Water Monster Retrospect

I'll just leave this video of Merlin vs. The Water Monster here while the Periphery takes a short break.

For the record, it's Green Hose 7, Merlin 0. But there is always tomorrow.

What Doesn't Kill You - Makes for a Great Revenge Story

Bring it on.

You may have noticed a slowdown in Life on the Periphery posts. Partly because it's summer, 
and partly because I've been writing. Not poetry this time, but a new fantasy novel. Newer than my 
other new one. I got an idea and it just grew and grew until I had to start writing it down. I've been 
working on it for a couple weeks, writing in great bursts. Much of the writing is getting to know my main
characters. I had a clear idea of my protagonist, so I started shoving her into little scenarios to see how
she'd react.

Of course the novel started out linear, here's the inciting incident, here's what happened right after, etc.
Then it all turned left, another character demanded his time on stage. We'll call him Character A 
for Annoying. He bulled his way into my book. So protagonist and I set out to test him, to see if he was 
worthy. I chased him down alleyways with a rifle, then a wolf, exploded magic at him from all sides, 
had the bad guys thunk on him, let the protagonist take some cheap shots. Character A has passed 
the test so far, although he's looking a bit rough around the edges.

Character B was a whole 'nother kettle of anchovies. She is aggravating in that 'don't tell the 
protagonist anything important' sort of way. She revels in letting the protagonist flail about and figure 
it out herself. Which is good, in a way. No one likes easy answers. Yeah, I'm lying, everyone likes easy
answers. But character torture is in the job description.

The bad guys kind of fell into place after I figured out what my protagonist was doing running around 
the wilderness away from her hometown. What's a girl to do when bad guys come to drag her back 
to the city? Why level up, of course. Secure some weapons, invoke some magic, and conjure some 
great scary creature to stand by her side. Let Character A join the fun, as long as he doesn't cramp 
her style. Time to save the world. Or at least, her little part of it. 

Gratuitous Corgi Pic for Anon

Old Dog, New Tricks

Merlin with his faithful outdoor companion. The Ball.

It’s been six weeks since we lost Max, Corgi Extraordinaire. We are slowly adjusting to his lack of presence. Our other Corgi, Merlin, is slowly adjusting to being the only dog. It took him a while to learn he could come up on the bed, sleep on the bed, use the dog stairs to clamber up on once forbidden territory. The bedroom used to be Max’s domain, a place for an old dog to relax and escape from his snarky younger brother. Max would nap, watch a little TV, (he liked the cooking channel and Bloomberg news) and contemplate dog things. Merlin contemplates dog things from his comfy bed in his crate, and now listens to music during the day. He likes light jazz, the 80's station, fetch, and long walks in the park on a sunny day.

Merlin still wanders sometimes, searching for Max, we think. There is less wandering than the first two weeks, but still, it’s hard to remove someone who was there your whole life and not miss them. To combat boredom, we bought Merlin a dog puzzle. One of those that has hidden compartments you place treats in and hide under fake plastic bones fitted into the slots. He figured it out quickly, but that doesn’t seem to take the enjoyment out of doing it. More puzzles are in the offing.

We also bought him a puzzle cube, where you put treats in and the dog rolls it around the floor while treats fall out at random. He didn’t seem to like it that much, even with enticing liver treats in it. We gave it to him one day, by the next day, it disappeared. Where did he roll it to? We’ve checked every nook and cranny upstairs, including behind the couch. Nothing. It’s bright yellow, how can we miss it? Unless he figured out a way to get it through his dog door and hide it in the snow, we’re stumped.

Then there are the chewy busy bone-like things we got him. Everyone said their dog loved them, chewed them right up. Merlin has carried his around for weeks, burying it in a dog bed one minute, the couch cushions the next. But not chewing it. He never was much of a chewer but surely something beef tasting could be a little bit tempting?

So we are on to teaching an old(er) dog new tricks. Merlin is not impressed with learning to shake. I guess he figures Corgis are short enough without giving up a paw. We’re reinforcing sit, down, stay, and don’t rip the treat out of my hand. He is a bit of a Land Shark. Twice a day there is a rousing game of fetch. Rousing for us, since we have to go get the ball when he decides he’s done and it’s our turn. We are also trying car rides that don’t end at the vet, or groomer. A wandering ride that sometimes ends up at McDonalds for a doggie cheeseburger.

It’s been a tough adjustment for all of us. Merlin is settling in as only dog and all the spoiling that entails. Every time we go out somewhere and come back in the house later, Merlin is at the top of the stairs to greet us, perhaps waiting a few beats longer in anticipation of his big brother returning.

Dog Days

In celebration of National Dog Days, here are pictures of the dogs in my life. I'm sure Anon was missing his daily dose of Corgi pictures . . . .

The faces that launched a thousand photos.

The faces, all grown up but still very photogenic.

I'm ready for my close-up!  And to explore all that open space behind me.

Ready, willing and able to supervise all your activities, food related or not.

Flashback Granddog - when we could still pick him up.

100 pound granddog that still thinks he's a puppy.

Granddog 2, complete with bat ears and eye spots.

Granddog 2, wondering when supper is served. Look at that sweet face - so hard not to give in.

Dogs of days past - My Basenji. I have a thing for radar eared dogs, okay?

And finally, here's to Anubis, the cat that thought he was just one of the dogs.

Fragment Friday - The Flashback Edition

Since it's that time of year, when watery hose monsters emerge from their winter sleep, I thought I would repost a video of Merlin chasing his nemesis, the Water from the Green Hose. No Corgis, hoses or gardens were harmed in the making of this video.  

In other news, the Editors of Gyroscope review were interviewed by Six Questions For... blog. Want to know what we look for in a poetry submission, or what gets our goat? It's all there, in glorious black and white. Head on over and check it out. 

Did you know today was "Homemade Pie and International Beer Day?"  Didn't think so, you've got some catching up to do!  Apple pie for me, and a Sapporo.  How about you?

And if you're too late on the pie and beer, tomorrow is "Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Night". You know you want to. How else are you going to get rid of 27 pounds of green squash? I love zucchini bread, but I'm only willing to eat so much of it. Share the love. Your neighbors will thank you for it. Or chuck tomatoes at your head. 

Flashback Merlin with Bonus Basketball.

Merlin vs. the Last Water Monster

Merlin vs. the Last Water Monster of the Season.

Alas, it's time to tuck away the Water Monster for the winter. We bid his Green Hoseyness a fond farewell. Merlin will have to find some other antics to amuse his fans with.