Orlando Sentinel Lauren Ritchie column
By Lauren Ritchie, Orlando Sentinel | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Oh, not deliberately. Just because The Evil One has a few minor quirks of personality, such as the intense drive to terrify small children and devour them in a single gulp, doesn't mean a death sentence is in order.
Instead, it was the heat.
After a painful encounter with rowdy border collies that resulted in back surgery in 2010, your local columnist has become as obsessive about walking 3 miles a day as herding dog Lola is about sheep. For those wondering, this falls in the category of "life-altering obsessive."
Lola, at 61/2 , is the companion of my wanderings, the one tugging to walk faster and faster. We're on a mission! Go! (Don't ask me what it is.)
What her human failed to take into account earlier this week was her summer haircut. As an Australian shepherd, Lola has long hair, far longer than mine, and a thick double coat that provides insulation. She gives the hair on her backside a sassy shake as she trots down the road, nose in the air, drinking in the smells. She owns the world. Who knew that butt hair could be a fashion accessory?
This summer, however, she continued to pant in the house all night, despite the air conditioning. So out came the clippers, off came the hair. Lola turned into a dog totally comfy in 76 degrees -- but not so great out walking briskly when the temperature is in the mid-90s.
My daughter Eleanor, Lola and I were only about a third of a mile from the car when Lola's back quarters started wiggling and swaying in a way that didn't look right. Eleanor remarked that the dog was walking funny, and then Lola's legs went out from under her. Splat. In true Lola fashion, she looked annoyed, not overcome by heat.
We rushed the dog home, cooled her with the hose and installed her on the couch, snout perched gently on a pillow. And there she stayed all evening.
OK, I admit it: I'm an idiot. No more midday excursions for Lola. We'll save our walks for the cooler evenings.
Here's a rarity
For the first time in several years, Republican manipulators of democracy didn't get a "stooge" to register as a write-in for an important race. This time, it was the
The way
The idea makes a lot of sense. After all, if only Republicans are in the race, then a Republican already has won by definition. Opening the primary is in the spirit of democracy.
However, the snarkiest of Republicans have gone against the spirit of that law by getting a person who has no intention of campaigning or serving to sign on as a write-in. That closes the primary. Take, for example, the 2010
The open primary might make some difference in the House race, too.
Likely it would give an edge to Belita "B" Grassel, who as a retired school-union leader would be the obvious candidate to pick up some independent and Democratic votes. But moderate Republican
The candidates it probably will hurt are ultraconservative
And what about the well-funded, polished insurance executive
It's early days in the campaign yet. Let's see what specifics each of these folks has to offer voters here.
[email protected]. Lauren invites you to send her a friend request on Facebook at facebook.com/laurenonlake.
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