Those of you who have read my previous diaries know that I have recently retired from the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. I had planned to stay on for at least another year. The frustration and uncertainty caused by Governor Walker and the Fitzjackals attempt to end collective bargaining for state workers was a major factor in my decision to pull the plug.
My last day at work was April 7th.
Now what?
The recall campaign is morphing into election mode. I'm sure I'll be involved in Jess King's campaign to unseat Randy Hopper.
I'm trying to persuade the board of a local community theater to produce "The Prisoner of Zenda" with me directing this fall. People call me to do set designs. My mind isn't going to atrophy.
Mrs. ruleoflaw still works 40 hours per week, so now I'm sort of a house husband.
I'm still figuring that out.
Today I made some ten-grain bread.
I guess as long as my pension will pay for flour, honey, and yeast, we won't starve.
Whatever comes, there's a little guy who never lets me get too self absorbed. I will tell you more about him below the fold.
Lucky Angus McPup is a mutt. He never worries about politics. He never worries about money. In his world, there is no suffering for love or art or existential angst. There is no time for any of that when we have important tennis balls to fetch.
He is still used to my old work schedule, so he feels compelled to remind me when it is 4:30am and it is time for our walk. He makes sure that, no matter how wrong someone is on the internet, I get outside to walk around the block several times a day. Because of Lucky, I am never lonely when I open a jar of peanut butter. No matter how proud I may get, there's always a plastic bag in my coat pocket to remind me that pet ownership brings certain humbling responsibilities.
For both Mrs. ruleoflaw and I, he is a constant source of joy and laughter. Sort of like a pootie-woozle diary that never falls off the list.
The folks at the animal shelter named him Lucky but Mrs. ruleoflaw and I hit the jackpot when we adopted him. Indulge me and watch the tribute I made to my little pal.