I called 911 twice yesterday here in North Liberty. First on a black gang fight over drugs (nobody ended up hurt but it was with 5 Chicago style gangsters who were hangin here illegally) and second for three white teenagers who had two white adults in hot pursuit because the kids had just broken into a very expensive recreational vehilcle. I ran and talked to the cops and pursued the kids too until I saw two cop cars with lights on stop and the cops pulled GUNS on the kids and got them down to the ground. The teenaged chick had a GUN in her purse and here I was chasing her. Don't know yet if it was real but wow! what a day in the life in simple old cowtown in Iowa, huh? Oh, yeah, and the chick had also stolen Em's phone while they were talking to me as they casually passed by my yard!

Tags: bj matson, emily matson
Current Location: Home
Current Mood: contemplative
Current Music: sound of my birds

 This is who we are from my mother's side. Alice Shaw married James Faulkner I believe in 1920 in Baltimore. James Frederick Faulkner became an engineer on the B&O Railroad. I was supposed to be named Alice because I look so much like my grandmother -at least that is what my mother tells me. Here is our info. We come from a very ancient Gaelic Scots lineage with history attached to great clans, a castle, etc.
Shaw Clan History Scottish Clans Tartans Kilts Crests and Gifts

Current Location: what's left of my living area
Current Mood: productive
Current Music: the sound of silence...my favorite. And I do mean the real thing.

     We took in Scooby, Uncle Glen Epstein's 12 yr old shepherd/chow mix after Glen died recently of pancreatic cancer. Scooby was immediately the alpha male, backing even Turk down.
     I had not ever seen Turk be so submissive and eventually, even relaxed! It was a great fit for our pack. There was one issue. Scooby would start tangles for what seemed to be no reason. As long as this was with Turk, or sometimes the other dogs, I didn't mind. Then he attacked Em's cat, Pasha. He didn't just snatch or warn, he full out went on the cat, cornered him and would not stop until I pulled him off. I was so sorry that it meant things were not going to work out, as I was Scooby's last home possible due to him doing biting behaviors with two other families.
     We handed Scooby back to Sara, Glen's daughter, with his baby blanket, food bowl, and favorite kong toy. It was a sad time. All the animals hung their heads and just laid on the couch all night. Same thing the next morning. Animals sense things. They knew. It is still affecting them. There is way too much silence in this house except the birds.  Scooby, we loved you dearly for those few months. Rest in peace. Papa greeted you on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge along with your other housemates from all those nice, long years. I am sad that this is the first time I feel like I have failed with a rescue.

Tags: scooby
Current Location: Home
Current Mood: melancholy
Current Music: my birds

     Speaking of the New Year, I am a fire rooster! It's too have been expected, all things considered. It's only minus 25 or so this morning - the record this winter has been in the minus 50's. The actual mercury got down to a record -29.  It has been colder than Fairbanks, AK where I used to live.
     I don't get cabin fever. Many people here are not used to this, so I hear that they do.  I just love it. Must be because I lived in AK during my first memories. I also lived in Seattle for seven years and I loved it. We even went camping, hiking and fishing in the rain!
     Well, got to get on with my day. I got all 13 critters dealt with. Old shepherd, Scooby, did a pee on purpose right in front of the couch while I was sitting right here. I am pretty sure he's feeling left out. The others got tired of him taking over the prized spot on the couch and so they took over last night. Kind of a mutiny. He is feeling left out, I think. Well, saturation with pure vinegar and letting it soak in for hours works really well, so no problem. Ok, I am off for now.

Current Location: cockpit
Current Mood: chipper
Current Music: NPR news

     I just wish I could actually write, you know? I get great satisfaction out of actually writing in my own hand. There is something serene about it.  
     The storms have been great the last few days. Ely and I watched lightning strike up at the gas station less than half a mile away. It blew out the cable but only here on our street, which is very strange.  I think we got hit right here because when we pulled in the driveway there was an explosion that made me totally scream like a girl - and I NEVER scream like a girl!  We raced into the house and saw that the dogs had also freaked out. They came out of my bedroom where they had retreated under the bed.  I don't blame them at all.
     It is rumbling right now all the way across the sky, slowly rolling from west to east. It always reminds me of Rip Van Winkle. I keep thinking about the great game being played in the sky. I love storms. That's the one thing I love about the Midwest.  It is like being near the ocean, only the ocean is above us. Nice thought.
     Many of the cities in Iowa are flooded. People have drowned here from the rivers overflowing.  Ft. Dodge is one of the worst areas.  It is also bad tonight on the Iowa River right here in Iowa City. Em said it is about to overflow. There are flood warnings out till tomorrow night.  Memories of 93 when we were dumb enough to drive the van through Old Woman's Creek to Iowa City when we lived down off Orville Yoder Turnpike near Windham.
     I have a new job waitressing at the local top of the line restaurant. I am happy to be trying out dealing with humans again after a hiatus of a few years, except for cleaning houses for people when they are not home.  It should be interesting if nothing else. I think the dog rescue will survive for a short shift while I go out to the "salt mines" to support all us animals.
     Wow, it is golden yellow outside!!! Everything is gold and the clouds above are blue black! What a picture! Well, enjoy the night! Pax, Beej

Current Mood: contemplative

     "To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance" - Oscar the Wilde