Curiosity 72: Some photos

It's been a few weeks since I took the easy way out and posted some old photos from my Flickr archive. Well, today that's about all the energy I have. So, here's five, all from January 7ths past, with original captions:

Would you like a little girl? (2008)
The other day my cousin sent me this letter, from his mother,
my aunt's, files. It's from the Children's Home Society of Minnesota,
dated Feb. 19, 1917, and proposes that Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Skinner
"come to the Home and see the child and examine her history"—
the child in question being my mother, Loraine Skinner. I've had the
photograph of her forever (taken a year later, I believe, when she
was four?), but otherwise did not know that anything more existed
of her adoption history. The letter is formal, written in spidery
sepia script. I try to picture her waiting expectantly for her
new parents in the "receiving home" pictured in the upper left.

White Mountain (2009)
Went walking with Annie this morning. She convinced me that
I want a wirehaired fox terrier—if, that is, I want a divorce also.
Dog or husband, dog or husband, hmmm.... Along the way we met
a couple of rat terriers who looked SO happy to be out on such
a beautiful day. They further convinced me that I want a wirehaired
fox terrier (but not the divorce). The place we walk is part of the
equestrian area of Pebble Beach, and there are numbers everywhere
letting you know what equestrian trail you're on.
I thought 7 was an appropriate one to take a photo of today.
[2024: Milo came two years later. He is all doodle, zero terrier.]

Ouray (2010)
I'm starting to scan some old slides. I chose a box
randomly, and it took me to Ouray, Colorado, and an ice
climbing clinic with Chicks with Picks. Which in turn
prompted me to get in touch with the Head Chick, Kim
(who's also a friend). She wrote back and said there's room
in this year's clinic and won't I please come? It is a
huge temptation. I do enjoy ice climbing, and Colorado's
not THAT far. Should I do it?
[2024: I did go twice. Maybe I did?]

Dog toys (2011)
The scruffy thing on the right is the hands-down favorite
of all the various toys I'm trying out on Milo. It's a
stuffingless weasel or badger or something—long and slinky.
The squeakers at either end lasted maybe an hour. I figure
the "bone" and teething ring may be of more interest once
teething starts. Whenever that is.... In the meantime, it's been
suggested that I stock up on kongs. Okay. Any other
suggestions out there? I'm all ears!
[2024: Now Milo is 13, and he still loves his weasels.]

830 (2012)
We finally signed the loan on Thursday—over a year
since we started the process. We both moved out to our
new (separate) digs on New Year's Day. Seemed
appropriate. Since then we have, bit by bit, been emptying
out the house. Today David was taking down blinds, light fixtures,
and the like. I decided to walk through the house and take a few
last pictures. They're nothing in themselves—just a catchment for
memories, I suppose. We're not fond of the house: hence the remodel.
Well, I did rather like the front room. But that's about it.
So these pictures will remind me, six months from now,
why we embarked on what everyone assures me will be a
hellish journey. Me, I'm staying optimistic. I see this as an
opportunity, not a burden. We may feel clueless and indecisive
at many turns along the way, but we've got lots of help.
Am I naive in thinking it'll even be fun? Probably. But we'll see.
Anything's possible.
[2024: Hard to believe the "new" house is already 12 years old.
Lately, we've had a busted water system and a leaky roof to
deal with, the latter because we had to have the huge old
Monterey pine in the back corner of our lot taken out, and debris
fell. Time keeps marching on.... The house may be no
longer new, but we still love it.]