In memory of Lucky, Hello to Zoe

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." - Roger Caras

I took Lucky in for what I thought was an abssessed tooth...it turned out that it was a tumor in which the Vet said was the type that if operated on and he was able to remove it all, it would more than likely return. So based on his age and not wanting Lucky to suffer any more than necessary, I decided to have him put down. A decision that is never easy to make. He had a good long life. From my guesstimate he was about 14 years old...I had him for 11 years and he was a stray and was at least 3 years when he showed up in the front yard, the same day I moved to Tish. He was a sweet, loyal and loving dog and loved his leather doggie treats. I dearly miss him.

Hellooooo Zoe, formally know as Sassy, then Jackie, then Zackie and then finally ZOE. Zoe is approx. 2 years old and was found at the Tishomingo Animal Shelter by my loving son Jamie. He did not want to see his dear ol' Dad living alone without a dog. He is most definitely a sweet and caring boy. Zoe is a very mild-mannered and very well-behaved retriever. She has very soft fur and a personality to match. She was a mother of 10 pups...all of which were adopted at the shelter except her. I prefer adopting adult dogs anyway...as you pretty much know what your getting much more than a puppy. She gets along well with Smokey like any cat (Garfield for example) tolerates the Dawgggg...lol. Zoe is a welcome addition. Thanks Jamie, you made a very good choice, I love you!

“In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him."

Awards, Jurying, Summer Classes

Hey all.....well with a little prodding from my sister-in-law....klog on bleeping woman...lol...here I update me ol blog.

Jamie and Andrew both passed their grade levels and will be moving on...Jamie will be in 5th grade and Andrew will be in 2nd...hard to believe that Jamie will be in middle school. Jamie raked in a whole pile of honor awards. He got straight A's and is on the 'A' honor roll. He also got a citizenship award and a 'Student of Today' award from the Tishomingo Masonic Lodge for demonstrating outstanding scholarship, leadership, citizenship, and integrity. He also got a President's (as in Bush) Award for Educational Excellence. In all, he recieved about 9 awards. He is a smart and caring little boy and deserves every award he earned. So that would be 'One Big Atta Boy for Jamie'.

Andrew had all A's except for one B so he was on the 'A and B' Honor Roll. So rah rah ziz boom bah for him too...he is doing well in school and his teacher was rather impressed with his progress. I am very proud of them both.

Well it is official....I am now or will be as of August 1st on Tenure Track at the Assistant Professor level at SOSU....woooohoooo. So until I get tenured and beyond...I get a bit of a pay raise and I don't have to worry about paying for health insurance over the summer. So if I teach in the summer...woohoo for me...it is extra money and I don't have to sweat it if my classes will make or not.

I finally broke down and bought a 2 gallon aquarium with 2 goldfish in it. I know it is small and probably just the thin edge of the wedge in aquariumville. Probably sooner than later...I will be back having 6 aquariums as I did years ago. So Joel...I will probably be needing your advice on underwater gardening and designing.

I also bought a small amp and inexpensive electric guitar for the boys...well for me too. I forgot how much I like farting around on playing the guitar....pretty cathartic or therapeutic...oh hell....it is just plain ol fun. And who knows....maybe J or A will get hooked on playing it too.

On Friday, I was the juror of the Magnolia Festival Art Show in Durant and got to select the award winners of that show. I also was the Juror for the Goddard Center annual juried show and got to select the work to be in the show and that award winners. I also juried the Collin County Community College Annual Art Show in Plano, TX this spring alos. Must be my year to be a juror (judge)...it is fun being able to select a show and pick the winners.

Well I start Summer classes tomorrow. Well at least a Clay 1 and 2 class that are scheduled concurrently at the same time. My digital photo class did not make...boohoo...well that is probably good as I am trying to get some 'new' art done for the SOSU faculty show that is going to be at the Goddard Center in Ardmore this summer. I have been painting a bit and doing some digital photo stuff....not much in the way of clay sculpting. The work has to be there June 27th...so YIKES....better get my butt in gear. Well that is about all the news from down here in the land of Okies.
TTFN.....Jack, Jamie, and Andrew