The Adventures of Copper Dog

Drivin' My Life Away

2011-10-12T20:43:00.000-04:00

Looks like a sea of icebergs.

2011-10-02T16:57:00.001-04:00

Pillows Just For Me

2011-09-28T22:01:00.001-04:00

Gorgeous sunset. And yes, that is the jail.

2011-09-22T01:00:00.001-04:00

2010-08-19T08:42:00.001-04:00

What every little girl dreams of.

2010-08-13T23:19:00.000-04:00

Training in Tucson is tough. :)

2010-07-30T09:50:00.001-04:00

R is for Ralphenstein.

2010-07-22T22:49:00.000-04:00

Heaven in Tucson.

2010-07-20T19:12:00.001-04:00

Hello, Heat Miser. Hello, heat miser.

2010-07-20T07:11:00.001-04:00

Well hello, heat miser.

2010-07-06T16:01:00.001-04:00

Makes turning 40 worth it!

2010-07-02T12:22:00.001-04:00

Ahhhh . . . Lazy summer days.

2010-06-21T23:00:00.001-04:00

Who doesn't love a happy dancing banana?

2010-06-19T20:50:00.001-04:00

Nothin' like a little random blue grass on a patio!

2010-06-18T08:23:00.001-04:00

Clearly a Lakers fan.

2010-06-15T17:33:00.001-04:00

My favorite view of my city.

Multimedia message

2010-06-10T03:25:00.001-04:00

Love me some Brendan James!

Multimedia message

2010-06-08T00:07:00.001-04:00

King of the Adirondack.

Multimedia message

2010-06-06T09:00:00.001-04:00

Rock on, my young friend.

Multimedia message

2010-05-29T17:33:00.001-04:00

Wendy's Wild Kingdom.

Multimedia message

2010-05-26T19:40:00.001-04:00

Walking by moonlight.

Multimedia message

2010-05-25T18:16:00.001-04:00

Circle happy.

Multimedia message

2010-05-23T20:23:00.001-04:00

Big Cheese!

Multimedia message

2010-05-20T20:56:00.000-04:00

A summer beauty.

Multimedia message

2010-05-11T19:49:00.001-04:00

Summer Lovin'.

Multimedia message

2010-05-10T23:25:00.001-04:00

Clark Gable personified.

Multimedia message

2010-05-08T18:34:00.001-04:00

Multimedia message

2010-05-06T21:03:00.001-04:00

Vintage Jewelry - What was old is new again

2009-12-18T23:20:00.000-05:00

Vintage Jewelry - What was old is new again

What the heck are those black sock shoes?

2009-08-29T20:25:00.000-04:00

What the heck are those black sock shoes?

Who Doesn't Love Deep Fried Candy

2009-08-24T19:18:00.002-04:00

The Iowa State Fair 2009

Pretty In Pink

2009-04-20T23:35:00.002-04:00

Pretty In Pink

Tornado Warning? Who's Afraid of a Tornado Warning?

2009-03-29T23:32:00.000-04:00

Tornado Warning? Who's Afraid of a Tornado Warning?

Can You Put A Price on Fitness?

2009-03-21T22:58:00.000-04:00

Can You Put A Price on Fitness?

Ahhhh, Spring.

2009-03-12T23:28:00.000-04:00

Ahhhh, Spring.

Dude Looks Like A Lady (note the butterfly wings)

2009-03-11T23:35:00.001-04:00

Dude Looks Like A Lady (note the butterfly wings)

My First Chick-Fil-A Breakfast (brought to me by a benevolent co-worker)

2009-03-09T23:24:00.001-04:00

My First Chick-Fil-A Breakfast (brought to me by a benevolent co-worker)

Flowers Always Make Things Feel Better

2009-03-08T23:15:00.002-04:00

Flowers Always Make Things Feel Better

Smoke 'Em If You Gots 'Em

2009-03-04T23:10:00.001-05:00

Smoke 'Em If You Gots 'Em

THIS is Atlanta??????

2009-03-01T15:12:00.001-05:00

THIS is Atlanta??????

Ain't That The IRS For You In A Nutshell

2009-02-28T17:36:00.001-05:00

Ain't That The IRS For You In A Nutshell

This Looks Like A Good Place to Rest My Head

2009-02-25T22:48:00.001-05:00

This Looks Like A Good Place to Rest My Head

Damn Paparazzi

2009-02-24T23:08:00.000-05:00

Damn Paparazzi

Mr. Slipper Paws (he sleeps with his tongue out)

2009-02-23T23:04:00.000-05:00

Mr. Slipper Paws (he sleeps with his tongue out)

How Many Dogs Are In This Photo?

2009-02-22T22:13:00.001-05:00

How Many Dogs Are In This Photo?

Happy Valentine's Day to Me!

2009-02-17T20:25:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day to Me!

Don't Mess With This House

2009-02-16T18:23:00.001-05:00

Don't Mess With This House

Seeing Eye to Eye

2009-02-15T18:55:00.000-05:00

Seeing Eye to Eye

Matt Wertz - HOB Chicago - 2/13/09

2009-02-14T11:00:00.000-05:00

Matt Wertz - HOB Chicago - 2/13/09

Rock Star In Waiting

2009-02-12T00:55:00.000-05:00

Rock Star In Waiting

Goodbye, Chicago #8

2009-02-10T21:37:00.003-05:00

Goodbye, Chicago #8

Goodbye, Chicago #7 (Full Circle)

2009-02-08T23:44:00.001-05:00

Goodbye, Chicago #7 (Full Circle)

Goodbye, Chicago #6 (A Fond Farewell)

2009-02-08T02:32:00.002-05:00

Goodbye, Chicago #6 (A Fond Farewell)

Me and My Friend Carl Kasell

2009-02-05T23:03:00.004-05:00

Me and My Friend Carl Kasell

(immediately after a taping of the NPR show "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me!")

I Don't Care You're Here

2009-02-03T23:20:00.002-05:00

I Don't Care You're Here

Wholesale Greenhouse - #4 in a Series

2009-02-02T22:55:00.000-05:00

Wholesale Greenhouse - #4 in a Series

Wholesale Greenhouse - #3 in a Series

2009-02-01T01:01:00.001-05:00

Commerical Greenhouse - #3 in a Series

Wholesale Greenhouse - #2 in a Series

2009-01-29T22:37:00.000-05:00

Wholesale Greenhouse - #2 in a Series

Wholesale Greenhouse - #1 in a Series

2009-01-28T23:26:00.001-05:00

Wholesale Greenhouse - #1 in a Series

Home Sweet Home . . . Almost

2009-01-27T23:46:00.001-05:00

Home Sweet Home. . . . Almost

id·i·ot \ˈi-dē-ət\ noun: see photo

2009-01-25T23:50:00.003-05:00

id·i·ot \ˈi-dē-ət\ noun: see photo

Definition of Crazy

2009-01-24T01:38:00.003-05:00

This post deserves a little explanation. This is my friend and her family owns commercial, wholesale greenhouses. I've been helping her out for the last couple of months. As we pulled into the drive today, she noticed that a couple of the panes of "glass" on the roof of this greenhouse were sagging. She determined that she needed to get the snow and ice off of the panes, to avoid a cave in situation. So she climbed the ladder and stood up on the slick, ice-covered roof, in the snow and 20 degree temps, with 40 mph winds. For 15 minutes. Absolutely crazy. Crazy. :)

Stop In The Name of Love

2009-01-22T23:58:00.000-05:00

Stop In The Name of Love

Wow, This Fudge Stuff is Good

2009-01-21T00:57:00.000-05:00

Wow, This Fudge Stuff is Good

And now, back to our regularly scheduled program

2009-01-20T00:06:00.005-05:00

And now, back to our regularly scheduled program.

What was old could be new again.

An Open Letter To Jules Marie Caruso

2009-01-18T23:41:00.005-05:00

Peter, Judy, Jules and Bryan Caruso (Nov 2007)

Jules:

I'm sure you saw yesterday, how many people came to show how much they loved you, because I know you were there with us. Your aunt and brother said such beautiful things (you would have been so proud of Bryan!). It was a fantastic day to honor your life.

Jules, I was already missing you, due to the break-up between your brother and I, but the things you taught me had held fast. I had been and will continue to honor you and your beliefs in small ways, each day. And I will always remember our first meeting and how warm and welcoming to me you were. The memories of our time doing yoga together and sitting in the hot tub on your parents patio, watching you save a little wayward frog and our walk on the beach Thanksgiving of '07 were and will remain close to my heart. One of my favorite memories is the baseball game in April '08 with your family and then the subsequent ride up to Wisconsin that you, Bryan and I shared together. I have thought of that afternoon many, many times. And I will wear the scarf you gave me with pride and will, like so many others, plant a garden this spring in your honor (grown just as you would have wanted it).

Through your friends, I have learned even more about who you were and what you stood for and while I didn't always understand some of your choices (I guess that's the city girl in me), I ALWAYS admired you and your steadfast convictions and beliefs, looked up to you and held you in the highest esteem.

And you have given me a gift, for which I could never repay you. Through the loss of you in our daily lives, I have gained some new friends (Jutta and others) and regained my connection to your family and your brother, whom I love more than words can express. Thank you, thank you, thank you for that. I am eternally grateful.

Many others have already said it, but you will live on in our hearts and our actions in our daily lives, as will the messages in which you so strongly believed. I know that God is holding you in his arms and I have prayed that my grandfather George Norman Purvis, who you would have loved, as he was a farmer and a lover of all things living, will come find you to show you around heaven and to help you get settled in.

I will miss you.

With all of my love,

Copper Dog

Moratorium In Memorial

2009-01-06T23:08:00.004-05:00

Out of respect for my friend Jules Caruso, who passed away on January 1st, I won't be blogging until after her funeral service January 17th. For those of you that didn't know her, she was an amazing woman and will be missed by many. My blog will return to normal on the 18th. Thanks for your understanding. -Copper Dog

In Memorium: Jules Caruso 12/27/69 - 01/01/09

2009-01-03T00:19:00.005-05:00

In Memorium: Jules Caruso 12/27/69 - 01/01/09

I remember the neckcurls, limp and damp as tendrils;

And her quick look, a sidelong pickerel smile;

And how, once started into talk, the light syllables leaped for her.

And she balanced in the delight of her thought,

A wren, happy, tail into the wind,

Her song trembling the twigs and small branches.

The shade sang with her;

The leaves, their whispers turned to kissing,

And the mould sang in the bleached valleys under the rose.

Oh, when she was sad, she cast herself down into such a pure depth,

Even a father could not find her:

Scraping her cheek against straw,

Stirring the clearest water.

My sparrow, you are not here,

Waiting like a fern, making a spiney shadow.

The sides of wet stones cannot console me,

Nor the moss, wound with the last light.

If only I could nudge you from this sleep,

My maimed darling, my skittery pigeon.

Over this damp grave I speak the words of my love:

I, with no rights in this matter,

Neither mother nor father nor brother.

-Theodore Roethke

Damn Right (Thanks Austin, TX)

2009-01-02T00:40:00.001-05:00

Damn Right (thanks Austin, TX)

Austin, TX Eve of the Eve 2008

2008-12-30T22:41:00.003-05:00

Austin, TX Eve of the Eve 2008

A Girl and Her Tea Cup

2008-12-29T22:16:00.003-05:00

A Girl and Her Tea Cup

Not Heaven. Just Iowa.

2008-12-29T00:04:00.002-05:00

Not Heaven. Just Iowa.

Goodbye, Chicago #5

2008-12-28T01:18:00.000-05:00

Goodbye, Chicago #5

A Bit Too Much Christmas Cheer #2

2008-12-27T01:26:00.000-05:00

A Bit Too Much Christmas Cheer #2

A Little Too Much Holiday Cheer

2008-12-26T00:02:00.000-05:00

A Little Too Much Holiday Cheer

Ahhhh Commercialism (but who doesn't love Elmo?)

2008-12-25T00:50:00.002-05:00

Ahhhh Commercialism (but who doesn't love Elmo?)

Goodbye, Chicago #4

2008-12-23T23:40:00.002-05:00

Goodbye, Chicago #4

Hark! What Light Through Yon Window Breaks?

2008-12-23T00:29:00.002-05:00

Hark! What Light Through Yon Window Breaks?

Did You See My Stick? Huh? Huh? Did 'Ya?

2008-12-16T23:31:00.001-05:00

Did You See My Stick? Huh? Huh? Did 'Ya?

Mom gratefully accepts Dad's offer of "payment" for all of her hardwork the last 44 years

2008-12-15T23:15:00.004-05:00

Mom gratefully accepts Dad's offer of "payment" for all of her hardwork the last 44 years

Before and After (Ta Da!)

2008-12-14T23:15:00.003-05:00

Before

After

The Unsuspecting Pied Piper of Kittens

2008-12-12T23:59:00.001-05:00

The Unsuspecting Pied Piper of Kittens

One Zonked Out Pink Marshmellow

2008-12-11T23:35:00.001-05:00

One Zonked Out Pink Marshmellow

Sheldahl Iowa's Version of HAZMAT (toxic kitty poo department)

2008-12-10T23:41:00.001-05:00

Sheldahl Iowa's Version of HAZMAT (toxic kitty poo department)

Hey Wait, You're Not a Bird! Stop Eating The Bird Feed!!!

2008-12-09T22:43:00.002-05:00

Wait, You're Not a Bird! Stop Eating The Bird Feed!!!

Cat On A. . . .

2008-12-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

Cat On A. . . .

Ow-ah (Damn Mall Parking Lots)

2008-12-07T23:51:00.002-05:00

Ow-ah (Damn Mall Parking Lots)

The BIG Day

2008-12-06T22:59:00.000-05:00

The BIG Day

29 Again, Huh? Happy Birthday, Little Sister!

2008-12-05T22:22:00.002-05:00

29 Again, Huh? Happy Birthday, Little Sister!

I Have Come To Study Your Planet

2008-12-04T23:35:00.001-05:00

I Have Come To Study Your Planet

Charlie Brown's 2008 Tree

2008-12-04T00:12:00.001-05:00

Charlie Brown's 2008 Tree

My Future's So Bright

2008-12-02T22:12:00.000-05:00

My Future's So Bright

You Look Maauuuuvvvolous, Poppi

2008-12-01T23:21:00.001-05:00

You Look Maauuuuvvvolous, Poppi

The Holy Grail

2008-11-29T17:47:00.002-05:00

The Holy Grail

Out, Damn Spot, Out

2008-11-28T23:54:00.000-05:00

Out, Damn Spot, Out

Flora Sans Fauna

2008-11-27T21:42:00.000-05:00

Flora Sans Fauna

Red Over Red

2008-11-25T18:33:00.001-05:00

Red Over Red

You Lookin' At Me?

2008-11-24T23:37:00.000-05:00

You Lookin' At Me?

Goodbye, Chicago #3

2008-11-23T00:33:00.000-05:00

Goodbye, Chicago #3

Goodbye, Chicago #2

2008-11-22T00:20:00.000-05:00

Goodbye, Chicago #2