Will, Ben and Cousin Nancy Have Left The Building!

"I love you, Babe," Tony said, at six o'clock this morning. "I'm going to miss you." Then he gave me a hug and a kiss, and then he left the trailer—to go win a fishing tournament at Choke Canyon.

After feeding Lucky and the dogs, I called in and did the Harley Show, and he and I did a lot of laughing as usual! I just love Harley Belew. He is such a nice man, and he has a beautiful family to prove it. After doing his fun show, I started walking my six miles.

Near the end of my workout, around nine-thirty, when I only had a half of a mile to go, Aaron knocked on the front door. "Come on in, Aaron." I said. Aaron came inside carrying two very large, identical boxes.

"Nancy, FedEx just came, and I had to sign for these two boxes. One is for you, and the other is for Kinky. Where do you want me to put them?"

As I race walked big circles, around the big room and the kitchen, I said, "Right there by the bookcase is just fine. Thank you, Aaron. Who are they from?"

"General Produce, Inc. in Georgia," Aaron said. "I'll bet it's fruit." Then he left to go back to work with Ben outside.

When I was done walking with Leslie Sansone, I poured myself a cup of coffee, then I grabbed the scissors and opened up the box with my name on it. After removing the protective foam rubber, and cold packs, I found two good looking General Produce, Inc. caps, a half of a bushel of beautiful Georgia peaches, and a note from Calvin. His note read:

"Cousin Nancy and Tony, Enjoy!


I immediately called Kinky. "Morning Kink, it's Nance. FedEx was just here. They just dropped off two boxes of delicious peaches for you, and for Tone and me!"

"That's great! Who sent them?" I told Kinky about Calvin, and he remembered meeting him at the event. "Can you bring them over?"

"Nope," I said. "The box is really heavy. I'm meeting Will and Ben in Kerrville for lunch, and when we get back to the ranch, I'll get them to help me with the box..."

A little while later, I was sitting on a bench, outside a hamburger joint in Kerrville, waiting for Ben and Will to arrive. I played with my iTouch, checking my e-mail, the weather, and my blog. Ten minutes later, we entered the diner. Forty-five minutes later we left the building, after a delicious lunch, and a really fun conversation centered mainly on our iPhones and iTouches.

I listened to James Taylor, as Buttermilk took me back to the rescue ranch. About a mile from the ranch, I passed a car of waving people, headed in the opposite direction. I waved at the overly friendly people, as I sang along with James singing, Not Fade Away!

When I pulled up to our gate, that car pulled up beside me! I looked over to see who they were, and then I burst out laughing and then I jumped out of Buttermilk! Jon, Sandy and Kurt Wolfmueller were laughing their heads off at me! "Nancy, didn't you see us on the road waving at you?"

"I saw y'all, but I didn't!" I said. "Y'all know that I'm blind as a bat, and I just thought that y'all were some happy tourists driving around the Hill Country. Come on into the ranch."

"We can't," Sandy said. "We need to get back to Kerrville, so I can fix them dinner. We went to Bandera today, and we decided to drop by the rescue ranch to see y'all. We had a nice visit, over at the Lodge, with Kinky, and we left you a card. It's up there on your mailbox." I went over and removed their card.

I begged Sandy and Jon to please come up to the trailer, and finally, they agreed to a short visit. As soon as we walked inside the trailer, I cranked up James Taylor on my iPod, so Sandy, Jon and Kurt could hear how great that CD is! After Sandy listened to Not Fade Away, On Broadway, and Summertime Blues, she said, "I am going to buy his album on iTunes, as soon as we get home! Then the four of us went into Outer Space!

I had a really fun visit with them, but it was way too short! As they were leaving the rescue ranch, Ben and Will arrived back at the rescue ranch. After they had all said their howdies to each other, the Wolfmuellers took off for Kerrville. I walked down to the barn to ask Will and Ben to help me load up Kinky's box of peaches, in the back of Trigger.

Fifteen minutes later, the three of us were sitting in the kitchen, visiting with Kinky, as he ate a peach! He told us that it was delicious!

P.S. I am really starting to miss T.

Y'all have a great evening!

"A Man Can Never Have Enough Worms!"

This morning after walking six miles, Tony temporarily turned into a tree for me, and I did my three sets of ten reps of Push Downs! When I started to do my Hammer Curls, Tone became himself again, and then he went outside to do his chores.

I spent most of the morning catching up on paperwork, as I still continued to listen to James Taylor new CD, Covers. When I was caught up with my work, I made lunch for Tony and me.

I made spaghetti, but instead of using hamburger, I diced up two zucchini's, and then added some scallops and garlic, and then poured in my secret sauce—Ragu. T. cleaned his plate, and then I washed it.

Since Tony is going to be in a fishing tournament tomorrow and Friday, we needed to go to Walmart to get him a few things, like more lures and worms! Tony often likes to say to me, "A man can never have enough worms," which is not exactly my can of words to live by, but I believe him and I know that he means it.

Before we went there, we went to Wolfmueller's Books, because I wanted to buy a copy of my book, to give to Tone's friend, Fourth Coats, because on our way to Kerrville, Tony told me that Fourth is a big fan of mine, and he listens to me every Thursday morning, on the Harley Show, and he always talks about it the next day, at the Old Timer. In fact, T. told me that he even quotes me! I felt honored.

When we walked inside Jon and Sandy's bookstore, Jon was sitting at his desk, at the checkout counter. "Hi Cousin Nancy and Tony. How are y'all doing?"

"Hi Jon," I said. "We're doing just fine. I need to buy a copy of my book." Then I went and grabbed my book from the shelf, and paid for it. "Where's Sandy?"

Jon smiled, and then he whistled real loud for Sandy to hear! "Sandy!" Jon hollered, then he lowered his voice, "She's back there in her office. Let's go see her." The three of us went back to their office.

Sandy was in the office visiting with their long time friend, and Kurt, their son, who was visiting them from South Carolina. Sandy quickly introduced us to her friend, but I didn't catch the woman's name, because I am hard of hearing, and there was so much laughter going on. "Oh my god! You're Cousin Nancy and Tony!" The friendly woman said. "Thank y'all for what you do! I have wanted to meet y'all for so long! Years ago, y'all helped me with a little dog that I had rescued. You took it and..."

Tony and I instantly fell in love with this really nice woman! In fact, we talked and laughed for over twenty minutes with her and Kurt! She was hilarious and her stories were fantastic! She was born in Boston, but she didn't have an accent. Her father raised her to love all animals, and if a dog was sleeping in a chair, her brothers and sisters were taught not to bother it, and to go find another place to sit somewhere else. She grew up with all kinds of animals living in their home. She told us about a baby skunk, a raven, an owl, etc. that her family had rescued, that were allowed to live in their house. And, she had known Sandy and Jon since she was a baby.

"Nancy," Sandy said. "When Jon and I got married, her parents wedding gift to us, was a Golden Retriever pup, named Mint Julep! Her parents were our good friends, and the best of people..."

"Cousin Nancy," this funny lady said, holding a copy of my book in her hand. "I'm buying your book, and I want you and Tony to sign it for me." That's when I knew I was—Busted! I didn't know her name.

"I'd love to," I said. "How do you spell your name?"

"Wook," she and Sandy said, in two part harmony, "or Wookidy?" Sandy said. Then they both started laughing!

"W. O. O. K.," I asked. They nodded. So, I wrote: "For Wook, I hope you like my book. Now go home and cook! Best, Cousin Nancy." Wook read my words, and then everyone started laughing!

"Wook!" Sandy said. "Tell her your brother's and sister's names..." That's when I grabbed a pen from the counter, pulled out an old shopping list, and started writing on the back of it, as she told me their names.

"Well, there's Drinah, the oldest, Daisy, Toad, my first brother, Nidget, the fifth brother, and Charlie, the sixth brother." Then Wook tells us another funny story. "My mother was a fantastic cook, and at her funeral they actually talked about how delicious her mashed potatoes were. I'm not a very good cook, you can ask my husband, Chris. One time when two of my children were sick, I asked them what they wanted me to cook for them for lunch. One of them says, 'grilled cheese sandwiches,' and the other child, in the next bedroom hollers, 'I don't think she knows how to cook grilled cheese sandwiches!" We all started laughing!

Then Wook says, "One time I made a giant meat loaf. After I put it into the pan, I got creative! I decided to turn it into a face! I used black olives for the eyes, and onions for the teeth. Then I covered it with with tomato sauce and put it into the oven. An hour later, or so, I asked my son to pull it out of the oven. And, when he did—he screamed! It scared him to death and he said that..."

Before leaving Wolfmueller's, I invited Wook to come out sometime to the rescue ranch, for a tour and a visit, and to be sure to bring her guitar with her, so we could play some music.

When T. and I got home, after Tone had put up his new worms, I pulled my guitar out of the case, put on James Taylor singing Summertime Blues, which leads right into Not Fade Away, and I had a blast playing with him! Not to brag, but I nailed it! Now I wish that I hadn't given away my Gibson electric guitar, to a church charity, and sold my awesome acoustic amp!

I'm fixin' to go to bed, so I can do the Harley Show, in the morning!

P.S. Kinky called! He is on his way back to the ranch. He told me that the Willie deal was fantastic! And, I told him that the Kerrville Daily Times article about him was more fantastic!

Y'all have a great evening!

If Nuts Could Fly This Would Be An Airport!

It is ten after three o'clock. Linda T. and Aaron just left the ranch, after walking our dogs all day. The rescue ranch is now officially closed for today's Open House, and our time off has just begun!

I am writing this blog from my writing cabin. I am sitting at my desk, and I am listening to James Taylor's new CD. I love his new CD, and I can't seem to quit listening to it. Mamajello is stretched out, sleeping on the couch. Mama is the Great Pyrenees, that we rescued over seven years ago. She is a great friend, and she and I have a very special bond. I know that she thinks that we are soul mates, and I am sure that she would be with me all of the time, if I would let her. In other words, Mama is my friendly bodyguard, and if she had a motto, I'm sure it would be: 'Don't Mess With Nancy.'

I love my little cabin. It is a peaceful and special place for me. When I need a break from the world, or the rescue ranch, or the men, this is where I come to get recharged. Mama just came over to me, and has just laid down beside my chair. James is now singing, On Broadway.

This morning, I woke up at five o'clock sharp, and unfortunately could not fall back to sleep, so I drank a cup of coffee with Tony, and then he helped me feed the dogs and Lucky. Since my back is still partially out, I filled their food dishes, and Tony put them down on the floor for me.

This is unbelievable! Y'all are never going to believe what just happened! A few minutes ago, I heard four car doors slam almost simultaneously. Mama jumped to her feet, and barked, as I turned around to see what was going on outside. There were four women, about my age, surrounding Tony, by their car. Poor Tone.

I slowly got up from my chair, and went outside to greet the women. "Hi! I'm Cousin Nancy. Welcome to the rescue ranch." One old lady acknowledged my presence, while the other three tried to convince Tony that he had groupies! It was hilarious! Tony's face was redder than red, and the expression on his face said it all. I had to bite my lip. "Would y'all like to come into my writing cabin?" I asked.

No one moved. It was like they were going to take Tone's lead, so he led them inside my cabin. I had my Bose cranked up, as usual, and one lady sorta started to dance to James singing Not Fade Away! I looked over at T. and accidentally let out a laugh, which my back didn't appreciate one bit. After I gave them a tour of my writing cabin, I gave Tone's senior groupies, rescue ranch bumper stickers. They seemed excited about getting them, and I was surprised that they didn't ask Tony to autograph them!

Right as James began singing Summertime Blues, I asked where they were from. "We're from the crazy farm in Kerrville!" Said the woman standing closest to T.!

I laughed out loud at her funny remark! "That's a good one!"

"Nance, they want to take a tour of the rescue ranch," Tony said. I could tell that he wanted me to give them the tour.

"Great! Tony, why don't you give these ladies a tour?" The women seemed excited, but Tone didn't. Then they followed Tony outside to take a tour.

Twenty minutes later, I heard four car doors slam. Mama barked. I looked out the window and saw their car leaving the rescue ranch. Then Tony walked inside the cabin.

"Thanks for giving them a tour, Tone," I said. "They seemed really nice."

"Nance, they were really from the crazy farm in Kerrville," Tony said. "That really large woman, told me that she was getting out next week, and she wants to come back out here, so she can work with me."

"Are you serious? Looks like you've got yourself a groupie. Were they all from the crazy farm?"

"Yes. They told me they were out on a day pass," Tony said. "That's why they didn't laugh, when you laughed about them being from the funny farm." Even though I felt horrible about putting my foot in my mouth, I couldn't help but laugh, and so did Tone!

"I'm blaming it all on Mercury in retrograde, and we still have two more weeks of this kind of stuff happening." Then I looked at the wooden plaque by the door, and started laughing, again! "If nuts could fly, this would be an airport!" I said, pointing to the sign. "How true. How true."

"I'm going to go lock the gate," Tone said. Then he left the cabin.

I am still laughing about what just happened. It is starting to thunder outside, so Mama and I need to get back to the trailer, before the rain starts falling. I can't wait to tell Kinky about this!

Y'all have a great evening!

Where Are You?

This morning, when Tony woke me up at six o'clock, so I could do the Harley Show, at seven-forty-five—it was raining outside! Tone then took off for Medina, to drink coffee with his friends, and I stayed in bed for fifteen minutes or so, just enjoying the company of being with my dogs and cat. Next to writing, it's one of my most favorite things to do.

When I finally climbed out of the bed, I had a really rude awakening—my back was still out! Instead of saying, "Ouch," I said a cuss word, and I'm not telling you the first letter of that word. After feeding my best friends, I went to the kitchen table, sat down, and checked my e-mails. I had twenty-six new ones.

By seven-forty, I was nearly done responding to my new e's, when the phone rang. I let Carlton take the call. "Hello, Cousin Nancy! This is Harley. Are you..."

I jumped out of my chair to pick up the phone, which was a big mistake. I felt a sharp back pain, cringed, and then picked up the phone. "Hi, Harley!"

"Hi Cousin Nancy," Harley said. "We need to do the show a little earlier this morning, because I have two guests coming into the studio. Are you ready to do it?"

"Yes, Harley. Are we on the air?" I asked.

"Yes, we are. Do you know who 'Harley's Pet of the Week" is?"

"Yes, it is Buffalo Girl, and she's one really great dog. She is nearly three years old and..." Harley and I visited for a few minutes, talking about her, as the rain continued to fall outside!

After walking six very easy, moderate miles with Les, I cleared a pile of paperwork off of my desk, as the rain made puddle after puddle outside, with the temperature being only seventy-one degrees outside! I loved it!

At two-thirty, I called Kinky on his cell phone. "Hi, Kinky, we've received over an inch of rain today!" Kink was delighted with my good news. "Where are you?" I asked.

"We're headed up to Grapevine..." After we hung up, I returned a few more e-mails and phone calls, then I took a short, twenty minute nap with my best friends.

This afternoon, when I was done with all of my rescue ranch work, I watched Oprah. Her show was fantastic! I actually teared up, when the Black Eyed Peas kicked off her twenty four year anniversary show! As those incredibly talented, three men and woman sang, I watched over twenty-thousand people, in the streets of Chicago, do a 'Flash Mob!" It was so awesome and full of love, which we all need more of!

'Flash Mob' is a new term for me. I found out that it is when several people purposefully gather, and perform at a public place. It blew Oprah away and me, too! Twenty thousand people danced and did the wave for her! You can check it out on Oprah. It was totally awesome! Then after Jennifer Hudson gave her outstanding performance, James Taylor came out on stage and he was incredible!

Before he was done singing, I had purchased his new album, "Covers," on iTunes! I am listening to it right now, and it is absolutely fabulous. In fact, as I type this, he is singing 'On Broadway!"

Y'all have a great night!

Up On The Roof!

Everything that has been going on out here, the last couple of days, now makes perfectly good sense to me—it’s Full Moon Time, again—FMT! That explains all of the weirdness, the extra hundred phone calls, e-mails, etc.! I thought I was going crazy, but I’m not—it’s FMT! I also apologize for not blogging much, the last few days, and I am blaming it all on that man in the moon. Now, I am going to catch you up on what’s been going on, out here.

First, I want to thank Sasha and David for driving down from Austin, last Tuesday, to deliver fifty- twenty four cans per case, of cat food—to help out our ‘Cat Lady’ neighbor! Sasha had called me earlier, this weekend, to tell me that her great friends, had pitched in money to help the cats. She told me that Larry Tucker had picked up, and delivered the cat food—to her house! And, her friends Danielle Lefemine, Karen Breeding, Jack Campbell and Christian Garces all had chipped in the money, and had paid for the fifty cases of cat food! Here’s a shout out to them— “We Love Y’all! And, thank you so very much for caring—Cats Rule and so do Y’all! And, they won’t be drooling, because they aren’t going to be hungry!”

When Sasha and David first arrived, it was hugs and handshakes—then Sasha gave us a beautiful poinsettia plant, and a giant box of dog treats! Then I gave them a tour of my Space Ship, and they loved it! Next, we went into Outer Space and we had a great visit! After leaving Outer Space, we gave them a tour of our trailer, and David was very impressed with it—especially the cedar furniture, that Tony had made! He thought our cedar bed was awesome, too! Tony made it for us, when we got married, back in 1999!

After that, I suggested that we go on over to visit Kinky! But, before departing, David, Sasha, Aaron, Tony and I unloaded the fifty cases of canned cat food, at the feed barn. Kermit took Sasha and David and me over to the Lodge—with Buttermilk and Tony following close behind us. When we arrived, it was hugs and handshakes, all over again!

While drinking Kona coffee, Kinky gave David and Sasha a tour of his Lodge, and then we went outside, to sit by the Friedman Family Bone Orchard! It was a beautiful, sunshiny day—absolutely perfect! It couldn’t have been better!

The conversation was exciting—to say the least! After two hours, Kinky needed to get back to his writing, so Kermit returned us safely back to the rescue ranch. Before Sasha and David left, I said, “Well, David, I really like you, and I am impressed with you. (He’s a University of Texas professor!) You are lucky to have Sasha in your life, and Sasha is lucky to have you in her life.” Then it was hugs only, before they left! We’re truly talkin’ good people—my kind of people!

Fast forward to Wednesday! Kinky, Tony and I met June and Ellen, two of our great volunteers, for lunch, at the Del Norte, to thank them for all that they do for our dogs! It was a fun lunch, and filled with non-stop laughter! I wish that I could tell you about what we were laughing at, but I can’t.

Following lunch, Tony I went to The Plant Haus! Karen, the owner, of the best plant nurseries in Texas, had asked us to come by, because she had a donation to make to us!

Tony and my jaws dropped to the floor, when she gave us her donation! That woman is one of the sweetest, kindest women in all of Kerr County, and the state of Texas—we absolutely love her! Thank you, so much Karen for your extremely generous donation—You Totally Rock! Kinky, Tony and I love you, and we wish you the best of your holidays, because you have made ours!

Today, at eleven o’clock, Tony and I were completely shocked to see who was knocking on our front door...

To Be Continued....(Sorry Mari! LOL! Once again, I couldn’t resist! Happy Holidays to you and the NoMads!)

P.S. James Taylor is singing— 'Up On The Roof.' I love it—everything is all right!