Ember's newest lessons

I have a new electric can-opener.  I haven't had an electric one since I lived with my parents (1970's?)  But this little one has a USB rechargeable battery, and it shaves the can top off.

Well!  I tried it once to learn how to use it myself on Tuesday when Ember was off in daycare.  Her first exposure was Friday morning.  She got very excited over the little thing, because after all, it altered the routine of mama cranking the handle of the manual one to open her green beans.  And it makes noise and moves on its own.  

Ember got so excited she swiped the plastic container I had put out on the counter to hold the contents of the newly opened can.  She hadn't done that in months.  She was very polite about giving it back, but unfortunately, her teeth had already done a number on it, and it landed in the trash.

One thing about having this kind of pup in the house: they "help" you down-size.

Remember a week or so ago when I mentioned Ember eating some other dog's poo?  Well, Saturday morning she did it again!  Twice.  On one walk!  I wonder what prompts this?  Must have something to do with either nutritional deficits or wild roots and marking or masking who's been in the territory.  Seems like something to mention on her next vet visit!

At home we now have the game of running up the stairs and practicing "find mommy".  Thank goodness, she's no longer eating the carpet on the stairs.  It's even got me thinking about ordering replacement carpet.  I'm not quite ready to take the door off the crate for good, but we are in a testing phase for if we're ready for more freedom.

FGC got an invite to "meet the coach" meaning the head coach of the Nebraska Cornhusker football team related to his little soccer award.  The lines were long.  The Mythical son escorted him.  Kiddo got tongue-tied when faced with Coach Rhule. Son explained, "This is ____ (kiddo's name).  He's a little shy.  He's seven."  The coach started to say "Hi, ____.  Thank you for com-" then interrupted himself, "He's seven?" 

Foster grandson is almost 8.  He is the tallest of the kids in the 2nd/3rd grade kids trying out for a basketball team.  We have a birthday party coming up in a couple of weeks.  He's head and shoulders taller than most of his sports teammates (teams based on age).  You could almost imagine the coach "aging up" this youthful potential.  OK, let's not get ahead of ourselves.  

Sunday morning, Ember did not go on a search mission for other dogs' droppings.  Yay!  It was 74℉ and HUMID and I was drenched in sweat when we got home.  

Sunday afternoon we went to see the local minor league baseball team play.  The Winnipeg Goldeyes were the opponents, so we got both the Canadian and the US national anthems at the start.  In the middle of the continent, we're not as good as the folks in Buffalo, NY at knowing the words of "O Canada" but we did our best!

Kiddo spent most of the game on the playground or in the bounce house.  But he wanted to run the bases as is tradition, after the game is over.  All the kiddos in the stands can line up and go run.  FGC put in a good effort, feeling the sense of competition with the other kids.  

The three ladies (me, DIL and her mom) kibbitzed in the stands.  Son and DIL took turns supervising FGC.  Yes, that's beer in a baseball bat shaped container.  DIL and her mom split it between them as it holds about two beers worth!

I got my selfie with the Mascot, Homer!

From 2011 with Homer

This is the one from Sunday afternoon.  Hot dog in hand!

The home team won.  Ember forgave me leaving her home in her crate (she would NOT have enjoyed the heat out there at the ball park).

Monday morning, it was back to normal routine... almost.  Ember and I encountered rain about two blocks in to our neighborhood walk.  She's not a big fan of water falling from the sky, but there was not much in the way of flashes or booms or even rumbles with this gentle cooling rain, and we covered about 3/4 of a mile.

Life is Good!  Keep on Sparking!