On The Brink!

Today while Belle Starr-Simons was at Hoegemeyer Animal Clinic getting her stitches removed—Tony and I ran a few errands around Kerrtown. Our first stop was at Wolfmueller's Books so we could say howdy to Sandy and Jon.

When we walked inside their famous Texas bookstore they were busy helping their customers find books so we decided to wait and started browsing their bookshelves. After they had checked out several customers we had a fun, but short visit with them before a bunch of tourists suddenly showed up.

While shopping at H-E-B I made a decision that I hope I won't regret. "Tony, when we leave here I want to go over to Home Depot and buy myself a small gas grill, that I can operate, so I can start cooking outside."

"But Nance," T. said, as we walked past some sacks of charcoal on sale, "we have our giant barbecue pit..."

"Yes, you do have a giant barbecue pit and the lid is so heavy I can barely lift it and with the burn ban in effect because of the drought—we can't use it. Tony, I am buying myself a small gas grill today, so lets get some shrimp, vegetables and beef, so I can cook on it tonight." Then we went around H-E-B filling our shopping cart with "grill food."

When we arrived at Home Depot it took me only five minutes to pick out my cute, little gas grill, even though Tone tried to talk me into buying one much more expensive and four times bigger—that would for sure impress his men friends. "Nope, Tony. This is the one I want and I am going to name it Brink or maybe after Yoda, because she was so gaseous..." And I bought it.

After picking up, one happy-to-see-us, Belle Starr-Simons from Hoegemeyers we headed home in Trigger—with Brink standing small in the back of the pickup. Right before Belle vomited on me, we made an emergency pit stop at the Mini-Mart, because Brink was on the brink of falling down or out of the truck, because T. hadn't tied him down good enough. And while Tony was retying-down little Brink to Trigger our good friend James walked up. "Hi, Nancy and Tony. Carol's working and I'm out running errands. When I saw y'all— I just had to stop and say hello. Hello, pretty Belle," James said, as he patted her on her head. "She is so sweet..." Before we took off in opposite directions James told us that their herd of cattle were settling in nicely and in a few weeks they would be ready for me to be their official Turnback Rider or as I like to say, "Herd Turner."

When we got home Tony put his dog inside our front yard so she could go potty. Then we carried our groceries up the stairs to the trailer and put them up. While I was busy preparing my first outdoor "grill dinner" Tony was outside hooking up Brink to his propane tank. When he was done I went outside and shot little Brink.

Then we came back inside so I could finish preparing the shish-kabobs while Tone made my "Cousin Nancy's Bacon Wrapped Bananas" appetizer recipe. Then he did the weirdest thing—he took his plate of bacon wrapped bananas and went outside, while I cut up some fresh strawberries for our dessert.

When I came outside Tony had a big smile on his face—as he cooked on my grill, Brink! And, "I like Brink!" Was all he had to say, as he happily turned over the appetizers. A few minutes later while I was on the phone inviting Frank, who was over at the Lodge babysitting The Friedmans, to join us for dinner, T. came inside and casually carried out my platter of shish-kabobs.

After I had returned several phone calls I went outside, just as Frank was walking up to the trailer. "You're just in time, Frank," Tone said. "We're ready to eat." And that is when I ran back inside the trailer and grabbed my camera so I could shoot Tony on the Brink.

Our dinner was delicious and there was a ton of leftovers, and I am actually glad that T. and Brink like each other and are coal-mates, because it is so much fun to have your husband cook dinner for you. I knew it would work!  : ) 

Y'all have a great evening!

"Big As A Tool Shed!"—Part 2!

This morning, I was only able to walk four fast miles, because Tony wanted me to go with him to Bandera—to return the rented garden tiller. After Tony had unloaded the tiller, at Bandera True Value, he and I went inside the store to shop—then we turned on our cell phones and went our separate ways.

Five minutes later, while I was checking out their table cloths, "Nance," Tone said. "Come with me. I want you to introduce you to some friends of mine!" Two isles over—Tony introduced me to his friends—Max and Carol. We had a fun visit, in the fertilizer section. By the end of our visit, I invited Max and his sweet wife, to come out to see us. Tony and I then went our separate ways, again! I went looking for an outdoor stove top—like Carol's.

As I was scanning the room, I asked a friendly clerk, Peggy, if she had any vinyl oilcloth tablecloths. Two minutes later, I had a red-checkered tablecloth for my new outdoor dinner table—then I ran into Max! He and I visited some more and then T. and Carol showed up—they had been looking for us. "Why didn't you call me, Tone?"

"My phone is dead. It needs recharging." The four of us then visited some more, for several minutes. I really liked this couple. As soon as they were gone, I found this really cool two burner, gas, cast-iron grill, so I bought it!

It was twelve-fifteen, Tony was hungry, so we went to Brick's for lunch. As we were eating our delicious meal, someone puts their hand on my shoulder, and says, "Big as a tool shed!" I was startled, and looked to see who was talking to me. It was our dear friend, Garnet! "Nancy, Sandy and I read your blog everyday. You really have lost a lot of weight, and you look great...!" We had a fun visit with her, then she went back to her table. Tony and I waved at her husband, Sandy.

When we returned to the rescue ranch, Tony went to check on his garden, while I went into Outer Space and tried to assemble my new two-burner, outdoor cooker, and it wasn't easy! I had a very hard time tightening up the screws—the legs and burners were real wobbly! When T. returned from his gardening, I said, "Tony, can you please help me? I have it nearly put together, but I need your help tightening up these screws."

Tony went into Outer Space, looked at the directions, then the box, "Nance, you have mounted it backwards. Give me the screwdriver."

I did as I was told, and then watched Tony completely disassemble my hard work. Fifteen minutes later, Tony began reassembling the 'Made In China' cast-iron grill. After he had put it together right—I was somewhat disappointed.

I realized that it would drip grease onto the table, because it had no pan to catch the drippings. I guess that I will have to return it. I hate returning anything, but it was not what I thought it was. I then went inside. Kinky called and invited T. and me to come over for a visit, and to shoot some pool.

Tony was tired, so I went over to see Kinky. He and I had a great visit in the kitchen, then we went outside, so Kinky could play ball with Gooie. Mr. Magoo loved it! We then came back inside the Lodge, and shot a game of pool. The Hummingbird Man-1, Cousin Nancy—Zip! After losing—Buttermilk returned me to the rescue ranch.

I started a load of clothes in the washing machine, then I went out to the backyard to give Mama, my seven-year old, rescued Great Pyrenees—her summer clip. An hour later, after grooming Mama, I came back inside—covered head to toe, in long, white dog hair!

So, I pulled Hazel out of the closet, and began vacuuming Mama's hair off of me. Tony then enters 'the big room,' "Nancy you've got dog hair all over you! Does Mama have any hair left?"

"I know," I said. "And yes she does," as I ran the upholstery brush up and down my Levi's. Tone laughed. and then helped me get the rest of her hair off of me.

I'm fixin' to go online, to find Carol's Brinkman outdoor cooker. Y'all have a great evening!