I finally finished a book.* This is no small task given all the other things that wave at me at day’s end, wanting my attention. I am currently reading some lofty tomes, none of them ‘going quickly’. Mr. Pepys’ diary goes oh-so-slowly. I am up to 1664 with many years to go.
We have a houseguest this Sunday – our first visitor in ages. This inspired us to give the place a proper cleaning. If I had known this would do the trick I would have invited someone/anyone over sooner.
I am pleased as Punch to report the refrigerator is running and putting out ice and filtered water. We are returning to proper levels of hydration, which is the panacea of all ills. ** There is nothing in the fridge but ice, as its contents was tossed when it went on the fritz. We are discussing now whether or not to go to Albertsons and buy some stables for the sake of filling it up or purchasing items for specific menus. Mundane grocery shopping and housecleaning always evokes in me the desire to get a houseboy or somebody like him. I vote we turn one of the guest bedrooms into a separate living area for said servant. Someone, always the Sancho Panza to my Don Quixote, find this absurd. The young lads for hire around here are all of Hispanic background. We would end up looking both wicked old screws AND first world exploiters. The neighbors would think we’ve gone GOP on them.
Last week Big Brothers or somebody like him came by to pick up our unwanted clothing. After ten-plus years living in AZ my sweater collection has dwindled down from a dozen to two. Goodness knows what the local charity is going to do with our heavy woolens but that’s their problem now.
It’s the tenth of the month. The cosmic calendar tells us it’s time for Harper’s heartworm pill. Oh the pain. Somehow she knows this; she quietly disappears even as we think about it. Getting the damn thing down her is a challenge. Wrapping the tiny pill in a folded cold cut or a treat etc. doesn’t work well. Clever dog! She has the knack to take it apart in her mouth and spit out the pill and dare ask for more. The effrontery of dogs! Anyway this is Someone’s job. I pick up the poop so he can deal with problems at the other end.
*Lore – Wicked Mortals. Jolly good fun!
**Right after Lying down and avoiding things.
38 comments
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August 10, 2018 at 8:09 AM
Old Lurker
It is common for unsalable clothing to be shipped overseas, flooding foreign markets with secondhand goods so that local clothing industries wither and die.
August 10, 2018 at 8:20 AM
Urspo
this sounds nasty. I hope I am not contributing to the ongoing existence of some sordid international shenanigan.
August 10, 2018 at 5:57 PM
Old Lurker
Nothing is simple in the world. If not for thrift shops I would have to be naked, so let’s be grateful that you donate sweaters to the world while acknowledging that there are downsides.
August 10, 2018 at 10:13 AM
truthspew
Ah a man-servant would be a good thing to have. An attachment one can screw on the bed so to speak. 🙂
August 10, 2018 at 11:14 AM
Urspo
“Wanted: urban youth for man-handling and light housekeeping. Must have references and strong teeth”
August 10, 2018 at 11:21 AM
truthspew
LOL good one.
August 10, 2018 at 10:18 AM
anne marie in philly
I love the banner photo! is the houseguest someone we all know? (inquiring minds wanna know)
August 10, 2018 at 11:15 AM
Urspo
DougT who used to write Gossamer Tapestry
August 10, 2018 at 3:09 PM
anne marie in philly
oooooooooooooh cool! give him a big hug from me!
August 10, 2018 at 11:03 AM
mitchellismoving
Dogs become brilliant when it comes to avoiding pills. How they can eat through any kind of food and leave the pill behind baffles me. What talented tongues. As for houseboys, I’d rather have one that comes and goes. Who needs someone underfoot once they’ve performed their duties.
August 10, 2018 at 11:15 AM
Urspo
I concur – do the job and get out and going
August 10, 2018 at 11:08 AM
Practical Parsimony
For two years back around 1999 and 2000, I had a party/gathering/whatever once a month. My house was the cleanest is has ever been. I cleaned each month and improved on the cleanliness of months before. I really want to get back to entertaining. One year, the weather cooperated so that we could eat outdoors for 8 straight months.
Someone will unravel the wool sweaters and kinit something else.
When I get tired, I drink lots of water so there is no time to sit about when the urge to go to the bathroom gets me up on my feet often.
If you pay anyone a decent wage, you are not exploiting them. You are giving a person a job.
August 10, 2018 at 12:22 PM
Urspo
I like to think the latter is true. Frankly I would pay a generous amount for someone/anyone to come clean once a week.
August 10, 2018 at 1:40 PM
taniapink
You’d be surprised how much cleaning you do to get ready for the cleaner LOL. I have two women come for 2 hours, once every month or two. It keeps me clean.
August 10, 2018 at 11:34 AM
Debra She Who Seeks
Just out of curiosity, what EXACTLY are you up to in that blog banner photo?
August 10, 2018 at 12:26 PM
Urspo
dear me. I can’t seem to find the blog entry date to explain this one. There are several bronze dancers outside the theatre here in PHX. After an AIDS walk (in which I donned Viking helmet and sunglasses) I took several photos of myself and the dancers. This is one of them.
August 10, 2018 at 6:28 PM
Old Lurker
It was from 2012: https://sporeflections.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/sunday-in-the-park-with-spo/
August 10, 2018 at 12:12 PM
Sluggy
Which to the chewable heartworm pill that looks like a chunk of dry meat. I guarantee that Harper will readily consume it.
August 10, 2018 at 12:26 PM
Urspo
I will ask Someone to ask the vet about this.
August 10, 2018 at 1:37 PM
taniapink
I want a house boy, too. 🙂
August 10, 2018 at 1:42 PM
Urspo
I probably best get a maid rather. I would probably hire some handsome buck and end up doing all the work myself.
August 10, 2018 at 3:30 PM
Frogdancer Jones
Poppy and Scout are no problems when it comes to getting pills down them. I just wrap it in a cheese slice and it’s done. Jeffrey? I’ve learned to crush the pill, then mash it up in the cheese slice. It works.
August 11, 2018 at 12:04 PM
Urspo
Cheese slice may work as she loves cheese. Worth a try, thank you
August 10, 2018 at 3:50 PM
Todd Gunther
I am the house boy!
August 11, 2018 at 12:04 PM
Urspo
Are you for hire?
August 13, 2018 at 12:49 PM
anne marie in philly
for a price, yes…
August 10, 2018 at 10:47 PM
wcs
Tasha is equally skilled in removing nasty pills from otherwise tasty morsels. I’ve learned that my finger goes a lot farther down her throat than I’d care to admit.
August 11, 2018 at 12:05 PM
Urspo
Someone has a technique of sticking pills down her throat some, closing her mouth and blowing on her nose. It looks bad but it is more efficacious than meaty treat traps
August 11, 2018 at 6:06 AM
Ron
I love these home posts. Dogs are clever aren’t they about figuring out when you’re Slipping a pill into them? Have a delightful day!
August 11, 2018 at 12:06 PM
Urspo
Funny how mundane home-happenings are so interesting to others, even more so than (my) attempts at wit or education
August 11, 2018 at 7:41 AM
Barbara -
Change out the heart worm to the yummy treat looking one! But then u need to give two. You could always get a house girl.
August 11, 2018 at 12:06 PM
Urspo
Around here all housegirls have names ending in ‘-ita”. On the whole they do a better job at house cleaning than their male counterparts.
August 11, 2018 at 10:21 AM
Friko
I finished a book too! I’ve lost track of how many that makes altogether since I hurt my leg.
Dogs are clever blighters. My Millie does the same as yours: spits out what she doesn’t like, but never food. Even if it’s rotten dead bodies. I have a new trick for pills, keep her jaws closed and stroke her throat until she swallows.
August 11, 2018 at 12:07 PM
Urspo
I was delighted to hear from you ! thank you for posting a comment !
August 11, 2018 at 1:34 PM
Mike Warren
When Bob and I quit smoking in 1983 we treated ourselves to a house cleaner. A gay man named Les. He also did the next door neighbor’s house. When he raised his rates we four said ‘Les is more’ and giggled. He took one look at our house and warned us not to expect miracles. I did a lot of picking up the night before he came just so I knew where to find things. He disapproved of our viewing habits and hid the TV guide from us, a different location every time. Then without warning he stopped coming. Later I learned he had died from AIDS.
August 11, 2018 at 2:51 PM
Urspo
I would pay well to have “Les” in my life; I wouldn’t mind the pre-cleaning ritual and hiding of the embarrassing things either to have one.
August 11, 2018 at 4:17 PM
catrina56
Here’s how we got Maggie the Wonder Dog to taker her heartworm pill….cut it in fourths first. Then get a spoonful of peanut butter. Stick the first quarter pill in the peanut butter and let Harper lick it off your finger. Repeat three times….for 13 years we fought with Maggie and her heartworm pill. For the last three months is been easy peasy. Let me know if it works for Harper.
August 12, 2018 at 1:37 PM
Steven
We regularly donate our unwanted clothes to charity. So much easier than having garage sales like Mom always did….oh the pain!!