My Bit of Earth

An Afternoon in Canterbury

We met my side of the C-A clan in Kansas City to hang out at the Renaissance Festival for the afternoon.  There were jousts and characters galore, and the Wee Welshman was almost kidnapped by a pirate.  Sweet Sister enjoyed all the animals, and Younger Brother was asked to dance 'round the maypole with a pretty lady.  A merry ole' time was had by all!  More pictures here.

Moe Speaks: Renaissance Festival

Today we went to a Renaissance Festival with Grandma, Aunt Madi, Uncle Cole, and some human cousins. It was a lot of fun, but it was a lot of walking too! By the end of the day I was pooped.

And I don't know how many people I heard say, "What kind of dog is he? Can I pet him?" But that was better than the people in costume there who kept joking with Mom about making me into soup! Jeesh! I didn't even get a turkey leg for my troubles!

But I did get a little chicken...and some sausage...and a very short swim in the fountain...and to sniff all sorts of smells...yeah, it was a good day.

Closing One Door and Opening Another

Among other updates at JK.Rowling.com (here's a list of them), Jo posted in her rumors section that Snape was not hiding under the invisibility cloak the night the Potter's died, thus debunking one of my theories.  However, the door to the Room of Requirement is now open, which always means that fun is about to ensue!

I went to check it out asap, of course.  There are a bunch of items traditionally thought to be lucky--a four leaf clover, a rabbit's foot, a horse shoe, a feather.  I would imagine one has to click on them in a certain pattern to reveal their secret.  Not being good at that sort of thing, I'm waiting with baited breath for someone to post how it works.

Update:  The secret behind the door is a second W.O.M.B.A.T. test.  Jo put up the first W.O.M.B.A.T. earlier this year, and I sadly missed it.  Not wanting to make such a mistake again, I hurried to take this second W.O.M.B.A.T.  It was a little tricksey, I have to say. 

To avoid spoiling it for people who are into figuring this sort of thing out for themselves, I'm posting the directions to get to the W.O.M.B.A.T. below.  (So if you don't want to know, don't click on the link!)

1. Go to jkrowling.com, enter the site, click on the eraser on the desk.
2. Once you're facing the door, double click on the door handle to open the door.
3. Light the candle on the desk by clicking on it.
4. Click on the feather (quill) on the desk; it should automatically move into the inkwell.
5. Click on the W.O.M.B.A.T. test paper (the thing to the left of the desk that looks kind of like a book); it should rustle and close.
6. Click on the four leaf clover at the bottom left-hand corner of the desk; it will turn into a key.
7. (This is the tricky part.)  Drag the key so that the top of the key (the circle-y part) is touching the keyhole on the desk drawer.  The keyhole is just barely visible on the inside of the silver deck drawer handle.  Once you have the key in place, release it there.
8. The desk drawer should open to reveal the W.O.M.B.A.T. paper inside.
9. Click on the hour glass on the desk (the brown circle) to begin.

Have fun!

Quick Quotes Quill Friday: I Think We Should Make a Conscious Effort to Make This Saying Popular

"...the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters".

--Sirius Black, Order of the Phoenix

Wonderful News

Gina Spadafori at the Pet Connection is now reporting that the AKC-Petland deal (previously discussed here) has been rescinded. 

Thank goodness!

I know it may seem like small potatoes, but it was really screwing with my world--as anything that effects the Wee Welshman's happiness tends to do.  Of course, as Gina implies, the fact that this partnership was even suggested indicates that there are still problems to be taken care of.  But this is still wonderful news.

So Gross, It's Cute

I was walking out the door on my way to work this morning when I saw these two on the side of my house.

At first I kind of thought, "Eww!"  But on closer examination, I noticed they were spooning.  Awww . . . .

A Doggie Playground and A Pretty Backyard

Earthdog tunnels, agility equipment, and a nice looking garden--all in one place, living together in harmony?

Yes way!

Like a Record Baby, Right Round Round Round

Just a quick post with a few thoughts I've had on the Chris Wallace/Bill Clinton interview. 

I haven't the time or inclination to sift through and weed out who's right.  Although I'm a Clinton fan and have noted in the past the horrible right-bias of Fox News, experience teaches that there's probably a grain of truth in both what Clinton said and in the conservative response.  I did like the "I tried and failed."  I don't think you'd ever catch our current President making such an admission.

But aside from the substance of the interview, two things:

First, I don't think this was an unplanned outburst on Bill Clinton's part.  You don't get to be where he is without learning some measure of control over your emotions--especially on national TV, especially knowing (as he had to know) going in that this was likely to be an interview of a confrontational nature and thus being able to prepare for that.  He may be many things, but I don't think stupid is one.  And that, coupled with the fact that he's all of a sudden in the media again, really makes me think this is part of some bigger strategy.

Second, as alluded to in the title of this post, get a load of the spin that both sides are putting on this!  If you're a Republican, Clinton had a "hissy fit", if you're a Democrat he "laid the smack down".  The truth, as usual, is probably somewhere in between.  But they spin us....

The Marvelous Miss Watson

Newsweek has two articles up (here and here) with pictures of Order of the Phoenix and some discussion with the trio.  Apparently Emma Watson, who recently kicked ass on the British equivalent of the SAT, is thinking of turning in her wand for movies 6 and 7. 

While the idea of someone else playing Hermione does bum me out, I really enjoyed reading her talking about it.  Such an endearing young woman she's become--smart, funny, beautiful--very refreshing amidst the sea of Hollywood party girls.  In a kind of big-sisterly way, it's been a joy watching her grow up. 

Mad Crazy Terrier Fun

The Wee Welshman and I found a Jack Russell terrier club nearby.  Less than an hour drive, and we had a great day practicing go to ground and running in some terrier races.

Of course he blasted through the tunnels in go to ground practice.  His fastest time was something like 3 seconds. 

And surprisingly, Moe didn't object to the muzzle that's worn for racing.  He wasn't a fan of the starting box, but that was understandable as he's a bit taller than your average Jack. 

More pictures here.

Moe Speaks: Fun Day

Today Mom and I went to a fun day--it was really close, we only had to drive a little bit. Mom finally found earthdog people that are near by so that means we're going to get to go much more often.

Today I got the rats and ran terrier races and barked at lots of Jack Russels. And I got to go for a little swim in a pond that was really nice and smelly.

Then I got to come home and take a shower! It was the greatest day....

Quick Quotes Quill Friday: Why I Love Professor McGonagall, Part 2

"He will not be single-handed!"

--Professor McGonagall, Order of the Phoenix

Moe Speaks: Porter Did Something Nice, I Did Two Somethings Nice, Mom Was Not Nice

Every so often, Mom makes Porter and I a little midnight snack out of something we don't ordinarily get. Last night we had apples and yogurt. Because I like both apples and yogurt I gulped my portion right down. Porter ate hers more slowly. She doesn't really like apples, you see, but she does love yogurt, so she licked all the yogurt off her apples. 

Now sometimes Porter's mean and won't let me have stuff, just because, even though she doesn't really want it herself. But last night she was a sweetie and let me eat all of her leftover apples--wasn't that nice of her?

To repay the favor, I was extra sweet to Mom in turn. I slept in my crate for part of the night (instead of on top of her legs). Then this morning when she woke up early because she was sneezing (Dad says she has something called "allergies") I snuggled with her on the couch, even though her big sneezes were a little scary.

But you know what Mom did? After all my sweetness, she still didn't let me take a shower this morning. Not very nice, if you ask me.

Two New Essays on Mugglenet

And they're both really good.

First, a new Spinner's End--"The Mysteries of Ancient Egypt"--in which Lady Lupin discusses the connections between horcruxes, Sirius, Bill Weasley and Egypt.

Second, "In Defense of Slytherin: A Different Kind of Courage" which kinda-sorta touches on (and greatly expands upon) an idea I had here.

Happy reading!

Cloak and Dagger

The question:

"Why did Dumbledore have James' invisibility cloak at the time of James' death, given that Dumbledore could make himself invisible without a cloak?"

The answer:

I've read theories, I've read every bit ever said about invisibility cloaks, and I've thought until I'm all thought out.  I've learned a few new things--like, did you know that invisibility cloaks are woven from the hair of an ape like creature called a "demiguise"?  That's why the cloaks are so rare, you see.  When a demiguise realizes it's about to be caught it becomes invisible.  (See "Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them")

After all that thinking, I've come to the conclusion that, much like the "Why didn't Voldemort die?" question that was all the buzz just prior to Book 6 (answer, "He had horcruxes"), we're missing some information that is needed to properly determine why Dumbledore had James' invisibility cloak.  Nonetheless, I have two very vague, and not very creative ideas.

1. The most obvious thing would be for someone in the Order to have been using the cloak, much as the current order uses Moody's cloak.  This doesn't seem so extraordinary as to be "crucial" to the plot on its own.  However, just maybe, the person using the cloak was somewhere doing something that will ultimately ensure Harry's success, thereby making it crucial.
2. When asked, "Was there anyone present in Godric's Hollow the night Harry's parents were killed?"  Jo all but answered yes when she said, "No comment."  So, I think that someone, possibly Snape, was under the cloak at the Potter's. 

Not very good, I know, but I'm afraid it's all I've got.

Pretty On the Outside

My very first tigger melon was ready this weekend.  It turned the nicest color, but the flavor was a little funky--kind of like cantaloupe and pepper. 

Two Completely Unrelated Jewels in the Afternoon News

Number 1--I am not a fan of the Pope.  I think he's misguided (as I think everyone is who asserts that their religion is "the only way"), he's anti-choice (again, I have a problem with people making decisions for others), he's scary looking (but that's only my opinion), and he says bad things about Harry Potter (which makes it official--we're not friends).  Despite all of that, I love this article by Anne Applebaum which criticizes much of the Western response to the Pope's recent comments that were perceived as anti-Muslim.  She says it better than I could, so please click through to the article, really. 

OK, I just have to excerpt this little bit:

"...if stray comments by Western leaders—not to mention Western films, books, cartoons, traditions, ethics, and values—are going to inspire violence on a regular basis, I don't feel that it's asking too much for the West to quit saying sorry and remain united, occasionally, in its own defense. The fanatics attacking the pope already limit the right to free speech among their own followers. I don't see why we should allow them to limit our right to free speech, too."

Amen!

Number 2--A snippet of video from YouTube wherein John Stewart asks Bill Clinton what it would take to defeat Hillary for President (should she choose to run).  Goodness, it was nice having a President who knows how to speak.  Oh, and I liked what he said too.

Everything I Need To Know I Learned In First Grade

One of my very favorite teachers (and I have to say, I've been lucky enough to have had some good ones) was my first grade teacher, Mrs. Suzanne Marshall. 

When I look back on that year it seems remarkable that so many lessons could have been crammed into just 9 months.  Things like, if  you don't finish your math problems you might miss out on the fun afterward; don't help the boy cheat by giving him the answer, even if you do think he's cute; and that writing just for the sake of it can be fun--as a matter of fact, now that I think on it, the first pre-cursor of this blog was probably the journal I kept as part of her class.

Among these many other bits of life-wisdom, I have very clear memories of when Mrs. Marshall encouraged us to find Monarch caterpillars and bring them to school so that we could watch them turn into butterflies.  I remember watching the stripey caterpillars get fat in their ten-gallon aquarium in the corner of our classroom, and then building their delicate chrysalises.  And I remember the morning someone noticed one was starting to open, and standing, wide-eyed and silent, watching the beautiful, orange butterfly slowly hatch and dry off.

So you can imagine my smile this morning when I saw this article in my hometown newspaper.  Mrs. Marshall is still teaching her classes about butterflies.  And twenty years later, ever the first grader at heart, I'm still watching for them.

I'm Now Almost Sure of It--Snape is Basically Good

(Another under the banner of "Whose Side Is Snape On?")

The number one reason I really think Snape is good?  It just makes a better story.  I mean, what's fun about a guy who is mean, looks evil, and, in fact, really is evil?  A misunderstood and maligned guy, that's really good at heart--so much more interesting.

But, aside from that, I discovered what I consider to be the first piece of really, good, solid, canon evidence in this wonderful essay by Edmund Kern, entitled "Snape's Eyes".  Are you ready?

As you all should know, at the end of Goblet of Fire, Barty Crouch Junior acting as Alastor Moody takes Harry back to his office.  Just as Barty-as-Moody is about to AK Harry, Harry sees three faces appear in Moody's foe-glass.

"Harry . . . saw Albus Dumbledore, Professor Snape, and Professor McGonagall looking back at him out of the Foe-Glass. . . . [Dumbledore] stepped into the office . . . . Snape followed him, looking into the Foe-Glass where his own face was still visible, glaring into the room."  (GOF, 678-79)

For Snape to be a foe of Barty-as-Moody, he would also have to be a foe to Voldemort.  Via Snape's dark mark he would have certainly known that Voldemort was back by that time (he would have felt the summons, same as the other Death Eaters), and thus would not have been Moody's enemy if he was on Voldey's side. 

Snape is good, Dumbledore is infallible, and all is right with the world.

Grrrr....

I was doing my daily perusal of my favorite blogs last Thursday, when I read this post on Christie Keith's "Dogged Blog".  The post concerns a new contract between the AKC and Petland pet stores, which will endorse the sale of puppies under the AKC banner, with the Petland sales people encouraging people to register the puppies with AKC. 

What's the problem, you ask?  The problem is that pet store puppies do not come from reputable dog breeders, they come from irresponsible "back yard" breeders, at best, and at worst from puppy mills.  (Short aside:  There is no exception to this statement.  Responsible breeders care about where their puppies are going, and hence carefully screen potential puppy buyers.  This is something that cannot be done if pups are sold to a pet store where the only requirement is that the buyer be able to pay.) 

The upshot of this is that--unless this contract is canceled--the AKC, aka "the dog's champion", is now for all intents and purposes endorsing puppy millers.