Tribute to Glenna Bunny

Today we learned that a very special bunny went to the Bridge.

Glenna was found wandering outside a little over a year ago, her frostbitten ears full of necrotic tissue, her fur stained, and suffering from warbles - abscesses caused by maggots. Her ears sloughed off the first time she was bathed, but she was a little trooper. Taken in by Bright Eyes Sanctuary, she spent a year as their special honored guest and the poster bunny for why you don't abandon rabbits outdoors.

Unfortunately, Glenna had tooth troubles and jaw abscesses. Funds were raised multiple times for her care, and the love and support were always forthcoming. After each surgery, she bounced back fast, never losing her appetite for her special "porridge" and never losing her sweet nature.

Now, sadly, brave little Glenna-bun has gone to the bridge, after yet another abscess that put pressure on her eye. The way she went was so much like how I lost my Tidbit it was heartbreaking to read.

Binky free from pain, sweet girl. You've been an inspiration.

Farewell, Friend Hans

Cadbury and I are sad to announce that our friend Hans has gone to the Bridge.
































He was a brave boy through his many dental problems, a good brother to bunny-buddy Bailey, a star in our Bunnies Rock! lineup last spring, and just plain adorable.

Some bunnies are too cute for this mean, ugly world. Binkie free, Hans.

Sunday Wrap-up and Recipe Share

This has been a particularly productive weekend for me.

My Saturday run was very nice—we’ve had some cooler (by our standards) weather lately and for the first time since May, I ended a long run without being thoroughly soaked. Although it’s true that I learned to run in a Houston summer and can gauge my effort by how much sweat I wring out of my clothes, that doesn’t mean I don’t greet cooler weather with joy. But September is still summer for all intents and purposes, so the weather should be up to its old tricks by next weekend if Hurricane Ike doesn’t come here.

I have some new art project ideas so I went to Michael’s today to stock up on craft supplies. Although I wasn’t surprised by how high my total came to, it is interesting how quickly all those $3 and $4 items add up. It doesn’t help that I’m more likely to buy too much than too little, for fear I’ll get halfway into something and realize I don’t have what I need to continue. I’d rather spend $20 I didn’t need to than spend an hour or more of my time going back for that one thing I didn’t get. Sadly, there is every likelihood I’ll have to go back anyway since I'm new at this particular type of project and don't know what to anticipate, but that’s just how things go.

I’ll have more to say about my art project as time goes on. There might be a giveaway involved, if all goes well. For now, I'm still experimenting.

I tried a new recipe today and it’s a good one. Check out these Black-Eyed Pea Cakes. When I made them as directed I found them too wet to work into patties so I added extra breadcrumbs and some of Bag Lady’s dehydrated spinach. My next misadventure was trying to fry them, per the instructions. In spite of generous amounts of olive oil, they stuck to the pan, so I ended up baking these about 15 minutes at 450 degrees. Putting them on the broiler would’ve worked, too. I skipped the adobo sauce and instead I topped them with chipotle cheddar. The result was so delicious that Dan insisted on trying one, then ate the whole thing even though he had just finished a big lunch. He ate another one tonight and is pestering me for more. It looks like I’ll have no choice but to make more if I want to enjoy any myself!

I also made oatmeal cookies, Persian spiced rice and curry zucchini and broccoli. I have some leftovers from other meals in the fridge, so this ought to get me through the week and if not, it only takes five minutes to make a batch of couscous.

I have two new short stories up this weekend. Ordinary Miracles is part of the Will and Diana series, and The Beauty Queen is a Steal Tomorrow Extra. Check them out if you’ve got time.

And in bunny news, Cadbury did his first out-of-cage flop tonight under my chair by my feet. I wasn’t able to get a picture of it, so this picture of him under the computer chair will have to do.














I know he looks sweet but he's now in the corner trying to relocate the litterbox and chew fringe onto the sides. I have serious misgivings about his decorating ideas but there's no stopping him once he has a notion.

Have a good week, everyone!

Saturday Notes

No, we're not throwing the bunny away! It just seems there's nothing he's not curious about. He got in my lap last night while I was on the computer, stuck his face in the sleeve of my bathrobe and just sat there like that for fifteen minutes while I rubbed his ears. Little weirdo. I guess he's never heard about oxygen. Note to self: add science lessons to the reading lessons.

In other news, the hurricane tracking models have settled down and it looks good for us, bad for New Orleans. Although actual site of landfall is still uncertain, you might as well have the checkbook handy. Or just send your Red Cross donation now and beat the rush.

This morning’s run wasn’t what it could’ve been. My hamstrings were tight and I wasn’t disappointed when preparations for a music festival along the Buffalo Bayou trails required me to turn back and cut my run short by about a mile. Since we’ve got a long weekend, I might see if I can get an appointment with my massage therapist. It’s been a long time and I could stand for her to beat up on me a bit.

There was no post-run ice cream and music today. Damn those people for setting my expectations! I had to go home and eat yogurt instead. Better for me, but not as much fun.

Recent Workouts

Tuesday: 6 mile run
Wednesday: 45 minute spin
Thursday: 30 minute elliptical
Friday: scheduled rest day
Saturday: 19 mile run

Busy Sunday

Sometimes I wonder who is the crazy person in this household. My weekends are taken up with working out, cooking, cleaning, running errands and catching up on economic news, while my husband’s weekend seems to mostly be about searching for the perfect ringtone for his Blackberry.

Yeah, I don’t get it, either.

At any rate, I wrote and posted a new Steal Tomorrow flash fiction piece this morning, then went to run a few errands and mentally curse the people of this world who do not understand that blocking grocery aisles with your cart is bad and adding your cart to someone else’s aisle-blocking cart does not improve matters.

I came home and cooked for the week. Nothing new here, but I made:

• Quinoa-Spinach Bake
  
• Rice Balls
  
• Curried Zucchini and Yellow Squash
  
• Baked Yellow Squash with Chipolte Cheddar
  
• Brown Rice
  
• Oatmeal Cookies
  

At the end of all that, I only had time for a 90-minute spin in the studio, but I hit it hard and got a good workout.

Now I’m going to iron some clothes for work, do my nails, feed the bunny and settle in with some quiet time for writing, editing, etc.

Cadbury seems to be settling down a bit. He still has intense periods of exploration and friskiness, but he also spends more time just hanging out in loaf position. I guess he’s getting used to this place. He still has a lot to learn, though, including that scratching at a door will not make it open. For that, you need opposable thumbs. I tried to explain, but he remains undeterred. Dan says I shouldn’t trust a bunny in a mask, and maybe he’s right.

Miscellaneous Thursday

Gratuitous Cadbury pic:















It's been raining this week and as luck would have it, the university rec center is closed as they prep for the start of the new semester next week. I've been making do with spin workouts in my studio, but it's getting old.

I've been busy at work all week getting merit increases verified and loaded. There are a lot of reports and queries to run, a lot of triangulation, and I feel slow because it's all new to me. I've always been on the department side ("What do you mean you cancelled his merit increase because he's ineligible?") so it's a whole different ballgame being on the inside with thousands of these things to match and make right.

Monday was the most critical day and my boss ordered in lunch for all of us. Why is it that although so many restaurants and caterers now have delicious vegetarian offerings, there are still places that can't think of anything more creative than salad on a pita? Vegetarian IS a popular option for a lot of people and if you offer it, people will order it.

Eight years ago when I was new in my first department business manager role, I insisted we start having vegetarian food at all our office parties. The Old Guard looked at me askance and said no one but me would eat it. Boy, did I prove them wrong! I brought the veggie stuff myself and it was what we always ran out of first. Then we got a Jain AVP and the rest was history. I never had to fight again for vegetarian.

Yet in some places the struggle continues. I mean, I like salad, I like bread, but...oh, never mind.

Time to pull some clothes for tomorrow, feed the critters and settle in with some writing. We're at the beginning of Chapter Two on Steal Tomorrow, so if you haven't been following along, it's still easy to catch up! I'm doing a little advertising of my web serial through Project Wonderful and we'll see how that goes. It's cheap and if it makes my hit count go up, it'll be worth the pennies!

Thanks, Bag Lady!

A package arrived today!














Cadbury was very curious, since he had heard a rumor that the box might contain spinach.

The box did indeed contain spinach, but in dehydrated form for cooking. It's from Bag Lady's garden and she also sent chiles, chutney, salsa, and some of her delicious homemade crackers. There was also a Canada pen in the box, but although I have immense respect for Bag Lady's talents, I'm pretty sure she doesn't make ball-point pens.

Thank you, BL! Such a nice surprise to find on my doorstep at the end of a busy day!

Mid-Week Recipe Share

Here's the latest recipe I tried: Oatmeal Breakfast Bread.

As usual, I didn't follow the recipe exactly, but it turned out just fine. For starters, I didn't have buttermilk, so I used my usual soy milk and put a bit of lemon juice into the batter. Next, although I did have some dried figs, I liked the apple taste of the batter so much that I threw in a bag of diced dried apples dried cranberries and walnuts instead. I used powdered stevia instead of sugar and skipped the oil and topping. I still ended up with a very moist, flavorful quickbread that's great for breakfast or a snack and even met with Dan's approval.

We're all a little disoriented today by having had a day off yesterday. It felt like Monday, most of us at the office felt like we were behind on all our projects (which we were, even though a lot of us did some work from home), and if it wasn't for our Outlook calendars, a few meetings might've been overlooked. Not that I would've minded. I'm not much on meetings, but at least in my new job I have yet to be forced to sit through 90 minute meetings that run on for closer to 2.5 or 3 hours. Most meetings in my new department are scheduled for about an hour and end early. That's about as close to meeting bliss as I'll probably ever get, so I'll just be grateful and not complain.

Cadbury sat in my lap for awhile tonight while I was reading the news online. He's pretty frisky now, running everywhere. But earlier today when Dan came home from work and let him out, he was feeling more relaxed and did this entertaining bunny flop:










Enjoy the rest of the week, everyone!

Rainy Day

Well, I was right that the storm would take a last-minute hook to the east and spare us the worst of it, but what we ended up with was a disappointing mix of the worst of both worlds. It has rained all day, so I couldn’t go for a run. It was the kind of horizontal rain that made walking to the gym out of the question (and I don’t have a parking tag to park at the gym). But it didn’t rain hard enough to actually be scary and interesting.

On the plus side, our new water heater got installed. If it had truly stormed around here, the installers couldn't have come and I’d still be listening to the racket of that leaky old thing, so I’m glad to have it fixed. Then again, if it hadn’t rained, I wouldn’t have had to mop the floor after the installers left. Mud and water all over my black and white tiles. Yuck.

I did a little work from home this afternoon and may do more tonight. I’m almost out of banana bread, so I’ll probably do some sort of quick bread tonight, too. I've been doing some recipe searches for something new to try. I'm a little burned out on carrot bread, and I don't want to make pumpkin bread because it doesn't require a full can of pumpkin and I don't currently have a use for the remainder. Look for a new recipe from me tonight or tomorrow!

And so no one thinks I've spent the whole day in serious pursuits, I got Cadbury set up on Bunspace so he can make some virtual bunny friends:



His story is on his profile, or what I know of it. Basically, he was a hutch bunny who ended up with a rescue group and was then adopted by a nice young lady who soon found that her new job and roommates didn't allow her to give Cadbury the kind of life he deserved. She advertised on Craigslist and things worked out.

Cadbury is starting to settle in. His initial behavior was probably just his reaction to being allowed to free-range. He still runs around, and he spent about half an hour this morning burrowing in a comforter Dan left on the floor, but he spends a lot of time lounging in the wicker tunnel now, too. Maybe soon we can trust him on his own when we're not in the same room, but it will be awhile before we decide if it'll ever be safe to leave him out when we're not here. Tid was pretty special in that she wasn't a cord-chewer. Most bunnies are, though, and we need to be certain he won't hurt himself before leaving him to his own lapine devices.

Gonna go have a granola bar now. I guess I'll need to make some more of those tonight, too!

Cadbury is Here!

Somebunny arrived at his new home today!










He's already making new friends.










He also tried to get the cat to groom him, so I have a feeling who's going to be in charge of this relationship. On this occasion, Pixel just gave him a dirty look and walked away. I have a feeling this little guy will wear him down, though.

For now, Cadbury is all over the place, scampering around the room chinning things and investigating. From time to time he eats a little hay, drinks some water, and takes a break.

























More later. I'm going to focus on getting some more pics and then he'll be going into his cage for an hour so Dan and I can go get our Indian buffet fix.

Coming Soon...

This is Cadbury. He'll be coming to live with us on Saturday!

We're very excited, but a little sad, too. It makes it so final that Tid is really gone and not coming back. Stupid, I know.










He's a really fun guy who loves to play.

Cadbury sounds like a love and I know we're going to be great friends. Check this space for more info on Saturday!

In Memoriam

July 15 2004 - July 5 2008

I’m sad to report that Tidbit went to the Bridge today.

After her illness in May, she had a good month with us here at home, always happy, following us around, playing with her toys and eating like a horse. Then on Tuesday she was of her feed again, so I took her to the vet on Wednesday. Dan took her again on Thursday, since she resisted our efforts to medicate her.

She was doing a little better Thursday, even playing with her toys, so we decided to not leave her at the vet and to try to medicate her at home on Friday. As (bad) luck would have it, she started showing new symptoms that required a trip to the emergency pet hospital. They saw nothing so wrong that she couldn’t go home, and I had already left a message for her regular vet to expect us on Saturday morning. She spent most of last night in her favorite spot by my computer chair, but it was clear things weren't right with her.

Dan took her in this morning and they still had her under observation for her cluster of seemingly unrelated symptoms when things started to go very wrong. It seems she suffered a stroke or other type of deep rupture inside her brain.

Luckily we were only a few blocks away when we got the call and as soon as I saw her, I knew what the only right decision must be. I could’ve spent thousands of dollars and put her through hell to put off my own pain for a few weeks or months, but that’s not what love is about. She died in my arms while I petted her and told her it was okay to quit fighting.

If you never read the story of how I got her, it’s here. She cheated death four years ago when the shelter workers forgot to euthanize her on schedule, but you can’t cheat death forever. I still can’t believe it was less than a week ago that she was doing little binky dances for us in the living room and stomping her foot when I wasn’t quick enough with her breakfast. Nature gives prey animals a pretty unpleasant part in the food chain, they are also blessed with a quick exit when things go too badly wrong.















For now, I have her corner under the watchful care of a friend, until I’m ready to welcome a new bunny into my home. I always seem to end up with the strays and sad cases, so I’ll know when it’s the right time and the right bunny.

As for all her pals on the 7-bunny-7, Tidbit regrets that she won’t be flying home with them. She’s found her happy hay place where no one is ever late with breakfast. She will be missed.

Happy Fourth!

Tidbit isn't up for a photo shoot this morning, so I offer this Classic Tid Pic for your enjoyment. I also have a holiday-themed flash fiction piece on my writing blog if you're looking for something to read before the potato salad is ready and the fireworks start going off.

Have a great day, friends, and whether you're American or not, take a moment to be grateful for the freedoms we so often take for granted.

Return to Normalcy

It’s great to be home and getting settled again. Even though this was my easiest vacation yet in terms of quickly being able to find the stuff I needed and always having my own pillow, it’s still fantastic to be home.

Tidbit is doing great. She still wasn’t 100% before we left, but she’s there now! When we brought her home Thursday, she went exploring just like she used to, she did some binkies for us and this morning she came bopping down the hall soon after I got up to run. She poked her head in the bedroom door like she used to, with that look on her face like, “Where’s my breakfast, biped?” Every time I get on the computer, she settles at my feet like a little dog. It’s so great to have her back!

The only thing I need now is for my work situation to stabilize. Although my new boss said I could move some things into my office on Friday if I wanted, I had a lot of errands to catch up on, so I didn’t take her up on it. And with the conference on Monday and Tuesday, it looks like I’ll be “homeless” until Wednesday. It’s a very strange feeling to have no office and no university keys. I realize it makes me rather dull, but I am very work-oriented and this sort of thing leaves me unsettled. But I already have a meeting to go to—on Friday. So I really do have a job. Just not an office, keys, a computer, or anything else that makes it feel real. But this will be remedied soon. I’m trying to remember to enjoy this little interlude of being employed but with no responsibilities, since it’s likely the last I can expect before retirement.

I went for a long run this morning, and let’s just say I wasn’t in Pagosa Springs any more! I didn’t miss the hills much, but I started out the door with temps and humidity in the high 80s and was dripping before I’d finished the first mile. I did eighteen miles—a little short of what I would’ve liked, but my body was craving the dry air of the west and my heat tolerance was a little off. I suppose it didn’t help that it was 90 when I got home, with a heat index of 97. Pretty brutal when the humidity keeps your sweat from cooling you. I’ll get my tolerance back quickly, though. The conditions around here are never fun, but one can learn to tolerate them.

But overall, it’s nice to be back, especially with my two furry friends so healthy and happy.

Be it ever so humid, there’s no place like home!

A Zoo of Their Own

This morning I took my camera on my run. I need more pictures for the not-yet-released blog associated with my new novel in progress. What better way to get moody urban pics than by running through urban areas on an overcast morning?

When I was almost home, running up my street, I came upon something really cool-- a mini petting zoo in someone's front yard!












The zoo was for a children's birthday party and was provided by Marsha's Zoo. They provided animals, an awning for them, and they gave pony rides up and down the street to the children. The workers were very friendly and told me that their operation is a family business providing animals all over the city. I was ready to hire them to set up in my back yard, but instead, I contented myself with petting a friendly fawn.














In other news of the day, Dan and I had lunch at our favorite Indian restaurant and since it was raining when we were done and we hadn't brought umbrellas, I suggested we cut through the Pier One store to get a little time out of the rain. Dan said we should at least pretend like we're looking at merchandise, so I obliged.

And dammit, I bought.















Getting wet would've been cheaper.















I miss my Tid.

Under the Weather?

The Tid is antisocial today. We leave a pet carrier in the room with the door off so she can go in and out and play in it without associating it with the V.E.T. She's spent all day in there, which is totally not like her.

She's also been ignoring her hay, but she used her litterbox and comes out for treats and greens, so maybe she's just spooked by something. I hope it's nothing more than that. Dan is going to try to take her to the vet in the morning if she's not more like herself.

Be well, Tidbit!

Monday Bunday

Enjoy this "Classic Tidbit" pic! She really knows how to relax!

Book Meme - Tidbit

Tidbit has always loved to read, either alone:










Or with a friend:











So it was no surprise when Lola tagged Tidbit for the ever-popular book meme, to which the rules are as follows:

1. Pick up the nearest book.
2. Open to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.

Unfortunately, the book she was reading, Bunnicula had less than 123 pages, so she was forced to select from the bookcase in her room. At bunny-eye level, the pickings were grim: mostly stuff about computers, strategic planning and the like. But then her gaze fell upon Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants, which sounded like a very fine book-- so good she took a nibble off the spine just to be sure.

All seemed well, so without further ado, she chewed to page 123, where she found the following about cherry leaves:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration opposed this alternative therapy, claiming it didn't work and that there was a risk of cyanide poisoning. They took it off the market and took legal action against any doctors using it.

Yikes! Tid will not be eating cherry leaves anytime soon and strongly recommends her bunny buddies exercise similar caution!

Since so many have done this meme already, Tidbit tags whoever hasn't played yet and says to stay far away from cherry leaves!

Aren't You Done Yet?

Every night you work on that stupid office stuff, biped. You should work for me. Bunnies don't need budgets. ~ The Tid

A Book for Tid

One of Tidbit's friends gave her a copy of Bunnicula today. This will be her first read in the horror genre. She's still trying to understand why the humans think this book is funny.