Mood:  hug me

Frodo slipped a leash around her neck and pulled it snug.  He stepped back from the door and led her down the concrete walkway and out the door.  He opened the outdoor run and released the leash as she bound into the sunlight.  It was only then that Frodo noticed the ears, and her coat.  He choked and stopped breathing.

Her ears had been snipped, probably by pinking shears.  Her coat was almost turquoise, that which was left.  Whatever had taken place was intended to make her angry and to fight.  Her eyes were empty. 

While others watched, the Hobbit fetched a gentle brush and, from her shoulder, he brushed back toward her tail. Immediately she turned to face Frodo, and he suddenly realized that he had placed himself in a truly vulnerable position.  Her eyes however, told him that he had done something truly warm and special.  If a dog has ever truly broken into tears, it took place at that moment.  Frodo knows.

She wiggled under each and every stroke that rippled the muscles of that magnificent body.  She stood on her hind legs and wrapped her front legs around the waist of the Hobbit, and she whimpered.  For a few short moments they circled the run and she danced with the Hobbit.  Frodo's friends watched and no one spoke, nor did any object at the extra time spent with one who needed the grace of her new if not only friend in all the world.

Frodo led her back to her cage, and he gently removed the leash from around her neck while rubbing his hands under her chin.  Their eyes met, and she kissed his hand.  Frodo pulled her to him and kissed her on the nose, and then he was gone.

Seven days later Frodo returned, and began, in turn, to walk each and every one under his charge.  He had not been able to keep cage number 53, unnamed, off his mind.  As he turned to that walkway, he saw her bouncing expectantly for whoever would come to take her out into the sunshine and a place to evacuate without messing up her cage.  Frodo wondered if she, then he knew.

Their eyes met, and number 53 melted into the arms of her wonderful best friend with the magic brush.  She followed him outside and again they danced in each others arms.  Frodo swears that he heard Strauss playing "The Emperor's Waltz," and, soon, he noticed people watching, marveling at something so simply beautiful as a dog and a Hobbit.  Again he returned her to her cage and kissed her good-bye.

Another week had passed, and Frodo knew that pit bulls have little chance of rescue, and there are too few facilities to stop the inevitable.  Frodo turned the walkway and almost sprinted to cage 53 as he heard the joyful cry of his friend, with her coat growing back, her ears healing, and a roomful of amazed and amazing people who had been waiting to watch them dance in the sunshine.  When he led her back, he noticed that a marketing package was attached to her cage by other volunteers, trying to help in the adoption process.  They had named her "Smiley," and they remarked about how one so tortured had emerged as a butterfly from the cocoon of inhumanity.  Frodo cried again, but this time with a little genuine hope.

When next he arrived cage 53 had an unknown inhabitant.  Frodo looked quickly, then he noticed that there was no crowd about.  No one offered solace to the Hobbit, assuring him that "Smiley" had found a home.  Frodo asked no questions, he simply went on about his business, looking for someone else needing a brush, while he hummed an Austrian tune from long ago.  All the while hoping that "Smiley" was in a gentle back yard, being loved by a golden family who needed a good dog.

Today, as everyday, 9000, that's right nine thousand, dogs are euthanized in America.  Maybe, just maybe, on one day, it was only 8999.  Small victories, perhaps.

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 3:50 PM EDT

Updated: Thursday, October 24, 2013 3:55 PM EDT

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Mood:  quizzical

"Hearye, Hearye, all those with business before this Court are called to order.  The first in order of business is the matter of the State of Florida-v-the State of Georgia.  Whos speaks on behalf of the plaintiff in this matter?"

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Court, I, the eminently unqualified Governor of Florida, Rick Scott, doth petition this Court on behalf of the State of which I serve as Governor." 

"Speak ye then."

"Your Honours, the State of Florida and its people suffer needlessly because of the actions of the State of Georgia to restrict the flow of fresh water.  As you know, Georgia alleges that the phenomental growth in the Atlanta area requires sufficient freshwater resources for the commercial and residential properties and activities which drive the local economy.  The State of Florida is not unsympathetic, however the diversion of natural-flow water has the impact of destroying the oyster industry in the Gulf of Mexico as well as hindering industry everywhere beneath metropolitan Atlanta."

"Governor?"

"Yes Justice Soto-Maior."

"You are referring, I assume, to the practice of the closure of spillways by the Army Corps of Engineers?"

"That is correct your Honor.  It is important to note that even though the physical diversion takes place at the hand of a federal agency, it is in support of the stated needs of Georgia.  Florida has not been awarded proper legal authority to service the needs of its populace."

"Governor?"

"Yes Justice?  I say, who spoke?"

"I did."

Aside.  "Who's the black guy?"

Aside.  "That's Justice Thomas."

Aside   "No shit.  I didn't think he could talk.  Has he ever spoken in public before?"

"Am I keeping you Governor?"

"I apologize your Honor.  What say you?"

"Governor, is it not true that this Court has held numerous times that in similar matters the rights of the individual states are consistent with the natural-flow?"

"That is absolutely correct your Honor."

"Then why, pray tell, are we here discussing the same issue again?"

"I'm afraid your Honor that I have no answer, and plead only that the issue should be so addressed to the defense."

"Mr. Frodo, I believe, are you representing the State of Georgia in this matter?"

"I am, your Honor, given the fact that Georgia has the dumbest collection of elected office-holders in all the land, I am, by definition the last man standing."

"You say you're standing?"

"Despite my limited height, I have not committed $24M to a project known as 'Go Fish' as did Former Governor Perdue.  Nor have I forsaken the guarantee of the federal government to totally fund an expansion of $300B Medicare benefits for the next three years, as has Governor (Bad) Deal.  Our Republican Congressional representatives have likewise. . ."

"That's enough Mr. Frodo, can we return to the question I raised with Governor Scott?"

"Absolutely your Honor."

"Well then, suppose you tell me why we shouldn't conclude these proceedings forthwith?"

"Because of Bob Sikes' Cut."

"What Sir, are you talking about?"

"Sir, the State of Florida, the Corps of Engineers, and the local populace jointly unrtook a project to separate the barrier Saint Georges Island into two parts.  The plan and subsequent result was to increase access into the oyster beds in the sound.  The resultant decrease in oyster harvest lies specifically therein."

"In what way may I ask?"

"Your Honor, the flow of water into the sound has traditionally been from the freshwater rivers entering Florida from Georgia.  The addition of flow from the ocean depths by what is known as Bob Sikes' Cut is saltwater, not freshwater."

"So?"

"Sir, saltwater kills oysters.  Oysters require a balance of fresh and saltwater."

"I object your Honor."

"Didn't you tell me just a moment ago that I should address my questions to the defense?"

"Your Honor, if I may sum up very briefly?"

"Proceed."

"Greed, your Honor, drove the actions of incompetent politicians in Florida.  By opening a new pathway into the sensitive oyster beds, they helped destroy a thriving industry.  Short term gains produce catastrophic results when the science is ignored, and greed takes its place in governmental debate."

"Well, shut my mouth."

"Your Honor, that will be the second best thing to come out of these proceedings."

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 9:16 PM EDT

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Mood:  cool

Frodo, Dandy, and Tess were returning from their morning constitutional (which is not to be confused with anything ever uttered by Ted Cruz) when all three noted an incoming aerial body headed directly in their path.  Frodo quickly identified the drone-like object as a hawk with a passenger in tow.  Immediately behind was another hawk, of equal size, trailing two or three feet behind as they both landed on a picket fence across the street from the Shire itself.  Despite the gore to follow, it was an amazing sight, one which won the attention, if not the admiration, of each of the pedestrian.

Frodo told Sam that it has been consistent with other things observed by the keepers of the Shire.  There seem to be more birds and more squirrels gorging themselves on heavy-fat concentrated seeds and nuts than at any time in memory.  Fishing, be it at Lake Lovey or in the Care of the Belle (more on this subject later), is violently aggressive.  It seems as if all creatures are preparing for a period whence there will be an absence of forage.  It is something which may be nothing, nothing at all, or it may be a harbinger of things to come.

Frodo has spent many hours helping others to prepare for chapters to come.  He has paid little attention to the words before you, dear reader, and for that he laments the innocent injustice thus created.  It is time to notate that the environment suffers, perhaps moreso, than most even imagine.  Perhaps this revised directory will add greater purpose to Frodo's effort, and supplement the facts behind the land that washes away or strangles life of every kind.  The Ring, it seems, is never too far away from the hand of Man.   

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 8:51 PM EDT

Updated: Wednesday, October 9, 2013 8:54 PM EDT

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Mood:  bright

The behavioral sciences is terminology applicable to the study of human behavior utilizing the scientific method.  Causal relationships exist in electronics, for example, as well as they do in human intercourse (check spelling if uncomfortable with the above).  If one turns a light switch to the "ON" position, it follows that the inevitable result is a much brighter environment, if, that is, for example, the light bulb is operative.  By the same token, if a government stock piles weaponry, then the inevitable result will eventually be an explosion.  This short treatise helps explain why Frodo, amongst all the pundits in all the world appears to be the only one who has a clue about American Foreign Policy.

It is easily verifiable to any student of history that for the past fifty or so years, the United States of America has engaged "limited warfare" as a major, if not the major, course of action in order to confront apparent skullduggery.  Korea, Kosovo, Vietnam, Iraq, Grenada, Nicaragua, Afghanistan are familiar names where American resources, both physical and human, were expended in the betterment of "American interests abroad."  The costs have been astronomical, with little accomplishment documented for scholarly study.  Truthfully, can any of Frodo's conservative friends produce any material reason for the "rescue" of the then-medical students in Grenada who have now become eligible providers of benefit under the Affordable Care Act?  Does anyone remember why negotiations broke down?  "Were there any negotiations before hand", asks a befuddled hobbit?  Why a limited war, and not a peace conference in New Hampshire?

Because Ronald Reagan hadn't had a war to call his own.

In truth, by the end of Reagan's presidency, the preferred course of action in international disputes involving the United States was "limited war."  Look it up, if you dare.

Barack Obama clearly understands that the threat of American military action is a formidable deterrent.  Holding the threat at arm's length gives him, or any President, the capability to achieve objectives with more conventional diplomacy.  Economic sanctions are crippling Iran.  Cuba has been stricken with statewide poverty.  In fact, the capacity of the United States to achieve its will with dollars has worked almost everywhere, and sometimes in place of a costly "limited war."

For those still confused by the world outside the borders of our land, Frodo says "Wake up and smell the coffee."  The Russians need us to help patrol their borders with the Islamic world, and they only have one consistent warm-water port in that part of Middle Earth.  They cannot risk economic pressure theemselves, much less in their great trading partner, Syria.  There should be no surprise that an intelligent leader can get his way by a methodology that emphasizes negotiation, and de-emphasizes the expense of war, and another repeat of the collapse of empire.

That's what Frodo knew.

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 10:49 PM EDT

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Mood:  irritated

There is a small lake not far from the Shire.  Old men bring tiny sailboats to the shore and launch them with the wind.  One day, Frodo noticed that one old man had almost a dozen such craft stretching from one end of the lake to the other.  So many in fact that any other old man attempting to catch the wind found himself run aground by this childlike Armada.  Frodo could not help but notice the cackling laughter of those in control, and he thought of battles once fought to ensure that all would have access to the winds.  The thought, it seems, is timely for all students of Middle Earth.

The President is a Man of Peace.  His pathway is rarely free of obstacles, and the answers he seeks fly in the face of conventional wisdom.  Instead of acting with superior force against peoples unknown, and suffering only the loss of innocents, he alternatively has sought to delay the conflict and give cooler heads an opportunity to prevail.  His detractors are aghast that any leader would warn the opposition that the threat is real, and immediate.  His thinking is motivated by the belief that the opposition will withdraw their weapons and military assets from the field as long as a perceived threat is at hand.  For if the opposition should return their horrible armaments to visibility, then the President would have gained the swift hand of the swordsman, prepared to fight and to stand for what 180 nations once said was the law of all Middle Earth.

A great leader cannot share responsibility, for he accepts it all.  He cannot intimately detail his tactical advantage over the opposition if he is to maintain the peace.  He cannot be confronted by an opponent who feels unfettered, if he is to defend the helpless.  A great leader, perhaps described by the Bard, suffers the "slings and arrows," celebrating only in the rare moment when the wind turns in his favor.  A great leader can endure.  In fact, he must. 

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 2:22 PM EDT

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Mood:  crushed out

Frodo long ago promised himself that he would never become an overweight, angry, old man existing only to outlive his opponents.  At times, he feels, once again, all alone.  With few exceptions, his hobbit friends are old, overweight, and angry.  It becomes increasingly difficult for Frodo to respectfully regard the opinions of others as if they were truly independent and democratic in thought.

Fifty years ago Frodo was but a few kilometers removed from the scene of one of the greatest speeches ever delivered by humankind.  He did not attend.  Frodo cannot remember if he was forbidden to attend by higher authority, or if he simply chose to avoid the traffic. 

On that day it was first peacefully acknowledged that children should someday walk hand-in-hand regardless of the colors that separated them.  It would someday be true that they would be judged by their character, and not the color of that skin.  Sad it is that the four young offspring of the dreamer failed on the character charge, and sought, primarily, to enrich themselves while exerting a minimal amount of effort in the realization of that dream.  One is an actor, one is a minister, and the other two make speeches about their father.  Not a single one has ever swung a sword, but the ability to collect a royalty seems to be an inherited fact of life.

Once each week Frodo walks the loneliest of the lonely, and he shares a few moments of human kindeness, and a hairbrush trailing softly through the coat and mane of those not rushing to return to the dry and cool of the indoors.  They do not judge Frodo by the color of his skin.  They wish only to have another week, or two, of Frodo's best effort.  Frodo's character is what is tested, and, this time, he will not let traffic get in the way.  

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 8:27 PM EDT

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Mood:  on fire

Willie Tasby played centerfield for the Washington Senators, not Nationals, fifty years ago.  He wasn't great, nor was he a true bum, but on a team that truly sucked, he was Frodo's favorite player.  He was only the second Negro to play for what was then the southernmost team in all of major league baseball. 

Tasby won Frodo's heart on that summer day when the thounder clouds hung heavily over the hot city streets.  When the clashes of thunder were brightened by streaks of lightning, Frodo remembers as if it were yesterday when the radio announcer suddenly took note of the fact that Tasby was no longer in attendance.  The Senators, as noted above, were not very good from the get-go, but it was ridiculous that they initiate a game with no player in center field.  Tasby, it seemed, was wearing metal spikes on his shoes, as was the custom in those days, and he was afraid that he was too apparent a target for a lightning strike all alone in the wide open spaces between left and right fields.  Tasby sought shelter beneath the stands and refused to come out on the field amidst the inclement weather.  Like everyone else, Frodo laughed.

Frodo stopped laughing when it was disclosed that on another day, in another stadium, Willie Tasby watched as the player next to him was struck by lightning.

A half-century later, Frodo remembers his derisive laughter, and it shames him.  Mr. Tasby, if you are still out there, Frodo apologizes, and he casts his lone vote to the appropriate officials in Cooperstown for the enshrinement of one player who did not suck. 

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 8:28 PM EDT

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Mood:  accident prone

Nicole Wallace raised the ears of the Hobbit when she referred to the soon-to-be ex-Governor of Texas as a "doofuss."  Said reference surprised the Hobbit because Nicole had been Campaign Manager for George W. Bush as well as one of the "preparers" for Sarah Palin.  Joe Scarborough tried to challenge the tone, but Ms. Wallace would not step back from asserting her opinion of the guy with all the hair, but no brains.  As he, himself, once said, "Oops."

Perhaps the Hobbit would similarly draw a response not unlike his own noted above from Ms. Wallace if he referred to John Boehner as a "doofuss."  Admittedly, the reference which follows was an error (but, in Boehner's case, what isn't an error?), but Frodo laughed out loud and decided to share his amusement with the Fellowship.

CNN is famous for the news clips which constantly stream along the bottom of its broadcasts.  Today, under the heading of "Politics," it was reported that Speaker Boehner continues in his enlightened refusal to support any immigration reform as long as the safety of our "boarders" was at risk.

"Boarders?"  As in somebody renting an apartment?  Does this mean that a political struggle of this magnitude exists mainly because the top Republican in all the land thinks we're fighting rent control?  Frodo could not help but wonder if such an error might just be indicative of other issues struggling through the least effective Congress in our National experience.  Can you imagine, dear reader, why Speaker Boehner never mentions "sequestration" much anymore?  Could it be that he thinks people are talking about George Zimmerman's Jury trial or that over-blown horse owned by Ann Romney?  Well, what about the "Fiscal cliff?" 

Boehner, indeed, does need to take a "flying leap," and that is one thing upon which almost all of us agree. 

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 5:03 PM EDT

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Mood:  irritated

849 guns were seized by airport screeners from the baggage and/or clothing of airline passengers attempting to board at US airports during the recently completed first-half of the calendar year.  Nearly every one of the detainees responded that they "forgot".

Zimmerman-v-Martin (decd.) dominates the airwaves, and Frodo is doing everything in his power to avoid the cacophony.  He cannot help but feel that some feign interest as they did when OJ Simpson captured the national imagination.  Frodo does not argue the issues in Zimmerman-v-Martin because he will piss off everyone who reads his opinion.  Frodo does not see the complexity of the issue, and points back to the increasing presence of guns existant for the mere purpose of ending life, indiscriminately.  Why else would one person follow another, as did Zimmerman, seeking to disprove Martin's apparent innocence in transit home?

Perhaps Zimmerman forgot about his handgun?  Perhaps Wayne LaPierre is a co-conspirator?  Perhaps Trayvon looked too much like Barack Obama?  Perhaps Zimmerman is just another "loser" with a little dick? 

Isn't that why he carried a gun in the first place?

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 3:39 PM EDT

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Mood:  rushed

Tommy Yanosky attended Cornell University prior to his service with the guys who draw maps.  Significant it is because this was the last that anyone ever heard of him.  So long ago now that the conversations rarely even include an acknowledgement of his historical star power to the Fellowship.  Tommy Yanosky was a bright enough guy, but he was also the best fisherman any of us ever knew.

While Legolas and Frodo played baseball, Yanosky patrolled the rapids and pools of the rivers nearby, teaching himself the artistry of Izaak Walton, et al.  By accident one day, the Fellowship followed Yanosky and they saw him catch a mighty fish.  The hook, it seems, was more wide-spread than that which brought the monster to shore, for it resulted in the first great economic demands of Frodo's life.  Soon each was driven to the purchase of products by organizations like Shakespeare, Heddon, and objets d'art called "Tiny Lucky 13," "River Runt," and "Finnish Minnow."

The countless days spent wading and crossing rapids in search of picene giants were to the members of the Fellowship as were those known to Huck, Tom, and interestingly, Jim too.  Early on, the Fellowship noted Yanosky's reference to "Willie" and the "mudbums" who it seems were always nearby.  They ate the fish that they caught, and they welcomed the addition of those assembled by the Hobbits and Elves.  For Frodo's friends eating fish from industrialized runoff was deemed less attractive than half a dozen burgers, fries, and a shake.  It made the Hobbits feel "noble" and it certainly opened many a conversation with inhabitants of the far corners of Middle Earth.  Given the politics of the day, it was not a surprise that heroic liberalism grew exponentially.

Frodo learned that great changes do occur, and the most important changes seem to emanate from streets and byways when people assemble.  Frodo has seen people just like the mudbums take on the irrationality of a nineteenth century world a hundred years unchanged, and do so almost entirely alone.  Perhaps they, too, desired a more modern world.  He watches now as beautiful and wealthy women gather to make a mockery of inane politicians with names like Kasich and Perry.  They march, and they chant, and they obstruct.  In the most ancient of worlds Egyptian youth react against religious intolerance, and they are assembled in "numbers too big to ignore."  Frodo has also learned that patience prevails despite the fact that the passage of time ensures the presence of a violent act by those not willing to share burgers and fries.

The "Arab Spring" is far from a footnote in world history.  On this day the mudbums are replaced by different actors, but the lines are just the same.  Tommy Yanosky is out there, somewhere, artfully manuvering the slippery pathways which open young eyes to angels with dirty faces.       

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 3:14 PM EDT

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