September 19, 2012 
As you may have gathered things haven’t worked out quite as I would have liked this year. In late Spring, when it became apparent Maisie wasn’t as happy as she had been on the hills I decided to set up a new blog, “Falling out the Ugly Tree”, to remove us from the hillwalking associations of “Where The Fatdog Walks” and to hopefully see us into the next few years of our “tail”- telling co-existence. Sadly I began this new blog only days before Maisie’s diagnosis and a month before her passing. I have to admit to finding it difficult to write material for that blog as its beginnings cover what was a very sad time for us. For reasons of what’s left of my sanity I’ve decided to abandon “Falling out the Ugly Tree”. I don’t think I can go back there.
“…tick” “…tick”
So…I’ve moved back into the dust laden offices of the old Fatdog Broadcasting Corporation for the time being. An odd choice you may think given its associations – but the FBC was a good place to be. One of my distinguished visitors once described it as being “never knowingly on the wall” (thanks Andy 
) which is what this blog has always tried to be. A good place to begin again.
We have a couple of changes to our lifestyle coming up and because of this there will need to be changes to the blog as well…quite a lot of changes actually…even the title may go! In the coming weeks and months you will see a number of modifications. Please do not adjust your monitors. As time passes the reasons for the changes will become all too apparent.
“…tick” “…tick”
One of the less believable changes has already happened. I have…
…taken up geocaching again! 
Once you have all calmed down and stopped the accusations of “You said you’d never…!” etc. etc. I would point out that although I’ve taken it up again…I am avoiding certain types of “contact”…a bit like you would avoid, say…rabies! Just now I’m happy in my own little world which involves a couple of hours ambling each day and provides a substitute for those missing hours of doggy walking.
Anyway the next post will let you see what I’ve been up to.
“…tick” “…tick”
Anybody out there know anything about how to stop this bloody chocolate clock?
Author Info
Can you not eat it?
You obviously didn’t read the previous post Chrissie
Nope tried that! All it caused was an emergency appointment at the dentists. 
You sound like me speaking to the kids at school,
‘Weren’t you listening?’…
Actually I did read it, but it was on my way to bed last night so it obviously didn’t all sink in properly!
That’s usually J’s line to me
though I expect her class gets the same treatment too.
I doubt whether last night’s post would sink in to anybody’s brain at any time. Ah…it was good to get back to the surreal once again.
There’s somewhat of a parallel to our lives right now, grieving is integral to it, but there are
other forces in play. I’ve become amenable to the ever-changing daily swings. My conscious purpose in past months is to just coast along until motivated to choose a direction. There’s a paradox, 1) when younger I was impatient for life to be on track and under control, even though there was a long future ahead, and 2) now I find there’s no impatience about anything, even though there’s no long future ahead. Life happens regardless, all we need to
do is be alert. A sense of humor and irony is priceless in any facet of life, and blogs like
this one are populated with those who treasure that as vital to a satisfying existence. Whatever turn it takes will be followed by your loyal fans.
Thanks Florene…I know how tough the past months have been for you and greatly appreciate your comments and observations. Here, we’ve been sitting patiently waiting for the next “stage” to begin after Maisie. Things are now slowly beginning to move on…”light at the end of the tunnel” I believe the expression to be. In blog terms my normal black humour is beginning to return…it has been difficult to write without it. Events governing the “next stage” have been set in motion…now we have a bit of “WAITING” to do.