A day in the life

The Beach

2008-11-10T06:36:00.000-08:00

I think we lived here before. There are lots of similar smells and things I am getting re-familiarized with. I don't know why we move so much and it's always the same two places. One is really hot and cold and the other is always perfect. Hmmm...

So yesterday my (human) parents and sister and I went to my all time favorite place here. The Beach. At least that's what they call it. It's this little ride out to this yucky water they call the Potomac or something. I get to run a lot and then I romp around in the sand and water. My sister has a blast because she apparently likes the sand almost as much as I do. She likes to dig like me and and make a complete mess. It's so much fun because everyone gets involved.

Mom always takes pictures and today was no exception. In fact, I think I even got more camera time than my sister. I am just that good. They usually post the pictures on the other blog (OLC), but I'll see if I can't get some shots up here. It's important that you see the new and improved me.

I seriously think my parents were impressed with my stamina today, too. Normally, it's standard procedure to dig for about 45 seconds, fetch 2-3 rounds, and then lounge in the sun and sand for the remainder of time with some random digs in between. Nothing to make me exert myself too much. God forbid. I am too handsome for all that nonsense. Today, however, I was going to town. I didn't sit still. I was so excited to be at The Beach that I couldn't help myself from playing and swimming (ok, more like wading)...it was a blast. Look, I am not a LAB-I don't need to swim to be active. I can clean the sand off my paws and snout and do a few shimmies. I'm just fine with that level of activity. It not only suits me, it suits my being.

Stay tuned for the pictures of that day.

I'm BACK!

2008-11-05T16:13:00.000-08:00

So I got here yesterday, to the new house. It's nice I guess but it has those annoying floors I hate walking on. They put all these soft fancy rugs everywhere but I hate jumping from island to island.

I don't like that I have to go downstairs to the scary place they call a basement in order to go out. It just seems excessive. I haven't met the neighbors yet, but I have alerted them a little bit to my presence.

It rained today and while I normally refuse to go out in anything other than 70 degree sunny weather; it was fun to explore my new territory. They lit a fire in this special place inside the house and that was really nice. I got entirely too hot too soon though. So I left for another room.

I noticed that the kitchen does not have many of those little rugs for me. Was this intentional? If so, I am not very happy about that. I briefly noted a fantastic entire ROOM of food, they call it the pantry. There's even another refrigerator in there. It's a matter of time before I get involved in that room.

That's all for now. I am still involved in surveying this new place and will keep you posted.

They call me a HERO

2008-10-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

So I am still in Brooklyn, keeping everyone safe. They are all amazed that I knew there was a mugging in process across the street. HOW MANY TIMES do I have to pace and howl and alert these "humans" with my ridge? I mean, I huff and puff, running around, and after 10 or so minutes, they finally get it. What gives?

They tell me I am headed back to my parents' new house in Virginia. If that's the same place we lived a few years back, I'll remain here, thanks. All that stuff that made my feet itch was NOT fun. Besides, I hate that air there-it's too hot. The only good thing about that place was that my [human] parents used to take me to this place they called the beach. I could dig holes in the sand and run for miles. It was pretty fun. Now with the addition of the little human girl (and I keep hearing them talk about having "more") who seems to be here for the long haul, I am not so sure how this will all play out.

My parents told me that they were looking at rescuing a bitch playmate for me. That's how I came to live with them. I hope it's another Ridgeback. We really are pretty particular when it comes to other breeds. I mean, if I have to share my space with another canine, it could at least be of the same kind so that I know what to expect. I am not a fan of drool, slobber, excessive bodily noises, or attention stealing. If any of these things occur from said "rescue", I will unfortunately have to resort to bringing this to the attention of my human parents. I don't like having to "act out" (their words) but sometimes they are so blind they don't realize what I need.

I'll keep you posted on my pending arrival at the new house in Virginia....and the status of the bitch.

What gives?

2008-09-25T05:35:00.000-07:00

So I am summering in NY and apparently it's falling into FALL. My parents and sister came to visit me this weekend. Truth be told, I was really excited to see them. I made sure they realized though, that things have changed. They left me here. I know that they said it was temporary and it was for the best since they couldn't take me with them, but still.

Don't get me wrong, I love my grandparents here in Brooklyn. I have changed though. I am a city dog. I am a badass. I sit on the stoop and survey all the people. I am used to the chaos and noise that is New York City. I get treats ALL the time from my family here. Honestly, I am not sure if I want to go back with them in this awesome new house they keep talking about. I heard them say something about the floors in the new house. They are those annoying ones that I walk backwards on. What is the deal with these? They call them hardwood I think. Why can't every room have that warm carpet I love to whip up? If only I ruled the world....

So I am towing the line here for a few more weeks. That's what they tell me anyway. I am sure I will have lots to report after I go back with my parents (if I let them take me from here, that is).

Summering in NY

2008-09-15T07:24:00.000-07:00

As most of you know, I have been spending the summer in NY with my Grandparents. Apparently my human parents are in a place where they *brace for it* don't like big canines. I know, I can't imagine a world like that either. So I am here for the summer. At first I didn't like all the noise of the people here. The keep calling it "the city". I thought there could be lots of cities but apparently this one is the best. Here are the things I have noticed so far this summer:

*There isn't a lot of grass here in Brooklyn. My nails seem to stay nice and trim.
*People here are loud. Everything is louder-cars, people, and there is a lot of NOISE.
*It's really humid and sticky here and I don't like sweating.
*I heart A/C.
*The stuff in the backyard makes me eat my paws incessantly, so I love that my grandmother washes me off everyday after my walk. It soothes me.
*I have lost weight.
*I am learning to walk on flooring other than carpet.
*I still don't like it.
*I HEART stoops. I hope we have one in our new house when I go back to my human parents.
*I'm a badass dog city dog now.
*Don't mess with me.

That's it for now.

Thanks JLo

2008-02-14T14:36:00.000-08:00

Dear Jennifer-Lynn,
Thank you so much for thinking of me and giving my mom the most delicious steak bones leftover from your dinner. They were delicious, although man- can you guys polish off any hint of steak, or what!?! Next time, don't be so stingy.

Sorry, guess I can't really be that picky.

Anyway-thanks. It's going to be helpful in my patio pooping mission later.
Good lookin' out.
Leo C

Two can play at this game

2008-01-27T10:36:00.000-08:00

My sister locked me in the closet the other morning and it just so happened to be the morning that my Mother was making the most smellerific breakfast. She was making bacon and sausage and other things and I could smell them from inside the closet. My Mom didn't know I was locked in the closet because she, well, couldn't hear me. I started to howl and cry a little but with all the chaos going on (my sister had a friend staying with us for a few days), she didn't hear. I barked my desperate bark-similar to the one when I have been outside for longer than 47 seconds and need to make sure they didn't forget me.

Alas, my Mother knew something was wrong when I didn't come downstairs with the smell of pig in the pan wafting throughout the house. She found me and I proceeded to nearly knock everyone over to get to the kitchen.

So my sister better watch out, because I am onto her. And I will make a point of getting back...

Goldilocks

2008-01-15T08:45:00.000-08:00

That's what I heard my Mom telling Kika across the street today. I think it's because...

The Closet

2008-01-04T11:59:00.000-08:00

A few months back, I started to wander into my parents' closet. It is spacious and neat, most of the time. I found it peaceful and dark and very much enjoyed lounging in there. Things all changed the one night they couldn't "find" me. It was the best, and even better, I couldn't have planned this if I tried.

So I hear them calling and calling me. I do one of my favorite things and pretend I am so utterly deep in sleep that I don't hear them. I re-whip myself into a very tight curled ball and nearly bury my head in my paws. It is really fantastic and should have been featured in those places with the big tents and large scary sad animals. The position, that is.

I digress. I hear them running from room to room. They even have my sister involved chanting my name over and over. I love this. It's not only entertaining, but so nice to feel the love. Suddenly, however, the love turns in tone. My parents are not as happy anymore. For a moment they have the frustrated tone, then it turns into scared. I remember this same frantic tone my Mom had when my sister was playing around and wandered 3 feet away from her among racks in the Target. Well, I mean, I wasn't there or anything (don't even get me started, they used to take me everywhere); but every time I heard her tell the story she always imitated how she searched for my sister. I think the Target is a food place or something. They always seem to be going there. I swear.

Again, I digress. So finally, my Dad looks in the closet, and lo and behold, there I am in all my glory. For added effect, I waited a few more seconds until tilting up my head and rolling over a little to act like, "Hey, why'd you wake me up?" Needless to say, my parents were very amused by this. I kept hear them joking all night about "coming out of the closet" and all these other nonsensical things.

Two days later, I got another new bed (it's amount time). It's permanent location is the closet. I sleep in there every night. There are these big doors that slide and one stays open all the time. I love it because it's warmer in there. I think my Mom is mad though; because since my Dad is away I no longer have any desire to sleep in their big bed with her. I'm all about the closet.

Leo-1
Human Parents-0

Thanks Larry

2008-01-01T22:48:00.000-08:00

So, I am back. Thanks to a new reader who thinks I actually might have something of interest to talk about. It's about damn time I am beckoned for and getting some love.

I have been glaringly absent for months now. You know how I am in the summers. I like to take my time and sit in the sun. I don't know why but it's really fun to look right up into the sky and squint at the sun. It's something my parents always imitate me doing. Needless to say, it kept me outside often. Of course you know my max is always 18 minutes-then I start the process to return inside. I start the pacing. Then the shimmying. Then the cry that eventually escalates to the howl and bark. And if they STILL don't answer from all that drama, I pull out the big guns. That's right, folks, I jump at the sliding glass door. It is almost always followed by one of the following phrases, "Knock it off, Leo", or "Hold your horses!" or "Leo! Stop that!". All to which I smile and gear up to do it again.

September and October were really laid back. My Dad travelled a lot preparing for his next assignment overseas. I got to work pretty early getting under my Mom's skin. Every time he goes away I make sure to punish her. I mean, how freaking hard is it to take me for long leisurely walks several times a day? Just because she claims I misbehave when the stroller or the wagon are in the picture doesn't give her the right to cancel walks. So I took to pooping on the patio in the backyard again. It's awesome because it's right between my sister's sandbox and the table my parents sit at and don't feed me from and the heavenly device they call the grill. I think my Mom is getting annoyed though because she won't clean it up. I think her theory is that I will have to eventually soil my precious paws and go on the grass. Wrong again, oh young female human. My reaction to that is to accidentally step in one of the landmines upon my return to the door. It is received by the same similar phrases I spoke of before.

I am a little tired right now as I haven't blogged in a while. I also have not napped in nearly 45 minutes, so I better get moving. For you, my new friend Larry, I will try and stay abreast of things.

I'm BACK

2007-08-13T09:36:00.000-07:00

Recently my parents have become slackers. They have been "too busy" or "forgetting" about my nightly walk. That's ridiculous. I mean, they get to go on all these fun adventures all day long and I am stuck manning the house. I mean, I don't mind it. I get my exercise in...by eating my paw, barking at the birds, scratching myself, running away from my shadow, and breathing. It's just that sometimes I get really frustrated. It's ok though, because as you know, I am more than willing to teach them appropriate canine (that's for them) nurturing.

SO...I have left a few little vomit (mostly just spit up) piles for them randomly here and there on the landings of the staircase. I have also devised a plan to break the glass on the sliding glass door. I jump SOOOOO hard on it when they don't come immediately to let me in that I think my almost 100 pounds of manliness will break it one of these days. THAT, my friends, will be AWESOME. My mom took me for a few walks this week and I thought I would teach her a lesson by not just pooping once or twice, but three times on the walk. HA! She had to open up one of the baggies on got excrement on her hands. It was great.

So, I just miss Cara. I mean, she loves me more than anything, really. I know that my Mom talks to Otis like Cara talks to me and gives him tons of butt scratches. That's just wrong. Why do I live here?

Last night I heard my parents talking about Rhodesian Ridgebacks on the machine they keep calling a laptop. The bed is for LOUNGING and eating yourself. NOT computing. Anyway, my dad kept showing my mom pictures of them and there were two and their names were "Leo" (my given name) and "Lucy" which is what my mom has always said she wanted for our next canine. Whatever.

That's all I got today. Just a day of lounging in the sun and eating myself.

I can't believe they forgot my birthday

2007-08-06T15:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday. I turned 7. They forgot it. Figures.

Reap what you sew

2007-07-25T20:34:00.000-07:00

Last night I was pacing back and forth and they STILL didn't hear me. Finally, I had to take matters into my own hands. I went over to the door in the bedroom and smacked it so hard with my right hand (paw as they call it) that it slammed and elicited the very response I was originally looking for. They both jumped. It was awesome.

I guess since my Mom gets up with my sister most of the time my Dad automatically gets up with me. I once heard my Mom tell him that she can't let me out in the middle of the night because she is afraid of the dark. She did it all the time when he wasn't here though. Silly lady.

So my original intention was to do my business and get a late night snack. This was, of course, because my parents didn't take me for my nightly walk. I don't know why, but it was definitely something I needed to remind them not to do again. Not take me for my walk, that is. So, I woke them up as soon as they were REALLY asleep. I didn't really need to go out....I just wanted to annoy them. I like that I have that power. They are so accommodating because if they are not they think I will defecate in the house. Not so. That, would be uncivilized.

I'm still here....

2007-07-18T19:58:00.000-07:00

So I just ate this colorful cold "treat" on a stick. They keep calling it a Popsicle. It's actually quite refreshing. My sister puts them AWAY! She has been up and giving my parents a hard time and they keep saying it's because of her teeth. I have teeth and they don't make me cranky or lose sleep. I think she's just pissed because she has to go to bed and my parents are making up this excuse.

So today I performed a new move again. Actually, I did it yesterday by accident trying to escape my sister. I jumped, similar to a horse jumping a fence, over the couches. I mean, over the arms of the couches. It's kinda hard to explain. Just know that it was impressive. My mom was laughing at me though which irritated me because it took a LOT of energy. So much energy, I had to nap a lot longer than I normally do. It really took a lot out of me.

In other news, my parents got some new bedding and ever since then, they don't let me come on the bed as often. I heard my mom tell my dad, "Look, it's either him or me..." Traitor. He chose her. I know it's only because she put him on the spot like that. I would never have done that to him.

Oh, and just so that you know, I have given my mom TONS to scribe and she just hasn't. Don't let her feed you this crap that there hasn't been anything NOTEWORTHY going on in my life. EVERY single DAY is noteworthy. SO there.
I have to go and peruse the leftovers from my sister's dinner on the floor. I'll write more later.

Observations and such...

2007-07-12T09:19:00.000-07:00

I know. My parents and sister took off without me. Auntie Cara was so good to me. They are all back now, but there are some things I took note of while they were gone. Auntie Cara even emailed my Mom for me, but did she scribe these things on my blog? No. Rude. Par for the course my friends. That's right. It is now COMPLETELY apparent that they think I am not a human. Whatever.

Here are the things I noticed while they were away:

It is eerily quiet. I mean, I hear the usual outside noises, but nothing, and I mean NOTHING inside the house. Of course I am not counting Spencer and Kevin when Auntie Cara brings them over to play. I kinda like it, but a little, and I mean little part of me misses my loud little sister.
It is still great fun to defecate all around and on my sister's sandbox while they are gone. Auntie Cara gets annoyed (sorry you were affected by this indirectly, btw).I do wish she wouldn't clean it up because I like the "statement" it makes to them when they come back.
I can lick my privates, paws, and anything else for hours on end. It's actually not all that enjoyable after a while. I only like to do it really because it annoys my parents. Note to self-gear up for some serious payback licking upon their return.
Although I like time to myself, it really irritates me that I don't get to go on these trips anymore. I mean, hell, I even have a to-go suitcase that Gramma got me with my name embroidered on it. Where the hell is that now that SHE is here? Rude.

There are lots of other things, but I will have to get to them later. Right now I am still thinking of all the things I can do to punish my family for leaving without me. They try and tell me that they "missed me", and that they "did me a favor" because I "don't travel on a plane well"....how do THEY know this? I also heard them saying that I was probably happier here because of the heat. That I feel them on. I hate the humidity. My Dad says I am just like my Mom. Again, proof that I am a human....they just didn't get the memo apparently.

My family is leaving

2007-06-27T12:01:00.001-07:00

and I know it. Don't they realize that I sense these things? Why do they think I have been "acting out" as my Mom calls it? What's so wrong with sleeping in their closet. That's where they get those stupid rolling bags that only mean one thing. They are leaving. Maybe I'll stop licking myself when I am supposed to. Maybe they are mad at me. I hope Auntie Cara lets me play and frolic with Otis. That really makes me excited.

I have to go bark at the UPS guy now.

How dare they

2007-06-23T19:55:00.000-07:00

So my parents have been "busy" the last two nights. They have been out with my sister til late and I have suffered the fallout from their fun adventures. No nightly walks. How rude. I mean, just relieving myself next to my sister's sandbox is not enough punishment for them. So, while they were gone, I thought long and hard about how I could teach them a lesson on why they should take ME along to restaurants and to important military ceremonies. I also dined on myself. I enjoyed several hours of uninterrupted bliss-eating my anus with a filet of foot on the side. There is really nothing quite like losing your breath because you are gnawing so profusely on yourself. It's awesome. Seriously.

So, they came home and pretended they were happy to see me but we all know that's just them hoping I didn't destroy anything. Now, normally, I don't destroy things. I leave that for my friends Mac and Monty. They are bigger and they work together, so that works for them. I prefer to silently devour myself in peace. It's great. This doesn't mean it doesn't irritate me to no end that I was not invited.

So both nights, as soon as my sister and parents went to sleep, I began my revenge. I first started licking quietly until my Dad snapped his fingers and gave me an, "EH!" I let him think it was over but really I was JUST getting warmed up. I proceeded to lick, bite, and chew on myself ALL throughout the night, waking my parents all night long. Each time they grew more irritated with me and I secretly enjoyed every single moment of it. I heard my Mom joking with my Dad this morning that she thinks I did it on purpose. She thinks I am lashing out because I didn't get my walks the last two nights. She's not as dumb as she looks I guess. My Dad said that he felt like we had a newborn in the house. Whatever that is. So-they didn't get much sleep and MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

The water bowl

2007-06-19T10:21:00.000-07:00

So far this morning has been a little rough. My sister woke us all up at 5:30 but I stayed in bed with my Dad for another hour. I sauntered downstairs a little bit later and went right to my downstairs bed....which reminds me. I used to have a bed in every room. It was great. Why did they downsize that? Annoying.
Anyway-my sister was having a rough morning which really irritated me because the only thing that made her smile was jumping up and down in my bed WHILE I WAS IN IT. I mean, I get that she is cute and sweet and apparently doesn't know that holding onto my tail for dear life is not fun for me, but still. So I had to figure out something else. This, however, was not to my Mom's liking. Oh well, you can't please everyone.

I reminded my sister how much fun it is to take my food and sprinkle it all over the house. ESPECIALLY in my water bowl. That really urks my Mom and it makes me laugh because she always thinks it is my sister's doing when really I am nudging her along. So this morning, we snuck over to my bowl and had a grand ole time doing just that. I won't, of course, drink the soiled-with-food water because, well, I'm Leo and I just don't do that. So, the only downside is the mind game I play with my Mom about getting me a new fresh bowl of water. What she doesn't realize is that I am ok with not drinking for a while because I downed it right before the shenanigans began....
I'll let you know the outcome later. Right now I am holding strong on not drinking the water!

Silly Humans

2007-06-17T20:18:00.000-07:00

We just returned from the nightly walk. Remember? This is where I take my sister and my parents for an evening stroll around the neighborhood. It was my Mom's turn tonight to take me and since it was a special thing today all about my Dad, he took my sister. I LOVE when my Mom takes me because she is too busy talking with my Dad to focus on the fact that I am leading her. I know that they think they are leading you but they really aren't. If you are truly skilled, you will let them think that, all the while leading them.

So back to my Mom. She was talking something over with my Dad that kept making them laugh and then I realized it was about me. So, I think they were making fun of me. I decided I would teach them a lesson. I always unload my presents (ie: steamers) within a block of the barrel that the neighborhood uses for steamers. Well, I notice that if I don't unload by then, they continue to walk further and I get more sniffing and "marking" in. So that is exactly what I did. They are such silly humans. I had them walking for EVER!

Needless to say, I actually did not have a steamer for unloading tonight, so there walking efforts were in vain the whole time. Ha. Who's laughing now?
Anyways-I was finally ready to go home because I was sick of stopping every 10 seconds for my sister and parents to point at the crescent in the sky and declare it a MOON.
I need some good sleep tonight. I think I'll kick my parents out of their bed.

Our walks

2007-06-15T14:23:00.000-07:00

So last night, like every night, I took my parents and sister for a walk. They change every night who I get to walk. Some nights I give my Dad my leash, and some nights it's my Mom. Last night it was my Dad. He doesn't let me sniff things as much and I walk really closely to him. Mom does that sometimes. She is not always the same but likes to pretend she is. She lets me sniff more things.
Here are some things that occur every night. They don't let me lick the "wet spots". I am just checking the PH level in other recent urinations. That's all. Don't they know I am a scientist and making sure all dogs have the right acid levels in their urine. Why do they not let me lick it? I used to nose-dive into other "steamers" as they call it. Did they not get the canine memo that diving face first into other canine's feces is actually a great moisturizer and emollient lotion? They think it's gross and I get embarrassed sometimes after I do it.
The rabbits. There are two areas where rabbits live on our walk. My sister loves them. They are out every night until they hear my sister squeal with delight. I pretend it's me scaring them into hiding but secretly I am afraid of them. I waste a LOT of time sniffing out the power boxes, mailboxes and street lamp poles right before the rabbit areas so that I don't have to be put to the test.
The little people. There are little people always around on our walk behind bars. These little people are a little bigger than my sister and they love me. They shout from these bars (my parents call them fences) and ask my name. I completely love turning into prance mode. I am a showdog at heart. I really am. They waive and smile and yell, "Hi Leo!" "We like your doggie!" and I know that at least SOME people out there think I'm great once again.
The steamer. This is when I leave my own present for the next canine to enjoy. EXCEPT-my parents always wrap it up in a bag and bring it home to our garbage can. That completely infuriates me because I think it should be left THERE. That is precisely why it takes me so long to secure the perfect spot to drop it on...Believe me, I don't always enjoy the 5-7 circles I make. By that time I am usually dizzy. That's why I move around a lot as they plop out-merely out of balance. Additionally, that's why as soon as I finish I run like a mad canine away from that stink. There is nothing worse than your OWN feces.
Those are my recent observations. Thanks for your comments and Otis, from what I understand they are leaving me for a vacation and you and I are going to be spending lots of time together. Just make sure your Mom doesn't slip me any Benadryl. I heard her plotting with my Mom.

What I don't like...

2007-06-14T10:05:00.001-07:00

i already told you some things i LIKE, now here are the things i do NOT like...

when my mom forgets i am outside for longer than 4 minutes.
when my sister yells at me and "pets" me with her friends.
when they tell me i am going in the car and it is not where i want to go.
when other people come into my house smelling like other animals with the exception of uncle gary and aunt suzi and auntie cara.
bottled water. i like the faucet stuff. it just tastes better.
the new gate at the top of the stairs. it makes me nervous.
when my blankets are placed on my bed. i like to whip them up myself. Please do not touch them.
getting in the car in the garage. i need more room to get a running start. why don't you do this ever anymore?
the tile and hardwood floors. they are not fun for me because i can't stop. while i have perfected the art of "backing it up"-it takes too long and i don't enjoy it.

Introduction

2007-06-13T15:22:00.000-07:00

Hello. If you have made your way into this blog, it is because we have met or you know one of my family members. Welcome. This is where I will vent and talk about what I think is really going on in the human world in which I live....although I am technically a canine. Or at least that's what I hear them say all the time. A Rhodesian Ridgeback to be precise. I am about 85-95 pounds on any given day, and the following is a list of things I currently enjoy:

I enjoy long nightly walks with my family, eating my paws incessantly to the point of bloody stumpyness, not being outside for extended periods of time (10 minutes is definitely pushing it), not listening when I am "called" because it's fun to watch them chase me up the stairs, ruining the carpets on the stairs while devouring the fur around my anus, barking at anyone that comes within a 50 foot radius of anyone in my family/our front door, urinating and often deficating right near my sister's sandbox on the concrete because grass is beneath me (on so many levels that pun is definitely intended), shimmying in front of my sister's bedroom door hopefully waking her up because it makes my mom and dad go insane, sleeping on the leather sofas after a 5-10 minute "whipping up" fest, among many other things. So, welcome.

My latest trick:
Taking my very expensive (they keep saying that so I think it means something important) food and pushing it with my snout into my water bowl. I don't know why I never thought of this one before. It is SUPER fun and my sister and her friends LOVE to do it. My mom gets really mad at me though. Kinda like my dad did the other night when I knocked my sister down on the patio (cement) because I saw a piece of bologna fall to the ground.