Tape Trauma

I guess while doing construction in the house we really should keep the bunny confined a little more for his own safety. It’s sort of tempting to watch what he’ll do with the things he finds- he picks up and moves the dust pan, gnaws the wooden screw driver, climbs through the stairs and comes sliding out of the bottom, etc.
Well, today he found himself a nice big piece of masking tape that apparently wasn’t stuck down very well. He probably was chewing on it, because he likes tape, and it somehow flipped over and stuck to his chest. I guess he tried to get it off because he must have rubbed his chest on the ground or something because when I found him, it was stuck down really well. The edges were even folded over on themselves.
So, I held him while my father in law gently and patiently pulled fur from tape. Gordy twitched pretty badly at the beginning and ripped out a chunk, but after that he didn’t move. He just let us cut and pull until it was over. I guess he figured out that we were helping him. It was very sad. Afterwards he had all tape glue stuck in his fur, but at that point he just lay down and let me cut it out. It was like he just gave up fighting us so that we could help him. He got a lot of raisins for that one and seemed to sleep more today that usual. I guess it wore him out.
Unfortunately, I don’t think bunnies learn from their mistakes, so as Charles says, if you gave him another piece of tape, he’d do it all over again.

Home Improvement

Charles’ parents are visiting us for the month of November. They are here to visit, to counsel with Tim and Rebecca, and to help us fix up our house. Charles and his Dad decided to tackle the main problem inside of our house- our unfinished staircase. When we moved in, the entire upstairs and staircase was carpeted with a dark brown, very worn, very smoke infested carpet. So, that came out the day we purchased the house. Since then, we’ve laid flooring in the bedrooms and hallway, but have not been brave enough to deal with the stairs. So, with his Dad here, we’re spending the time and money needed to finish the staircase. I think the whole house is going to feel more like a home than a construction area after this is done.

We’re also having our deck re-done. A friend of mine owns a deck refinishing company, and was getting married. So we did the trade thing, and I don’t know who’s happier about it. He’s still working out there, when he can, but it’s already great- he put in benches, and we’re buying some French doors that he’s going to install. It feels like it’s all coming together.
Charles’ mom’s good friend Donna does amazing custom window treatment (not curtains, silly) and I’m going to do some family photos for her, and dress up my sad looking windows. So, it’s looking up for our little house. Although, Charles is vowing to never undertake another project again after these stairs. I can’t say I blame him very much- it’s really tedious work!
Gordy and I are pretty much trapped in the office these days. I’m plugging away at orders and he’s hiding from the construction. Here’s a picture I took of Gordy while setting up the studio the other day.
It’s wonderful having Charles’ parents here. Friday, I plugged away at the computer all day, the guys worked on the stairs, and Charles mom cooked an amazing pork loin meal with homemade apple sauce, white wine, salad, everything. I said they could stay as long as they want.

Pine Mountain

Last Friday, Charles and I hiked up Pine Mountain. It was the perfect fall day- cool, but not cold, color everywhere. It was a several hour climb, so that when we reached the top despite the chill, most of our layers were totally unnecessary. My asthmatic lungs actually held out (typically cool dry air is very hard to exercise in- I liked the hot humid days this summer) but my feet ached by the time we got back to the car. Here are a few images we took along the hike. Charles took the long exposure of the river, which gives the water that silky effect. The two tree images that look like oil paintings are reflections in a pond, the surface of which had just the slightest ripples.

Halloween

This is the second Halloween now that I have set up a studio and photographed the neighborhood children when they came around to trick or treat. Last year was a little weird, answering the door and inviting people in, but this year they came expecting to be photographed. When the kids get into the studio, I ask them to show me what their character would do. Superman put his fists to his hips, Snow White twirled around. I love it! Here are a few of my favorites, that I have permission to show.






I also dressed up for Halloween and went out late to a costume party downtown with some friends. Wendy and I were Geisha, Wendy being the evil one with horns, and me with flowers in my hair. We didn't leave for the party until almost 11pm, and didn't get to bed until after 4am. Ah, the luxury of working for yourself. I didn't have to be anywhere until lunch time, so I was able to blow the morning sleeping.