Making Bode a miniature omelet proved to be too much fun. Ever since then he’s had a few very merry “un-birthday” breakfasts composed of miniature versions of whatever we eat on Sunday mornings, usually pancakes.
I’m posting the proof to follow-up on Brett’s request. You can’t really tell, but it’s a banana pancake with peanut butter chips, and it’s still […]

This morning Grant was cleaning out some green peppers. He found a surprise: a fully-formed, miniature green pepper growing inside of one of them!
So we took pictures.

The tiny pepper was cute, and I regretted having to cut it open. However we felt compelled, in the name of scientific discovery, to check if there was yet […]

Today our dog Bode, the mascot of PitelSpot,  celebrated his 10th birthday. That makes him 70 in dog years, therefore he is now officially retired, and about old enough to be my grandfather.  To celebrate the occasion I decided to make him a nice breakfast of a few of his favorite ”people foods.” I must admit that […]

Today Grant and I attended the Vermillion County Civil War Days, a Civil War reenactment held at Kennekuk County Park in Danville, Illinois. The two-day event recreates the Battle of Shiloh.  Near the battlefield, there was a large encampment of canvas tents. Some were only for sleeping, and others were blacksmiths and sutlers (traveling stores). […]

Ahoy, mateys! A year has passed, and you know what that means–my favorite useless holiday is back. Shiver me timbers, it’s International Talk Like A Pirate Day!
 You might be wondering: how does one celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day? You spend the day talking in pirate-speak to annoy all of your friends and/or co-workers, naturally! But first you […]

Of the various people who know me, I doubt very many met Murphy. Which is a shame. Murphy passed away today, after spending nearly 14 years with our family. Murphy is special for many reasons. He was our family’s first dog. He was such a nice dog, especially in his senior years. But I like […]

This morning we watched an AKC Earthdog event hosted at the Dog Training Club of Champaign-Urbana (DTCCU). Earthdog trials test the ability of small terriers and Dachschunds to hunt for vermin, which is exactly what these dogs were bred to do, but nowadays pet dogs probably don’t get the opportunity. During an earthdog test, a […]

Just in case anybody managed to miss this when it was in the news last year.

Sebastian the Persian cat was given two gold crowns to protect his bottom canine teeth, which protrude from his mouth due to a severe underbite. This was done because his owner, a dentist, wanted to protect the teeth, and also […]

I have long despised squirrels, but until recently it was an illogical dislike unsubstantiated by any squirrel-related experience. Now I have a reason. Let me explain.
Most days we drive to work, and until about a week ago, we paid forty dollars a month to park in a lot close to campus,  owned by the Illinois Disciples […]

Somehow in early April we find ourselves shivering in near-freezing temperatures. Just thought I’d share a few cute pictures of Bode dressed for the weather.