One would almost think we have been assimilated into the Dog Borg, looking at these photos.
Avdi made this great bruschetta for our family meeting, which everyone attended, including Loucious.
The train is now installed up on the shelf in Avdi’s office.
This fine and worthwhile classic train model, based on an actual train at the Museum of Transportation, was completed by Avdi! It’s also a good homonym for all the training and education I continue to receive from the Avdi’s even at this late stage. If you stop learning, you may as well be dead, in a manner of speaking. Here are a few recent examples.
AI: It was brought to my attention (by my son, which I appreciate) that many of the stories and photos on social media (FB) are not sourced from legit references or documentation, and share similar styles because they’re AI-generated. The average person (me for example) can easily be taken in by the clickbait, human interest appeal and not realize they are being conditioned to mistake fabrication for facts. It seems innocent and genuine, reinforcing your point of view, when in fact it may be counterfeit and misleading. Think of the implications.
Dogs: Once the novelty wears off, and the daily responsibility kicks in, much as with children, a dog member of the family really sorts out who is committed to the ongoing caregiving and maintenance, and who will lose interest and leave it to others. These “others” may legit have other time-consuming priorities (like school or work), or limitations (like mobility), and not consistently be available. Then the cuteness gives way to an onerous chore or inconvenience. It’s a good test of your capability as a cooperating unit to provide an appropriate longterm commitment.
Assuming: Never Assume! Anything! We all do it. The more people, the more assumptions. The opposite of assumption is communication. “Assume” nothing and directly state your needs, intentions, schedule, plans, etc. in a timely manner, and make sure you were clearly understood. It’s easy to get busy and distracted and think you made yourself clear, but neglected to. No judgement here; it’s such a common oversight to make. We’re all constantly learning that in a large group, communicating needs ahead saves a lot of annoyance and inconvenience later. This is meant for myself as much as anyone.
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Those are just a few recent ones. Living in a group can be complex, but totally worth it. It’s a microcosm of the world. So many different individual needs and views and room for growth. If you can learn to function in a large family or group, you can learn to adapt to anything. That’s why the isolated “nuclear family” construct is flawed and artificial. Humans can’t thrive indefinitely in that model. You need a support network or pack, where everyone has a role and picks up the slack, and the weak members have a secure human safety net.
A good erev Shabbat was had. Stacey made another great challah (I think she may win challah wars if we have one). Then she spent much of the day shuttling kids to things, which is a huge help.
Next in the kitchen, I made Cajun-rubbed tilapia to go with the leftover beans, rice, greens, and carrots. We actually had a full table with everyone there. Loucious got to sample some challah and agreed it was very good. He’s earned extra treats being such a good and talented doggy.
S&S departed today. This year they’ll be working on moving here to STL, nearby where they can be in the WGSD and help out. I think we could win the award for weird nonconventional extended family least likely to function but doing it anyway!
On NYD we all discovered the incredible balloon trick of Loucious the dog. You throw the balloon up and he jumps up and propels it back up with his nose like balloon volleyball. He can keep this up indefinitely as long as people keep playing, without the balloon busting. This dog is the most clever dog in the world. How did he learn to do this? He never ceases to surprise.
When I got there, I was amazed to see Y’s party aftermath all cleaned up and everything quiet. Apparently it was a big success and everyone survived.
Stacey made a big traditional New Year’s Day dinner including black eye peas, corn muffins, cooked greens, etc. We had eight people, including Jess. All the kids were there and loved it. This whole family gathering thing is really growing on me.
Then Avdi, Stacey, K, S, and I went to the Botanical Garden Glow event and wandered through the dazzling wonderland of lights, music, and trains, with hot chocolate drinks. Avdi did his improv docent talk to acquaint Stacey with the history. We all agreed he’s channeling my father’s docenting at NYBG.
Stacey, S, and I, for a while K, and even briefly the dog banished ourselves to the basement, so Y and friends could party all night. They got a good turnout, happily. Middle schoolers sure shriek a lot. Stacey and E had made baklava. E and K went to parties in the evening. Avdi tried to work while “supervising” the herd. I had a weak drink or two and hung out with the S’s. Avdi was able to get in the kitchen and make some rice and curry so we wouldn’t starve! Loucious as always was in his element with all the attention. At one point he and Stacey and S were all squished on the bed together, watching Doctor Who. Eventually I got bored and went home. Now it’s midnight, so HNY!
