Thyrra

Out of the workplace injury clinic. I have contusions, abrasions, a sprained wrist and a strained back. No breaks. 2 weeks reduced duties at work. And the workman's comp people look at you with great skepticism when you report that you fell UP a flight of stairs.

Guess who is at the Kaiser workplace injury clinic awaiting X-rays? This girl!

Just took a walk in the driving, soaking, cold rain. A million brownie points for me.

The Corbin Lawson household has just experienced a new noise threshold. Merlin has learned how to work the squeakers in dog toys.

Spencer: I can't believe we are up, showered, and out the door by 7:30 a.m. on a Saturday. Me: Puppy!

We have selected a puppy. Or perhaps said puppy has selected us.

It's puppy selection day!!!!!!

I'm totally going to blow my own horn here for a moment: I did a presentation about problem gambling for my agency's Board of Directors last night. I just got a call from a member who said, "You were on the agenda for five minutes. You spoke for 35 minutes, and no one even thought about stopping you. I'm a judge, and I know something about how to read an audience. You had us all in the palm of your hand."

Ok, dog people out there - boy puppy or girl puppy? Does it matter? Any differences you've seen? Help me out, Facebook!

Welcome, Spring! Digging and planting have commenced - two new Daphne shrubs at the Corbin Lawson Home.

Dear fellow North Portland Resident - Thank you for adopting a rescue dog. That is admirable. However, please do not: Fail to socialize your dog. Fail to contain your dog. Stare vacantly when your dog leaps off the porch to attack my husband. Look startled when my - much smaller dog - intersperses himself between your dog and my husband.

Hey, Facebook -Any dog owners out there who feel like sharing wisdom with me re: integrating older dogs with a puppy in a way that makes them all happy?

Snowverreaction, thy name is Portland.

Well, the snow isn't yet sticking to the pavement, but it sure does stick to Schipperkes. I've never had white doggies before.

The world is a complicated place. We face profound economic, civil rights, health, and environmental challenges at home and abroad. I think about these issues often, I donate to charity, I vote my conscience, and I am very concerned about how we will solve these huge problems.And yet, colorful eyeliner can still totally make my morning.

Good wishes for everyone in the east and middle if the country caught in the snow.

Day two of class. My instructor couldn't remember a student's name and said, "I should have just guessed 'Nicole' and the odds would have been with me." it's very weird - there are 5 Nicoles in our class of 30. it's kind of freaking me out, hearing my name everywhere.

Had an audiology appointment today. I'm happy to report that I am the only Corbin over the age of 40 who is not partially deaf.

One of my very favorite things: A large, bearded, grizzled, muscular, tattooed, hyper-masculine man with a tiny poofy dog.