I am Walter and this is my World.

I am Walter and this is my World.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Blackouts, spring storms, spring breakers and NO INTERNET!


HELLLLLLLLLLLLO! So so sorry we've been incommunicado for so long. Living on a tiny island 100 miles out to sea has it's perks, but it has its drawbacks too. Intermittent electricity for one. Also, hella ferocious storms, where torrential rain flies sideways and stings like needles and I think maybe we should lash ourselves to a palm tree, even tho everyone else takes it in stride.

The spring break kids also flood the island and careen around in rented electric golf carts, frequently banging into parked cars, and VERY frequently banging into my car, which is so uniformly dented at this point it almost looks like post modernist design. I'm told every year these youthful party people bring diseases from up north, and sure enough two weeks after spring break started, everyone in Key West started coming down with killer colds and a particularly nasty stomach bug.

The hardest part for us however has been the complete lack of internet access. Whatever dime store router we had went out, and upon calling the office for repair, we learned a little more about "island time." Many businesses here have a captive audience and little or no competition, so getting service can take weeks. I've never gone this long without connection and that combined with all the storm sponsored candlelight and old timey mustard plasters, I almost thought we'd turned Amish.

Then they fixed the internet! Back to civilization! We instantly forgot any of our piddly gripes and refocused our gaze on all things paradisey. Our tranquil backyard (see Walter above refusing to come out of palm grove), the aquamarine ocean, the fact we've made friends with people who have boats and have gotten to spend lots of time on said aquamarine water.

Not Wally tho. I don't want him trying to keep his balance on a speeding boat. He gets to bask in the air conditioning with a butcher bone whilst I play. I've adopted the Hemingway schedule, writing in the morning until 3-4 pm, then heading out for cocktails and sunset. Then I go back home and write some more. Wally gets 2 walks a day, and a long leg massage at night.

We still haven't seen the miracle walking again, but I'm convinced the nerves are growing. I can tell he feels more when I put his shoe on now, and he licks his foot intensely after a full day of wearing his shoes, which means he can feel something. Soaking his foot in warm water and epsom salts really gets the swelling down and seems to sooth the urge to lick, so we do that at least once a night now.

I have to catch up on all your blogs now, I'm terrified you've all moved on, moved away, or decided to forgo pugs for parakeets. Alas, I know I have nothing to worry about really - as it just so happens that pug people are some of the most wonderful and reliable in the world.

“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”
-Harriet Beecher Stowe

"The older I get, the greater power I seem to have to help the world; I am like a snowball -- the further I am rolled the more I gain."
- Susan B. Anthony

22 comments:

MJ said...

Ms Heather, It sounds like you are having a really good time down there with all that sunshine and ocean life (minus the dents and sniffles, of course).

Wally will walk independently again. I know it. He's a pug, though. And we pugs tend to really sort of go at our own pace and maybe even have been known to be a bit stubborn (and Mother says on occasion, I am even manipulative, although I don't see it...not with my big brown pleading eyes...BOL)

You and Walter keep enjoying all that sunshine and healthy walking in his shoe for now.

Until next time,
Wilbur

ps: Mother said she can send Wally on of my older floaties if you want. I sort graduated to a bigger size, and Delilah has her own pink one. Anyway, I prefer to relax on a pool float, however when I do head out on the lake/boat or have to swim, I always wear my floatie.

pps: this is Wilbur's mom - his "floatie" is a life vest/flotation jacket and I have several of his past sizes if you want one for Wally. -MJ

the teacher's pets said...

Let me be the 1st blogger to tell you that I have not forgotten you or Walter! Your blog is fantastic and I doubt anyone else has forgotten about you either! I'm glad that Walter is doing well & getting out for 2 walks a day...that's progress!
So sorry that your internet was down for so long! That would drive me crazy especially since I'm a new blogger!
If you have time please view my blog & please ask Walter if he would like to participate in my Personalized Pet Portrait Giveaway at http://theteacherspets.blogspot.com/2010/04/personalized-pet-portrait-giveaway.html.
-April & Daisy-

Brutus, Ellie, Pippa and Otto said...

We are still here!! LOVE that picture of Wally in the Palm Grove - the look on his face is priceless :)

Mom says she doesn't know what she would do without an internet connection for that long. So glad to hear that you and Wally are enjoying yourselves.

I just know that one of these days Wally is going to start running and his little shoe is going to fall off like in Forest Gump and he is going to run like the wind!

Pugs & Kisses,

Yoda & Brutus

BRUTUS said...

God to hear from you guys! Sounds like Key West is treating you well, albeit with new strange trouble to adapt to. Saw you comment on our blog yesterday; I promise, no drugs :) Brutus just has boundless energy and is high on life. He keeps me moving, so I'm A-OK with that! A 4 mile walk every morning does wonders for the waistline too. The only down side is that the better in shape Brutus gets, the harder he is to wear out! A tired pup is a happy pup, after all!

Take care you guys, and have a nice colorful cocktail under a plam tree for us, OK?

Michelle & Brutus

Archie and Melissa said...

good morning heather and walter!
oh we are so glad your connection came back. i love your tropical adventure!
i can just feel the ocean breezes in your post!
hug wally for us!
we love you guys!
m & e

Harry Pugalicious said...

We're happy to hear that paradise was not lost forever. It sounds like you and Wally have really adapted to island life. Hopefully Wally will demonstrate the miracle walking again and will soon be chasing all those Hemingway cats around the island!

Mia said...

SO glad to hear you and Walter are thriving in the Keys!! The island is beautiful and I can't wait for the chance to go back!! You have no worries about us moving away!! Afterr all we've been through together, we could never abandon you and Walter!!

Take care and have a great weekend!!!

~Kisses~

Jess & Lilo

The Devil Dog said...

Those quotes at the end are great! Glad you and Walter finally have internet back. And doubly glad to hear from you. Walter looks awfully cute in that photo. Sorry about your car and the spring breakers, that sounds like a bunch of no fun, however, aquamarine seas and beautiful blue skies must make up for it.

I'm having a contest, make sure you come by and enter.

Roxy

Those Elgin Pugs said...

Hello Walter and Ms. Heather. We are so happy to hear all is well!!! We have been following your bloggy! We've started our own about a month ago. Our friend Stubby got us into the world of blogging. Mommy can't get us off the 'puter!
Your little Island of Paradise sounds wonderful. We are glad to hear your 'puter is up and running, and the little germy tourists will be moving on. (Hee Hee.) Sounds like your Mommy is having fun writing and taking care of you or we're sure you're probably taking good care of her! Keep those little tootsies of yours well soaked!
Big pug hugs,
Josie, Izzy, and Anakin

Jennifer Sneed said...

Awww Heather and Walter,
Maxwell and I were so excited to see a new post. We will forever follow you all, we lived in Wilmington, NC for a year and yes it is almost impossible sometimes to get people to actually do things, so i totally understand. I am glad to hear of all of your great shenanigans!!! and Wally is doing well, which makes us extremely happy!!!! yay Wally!
Give Walter some kisses for us.
Pug love,
Jen

Anonymous said...

Oh haha you have no idea how tempting it is to go over to the dark/parakeet side! lol

I am glad to here you guys are still alive and doing well. Sounds like you are in paradise and I am very jealous and fear not that nasty cold and stomach virus is still going strong here on the west coast. ugh.

Sounds like Wally has tingly nerves in his foot, that is so awesome!! One thing i have found, not sure if you have noticed this or not. But Pugs are VERY stubborn lol so Wally will walk when he is ready and perhaps more steady on his poor little foot.

Has his pelvis bone healed up 100%?

Puglette said...

hi heather and wally! i just caught up on your adventures in moving. what a trip! i am glad the warm weather makes wally feel better. it really does relieve the achies. thank you so much for stopping by and seeing our new pup. ps - please stick your toes in the ocean for me!
hugs,
puglette
:o)

Kelly said...

Wally Love,
I have missed you guys!

The lack of internet sounds both frustrating and slightly liberatinig! Momma swears sometimes that she feels chained to the computer. Might be nice to put it away for a while!!

I hope those scary storms steer clear of you. You just need to be soakin' up the sunshine and all of the affection that you're no doubt getting from your new friends!

I think of you all the time! Thanks for checking in with us!

xooxo
Pearly

Sequoia & Petunia & Emma said...

Amish...ahhh lol! We are so happy you have the internet working again. We love seeing Wally up and about enjoying his palm trees.

Adventures of two Indianapolis Girls said...

Wow you're so brave. I'm reading your site and it's hard to whine about my teeth cleaning now. Still glad to have hugs and kisses though and Mommy is close (yes)!

Stubby said...

Hi Heather & Wally! It's so great to hear from you guys. I haven't forgotten about you and just figured you were living it up on island time.

It's so nice to see Wally thriving in the Keys. Isn't it amazing what getting out of the cold does for a pug? Do you think you could talk my mom into moving down to Florida? I know I'd love it!

Stubby xoxo

Becky said...

Well girl, it's about dang time. I was gettin worried about you and Walter. Glad to know all is pretty much okay with the two of you. You sure you don't want to come a little closer inland? Hurricane season will be here June 1st. Give that little darlin Walter a hug from us!

Smushie Ranch said...

Heather and Walter, it's so great to hear from you. Bite your tongue that we'd ever give up on you. *tisk tisk tisk*

Oh, your talk of Hemingway brings back memories of my visit to Key West. I spent hours and hours at this house reading amongst his 6 toes cats. SHHHHH! Please don't tell Stella. She'll never forgive me.

You're new life with Walter sounds heavenly. I'm so happy for you guys. You're such a loving, devoted and caring pug mom. Walter is so blessed to have you.

Much love,
Shannon and the Gang

Tweedles -- that's me said...

We did not forget you at all.
We knew you would be back. I guess having no internet and all the storms is like being lost at sea.
We are glad your connection is back,
and
we have never stopped keeping our paws crossed for Walter.
He is progessing one step at a time.
Enjoy your island
Kiss Walter for me
love
tweedles

Page said...

I'm so glad you and Wally are enjoying south Florida! He looks adorable as always surrounded by the palm fronds!

Winston Wilbur said...

Hi Guys, we are just catching up too. Mum has been away in Mexico so she totally understands the Island time thingy. She says things move at a way slower pace any place there is a palm tree and warm breeze. Glads to hear things are going well for you otherwise. Looks like Wally is loving it down there!

Winston

Salinger The Pug said...

We're still here and hanging on your every word!!!!

We're totally JEALLLLOUS of your new tropical life, but are so happy that Wally is making progress!

Keep the good updates coming ok?

Love,
S-Dog (and Laura)