And She's Off!

It's that time of year when folks feel the need to make resolutions of one kind or another. I have always maintained that any "new year" resolutions need to be made when it is truly a new year...as in, when it's your birthday: the beginning of a new year in your life. 

However...

I did a little work in the garden this past week...not a whole lot, because it has either been raining or too cold. But the end result: sore muscles and a back pain or two...owing mainly to the fact that I haven't done much of anything for a couple of months, so those muscles aren't used to being called upon. Not good. Can't let this trend continue for three more months, until Spring arrives, or else I'll become vulnerable to more than just a little back pain. I need to devote some time each day to exercising those muscles I will want to be limber, stretched, and ready to use.

Unfortunately, I hate to exercise. There, I've said it. Exercise just to be exercising? Blah. I'd much rather spend my time knitting...or reading...or writing...or doing just about ANYTHING ELSE. Except maybe housework. Ahem.

Now, I have this wonderful recumbent stationary bicycle, all set up in our bedroom. Aimed at our TV, no less, where I can watch a good basketball game or catch up on programs I have recorded. There's also a "shelf" designed to accommodate my iPad, as well as an outlet designed to accommodate my iPod. It also has the ability to access iFit programming, although I've never used that. Still. Too good to be true. And I love riding it...feels so comfortable, with very little back-related strain. So why don't I use it? 

No good reason. No, I don't mean that I don't have a good reason for NOT using it. I mean, I don't have a good reason FOR using it. You know me: I need a good reason to do almost anything I do...or I won't do it. And, while needing to exercise to keep muscles limber and stretched is a good reason, it's just not a good motivating reason to keep using it...if you get my drift.

But I think I've got it now!

I was riding my stationary bike (hereafter just "my bike," since it's the only one I own) today, watching an episode of "Foyle's War" I'd captured on the DVR. I've seen those fitness programs where you can dial in a "route" and see video of riding through a lovely countryside on a sunny day. Was thinking that was a possible solution, but it still didn't feel very purposeful. 

As my odometer turned over 6 miles I got to thinking: wonder where I'd be if I'd biked 6 miles from home? And since my goal today was 9 miles in 45 minutes, I wondered where that would put me? That got me to thinking...what if I managed 50 miles in a week (doable)...for 52 weeks (possible, with some averaging)...where would that get me? 2600 miles from home, that's where! And where is that, you also might wonder?

Disneyland! In Anaheim, CA!! Yep, I Google-mapped it, using the BIKE feature, and lo and behold...it's exactly 2600 miles (by one of the bike routes) from my house to the Disneyland Transportation Center.

So, I'm off! I will report periodically on how far I've gone...where I am...etc. I plan on tweeting and posting updates on Facebook, too. All bases covered! And I invite you to ask me about my "trip." That will be a motivator for me.

Today I rode 9.1 miles, which puts me on High Point Road in Kernersville. 

Here's my stop for the day, Union Cross Moravian Church, which has been in existence since the first service in the area in August, 1893. Read more about it here: www.unioncrossmoravian.org.

Why that route and not my original goal of the Sandy Ridge Exit/entrance onto I-40, which I was thinking would be my road-of-choice to cross the USA? Well, you can't ride a bicycle on an interstate. So, Google and its source, Rails-to-Trails, have taken that into consideration when providing directions to bike across the country.

Stay tuned to find out #WhereintheUSAisPatricia?! 

Hello there, 2014!

Ready or not...it's here! The bright and shiny New Year is upon us.

We stayed up to watch Duke in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl (which I still call the Peach Bowl) in Atlanta. Lost a heart-breaker to Texas A&M. Saw the epitome of "class act" dressed in blue in Coach Cut...and the opposite out on the field, dressed in maroon...usually behind the center. I really don't want to talk about it other than to say if I don't ever hear an announcer gush over "Johnnie Football" again, I won't be in the least disappointed. Oh...and I do indeed hope he goes pro, because he really needs some big ol' NFL right guard to slap him silly help him mature, shall we say? I know he has an innate talent for playing seat-of-his-pants footbal and is loved (?) by the die-hard Aggie fans, but can they see why others might think he is immature, whiny, self-serving, and self-centered? Enough about that subject...starting to sound sour-grapish, even to me...😋

As is our custom, we three welcomed in the New Year with Mimosas (sparkling wine and orange juice, served this year in our Waterford "Twelve Days of Christmas" glasses - photo, above).  Yes, Missy M postponed her return trip to the 'Ville until today so she could be here...and not on the road on New Year's Eve. Good plan! We had given all the dogs Composure™ Pro (a calming support formula treat recommended by our Vet for "dogs exposed to increased environmental stressors")so they weren't too bothered by the fireworks the neighbors were using to frighten away any evil spirits lingering from the Old Year (well, that's the superstition, don't you know?).  Surprisingly enough, Duche$$ and Dixie didn't go through their usual fear-acts about the fireworks; we decided that it was either the Composure (Dixie) or because she's so deaf now that she can't hear them (Duche$$).  Since they were something new for both Winston and Abbie, they had to go outside to investigate...but Winston seemed more alarmed about my (loud) cheering for the Blue Devils during the football game. Yeah, I did have to tone it down a wee bit.

Anyway...more about those New Year's Day superstitions...

You know by now that we eat black-eyed peas, cooked with a ham-hock, on New Year's Day for good luck (peas) and good fortune (pork)...and we will hold to that tradition, serving Braised Brown Sugar Ham Steak and black-eyed peas in the form of Hoppin' John* (recipe, below).  To ensure wealth, you're supposed to eat greens (always turnip greens and collards in a true house of the South), so they will be on the menu.  Over the years, we've added good luck foods from other cultures to the menu, like rice and grapes.  And, because Mr. T won't touch greens with a ten-foot pole, I usually prepare cole slaw (because cabbage is the "green" of choice for many cultures)...he will eat that.  We make sure to serve pork for all meals (bacon or ham for breakfast; pork chops, ham, or roast/BBQ for lunch or dinner), and never, ever chicken or turkey.  [Poultry scratches around for everything; pigs move forward and make progress...or, so it is said.]  I'm not really superstitious.  Really, I'm not...:)

Remembering the superstition that "what you do on New Year's Day, you will do all year long," I have tried to spend a relatively stress-free day.  Mr. T and I bundled up and worked in the garden a little bit this morning.  He removed the last of the okra stalks, while I picked turnip greens and collards for our "good luck" meal tonight (see photo, below), along with some broccoli, carrots, and spinach.  I noticed that the onions and garlic are overwintering in fine fashion, and I look forward to a bountiful harvest later this year.

I also made sure the row covers over the raised beds in the Box Garden were still anchored at the top of the hoops with clothes pins (hmmmm...the pups seemed to have removed a few) and at the bottom with rocks...trying to give the beets, spinach, broccoli, carrots, etc., a little more protection as we have bitter weather on the way back tomorrow night. Missy M and her pups, Dixie and Ella Rae, had to leave us at noon to get back over the mountains, up the turnpike, through the toll booths, and across the river. I eagerly await each and every text she sends of her progress.

Mr. T has been diligently incorporating our abundance of shredded leaves into several garden spaces, including the Rose Garden, where he is while I warm up inside and write this post. This is the first year we have used the leaves as winter mulch on the roses, and we want to see how that works.  Looks great for now! He had spent some time yesterday refilling the bird feeders as they seem to empty before he can get back in the house. I suggested he put out some corn cobs on the squirrel feeders to keep the critters occupied long enough for the cardinals, chickadees, and titmice (mouses?) to grab a few of the seeds.

I'd really rather not do laundry, pay bills, or do any housework on the first day of the New Year...other than make our bed and maybe a few dishes.  The first three listed carry negative vibes...and none of them is particularly fun for me, so I don't want to be doing too much of any of them this coming year.  I did read some of my newest book (I finished Sue Grafton's W is for Wasted; I'm now starting Doris Kearns Goodwin's Bully Pulpit, which I bought for my brother, not knowing Mr. T would take my huge HINT to heart and get a copy for me for Christmas!).  I played Scramble and  Words With Friends...with friends; and ball, fetch, and tug-rope...with the pups.  I fixed apple fritters this morning (apples, as a round food, are supposed to bring good luck, too...🍀 and will soon cook our "good luck" meal. 

In the creative department, I downloaded pictures from my camera, new iPhone, and iPad and organized the pictures on my computer...cleaning up the 2013 files a bit.  I wrote in my Garden Journal as well as my bedside Journal, and perused some of the many seed catalogs that have arrived in our mailbox. And, now...I've written this blog-post, and I will use it to represent the year ahead, spent writing. Since the bowl games are coming back-to-back-to-back now, we will probably spend the rest of the day watching sports...and of course, I have a new project on my knitting needles to represent

Gardening, writing, reading, playing, taking pictures, watching sports, cooking, and knitting. The only thing missing from the list is "traveling," but I'll let Missy M's trip be a stand-in for us. Otherwise, sounds like just the kind of year I look forward to enjoying!

I hope it's the beginning of a great one for all of you, too!

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Recipe for Hoppin' John

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon oil or bacon fat

1 large ham hock (left over from Christmas Dinner)

1 onion, diced

2 stalks celery, diced

1 green pepper, diced

1/2 cup carrots, diced 

2-3 cloves garlic, minced

1 pound black-eyed peas, soaked overnight and rinsed...or,

2 cans black-eyed peas, if you are in a hurry

2-4 cups chicken stock

Bay leaf

1 cayenne pepper pod

1 teaspoon parsley, minced

1 packet of Goya Ham seasoning

Salt and pepper to taste  

2 cups steamed white rice

Directions:

1. Heat fat in a large soup pot. Add the ham hock and sear on all sides for 4-5 minutes. Add the onion, celery, green pepper, carrots, and garlic (last), cooking for 4-5 minutes until tender.
2. Add the black-eyed peas, 2 cups stock, bay leaf, pepper pod, parsley, and seasonings. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 40-50 minutes, or until the peas are creamy and tender, stirring occasionally. If the liquid evaporates, add more water or stock.
3. Remove the ham hock and dice the meat, returning the meat to the pot. Remove the bay leaf and the cayenne pepper pod, and adjust the seasonings to taste. 
4. Serve over rice and garnish with chives and/or green pickle relish. Enjoy!

Notes on Christmas (Just) Past

Want to listen in on a bit of conversation from our Christmas dinner? The candles were lit, the plates were served, the wine was poured, and the rolls were hot out of the oven. Christmas music, courtesy of Missy M's on-the-spot creation of an iPad playlist, was softly playing in the background. Time for family talk:

Me: So, I wonder...
Mr. T. and Missy M (in unison): HERE!
Me: Well, I guess that settles that!!

OK, so you know how often we have moved, right? Right. Over the years, I just got in the habit of wondering where we would be celebrating the next Christmas. Wondering out loud. At Christmas dinner. And, after the rolling of the eyes would cease, we could chat about it. Now...we just do the shorthand version.

[For the record, I agree...I think we will be living right here at Casa 3917 next Christmas.]

Tree with presents

For the record, it was a great Christmas! Cold and sunny on the outside, warm and toasty on the inside. Even with 5 dogs in residence, we had a wonderful holiday. We watched our favorite movies like White Christmas, The Bishop's Wife, Christmas in Connecticut, and It's a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve, followed by the broadcast of the midnight mass from St. Peter's in Rome.

I fixed Monkey Bread (recipe below) for our breakfast, which we enjoyed with Kona coffee, hot chocolate, and cold milk between the distributing of the stockings and the opening of the presents. Unfortunately, the Monkey Bread...which looked so beautiful...was consumed before a picture was taken. Here's what the tree looked like after Santa had visited...photo to the right, taken by Mr. T.

I didn't get many Christmas day photos, for one reason or another: foremost, because the elves had confiscated my old iPhone 3, which I use(d) as a camera more than a phone, in order to get me a brand new iPhone 5...and get it activated. [Yeah!! That last part was a huge...let me repeat, HUGE...part of the present, because I detest dealing with "stuff" like that. Hate. It. And not only did the elves go to the ATT store and take care of all the activation rigmarole, the younger elfette set up the new phone, downloaded all my apps, and had it ready to use as soon as I unwrapped the box. All that...and it's a luscious yellow, too!]

Books to read...time to retire!

And even though I received 3 new books (first pic on my new iPhone...left) to read (along with gift cards for Amazon's Kindle and iTunes' iBooks for when I want to download some ebooks), I managed to make rolls and get dinner on the table before cuddling up with W is for Wasted by Sue Grafton. Since we are nearing the end of the alphabet, I'd better read s-l-o-w-l-y and relish every word.

I do feel a little funny, sitting down to read rather than picking up my knitting needles to work frantically on finishing a project for gifting. I have put more than a few hours this past month into stitching up gifts-to-go, as pictured below. One of the projects is not pictured yet, as the recipient hasn't received it...wouldn't want to give away the surprise, now would I?

Projects Completed for this Christmas:

Warm n' Wooly Socks...
knitted for Maredith

Panther's Pride Scarf...
knitted for Julie

Blocking the points on knitted cowl:
yarn has silver threads!

 

ZuZu's Petals Cowl,
ready to wrap for Maredith

  

In addition to my new phone and books, I got many, many lovely things (sweaters, outfits, gardening-related gifts, etc.) that I will enjoy throughout the coming weeks and months. There were a couple of things I wanted to mention though:

1. Since Mr. T went back to work on Boxing Day, heading off to Raleigh to get the first of his Dealer Development Plans (DDPs) signed (he has to visit ALL of his dealers for DDPs between now and 1/17/14!), I took advantage of the quiet morning to enjoy some tasty Strawberry Jam on toasted leftover rolls. Missy M gifted us with the Jam, along with several jars of home-processed goodies like salsa and pickled tomatoes.

2. And, this is a gift I will be talking about in the coming months of the New Year: Mr. T gave me an "All About Cotton Spinning Starter Kit" complete with instruction DVD from Cotton Clouds. 

You may remember that for a couple of years, we have planted heirloom-variety Nanking Green cotton (original seeds from the 2012 Seed Exchange at Old Salem). The first year we had 8 seeds and got 8 plants. I hand-ginned the bolls and gleaned enough seeds to plant 32 plants this past year...with plenty more seeds to share at the 2013 Seed Exchange.

Cotton, you ask? Why are you growing cotton? Well, because I want to...because I can (it's plenty hot enough in NC/Zone 7b)...and because I want to grow enough to spin enough yarn to knit...something. What, I don't know yet. A scarf...a hat...a vest...maybe even a sweater. The growing I can do...the knitting I can do...it's the spinning I don't know how to do...yet.

Hopefully, by the time Christmas Future (2014) becomes the new Christmas (Just) Past, I will have learned to spin my homegrown cotton and completed a Christmas project of a knitted cotton...something! Fingers crossed...toes, too!

Oh, one final photo to share...of Duche$$, who claimed the sofa as her refuge from all the activities and all the chaos created by the other Droolers in residence. Five dogs, indeed, says the Diva!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Recipe for Monkey Bread:

Please, please, please...don't use a recipe that calls for biscuits. You will sacrifice both flavor AND aroma.
 

Ingredients:

To make bread "ring:"

• 12-16 frozen dinner rolls (I used 12 Rhodes-brand frozen rolls...plenty to serve 4)
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted (not margarine...or any kind of substitute)
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1-2 Tablespoons cinnamon
• 1/2 cup pecans, rough-chopped

Icing:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 T. butter, melted
• 2-4 T. milk

Directions:

1. The night before you wish to serve, micro-melt the stick of butter in one bowl; mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon in another bowl. Pour a couple of tablespoons of melted butter into the bottom of a greased Bundt pan, and sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of the cinnamon-sugar mixture and the pecans over the butter. When you invert the "ring," this will make a nice topping.
2. Then dip each frozen roll in the remaining butter, followed by rolling it in the bowl of cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place each prepared roll into the pan, starting with the bottom layer of 6 rolls and staggering the placement in any subsequent "stacks". Pour any remaining butter over the rolls and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture. Cover with plastic wrap, place in a cold oven (do NOT heat!),and let sit overnight. (If you use more than 12 rolls, put a cookie sheet pan underneath to catch any drips, as the rolls WILL rise during the night.)
3. In the morning, remove the plastic wrap, and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 30-35 minutes. To prevent over-browning, cover top of pan with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
4. When done, remove pan from oven and immediately turn over onto a plate big enough to catch all the syrup that will drip out of the pan. Make sure you get ALL the syrup and nuts from the bottom.
5. Combine the icing ingredients (powdered sugar, 2 T. melted butter, and enough milk to get the right consistency) and drizzle over the bread. Enjoy warm!

Christmas Lite

Somehow, I find myself just five days from Christmas Day...and I'm way behind on my blogging. That's the bad news. The good news? I'm pretty much on schedule with just about everything else on my list.

So how's that possible, you ask? Well, part of it is...my list went on a major diet this year. Items dropped off it like pounds do on the Atkins plan. Because of other priorities, I realized we would have to trim more than a Christmas tree or two.

Oh, we managed to get two trees up and decorated: the one in the dining room, which mainly has sheep-themed ornaments (uploaded a pic on last post); and the "main tree" in the great room. Here is a photo of that one:

A few of the Christmas bears are on top of the quilt-covered bookcase behind the main tree. And, we got 10 of the 50+ nutcrackers up and the mantle decorated. See what you think.

The Advent calendar that I made when Missy M was a little girl made it down from the attic, as did the handmade stockings(shown above). The Christmas china that Daddy gave us made an appearance...well, some of it did...and the Waterford "Twelve Days of Christmas" wine glasses will be put to good use.

All of this is possible because Missy M dragged boxes from the attic when she was here for Thanksgving. She even brought down boxes with some of the outdoor lights, but that's where we had to draw the line.

Beyond a wreath on the front door and a couple of poinsettias in pots on the porch (weather permitting), we are foregoing any outside decorating. No lighted reindeer. No inflatable Santa rising out of his chimney. No "landing lights" outlining the planting areas and sidewalk. No wreaths on the windows. Sorta feels like The Grinch was here. Bah humbug.

And yet...

We may be scaled back this year, but we haven't let the Spirit evaporate. We are welcoming Missy M and the grand-pups on Saturday, and that alone will make the Spirit(s) soar. Then Bro J and SIL J will join us for Lunn Family Christmas on Sunday. Put the seasonal music on...joy still lives at our house! 

We have plenty to be joyful about. Mr. T saw his ortho surgeon today and got the OK to return to work on Monday. Since the full recovery period is 4-6 months, he will still have to go to physical therapy for a couple more months. But progress is progress...and it feels good!

So, as the Holidays surround us, we will celebrate with happy hearts. And toast to our good fortune: with so few decorations up, we will be un-decorated in record time! 

Ah...the beauty of Christmas Lite!

A Good Week

It's Friday night...and I'm finally sitting still. Unless you count my fingers tapping on this pretend (iPad) keyboard. Nah...don't count that...not a lot of motion there. That's good, cause not a lot of energy left over from this week. Deep breath...forging ahead...highlights include the following:

Missy M left us on Sunday for her long drive back to the 'Ville. But first, she dragged Christmas decorations boxes out of the attic and into the dining room for us. Sweet ❤️! Of course, it has taken me all week to get the Sheep Tree up and the table decorated in the DR (below). Slow but sure...

Monday meant physical therapy for Mr. T. He's transitioning from prescription pain meds to OTC, so that makes the lovely ice-down period following the exercises something to look forward to. Still lots of pain...but he's making lots of progress. Since he's shed the scrips, he'll be cleared for driving once he sheds the sling. It's a process...

Tuesday was the Master Gardener Holiday Pot-luck Party...always a fun night for all. As our contribution to the buffet, I fixed some spicy cocktail sauce to serve with the two bags/4 pounds of shrimp, boiling them in some homemade "Old Bay" seasoning and then chilling them for 6 hours or so. I was asked to do "a dramatic reading" for the program...and took great liberty with what that request meant. I fiddled around with 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'...rewriting the verses to match up with things that are meaningful to Guilford County EMGVs...like, "and a cardinal in a NeighborWoods tree."

Wednesday found us at High Point University. First, we attended the candlelight Lessons and Carols service at the Hayworth Chapel...both meaningful and beautiful. After the recessional, we gathered next to the huge outdoor Christmas tree for hot chocolate and cookies.

Then, we headed to the Hayworth Fine Arts Center for the Holiday Pops concert by the North Carolina Symphony. We even got to sing-a-long with the orchestra on several seasonal songs. Fabulous! This photo (below) was snapped by a helpful student, as we strolled along the decorated promenade.

Thursday took us back to PT...and me to the library, which is just down the street. A great place to wait. Again, Mr. T had a good session. He is definitely benefiting from his daily at-home exercises, which he does without reminders. That's a good thing because he's having to take the pups out into the Way Back at least a couple of times a day to work off all that puppy energy. Here are some play-play-play shots:

Before we knew it, Friday rolled around and found us focusing on our finances...specifically on our 401k accounts. I read recently that, as retirement approaches, couples should have quarterly "Financial Checkup Meetings," in order to be better prepared. So, we made a date for lunch at Panera, packed up the iPads and the 401k statement binder, and gave it our best effort. Covered a lot of ground...learned a lot, most importantly: hold our next quarterly meeting in a quieter location...😋

And that finds us at the end of a busy week...trying to catch our collective breath. Oh, sure...it's been busy, but the main reason we are "panting" is probably because (unlike the rest of the country) it is so HOT here: 76 on December 6th...whew! I took this shot (below) tonight at 6:30.

OK, that's the update from HPNC. We'll rest up over the weekend and be ready to roll again come Monday morning. And maybe, just maybe, we can find some time to get the other tree and the rest of the decorations up.

Come to think of it...what did Father Tim and Uncle Billy always say in Jan Karon's Mitford series novels? "There's no rest for the wicked...and the righteous don't need none!"

A Truly Happy Thanksgiving

Goes without saying...but I'll say it anyway: we have had a rough month here at Casa 3917. We've been slogging along, playing the game with the cards we were dealt...as shoddy as they were. But now it appears we're playing with a brand new deck...and we've been dealt a full house. Hooray!

Meet Winston...our newest member of the Drool Gang! He's an 11-month old Australian Shepherd mix puppy we adopted yesterday from the Forsyth County Animal Control shelter in Winston-Salem. He is an alum of Animal Control, having initially been adopted in February...about the same time we adopted Abbie. Although they were both classified as Australian Shepherd mixes and born about the same time (right around New Year's), we have determined from the records that they aren't from the same litter. But, like all the adoptees from Forsyth, they both were micro-chipped before they were made available for adoption.

So, when Winston was found roaming the streets of Winston in October, even without a collar Animal Control knew who he was...and where he lived...and what his owner's contact number was. So they called...and they called...and they called. No response. And no one came to get Winston. The little Aussie had boomeranged back to the slammer, just 8 months after he'd left.

Why? For the life of me, I cannot come up with a good answer for you. And, trying to figure it out without any of the facts just makes me sad...and gives me a headache. He's a beautiful, frisky puppy, who is friendly to everyone he meets. I don't think he was abused because he doesn't show any marks or classic signs like fear, but I suspect he was neglected. Oh, not in the basics like food and water, although he does appear to be a bit underweight. He has been on a heart worm preventative, because his blood test was negative (thank goodness). To put it simply: he was love-starved. 

Here at home, we had lots of love that had been reserved for Elmo. And, we could see that Abbie needed another outlet for all of her energy...there are only so many hours we can walk her.  Duche$$, a diva and at almost-13, cannot be bothered to play or even interact with a puppy. Plus, I had a telephone conversation with Ab's trainer, who asked if we might consider adding another dog to our family.

Then, I saw a post on FC Animal Control's page with Winston's story. And whoosh! My heart took over my head. Adopt a new puppy at Thanksgiving, when Mr. T is still recovering from surgery?Are you kidding?! It is a terrible time to introduce a new family member! 

But I couldn't stop thinking about him...or visiting his picture on the FC webpage to see if Winston was still available. And Mr. T commented that, while his recovery might limit him, at least he would be home (rather than traveling for work)...a good thing when introducing a new puppy. So, we faxed in an updated application and waited for a call.

It wasn't what I'd hoped for. It was a voicemail message that said we were the second application for Winston, and that the other family had come to meet him. They were from out of town and had gone home to fax back the rabies vaccination on their other pet (required for an adoption to proceed). Did we want to come meet Winston anyway?

No! That was a for-sure heartbreak. I wanted him to have a good home, preferably with us...but a good home somewhere nonetheless. But I just couldn't go meet 'n greet unless we stood a chance of bringing him home. We'd wait and see.

Fortunately, for whatever reason, we got the Call early Wednesday morning. He was still available! Did we want to come meet him? You better believe it! Loaded Abbie up in the PTC and headed west to Winston...in the snow (!)...so we could meet Winston.

We met. We signed the papers. And because he was already neutered (previous owner got that right!), he could come home with us. He and Abbie took to each other almost from the start (thank goodness!), and we took a detour to our vet to get him checked out...and get him bathed (whew! He needed that!). Next stop: PetSmart for a new bed, a new collar and harness, and a a few (dozen) treats 'n toys. We were all happy but exhausted when we pulled into our driveway.

And then, we introduced him to Ella Rae and Dixie when we finally got home. OK, that part didn't go as smoothly as we'd hoped. But, it will work out in a couple of days. I have faith.

Winston is, in a word, a sweetheart. Although they are the same age, Winston looks and acts much more like a puppy than Abbie...but they both have that Australian Shepherd herding-nipping thing down pat. He looks like a shepherd, where Abbie looks more like a terrier. He weighs about 20 pounds less than Abbie, but is just a bit taller than she. His muscle structure is much less defined than hers, but he appears to be about the same size because he has a "coat," where she has very little fur, other than her neck ruff. His fur is soft (now that he's been bathed), and he loves for you to rub his ears...one of which flops forward more than the other. 

He has discovered the Toy Basket...and has already played with almost every single toy on site. Here's a picture I snapped of him with one of Abbie's bone-like toys called a Jack...which caused a bit of consternation when Miss Ab's discovered him. 

Abbie has taught him about the doggie doors, although he's still not too sure about going out of them...coming back in doesn't seem to trouble him. He seems to enjoy mealtimes as much as the other Droolers, although he wasn't too sure about liver treats at first. And, he is thrilled about having such a big play space as the Way Back offers.

I wish I could post a video of the Gang (minus Duche$$, alas) frolicking in the Way Back this morning. They were joy in motion! Running, jumping, chasing, racing. Mr. T says the gardens will never be the same, but I guess that's the price we will pay for witnessing pure happiness.

And that's the best word I can think of to describe Winston: happy. He is a happy little fellow, and he has made our Thanksgiving a happy celebration. We are smiling, once again.

Make That a Double

Coffee. I need coffee...lots of it. Keep it coming. Grind some of those 100% Columbian beans, baby...extra strength. Biggest mug we have, please. Make it a double. It's been a long night. 

Let me catch you up with the story.

Missy M and the grand dogs made the 8-hour journey over the river and through the toll booths, arriving late Wednesday evening. Since Mr. T and I are housebound this Holiday Season, we are hosting both family celebrations here...so she and the mutt-mutts are traveling the Turnpike twice.

Both of her dogs did fine on the long trip, although Dixie simply will not sleep in the car. She's not disruptive (like Gussie could be at times); she sits quietly and watches...watches, the whole way. Ella Rae is more active, shall we say? Jump in the front seat, take a nap. Back to the back seat, look out the window. Back to the front, try to help drive...and so on. But, since ER does nap occasionally, she was ready to roam when they pulled into the driveway.

After a frantic meet & greet with Abbie (Duche$$ cannot be bothered for such mundane matters), they ALL chowed down on some nibbles of kibbles...as we pet parents scarfed some supper. Then, off to our assigned beds...Thursday was going to be a big day.

Wait a minute! Haven't I got the wrong week? Thanksgiving is next Thursday, you say? Yes, but Missy M has miles to go before she can take those vacation days. She had a business trip to take to Dallas and made arrangements to fly out of and back into Piedmont Triad International in Greensboro.

 

PTI sounds impressive...and sports some mighty fine, long runways thanks to FedEx...but names can be deceptive. Service to/from is limited, forcing a choice of small aircraft (that I call Pretend Planes) or a long layover in (where else?) Atlanta. M decided on an American direct flight to Dallas, meaning she choose a Pretend Plane. Oh, I know, that's my personal problem with the noise (causing a loss of hearing for a couple of hours after the flight) and the lack of space (there's just something wrong when they ask you to gate-check your carryons 'cause there's not enough room in the cabin for both people and their packings)...she's happy to deal with those issues in exchange for a direct flight.

 

About that direct flight business...right.

 

As Snoopy would say, "It was a dark and stormy night." Oh, no...not here. There was a beautiful, purple-pink-and-orange sunset, splashed over NC Highway 68. No, the storms lay in two flanks between her Departure and her Arrival gates: one stretched along the Mississippi River, centered over Memphis; the second, more powerful system headed directly for...drumroll, please...Dallas. I began to chew my cuticles almost the moment I returned home from PTI and pulled up both the WFMY Weather ap and Flight Tracker on my iPad. [An aside: PTI may be a disappointment in flight choices, but they are top-drawer on their website, offering a direct link to Flight Tracker...an excellent tool for nervous parents plotting the course of their flying offspring. Click here to go there:  https://www.flyfrompti.com/airline-service/flight-trackers/]

We watched her flight head south in order to avoid the Memphis air space...good plan! But then along about 9:20, after crossing the Mississippi into Arkansas, the little black Flight Tracker airplane following the little white route-line turned and headed north. What?!

Thankfully, at almost the same instant we received the following text:

"Hello from the beautiful state of... Louisiana"

Her 'direct flight' had just made an unscheduled stop in Shreveport. "Better on the ground than in the air," were the first words out of Mr. T's mouth. No truer words...

Here's what the Weather ap shots showed (below). Not exactly comforting, eh?

 

Future forecast

Screen capture -
Dallas area, 9:35

She was on the ground for a little over an hour, and then we got a text she was back on the (refueled) plane. I knew I wouldn't be going to sleep until she was tucked up, safe and sound in her hotel room. But, I had to try to settle her pups who had shifted into searching mode: where is she? Where is she? Can't find her. Where is she?  So I took them to the front bedroom...and they seemed to accept that I was to be their bed-bud for the night. I turned on ESPN to mask the noises of a resting house...first we saw basketball, then football, and finally water polo (I kid you not!). Here are a couple of shots of sleeping dogs lying...

Dixie, settled for the night
(See her heart...on her head?)


 

ER, first nap of the night

With much tension, I watched the little FT plane make its way on my iPad from Shreveport Regional to DFW...first to the south, then turning north into the gap between the two waves on the Weather ap. 

With great relief, I read the first text when she landed. With even greater relief, I read the last text when she assured me she was safe and sound, all locked in her room. 2:45 a.m., our time. Turn off the TV, turn out the lights! Let's get some sleep.

Not to be. Abbie couldn't understand why I wasn't sleeping with Mr. T where I was supposed to be, so she divided her time between bedrooms...with long stop-overs on the den sofa. Up, down, up, down...repeat...

And no time to nap, as Mr. T has PT today. Of course, I might catch a few zzzzz's before I head to PTI to pick-up our traveller who is scheduled to return tonight, but I kinda doubt it: she texted that Dallas is expecting ICE later.

Yeah. Better make that a double. More coffee? Naw...it must be 5:00 somewhere, right?

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UPDATE: 9:45 p.m.

Missy M's plane is in the air and on the way. I'll be starting back on caffeine soon since a delayed departure from Dallas (weather...what else?) means a late arrival in Greensboro (now projected to be 11:43 EST). Here's the screen capture of Flight Tracker, showing the little black plane leaving DFW and beginning to follow the little white route-line, weaving its way through the weather, to GSO:

Double-double espresso, anyone?

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UPDATE: 11:43 p.m.

Travel girl is home again, safe and sound. Let the Thanksgiving begin!