I Love These People!

This morning, while doing the Harley Show, I told Harley that Mr. Ziffle had gotten adopted! "That's great, Cousin Nancy!" Harley remarked. "Now, is Mr. Ziffle that cute little wild hog that y'all rescued?"

"No Harley," I said. "David Beckham is our wild hog. Mr. Ziffle is our gigantic black dog—that we all loved—and he's now living in Houston."

"That's right," Harley said. "So how is David Beckham doing? Isn't he going to live at a bed and breakfast?"

"He's doing great, and yes, he's fixin' to get adopted, and go live at the Trails End Guest House." Little did I know—how soon.

"That place is really great," Harley stated. "Becky and I went out there last week, to eat, and to see David and Desiree's place. Their food was delicious, and we loved the cabins." Harley and I visited a little longer, and then my rescue ranch segment was over.

Following breakfast, while I was washing the dishes, the phone rang—I let Carlton take the call. "Hi Nancy and Tony. This is David and Desiree calling. We wanted to know if we could come out this morning and pick up Beckham? Call me at..." I turned off the faucet, and did as I was told!

Desiree and I talked for about five minutes, and we did a lot of laughing. As soon as we hung up on each other, I went outside and told Tony the good news. "Desiree said that they would be here between ten-thirty and eleven o'clock." Tony was thrilled. He then took off to go tell Ben and Aaron the good news.

I then returned to the trailer and called Kinky. After telling him about Beck getting adopted, he told me to please call him, when they got here, so he could come over, to meet D&D, and to say goodbye to Beck. I told him I would. I lied, again, but not intentionally.

I then walked four fast miles with Leslie, cleaned up—and was ready to greet Desiree and David, as soon as they arrived. I passed the time returning phone calls. Around ten-forty-five, I went out to the porch, and saw D&D's big, white truck parked out by the barn! I then called Kinky to tell him that they were here, I grabbed my camera, and then I went outside to greet them—but that never happened.

As I closed the front yard gate, behind me, I saw them driving away! "Was that David and Desiree?" I asked, Aaron and Ben, by the barn.

"Yeah," Aaron said. "They just left with Beck. They were here for about thirty minutes walking around. They had their daughter with them, too, and she might come back and adopt Martha Stewart or L.T."

I was sick that I had missed them, and didn't get to say goodbye to Beck. I went back to the trailer, and punched in D&D's cell phone number. I wanted to apologize to them, for not being there for Beck's adoption. Desiree and David were great about it, and told me not to apologize, and then they invited Tony and me to come visit Beck anytime. I love these people!

When that phone call ended—my dogs started barking—Kinky was here for the adoption, and to have a picnic with Toto and the rest of my gang of furry best friends. He, too, was disappointed about not getting to say goodbye to Beck, and meeting D&D. "They've invited us to come over, anytime, to visit with Beck," I said.

"Good," Kinky said. "Let's do it soon. I already miss that little pig." Kinky had his picnic with my dogs, on the front porch, and then Mr. Green Jeans took him back over to the Lodge.

Around four o'clock, Tony, Ben and I were visiting inside the trailer—talking about the horrible heat wave, and the serious drought that we were going through. So, I went outside to the porch, and then came back inside the trailer. "We're talkin' one hundred and four degrees on the porch." Tony and Ben didn't seem surprised with my weather bulletin.

Ten seconds later, Ben says, "Hey, guys—It's raining outside."

"You're kidding me?" I said, as I looked out the window, and saw that it was pouring! "Come on, let's go outside! This is fantastic! Come on rain!" We all went outside, including the dogs—to watch it rain. We only got about a quarter of an inch of rain, but we were thankful.

Ten minutes later, Ben took off to go check on his girls—Valerie and Penny. I then went inside and called Kinky's cell phone. "Hi Kinky—it's Nancy. I have some great news for you! It just rained, and we got..."

"That's great, Nance," Kinky said. "Do you know that Michael Jackson has just died?" My heart sank.

"Oh, no! I loved Michael Jackson. He was a musical genius, and his life story was so tragic and surreal." Kinky and I talked for a few more minutes. Then I went outside to tell Tony about Michael Jackson dying.

"Michael Jackson is dead?" Tony asked. "And, so is Farrah Fawcett." I was shocked with T.'s news. I knew that Farrah had been fighting a losing battle with cancer, but I could not believe that one of Charlie's Angels was now an angel.

Godspeed—Michael and Farrah. Y'all will always be remembered, and loved for your beauty, and your talents.

It's nearly nine o'clock, and I am fixin' to watch the Michael Jackson special on CBS.

Y'all have a great evening!

P.S. Tone is now on the well side.

Y'all Have A Great Evening!

Today has been fairly quiet—not much happened. After walking eight fast miles, this morning, I spent most of my day doing paperwork, and returning numerous phone calls.

Around noon, Tone came inside the traile. He told me that he wasn't feeling well. He had a headache, a stomach ache, and was feeling achy all over. I sure hope that he isn't coming down with something.

Late this afternoon, I went over to visit with Kinky. We sat outside, by the Friedman Family Bone Orchard, and talked about our up coming books, and Mr. Ziffle's great adoption! Forty-five minutes later, Trigger took me home.

I'm fixing to watch a movie, and then go to bed early.

Y'all have a great evening!

Mr. Ziffle, Roy Rogers & U.F.O.'s!

Today has been great, fantastic and really weird! I'll start with great. This morning, around eleven-thirty, our friend, Joe, from Houston, showed up with his beautiful family, and friends—to adopt Mr. Ziffle! Earlier this week, Joe had called me about coming up on Saturday, to adopt Mr. Ziffle—so we we're expecting him. Even Mr. Z. knew that Joe was coming, because I had told him yesterday evening.

After handshakes, hugs and howdy doodies, I came inside the trailer. I called Kinky, to let him know that Joe had arrived, and then I grabbed my clipboard, with Mr. Ziff's adoption papers—ready to be signed. As I was walking out the door, the phone rang, and I did something that I never do—I answered the phone!

Fortunately, it was Kent, one of the best mailmen in Texas, "Nancy, I've got a really large package for you and Tony. It's a big box." Kent said. "I'll leave it on top of the mailboxes. I just wanted to let you know—in case it rains."

"Thank you, Kent. I'll tell Tony," I lied, but not intentionally. I then went outside, and simply forgot to tell Tone about our mystery package, because I was in the middle of a great adoption.

Joe quickly filled out the adoption form, and then we took off to Ziffer's pen, to tell him that he now had a new last name. I guess that he will hyphenate his last names— like I do.

As soon as we reached Ziffle's pen, Joe—went inside to talk to his newest family member. Mr. Z. knew exactly what was going on, too. His tail wouldn't stop wagging! Joe sat down on the ground, and then Mr. Ziffle gave him a gentle kiss on his cheek, and then another one! I was so happy for Mr. Ziffle, a tear came to my eye, but I quickly wiped it away, because I didn't want Tony or Kinky teasing me about it later.

Joe put a leash on his new furry friend, and walked out of the pen with him. He wanted to take his new dog for a walk, while his three daughters, and friends toured the rescue ranch with Tone. Before they were halfway to the the rescue ranch's gate, Kinky and Mr. Green Jeans arrived, and so did Todd B.!

Todd, is one of our wonderful, volunteer dog walkers. He had arrived earlier this morning, to walk our dogs, and he was returning with Henry, our big, sweet, beautiful yellow Lab, that he had just taken for a long walk. After Todd had taken Henry back to his pen, he came over to tell Mr. Ziffle goodbye. Here's a picture of Todd with Kinky.

By now, Joe's girls and friends, had taken the tour, and they joined us, too. After intros, we visited for about fifteen minutes, and then we shot each other. Here is Kinky, with Mr. Ziffle and his new family!

We visited a little bit longer, then it was time for Joe and Mr. Ziffle, and their gang of girls to take off. As they drove away, Kinky, Tony and I talked about how happy we were for Mr. Ziffle. "Third time's the charm, Kinky," I said. "He has finally found his forever home—in Houston!"

After Mr. Green Jeans had left our ranch—to return Kinky back to the Lodge, T. and I visited with Paul E., another one of our great volunteers, and a couple of very nice women, who had come out to see the rescue ranch and to take a tour. After they left, T. and I came inside to eat lunch. We had beans with cornbread, and it was delicious! Tony loves my beans!

Following lunch, Tony took off to get our mail, while I cleaned up the kitchen. Tone and Trigger, had been gone two minutes, when I remembered, that I had forgotten to tell Tony about the big package. Oh well, I thought—he will be surprised, but unfortunately—that didn't happen.

The phone rang. Carlton told me it was Kinky, so I picked up the receiver. "Nance, I've got a big package over here for you and Tony," Kinky said. "I can bring it over there, if you want me to?"

"Thanks, Kinky," I said. "I'll come over there to pick it up, in a few minutes." When Tony returned with our mail, I told him I was going over to Kinky's to pick up a big package for us—then Trigger and I took off.

Kinky and I visited for about thirty minutes—we mainly talked about Mr. Ziffle's great adoption and The Friedmans. When it was time for me to leave, Kinky pulled the big box out of Mr. Green Jeans and dropped it gently into Trigger's bed. Trigger and I then went over the river and through the woods—to the rescue ranch.

I tried to lift the box out of the bed, but couldn't because I am too short, so I went inside, and asked Tony to help me. He did as he was told.

Tone set the big box on the kitchen table, and pulled out his pocketknife. "It's from The Ranch House, in Stephenville?" Tony said, as he cut open the box. Tony and I had no clue who The Ranch House was. When he opened up the box, we found a very pretty gift wrapped large box. Tony then removed the pretty paper.

"Oh my gosh, Tony!" I half-hollered, with excitement, when I saw the box! Tony quickly opened up the box, and pulled out a 'Limited Edition Roy Rogers Chuckwagon Cookie Jar!' I thought that I was going to faint! The cookie jar was absolutely beautiful!

"It's from Ruthie and Kent," Tony said, as he handed me the piece of paper. "They wrote us a note in Pig Latin! They are the two nicest people."

I read their note to us, out loud, and translated it to Tony. "Ancynay & Onytay...Entkay & Uthieray." By the time that I had finished reading it, T. and I were laughing so hard—Lucky left the kitchen, and our dogs started barking at us! When our laughter subsided, I put the beautiful cookie jar on the counter, and took these pictures of it!


Isn't it beautiful?! I love it so much! After taking the pictures of it, I called Kent and Ruthie. Unfortunatley, I got their machine, and I left them a long message—thanking them over and over, again for the cookie jar. Tomorrow I will write them a note, and write it in Pig Latin, too!

At three o'clock, Tony and I took off for Kerrville, to buy dog food for our rescued dogs, because we had run out of the free donated dog food—that Paul finds, and delivers to us. We were nearly in the city limits when Tony points his finger, and says, "Nance, look! What is that up there in the sky?" I looked up.

We both saw this big, white shiny thing, way up in the northeast sky, that looked like a giant hot dog—and it wasn't moving! "I bet it's a U.F.O!" I stated. I then looked at Trigger's clock. "It's three-twenty-six," I said. "If we report it, we will have to know the time that we saw it." About ten seconds passed, and then it completely disappeared! "Let's go tell Sandy and Jon about it, before we go to H.E.B.!"

"Nance, that's our first U.F.O. sighting!" Tony said.

"It's our first sighting together," I said, "but not the first one that I've seen. Remember me telling you about that one, that I saw, a few summers back, that hovered in one place, for about four minutes, that had all of these beautiful flashing red and blue lights, above Robert and Sherry's ranch?" Tony said nothing.

When we arrived at Wolfmueller's Books, their place was packed with people—as usual, so we went back to their office, for privacy—to report our space ship sighting. I think they thought we were crazy, because they both started chuckling. In our defense, I said, "What else could it have been? We're talkin' now you see it—now you don't! We both saw it and watched it. And, it wasn't moving." They changed the subject, and we did a lot of laughing.

Y'all have a great evening!

What Party?

I know this is the Memorial Day Weekend, but I single handedly turned it into Labor Day for me! This morning, after drinking breakfast—I walked four fast miles, then the phone rang. My good friend, Larry P. called, to tell me that Rich, my late husband's son, my step son, had passed away. He had been in a motorcycle accident. He was forty-three. My heart sank with Larry's sad news, and tears filled my eyes, as we talked about Richie.

Richie and I held each other together after Jim's passing, over fourteen years ago, but over time, we lost contact with each other. I just want to say that Richie was a good man—God bless you, Rich Parker.

After crying and telling Tony, I said a few prayers, wiped my eyes dry, and then walked another fast four miles with Leslie, as I thought about the good times that I had shared with Rich.

At ten minutes till eleven, Dr. Rydberg called and left a message on the machine about Chumley. "...He's going to be fine, but I want to keep him for a few more days." Seconds later, Kinky called me to check on Chum Bum.

After telling him about Chumley, he was relieved, and then he told me that he had talked on the phone to Val Kilmer last night! "He's running for governor in New Mexico, Nance."

"What party?" I asked.

"Democratic," Kinky said. We talked for a few minutes, and then we said our goodbyes. A few minutes later, I fixed lunch. Tone and I had leftovers for lunch—chicken salad and soup, again, and it was still delicious! Following lunch, after cleaning up the kitchen, I went out to my writing cabin to refinish the floor and Tony took off for Medina, to get some things from the storage unit. It seems when I am down, I either decorate or do physical work—I opted for physical today.

I took a break from sanding the floor, about an hour later, and came inside the trailer to check the answering machine. Joe had called, and had asked me to call him. He and his friend, Lori had come out to the ranch, last Monday, to visit with Kinky, and to also see our rescue ranch. I liked both of them.

"Joe, this is Nancy, from the rescue ranch. How are you, and what can I do for you?"

"I want to adopt Mr. Ziffle," Joe said. "I have dreamed about him every night, since I was out there."

I instantly went from down to up! I was thrilled that Joe wanted Ziff, and I told him so! Joe and I visited for a few more minutes, then I called Kink and got his machine. "Kinky, this is Nancy. I have some exciting news to tell you, but I want to tell you in person. A dog is fixin' to get adopted! Call me. Bye." Then I went back outside to the cabin, to continue sanding the floor.

Ten minutes later, I turned off the sander, and went back to the trailer and called Kinky, again. This time I got him. "Kinky! Guess who is getting adopted!"

"Who?" he asked.

"Mr. Ziffle! Your friend Joe, wants to adopt him! He called earlier. He has two sweet Labs and wants Z-Man!"

Kinky was thrilled with my good news! Then he said, "Opie needs to get adopted next, Nance. He is one great dog, and I might adopt him soon, if no one adopts him. He needs a home, now." I agreed with Kinky, then we disconnected, Then Tony calls me.

"Nance, first off, I am okay. I am at the mailboxes. I just almost ran into a motorcycle and it really scared me!"

"Tony are you okay?" I asked. "What happened? Was it your fault?"

"Nance,I was about three miles away from our turnoff, when I rounded this curve, and a man on one of those crotch-rockets was in my lane going about ninety miles an hour. I had to swerve to miss him, and landed in a ditch! I didn't hit him, and he just kept on going. I think he was drunk. If I hadn't swerved, we would have had—a head on collision! I will be home in about five minutes."

When Tony came home, he was pretty shook up, but was okay—thank goodness. And y'all, that is why Tone and I don't get out on the roads during the holidays—because the tourists and motorcycle people come to the Hill Country, to party, and some of them drive like maniacs! Needless to say—T. and I aren't going anywhere tomorrow. We're staying put at the ranch.

After Tone and I talked, and I knew that he was okay, I went back out to my cabin, and resumed sanding the floor, while my iPod played my favorite music!

Twenty minutes till seven, I turned off the sander—I was done for the day. I came inside and checked my messages. I had one new one. "Hi Nancy and Tony—this is P & P in Kerrville. We tried to send you an e-mail, but we had a problem. We loved your blog, and we have never been blogged before..."

I called Peggy and Patty, and we had a short, but fun conversation. It appears that I now have two more friends, to add to my list of friends! They told me that they are coming back to see us in July, and they were very excited about being blogged! P & P—Y'all Rock!

Y'all have a great evening! And please drive careful.

Ringo Starr!

This morning, I was up and running by five-thirty, because Bess called. When I heard her talking on the answering machine, I got out of bed. For someone, who is in their nineties, who never seems to sleep—Bess always makes my day with her phone calls!

After putting the dogs outside, I called Bess back, and we had a fun conversation. We talked about it not freezing last night, and her new exercise regime. She swims for an hour every day! Maybe I should start swimming, too? Just kidding—I don't have the time to do that or a pool.

I did my five mile walk, after cleaning up the kitchen, and I am glad that I took yesterday off, because my knee was no longer hurting, and my workout seemed much easier for me.

Now, I have some really great news to tell y'all! Mr. Ziffle got adopted today, at one-forty-five, to Dave and Desiree, our new friends, who own and operate, the beautiful bed and breakfast— 'Trails End Guest House' right outside of Kerrville!

Before Desiree and David came out, I had called Kinky, to tell him about Ziff's upcoming adoption, and he told me that he wanted to meet D & D, and asked me to please call him when they arrived, so he could meet them, and be there for the adoption.

At eleven-thirty-six, Kinky showed up at the rescue ranch, to meet Desiree and David, but they were running late, so he visited with Tony, Aaron and me instead, before taking off for Kerrville—to have lunch, with some old family friends.

When Desiree and David arrived, after hugs and handshakes, Desiree quickly filled out Mr. Z's adoption form, then we visited for a few more minutes, before Aaron took Mr. Ziffle out of his pen—to be with his new family. Ziff seemed to know that D & D were now his, and he jumped up to kiss them—with his tail wagging wildly! I tried to take some pictures of the adoption, but unfortunately they didn't turn out good enough. I wish that I had taken a few more—darn it.

When it was time for David and Desiree to leave, Aaron had to pick up Ziff, because he was a little scared to load up into the backseat of their truck cab.

Kinky called me around four o'clock, to tell me that his friend, Brent, who works closely with Ringo Starr, was coming out for a visit, and Kink invited me to come over to meet him when he arrived. He then asked me about Ziffleman, and I told him all about the great adoption. Kinky was thrilled about it! He loves Mr. Ziffle, and wanted to adopt him, but couldn't because The Friedmans are all too old, and it wouldn't be fair to them.

Early this evening, Desiree called to tell me that Mr. Ziffle was doing great! He and their other dog were already best friends, and getting along great! There had been a little scuffle with a cat, but overall, it looked like the adoption was going to stick! She told me that Mr. Ziffle seemed happy to be there, and they had already fallen in love with him! In fact, David was writing a poem about him—out on their patio! How cool is that!

Y'all have a great evening! It is supposed to freeze in the morning, and I hope it doesn't. It is nine o'clock now, and I am going to bed! Sweet dreams.