A Day in the Life of the Dogs Named Gallo....

Boy, I tell ya, life is rough around the Gallo household these days....just look at how worn out these guys are from all the...uh.....sleeping they've done.........

GOD IS GRATEFUL FOR JERRY TOO....

RIP JERRY

August 9th 1995 was a sad, sad day for a huge amount of people.

It was eleven years ago today that our beloved leader of the Grateful Dead left us for what I'm sure has been another long, strange trip........

He is missed every day by all those whose lives he touched without having ever even met the man in person. He had an impact on people that has lasted decades, and continues to pull people into his world daily. I am always happy to see the Dead shows as a family affair. Not only will you see lots of kids in tye dye, their dogs following them at their heels, but you will also see the extended family formed by the fans with a true appreciation and love for why they're there.

I have a saying that I use a lot...."Icame for the music, but I stay for the family."

I have met some of my best friends, and the most generous and kind-hearted people through music. It is truely a way of life for so many of us.

AND TO JERRY...MAY YOU REST IN PEACE AND HAVE THE BEST TRIP EVER!!!!!!!!

"Happy Tails"

Sweet little Sammy boy (the foster puppy) went to his "forever family" last weekend. We were very lucky to find a retired couple who have a three level deck on the back of their house with a doggie door on each level. They also had a skipperke mix that looked just like Sammy....They loved eachother right off the bat. It wasn't as hard to see him go as I thought it would be...I'mvery happy to have helped him.

Our newest member of the foster family is a little chihuahua mix named Pablo. He's a riot. He literally stands on is front paws when he pees....he doesn't hike one leg, he hikes 'em both. I think he should be in the circus or something, but from what I've heard, the "carny life" can get rough at times....anyway, here are a few pictures of the little guy.

If anyone knows anyone interested in a little crazy mexican dog...send 'em my way!!!!

The Human Touch

Working in the medical field has taught me a lot. Not only the knowledge I need for my job, but also how to have compassion and empathy for all people at all times in their lives.

I see people through some of the most joyous and the most tragic times in their lives.

One lesson that has stood out over time is that the human touch can mean more than any words ever could at the right time.
This poem, which I found in one of my old poetry books, is a good reminder of that....

THE HUMAN TOUCH

'Tis the human touch in this world that counts,
The touch of your hand and mine,
Which means far more to the fainting heart
Than shelter and bread and wine;
For shelter is gone when the night is o'er,
And bread lasts only a day,
But the touch of the hand and the sound of the voice
Sing on in the soul always.

SPENCER MICHAEL FREE

celebrating life

On Thursday, August 3rd, Mom and I drove out to Adam's Mill and the covered bridge to celebrate the life of my father. It's hard to believe that it's been eight years since he's been gone.

I often look at my life now, compared to where I was when dad was here and wonder what he would think of what I've done with my life. The last thing I want to do is disappoint my father. That plays a huge part in every decision I make every day.

There are definitely things I think Dad would have hoped I had handled differently, but overall, I think he would be happy for me. Especially now, since I've gotten through some of the tough times like my divorce.

It has become tradition to go to the covered bridge at Adam's mill on August 3rd every year. Mom and I take flowers with us and pop the tops off so they can float with the current and throw them in the water where we scattered Dad's ashes. It's such a peaceful area to go to collect our thoughts and remember the good times. Mom and Dad and I shared a lot of memories out there, so it's not only special because we scattered his ashes there, but also because of the nostalgia the environment brings us.








I was very lucky to have the relationship with my father that I had. It hurts me to see other people that don't have that kind of relationship with their parents, because I think it would have been much harder for me to lose my dad without knowing how much he loved me and how proud he was of me. And I hope I still make him proud every day.......

The bridge was not refinished when Dad passed away. I think he would be very happy with the improvements in the last few years.

This last picture was taken from the window on the bridge overlooking the water. We just stood silently watching the flowers follow the current and dance along the rocks and waves...it was a beautiful day.........

Another Good Man Gone

August 3rd, 2006 was the eight year anniversary of my dad's death........



Another Good Man Gone

Reluctant hero of the family,
His life played out like a tragedy.
A music man was all he claimed to be.

A flash of brilliance like a shooting star,
Etched in your mind for as long as you are.
Give him five minutes and you can feel the music in his heart.

Bringing joy to everyone,
Taking pride in the work that he'd done.

But I never thought that he'd be gone,
I was hopin' there'd be just one more song.
Another man, another good man gone.
Another man, another good man gone.

Singing melodies that warm my cold.
Never fittin' in to a typical mold.
Takin' me back to the days of old.

Telling tales of life and places he'd been,
A prophet of sorts to his following kin.
Visit him once and you knew you'd be back, over and over
and over and over again.

You know we had a lot of fun.
All in all it was a hell of a run.
Remember how we laughed and how we cried.
Fifty three years till his heart grew tired.
But he left his mark just like a brand in iron.

Sometimes I can still hear the music play.
A warm wind blowin' all the clouds away,
Lettin' the sun shine bright in the sky on a cold dark winter day.
No one stays forever young.
Nothing's for sure but the rising of the sun.

Hoosier at Heart

You know you're a true Hoosier when you blog about your first sweet corn of the year.......

Yes, Ryan and I dove into our first batch of fresh sweet corn last night...Oh my gosh, was it good!!!!!

You're hearing this from one of the few people not ashamed to admit her love for the Hoosier state....after all, I AM the one who drove her car off the side of the road a couple years ago while gawking at the corn. I was SOOO excited because it wasn't even close to the fourth of July yet, and the corn was a lot higher than "knee high." So, yes, I drove off the road just enough to hit the deepest dip of the railroad tracks I was crossing and busted out BOTH of my passenger side tires and rims....that turned out to be an expensive country drive.

Anyway, I love to drive around the country and look at nature around me. I love to see everything change with the seasons. That's one of the best things about Indiana....and the sunsets. Oh, the sunsets are beautiful. So, if you don't feel like braving the heat for a glimpse of the sunset, here you go. These pictures were taken last Saturday on 400 E. on the way to Ryan's parents' house. I was gawking at the corn AND the sunset...it doesn't get much better than that if you ask me.........

Indiana Wineries

Did you know that Indiana is the second largest producer of wine next to the state of California? That's one of the many little facts that Ryan and I learned during our little wine tour last year.





All this hot weather has had my tastebuds screaming for a good crisp wine. I have found that I like Chardonnay on a nice hot day. Surprisingly, however, I have learned that I am a big fan of dry reds such as Merlot and Cabernet. A lot of people are under the impression that they would prefer reds to whites just because they think it will be sweeter. That's not always the case.




















This is a photo of the Carousel Winery Vineyard in Southern Indiana.........



Part of the beauty of a wine is the process that occurs before the wine ever comes close to the bottle. Have you ever had the pleasure of sitting near a vineyard and just absorbing the beauty around you? There are several vineyards around Indiana, especially in the Southern portion of the state. One winery that uses its own vineyard is the Huber Winery. The awesome part about the Huber Winery is driving onto the grounds through the vineyards. They will take you on a tour through the vineyards as well as the winery itself. Many other wineries use fruit that is provided from a seperate vineyard.













These are cabernet grapes from the Madison Vineyard......don't they look lucious!!!!








There is so much to learn about wine. I find the whole process fascinating. Although we haven't had time this year to go to any wineries, there are several close enough to make a one day trip out of it. So, Ryan may not realize it yet, but that's the plan for the next weekend we have off together. If anyone is interested in having me bring them a bottle or two from somewhere, just let me know.








This map shows all the wineries in Indiana.....

Here you go Tapeear...

While I was looking through pictures from Christmas, I came across this silly picture...doesn't it look like Tapeear has some crazy mohawk or something......

Our sweet Grammy!!!

Here's a great picture of Grammy at Christmas with John.....doesn't she look like she's having a ball!!!

I'm ready to see that big smile of hers again!!!

Get well soon Grammy!!!!

Shine On.......

Here is a picture of the original lineup of Pink Floyd including Syd Barrett....












I regret that I didn't post anything sooner regarding the death of the great rock legend Syd Barrett.

Syd Barrett passed away July 7th, and will be greatly missed by rock fans around the world.

Syd was one of the founding members of Pink Floyd. In fact, their 1967 debut "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" is still known as one of the best psychedelic rock albums ever. Syd was greatly responsible for the success of that album, having written many of the tracks that are still worshipped by Pink Floyd fans today.

Unfortunately, Barrett had a liking for LSD which is said to be the cause of his mental lapse beginning in the late sixties that forced him out of the band. He had been hospitalized for multiple diagnosis of mental disorders and eventually went back to Cambridge where he became a recluse and was rarely seen in public.

In 1975 Pink Floyd dedicated their album "Wish You Were Here" to Syd with the track "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" which has been said to have been written specifically about him.

Pink Floyd issued a statement regarding his death just a few days after the announcement:
"Syd was the guiding light of the early band line-up and leaves a legacy which continues to inspire." I believe Pink Floyd and Syd Barret will both continue to inspire for years to come. Each time someone hears those old Floyd tracks for the first time, a new fan is born........
----------------------------------------------

"SHINE ON YOU CRAZY DIAMOND"

Remember when you were young,
You shone like the sun.
Shine on you crazy diamond.

Now there's a look in your eyes,
Like black holes in the sky.
Shine on you crazy diamond.

You were caught on the crossfire
Of childhood and stardom,
Blown on the steel breeze.

Come on you target for faraway laughter,
Come on you stranger,
you legend, you martyr, and shine!

You reached for the secret too soon,
You cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond.

Threatened by shadows at night,
And exposed in the light.
Shine on you crazy diamond.

Well you wore out your welcome
With random precision,
Rode on the steel breeze.

Come on you raver, you seer of visions,
Come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine!















I thought this was a great picture of Syd....

I bet his Momma's proud!!!

Aren't kids absolutely hilarious!!!! I just had to post this.....hopefully you'll all laugh as hard as I did!!!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!!!

note to self...

Just a little note to myself....and the rest of this crazy world!!!!!!!!!

Only In New York....

I just can't help but be amused by some of the stories I read off of Q95's website for weird news. Here's a short, but good example.........





Thief Mugs Bank Robber


A man who robbed a New York bank fled on foot and ended up losing his loot on the street to another thief who stole his haul.

A man who robbed a New York bank fled on foot and ended up losing his loot on the street to another thief who stole his haul. The original robbery of the Independence Bank was July 3, when several good Samaritans took after the thief on foot and ran him down, the New York Post said Wednesday.


In the scuffle of subduing him, another man who had witnessed the robbery grabbed the bank bags containing about $3,000, police said. At the scene, police arrested James Boccanfusso and charged him with bank robbery, and the Samaritans provided a description of the second thief.


Tuesday, officers spotted the wanted man near the Independence Bank, and arrested him as well. Kareem Sims, 31, is charged with robbery and possession of stolen property, the newspaper said.
----------------------------------------------------

OK, did you notice WHERE the officers found the robber of the robber??? He was right back at the bank that had just been robbed by HIS victim.....idiot....

unexpected fun!!!!

The factory that Ryan works for gave us tickets to an Indians game after his company picnic Saturday. When we got to Victory field, it was only about 104 degrees with the heat index, so we were extatic when our seats were directly facing the boiling sun. Don't get me wrong....I don't want to sound unappreciative...keep reading.

After about a half an hour of struggling to see home plate and also breathe, we decided it was time for a change of scenery. There were plenty of empty seats over by left field, so off we went. As we were walking, I was happy to hear a couple Grateful Dead tunes coming from somewhere...that always makes me happy. Finally, we sat down in a couple empty seats that had plenty of shade. AAAHHHH, "this is perfect" I thought. It couldn't get much better. We were both off work, had just eaten free food, and were enjoying a free baseball game (in the shade) compliments of Donaldson's. But wait.....what is it that I hear clear as a bell??? It's Phil Lesh (from the Grateful Dead) and Friends playing a concert across the street at White River State Park. Wow...now I've added perfect acoustics of Grateful Dead tunes to the day....I'm in seventh heaven.

As the sixth inning rolled around, Ryan got a phone call from a friend of ours from Kokomo. The funny thing about Eric is that we normally don't see him in Kokomo. It's usually music that brings us together wherever that may be. He was calling to see if we knew about the "One Under" show at The Mousetrap in Indy that night. (One Under is the band that two of the Ekoostik Hookah members formed after leaving)

We had no idea that they were playing Saturday....but we knew we HAD to go!!!! It made it even easier when we found out it was free. So, we stayed at the game until the seventh inning stretch, sang "Take me out to the Ballgame," and headed for The Mousetrap. When we walked in, we saw friends from all over the place. Someone had even gotten ahold of Clint to let him know we would be there so he could see us. (He moved to Indy last week, and we miss him terribly) So, there stands Clint, Eric and Abby Springer, Nick and Ashley, Matt and Tashanna, Angela and Matt, Kelly and Dave, and a friend of theirs I had met once named Nate. So, with just the crowd of people we were with, we had quite a show of our own for the band!!!

I actually drank enough to feel it Saturday night....yes, I got drunk!!!! For me, that's unusual. I'm normally the designated driver, and if I DO drink, it's a glass or two of wine, and I'm done....but not Saturday!!! I don't know what got into me, but I can tell you I had a blast!!!

I had more fun Saturday night than I've had in a long time. I credit that to all my good friends that I was so happy to spend some time with. Here are a few pictures my friend Kelly sent me. I didn't have my camera, or I would have more!!!











This is Ryan, Matt, Eric, and Dave in the back, and Abby and I up front....Yeah I'M DRINKIN' and apparently I wanted everyone to know it!!











Here's Ryan and our good friend Dave...we met him and his wife at Hookahville in Ohio a couple years ago and have kept in touch since then. They live in Indy, but we normally see them in Ohio at the shows!!!

This is Kelly, Dave's wife, and Abby, Eric's wife, and of course...ME!!!!

And last, but not least, Nick and Ashley (my sweetheart) who just got engaged Saturday before the concert...AAAWWWWWW!!!!

Anyway, the game was the only thing we had planned for the day....I had no idea it would turn into a huge party before the night was over...but it did....and I'm STILL recuperating!!!!

Sweet Little Sammy Boy Continued....

Here are a few more photos of my sweet little foster puppy...isn't he cute!! If anyone knows of someone who's looking for a great pet, send them my way....Sammy is looking for a good home with lots of love!!!

Before and After

I have finally completed one of many projects at my house!!! YEAH!!!!

Actually, I have been finished with this room for about six weeks, but just got around to taking some new pictures.

Here are a few pictures of my old bedroom before and after the re-vamp....and no, the patchwork wallpaper was not visible when I claimed this as my room. It was just one of the nightmares we conquered while working on the room.....you never know what's under that old wallpaper...maybe more wallpaper, and more wallpaper, and more...well, you get the idea!!!

Everyone will have to come hang out in the "new room" sometime!! Dad's old work room, or more recently, Clint's old bedroom is our next project....I'll keep you all posted!!!

If it's yellow..............

If it's yellow, leave it mellow......If it's brown, flush it down.

Ah, yes, those are words that may sound familiar if you've ever seen "Meet the Fockers."

Under the circumstances that I heard those words today, it wasn't quite as funny as the movie. It rained a lot last night, and since the city has been doing such fine work for the last SEVERAL YEARS on our sewer systems around the hospital, we were told exactly those words when we came into work today.

Yes, they really told us not to flush any more than necessary today. Rumor has it that someone was also told not to wash their hands as much as they normally would today because of drains backing up....it's water conservation, you know. YEAH RIGHT!!!! I'm not sure that the last statement was actually true....like I said, it was a rumor for all I know, but after the flood at this hospital a couple years ago, you'd think they'd have a better back up plan. The ladies working in the cafeteria were literally wearing trash bags over their shoes because there was so much water standing on the floor. And someone allowed them to keep serving food in that environment!!!!!


Well, I can tell you, that cafeteria didn't see a penny from me today!!! I refuse to eat food from a place that I don't hink the board of health would approve.......I'm gonna have to talk to Ryan's Dad about this...he works for the city............. I AM NOT HAPPY!!!!

Sweet Little Sammy Boy

Well, one of these days when I remember to bring my camera to work, I will download some of my own pictures of this sweet little guy, but until then, you get the photos from petfinder.com.

This is my new foster puppy, Sammy. Yes, my foster puppy. I am helping the Companion Animal Association by being a foster mom. Sammy will eventually go to a great permanent home, but I will keep him until someone adopts him.

Sammy was found as a stray in Indianapolis about two months ago. He is most likely a Pomeranian and Schipperke mix. What the heck is a Schipperke, you ask.....it's a cute little fuzzy dog that I had never heard of until Sammy came along either. You can see several pictures of Schipperkes at this website: http://www.puppydogweb.com/gallery/schipperkes/e.htm

Sammy has been a great boy so far. He is fixed and potty trained. He gets along pretty well with the other dogs. He is a little stingy when it comes to his bones and some toys, but we're working on that. He loves the neighbor kids across the street too, so I think it'll be easy to find him a good home. It isn't free to adopt a pet, but you actually do get the pet for free. The only cost is the amount of money spent on vet bills for that individual pet. So, every pet has a different cost.

Anyway, I just wanted to fill everyone in on the latest news in the puppy family. And, believe it or not, it didn't take near as much batting of the eyelashes to talk Ryan into being a foster home as I thought it would...... :-)

Strange and in the News

People are nuts!!!
Here's an article I found while searching for some strange news...I always love that kind of junk!!!!


Woman Jailed for Mouse-In-Soup Scam

The Associated PressJul 6, 2006 8:36 AM

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - A woman who tried to extort money from the Cracker Barrel restaurant chain by putting a dead mouse in a bowl of soup was sentenced to a year in jail.


Carla Patterson, 38, and her 22-year-old son, Ricky Patterson, sought $500,000 from the chain after claiming they found the rodent in the vegetable soup the woman ordered at a Newport News restaurant on Mother's Day weekend in 2004.


A jury convicted the Pattersons of conspiracy to commit extortion in April. The Pattersons maintained their innocence, but evidence included tests showed the mouse had not been cooked and had not drowned but instead died of a fractured skull.


Carla Patterson wept Wednesday as a judge imposed the jail sentence and a $2,500 fine. Defense lawyer Michael Woods said Patterson plans to appeal.


Ricky Patterson's sentencing, which had been scheduled for Wednesday, was postponed until Sept. 14. He is at Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail in Williamsburg after pleading guilty to forgery in an unrelated check-fraud case.