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Today went much much better then Thanksgiving/anniversary. I was off for the holiday but the long suffering spouse had to work the mid-shift so I was in for a very late meal. Tunafish casserole (no onions thank you) which was well worth the wait.

Onyx got loose (which rarely occurs) when Ruth was separating a tree limb from his lease and thought her voice command would be more effective then it is.

In 27 years Onyx is the fifth dog we've owned and by far the stupidest and most stubborn but he is such a charming rogue. Any attempts to hug the Mrs. gets him on hind legs for a group hug. He is jealous of any and all of the other pets and if little Zap gets petted he sticks his nose, face and full body in the way and the tail wags like he is the anointed one.

With Ruth running late to work I spent about a half hour chasing him thru numerous yards and severals blocks down the road. Oddly I did not suffer any of the heart attack/shortness of breath symthoms that are the joy of the lawn mower of doom to exhult over. This tender mercy actually made me madder at my rebellious fugitive who would let me get about a foot away and he would scamper off again.

My temper finally flared in direct proportion to how cold I was getting. I spotted Ruth driving around the block looking constantly left --we being on her right of course. I took my belt off and began swinging it. Onyx stops and realizes that the game is over and Daddy might not be that harmless bag of wind he purports himself to be. He settles, I get the belt around his collar and walk him home.

In mercy with judgement only whacked him ONCE very hard across the flanks and got the loudest yelp I've ever heard from him. No tears for this Bambi/Dumbo moment. I put him in the garage for a few hours until I could settle down.

Knowing Ruth was going to be gone I went back to bed and sulked which I'm beginning to think is my best form of meditation. I warn Ruth that I'm in no mood for frothy company. By this is meant the kids as I secretly despise holidays visits--there is just a whiff of "We have to visit--it's expected." I, great shooter of the foot that I am would rather go 10 holidays alone (and have) rather then think there were other motives then the joy of seeing my receding hairline and facial smirks. Was also curious to see if Sandy and Mike would come anyway--even if the grizzley has been aroused. Nope, my daughter is highly predictable. They drop in on Ruth at the store and leave a card that Ruth forgets to tell me about and retreat back to wherever they were spending their holiday time with. I reflect that I had been behaved all last year so I was overdue to let the drama queen rule.

I miss Dan's phone call because I was, ironically, watching his anniversary present to me--money I used to get Pinky and the Brain Vol 2 on DVD. First choice was House MD Season 3 but didn't have enough money, second was Untouchables Season 1, Pt 2, but Meijers was out so taking over the world time was in full swing.

Jim and Loretta made no appearance. Ruth checked her e-mail--zip nada, Have not heard much out of them since the custody suit mid-September. This is really starting to annoy me. Even during the worst times with my parents I rarely let two months go by without acknowledging their claws still keeping me under their thumb emotionally. (NOTE: Study harder all the verses in the Bible about forgiveness. Remember to actually practice a little bit. I did!!! Only whipped him once! Pets so much easier to forgive. I swear it's those brown eyes. Just now I called Onyx several times to come to the computer room but I hear his collar bells jingling but no sign of the big lug. Sigh.)

Today however has been a ray of sunshine. My friend Steve B. from Baltimore was back in town for a short visit. He has many friends to see so me, Steve T., Lanny from the Bookery all met up and ate at Foy's diner (Steve B. paid). We exchanged presents. His birthday is the 25th and I gave him a Star Trek 30th anniversary Phaser gun with the correct sound effects. He had seen it before and desired it so score for me. He gave me a very large Dr. Doom figure. Try as Marvel does they just don't quite get the green cloak color the shade most often used on my favorite villain. This one will stay in the box just for awhile in the living room on top of the Prince Valiant reprint series. He had sent some stuff to Steve T. who had it at his home (Steve T. had lost my cell phone number) so we all went out there to finish up. Steve B. had to return to his mother-in-law's house so I got to see Steve T.'s library and drool awhile. One item left for me (a Bat-mite statute) I already had which was great because Steve T. wanted it as well so I graciously told him - yours. A few minutes later I became the owner of Avengers Volume 2 #1 (technically issue 403) as a way of thank you. Works for me. Plus the Bookery finally got Avengers 497 and 498 in. Will pay for them next week.

So the Mrs will be home soon. I requested more tunafish casserole and the night should end much better.

Now I sincerely hope others enjoyed their holidays. I may sound like the Grinch but it really isn't as bad as all that. I know the kids care but unlike faith being the evidence of things unseen I much prefer visible manifestations of devotion.

Or more e-mails from Logos. That would be neat too.