Ok, I seriously need Stanley to get out of here! He is so easy to love! Then I found out this morning that he's never had a real home environment before, how sad. He's so well behaved and sweet...but there is just no way we can adopt another one.

Yesterday I thought it would be fun to take Grendel to Petco for a visit, but I forgot about him+slick floors. He made it to the end of the treat aisle, and hit the deck. I wish I'd thought to put his booties on! Several people came over to say hello and pet him, but finally we had to drag over the door mat to help him up. He promptly flopped again so it was kind of a door mat relay till he could get off the slick area and I took him to the car. Not really a successful trip, but I think he enjoyed himself pretty well...now I am off to shop for some paw wax that is supposed to help with traction on slick floors, for those times when he doesn't feel like wearing shoes.
*Wow, I actually managed to find all three dog products I was looking for at the same website...Paw Wax, Odokill, and a Combat Squeaky Man...

And below, witness my first attempt at off-mandrel work:

It's hardly perfect, but something fun to play with anyway. I think I should make the bail pretty thick for strength, as I think most pendants like this are made from hard borosilicate glass.

Tonight, I hope everyone will be rooting for the Astros! I hear that there is some debate as to whether they will be allowed to close the roof for a home-field advantage...if there is anyone who doesn't think that the cold weather in Chicago affected 43-year-old Roger Clemens, gimme a break! The Sox had the cold as an advantage, let the 'stros do all they can to win...besides, a couple of wins would extend the series and of course mean more TV revenue...am I cynical?
Enjoy the fun!