Adoradog (Meaningful text TBA)

Am I violating my dog's privacy by posting pictures of her everywhere? And identifying her by name?

Devil's Tower National Monument

Lucky am I to have a national monument in my backyard. About an hour away from home, in the foothills of the Black Hills, Devil's Tower has stunning vistas of local farms -- complete with red barns -- and the scent of pine trees. So peaceful is the echoey sound of the wind blowing through them.

So frustrated I want to pull my hair out!

I tried a new stylist today for a cut and color prior to a friend's wedding.

She was recommended by a colleague, who has longer hair. About two weeks ago, my colleague emerged from the salon with a great cut and low-lights. Even better? The cost -- $60.

Mine? $90!

!!!

Did I mention that I had all-over color, which is easier for a stylist than low-lights? Did I mention that she had terrible communication skills, barely making small talk after I initiated it and spending most of the time talking to another stylist who was hanging out in her booth? Did I mention that she practically ripped my tangly hair out while combing it? Did I mention that she probably should have used an extra bottle of color but didn't?

After leaving the salon, I texted my colleague, asking her again how much she paid for her cut and color two weeks ago. Had I misheard?

Nope.

I got ripped off.

On cleanliness

There are two kinds of cleanliness: clutter-free and germ-free. Often, they oppose each other, but truly spick-and-span people understand that they're not mutually exclusive.

I don't have the interest or self-discipline to be one of those people (or, the money, as people like my father hire out cleaning) to file away each piece of paper or hide the bunch of bananas. I let the clutter pile up.

I don't like germs, however. I spray. I scrub. But I often am criticized by those whose countertops and desktops are bare. Their floors may be disgusting -- and there's something about disgusting floors that repulse me from eating from their kitchens -- but their space appears cleaner than my space.

I think there are pluses and minuses to each philosophy. I also think that those representing my philosophy are judged more and understood less. My evidence? Well, based on how I feel after neat freaks question me. Totally empirical, I know.

A college friend had a license plate holder that said, "Creative minds are seldom tidy." I concur.