Archie

There was a neat article in today's Los Angeles Times about Archie, a Newfoundland-breed dog who "works" at Casa Pacifica in Camarillo. Casa Pacifica is a home for abused and neglected children and Newfoundlands are very large dogs.

After telling how Archie injured his hip, required surgery, and howled at home while recovering because he was not around the children, the article ended with this paragraph:

"Murphy decided that work was the best medicine, and so Archie limped back to the office, his leg in a cast. And children who had known great callousness in their lives treated the giant canine with exquisite tenderness."

It was the best two sentences I had read in some time.

Road To Orlando -- 1

National Scrabble Association Club 357, Carlsbad, CA -- A special day at Club 357 because it was Sue Kaye's last day. She founded Club 357 and helped me when I restarted it in 2002. Now, after 20 years in Carlsbad, she's moving to Woodland Hills. I hope to visit her once she gets settled in.

I had a good day at Club 357. I was 4-1 with a 400 average and a 2.20 bingo average. I played a double game at the end (two opponents at one time), won both games, and played three bingos on one board and four on the other. I went over on time in my first game, but not in my others (no timers in the double game), my tracking was good, and, most importantly, my word recall was good. Well, my seven-letter word recall was good. I was unsure of a few threes.

Overall a good start down the road to Orlando!