Tom and I have been gradually giving The Compound's main residence a thorough cleaning over the past two or three weeks. I knew Greg was coming for his signing this past weekend, and my sister was hoping to visit Bobo Butterbean with her dog Harley at Thanksgiving. I wanted everything to be in order before their arrivals.

I THOUGHT I'd taken care of all the dust. But then Tim's boss dropped by to do an inspection, and you can see by her expression that I missed a spot. The Big H is so relentless about these things.

Apparently, for me, Halloween was all about the tricks. I tried for hours to upload my Halloween photo set to Flickr--a photo set I've been working on for several weeks just for the holiday, including costuming and setting--with help from Tom on enhancements to The Compound.

Belatedly, from our coven to yours:

Happy Halloween!

If you're interested in a closer look at the models, including all twelve Birthstone Barbies, four horses, a banshee, and representations of Greg Herren, Famous Author Rob Byrnes, Timothy J. Lambert, and me--or as we affectionately call each other: Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death--the full set may be here, depending on the whims of Flickr and Live Journal.

Sorry for being late.

Thanks for lunch! And, er, what were we just saying about the need to stay vigilant?

Nausea. Nausea and sporadic, severe stomach cramps with no other problems. I don't know what this is, but I don't like it. Happened Monday, then I thought I was over it. Ate a BLT after the gym Tuesday morning and was fine. For hours. And then I wasn't. AT ALL. However, since there are no other symptoms, and Lindsey gave me some anti-nausea pills, I'm taking a wait-and-see attitude. Those of you who I've promised to put in my will? I didn't. So get that gleam out of your eyes.

My hair is so terrible I refuse to look at myself in the mirror. I have an appointment for a cut on Thursday. This little stomach thing had BETTER NOT interfere.

Speaking of getting my hair did...

Lynne went out of town for a few days on business, and we got to keep Minute and Sparky at Camp Compound. Those of you who know of Margot's very emo, get-the-hell-away-from-me-you-freak personality (she may or may not take after me) might be surprised, but she and Minute played hard every morning. Outside. In the dirt. And Minute is white. Or she's supposed to be. Then in the afternoons, Minute played hard with Pixie and Rex. In the dirt. With the addition of Pixie saliva.

Would you let a friend come back to find two fuzzy mudpies at the end of the leash (Hi, Jeffrey!)? I thought not.

Before the groomer:

After the groomer:

Minute following a shampoo and comb-out, and Little Blind Sparky following a full grooming. Sparky was SO PLEASED with himself! Minute hated her bow. In spite of being little and white and fuzzy, Minute thinks she is a wolf. She does not want to be cute and pink.

Bonus photos, because you're nice and will patiently allow me to try to sleep off this pestilence (Hi, Greg!) and so not do a Hump Day Happy post for a few hours.

Guinness ponders whether or not she will ever get another meal. Margot denounces as slanderous any implication that she ever plays.


Pixie is happy to demonstrate a playful attitude. Rex watches over his harem. And would also like a ride in the CAR! please.

Today, Tim and his boss had to do an off-site inspection. Afterward, they dropped by The Compound, where The Big H immediately took over the conference table and had a meeting with Rex. I was there to document their interaction.

I think she likes him.

After The Big H gave a brief motivational speech to Rex and his assistant, Pixie,
it was back to work for Tim and the boss.

Current Photo Friday theme: Dawn

Sago palm seeds: a little color on a gray, overcast morning

The seeds are on the female plant. They're toxic and can lead to liver failure if ingested by dogs. Our sago palm is a male, but our neighbors on either side have female plants.

Photos behind a cut to save your monitor space.

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At the end of her August exhibit, when Lindsey took her paintings from Té House of Tea, she agreed to hang her work in the two Compound homes. Happily for her, the paintings are selling. This has left blank spaces on Tim's walls, and how do you think he's filled those spaces? By taking the paintings that were hanging in my house. (With my blessing. He has more available wall space, and they look great in his place.)

Saturday, Lindsey picked up some more of her paintings that were hanging in another location. Most of them were too large for my modest space, but one of them I called for my living room before anyone else could speak up. Now I have a problem.

Bird III looks wonderful hanging over the doorway from the living room to the dining room. A little TOO wonderful. To buy it, I'd have to sell Tim's good lung or something.

Happy birthday, Todd, from me and guess who else?


J.K. Cowling at the 1900 Storm Memorial, Galveston, Texas, August 2009

It was on this day last year that Hurricane Ike roared ashore, causing us all kinds of grief. We lost power, tree limbs, roof shingles, and an entire tree at The Compound, but when daylight came, we and our friends and animals were safe, so we had much to be grateful for.

To give you an idea of Ike's wrath, compare my August 2009 photo of that sculpture:
( See more photos by clicking here, please. )
Even if September 13 isn't always a kind number, it gave the world you and Scooby Doo, so I forgive it. Thank you, Todd, for being born!