Humphrey's 2 new machines for thinking introduced...

Readers will remember that Humphrey has written about machines for thinking - "How these rooms are furnished, what pieces inhabit them and give them shape, determines in large measure what kinds of thoughts are possible there," Mark Kingwell explains. "The rooms of our existence are throbbing with thoughts waiting to happen, with insights struggling into the ever-changing light."

Humphrey definitely achieved a peaceful space for dreamy thoughts in his new machine for thinking, thanks to a bit of time recently devoted to putting the space together...

Humphrey loves to build a thinking fort by pushing the covers and pillows around with his snout.

Humphrey actively participated in creating the three-dimensional blossomed canvas.

This space lets him dream about creative things like fashion!

And this space lets him look at trinkets with fond memories attached - including his look-a-like lamp  from Value Village!

And finally, a second machine for thinking arrived - his prize from the photo contest he won earlier in the year! No question it will help him with his thinking. And when you don't have fingers, a touch screen should come in very handy!

A day in the life

Humphrey promised to post about his new home - without further ado, here is a day in his life...

Humphrey wakes up among his fluffy pillows with the morning light streaming in, and a cool cross-breeze tickling his furry coat.

 The original owners had a relative who was a carpenter, so Humph has plenty of architectural details to enjoy. He looks up at the medallion on the sloped cathedral ceiling - it looks good enough to eat, and he imagines it would taste like marzipan icing.  

He loves the Chinese Chippendale chair in the corner (viewed from the dresser). It reminds him of Jonathan Adler.
Humphrey's  aesthetic touch is everywhere - when he was a puppy, he gravitated towards things white and yellow. He was happiest in any Coach retail store. Perhaps a camouflage instinct? To accommodate his preferences, the entire house was painted in shades of white.

Is it already time to head downstairs???? Humphrey is so happy to finally have some stairs to play on.

Not before a quick peek into the study, and a nod to the Karl Lagerfeld  reproduction drawings on the wall. Quel inspiration! He's avoiding the guest room, because it's a disastrous work in progress at the moment.

And a peek at the cheery, commemorative Holt Renfrew Via Italia poster. Caio! This room really reminds him of Coach!

Then, it's down to inspect the living room, with so many sunny spots for napping.

Every morning, Humph insists on a quick sunbath on the south patio before going anywhere. It needs to be repainted, but the wood feels good against his skin. He peers through the railing to the backyard below, stretches, and lies down...

...but not for long! The ruckus outside leads him to the north patio (yes, the north patio!) where he  barks out a morning hello to Alfie, Georgie, and Gloria who also appear to be on their front patios!
Humph loves to have both the north and south doors open for a wonderful summer breeze.

And before you know it, it's time for a walk!

Followed by some quality time with a certain squeaky toy in the backyard, on the cushy chaisse.
It's great to have a backyard, but boy does it need his green thumb! And the ground floor family room needs a poodle's magic touch too, so no photos of that just yet.

Then to the dining room to set the table in time for.....

A meal on a proper table!

Then catching some TV. with someone special..

And ending the day with a nap on his favorite pillow, perched atop the sofa.

A Quick Stop in Canada's Motor City

Approaching the Ambassador Bridge

Humphrey travelled to Windsor recently to attend a conference on argumentation. Make no mistake: he is  no fan of  "adversarial" styles of argumentation, since he really likes harmony. Rather he advocates something more along the lines of Foss & Griffin's invitational rhetoric.

The conference was a great time for him...

He liked that a golf cart transported the more senior academics who couldn't walk long distances around campus!

The Windsor people were so urban, throwing down gang signs while looking at the scholarly book displays.

His Windsor garden was lovely, and he was glad to be there when the lilacs were in bloom.

As good a time as it was, he was happy to return to East Willowdale! More on his post-move adventures to come very, very soon.

Humphrey plays with his pal at the spa

Humphrey's been awfully busy - more posts to come soon! In the mean time, he wanted to share this little video of a "spa day" that included playing with his pal, Jello.