Gerty Goes Surfing!

While we were at Nags Head Gerty decided to take surfing lessons. While her technique is not that good yet, I am sure it will improve with time. It shouldn't take more than a couple of weeks for her to learn to ride the waves.

Who knows, she might even find some large curls to try.

Don't you think she is improving?

My Final Approach

As I mentioned in my previous blog, the relaxation/play assignment allowed me the freedom to imagine. In other words, to be a kid again.

What I would like for my final project is to make a small animation showing Gertrude at the seashore and surfing. I realize that time constraints are limiting this for tonight. I am hoping to having a picture of Gertrude on a surfboard. But I have every intention of complete my "video" and post it on this blog.

The what ifs for the project: what if Gertrude had arms? I found some Barbie doll arms to hopefully add to Gerty. What if Gerty was in the sun too long? I am hoping to give her a sunburn. What if Gerty went surfboarding? I am searching for a surfboard picture that I can alter to place her on it. What if I made an animation of the surfing? I am going to find pictures of waves at various stages coming to the seashore and hopefully make an animation of them with Gerty on the surfboard.

I do promise to continue working on the project until I accomplish it.

Having Fun Lab Assignment

I went home and played with AJ. After our half-mile exercise walk we settled down and AJ actually allowed me to play cards on Pogo. It was refreshing and relaxing to be able to just concentrate on the cards played and how to beat the opponents (without the guilt of wasting time).

While I was playing cards ideas of what I could do with Gertrude came to mind. I imagined how to get arms on the egg, how to give her a sunburn from lying on the beach, how to get her to brush her teeth, or even how to show her surfboarding. These are "what ifs".

This relaxation gave me the freedom to imagine. I have always felt that computer programs give us the ability to create anything, that we are limited only by our imaginations. This assignment gave me the opportunity to turn my imagination loose.

Fifty What Ifs

My my! We do this everyday of our lives.

What if I had not met my husband?
What if we had moved to Israel as we planned?
What if we only had two children?
What if I didn't get a horse?
What if we didn't move to the farm?
What if my husband did not get a Parkinson's Disease Syndrome?
What if I didn't get a computer?
What if I never explored the internet?
What if we could speak dog language?
What if motorized vehicles were never invented?

The Egg and I at the Beach 2!

Now that Gerty was ready, off we went to the airport. I did have a lot of explaining to do with the security people as to why I was carrying a "dressed" egg.

We boarded the plane. Of course Gerty and I had the window seat so that we could watch the country below.

The Egg and I at the Beach!

Gertrude and I just returned from our vacation at Nags Head, North Carolina.

In preparation for our trip, I sensed that Gertrude really wanted a nose and mouth so that she could fully enjoy the "feastivities". After placing and adjusting them, Gerty felt that something was still missing. We thought and thought...hmm.....HAIR! Yes! that is what she needed.

After many hours of preparation, Gerty is ready for the trip!

The Senses

1. At the movie theater there was the smell of popcorn and sweet candy.
2. At the restaurant with my son and his family, we heard the horse race (Pimlico Preakness was running), the voices of other customers and wait staff, the clinking of dishes, and the sounds of pouring liquids.
3. Listening to music is rather emotional for me, as I can easily picture in my mind what we were doing when the song made a first impression on me. As, "Stranger on the Shore" reminds me of when Fuad and I took the kids to the drive-in in Connecticut. "Downtown" was my daughters favorite song and I still hear and see her as a 2-year-old singing along.
4. The morning shower is so soothing and refreshing. The walk with AJ is invigorating.
5. In the grocery store I imagine the taste of the fruits, but don't really get a response in the other aisles.

The Egg and I

Well, here I am at the last minute trying to get my "blog" posted. Actually, for the first time in years I did my assignment early and had a blog made on Thursday with anticipations of adding more each day, as a journal.

I did fool around with egg several times but didn't actually write any more until last night. However, when I went to put the picture and story up yesterday, I could not access my blog site. I cannot remember my user name.
So this is my redo.

Written on Thursday: The Egg and I! We were given the project of taking the raw egg home with us and writing a blog about what we did with it.

The first obstacle was to get the egg home safely. That accomplished, the egg is now tucked-in safely on the shelf of my refrigerator. I have given a lot of thought to what I might do with the egg, but have not come up with any ideas. One thing for sure, I will be thinking about this egg for a long time to come.

Friday: I have given the egg a name--Gertrude. Gertrude was introduced to my dog, A. J. After I convinced him that she was not to be eaten, the three of us watched TV.

Saturday: Gertrude and I dropped A.J. off at the kennel so that he could get use to being left and picked up again. I did this so that he won't feel abandoned when I go on my vacation.
With A.J. safely at the kennel, Gertrude and I went shopping. I got a couple of dresses, but she want a bright red hat. I think I am spoiling her. When we got home, she had to try it on and hasn't taken it off since.

Sunday: Gertrude complained to me that she could not see anything and stated that she wanted eyes. So I set about giving her eyes to see our explorations. Off we went exploring. Since this was a big weekend at the Speedway, we decided to drop in there for a peak.