I saw in the newspaper the other day that Richard Foreman died. He was an avant-garde theater director in New York, and my friend Christopher took me to St. Mark's Church in the East Village to see one of his plays back in the early 2000s. It was without a doubt one of the weirdest things I have ever seen on stage. I think the play was "Now That Communism Is Dead My Life Feels Empty!" and I don't remember much about the specifics, but I loved how bizarre it was.
Work yesterday went pretty well. The all-school staff meeting wasn't as dreary as I expected, because we wound up having a scavenger hunt. We got into small groups and had to take photos representing some of the key concepts that we try to instill in students -- well-being, for example, or thinking critically. It was kind of fun and it took me to parts of the school I had never visited, believe it or not. Yes, I've worked there 13 years, and there were still distant reaches of the building I'd never been in -- mostly in the Lower School, since I rarely work with our youngest students.
In the afternoon I went to the doctor. I've been having twinges of pain in my back and side and wanted to get checked out. It would be an inconvenient time to come down with appendicitis but I guess there's really no good time, is there? The doctor didn't think I was in any serious danger but told me to go to the hospital if it gets worse. Apparently there is something called a "grumbling appendix" which is basically one that's mildly or chronically inflamed, and I wonder if that's what's happening. Maybe that's even why my calprotectin levels have been elevated? Can an appendix "grumble" for months?
And that reminds me that I still haven't heard from the doctor regarding the results of my capsule endoscopy. I need to call him to find out what's up with that. I'm assuming no news is good news, but don't we still need to have a conversation?
Remember how I bought Olga her first sweater just a couple of weeks ago? Well, little did I know that Dave, just a few days earlier, had also ordered her some dog pajamas! They came soon after we got back from Whitstable and last night I put them on her so she could give them a try.
(The pattern is called "breakfast.")
The pictures make it look like they were a hit, but actually, Olga didn't seem sure about them. Even though they're stretchy, I think they're a little more restrictive than her sweater, since they have four leg holes and cover more of her body. She seemed to feel a bit bound up and reluctant to walk around. A couple of times she just lay down, as if unsure what to do. Here's a picture that more accurately captures her feelings:
So they were cute, but we took them off her. I think she's more happy with her pink blanket.
(Top photo: A building on Holloway Road, Islington, about a week ago.)
I can't imagine what Chip n Jerk might be about but it sounds very participatory.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid Olga's pjs are not a good fashion statement.
I imagine it's a restaurant, but I can't imagine what kind!
DeleteThe PJs don't look too comfortable. Sorry Olga.
ReplyDeleteHope you receive good news from your test results and that your grumbling appendix cheers itself up!
Tests are ongoing, or were at the time of this post!
Delete"Chip n' Jerk"? Shouldn't that be "Chip n' Dale" - serving roasted chipmunks in your preferred sauce with medium or large fries.
ReplyDeleteWell, who knows what that jerked meat is made of?!
DeleteOlga looks adorable, but the PJs look a bit snug. I wouldn’t be comfortable. What a peculiar combo and paint job on Dorsett House. And Green Jade is on the white side, which doesn’t sit well with me (because I’m odd).
ReplyDeleteMaybe they're too large, and are meant to be more form-fitting. Dave bought a 2XL size, which seems awfully big for Olga.
DeleteIn that last picture she is clearly saying, "There, I modelled, now get them off me"
ReplyDeleteI've heard appendixes can grumble for years which sounds very uncomfortable to me. Mine is very well behaved and has never grumbled or even sulked.
Ha! Sulking sounds just as bad as grumbling. Yes, you're right about the last Olga photo.
DeleteI would expect that anyone used to going around naked on a daily basis would feel "bound up" wearing snug pajamas.
ReplyDeleteRight?! That's what I said. Dog clothing is more about human amusement than dog comfort.
DeleteThose pjs are so cute! Too bad Olga doesn't like them, but I can't really blame her. I don't like restrictive clothing myself (or clothing that just SEEMS restrictive).
ReplyDeleteAt least we got some cute pictures before we took them off her forever!
DeleteI love that first photo of Olga! Good luck with all of the "doctor stuff."
ReplyDeleteUgh. Doctors.
DeleteOlga looks lovely in her jammies ... maybe ease them onto her a little longer each day.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one who thinks the Lower School is some dark dank dreary sub-basement for the little ones?
Ha! It actually IS the lowest level of the school building, but it's far from dark and dreary. It's probably the prettiest part of the school, actually.
DeleteAny chance that could be a kidney stone? I'm an expert, you know, having had both an inflamed appendix AND a kidney stone.
ReplyDeleteYou'll know if it's one or the other if the situation requires immediate attention. I hope it's NOTHING.
Olga- oh dear. Perhaps another sweater would suit her better.
We've explored the kidney stone possibility before and it's been ruled out, I think mainly through urinalysis. I've also had CT scans of my abdomen which presumably would have showed them? Who knows.
DeletePoor Olga, what WERE you thinking?? There once was a dog in our family requiring nappies (diapers for US minds) in her old age. While I would not wish this for Olga or her family, you are getting some practice here.
ReplyDeleteHope you get to the bottom of your health queries. And no serious pain troubles!
Oh my. I hope we don't move on to the nappy stage!
DeleteThose pj's look too snug to me. I wouldn't want to wear them. ;)
ReplyDeleteHope your pain goes away and you can forget about it.
They're simultaneously snug and loose/stretchy. I think they must feel very weird.
DeleteI love the jammies, but I know that dogs get very confused when they are given clothes to wear. For example, it is HILARIOUS to see a dog wearing boots on their feet (I see this mostly with sheep dogs going out in the snow).
ReplyDeleteYeah, I mean, dogs are just not meant to wear clothes. Which is what I've been telling Dave for years!
DeleteI'm looking at those pjs on Olga and trying to figure out how you got them on her. And they don't look comfortable at all. My daughter's pit bull however loved wearing dog clothes. Hope you figure out the pain and I would be calling for results of the intestinal movie.
ReplyDeleteThey are VERY stretchy, so I could stretch the fabric to get it around her body. (A process she did not enjoy!)
DeleteOlga looks so cute in her pjs. However, I'm betting she felt better without them. I had my appendix taken out when I was 12 years old. I don't recall it getting grumbly, it just got painfully bad all at once. Hopefully, your problem is something simple.
ReplyDeleteI think for most people that's what happens -- it's a sudden, acute illness. The grumbly thing is quite rare.
DeleteI had a grumbling appendix for years and years. I finally had it removed in the course of a much bigger surgery, seemed like a good time.
ReplyDeleteI think Olga is a bit too, um, muscular for these clothes. Sturdy lady.
You must have been glad to get rid of it! Yes, Olga has always been a rather boxy dog.
DeletePoor Olga, she looks sad.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it is your grumbling appendix that's responsible for the elevated calprotectin levels.
Well, that's what I wonder! Something to ask the doctors.
DeleteYou are right, Olga does not look happy with the PJ's. The fit and fabric might be off. A friend buys her Bulldog fleece coats and PJ's and this seems to work pretty well. Hopefully the doc will resolve any health questions for you.
ReplyDeleteI think if we'd accustomed Olga to clothing earlier in her life she'd probably be fine with it. We didn't really try to get her into clothes until a few weeks ago, and she's 14 now!
DeleteStick to the pink blanket, Olga's disdain for the PJs is palpable.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the blanket definitely allows more freedom of movement!
DeleteI personally don't like tight pjs so I'm with Olga on this, cute though they are. We've done scavenger hunts at Professional Development; since they also involved trivia about the school/community and I had lived and worked there for a LONG time, my group did very well. :)
ReplyDeleteAt least we got some pictures of her in the cute pajamas.
DeleteMaybe she laid down in her PJs because she knows PJs are sleepwear ;-)
ReplyDeleteGlad your first day back at work went well! So did mine (today, and working from home).
I only had about a quarter of the usual number of emails I find in my various inboxes when I've been off work for 2 weeks, but of course this time, nearly everyone else was off work, too.
My boss (who is manic-depressive) was in a normal mood - neither over the top nor too low to be of any use at work - and left me mostly to work through my stuff. A colleague initiated a very nice "welcome to the new year" conversation with me, which was a good way to catch up (she is VERY chatty but I like her a lot).
Strange that someone decided to split "Dorset House" in exactly two halves.
I imagine the two sides of Dorset House are actually separately owned. That happens in England, which seems very weird to me, but whatever. I can identify with your situation with your boss!
DeleteI don't think Olga's jammies fit properly. Although you say they're stretchy, they look too tight. It's harder to get a good fit when all 4 legs have to go in openings. I think you should follow up with the endoscopy dr. Who knows what might be causing that pain? *grumble grumble I'm your upper gastrointestinal tract*
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
The weird thing is, Dave bought the 2XL size! So this is as big as they come. I don't know what a Labrador is supposed to wear.
DeleteShe looks very uncomfortable. Pink blankie is enough. I just played your recent fox video, I did not know foxes could jump in a tree, either.
ReplyDeleteFox with skills! I guess they can do a lot of unexpected things if they're hungry.
DeleteShe did seem pretty smiley in that one photo -- and progressively less so! I think getting all four legs in that thing would be a bear! They are a bit form-fitting, too. Good luck with getting your results. I hate the waiting and it has been quite awhile. Liked the idea of the scavenger hunt!
ReplyDeleteThey are very stretchy -- that's the only thing that enabled me to get them on her!
DeleteI've tried to refrain from torturing our dogs with clothing over the years (though I know some dogs seem to like it), but in my experience, something with four leg holes never goes over well. (unless it's bespoke clothing)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think if you HAVE to give a dog clothes (and I'm still not sure about that) something like her Christmas sweater, with an open back end and no rear leg holes, is much better.
DeleteSo Flipping Cute - I Mean , So Flipping Cute - Now Slip Two Just Because Treats Under Her Pink Blanket - So Cute
ReplyDeleteBe Well ,
Cheers
She definitely earned those treats putting up with our shenanigans.
DeleteDave and Steve: clothes is not 4 dogs. Clothes is 4 peopuls. From Olga
ReplyDeleteHa! Thank you, Olga. I have made that same argument, so I hear you. :)
DeleteI'm with Debbie. Clothes are not for dogs. Besides, I don't wear pajamas.
ReplyDeleteMe neither!
DeleteAdorable. I'd wear anything called 'breakfast' haha.
ReplyDeleteIt IS cute fabric. Maybe I can cut up her PJs and repurpose the cloth somehow?!
DeleteThat poor building could do better- It is very cute, should be a pet and pooch shop selling PJ's for humans. I am with Olga on this one but you know they always look darling in the catalogues . I often make that mistake.
ReplyDeleteThirteen years at the library??? how is that possible? I remember you getting the job- like, yesterday! You still had Ernie and Ruby- just barely- they were in quarantine, no jammies and no pink blanket.
Exactly! Those were the days. Not so long ago, really, and yet VERY long ago.
DeleteI hope the medical stuff is all good. I'd get a fresh blanket instead of those pjs.
ReplyDeleteAs it turns out, the fresh blanket is the way we've gone! (See subsequent post. :) )
Delete