cousin nancy

Super Day!

2009-12-05T17:01:00.002-06:00

Today has been a super day! This morning, I checked my e-mail. My good friend, Mari, sent me two youtube videos to check out, and I loved this one about a great service dog! The next one is way too cool, too! It is about how to peel a potato without using a peeler or a knife. In Mari's note to me, she said that she wished that she had known about this thirty years ago, and I have to agree with her, too!

Mari also told me about having some problems trying to watch the three videos that I posted yesterday. So, I have now fixed them—I hope.

Kinky called me this morning! He is coming back to the ranch tonight, and I am looking forward to seeing him tomorrow.

This morning while Tone was outside doing his chores, I got out that cookbook, and decided to try making "Mushroom Moussaka," a Greek eggplant and mushroom recipe, that requires two sauces. While the eggplant was cooking in the oven, as I was starting to make Bechamel, the second sauce, Tony walked inside the trailer. "What are you fixin' for lunch?" Then he saw the cookbook on the counter top. "Oh no," he said, "I hope that it is better than yesterday's green goo."

I started to ignore him, but then I changed my mind, "It will be. I just tasted the mushroom tomato sauce and it is delicious. Forty-five minutes later, Tony came back for seconds, and he told me that it was delicious, and for me to keep that recipe! After cleaning up the kitchen, I checked my e-mail, again. I received an update on Beckham, from D&D! I loved it!

Hello Nancy and Big Tony,

Beckham Update -

Dateline Texas Hill Country

Trail's End Guest House

Beckham's Pig Pen

This past week after spending over $350 on materials & hay, and several hours constructing it, Beckham's winter quarters were presented to Lord Beckham for his personal inspection. After much grunting, snorting and goosing David every time he bent over to secure the roof tarps, Lord Beckham pronounced his new winter quarters reasonably acceptable. The hay level was high enough to be soft and warm but not too much as to tickle his delicate snout as he slumbered. A resounding huzza and round of "Stout Fellows!" was raised by David, Desiree and Shelia much to Beckham's approval.

This however was late Thursday, as of Friday night Lord Beckham has removed his personage back to his summer quarters al-be-it made somewhat more snug by his dragging a tattered tarp off the discard pile and rooting a deeper hole into his favorite mud wallow.

After dining this evening on homemade yogurt, roasted butternut squash, eggplant in green chilies, homemade tortillas, eggs coddled indrawn butter and a sassy little dry Spanish red wine Lord Beckham paused long enough to remark to Desiree that he wasn't ungrateful it's just that David didn't understand the delicate sensibility's necessary to proper swine slumber. Additionally with hoof poised by his mouth to lend a gentle aside remark he whispered in a sotto grut that it was quite rum fun to goose David while he constructed the winter quarters. More as it comes....

Fifteen minutes after reading David and Desiree's funny Beck update, a weird thing happened outside! Clark Kent found his forever fantastic home! A nice couple came out with Marcus, their five year old grandson who they look after, to get him a forever friend! When Marcus saw Clark Kent it was love at first sight for both of them!

Ron and Susie told me that they wanted Clark Kent to be a house dog, and for him to sleep with Marcus! They have a giant fenced in yard for them to play in, but Clark was going to live inside! They also told us that Clark will go to the groomers once a month for a bath, and to get his nails done! We're talkin' one lucky dog and boy!

After the adoption papers were filled out, I said to Marcus, "Marcus, will you do me a big favor, and please give Clark a new name? Clark Kent was his name here, but now since he is beginning a new life with you, I think you should give him a new name!" Marcus smiled, put his hands in his pockets, and started trying to think up a name.

"You don't have to do it right now, Marcus," Ron said, as he winked at us. When Tony took Clark to their SUV, Clark Kent flew, just like Super Man, into the backseat, to sit next to his new best buddy! Before they left, I told them to give David and Desiree a call, if they had any questions about Clark.

As they drove away, I told T. how happy I was for that little boy and little dog to have found each other, and I thought it was funny about getting an e-mail from D&D, and then fifteen minutes later, Clark gets adopted to a super family!

When Tone and I came back inside, I checked my e-mail, again. Our friend, Brian Kanof, the photographer from El Paso, who adopted Zelda, the cat, from us years ago, and Bogie, a few weeks ago, Brian sent me two pictures of them!

Today we received Tom and Kay Plaster's care package! In Tom's fun to read letter, he told us that he had bought the last two copies of A Dog Named Christmas in Kansas City! Tom also asked that we give one of the A Dog Named Christmas DVDs to Kinky! Not a problem Tom! I can't wait for Kinky to watch it! He will love it! Thank y'all for the cool care package! I'm going to watch A Dog Named Christmas tonight! I really love that movie!

Y'all have a great evening!

Mush!

2009-12-04T19:02:00.007-06:00

Today was great until I fixed lunch!

This morning I overslept, and I didn't have time to walk with Leslie. I'm blaming it all on the full moon. While Ben and Tony did their chores outside, I caught up with my paperwork.

At eleven-thirty, I decided to fix my garlic cheese quesadillas for the dogs outside. I had only cooked up a few when Tone came inside and told me that he wanted to shoot me. After a little coaxing from T., I let him shoot me. Here are three short video clips of me cooking quesadillas for our dogs, and the other two are our dogs being fed the quesadillas:

My First & Last Cooking Show

Tom Landry & Buffalo Gal Being Served

Lobo, Layla, & Marlin Being Served

Well, I hope my cooking show made you laugh out loud, because I looked like an idiot, again. And, I hope watching the dog's being served, put a smile on your face.

This afternoon, after feeding the quesadillas to the dogs, I decided to feed Tony, Ben and me. I went through my cookbook, and decided to make Zucchini-Feta Pancakes, while Ben and Tony worked outside.

I was nearly done putting together the ingredients for the recipe, when Tone and Ben came inside the trailer, because they were 'starving.' While the three of us visited, I finished mixing all of the ingedients together. Here is a picture of the mixture:

Yes, I know it looks like green mush, because the guys teased me about it. When I spooned the mush into the frying pan, Tony's and Ben's eyes got big—it was not a pretty sight!

As my green mush pancakes cooked in the skillet, Tony and Ben started talking about not being hungry anymore. "I'm sorry, Nance. I'm not going to eat that stuff," Tony finally said. I could tell that Ben was thinking the same thing, but he was too polite not to say anything.

When I tried to flip over the green and white speckled blobs—they fell apart, which made the guys tease me some more, so I decided to just scramble them, like I do scrambled eggs. When they were cooked, I put some on a plate, and offered to be the guinea pig, and taste it first.

As Ben and Tony stared at me with serious faces, I took a bite. OMG! It was horrible! As I tried to spit out the nasty stuff, Tone and Ben burst out laughing, which made it hard for me to remove the green goo from my mouth, because I was laughing, too! Finally, after washing down our wannabe lunch, with water, I said, "I think I must have left something out of the recipe, because y'all distracted me or maybe because of the full moon. Here, y'all give it a taste."

The men refused to taste it, and I can't tell you what they said, but it was pretty funny! As I dumped out the bowl of green mush into the trash can, I laughingly said, "Quit laughing, Tony. This recipe was costly. I spent six dollars on the feta cheese, a couple of dollars on the zucchini, I used four eggs, the ground mint cost four bucks and..."

"Nance, can you make us some of your beans and cornbread?" Tony asked.

Y'all have a great evening!

Cooking With Cousin Nancy!

2009-12-03T20:16:00.003-06:00

This morning, I got up early and walked six miles with Leslie Sansone. Ten minutes later, I called The Rose 99.9, to do The Harley Show. Harley's Pet of the Week was Princess, the sweet thirty-five pound dog, that came back to us last month. I had a fun time talking to Harley, and I think the show went really well.

In fact, I know it went really well, because at nine-thirty this morning, a nice woman from Kerrville called me, and I think she wants to adopt Princess, this Saturday, for her grandson! Before our phone conversation ended, she told me that she was interested in Princess, Clark Kent and Scooby Doo! I can't wait for Saturday!

While Tony and Ben were outside doing their chores, and Lisa and John were walking our dogs, I wrestled with which recipe to cook for lunch. I finally decided to make the 'Broccoli Mushroom Noodle Casserole,' then Kinky called me from Fort Worth.

He and I talked for about two minutes, then Kinky said, "...I'll be back at the ranch on Saturday. Hold on, Nance. Someone wants to talk to you."

"Hello, Cousin Nancy! I love you and Tony, and I hope that the two of you are doing great!" OMG! It was Ruth Buzzi! "You and Tony need to come up here, and spend a couple of days with Kent and me, at our ranch."

After explaining how hard it is for Tone and me to get away from here, Ruthie said, "I completely understand. Kent and I are planning to come down there, and visit with Kinky and y'all in the next couple of months..." I really enjoyed talking to Ruthie, and am really looking forward to their visit!

Ten minutes later, Tony and Ben came inside, when I was just starting to make the casserole. "I see you got a new coffee maker. Can I make some coffee?" Ben asked.

"Yes. His name is Mr. Coffee, and I would love a cup, too," I said, as he started filling up the coffee carafe with water.

"I thought I was going to go crazy, when y'all were gone to Port Aransas, because I couldn't find the lid for the coffee pot to make coffee," Ben said, as I was sauteing the mushrooms, garlic, onions and broccoli. "I looked everywhere for it, and then I figured that you must have accidentally thrown it out when you were cleaning the percolator." Ben and Tony started laughing!

Ben's remark surprised me, but made me smile, because he had just solved the mystery of Perky's missing lid! I didn't lose it last week, like I thought I had! I had lost it before our trip to Port A.! And, that is why T. and I couldn't find it in the trash the other day! Mystery solved.

While I was busy cooking, Ben started video taping me, without me knowing it! "Nance, you need to do a cooking show. You could call it, 'Cooking With Cousin Nancy,'" Ben said, followed by a laugh. Then he hit the play button on the video camera, and showed me cooking. I looked like an idiot! The three of us had a good laugh about it, and trust me—my cooking show will never air, because I deleted it!

The broccoli mushroom noodle casserole was delicious, and a big hit with Tony! I don't know which recipe that I am going to prepare tomorrow, but I am sure T. will love it, since it won't be beans and cornbread, again.

This afternoon, Tony and I went to the H.E.B. in Kerrville, because I needed to get one hundred flour tortillas, five large bags of grated sharp cheddar cheese, and two large jars of garlic powder, so I can fix hot garlic and cheese quesadillas for our dogs tomorrow and Saturday, because it is going to be pretty cold. The ingredients cost $46.11.

Our dogs love the hot quesadillas treats, and I love making them for them, but unbeknownst to Ben, I plan to ask him to help me make them tomorrow, after he and Tony get their chores done. If Ben can't help me, I think that I've got backup, because Lisa told me that she will help me, weather permitting.

Y'all have a great evening!

It Was No Big Deal!

2009-12-02T19:52:00.006-06:00

It is forty degrees outside. I just turned on my salt lamp to set the mood, and Michael McDonald is singing, I Heard It Through The Grapevine, one of my favorite all time songs.

Four of our dogs are sound asleep in the chairs, and Toto and Thunder are curled up by my feet, snoring. I just took a sip of my boxed fine wine, and I am now ready to write. Will Hoover, my good friend, over in Hawaii, has just started singing his song, Jesus Don't Drive No Fastback Ford. God, I love that song!

Around five o'clock this morning, Mama woke me up. She wanted to 'cuddle' with me. Mama, my great, one hundred pound, rescued Great Pyrenees, only does this after Tony has gotten out of bed in the morning. Her version of 'cuddling' is to lay down on top of me and smother me with wet kisses.

I am glad that Mama wanted to 'cuddle' this morning, because I was having a nightmare about something that actually happened to me, back in 1986, in Houston. Fortunately, because of a guardian angel, I wasn't killed. This is what happened.

My husband, Jim, and I had gone to Sugarland, Texas to visit his sister and brother-in-law, and I had taken Bear, my Great Pyrenees with me. In the afternoon, while Jim was visiting with his sister, I decided to take Bear for a walk around the neighborhood. At the time, it was an upscale neighborhood.

Fifteen or twenty minutes into our walk, I saw a pack of big dogs, down the street, approaching us. I didn't think much about it, until they came up and surrounded Bear and me, then the hair on the back of my neck stood up, as they started closing in on us, and started nipping at us!

I remember one dog was a Newfoundland and the other was a German Shepherd, but I can't remember what the other dog breeds were. I looked around the neighborhood, but no one was outside, in their yards, to help us. I was really scared. I knew Bear would fight to protect me if he had to, but we were outnumbered.

Then literally, out of nowhere, this woman in a black Mercedes, pulled up to us, and started honking her horn, to break up the pack! As the dogs backed off, the woman screamed, "Get into my car, now!" I was scared to death!

I opened the back seat door, and Bear and I jumped inside, and then the woman took off, leaving the pack of dogs standing in the middle of the street! In less than a minute Bear and I were back at my in-law's house, and I was thanking the kind woman for coming to our rescue, as Bear and I got out of her car. She said, "It was no big deal," and then she drove away.

It was a big deal to Bear and me, and I regret that I never got her name, because as far as I am concerned—she was one of my guardian angels, and she saved our lives.

Mama woke me up just before the woman, in my dream, showed up and rescued us.

Today, I made beans and cornbread for lunch, again. Tony teased me about it, so after cleaning up the kitchen, I grabbed my Moosewood Cookbook, to find some new recipes to try.

I found five new recipes that I wanted to try: Broccoli Mushroom Noodle Casserole, Mushroom Moussaka, Zucchini-Feta Pancakes, Stuffed Eggplant, and Spinach-Ricotta Pie!

Around one o'clock, after writing down all of the ingredients that I needed to make these delicious sounding meals, I half-hollered down the hall, "Tone, we need to go to H.E.B.!"

A hundred and forty-five dollars later, Buttermilk returned us to the rescue ranch. I'm not sure what I will fix for tomorrow's lunch, but I know it will be tasty.

Y'all have a great evening!

Witch Hazel!

2009-12-01T18:37:00.003-06:00

This morning before walking six miles, I checked my e-mail. My friend Mari, the most famous NoMad, in Kerrville, sent me three notes.

Her first two cracked me up, especially 'Why Men Don't Live As Long As Women." Her last message really sucked!

Mari wrote: Nancy, I read on your blog that you have a purple vacuum and you love it. Well I don’t think much of mine and rather than repair it again (my vacuum ‘sucks’ cuz it won’t suck!), I would love to give it to you for ‘parts’ because if you ever NEED parts for Hazel, your purple vacuum, you might be glad to have it.

Let me know if you’ll accept my offer – otherwise my purple vac goes to the landfill! YIKES! Mari

I wrote back: Hi Mari. One time my Hazel quit sucking, and I took it apart and unclogged her. Maybe I can fix yours? I will gladly take it for parts, but let me try to fix yours first. My Hazel really sucks and I love her! Nancy

Mari was online, so she and I fired back a couple of e-mails to each other.

Mari wrote: I already bought another vacuum cleaner (Riccor or something like that). I really am going to get rid of my Hazel since she doesn't suck. So you'll have two! Mari

I wrote back: Hi Mari. That sounds great! Next week when the weather is better, let's meet at Wolfmueller's, so you can give me Witch Hazel for my holiday gift! I guess no one told her that her life was supposed to suck.

The next e-mail I looked at was from my good friend, Pete, down in Port Aransas. He wrote to tell me that he and Kelly, and Fiona have really bonded with Smilin' Jack, and they are so in love with him! He told me that Smilin' Jack has opened their refrigerator door two times, and that he plays tennis better that John McEnroe ever did, and he never misses a ball! Here are the pictures Pete sent to me of him, Kelly, Fiona and Smilin' Jack!

I suggested to Pete that he and Kelly start a fan club for Fiona and Smilin' Jack on Facebook! I hope they will do it, because I am one of their biggest fans!

This afternoon Kinky called. He is up in Fort Worth, and was calling me from Kent's and Ruthie's ranch! We had a great visit, then he put me on the phone with Kent, and we had a fun visit.

Nothing else much happened. Y'all have a great evening!

Hallmark Rules!

2009-11-30T20:01:00.001-06:00

Last night after posting my blog, Tony and I watched the Hallmark's Hall of Fame movie, A Dog Named Christmas! Every time that I watch a Hallmark movie, I always declare it to be my new favorite movie, but last night's movie was by far the best one that I have ever seen! It touched my heart, and I wished that I had recorded it. It made me happy, sad, and made me cry. It pulled all of my heartstrings. I truly loved it.

This morning I could not quit thinking about the movie, as I did my end of the month, endless paperwork, while Tony did his chores outside, and then put fresh hay in all of the dog's houses outside.

I made spaghetti for lunch today, that was okay, and all that T. and I talked about was how much we loved, A Dog Named Christmas and wondering how we could get a copy of it.

This afternoon Tone and I had to make a trip to Medina, so I could go to the post office. When we returned to the trailer, I had one new message, that made my day! "Hello Cousin Nancy, this is Tom Plaster, from Kansas City. I don't know if you remember me..."

Of course, I remembered Tom! He is the drummer for the Kansas City Symphony, and he and his wife sent Tone and me a 'care package' a few years, ago, which included the great book, Illusions by Richard Bach, the author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull! I loved reading Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah, and I plan to reread it during the upcoming holiday season.

"Cousin Nancy," Tom continued, in his message. "I'm retired now, and my wife and I want to send you and Tony a copy of Hallmark's A Dog Named Christmas. It was on last night, and I think that you would love it since it is about animal rescue..."

I got goose bumps! I am so excited that Tom and his wife are sending me that movie, and I cannot wait to watch it again! Tom said that you can purchase a copy of the movie at Hallmark Cards, so if you missed watching the movie, I highly recommend that you go to your nearest Hallmark store, as soon as possible, and buy a copy. You and your family will love it! I promise.

Kinky left the ranch early this morning. He called me from the road around nine o'clock this morning, before I started walking six miles with Leslie, and I cannot wait for him to get back, so he can watch A Dog Named Christmas! Hallmark Rules!

Y'all have a great evening!

Black Friday Weekend!

2009-11-29T20:39:00.000-06:00

Today not a lot happened. I walked six miles, and after lunch, after hearing our weather report, Tony and I decided to go to Kerrville to get supplies, so we wouldn't have to go during the bad weather, forecasted for Monday and Tuesday.

We really did not want to go to Walmart, because of the holiday crowds, but when we arrived at Walmart, we were shocked, because the parking lot was only half full. When we went inside, it was not crowded at all. I was glad that the store wasn't packed with people, which made our shopping faster and much easier.

While we were standing in line, and the woman checking out in front of us told the cashier, "This Christmas is so depressing for me. My husband lost his job, and he has been out of work since September. Thank goodness my children are grown and understand..." I felt so sad for her. I sure that hope our economy gets better for all of us sooner than later.

Kinky called while we were putting up our groceries. He invited us to come over for a visit. Tony didn't go because he had some farming to take care of.

Kinky and I had a nice visit in the kitchen, while he cooked up some spaghetti. He offered me some, but I didn't want any because I'm trying not to gain any holiday weight. And, I must say that I was very impressed with Kinky's culinary skills. They have really improved!

The rest of our day was quiet and uneventful. I hope that everyone had a great holiday weekend.

Y'all have a great evening!

The Utopia Mutts!

2009-11-28T19:02:00.001-06:00

Today has been a great day, even though it was pretty quiet out here. This morning I walked six miles with Leslie, and then later this afternoon, Kinky and I went on a fun thirty minute hike with The Friedmans.

Around three o'clock, our good friends, and dog walking volunteers, Jan and Todd, came out and walked some of our dogs! Thank you, Jan and Todd! We love it, and I know our dogs did, too!

Late this afternoon, I watched the Disney movie, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, and I loved it! I thought it sounded like a silly movie, but it sent out a great message to children about dogs, and the voice overs of Drew Barrymore and George Lopez were fantastic!

Y'all have a great evening!

Ricky Bobby!

2009-11-27T19:55:00.003-06:00

This afternoon, Tony and I went to Kerrville, because we needed to get a few groceries—ten items to be exact. I was excited, because it would be my first time to right my wrong, and go through the long checkout line!

About eleven miles or halfway to Kerrville, some kind of sports car got behind us, and started riding our bumper. It made Tone mad, because we were driving the speed limit, and the rude driver was so close to us, if we had to suddenly brake because of a deer, T. and I would probably be spending tonight in the hospital.

When I looked back, I could see that the young man was talking on his cell phone. When Highway 16 finally turned into two lanes, the guy passed us going at least fifteen miles over the speed limit. "I hope a cop catches him," Tony said.

When we reached the first signal light, we pulled up beside the car and we laughed about his speeding, and catching him at the light. When the light turned green, he floored his car and took off.

At the next signal light, Buttermilk pulled up beside him, again, and we laughed about it, again! When the light turned green, the guy took off like he had been shot out of a cannon!

When we reached the signal light, in front of the Albertson's entrance, we were now one car in front of him. Tony and I loved it!

At the light at the bridge, we pulled up beside him, but we lost him when the light turned green, because he took a left. "He must be in a hurry to go to the Black Friday sales at the mall," I joked.

When we arrived at H.E.B., we were glad to see the parking lot half full. In less than ten minutes, we had our ten items in our grocery cart, and I am proud to say that we didn't check out at the ten items or less line! I am now halfway redeemed!

On our way home, as we were leaving the outskirts of Kerrville, T. started laughing, and he said, "I can't believe this, Nance! That same car is behind us, again!" I turned around to see, and sure enough that guy was riding Buttermilk's bumper, again!

"He must be a wannabe Ricky Bobby," I said. "like in the movie, Talladega Nights. Please slow down to fifty miles an hour and let him eat our dust." Tony slowed down, and Ricky Bobby stayed behind us for about three minutes, and then he finally turned off of the highway.

When we got home, after putting up our groceries, we went over to the Lodge to visit with Kinky. We had a fun visit with him, then we came back home.

When we got back home, I returned several phone calls. The last call I made, made my day! I spoke to Bob, who lives in Florida, who loves our rescue ranch, and he is thinking about adopting Clark Kent! He told me that he reads my blog, and he thought Uncle Leonard was adorable, and when he flies out here in a couple of months, if we still have Clark, he thinks that he wants to adopt him! I love it!

Y'all have a great evening!

Our First Thanksgiving Dinner In Outer Space Was A Blast!

2009-11-26T19:47:00.002-06:00

Yesterday morning, David called to tell me that Uncle Leonard is one fantastic dog, but unfortunately, they were not going to be able to adopt him. David told me that Uncle Leonard is house trained, great with cats, didn't mess with the trash in the trash can, and he got along great with their dog, Tala. The reason that they couldn't keep him was because Uncle Leonard didn't like Beckham, their pig. He said when Uncle Leonard saw Beckham, he went berserk! He was trying to tear through the fence to get to him, and they couldn't take the chance of Beckham getting hurt, because they love him so much. David and Desiree were sick about having to return Uncle Leonard to us, because they really liked him, and thought he was a super dog. I totally understood, and thanked them for giving him a vacation.

Forty-five minutes later, they arrived with Clark Kent aka Uncle Leonard. When we put Clark back into his old pen with Princess the two started playing immediately! Clark didn't seem depressed at all about coming back to the rescue ranch, and we were all thrilled! We had a nice visit with Desiree and David, but they didn't stay long enough, because they needed to get back to the Trail's End Guest House, because they had guests to feed.

This morning, Tone and I got up early, to start cooking our rescue ranch dogs their Thanksgiving dinner! Here's a picture of some of the groceries on the drain board. I didn't have room for the eggs or the stuffing in the picture. And, please note the bottle of wine in the background was not included in our dog's dinner.

By seven o'clock we were cooking! The oven was full of vegetables cooking, and the stove top's four burners were all in use. At nine-thirty, Tone and I started cracking eggs into the three buckets. We put eighteen eggs into each bucket. Then we added the three jars of minced garlic to the buckets, next came the three large bags of cheddar cheese, and then we poured in two giant sacks of stuffing into each bucket. Then Lisa arrived! Yeah!

Lisa helped us put five pounds of ground turkey into each bucket, and then Tony Showed Lisa how to use the 'Big Drill.'

Little did Lisa know, that Tony was fixin' to put her to work! When Lisa's drill lesson ended, Tony poured in the twenty pounds of steaming hot vegetables.

When Lisa and Tony were nearly done mixing up the ingredients in the buckets, Kinky and Frank arrived, ready to help us feed the dogs their Thanksgiving dinner. Here's a picture of Kinky heading off to feed our dogs.

Thirty minutes or three empty buckets later, our dogs had gobbled up their hot meals! They ate all of their vegetables and cleaned their bowls clean, and their tails were wagging wildly! I wish that everyone could come help us cook for our dogs, because it is so heartwarming. I truly love it, and I guarantee that you would love it, too.

After a fun visit with Kinky, he and Frank took off for the Lodge. Lisa, who we had invited last week, to eat dinner with us today, had to go back to Kerrville. Before she left she told us that she would be back at two for our Thanksgiving meal.

At two o'clock, Lisa returned to the ranch to eat our Thanksgiving dinner with us! She is so sweet! She brought me a beautiful bouquet of flowers! Here they are in my newly recycled 'flower pot!'

Our first Thanksgiving dinner in Outer Space was a blast! Thanks to H.E.B.'s smoked turkey, our meal was delicious, and was filled with non-stop laughter! This has been the best Thanksgiving Day that we have ever had!

Y'all have a great evening!

Happy Thanksgiving, Y'all!

2009-11-25T20:20:00.002-06:00

Uncle Leonard!

2009-11-24T19:14:00.002-06:00

This morning after feeding our dogs, and Lucky, I checked my e-mail. I had one spam, and a note from D&D! They wrote that Uncle Leonard is doing good so far at the Trail's End Guest House, and that they will keep me updated with daily reports! Tony, Kinky and I have our fingers crossed for that great little dog, with a twelve inch inseam! We love you, Uncle Leonard!

After breakfast, I walked six miles with Leslie, while Tony did his chores outside. Then Tone, who I have now nicknamed, Mr. Blue Jeans, did some farm work on Facebook, while I plowed through some paperwork on the kitchen table.

This afternoon, I realized that I needed to go to H.E.B. in Kerrville, because I needed to get a few more things for our Thanksgiving dinner, and I also wanted to buy a new coffee pot, thanks to our part-time poltergeist.

While Tony and Buttermilk waited outside for me in the parking lot, I race walked through H.E.B., and that was not an easy task, since everyone in Kerrville was there. I was determined to only get ten items, so I could check out faster, but unfortunately that didn't happen. The twenty-nine dollar, Mr. Coffee, pushed the number up to eleven!

When I saw that all of the checkout lines were backed up two to three carts, I did what everyone in the store would do—I cheated, and got into the ten items or less line. While the friendly clerk, checked out the two carts in front of me, I starting feeling guilty, and wondering if I would not get into heaven, because of Mr. Coffee.

When it was my turn to get checked out, I was relieved that no one was standing in line behind me, waiting to get checked out! While the clerk scanned my items, I quickly started filling out my check, to help speed things up. When she told me how much it would be, I filled in the amount and handed her my check, and then I lied. "Gosh, I thought I had ten items, not eleven. I'm sorry."

"It's no big deal," The young woman said, with a smile on her face. "No one is behind you. It's okay. Don't worry about it."

Well, I worried about it all of the way to Buttermilk, and then I confessed to Tony, as he loaded up the groceries. He thought it was funny, even though I didn't play by the rules and had lied.

On our way home, I figured out a way to right my wrong at H.E.B.! The next two times that I have ten items or less in my grocery cart, I will intentionally not use the ten items or less checkout lane! Hopefully, that will right my wrong doing.

When we got home we put up the ten turkey day groceries. Then I filled Perky, the percolator, up with water, and put some fresh cut flowers, that had been item number six on my H.E.B. grocery receipt, into it. Then I took this picture of Perky, the flower pot, next to Mr. Coffee.

A few minutes later, Kinky called and invited us to come over to the Lodge. Tone didn't want to go, because he had some Facebook farming to do, so Buttermilk took me over the river and through the woods to Kinky's.

He and I had a nice visit in his kitchen, then we moved our conversation into his office, then we went outside to play with The Friedmans. "Nance, let's go for a short walk with The Friedmans," Kinky suggested. We took off.

Twenty minutes later, as we were walking up to the Lodge, we saw Frank standing outside. After greetings, Frank wanted to know if we wanted to go on a short walk with him. Kinky and I looked at each other, "Sure," Kinky and I said, in two part harmony. We took off, again.

Thirty minutes later, after climbing a steep cliff, that could have killed me, if I had fallen, the three of us returned safely to the Lodge with The Friedmans. As we stood outside by Buttermilk, and caught our breaths, Frank invited Kinky and me to go on another hike with him. "Sorry Frank, I've got to get home," I said.

"Sure Frank, why not? See you in the morning, Nance. Bye," Kinky said, as I took off in Buttermilk, and they took off for another 'short' walk.

Y'all have a great evening!

More Spirits!

2009-11-23T19:47:00.002-06:00

Our trailer is full of all kinds of 'spirits' right now! I am pretty sure that our visiting, part-time poltergeist, has returned to the trailer, because the weirdest thing happened to me this morning.

I had just finished washing the breakfast dishes, when I decided to wash Perky, our coffee percolator, so it would be ready for the next round of coffee we make. Then I walked six miles with Leslie using my three pound weights.

After I took my shower, I caught up with my paperwork, and then I returned several phone calls. When I was nearly all talked out, I took a break sort of. I put the dried breakfast dishes back into their cupboards. Then while I was reassembling Perky, the percolator, I realized I was missing a part—the lid, to be exact! Where was the lid?

I looked all over the kitchen for that lid, but I couldn't find it. After spending over twenty minutes going through our trash, drawers, cabinets, etc. I half-hollered down the hallway, "Tone! Can you come help me, please?"

"Yes, give me five minutes," Tone softly yelled back. "I'm in the middle of harvesting my crop on Facebook."

While I waited on Tony, my new virtual future farmer of America husband, I returned e-mails. When the phone rang, I let Carlton take the call. "Cousin Nancy, this is David Farrar. I need to discuss something with you. Please call me at..."

When I heard David's message, I jumped up, and punched in David's phone number as fast as I could, because I was worried that something was wrong with Beckham, our rescued soccer playing wild hog, that they had adopted from us, for their bed and breakfast, Trail's End Guest House.

"Hi David, it's Nancy."

David and I talked for about five minutes. He told me that he and Desiree were thinking about adopting a small dog, so their dog, Tala, would have a buddy to play with.

"David, we've got a great little guy. He is one to two years old, neutered, doesn't bark, and great with other dogs..."

"He sounds perfect," David said. "What's his name?"

"Clark Kent."

"His name is Clark Kent," David said to Desiree. "Nancy, he sounds good. When can we see him?"

"Today! Tony and I are taking him to Kerrville this afternoon, to get his shots. How about us bringing him out to y'all's place after he gets his shots?"

"That sounds perfect."

"How is Beckham doing?" I asked.

"He is awesome and doing great, and getting famous all around the world. This woman from France was staying out here, and she fell in love with him, and people are now blogging all over the world about him! He has become a wild hog icon..."

After hearing David's great news about Beck, we started talking about our mandolins and guitars, and about getting together real soon, so we could pick and grin. When our conversation ended, Tony's and mine started.

I told T. all about Perky's missing lid, and he helped me, for about ten minutes, look all over the kitchen for it, but we never found it. "Tone, I think that poltergeist is back, again, so I am going to have to smudge the trailer, now. Okay?"

"I guess," Tony said. "I hate it when you do that, because it makes the trailer stink to high heaven. I'm going outside."

As soon as Tony left the trailer, I found my sweet sage grass, that my best friend, Cindy, had given to me, and lit it. Then I opened up a window in the bathroom, so the friendly poltergeist could leave, and then I did the procedure. Five minutes later I was done smudging and nothing significant happened.

After lunch, Buttermilk took Tony, Clark Kent and me to Hoegemeyers in Kerrville. After we dropped off Clark for his shots, T. and I went to Big Lots to buy a soccer ball for Beckham to play with. It was our Christmas present for him.

When we arrived at the Trail's End Guest House, it was all hugs and handshakes, and then we went to see Beckham! Beckham seemed happy to see us, and we visited with him for over ten minutes. He looked happy, even though he has gained another fifty pounds! He is now bigger than a Buick!

After our visit with Beck, we introduced Tala to Clark Kent, and they seemed to really like each other! Desiree and David thought he was precious, too! After the formal introductions, David suggested that we take the dogs over to their garden, which was fenced, so Clark and Tala could run and play with each other.

While Tala and Clark did their sniff-a-thon, David said, "OMG! Clark looks just like my Uncle Leonard! He's a low rider, just like you described him on Harley's show last week—short and stocky. My Uncle Leonard was so short, his inseam was only twelve inches! He was a great man. A traveling salesman, but he hated traveling, so he used to take me and my brothers with him, when we were out of school, to travel with him. We'd go to Rockport with him, and he would drop us off at the beach to fish, while he did business in town. Seriously, Clark looks just like him! Then David started laughing, as we watched Tala and Clark playing with each other.

"David, maybe he is your Uncle Leonard, reincarnated," I said. "Who knows. It's possible." Everyone started laughing.

When we left the Trail's End Guest House, we were minus one passenger—Clark Kent.

Desiree and David have decided to try him out for a few days to see how he works out with their cats. I've got my fingers crossed for that super short, sweet, stocky dog, with a twelve inch inseam, and I hope this might turn out to be his forever home, and they change his name to Uncle Leonard! I wish that I had met Uncle Leonard, he sounds like a great man, because I would love to introduce him to our friendly poltergeist who is still hanging around out here!

Y'all have a great evening!

I Love Paul McCartney!

2009-11-22T19:02:00.002-06:00

Yesterday morning, our good friends, P&P, aka Patty K. and Peggy R., came out to see us! As soon as they got out of their car after hugs, it was non-stop laughter! They brought Tony and me some of Patty's chocolate birthday cake, and it was delicious! The girls also brought us two boxes of fine wine, which is now sitting in our (closet) wine cellar chilling. I can't help but laugh, because right now, T. and I have an over abundance of boxed 'spirits' out here. I guess you could say Tony and I are going through a 'spiritual thing,' or we have been receiving gifts 'to enlighten us.'

As always Peggy and Patty didn't stay long enough, but it is probably a good thing that they left when they did, because my back was starting to hurt, because of so much laughing!

Early Saturday evening, Kinky arrived back at the ranch! Ben, Tony and I went over to the Lodge to see him, so we could catch up with each other's news. We had a fun visit.

This morning I got up early and walked six miles, because we had a dog coming in. At eleven o'clock, Marlin, a six month old wannabe Labrador, arrived! He is precious, sweet and I want him, but I can't because we have four assisted living dogs, two eight year old dogs, and Lucky the cat.

I spent nearly twenty minutes with him, in his pen, trying to capture a great picture of Marlin, but he was too fast for me. Here is the only descent picture that I got of him. Tomorrow I plan to shoot him until I get a better picture to post on utopiarescue.com.

After lunch, Buttermilk took us to Kerrville, so we could buy our dogs, and our Thanksgiving dinners. We figured that by going today, we would beat the crowd, but we were wrong! I think everyone had the same idea we had, because H.E.B. was packed full of holiday dinner shoppers.

We used two carts to shop. Tony's cart was reserved for our dog's Thanksgiving dinner, and I pushed the cart for T.'s and my turkey day dinner. We decided it was best to stay together to shop, because Tony had forgotten to bring his cell phone, so Tony chased me around the grocery store, and he only rear ended me once. He told me it was accident, as he laughed his head off on isle three.

It took us over forty minutes to fill our baskets on wheels. Tony's basket was more expensive than mine, because he purchased four and a half dozen of eggs, two large jars of minced garlic, fifteen pounds of ground turkey, five huge bags of stuffing, four giant bags of mixed vegetables, three bags of cheddar cheese, six cans of Alpo prime cuts, three large bottles of olive oil, and large sack of dog food—for our rescue dog's Thursday cooked dinner. I guess because of the economy, this year's dog dinner cost more than it ever has—$150.22, but it is well worth it, seeing those dog's tails wagging wildly with excitement, and knowing that they will get second servings, too!

When we got back to the rescue ranch, after unloading all of the grocery bags in the barn, we came inside the trailer to find that we had just missed a call from our good friend, and dog walking volunteer, Lisa. Tony called her back immediately, because she wanted to bring some friends out, who wanted to adopt one of our dogs.

Forty-five minutes later, Tone and I were outside, giving Lisa's friends a tour of the rescue ranch, so they could meet all of our super dogs. Thirty minutes later, I was inside the trailer filling out Paul McCartney's adoption papers! I love Paul McCartney, and I was so happy for him! Today was finally his day to get adopted!

Yesterday and today have been great! And you know—all you need is love.

P.S. Happy Birthday, Brian!

Y'all have a great evening!

Happy Birthday, Brian Alstott!

2009-11-22T07:33:00.001-06:00

Happy 61st Birthday, Patty K.!

2009-11-20T19:23:00.001-06:00

This morning it rained, and we had a pretty bad electrical storm, that made us unplug everything, so Tony and I went over to the Lodge to visit with Ben and Will. While we were talking about the storm, I grabbed the pool rack, and started pulling all of the balls out of the pool table pockets. "Ben, you want to play a game of pool with me?" I asked. Will, Tony and Ben sort of chuckled.

"Sure Nance," Ben said, as he racked up the balls. "You go first, and break up the balls."

I didn't want to break up the balls, because I'm not good at doing that, and I also didn't want to hear Tone's standard comment that he makes every time that I break up the balls—'You shoot like a girl.'

As Will lit up his cigar, I took the first shot. I completely missed the racked up balls, and my cue ball went to the back pocket and fell into it! The guys started laughing. "Game over, you lost, Nance," Tone said. "You shoot like..."

"What?" I asked, intentionally cutting off Tone's remark. Then they took turns explaining the rules of the game to me, as Tony and Ben played a game. It was sad, The Medina Bulldog lost. Will was next, and in no time flat, he lost to Ben, too. Ben was on a roll, so to speak.

When Ben jokingly bragged about being the best, The Medina Bulldog challenged him to one more game. Five minutes later, The Medina Bulldog beat Ben! "Come on, Nance," Tone said. "We've got to go home. It has quit raining, and I've got work to do."

While T. and Ben worked outside, I returned phone calls and caught up with my paperwork. Then I fixed lunch for Ben, Will, Tony and me. We had my homemade beans and cornbread, and it was really good.

After lunch, I worked on my book. Around two o'clock, we took off for Kerrville to get groceries, and to go to Wolfmueller's Books, so I could drop off a much improved, edited version of my book, for Sheryl Eddins to edit for me.

When we pulled up in front of Sandy and Jon's bookstore, I did a double take, and so did P & P, who were walking out of Wolfmuellers! "Tone, it's Patty and Peggy!" I jumped out of Buttermilk! "Hi Patty and Peggy," I said, as I hugged them. "It is so good to see y'all! I was just telling Tone, twenty minutes ago, that you were coming up for a visit from Florida! I can't believe this! Y'all look great!"

When I finally quit talking, Patty said, "Cousin Nancy, today is my 61st birthday, and I flew in yesterday to be with Dad and Peggy!"

"Happy Birthday, Patty! Good grief, you sure don't look like you're sixty-one! You look like a forty-something..." As the four of us visited outside Wolfmuellers, Sandy and Jon waved to us from inside. Before saying goodbyes to P & P, Patty told me that she and Peggy were coming out to the rescue ranch tomorrow morning for a visit! I can't wait to see them!

When T. and I walked inside the bookstore, we were greeted by Mary Jo, Sandy, Jon and Donna Schloss! We had a fun visit with them. I showed Donna and Mary Jo, my nearly finished book, and I told them that they were both mentioned in it, and they seemed thrilled! Then this man walked in the bookstore and started talking to Jon, at the checkout counter.

Sandy waved at me, and whispered, "that's Tom! Have you met him?"

"Tom Wells?" I whispered back. Sandy nodded her head, yes. I then walked over to Tom and stuck out my hand. As we shook hands, I said, "Tom Wells, I am Cousin Nancy and I am so mad at you. I read your book, Strange Seasons: Summer, and I loved it, and I couldn't put it down! It was fantastic! But when I found out that I was going to have to wait for you to finish the next sequel, I was sick. You are one great writer!"

Tom thanked me, and then he told me that he is nearly finished writing the next sequel. Here's a picture of Tom's fiction novel.

Before leaving Wolfmueller's I purchased this gardening book for Tony."Here Tone. This an early Christmas present from me. Enjoy."

Y'all have a great evening!

Thank You, Sandy! I Love It!

2009-11-18T20:41:00.002-06:00

Today has been fantastic!

This morning, around ten o'clock, I called my sister, Cindy, to wish her a happy birthday. After wishing her a happy sixty-three, we visited. "So, what are you and Ray going to do for your birthday?" I asked.

Cindy started laughing. "Not much, Nance. My back went out on me, last Saturday. I've missed work for three days, and it has never been this bad."

"How'd it happen?"

"I'm not sure. I went to the doctor Monday. He asked me what I had done the week before. I told him I had walked the dogs everyday, gone to Curves, played tennis, and vacuumed the house. Then I told him that I thought it was because I had vacuumed." We both started laughing. "Ray and I bought a new vacuum cleaner and I hate it. Some friends had recommended it and we bought one, and I really hate it. It has two modes. The first mode makes the vacuuming hard to push and feels like it weighs a ton. And, the second mode makes it lighter, but you have to wrestle with it constantly..."

"Sounds like it really sucks."

"It does. We spent a lot of money on it, and it is the worse vacuum cleaner that we have ever owned. We can't take it back, because we have used it three times."

"Give it to Adam or Tom for Christmas, and buy a new one," I suggested. "I have a Dyson Animal, that I bought a few years back, and I love it. It's lavender colored, too. It cost three or four hundred dollars, and I love it. I named it Hazel."

"I think I am just going to use the old one, that we were going to take to Good Will for now."

"Hey, I've got it! Tell Ray you want to buy a Dyson that will cost at least three or four hundred dollars, or you want to hire a maid! It will take a long time for a maid to cost you that much!" That made her laugh.

Cindy and I talked about her and Tony's back problems, those new wrap around heating, wearable belts, and my new apple juice champagne phenomenon. By the end of our conversation, I promised to send Cindy a packet of the Pasteure's Champagne Yeast today, for her birthday present, so she could make it, and serve it at her next book club meeting.

This afternoon, Tony and I went to Kerrville, so I could drop off my book at Wolfmueller's, so Sheryl could pick it up, and do the last edit for me, and to get a few supplies at H.E.B.

When we arrived at Wolfmueller's Books, Sandy and Jon greeted us at the door, and invited us to sit down for a visit. I handed Sandy my book and then sat down next to Tone. "Y'all, it is nearly finished, but I am not happy with the sub-title. I wish I could come up with a better one. I like the title, 'Meanwhile, Back At The Rescue Ranch, but I don't like the sub-title. Have y'all got any ideas?"

Sandy looked at the picture for the book cover, then she said, "How about, 'The Dog Days of Cousin Nancy?' It just popped into my head." I looked at Sandy and then my jaw dropped.

"OMG! I love it! It's perfect! Thank you, Sandy! I love it! 'Meanwhile, Back At The Rescue Ranch: The Dog Days of Cousin Nancy!' It's absolutely perfect! Can I borrow a pen?" Sandy handed me a pen. I pulled out the jacket artwork from the notebook, and then I scribbled out the old sub-title, and wrote Sandy's words in its place!"

A customer came in, and while Sandy was helping them find a book, Jon and I discussed my book, whether or not I should just use dates, or dates with a title. He liked the title, followed by the date, and I had to agree with him. Then their store filled up with tourists, so T. and I left the store, and we went to the post office, to mail Cindy her packet of yeast along with the recipe. Then we left Kerrville.

All of the way home, all I could think about was my book, and the changes that I needed to make! When we got home, at two-thirty, after returning several phone calls, I sat down at my laptop and went to work revising my book!

Around four o'clock, the phone rang—it was Ronnie. As I was typing away, Ron said, "Nance, pick up the phone. I know that you are..."

"Hi Ronnie!" I said.

"You know it is Cindy's birthday today, don't you? Since you hadn't called me to remind me, like you usually do, I thought I would call and remind you, just in case you had forgotten."

"Thanks for calling, Ronnie. I didn't forget. I called Cindy this morning."

"Did she tell you about her back being out since Saturday? She doesn't know how she did it."

"Yes. She told me that she thought it was from vacuuming." Ronnie started laughing.

"Well, she needs to get herself a riding vac!" He said. It took me a couple of seconds, and then I started laughing!

"Ron, that's hilarious! You, or someone needs to invent a riding vac..."

"For old people!" After we finally quit laughing about that, Ronnie told me a hilarious joke about a parrot. Then we said goodbye to each other.

This evening, a few minutes past seven, I finished all of editing! Now, all I have to do is edit Sheryl's suggestions, get an ISBN number, and register my book with the Library of Congress! I am so excited!

Y'all have a great evening!

Happy 63rd Birthday, Sister Cindy!

2009-11-18T07:25:00.000-06:00

Go Tony!

2009-11-17T19:39:00.002-06:00

Today has been great, even though I overslept! Fortunately, I didn't miss seeing Kinky on Imus, because last night, before going to bed, I programmed our Dish DVR, to record the show.

While I fed our dogs and Lucky, I watched Kinky, Little Jewford and Washington Ratso on Imus! I thought the show was great! All three of them were funny, and they had Don Imus, his crew, and me laughing!

When Tony came home from Medina, I watched it again, so Tone could see it, as we drank our breakfast smoothies.

After Tony had done his chores outside, and I had walked six miles, I returned several phone calls, while T. harvested some of his crops on Facebook. Tony is excited, because he has nearly caught up to Will's virtual farm! Go Tony or should I say, Grow, Tony, Grow!

I was going to fix Cousin Nancy's Asparagus Soup for lunch, but T. didn't want soup, because he was 'starving.' Because he knew we had to go to Kerrville to get supplies, Tony offered to treat me to lunch at Randy & Lisa's Save Inn restaurant—an offer that I couldn't refuse!

When we arrived at the Save Inn, the parking lot was packed, and we took the last parking space available. As always, our lunch was delicious, and their friendly waitresses were very friendly, and all smiles! Near the end of our meal, Randy came over to our table to tell me that he had just finished reading my book, and that he loved it! His kind words made me feel great. Thank, you Randy for making my day!

After Tone and I left the Save Inn, we swung by Copies Plus, because I needed to talk to Trish about possibly needing some help with my book jacket design, because she is so talented when it comes to design. Trish told me that she would love to help me, if I needed it. We visited for a few minutes, then we took off after some customers had come into the print shop.

After we got our supplies at Walmart, Buttermilk took us home. After returning a few phone calls, I turned on my salt lamp, cranked up my iPod, and then worked on my book.

I downloaded some templates from the company that I am going to use to print my book, and I started putting it together! At one point, when my book went from two hundred pages, to nearly three hundred pages, I called Jon at Wolfmueller's Books, for some advice on what size my book should be and I'm glad that I did.

After getting off of the phone with him, I selected the six inch by nine inch template, and started all over, again. Three hours later, I had the dedication, the table of contents and the book loaded into the template! All I have to do now is get the ISBN number, register it with the Library of Congress and finish the cover design! I am so excited about finally almost having my book ready!

Tomorrow, I plan to take a copy over to Sheryl, so she can start editing it! I am hoping I will have my book in hand and ready to sell within the next ten days! Please wish me luck!

Brian Kanof, called me about twenty minutes ago, to give me an update on Bogie, the cat, that he adopted from us, yesterday. From Brian's report, it sounds like Bogie is really happy in El Paso, and he is getting along great with Brian's other two cats, Zelda, who he adopted from us, years ago, and Watson! Brian told me that he and Jackie may change Bogie's name to Winston Churchill. I am so glad that Bogie is doing so well, and is happy! Thank you, Brian!

As soon as I got off of the phone with Brian, the phone rang, again—it was Kinky. "Hello, Nance! How are you?"

Kinky and I talked for about five minutes. He is in Washington D.C.! We talked about Bogie, The Friedmans, the weather, my book, and the rescue ranch. Before the end of our conversation, Kinky told me that he will be back at the ranch this weekend, and that he is looking forward to spending some down time at the ranch, and I can't wait to see him!

Y'all have a great evening!

Tiny Bubbles!

2009-11-16T19:34:00.001-06:00

This morning at nine-thirty, Brian Kanof showed up at the trailer! "I came by so y'all can say goodbye to Bogie," Brian said. Tony, Brian, and I visited for a few minutes, as we drank my delicious breakfast smoothies. Then we went outside to Brian's SUV and said our goodbyes to one really cool cat.

At the time, Bogie was not real happy about being locked inside a large crate and moving to El Paso, so I won't tell you what I think he had to say to us. He was really hissed off at us!

I spent the rest of the day doing paperwork, and returning phone calls.

Around five o'clock, I poured Tone and me a small glass of my sparkling apple champagne, for us to sample. After one sip, we could not believe how good it was! It was sparkling, bubbly and tasted exactly like cheap champagne!

Three sips later, I put my empty glass into the sink, "Tone, let's go over to the Lodge and get Will and Frank to try this. I want to see what they think! I love it!"

"You go, Nance," T. said. "I've got to harvest some crops on Facebook."

Two minutes later, I was over at the Lodge with my plastic gallon jug of enlightened apple juice! After saying hello to The Friedmans, I went outside and found Will in the Pro Shop. "Will, you have got to try this! It is really good!"

Will leaned back a little, "I don't know Nance. Is this the stuff that you made?"

"Yes! Here try a little," I said, as I handed Will a half filled glass. Will looked a little nervous. He smelled it, and then he took a sip, and then he drank the rest of it.

"It tastes like champagne. I like it. Pour me a little more," Will said, as I filled up his small juice glass. "I bet if you used Martinelli's apple juice it would be really superb. You know they make the best apple juice. Dean Martin used to drink it..."

"Hello, Cousin Nancy and Will," Frank said, as he walked into the kitchen. "I heard you drive up, so I thought that I would come down and say hi. Is that your new apple juice concoction?"

"Yes, and I want you to sample it!" I said, as I poured some into a coffee mug. "Here." Frank took a sip, and then he drank the rest of it.

"It's good!" Frank declared. "You made this from apple juice? Please pour me a little more. This stuff is really good." The three of us visited in the kitchen for about ten minutes, and then I came home with my jug of sparkling spirits.

"Tony! They loved it!" I half-hollered, down the hallway. "I can't wait for Kinky to try it!"

P.S. Kinky will be on Imus in the morning!

Y'all have a great evening!

Up!

2009-11-15T19:32:00.002-06:00

Today, not a whole lot happened out here, but it was a great day. Right before I was fixin' to walk with Leslie, the phone rang—it was Kinky. He called me from the Kansas City airport, to see how we were doing.

After I told him that we were doing fine, we talked about Brian Kanof coming to the ranch tonight, and getting Bogie, the cat, ready, so tomorrow morning Brian can adopt him, and take him to El Paso to live with him. Before hanging up, Kinky told me that he was headed to Philadelphia, and that he will be on Imus, Tuesday morning!

I spent most of my day working on the cover design for my book! I spent hours outside, shooting my pink boots, Buddhapug and a brick. I think I've got it, but I am going to look at the artwork in a couple of days to make sure I still like it.

This afternoon, around four-thirty, Tony and I went over to the Lodge to visit with The Friedmans, and to catch Bogie, so he could be adopted tomorrow morning. The Friedmans were doing fine. They were watching the Dallas Cowboys play poorly, so we went outside to find Bogie.

We found Bogie sitting up on the Pro Shop roof. As I coaxed him down, Tony visited with Will, from a safe distance, because Will has been sick with some kind of crud. In less than thirty-seconds, I had Bogie in my arms, and I carried him inside the Pro Shop, and then fed him.

We asked Will to please keep Bogie inside the Pro Shop for the rest of the night, because of some possible thunderstorms later tonight, and so we could easily crate him in the morning, so Brian could then take him to his new cat friendly home. Will said he would. Then we returned to the rescue ranch to watch the Cowboys lose.

I'm fixin' to watch Up!

Y'all have a great evening!

One, Two, Three!

2009-11-14T18:52:00.004-06:00

Today has been fun! This morning when I was four minutes away from walking six miles, the phone rang, so I let Carlton take the call. "Hello Nance! Nancy are you there? I'm at the airport..."

As I listened to Kinky, I decided to take the call. I paused Leslie, picked up the phone, and hit the speaker button, so I could walk circles around the big room, while talking to Kinky. "Hi Kinky! Where are you headed?"

"Hi Nance!" Kinky said. "I'm glad I caught you. We're headed to Kansas City in just a few minutes. How are you doing and have you seen The Friedmans?"

"I'm fine, and yes, The Friedmans are doing fine." Then I told him about rescuing Clark Kent and he thought it was super, and he was looking forward to meeting him.

"The plane's fixin' to take off. I've got to go. And remember Nance, keep on laughing. It's important. Take care. Bye." As soon as we disconnected, I pushed the play button and finished my workout with Les.

Around eleven o'clock, our good friend, Todd, showed up to walk our dogs! I am so happy that our dogs are getting so much attention, and getting walked everyday by our super volunteers! Thank you, Todd!"

While Todd was outside hiking with our dogs, I sat down at my laptop, and worked on my book, because earlier this morning when Tone came home, I declared today off, so I could try to finish my book.

While I was working on the design for the jacket cover, the phone rang—it was Rick, in Port Aransas. He wanted to know if I had tried my sparkling apple cider, yet. "Not yet, Rick. I am planning on trying it out this evening." We talked for a few minutes about his secret recipe, and the 'loose lid' technique that I needed to be careful about, so Cousin Nancy's Sparkling Apple Champagne, wouldn't blow up in the fridge! I hope that I don't have to redesign the label and put a warning on it!

At one o'clock, I was so frustrated with my design, I decided I needed to take a short nap with my fur babes. Unfortunately for them, our nap didn't last long, because I had a 'ligh tbulb moment' about my book and the jacket cover design! In less than ten minutes of nap time with my buddies, I jumped out of the bed, and went to my computer. The first thing I did was to change the title, then I took off my boots, and replaced them with my pink Crocs. Then I grabbed my camera and shot my pink boots! That's all that I can tell you right now, but I am thrilled with the new title, and the new jacket design!

Around two-thirty, while I was in my office, trying to replace a black ink cartridge, so I could print out a copy of my revised book, Tony half-hollered from his office, "Nance! Come in here! Mari wants to talk to you! She's at Wolfmueller's, and she and Jon are online!"

"Mari, of The NoMads?"

"Yes!" Thirty seconds later I was in Tone's office talking and laughing with Mari and Jon, from Tony's computer!

We talked about the funny 'pink boot' cartoons that Mari has been sending to me, and then I told Jon and Mari about the new title, and the jacket design for the book. They told me that they loved my new title, and they thought my idea for the artwork, for the book cover, sounded great! They had made my day and didn't even know it! Then I had another 'light bulb moment!'

"Y'all stay right there! I'm going to get my camera, and take a picture of y'all! I'll be right back!" I race walked into the kitchen, and grabbed my camera and then returned to T.'s office. "Okay y'all, on the count of three I am going to shoot you! One, two, three!

I love the picture of Mari and Jon, and I can't believe that technology has come so far! I would have never guessed in a million years that I could look and talk to friends twenty-two miles away! Wow!

Y'all have a great evening!

Our Dog Walking Volunteers Rock!

2009-11-13T19:01:00.006-06:00

Today has been a good day. This morning Tony came in, while I was returning some phone calls, to tell me that we had six dog walkers here! "June, Ellen, Jim, Lisa, Sha and Sydney are walking our dogs! Come on outside and say hi."

After they took off, I found Jim returning Pearl and Laz to their pen. I gave him a cap, and then he and I talked about the dogs. A few minutes later, Lisa, Sha and Sydney showed up, and I had a short, but fun visit with them, before they leashed up three more happy dogs to take for a walk!

When I returned to the trailer, I called Kinky to tell him about the six volunteers being here! Kinky was delighted with my news. "Nance, we need to take them out to lunch as soon as I get back..."

Around one o'clock, Clark Kent arrived! Tony and I had been expecting him. Karen, a very nice woman, had rescued Clark on a highway near Spring, Texas, a few days ago. "When I saw him standing on the side of the road, I knew I had to help him. Cars were flying by and I was scared that he was going to get hit, so I turned around. When I pulled up, and opened the door, and he jumped right in! He is a great dog, and he got along fine with my friend's Schnauzer. I haven't named him..."

"What are you going to name him, Nance?" Tone asked.

"Clark Kent," I said, as I petted him. "He's a super dog. Just look at him." Karen, Tone and I then walked Clark down to Princess' pen. After they had sniffed each other through the fence for a few minutes, T. and Karen took him into Princess' pen, so they could meet. After a long sniff-a-thon, they started playing, and they seemed to really like each other!

We visited with Karen for about twenty minutes, and then she needed to leave, because she had an eight hour drive ahead of her. She lives in Port Arthur.

Clark Kent is approximately two years old, and he is as sweet as they come. He showered Karen with kisses, while she was driving through San Antonio traffic! He is also trained to walk on a leash, and he knows the 'sit' command. He definitely gets along with other dogs, and I think he has fallen in love with Smilin' Jack's old girlfriend, Princess. Here's a picture of him.

Y'all have a super evening!

Since Four Days Ago!

2009-11-11T18:57:00.003-06:00

Last night, after I posted my blog, I called customer service at FedEx Ground, to find out where my package had been delivered to, because they had notified me by e-mail, that it had been delivered at three-thirty-eight, but we didn't receive it. I had tracked it, and was disappointed when it didn't arrive as scheduled.

After five minutes on the phone with a very nice woman, she found out that it had been delivered to our mailbox, out on Highway 16, instead of at the ranch. As soon as I hung up the phone, Tony pulled on his boots and drove two and a half miles out to our mailbox, and returned with my package! That made me happy, and that made Tone happy.

You see, five days ago, I had ordered a few packets of Pasteur's Champagne yeast. I had ordered the yeast so I could try my hand at making Rick's famous apple champagne cider recipe, that he had given to me. Before he gave me his recipe, Rick had made me swear that I wouldn't divulge his secret recipe to anyone, so I won't, unless he makes me mad, but of course, that's never going to happen. So in other words, I can't give y'all his recipe.

Around nine o'clock, Sha called to tell us that they were headed back to Kerrville and that Smilin' Jack was smiling when he met Pete, Kelly and Fiona—his new family! Then Sha told us all about their trip down to Port Aransas. "Nancy, I love Smilin' Jack, but about an hour down the road he got gaseous! OMG! It was horrible! He was considerate though, because he would make a tooting sound when he passed gas, I guess, to warn us to roll down our windows, before the gas hit us! I've never heard a dog fart before and..."

This morning, I called Pete to see how things were working out with Smilin' Jack. First off, Pete told me that he and Kelly loved Smilin' Jack, and they took him for a long walk on the beach last night! Smilin' Jack slept on the floor beside Pete's side of the bed, and once during the night, Jack woke up Pete, because he needed to go outside. "Nancy, Jack and I are on our way to work right now. I'm going to take him everywhere I go. I love this dog! He is incredible...!"

After breakfast, I made my first batch of Rick's apple champagne cider, which should be ready in three or four days, and I can't wait to try it! I'm thinking of bottling it in plastic jugs and making labels for it, too! I'm going to call it, Cousin Nancy's Sparkling Apple Champagne—Since four days ago!

Today we ate lunch with Kinky, and I told him all about Smilin' Jack's great adoption, and how we got him to Port Aransas. To say the least, Kinky was thrilled about Smilin' Jack getting adopted to Pete and Kelly, and he thought it was hilarious about Jack's gaseous trip with Sha and Lisa!

Y'all have a great evening!

Life Is A Beach!

2009-11-10T18:54:00.003-06:00

Today has been great, and I guess that you could say that yesterday was great, too, when all was said and done.

Yesterday morning started out fine. While Tony and Ben did their chores outside, I walked my six miles, then I returned phone calls and caught up with some paperwork.

After Tony, Ben and I ate lunch, while I was cleaning up the kitchen and visiting with Ben, Tony came into the room and told us that he was feeling really bad. He told us that his kidneys were hurting, and he was feeling really shaky, and he thought he should go to the hospital. Then he called Jon and Sandy and asked them if he should go to the emergency room or a clinic. They told him to just go to one or the other, now.

At one-fifteen, we took off in Buttermilk. I drove Tone to the emergency room. While he was signing in, I went outside and called Kinky, in Austin, to tell him what was going on, then I called the Wolfmuellers. A few minutes later, Jon was sitting with us in the emergency room. When they took Tony to a room, before Jon took off, he told me to call them when we knew something.

An hour and forty-five minutes later, Tony and I walked out of the hospital with some prescriptions to fill. His diagnosis was chronic back pain. As we waited for his prescriptions to be filled at Albertsons, we counted our blessings. Thank goodness he didn’t have kidney problems, his blood sugar was fine, indicating no diabetes, and his blood pressure was the best that it could be. He was healthy, except for his chronic back pain, which is treatable! So, I feel like after all was said and done—our day turned out great.

We got back to the ranch a little after five, and we were exhausted, and that is why I didn’t write a blog last night.

This morning, while I was in Outer Space drinking coffee, the phone rang at seven-twenty-five, it was Pete, our good friend from Port Aransas. “Nancy, I want to adopt Smilin’ Jack, if you still have him! I got your e-mail about him, and John sent me an e-mail to check him out on your blog. The minute that I saw his picture, there was a connection. Call me.”

A few minutes later, when I came inside, I called Pete. I was thrilled that Pete and Kelly wanted to adopt Jack! We talked about Smilin’ Jack for about ten minutes, and then we discussed how to get Smilin’ Jack to Port A., because Pete couldn’t wait to get him!

At two-fifteen, Tony and I went outside to get Smilin’ Jack ready for his four hour trip to Port Aransas with Lisa and Sha, two of our new, great dog walking volunteers! Twenty-five minutes later, Tony, Ben and I waved goodbye to Sha and Lisa, as they drove away with their precious cargo, Smilin’ Jack!

I was so happy for Smilin’ Jack, I didn’t cry, because I knew that he was fixin’ to have a great life on the beach, with two of the nicest people I know! And, his running buddy is going to be Fiona, their new, sweet and beautiful, rescued Bulldog! Pete told me that Smilin’ Jack is going to go to work with him everyday, sleep inside, and his only other job will be to run up and down the beach and swim!

As I write this, at six-twenty-one, Smilin’ Jack should be arriving at the What-A-Burger, in Port A., in about fifteen minutes! And, this is why today has been great!

P.S. Thank you, Sha and Lisa! We love you! And, we love you, too—Smilin’ Jack!

Y’all have a great evening!