Our New "Home"

I have been quiet on here lately.

Tommie and I finally moved into our new apartment. The move has been consuming my mind ever since we found out about the place a few months ago, and to be honest, it is still consuming my mind because our place currently looks like this:

But as I unpack, swiffer the hell out of things, and find a home for all my wayward Craigslist furniture, I can tell it is going to be a lovely little place to live. It took us just over a year, but we're finally back on our own. We have a small yard, an ocean breeze, and delicious take-out thai food three minutes away.

I will post photos of the clean apartment soon!

The Results Are In

As you may recall, a couple weeks ago we met a man and woman who had a dog that looked eerily similar to Maya. The couple told us they had just sent away a DNA kit to find out what kind of dog theirs might be, and that they would e-mail us the results. Well, the results are in...

There were only three identifiable breeds associated with their dog, and the breeds are ranked according to how strongly they show up in the dogs DNA. Showing up with the highest percentage (12.5%...which is still considered a "weak match") was Boxer. The other two were LESS than 12.5% and they are Italian Grey Hound, and...ready for this...Poodle! People have called Maya a lot of things before, things I've never heard of and may even be considered insults to dogs across America, but NEVER a poodle.

(Maya with a couple of Italian Greyhounds)

The report went on to say that there was a high likelihood (greater than 90%) that the last four generations of this other dog's lineage were mixed from at least three breeds themselves, which is why there are not more significantly discernible breeds in its genetic make up. What I love is that none of the discernible breeds account for the most obvious physical traits (like out-turned front paws, short legs, extra long bodies, or light hazel eyes).

We still want to get Maya's make-up tested one day to see if they can uncover anymore of the mystery. But knowing the way this has gone, she would be something we'd never guess, like 50% husky. All we know now is that Maya sure is special; her smarts could come from her great-great-grandpoodle; and she probably comes from a long line of hoochies. No surprise there.

Twin Lobsters and Twin Dogs

When I asked Tommie what he wanted to do today, he said, "I was thinking lobster." I may say no to a lot of things but I never say no to lobster. We headed down to Roy Moore's in Rockport so we could take Maya and sit outside on the crates overlooking the harbor. Maya looks like a seal about to get fish dropped down her gullet.It's a good thing we had Miss Maya with us because we ran into her twin along the way. We don't come across a lot of dogs that look like Maya (especially around here), and this was the first dog the other couple had seen that looked remotely like theirs. She was the same size, age, had the same out-turned paws, perky soft ears, slightly long snout, even the same light green eyes, and a matching doggie dimple. Like Maya, they said theirs is smart, and therefore very stubborn.Maya's twin doesn't have the same long tail, but the owner's mentioned she had lost some of her tail when they found her in rough shape on the side of the road in Mexico (so sad!). Both she and Maya have had quite the journey from the U.S. southern border to northern Massachusetts. The owners told us they just sent away blood work to see what kind of dog they have so we exchanged e-mails and hope they will let us know what they find. Maybe there is some new kind of funny looking Mexican dog breed emerging.

Bloom

April hath put a spirit of youth in everything. ~William Shakespeare

New Beginnings

I started my new job this week. I'm adjusting back to a 9-5 schedule and doing actual work (I guess some people don't consider searching Craigslist work).

It's going well. I have a lot to learn but everyone has been welcoming and helpful. I share an office on the third floor of an old estate with another Libra. At lunch I sometimes wander the garden which is bursting right now with cherry and magnolia trees. There are bullfrogs, birds and ladybugs. Spring is a hopeful season. We're reminded that things don't stay gloomy forever. Everything is starting fresh at Long Hill, including me. A new job and soon a new apartment; it's a much needed fresh start.

(I'll post some springtime pics of the garden soon.)

Gloucester Poetry

Gloucester poets are being recognized in an anthology put together by the city's poet laureate, John Ronan. I'm especially looking forward to it because one of my poems, which was a finalist in Gloucester's Quarterdeck Poetry Contest, will be featured.

The collection of poems titled, Salt and Light: An Anthology of Gloucester Poetry will be available for free (thanks to sponsors) at the Sawyer Free Library, Rose Baker Senior Center, and Mayor Kirk's office. If you live on the North Shore, be sure to pick up a copy and celebrate National Poetry Month by reading some local poetry.You can read more about it here:
My View: Time for poets to shine - GloucesterTimes.com, Gloucester, MA