PS: If RealmCam is static try ArtCam, it may be operating at the time! Neither Cam refreshing? Check other server here One of the camera sites is most likely to be operative in the evenings and almost always on weekends.
Bankie is an 20 year old fellow with Down Syndrome. Unfortunately, this to the world is the defining statement...but it doesn't define the Bankman. Bankie does most of the things we all do, he can take good care of himself with some supervision. He loves movies, swimming, bowling, horseback riding, drawing, putt-putt, boy scouts and other activities. Bankie is, in his own way, our little Buddha, or perhaps he is more the Taoist master. Bank finds humor in everything, and is more concerned with everyone's happiness than with anything else. He reminds us to be happy, to live in the moment, to not lose our balance. I have used Bankiese for the kids names here. Bankie has his own language, he fully understands English, but speaks his own version where "dush" is the verb "to shower" and "motmon" is batman. Someday, perhaps, I'll compile a Bankiese Dictionary...it is a surprising dialect. (BTW the word dush does mean shower...in Russian!?) Franks latest accomplishment was receiving a gold medal in his division for skiing during the Regional Winter Special Olympics held in Boone this year!
Hiee
Hiee is Frank's older sister and a regular here. She frequently helps us with the babysitting and gardening. Hiee has her hands full with a full-time job, school and a 12 year old daughter of her own. Hiee hopes to work for a degree in horticulture.
Dee-Dee
Dee-Dee is Hiee's daughter. She is trouble on the half shell and is as stubborn as an old mule. When she isn't doing that though, she is very sweet and giggles alot. Dee-Dee likes socializing, swimming, skating, music (you know, the stuff with too much bass that makes parents irate).
Tish
Tish is 16 going on 40. She too might be defined by her handicap. Tish has Cerebral Palsy and is often seen driving around in her motorized wheelchair (when she isn't in front of the TV). Tish attends a regular school and is currently braving the beginning of 8th grade. Her claims to fame are her appearances on Nick News in 1997 and 1999. She likes watching TV, reading, playing video games, swimming, horseback riding, and as with all teenagers, aggrevating Dad. At present Tish is interested in either a career in journalism and photography, a career in counseling, or a military career. Her favorite subject is her Navy JROTC class, and she is hoping to get an ROTC scholarship for college.
Wolfie
Wolfie is an artist. She loves painting, crafts, gardening, refinishing furniture, graphic design, and music. Unfortunately monetary concerns (namely keeping us all in house and home) force her to work in a job that she feels doesn't highlight her strengths or interests. So nights and weekends we do projects, create art, play music together,etc. and during the weekdays we work at our respective duties elsewhere. Wolfie plays piano, violin and harmonica,and although she might disagree, I think she does all passably, and has the makings of a great harmonica player. Wolfie hopes to do more with her art when she retires (she has a degree in graphic art, and one in business administration), and hopes to get a BFA when she has the leisure to return to school.
Myth
Myth is a lucky fellow. Not only does he have all these wonerful and talented folk to associate with, a Taoist masterand Gold MEdalist, a TV star with aspirations to be a general, and an artist (as well as his love), and lots of great pets, but he has a cool job heading up the bookbuying team at a small university library. Luckily, Myth loves books, as well as spending other people's money. So by day Myth buys books, and by night he reads them, or plays guitar, works on the webpages, writes poetry and songs, constructs something, or mows the yard. Hobbies (other than those previously listed above) include herbal/organic gardening, backpacking/camping,and helping Wolfie with whatever she is doing:). Myth has a BA in Russian Studies and English, a certificate for Russian Emersion School, 12 hours of graduate-level credits in English, and 15 years of library experience.
The Beasten:
Keeper: Border Collie Between 5 and 6 years old. nickname: Tepu (Bankiese), Miss Royal Paws, the Bad Dog, Therapy Dog. Main character traits: very smart, obedient and submissive inside the house; will ignore and shun all contact when not restrained outside and will refuse to come when called. Does not like to have paws touched. Very vocal, mindless barker outside, but coos and cries inside to be petted. She enjoys molesting large livestock, attacking small defenseless animals (puppies, cats), and wallowing in creek mud. Keeper thinks she is human (or better than human) and resents the presence of any animal other than the house dogs. She has 4 human pets, and is good at making them feel better when they are stressed-out. Likes to den up under our dresser at night. origin: rescued from pound 1996
Theo: Flathaired Retriever Probably 3 yrs. old nicknames: the Great Houdini, Sleeping Dog main character traits: smart, very sweet, very good at returning when called, remains constantly underfoot or in the way of whatever it is that the nearest human is doing. Theo is the watchdog of the grou, and the best of the bunch with whom to take a nap. origin: found as a puppy in a barn with his throat cut, nursed back to health and placed in the pound. Rescued by another couple who found him hard to contain in the city. We got him in January of 2000.
Jaxom: Border Collie 1 year old nicknames: Biting Dog, Licking Dog, Butthead, Trouble, The ultimate purveyor of dog goo. Main character traits: smart, and sweet, but very puppy! He is into everything at once, but is the best at returning when called and trying hard to oust Theo as Alpha male as well as sleeping dog. origin: I saw a picture of Jax on the internet and fell in love with his silly face. We adopted him from a Border Collie Rescue near Knoxville, TN
Poe: 25 yr. old chestnut Quarterhorse mare. nicknames: the 1000 lb. dog, the eating machine. Poe is a very sweet horse, though she doesn't much fancy being a beast of burden. She occasionally is pressed into service for kiddie rides, but is pretty much retired. I like to call her the 1000 lb. dog. origin: donated from a friend in Greensboro, NC in 1995
Our Dearly Departed Beasten
Suzi: mixed breed collie Ancient, probably knew Metheusela nicknames: old dog, Woosee (Bankiese). main character traits: We think Suzi was abused as a puppie, so she is very timid. She is also afflicted with cataracts and is mostly deaf. If dogs get alzheimer's Suzi probably has it. She really is dumber than dirt, but very sweet. Barks at anything that is assuredly non-threatening, but hides from anything that is. origin: rescued from pound in 1996 as she was the lifelong companion of a younger dog we wanted (Buckahey. deceased 1997 - run over by schoolbus). We took Suzi because we knew she'd never get adopted. [Suzi died of advanced age since this writing in Summer of 2000. She died quietly as she slept in the shade of the carport listening to Hiee play the guitar. We hope we made her last years nice.]
Katie: Golden Retriever and Tish's retired helping dog, between 14 and 15 years old nickname: Fat Dog, Helpless Dog, TeeTa (Bankiese) main character traits: permanent feeding frenzy (thus fat dog), terrified of thunder, very sweet. origin: donated trained in 1991. Tish was the youngest child to ever receive a training dog, as far as we know. [Katie had to be put to sleep at the age of 15. She had been in ill health since returning from Tish's mom's house in a series of health issues. She died quietly in my lap and was buried with honors under the ornamental plum trees in the front yard with Suzie [old age], Buckahey [run over by schoolbus],Huckleberry [hit and run], and the unnamed cat [injection site cancer]. We will miss our Katie. She was a kind and gentle soul.
