Fifer’s Web site — on the Web since 1995!

Sunny & Fizzgig

'Twas the day before Christmas,
And all through the house,
The puppies are squeaking an old rubber mouse.
The wreath which had merrily hung on the door,
Is scattered in pieces all over the floor.

The stockings that hung in a neat little row,
Now boast a hole in each of their toes.
The tree was subjected to bright-eye whims,
And now, (although splendid) it's missing some limbs.

I catch them and hold them, "Be good I insist!"
They lick me, then run off to see what they've missed.
And now as I watch them the thought comes to me,
That theirs is the spirit that Christmas should be.

Should children and puppies yet show us the way,
And teach us the joy that should come with this day?
Could they bring the message that's written above,
And tell us that most of all, Christmas is love!

(author unknown)

Meet Sunny! (Aliyah’s CN SunSpots)

SunSpots (“Sunny”)

SunSpots (“Sunny”)

I was absolutely crushed when they found a bone-tumor had shattered Cinnamon’s leg, and there was nothing more than I could do for him. I bawled continuously throughout the week until this little girl came home and exhausted us to distraction. Cinnamon had left such a gaping hole in my heart, I didn’t know what to do. He knew I loved him, and would know how much I needed some doggy-lovin’ in a time like this.

When Cinnamon’s breeder told me she was discontinuing her breeding program several years ago, I knew the day would come when I’d need another, and figured I should start doing my homework and talking to people to try to find what I was looking for. About a year or more ago, I found Aliyah Australian Shepherds, and started emailing questions to them. I decided they would be the ones, when the time came... I just didn’t expect it so soon. Luckily, this little bundle of love was available, along with two of her brothers (still available as of this posting) who were also very loveable. Both brothers would make excellent show dogs or pets, and it was definitely a difficult choice, but we liked how responsive she was to the both of us.

She's definitely a heart-breaker, as she's got the brains to go with the beauty. In the 3 days we’ve had her, she’s learned “sit,” “lie down”, “dead-dog” (flop down and roll onto back), “fetch”, and “drop-it.” She’s also learned a multitude of other things that are more nuance than command, and is a very happy and playful little girl. There’s no denying Cinnamon left gargantuan shoes to fill, but she’s up to the task at hand, and will do it her way in style, and possibly then-some!

Cinnamon

One White Sock

Little red dog with one white sock
Settled for a nap on my feet
Soft little ears and a tail that was docked
You chose to come home with me

When leaving the farm, your heart filled with fear
For the farm was all you had known
But I whispered and comforted and said I was near
And I'd take you to your new home

Somehow I knew as I drove down the road
That my life had profoundly changed
This little red dog with his too long nose
Would share all my joys and my pain

As we headed home, I made a vow
To love and care for you 'til the end
You rested your head on my shoulder and cheek
And I calmed you and stroked with my hand

Little red dog with one white sock
The weeks that followed were rough
But we stuck together and a friendship was formed
That held even when times became tough

Little red dog with one white sock
You were a friend and companion for years
But seeing you in pain as you limped and then hopped
Was enough to bring me to tears

Little red dog with one white sock
This last trip you made not a sound
It’s just another trip we’ve made on this journey
That’s about being together, and not where we’re bound

The news was not good, alas it was a shock
There was nothing that could be done any more
For my poor little friend with one white sock
My heart leapt into my throat as it tore

You sniffed me in greeting as we entered somber-eyed
You smiled and then you hopped about
Putting on a show and comforting us as we cried
Filling us with considerable doubt

Buddy, I wish I could keep you with me
For forever and a day
But to do that, you’d have to suffer
And it’s too high a price for you to pay

You did your job and you did it well
And to ask for more would be too much
I want to remember all that you’ve done
And just how greatly I felt loved

So I laid down beside you and held you in my arms
Resting your head on my shoulder and my cheek
And I stroked and I pet you, and you gave me a kiss
And then quietly you went to sleep

—In loving memory of Cinnamon - my friend, my companion, my love

Thistle Quilt's
New Home

Thistle Quilt

I finally got some pictures of the Thistle Quilt (aka "Flower of Scotland")'s new home. So it's now displayed in the 19th century farm house's central stairwell (as shown here).

From an email a few months ago:

"It is wonderful and we love it. Used it for a period on our bed - always a challenge to keep the cats off (those loveable furballs with muddy feet!)

"The quilt is soon to become the display center piece as we kind of go period in there. We will be painting the walls a warm yellow, replacing current lighting with some vintage style fixtures, pulling up the carpet then painting the floor boards. It will be a big change from the drab and dirty beige wallpaper, trim, and carpet that was in there. Beth envisions the quilt being hung on the large wall in the top of the stairwell. It will be very, very nice."

If you would like to learn more about the thistle quilt, you can see pictures of it, or download the pattern. It's a Janis-original, so you won't find it anywhere else (unless someone has made another, in which case e-mail me, I'd like to see it!)

Steven & Heather
on top of Kastell Munot

I wanted to congratulate two of my very dear friends on their wedding, and the beginning of the next chapter in their lives together. Steven Taskovics is a very dear friend to me, who gave me a place to stay when I made my move to Massachusetts, a car to drive when mine got stolen, a shoulder and a helping hand whenever needed. I can't say enough about what a good and kind soul he has, and how lucky I feel that I have him as a friend. Heather Erickson also opened herself up to me as a friend during a difficult transition phase when it felt more than a little lonely at times. While I have very few female friends, she's never seemed phased at my lack of tact or sensitivity, and has taken it all in stride, just accepting me for me. So I couldn't be happier that two of my very dear friends have finally come together.

Before

After

I figured I’d squeak in one update before the new month. I haven’t been doing much of interest to anybody but myself. I’ve been dieting again (since Christmas) and joined a gym. I need to lose some weight to get back to my “happy place.” That would be, the “before” photo to the left, where I resemble a human being, and not the “after” photo to the right, where I look like a pear-shaped weeble-people.

I’ve done it before - I lost about 75 lbs in 1998-99, and managed to keep it off for 5 years, but after I moved out here, I couldn’t find a gym I liked (until now), and have been stuck at my desk pretty much 24/7, which isn’t a good combination. I haven’t exactly gone back to the old fatty hamburger food before the “big” diet - it really was a lifestyle change, and I eat chicken and fish and avoid sauces and stuff now. But I have gone back to sitting on my butt in front of the t.v. and munching on cookies - not good.

I’ve been able to keep it up for over a month now - that’s the hardest part. Once you’ve got a month invested, most of your addictions and cravings are overcome, and you’ve got enough of a start to prompt you to continue. So far I’ve undone last year’s worth of damage... unfortunately, it was the year before that I put on the most weight. (Although I’m nowhere near what I was in 1998!)

A lot of people asked me (after the first time) what I did - did I follow some plan? Did I join Weight-Watchers? Did I do Atkins? No - I just took all the information we’re bombarded with every day and used it. We know fat isn’t good for us, so cut back on it. We know we need to drink lots of water, so drink lots of water. We know fewer calories in, more calories out, so make it happen. We know we have to spend more than 20 minutes doing aerobic activity 3 times a week, so do it. (Yes, former gym/health teachers, I may not have liked doing, but I was listening and filing it all away).