 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
... rose before the sun, had a lonely banana for breakfast, was surprised by a morning prayer, helped build a home for a family in need, had lunch with Alicia in Keizer, hiked at Cooks Butte Park in Lake Oswego and bathed my housemate.
I volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. Andy, you might enjoy doing this.
Habitat for Humanity works "in partnership with God", hence the prayer. I mainly worked with Robert, a project manager, and Alicia. I was hardly able to hear the quick and choppy prayer, but it must of have included something about invincibility or expendability because I was offered no warnings, instructions or safety equipment. I was allowed to use a massive reciprocating saw, a compound miter saw, power drills and many other sharp metal tools. Actually, I did receive one warning. "The [massive reciprocating] saw may jump a little when you hit those nails". Yes, this is true. The saw also jumps a bit when one unknowingly engages its variable speed trigger as if it's a mere on/off switch.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
My October weekends have been filled with gardening, both as a volunteer and in my own garden. I had a great time gardening with John, Andres, Debbie and Nancy (a co-worker) today. I'm typing their names because I remember them all and this is rare. I'm typically bad with names, but great with facts an faces. The weather was perfect, both garden recipients worked with us and the last family made us traditional, Egyptian Baklava! I'm addicted to volunteering at the moment, but I think I'll take a break after planting trees next weekend.
I miss hiking and photographing nature. Night is falling way too early. Next Sunday we get an extra hour of sleep, but we also lose another hour of evening light. I'll take the sleep. Maybe I can work some photography into my mornings, although I have serious doubts right now because I'm so tired.
We met at 10 am this morning and didn't finish gardening until a little before 4 pm. I had a terrible headache after gardening today, but I didn't let it ruin my experience. I thought it was caused by me swinging an axe for long periods of time, occasionally contacting solid rock. After working hard for six hours, I realized I had gone almost eight hours without any food. My head still hurts a little, even after a hot meal and bath.
A little more about volunteering with Growing Gardens...
Once again, most of the volunteers were new to Portland. It's been the same every Saturday this month. Most volunteers have lived in Portland less than a year. It's great to see newcomers getting involved so soon, some have only been in Portland for a few weeks!
Tomorrow I'm going to visit some family, eat some food and celebrate a few birthdays in the family.
Wow, two posts in two days!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Still nothing to say about myself. Instead, I'll share a few words about my roommate.
I've been taking care of Belang for just over a month.
I like him. He likes me. I'm learning his quirks, likes and dislikes.
He won't drink out of his water bowl when it's sitting on the ground. Sometimes he'll look at it longingly, then cower and slowly back away. If I hold the bowl, especially at a slight angle, he'll drink out of it. His favorite source of water is a flower pot on the back porch.
He won't eat dry food from his food bowl. As with the water bowl, he clearly desires the contents but appears to fear the container. Every morning, I put dry food on a towel, then he'll eat it. At night, when I mix chicken with his dry food, he'll eat from the food bowl. Once the bowl is empty, he quickly moves away from it.
Belang follows me around when we're inside the house. He's a bit of a mimic. When I walk down the hall, he follows close. If I stop, he stops. If I stop quickly, he stops quickly. If I take one step forward or backward, he'll do the same. I enjoy our mimical processions.
Belang likes:
Sleeping
Licking himself
Biting his nails
Eating
Going for walks
Marking his territory
Going for car rides
Listening to public radio
Me
Some of my friends
Belang dislikes:
Hardwood floors (95% of the house has hardwood flooring)
Walking around corners, through thresholds (related to his dislike of hardwood floors)
Loud, continuous laughter
Waking up early
Some of my friends
I was a bit surprised to learn that Belang has no toys. Based on our short time together, I strongly doubt Belang will play with any toys, but I'm going to get him a few anyway. I hope my doubts are wrong. What kind of toys should I purchase for an elderly dog?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
infinite_wild's journal
Previous
