A year ago today I finally knuckled down and began blogging. It wasn't clear to me why I wanted to do this or what I hoped to gain from it but sometimes we do things we don't entirely understand, non? And here I am twelve months later not any more clear what this rather affected, disembodied, self-absorbed (to quote the NYT), digitally-driven endeavor is all about.

I have, of course, learned some things:

Don't randomly change your puppies' food. Their little digestive systems cannot handle it and there will be much suffering for all.

I confess, I am inextricably drawn to all things French.

I missed my calling as a botanist for who else would have discovered scrotum flowers?

Blogging about my addictions seems to increase their power over me.

My alter ego is a smelly Scottish drunk.

It doesn't matter if your husband wants to do everything himself so as to avoid ever having to pay for help because he IS Scottish (though not smelly or drunk). ALWAYS hire movers.

People love a love story.

I had a moniker and I didn't know it. Thank you, gatsby!

My dogs are trying to teach me something.

I have met the greatest people ever in blogland and that's all that really matters because I love connecting with you all and feel so lucky that you want to connect with me.

Have I spilled over into the longest post ever? Perhaps-- but it is still not finished because how could I talk about the past year without mentioning the pups? And how they've grown?

Things that have not changed about the pups is that it is nearly impossible to get a picture of Ollie when he is not blurred, out of focus, or has his eyes closed. Au contraire, Henry is a vamp who makes love to the camera.

You don't believe me, do you? You think I pose Henry and tell him to "work it for me baby." You think I exploit my dog for canine sexual come-ons to sell on the internet for profit. Well then, explain this photo (below). Is he not begging me to submit a video to "America's Top Model?" I rest my case.

And lastly, there is Soliden.

As of yesterday:

And, this is a view of my office. Where I'll be a year from now reflecting on the year just past . . . god willing and the creeks don't rise.

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