Just got in a little while ago

after watching Philomena with friends. It was a very good movie. It breaks my heart what these girls endured for their 'sins', and how terrible it must have been for them.

Last night was 'Grimm' (only one more this season!), today was the pharmacy, grocery, and Philomena. Tomorrow there's no game due to illness, so I'm going to try to get something done here in the morning and then go over there mid-afternoon and work on their house, then watch 'Salem' at 10 pm.

Otherwise, not much is happening, which can be a blessing at times. Tomorrow is Mother's Day, of course, so I need to be sure and call my mom. My mom's brother is coming up soon and I need to see if their sister is coming in soon, too, and if so, if there's an overlap. I had originally thought to go visit on Memorial Day but may move it up to see them. My grandmother's 90th birthday is coming up as well. So, yay, I'll see about getting to visit. Going to bed now, though, I think, with maybe a little reading first. Good night!

Ugh

I was actually working on my house tonight when I was overcome by a sneezing and coughing fit and basically got all choked up and could barely breathe, which is odd because I didn't do any dusting or anything that would stir up anything. But everyone I know who has allergies seems to be having trouble this year. I did break down and turn on the air conditioner because the pollen blowing in from outside was just too much, and with temperatures in the mid-80s, it was too stuffy otherwise. So the dishes are washing, but I'm taking a break and I'm in the bedroom listening to music (Natalie Merchant), with the CPAP on to try to clear out my nasal passages. I may read a little. I have some new material on the Salem witch trials to read. The plan is NOT to go to sleep yet. We'll see.

Came across these pictures tonight

of Cerys (the dog) and her constant companion Darius (the cat), as well as Spock. In September it will be seven years since Cerys died, the last of my furry companions. I've been petless since (except for fish--Darius preceded her, which was just as well, for while he adored her and would have mourned her terribly, she was somewhat long-suffering about a cat that wanted to constantly sit upon and cuddle up with her).  It was the first time without pets in 27 years.  I loved my animals so much. Spock, Cerys, Buns, Darius, even the somewhat evil Basil I had for awhiel. It's just so odd to not have dogs or cats in my house, and yet I am a good aunt to others. But it's not quite time for one of my own, yet. I'm not sure I'll ever get another dog, to be honest--I don't know if I could do it. I love cats, and I love dogs (although I'm allergic to both), but it seems you bond even more with a dog, or at least that was the case with Cerys, although I was very close to Spock, particularly, who was a cat, the first kitten I got as an adult. But when you bond with them and they are your family, it is so hard to let them go when it's time. But at some point I'll probably break down and get a cat. Or two. :) But not now, right?

Darius and Cerys

Spock

Yay!

Another day where I reached my goal, without any extra effort like going for a walk or taking the bus, except for a few steps at the end because I was so close. It's usually closer to 6,000, since I have a desk job. :-)

The sun is streaming

in on my garden, both indoor and outside (look carefully and you can see the window boxes on the other side of the sheers).

:)

Thanks to YKWIA for showing this to me. I can just imagine the call to the cops now. 'They're passing out banned books, free!' For more info:

Parents Call Cops to Stop Kids From Handing Out Banned Book and

Idaho Students Get 700 Free Copies of Challenged Sherman Alexie Book

Well

The horses I picked came in 1st (California Chrome), 4th (Wicked Strong), and 5th (Samraat). Not bad, really. So glad it was a clean race and everything worked out fine. For a complete listing in order of finish, you can check out the Bleacher Report. I think if I'd placed a $2 bet on each to win, I'd have made $!0. :) Ah, well. A had Danza to win, Wildcat Red to place, and California Chrome to show, so he would have won $9 on a $2 bet. But he chose two of the horses in the top three. I think if Wicked Strong had had a little more space he might have won, so he might be one to look for in terms of the Belmont. The last time a Triple Crown winner was crowned was Affirmed back in 1978. I've visited Affirmed's grave at Darley Stud, a nearby horse farm (pictured to the right).

After the Derby we watched What Lies Beneath with Michelle Pfeiffer and Harrison Ford, which was pretty good, and now I'm home and ready for bed. Still not sure if we'll be playing tomorrow. Good night.

A happier story

New Jersey Family Sets Out to Adopt New Dog, Finds Beloved Pet Lost After Sandy: The James family started tearing up when they walked into a shelter and saw their beloved family dog, lost after Sandy

More than a year after losing their beloved pet during Sandy, a New Jersey family made an amazing discovery during a visit to animal shelter this week: their missing dog.

Reckless, a 3-year-old brown and white terrier-pitbull mix, escaped from the James family home in Keanesburg during Sandy. James says the fence in the yard got mangled in the storm, and Reckless ran off, and his collar caught and left on the fence.

The family spent months desperately searching for him.

"It was like losing a family member," said Chuck James. "My kids were upset, my wife was upset, I was upset."

They searched for more than a year, and although they never gave up hope, James and his wife knew it was time to move on. They went to the Monmouth County SPCA to get their daughter Ally a new dog for her 10th birthday, and ended up with a gift beyond their wildest dreams.

"Sitting in the first stall in front of the doors, I looked over and I thought it looked a lot like Reckless," said James.

His wife started tearing up and said: "Look at the scar on his head! It is Reckless

Here'a wishing that they stay together for now on. :)

I just don't understand

a world where a 16-year-old boy has no regard for the lives of younger children, one of which was only 12 and he reportedly attacked in a rape, the other of which, who was only 8, he apparently beat to death when the boy came to his sister's aid. Sorrow does not begin to describe what I feel, much less the feelings of the victims' family and loved one, I'm sure.

Boy, 8, Killed Defending Sister From Rapist: Cops

It's Derby time!

[Hey, I live in Kentucky, in the Bluegrass region, surrounded by horse farms. I am not immune to the excitement of watching horses run quickly around a track for two minutes in the bid for the first jewel of the Triple Crown.]

I like three horses, Samraat, Wicked Strong, and California Chrome. I won't put them in order of finish, but I have a good feeling about each of them. Keep in mind I know almost nothing about horses in terms of pedigrees and racing performance. I go mainly on names and looks, I'm afraid. :) The one and only race I ever attended and bet on (which was actually in Louisiana), I placed two bets to show on the longshot and the favourite in a five-horse race, and guess which ones didn't come in? I would love to see Rosie Napravnik win, which would be the first winning female jockey in the history of the race, but she's on a first-position horse that will have a very difficult time and is at odds that are 21-1, on Vicar's in Trouble.

For more on the race, see Kentucky Derby 2014: 5 Fast Facts You Should Know for a quick look, the official Kentucky Derby site for more in-depth info. Post time is 6:24 pm EDT. It can be viewed on NBC. Online and mobile streaming is available, but it's a little tricky. For example, the free site I was sent to for NBC's is through NBCSports Extra, which does not list my cable provider as one that subscribes to their sports channel so I couldn't get very far with it. The Kentucky Derby suggests the twinspires.com gambiling site, which I think you need a login for. I'll be watching it on my friend's big TV on NBC anyway, but you folks outside the US may want to see where you can watch it. Anyway, I've spent way too much time on this post, time to get some things done before heading over to my friends' house about 2 pm. I've paid my rent today and have eaten breakfast, but not much else today.