Happy Valentine's Day!

I've had the best Valentine's Day! This morning Tony didn't go to Medina like he usually does because he had a surprise for me. When I woke up and came into the kitchen he handed me a Valentine's card  and then he hugged me and gave me a kiss. "Happy Valentine's Day, Nance. I have already fed our dogs and Lucky, and the dogs outside. I want you to get dressed so I can take you out to breakfast at the Save Inn."

When we arrived at Randy and Lisa's Save Inn Restaurant their parking lot was nearly filled up with cars and pickups. When we walked inside we sat down at the table that we always sit at and our sweet waitress immediately served me iced tea and coffee for T. then from memory she asked me if I wanted their Sinker Omelet and then she asked Tone if he wanted two eggs sunny-side up with one pancake and bacon. We nodded our heads and she took off for the kitchen.

Our breakfast was delicious. As we were about to leave I spotted Lisa and Randy eating at a nearby table so went over to their table and had a short visit with them.

When we got back to the rescue ranch Kinky called. He told me that last night he had met a group of ten very nice women along with their ten daughters at the Cowboy Steak House and they were coming out to take a tour of the rescue ranch this morning and he was anxious for them to meet Tone and me.

Well, Kinky lied to me. Only three women showed up with their three sweet daughters and they told us that the others wanted to come out but they needed to get back to Houston. Then Kinky arrived and we gave them a tour while Tony finished cleaning the dog pens. We had a nice visit with them as we introduced our dogs to them.

After the tour we went over to the Lodge so they could see the Lodge and get to take pictures with him. Tony was the appointed photographer and he shot them three times. As they drove away Kinky, T. and I agreed that they were very nice people. Then Tony and I returned to the rescue ranch.

This afternoon after lunch Tony went outside to take nature pictures while I worked on my book. It's been a great day except for one thing—I didn't walk with Leslie so tomorrow I plan to walk eight miles.

Y'all have a great evening

The Arts & Entertainment Channel!

Warning! This is another long one!

Tony and I arrived at the Cowboy Steak House, around a quarter till seven. Kinky was standing outside, talking to Rambam. We visited with them for a few minutes, and then the four of us went inside—to the bar, to visit with Sage and Dylan Ferrero, Copper Love, and to meet John Mankieiwicz!

After the handshakes, hugs and howdy doody's, I went back to the bar to visit with Copper. "Hello, Cousin Nancy," a woman said, sitting next to Copper. I knew the face, but I couldn't remember her name, then the man sitting next to the woman greeted me, too!

I said hello to them, and then Copper and I visited for a few minutes. Then I went back over to Tony, tugged on his sleeve and whispered, "Tony, who are those two people sitting next to Copper? They said hello to me, and I know we know them. And, they called me Cousin Nancy, too."

Tony looked over to see. "That's Randy and Lisa, Nance." I was so embarrassed! I love those two people. I then went back to where they were seated, and apologized to them for not recognizing them. They laughed about it, and we had a short visit.

Then John enters the bar, and Kinky introduces me to his friend, John! After handshakes, Kinky says, "John, Cousin Nancy is a writer, too, and she has a very popular blog, with a ton of fans."

"I know," John said. "I have read it." Oh my gosh! I couldn't believe my ears, and I was scared that my head was fixin' to swell, because this famous, great writer actually had read my blog! I was on cloud nine! I couldn't wait to tell Tone, so I took off!

"Tony! John Mankieiwicz has read my blog! He told me so! He was a writer for the popular television series, 'House,' during its first two years on the air! He has also written tons of articles for big named magazines, Playboy, Rolling Stone, and newspapers, etc.—that man knows how to write! I can't believe he has read my blog!" Tone was thrilled for me.

Then Abel, Rosie and Laura entered the bar, and there were more handshakes, hugs and howdy doody's. After a brief visit with them, Linda, another famous NoMad, enters the bar, and walks right up to T. and me, and catches us up on the NoMads latest dog agility victories! Then she left us, because she had to get back to work at the steak house. Then Kinky walks over to Tony and me.

"Nance, everyone has arrived. Linda told me that our table is ready. Would you and Tony go check it out in advance, while I roundup everybody?" Tony and I left the bar. Linda saw us, and showed us to our table.

Tony and I couldn't figure out where we should sit, so we finally sat down near the middle of the table—across from each other. In no time at all, everyone was seated at the table, and the fun began! The food was great, and so were the conversations!

My favorite part was listening to Kinky, John and Dylan talk about the past they had shared. They were backstage at 'The Last Waltz' concert at Winterland, and they told us some hilarious backstage stories, about their friends Mike Bloomfield, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Dr. John, Neil Young, etc.! I didn't want the evening to end, but unfortunately it did, and Trigger took Tony and me home.

This morning, I changed things up! While Aaron fed the dogs and cleaned their pens, Tony and I went to Randy and Lisa's Save Inn Restaurant for breakfast! And, yes it was delicious, too!

When we returned to the rescue ranch, I called Kinky to let him know we were back at the ranch, because John had wanted to come over to see our rescue ranch—he loves dogs, too! Needless to say—we gave him 'The Grand Tour!' John wanted to see our dogs first, so we took him to every pen to meet our dogs. He petted them and took many pictures of them. When he met David Beckham, our soccer playing wild hog, he must have shot him at least fifty times!

After the meet and greet with our dogs and pig, we took John into The Space Ship, and then went into Outer Space! Kinky and John swapped more old stories about their famous friends, and there was much laughter. Before they left, I gave John a tour of the trailer and my writing cabin! John liked them—especially my plastic garden tub!

After lunch, Kinky called to invite us to come over to the Lodge. "Nance, tell Tone, that last night, John beat me twice in pool. I want Tony to win back the title." Seven minutes later, Tony and I were at the Lodge—Copper, Sage and Dylan were there! "John," Kinky said. "I want you to play a game of pool with The Medina Bulldog."

Before the game commenced, John was given the pool playing name, 'The California Kid.' As John and Tony took turns sinking balls into the pockets, Copper and Kinky came up with a new name for John—The California Wussie, because of his finese with each of his shots. John liked it, and laughed, and then he added Mr. to his new moniker, and then sank the eight ball. Mr. California Wussie -1, Medina Bulldog -0.

After Tone's tragic loss, Kinky got out of his chair, went to the bookcase and grabbed something. "I want to give Mr. California Wussie a trophy for beating Tony and me in pool. Nance, grab your camera and let's all go outside for the award presentation." As we left the Lodge, everyone was laughing at the 'pool' trophy that Kinky had chosen.

Once outside, we decided to shoot a video of the event, for my blog. When everyone had taken their positions over by the Friedman Family Bone Orchard—I turned on the camera and the rest is history!

Before you watch the video clip, I need to tell you that John came to visit Kinky, because he is the writer for a new A & E television series—about Kinky's mystery novels! I can't wait for it to air! And, I wonder what actor is going to play the Kinkster! Here is a picture of John, after receiving his 'pool' trophy! I have posted 'The Pool Award' on the side bar and below, and I must apologize in advance for the shakiness in the video clip— I was laughing way too hard!

The Pool Award


Happy Birthday, again Fay! Y'all have a great evening!

Guess Who Came To Dinner!

Today was a great day! I walked another eight fast miles this morning! Linda T. came down, and she and Aaron walked our dogs all day long! Thank you Linda and Aaron—our dogs loved it and so do we!

This evening, Trigger took Tone and me to Kerrville, so we could have dinner, at the Cowboy Steak House, with his great friends, and a very famous writer from Hollywood, California—that he wanted all of us to meet! I got to sit next to him!

It's pretty late now, and past my bedtime, so I will write about it tomorrow! Sorry Mari, but congratulations to all of the NoMads—who have been driving cross country, with their super agility trained dogs—and winning big time events! Y'all Really Rock! Linda told me all about it tonight, as we waited for our table for eleven!

Y'all have a great evening! I did!

The Ronderosa!

This morning, Kinky called at seven o’clock to talk to me about our calendar signing event today. He told me that he was leaving around eight, and I told him that I was hoping to be on the road by nine-thirty or ten. Then I started cooking breakfast for T. and me.

After breakfast, while I was packing for my trip, up to Austin, Tony was outside working. When I had finished packing, Tony walked inside the trailer—wearing a big grin. “I just cleaned all of Buttermilk’s windows, so you can see better.”

“Thank you, Tony. I am just about ready to leave, but I can’t decide which mukluks to wear at the calendar signing. Which ones do you like best?”

“I like the white ones on you.”

“Okay, I will wear the white ones! Does my shawl look okay? It’s going to get cold.”

“It looks great—you're my hippie chick,” Tony teased.

“Chicken, is more like it,” I said, as I put on my white mukluks. “My chick days are long gone Tony—just ask Aaron. I had better get going. Wait! I have to call Ronnie.” I then picked up the phone, and reached out—and touched him. I told him that I should be there by noon. Tony then picked up my duffle bag, and carried it to Buttermilk and put it inside. I then climbed inside and hooked up my iPod and set it to play my ‘Driving Music’ playlist. Then I got out of Buttermilk to give Tony a big hug and a kiss. “I am sick that you can’t go with me, Tony. I am gonna miss you.”

“I wish I could go, but I need to stay here. I’ve got lots to do, before that front blows in. Be careful now, and have fun and tell everyone hello. Please call me as soon as you get to Ron and Nita’s, so I won’t worry. I love you.”

“I love you,” I said. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning. Bye.” I cranked up my iPod, then Buttermilk slowly backed out, and we headed to Dripping Springs! Before I reached the gate, I was wishing Tony was going with me, and I felt a little stressed out about going by myself.

We made it to Kerrville with little traffic. When we crossed under I-10, I was dreading the next twenty-two miles to Fredericksburg, because of the too many narrow single lanes, and the people driving really fast, and tailgating Buttermilk—it scares me.

Fortunately we made it fine to Fredericksburg, with only one big tailgating truck, that should have planned ahead, and left a little earlier—so not to be in such a hurry. Anyway, we turned by the hospital, and when we came to the signal light—we went right. I was now only a little over an hour away from ‘The Ronderosa!’ (Ronnie named their ranch.)

As Buttermilk and I got a little further down the road, I was shocked at all of the new construction. In fact—I couldn’t believe it! Several giant churches had popped up, and new businesses had sprung up. When I looked at the clock, forty-five minutes had passed and we still weren’t to Johnson City! Then I truly got scared! I realized that I hadn’t passed Wild Seeds Farm, and nothing looked familiar to me at all! We were lost and that’s when I started to cry!

I knew that eventually I would see a highway sign or gallop into a small town, but all I saw was signs welcoming me to their church—and that was disappointing. Fifteen minutes later, when we climbed a hill—I saw I-10! Good grief, where in the heck was I? I soon found out!

The sign read, ‘Kerrville 16 Miles’ telling us to turn right! We did the ‘right thing’ and sixteen miles later we were back in Kerrville. And, I do believe, that was first time that I have ever been so happy to be in Kerrville, Texas!

When we reached the light at the intersection of I-10 and Highway 16, We turned right to go to Fredericksburg, again. We went about four miles, and then we pulled off of the road! I was exhausted, Buttermilk had been rode hard, and I did not want to drive those eighteen scary miles, again. I first phoned Nita, to tell her that I had gotten lost, and could not make myself do the Kerrville to Fredericksburg miles, again. I apologized for canceling, and I told her that I was really upset. Then I phoned the rescue ranch, and left the same message on our machine. Then Buttermilk and I broke the law! We made a u-turn—without getting caught! We were going home! My cell phone, which had fallen on the floor of the passenger side, started ringing non-stop, and I couldn’t reach it, so I just let it ring.

When I saw the big ‘Cowboy Steak House’s—Welcome to Kerrville, Texas’ sign, I calmed down, because I knew where I was headed.

I stopped and parked Buttermilk, in Albertson’s parking lot, and phoned Tony, again. He picked up on the first ring! I told him about getting scared and crying, and he told me to get home as fast as I could! I had really scared him.

I was the happiest girl, in the whole U.S.A., when I arrived at the rescue ranch! Tony was outside the trailer, talking to our friend and volunteer, Paul—when we pulled up! The three of us talked about me getting lost, and then we found maps, and tried to figure out how I gotten lost. Tony asked me to tell him once again, about driving into Fredericksburg.

“Tony, I turned at the light by the hospital, and then took a right at the light. Like I always do.”

“I know what you did wrong,” Tony said. “Nance, there are two lights on Highway Road. You turned at the first one—Highway 87. The second light is Highway 290. You went south, near Boerne and Comfort. You need to go inside and call Cindy and Ronnie—they have been calling non-stop—they are really worried about you. And, I am getting you a GPS for Christmas.”

I called Cindy first, and she was so relieved to know that I was okay, and she reminded me that all of our family has no sense of direction, and we are always getting lost. By the end of our conversation we were laughing about me getting lost, and her last words to me were, “Nance, please buy a GPS.”

Then I called Ronnie, and we basically had the same conversation, and like Cindy, his last words were, “Nance, please buy a ‘GPS.”

It was now one-thirty—I phoned Kinky, and left a message about what all had happened, and not being able to make the calendar signing event.

At ten minutes to two, Kinky called! After telling him about my trip, and feeling horrible about not making the signing—he told me everything was fine, and for me not to worry. Then he put Caren C. on the phone. I apologized to her and she was so nice, and said she fully understood. She also told me not to feel bad or to worry. She then told me that she absolutely loved our calendar and everyone who has looked at it thinks the pictures were awesome, too! Caren C. at Barnes and Noble Arboretum—Rocks!

At two-thirty, Tony announced to me, that our central heat had quit working. He then phoned our service man , but got his machine. We had planned to go to HEB to get groceries, but because he hadn’t called back, we decided it was best for me to go to Kerrville, and Tone would stay here, in case he called.

At three o’clock, I told Tony that I was fixing to go to Kerrville. I grabbed my purse, my three, large, cloth grocery tote bags, and I went out the door. As I was opening Buttermilk’s door, Tone ran out to the porch and said, “Nance wait! Let me draw you a map!” I laughed all the way to Kerrville.”

It is now after eight-thirty, and we still don’t have heat. We’ve gotten out all of our blankets, and turned on two space heaters. Good Night Y’all!

P.S. See y’all at Barnes and Noble, San Pedro, in San Antone tomorrow! Tony is driving me!

The NoMads Have A Website!

I am so excited to announce that the famous NoMads, of Kerrville—have just launched their new website: www. txnomads.com! I found out earlier this morning, from a comment made by Mari! I checked out the site and it is really great! Lori—you done good! I’ve put up a link to it, on the sidebar.

This morning, after our Super Smoothies breakfast, we went over to Kinky’s, so Tony could help give Perky a cough pill. After Perky successfully swallowed her pill, Kinky said, “Nance, did you tell me that you have ordered five cans of Pinhead, or did I dream it? I can’t remember. I’m not awake, yet.”

“Yes,” I said. “Yesterday, after you had your power nap, I called and left you a message about ordering some from Amazon.com. Hopefully, the five-pack will be here by this Friday.”

“Good,” Kinky said, shaking his can of Pinhead Oatmeal. I had better ration this.”

P.S. Lori called, while I was writing this. After our conversation, I immediately went outside to tell Tony all about it. I have got to go now—Tony and I are waiting on her e-mail that she is sending to us.

Pinheads Unite!

This morning I went over to see Kinky. When I arrived at the Lodge, he was cooking his breakfast—Pinhead Oatmeal, from Scotland, that I had given to him, a few weeks ago, to try. Tony and I love Pinhead Oatmeal and now Kinky does, too.

As Kinky stirred the bubbling mush, he told me that he was getting low on his Pinhead Oatmeal, and he asked me where I had bought it. I told him, “HEB, but they were out of it, yesterday, when I went to buy some more. We love that stuff, and it is really good for you, too.” Kinky agreed with me.

“Pinhead,” Kinky said, with a laugh. “I like it’s name. It’s funny.” I agreed with Kinky.

After he ate his delicious porridge, we went outside to the Friedman Family Bone Orchard, so Kinky could puff on his cigar and play with the Friedmans. FYI: Five weeks ago, Kinky quit, and has banned smoking inside the Lodge—because of Perky—it makes her cough. As we sat and visited, Mr. Magoo appeared with his newest stuffed toy—a little pink pig that oinks and makes little pig sounds.

Kinky would throw the cute, little stuffed toy for Goo. Gooie would then run and get it, and then he would squeak it non-stop—until Kinky took it from him, for another throw. After a few minutes of non-stop squeaking, Kinky told Goo, “No more Gooie. I am not going to throw it anymore. You need to go rest.”

It was like Gooie understood Kinky. He squeaked his toy twice at him, and then he came over by me and sat down next to me—with his back turned away from Kinky. “I think he is mad at you, Kinky,” I said.

Kinky got out of his chair and walked over to Goo-man, “Goo, we will play fetch later. I’m tired.” Mr. Magoo totally ignored him.

“Gooie says, ‘I’m not speaking to you, Kinky. I am mad at you,’” I joked. Kinky laughed. Gooie didn’t.

When I came home, I went to Amazon.com and typed in Pinhead Oatmeal from Scotland. Not to my surprise—they carried it! To order it, I had to buy a five pack of cans, and it should be arriving here Friday or Saturday!

I then worked on the calendar for several hours and made a lot of progress with it. Then Tony and I went to Kerrville. When we returned, I called Kinky to talk to him about the calendar pictures, that I wanted to show him. He told us to come on over.

After looking at the twenty best pictures, that I had narrowed down—the three of us picked the final thirteen big pictures for the calendar! Then Tony and I came home.

After we came home, I realized that I had forgotten to tell Kinky about ordering the Scottish oatmeal, so I phoned him and got his machine. “This is Pinhead One, calling Pinhead Three—to tell you that I have ordered five cans, and the Pinheads should be here by Friday! Over and out—of Pinhead!”

Lori, one of the famous NoMads of Kerrville, and the Cowboy Steak House, has just called here at 8:44 and left a message, asking me to call her. I just returned her phone call, and got her machine. I hope everything is okay!