pity on me.

Maybe I'm a sucker and the guy took me for a ride, but I truly believe that good deeds come back in kind.

So I ask you, what would you have done?

Sept. 19 - Lisa's Musings From Every Day Life

Sometimes a sacrifice must be made for the greater good.

I made one today, so let me explain.

There are lots and lots of trees on my property. Pines of all sorts, maples, oaks, birch, a corkscrew willow, apples, pears, cherries, ornamental something's or others and I'm sure I've missed a few. Or 50. And then there are my two favorite trees, which are Rose-of-Sharon.

Well, one of them was leaning against my expensive dog yard fence and although it bloomed like a champ this year, parts of it were rotting and although it's supposed to grow upright -- at was in such bad shape, it was growing parallel to the ground.

My friend, Becca, told me a few months ago, it needed to come out but I insisted it wasn't going anywhere.

Well, today, with my little brother here helping me clean gutters and change light bulbs and replace and rehang shower curtains, I made the fateful decision.

One of the two Rose-of-Sharons will have a new purpose in life as a nice place for little rabbits or squirrels or chipmunks or other little woodland creatures to hide under this winter. It now lines on the side of my property with the other brush that's been removed from its original location.

We tried to trim it to help it along, but branches I thought were happy, in reality were really unhappy, and I think it's profuse blooming this year was a last gasp attempt to show its appreciation for a great life.

Its cousin, or maybe its aunt or uncle -- not sure which -- got a nice branch trim and we cut out the other scrub trees that were taking away some of its sunlight.

I sure hope its not too lonely now.

But I vowed to plant it a replacement friend next year.

In the meantime, I snipped off several small branches with blooms that hadn't opened yet, stripped off some of the leaves and placed the twigs in a vase on the kitchen table in the hopes that the blooms will open.

Sept. 15 - Lisa's Musings (on cleaning) and Every Day Life

I'm sorry, but I just can't get into this cleaning thing. I know lots of people are into spotless homes but I promise you, they don't have dogs.

And they do it every day. And like it -- or so I'm told.

My idea of it's-time-to-do-some cleaning is when the dog's rub their head's on the carpet and come up with more red hair on their muzzles then they started. It's theirs, of course, but they've shed it long ago. And apparently, it's my job to rid the house of it.

And I do. Sometimes. When I can actually see it. Or when my socks are covered in it. Or when company's coming. My friends are dog people -- for the most part, anyway, so dog fur isn't something they even notice.

Even when it gets really bad. And I, in turn, don't mention it to them if I see it in their houses.

It's one of those unwritten dog-owner rules.

Or something.

She who lives in a glass house and all that.

But my little brother is coming here Friday-Sunday for the U-M game, And, he's agreed to take up where my dad left off -- helping me with two-person tasks I can't do alone. Yucky stuff like cleaning the gutters and cutting down tree branches and replacing burned out light bulbs in high places.

My dad worked for food. My little brother works for beer.

So, I plan to buy a bunch of it because, if he's in a slightly buzzed daze, perhaps, he won't notice all the dog fur. Or if he does, he won't mention it.

Yeah, I cleaned the guest room and vacuumed and will do some dusting, but it's going to take a whole lot more than that to get rid of all the dog fur, and spider webs, and dust bunnies and dust and dirt.

There's way more of it than there is of me. I'm out numbered, out roomed, out "every-thinged."

And as longtime readers know, I haven't had a lot of spare time to deal with it.

But my little brother's still in his 20's and I'm hoping he hasn't grown up all that much. He's got his mother and his wife to clean up after him.

All I have are the dogs and they aren't helping much.

I'm always amazed at the mess two dogs and one person can make.

Sept. 12 - Lisa's Musings (on being sick) and Every Day Life

The sun's shining, the Kerrytown BookFest has started and I'm home feeling like, well, something the cat (or dog) dragged in.

And, I'm missing one of my favorite Ann Arbor events.

Although there is absolutely nothing I can do about it, it's still a bummer.

After being sick most of the morning, I began to feel better, so took a shower, got dressed and got in the van to go. Fingers crossed.

But ya know when you've been feeling really, really punky. You're shaky and fuzzy headed and just not fit to be behind the wheel?

That was me.

My reactions aren't what they're supposed to be and even though I was technically sitting down, I was operating a vehicle.

Not good.

So, after 10 miles of knowing I should not be behind a wheel, I decided to do the smart thing. I turned around and came home.

On this beautiful day. When BookFest was going on.

Sometimes doing the right thing isn't easy. But I decided that it was more important to get off the road and not hurt anyone, and get home where the chances were slim that I'd hurt anyone.

But possibly myself.

I hate being sick.

Sept. 11 - Lisa's Musings (on Michigan football and one of its greats) and Every Day Life

With the excitement of a U-M victory over Notre Dame today comes the sadness of the death of Ron Kramer, a true Michigan man is there ever was one.

Not to take anything away from Denard Robinson's terrific performance today, but Kramer is probably recognized as the greatest all-around athlete to ever grace the U-M campus.

He played football, ran track and played basketball. And he was a fun and all-around great man.

I had the chance to sit down and have lunch with him at his favorite restaurant -- Max and Erma's -- while doing research for a book I'm writing about Don Canham.

I have terrific photos of he and his dog and he and Peg Canham -- the two were best buds.

So while younger fans are celebrating today's victory, the close knit, old-timers are mourning the passing of one of Michigan's true legends.

I sure hope Kramer and Bo and Woody and Fritz and Bennie and Don are including my dad in all the great football stories of yesteryear.

Go blue.

Sept. 9 - Lisa's Musings (on dirt) and Every Day Life

Let's face it, when you live alone -- well, without another human -- there are certain things you just can't do by yourself.

Like move bulky or heavy objects.

As the song goes, "It takes two, baby, it takes two."

And that's where best friends come into play. Now, of course, best friends are great for lots of things, but when you have friends who will come to your house to help you with dirty stuff -- now that's the mark of a true friendship.

Take today, for instance. My friend, Becca, took two hours out of her day to come and ... are you ready for this ... nail screen protectors into place on my three-season porch. It was one of those two-person jobs but instead of me smacking my thumb with the hammer, she took over the job.

Now, I don't expect the mosquitoes or moths to respect these additional barricades, because to really keep them out I'd need to replace all the screens and quite frankly, that's not gonna happen anytime soon.

The purpose, at least in my mind, for these adjustable screen thingers is more of a visual barricade for the dogs, who have poked holes in the screens when they stand with their front feet on the window sills to bark, and scream -- yes, Toller's actually scream -- at the deer. The deer could care less, of course, but they think they are doing something to protect me, I'm sure.

But in doing so, their toenails made some pretty serious gashes in the screens and the bugs have taken advantage of these holes and are flying around my house.

So, task No. 1 complete -- thank you, Becca.

I was relegated to holding onto Driver so he didn't lick Becca in the face the whole time.

We moved onto task No. 2. Moving my plant stand and my kitchen table, so I could actually clean the accumulated dirt, dog hair and dead bugs from underneath. And, yeah, clean the floor for the first time in, oh, more than a year.

So get this -- not only did she help me move stuff, she actually helped me clean the months and months, OK, probably years, of dirt off the metal stand.

What I've found is the problem with planning to clean one thing turns into more than one thing because once you get in there to do one job, five others present themselves. So, when I sprayed the plant stand, the stuff hit the window behind it which meant, yup, I then had to clean the windows.

Ya see, that's the problem with dirt. If you don't find it, it finds you.

Sept. 8 - Lisa's Musings (on reading, writing, but not arithmetic) and Every Day Life

OK, I admit it, I had to look up the spelling of arithmetic (twice) to make sure I'd spelled it correctly.

That's bad. But it pretty much goes hand-in-hand with my lack of math skills. We all have our strengths and I play to mine -- as much as possible.

The writing part is a no-brainer ... I'm constantly writing story after story after story after, well, you get it.

So, about the reading part -- I've been on a cozy mystery reading tear, pretty much reading a new book a week. The problem is, finding time to write the reviews. So, it's on the list for this week since I'm now four books behind.

Readers will soon be reading reviews of "Delicious and Suspicious," "The Last Quiche Goodbye," "Roast Mortem" and "Murder Past Due."

Since I began reviewing books for the papers, I've got a publicist on "e-mail speed dial" and all it takes is a request and voila, the books magically appear in my mailbox.

So far, I've managed to pick ones I've really enjoyed, so while videos are uploading, or photos downloading, or I'm while waiting for a meeting to begin, or if a meeting's really, really boring (but I have to stay for something later in the agenda) -- I'm not without a book in hand.

My editor is always asking me how I find time to read -- I'm an opportunist, what can I say?

And, thanks to my dear not-such-a-puppy-anymore Driver, I'm up at 6:30 a.m. many mornings, so the first two cups of coffee are drunk with a paperback mystery in hand.

When I hit the bed at night, that book is in hand and most nights, when my eyes begin closing, I'm still awake even to put the bookmark in it, turn off the lights then go right to sleep.

So, you might say I spend at least a part of every day reading and writing, while trying to avoid math.

Sept. 6 - Lisa's Musings (on Labor Day) and Every Day Life

Rain, cool temps, and a day off -- I so seldom take one, I'm enjoying a day of relaxation from my "labors."

But, tomorrow I'll pay -- it's the first day of school, a Road Commission meeting and an Ann Arbor City Council meeting at night.

I think I've earned a paid day of rest.

Sept. 4 - Lisa's Musings (on Michigan football) and Every Day Life

Well, the State of Michigan football began on a positive note today with both U of M and MSU winning their opening day games.

Woohoo ... I can't wait to see the headlines in the Sunday papers.

And I'm happiest for Denard Robinson who set a Michigan QB record and was a one-man offensive machine today. Kinda like Mike Hart, only at QB.

And I watched both games with my dogs at home. Yes, you heard me right. I was home alone for the action.

It's not like I didn't have many invitations to go to The Big House. I did. Many of them in fact. I just didn't feel like it.

And this is probably the first time in 10-plus years I haven't been in the stadium for the first game of the season.

But for some reason, this year, I didn't want to go. And I can't pinpoint the reason.

Perhaps because I thought they'd get killed by UConn? Maybe.

Because it's the anniversary of my dad's memorial service? Perhaps.

Maybe a combination of both. Could be.

In fact, my little brother was in town from New Jersey for the game and I didn't even meet up with him. And, the thing is, it's not like I wasn't in AA today. I was. This morning. To pick up my CSA. But I couldn't get out of town fast enough.

I watched The Game. I watched the MSU game.

But I wasn't on the edge of my seat, and I didn't yell at the TV. My friends will tell you ... I ALWAYS yell at the TV.

I put today's win in my little brother's hands. And my dad's too, I guess. Because I know he was there in spirit.

A true Michigan man. Through and through.

I wonder what he thinks about the new stadium?

Sept. 3 - Lisa's Musings (on new bridges) and Every Day Life

For the fourth time since I moved back to Michigan, I was given a close-up view of a new bridge.

First, I covered the refurbished Foster Road Bridge in Ann Arbor Township, then the rehabbed East Delhi Bridge in Scio Township.

In between was a completely new Main Street Bridge in Dexter – and for that one I was raised up above it in a Dexter Area Fire Authority ladder truck. Now that was both cool and scary – since I’m not big on heights.

Today, I was on site for the official reopening of the Dexter-Pinckney Road Bridge and I have to say this one was the best yet.

One of the neighbors, Willie Patterson, invited me onto her property so I could take photos and examine the structure from a really up-close and personal vantage point. Plus, she’d taken all kinds of photos, so I got to see it from start to finish.

But the best part was standing on her lawn and watching boats cruise under the bridge while cars drove over it. The weather was perfect. There were white caps on the lake and as far as bridges go, I have to say, it was rather pretty.

I’ve included a few photos so you can live my day vicariously.

Oh, and something blowing in the wind upset my Internet connection -- thus the reason for the late blog today.

Go Blue!

Sept. 1 - Lisa's Musings (on September and) From Every Day Life

Have you heard the saying, “Fair weather the first of September, fair for the month?”

Me, either, but apparently, it’s a traditional saying, and I kinda like it.

In fact, I’m all about getting on with fall. Quite frankly, I’ve had enough of this hot, hot summer. I’d had enough in July, but perhaps that’s because it’s been a record-breaking hot summer this year.

But today’s the first day of September and other than being a wee bit hot, (OK, really hot), this afternoon a nice breeze blew in and it was rather pleasant outside.

And, I don’t know what it’s doing out your way, but here, there are leaves flying.

Yet another precursor to my favorite time of year. Yes, fall. When the morning air is crisp – like the apples it brings – yet it warms up in the afternoon, then cools down for the evening.

Did I mention sleeping with open windows?

Ah, it puts me in a happy place just thinking about it.

Now, if I could make one wee request, (and I don’t want to bring a hurricane here), but my grass could really use a little rain. It’s looking rather, uh, straw-like, and since I like to walk around in bare feet, I haven’t been doing that much lately. This probably isn’t a bad thing because this is the time of year when the yellow jackets like to build nests in the ground.

And I’m allergic to bees.

Which brings me to another fun thing about this month – it’s National Honey Month.

So that means it’s time to re-read Winnie-The-Pooh.

Bzzz-bzzz-bzzz to you.

Aug. 31 - Lisa's Musings (on making the world a better place) and Every Day Life

Have you ever felt that there are too many people in your life, asking too many questions, requesting too many things, and not enough of you to go around?

Isn't there a song with similar lyrics?

Anyway, I try to be as helpful as possible, really I do. But there just aren't enough hours in the day, let alone the work day, to get back to all the people who want something from me.

So, I put as much of a dent in the email as possible this morning and left here for a story feeling pretty discouraged.

Then I walked into a very inspiring place called the Peace Neighborhood Center in Ann Arbor where neighbors help neighbors when they can't help themselves. And, I met eight very enthusiastic U-M School of Social Work grad students poised to learn how to make the world a better place for everyone.

I'd heard of the center, but never been inside, and after speaking with its director, I left feeling as though there is a place for people to turn if they are having a problem and don't know how to solve it.

So I hope lots of people go to the Peace Neighborhood Center's 10th Annual Thanks For Giving Benefit Dinner" on Nov. 18 and help the center raise funds for all the wonderful programs it offers to people from kindergarten to senior citizens.

If you'd like to learn more, go to http://www.peaceneighborhoodcenter.org/

Don't take my word for it, check it out for yourself.

Aug. 30 - Lisa's Musings (on National Holistic Pet Day) and Every Day Life

Bet you didn’t know that today is National Holistic Pet Day.

Now you do.

And according to a press release about this “day,” dog owners are bringing their canines to yoga class while cat owners are having acupuncture performed on their felines. What, no pet psychics?

Also according to this press release, more and more people are feeding their pets a natural diet “rich with functional ingredients.” Whatever that is.

And, Dr. Al Townsend, DVM says, “The easiest way to do this is to feed your pet meaningfully with a food that goes beyond natural, and includes ingredients that activate a higher level of health for the animal.”

I’m not sure what this means, either, but I bet there’s something holistically wonderful about it, and my dogs are being deprived of something important, but, they seem happy enough.

Besides, I do feed a “raw” diet and they eat better than I do, so if that’s “meaningful,” then I’m doing something right.

This release suggests massage, acupressure and meditation to achieve peace, serenity and mindfulness not just for this “special” day but for a lifetime of good pet health for your pets.

Am I making you feel like a bad pet owner yet?

The good vet has some pretty impressive credentials, though. He’s a grad of the U-GA School of Veterinary Medicine and has received the “coveted” Golden Stethoscope Award for his contributions above and beyond the call of duty in bringing veterinary care to the dogs of the Iditarod.

Ah – I hadn’t read down far enough, Dr. Al is stumping for Holistic Select Pet Food, a brand I’ve never heard of. But, apparently this food includes “Nature’s Power Ingredients,” – a combination of enzymes, direct fed microbials, botanicals and phytonutrients that “provide superior nutritional benefits to enhance the whole body health of pets.”

Maybe it’s just me, but there seems to be a lot of mumbo-jumbo going on here.

However, I did “share a bonding experience or exercise together” when the pups played ball in the basement where it was cool. With the way these pups chase toys, they’d have overheated in 5 minutes outside today.

So, see what you can do about achieving that balance in your pet’s life by feeding them meaningfully, and if you figure out what that means, let me know.

Or maybe not.

I don’t want to give my dogs any ideas about demanding their own yoga instructor.

Aug. 25 - Lisa's Musings (on hangin' w/the band) and Every Day Life

I got up early this morning to see the Michigan Marching Band practice at Elbel Field.

Little did I know I'd have the opportunity to spend two hours with Scott Boerma, director of the marching and athletic bands.

I spoke to the director of the greatest band in the land for TWO HOURS. This was big.

I've said it before but some days as a reporter are really, really amazing. And this was one of them. I'm almost afraid to write the story because I want it to be so good because what I learned was so interesting.

And I can tell you that Boerma was also one of the nicest people I've met in ages, graciously answering all of my questions, and giving me a whole new perspective on what it takes to orchestrate those amazing pregame, halftime and post-game shows.

I had NO idea.

I watched the newbies -- the freshman -- about 180 of them, learn the fundamentals of both traditional step and high step. And I can promise you, these kids will be tired and sore tonight.

Every little detail must be performed with military precision from the way an instrument is held to each step taken.

My legs hurt just watching them learn the prefect foot placement and leg angles for that high step, which delights fans at home games.

I have a totally new perspective and respect for just how hard the band members work for that chance to march on the field in The Big House. And what good shape they must be in to make it through all those routines.

Sure, I had an idea, but OMG, they work as hard as the football team.

I don't want to give away too much or use all of my really cool photos because I want to save the good stuff for my story in next week's paper but suffice it to say today was one terrific Go Blue - Go Band Day.

I can't wait to tell you the story.

Aug. 21 -- Lisa's Musings (on Saturdays) and Every Day Life

As I typed in the date for this blog, it occurred to me that I'm 52 1/2 years old today. Yup, in six months, I'll be 53.

I sound like a little kid who says I'm 4 1/2 or I'm 6 1/2 -- that 1/2 is VERY important to them, so when they make a big deal out of it, I include it in my story or cutline under their photo.

I'm not sure how important the half year is to me, but, it's Saturday, and my brain is pretty much running on mush today (as I take a day off) so it sounded like something worth noting.

In other pretty unimportant "news", I did, indeed, celebrate Cupcake Day belatedly by purchasing a dozen little tasty morsels from The Cupcake Station. Now I need to figure out how good they'll taste if I freeze a few of them.

With the new freezer, I'm really getting into this freezing/preserving thing.

I'm up to six bags of corn, four bags of raspberries and some peaches, so I'm ready for winter. Like the squirrels who hide the tastiest nuts in the fall.

I beat the birds this time around and "harvested" the first two ripe ever bearing strawberries from my hanging basket plant. And after tasting them, I'm not so sure that I outsmarted the birds. I think they were so disgusted with the first ones they got, they crossed the fruit off their feeding list.

The local berry farmers have nothing to worry about. I'll continue to turn to them for my strawberries. The consistency was all wrong and they tested mealy.

So, the next "crop" that are almost ready for picking -- they're resting on leaves and not the soil. I'm hoping that makes a difference but I'm not too optimistic.

We'll see.

Well, it's almost 10 p.m. and I have a busy day tomorrow. I'm covering U-M Fan Day at The Big House.

So Go Blue.