Norma's Wanderings around a small section of Montana |
On my walk today, I saw a new tradition. A new take on the song: Three red hens, two black and white dogs, and a deer head in a basketball hoop. Sing it with me everyone! All in the same yard. Kinda makes me wonder. |
I found out what the big dogs I say hello to on my walk are. Seems they are a rare Italian breed. Spinone Italiano is the name. Curious, I thought when the owner told me. She also told me they were young, only about five years old. They look like old ladies to me. But the best part is I got to use that information in a little story I wrote. I thought the name wonderful. It kind of rolls off your tongue, like all Italian words. Sounds like a food, a pastry perhaps. So I initially did an internet search. Of course Wikipedia gave me some information. Does Wikipedia not give information on just about everything? I find it a great research tool when finding bits for stories. Anyway, Spinone Italiano is an ancient breed from Italy. They were first used as a hunting and game dog and can be traced as far back as 500 B.C. Interesting. I guess my point is writers have to constantly be collecting information. We need to be on the alert for everything and anything that might be useful someday in a story or article. I keep a notebook with me all the time. I jot down words or phrases I hear. I jot down interesting things I see, people I meet. And you never know, someday those ideas may gel and become a great story. Hunting and gathering as writers. You have to save what you see and hear. It will never come again. Someone in the future may find it very interesting! |
If you've read my blog before, you know I like to walk. I walk every day. I used to walk with my dog, but since she is no more, I walk alone. It is lonely now, and walks no longer have that urgency, since it is no longer about the 'poo' urgency. Sorry, couldn't resist that. As I walk the routes I used to walk with the dog, I see the same old houses. Now I see them in holiday mode. The other day I saw one truly decked out. Literally all the yard space was taken up by any and all inflatable Christmas decorations. I counted fifteen. Fifteen, folks. This display is in front of a small house that one floor and perhaps three bedrooms, a living room, a bathroom and a kitchen. A small house and a small yard. Hard to believe they think they need all this display, and don't forget the reindeer and Santas lurking around the edges, Does all this blow the circuits in the house? Do they have to unplug the appliances first? "Oh wait, don't use the microwave until I unplug Santa." Well, I'll let that little scenario play out, If my lights go out one night, I'll know who is to fault. Then I walk a few more feet to a tinier house. In the fenced in tiny yard are the larges, dirtiest dogs in the world. They are so friendly, and so big, they could jump the fence and follow me home, but choose to stay in their tiny yard,. Because they want to love you, you know they are loved. but I am glad they don't come home with me. My bathtub is too small! So I walk, every day. And as I walk I gather information. You never know what you may see on a walk. It may come back later in a story. |
I am so glad the craziness of Black Friday, Cyber Monday is over. But the frenzy of the Christmas greed goes on. People trying their best to find that one present, or those hundreds of presents, that will make the day for their special people. Do we really need all that stuff? Do you really need more shoes, purses, sweaters, pots and pans, jewelry, whatever appliance is newest, and don't forget the mountain of plastic toys out there to be bought? I think we all need to take a retail break - save our money. Or send our money to those less fortunate. Make your gifts and just have fun this year, Just think of me as Scrooge. The stores will not be getting my money this year. of course, they will not miss my pennies. Oh well, such is the nature of the US in the 21st century. I'll be glad when January rolls around. |