The Muse Asylum

Thursday Thirteen – Thirteen of my favourite Christmas carols

themuseasylum — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 02:27:22 +0000

I am a big believer in “Happy Holidays”, as opposed to Merry Christmas… I just feel it’s more inclusive of everyone, no matter what their beliefs. And there are so many different holidays around this time of year! But I do like Christmas carols, so that’s what this Thursday Thirteen is all about.

1. O Holy Night

2. Mary’s Boy Child

3. Little Toy Trains

4. This Old White Doorway

5. The First Noel

6. Do You Hear What I Hear?

7. Mummers Song

8. The Seven Joys of Mary

9. Fairytale of New York

10. Appalachian Snowfall

11. We Three Kings

12. Feliz Navidad

13. Bells of St. Mary

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun!

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Unconscious Mutterings – Week 463

themuseasylum — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 17:46:02 +0000

Play along here!

They say: I think…

Dedication :: Drive
Dream destination :: Ireland
Games :: Fun
Hard as :: Rock
Convict :: Lawyer
Submit :: Hand in
Alcohol :: Drinking
Clippers :: Cut
Hormonal :: Swings
Diet :: Food

Unconscious Mutterings – Week 462

themuseasylum — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:17:38 +0000

Play along here!

They say: I think…

Flannel :: Pajamas
Chairs :: Legs
Sporadic :: Often
Difficult :: Hard
Amusing :: Laughing
Collapse :: Down
Hurtful:: Painful
Thump :: Hit
Frugal :: Free
Collectibles :: Knicknacks

Friday Fill-Ins

themuseasylum — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:10:13 +0000

1. One of my favorite things about December is the anticipation of Christmas.

2. I love ornament(s)!

3. This is what I’m hoping for today/tonight: a good clicker training session with the folks from the SPCA.

4. What’s that noise?

5. Ooh, a bird. (Channeling Dannan here! LOL!)

6. The phone is ringing!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a good night`s sleep, tomorrow my plans include lots and lots of research and Sunday, I want to see old friends and new at the SPCA volunteer appreciation event!

Check out the Friday Fill-ins website here!

Thursday Thirteen – Thirteen animal welfare issues I will write about

themuseasylum — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 03:51:17 +0000

For years, I have been thinking about writing a series of articles about animal welfare and training issues. I’ve finally started working on them, so that’s what today’s Thursday Thirteen is all about.

Thirteen Animal Welfare Issues I will write about

1. Pets as gifts

2. How to choose an animal trainer

3. Effects of punishment

4. Pet overpopulation

5. Rabbit overpopulation and feral rabbits

6. Exotic animals

7. Circuses, rodeos and travelling exhibitions

8. Farm animal transport and welfare

9. Wildlife – Predator control

10. The link between violence against animals and family violence

11. Pets in rental housing

12. Animals in research and testing

13. Animals in recreation/sport/entertainment, film and tv, and fashion/art/clothing.

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Unconscious Mutterings – Week 461

themuseasylum — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:19:35 +0000

Play along here!

They say: I think…

Program :: Show
Business :: Card
Nerve :: Ending
Pipes :: Smoke
Man :: Woman
System :: Down
Roses :: Petals
Gong :: Show
Heartfelt :: Love
Strolling :: Strollers

Dog breeding and the bulldog

themuseasylum — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 21:39:08 +0000

Can The Bulldog Be Saved? is a thought-provoking article about the future and fate of the bulldog as a breed. There are also other breeds that are in a similar state. I think that there are a number of breeds that have been bred beyond the point where they can be healthy (either in the sense of physical health, or the sense of behavioural health, or both). By our design, we have created dogs that have trouble breathing, overheat too easily, have hereditary diseases, and can’t mate or give birth, among other problems. And temperamentally, there are many breeds that are known to be genetically fearful. I hope that the bulldog, and the other dog breeds that we have designed into disaster, can be saved.

Thursday Thirteen – Thirteen things I am grateful for

themuseasylum — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 02:33:59 +0000

Well, it’s Thanksgiving in the United States (we celebrated Thanksgiving in October here in Canada), but I thought that today was a good day to think about gratitude.

Thirteen Things I am Grateful For

1. That my health is good — physically, I am healthy, and mentally/emotionally, I am also well, and have been for over a year.

2. My wonderful family, especially my mother

3. My dear friends — I am especially blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life — I love you all!

4. My little brown dog

5. The relaxation that a cup of tea brings me

6. That I can give back to my community — it’s tremendously important to me

7. My writing — I love to write, and I am grateful that I have been writing again lately

8. The support that my loved ones give me every day

9. Chocolate

10. My new tablet — I’m loving it!

11. That I have such a good doctor

12. To be able to use the telephone after a long period of phobic avoidance

13. That there is no snow on the ground.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun!

Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

What colour am I describing?

themuseasylum — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 01:20:18 +0000

Yet another post in the Fluff category! Again, I’m going to describe a colour with one word… wonder if anyone will be able to tell which colour I’m thinking of?

The word: Joyful.

Brief thought for today

themuseasylum — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:25:14 +0000

Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.

–Pablo Picasso

I love this quote from Pablo Picasso. On the one hand, it gives me hope — if only I am diligent about practicing my writing, inspiration will find me.

On the other hand, it encapsulates what I am coming to believe about writing. It is important to work at your craft, regardless of whether the Muse has graced you with her presence. Daily (or otherwise regular) practice of writing will lead to creativity; it will find you if only you are working.

Now I just need to carve out a little more time to write, and inspiration will track me down!