My father does not read online blogs, including mine, so I feel safe posting a picture of my Christmas present to him:

The figurine is called Mermaid Child in Shell and comes from Gael Song in Seattle.

I've always given my father unusual gifts. One year it was a heavy brass sea crab with legs (the shell opened to reveal the ashtray). In 2005 it was solar-powered wind chimes. Both my parents now enjoy the chimes in the evening, which hang above their backyard deck. Another year it was a solar leprechaun from Creative Irish Gifts.

However, if I had gobs of money I would probably order one of everything at Gael Song for myself.

This video first caught my eye at Wonkette:

The poor little fox was just trying to get a bite to eat, but the cat wasn't moved by his lunging scare tactics. Click here to view the video at You Tube.

I don't mind "wild animal" interplay as long as no one – including the animals - gets hurt or killed.

::Drat! The final episode of Monk aired last night. I have enjoyed the show tremendously over the years, and I'm sorry to see it go. (See Monk star Tony Shalhoub calls finale very satisfying).

Of course there are always the reruns, but I truly looked forward to the new seasons and episodes.

I resisted Monk at first. Wilbert was a fan from the start, but it took him awhile to convince me of the show's merits. Then, once I began watching the OCD-ridden detective (played by Tony Shalhoub) I was hooked.

Four of my favorite episodes were Mr. Monk & the Astronaut (Season 4); Mr. Monk & the Leper (Season 5); Mr. Monk, Private Eye (Season 5); and Mr. Monk & the Garbage Strike (Season 5).

The final episode last night was very good, but there was nothing too shocking or out of order about it. It was a nice way for the show to go out, although I wish it would stick around for just a few years more.

I received another "new follower" notice on my Twitter account last night:

John Lyons (cruumagazine) is now following your tweets on Twitter.

I was unsure about it because my first mental association with "cruumagazine" was something of a dicey nature. I checked it out anyway, and was pleasantly surprised.

Cruu Magazine describes itself as "a digital content magazine crossing international boundaries in delivering modern Irish design, brands, innovation and creative talents."

The name of the publication derives from the Irish word "cruthu," which translates into "create."

I find the magazine very interesting and intend to read upcoming issues.

If all goes according to plan, I will be having hip replacement surgery the first week of February 2010. The delay is due to my insurance company's hospital preference, and my doctor's schedule at the same hospital. After surgery, I will be in hospital for five to seven days, with up to six weeks of recovery time at home on crutches.

My doctor has assured me that replacing the hip will also fix my back pain issues in due course. Because my hip has been so bad for so long, it has pulled on my left lower back muscles, creating another source of excruciating pain. Some days the back pain is worse than the hip, and that's saying quite a lot. (Click here for more about that).

So perhaps by Spring 2010 I'll be dancing a jig?

On a completely unrelated note (hence the "Mish Masher" title of this blog entry), I am waiting with great anticipation for the early December release of Mystery Case File's new game Dire Grove.

The description from Mystery Case Files:

In fall of 2009 four graduate students traveled to a small township near Blackpool, England. They were never heard from again. Considered a fairytale, its telling was common at campfires and as a bedtime story meant to frighten small children into staying in their beds through the night. However, a recently unearthed artifact in the United Kingdom corroborates the legend and so begins a journey of survival for a small band of graduate students in the secluded resort of Dire Grove.

I could get the game now and pay $19.95 for the Collectors Edition, but I'd rather wait until December and use one of my free Big Fish game credits. Mystery Case Files make some of my favorite games, but I'm still not willing to fork over four fivers for the new one.

I also have my eye on the new Agatha Christie: Dead Man's Folly, and have experimented with the trial version. It's great so far but not offered by Big Fish yet, so I'm not keen to spend twenty dollars for it and another twenty for Dire Grove. One or the other has to give, so Dire Grove has to wait until the general release next month.

On yet another unrelated note, this is a new picture of Kiki with my mother (click on the image to see larger size in a new window):

Kiki hasn't been in heat for several weeks now, so the social interaction between her and Rainee has not been the best of late. During the past week, there have been four dramatic confrontations which I don't care to repeat. For the time being, I have to keep my darling little girls apart. They take turns in and out of my room and the house, so it's like a constant shuffle every day to make sure they don't come face to face.

I love both of them so there is no question of getting rid of either one. They are also my last live links to Foofer, so it is my very agreeable commitment that they never feel hunger, the stress of abandonment or the absence of unconditional love.

It was 27 degrees Fahrenheit this morning (re: -3 Celsius). I love waking up to frost on the ground, but as has been typical lately the damned sun shines all day long. Where's the snow, for crying out loud? Where's winter, for that matter? I had my fill of the sun for eight long months of spring, summer and an unusually warm autumn. Enough is enough, already.

I'm off to see the hip doctor tomorrow, so hopefully before the year is up I will be on the road to a normal life. I'm anxious to move forward. Being in constant pain and unable to move about properly has made me feel as if my life is on hold, which is beyond frustrating. I want to get on with it.

Sometimes in bed at night, I think about where I want to be one year from now. I have many personal goals of course, most of which relate to writing, but one of the wishes at the top of my list is to finally become a resident of Maine. If not Maine, then I would settle for the general New England area. Although I have my heart set on Boothbay Harbor, I would probably consider the Boston area in Massachusetts if I had to.

Thankfully, dreams are free. I just wish they would come true once in awhile, especially before human decrepitude sets in.

Two new games from Big Fish:

Gardenscapes description from Big Fish: Create the perfect garden! Comb the rooms of a gorgeous mansion for hidden items and restore a once stunning garden to its former glory. Choose from tons of garden items and accessories to customize the garden to your taste. Become part of the city's community and partake in the competitive "Best Garden" contest.

Murder She Wrote description from Big Fish: Help the world-renowned mystery author Jessica Fletcher solve murders! Piece together the clues and crack different cases. Based on the hit TV show, Murder, She Wrote will take you on a fun journey, through multiple cases. Explore crime scenes and use Jessica's curiosity and wits to discover the true culprit. Solve perplexing puzzles and search for cleverly hidden items to catch the criminals.

I've tried the new games and love them both. They are very relaxing, stress-free and enjoyable.

It's a nice way to spend time between writing, web work and an upcoming hip operation.

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. Some good news to report is that I am finally clear of the MRSA infection and have an appointment scheduled with the "hip doctor" the week after next. Maybe, hopefully, before the year is out I will be walking around like a normal human being rather than a 90-year-old crone.

I've also been a tad busy the last few weeks, mostly with web design work. One of my clients had a shift in personnel with accompanying changes and they now have a page at Facebook. I was also able to talk them into the creation of "mini-biography" pages for their Board of Directors, although the page is not complete yet as I wait for individual bios.

Then there were the seasonal updates for the foodstuff sites, including the obligatory pages on Thanksgiving and a yearly bit I love about Pine Nuts. Last year pine nuts went for $19.95 per pound, but this season I found them for $6.99 per pound at a nearby grocery store. I just love the little tidbits roasted…

I'll try to post more frequently as the year draws to a close.