Ghost Dog Returns!

Today was an uneventful day, until around six o’clock, when Carl and Debbie Naylor arrived! Carl is the incredibly, talented and often hilarious auctioneer, who does the auctioneering for us, at our Bonefits, to help raise money for the rescue ranch. As Kinky often says, “Carl Naylor is the best auctioneer in Texas!” And, everyone at the rescue ranch agrees with Kinky’s assessment of Carl. He’s simply the best! We are so lucky!

As soon as Debbie and Carl got out of their car, we shook hands and then hugged, then Carl says, “Nancy, we read your blog everyday. I wanted to show Debbie the rescue ranch, and we also want to see the Space Ship, and go into Outer Space with y’all. Will that be okay, with you guys?”

“Sounds great to me,” I said. “Why don’t y’all follow me over to the launch pad over there, and we’ll show y’all the Space Ship, first. I am really proud of it.” They followed.

When we reached the Space Ship, I invited them inside. Debbie and Carl were shocked at what they saw! “This is absolutely beautiful inside,” Carl remarked. “Debbie, don’t you love the wood?”

Debbie nodded with enthusiasm. “Carl and I have been wanting to find an older recreational vehicle to fix up. Carl we need to look harder, when we get home—I want one just like this.”

We visited for a few minutes inside the Space Ship, and then Tony and I took them into Outer Space with us. They have never been in Outer Space before, and they were blown away when they sat down, and saw the view! Not to brag, but everyone who has gone into Outer Space with us, has had the same reaction, when they see our beautiful view. I just love it!

We hung out in Outer Space, for a while, and it was a blast! If Carl wasn’t making us laugh with one of his stories—Debbie was! When they told us about their two aged Schnauzers, my back started hurting from laughing so hard. Here is my Reader’s Digest version:

Their Schnauzers were both rescues. One claims Debbie and the older blind one, claims Carl. Carl told us that whenever he tries to give a kiss to Debbie, her Schnauzer starts growling at him to quit. Then when Carl’s Schnauzer hears Debbie’s dog growling, he then runs into the room and starts barking wildly at Debbie’s growling dog. “It’s a shame,” Carl said. “We have to sneak around, so I can kiss my wife.”

“Maybe,” I suggested. “Y’all need to think about meeting somewhere in town, once a week.” Everyone laughed.

Tony and I had so much fun in Outer Space with Debbie and Carl, I was sad when we left it. Tony invited Carl to go with him to feed and water the cows, so they left. Debbie wanted a tour of the rescue ranch, so I gave her a tour—starting with my writing cabin. She loved my carved wooden bear, that I bought in Ruidosa, New Mexico!

Now this story gets weird. As soon as Debbie and I had completed the tour, a big white Ford pulls into the rescue ranch. “That must be the guys,” I said, as I looked towards the truck.” I was wrong, it wasn’t Carl and Tony.

It was Lorri from Dallas! She was returning her friend’s dog—Nash aka Ghost Dog! Earlier this week, Malea had sent me an e-mail—Nash was not working out, and she wanted to return him to us. Her friend, Lorri, who was coming down, for a visit to see Carol, our super volunteer, asked if it would be okay for Lorri to bring him down. Of course, I said yes. So, Lorri gets Nash out of her truck, and then she gives me Nash’s leash, and then she gave me a great report about how well Sierra, the dog that she adopted from us, was doing. Then she leaves the ranch to go see Carol.

Ghost Dog, seemed fine about returning to us, but I had to wait for Tony and Carl to get back, so Tony could put Ghost Dog in a pen. Now it gets weirder!

Back in March, before we had captured Ghost Dog, after he had escaped from his pen, Kinky had called to tell me that Carl and Steven Fromholz were coming down for a visit, and he thought it would be a great idea, if Carl, Steven, Angie, Steven’s sister, Tony, him and me try to catch Ghost Dog, because he was so worried about him running loose on the ranch.

I told Kinky absolutely no way, because Ghost Dog would be scared to death, watching six senior citizens, falling down and running around, chasing after him—that we would never be able to catch him. Kinky took my advice.

So now, Tony and Carl drive up to see Debbie and me, standing by the pig pen, with Ghost Dog. Carl remembered Ghost Dog! “That’s the dog that Kinky wanted all of us to catch!” Carl said.

Ghost Dog, seemed a little timid with Carl and Tony, so I led him into the alley pen, that Tony had chosen—the one right next to Alfie, whose roommate, Red Sky, had been adopted out. “We’ll keep Ghost Dog in here for a few days, and then I’ll move him into Alfie’s pen,” Tony said.

After that was done, we visited with Debbie and Carl some more, near my writing cabin, until they needed to leave.

As soon as they had left, Tony took Kermit, and went to close our gate. Then he went out to our organic heirloom garden, to water the plants. He just walked in with our first zucchini! It is (h)uge! (I thought you might like that (H)erb—’Erb.) Here is a picture of it with Willie Nelson! We’re talkin’ Texas sized Zucchini! And, I am bragging! We will be eating on it for several days!

P.S. Congratulations go out to Debbie Naylor for winning the “Teacher of the Year” award at her school this year! It is not a surprise to me—Debbie Naylor Rocks! Y’all have a great evening!

Help Me, Ronda!

A week ago, today, after Woody’s and Rose’s visit, I decided to use up a little more of my government stimulus check, because I am almost certain, thanks to Publisher’s Clearing House last personal note to me—that I am going to be a $25,000.00 winner!

Seriously, their last note told me to be expecting them soon—at my front door. I can’t wait, in fact, I have already decided to officially accept their check to me in Outer Space! “Live, from Outer Space, we present Cousin Nancy with her winning check for $25,000.000!”

It was around eight o’clock, when I was at Apple.com, that I ordered the Apple iPod touch! Just as I had clicked the check out button, Tony came into the kitchen and said, “Are you still looking at the ipod touch?”

“Nope,” I answered. “I just bought one, and it will arrive Tuesday, the 24th—engraved with my name on it.” Tony left the room.

Friday afternoon, around two o’clock, Tony went into Outer Space, to tell me that he had just ordered an iPod touch, too, but his was not scheduled to arrive until Wednesday, the 25th.

Later that evening, I went to the Fed Ex web site to track our iPod touches. “Tony,” I said. “My iPod has left the plant, and is now in Shanghai, China, and yours is still at the plant, in a word I can’t pronounce, China.”

Saturday morning, “Tony,” I said. “My iPod is now in Anchorage, Alaska, and yours is in Shanghai, China!”

Sunday morning, “Tony,” I said. My iPod is now in Memphis, Tennessee and yours has left Anchorage, Alaska.” And, that is when I realized, I had turned into a FedEx tracking commentator—following every move, of our new, soon to be toys.

Monday morning, “Tony! Your ipod left Memphis, Tennessee, late last night and our ipods met up in San Antonio around two in the morning. And, they are now on a FedEx truck in Kerrville for delivery—today!” Tony was ecstatic with my news!

Around eleven o’clock that morning, Kinky called. “Tony, I think your iPods just arrived here. There’s something about Blue Tooth?”

Tony and I jumped into Buttermilk and went over to the Lodge! When we walked into the kitchen, Kinky was on the phone, doing a telephone interview, and he waved at us. Then he left the kitchen and went back into his office. Tony and I looked at the kitchen table, where Kinky usually leaves stuff for us—no FedEx packages! Then we went into the ‘great room’ and looked around—no packages! “Tony, where are they?” I whispered. “I’ve carefully tracked those iPods, all of the way from China, Alaska, Memphis, San Antonio, to Kerrville, and now we can’t find them!”

Kinky hung up his phone and walked into the ‘great room’, wearing a smile on his face.

“Kinky,” I said. “Where are our iPods?”

“What iPods?” he said, casually.

“Kinky!” I said.

Kinky left the ‘great room’ and we followed him into his bedroom. He went to his suitcase, opened the lid, and picked them up. “Is this what y’all are looking for?” Then we all laughed. “I got ya!”

Tony and I went to the kitchen, and opened up our packages! They were beautiful! Kinky invited us out to the Friedman Family Bone Orchard for a visit, and since, we didn’t know how to work our new toys—we went outside with him. After a fun visit, we went home, when his phone rang, for another Kinky interview.

When we got home, we quickly read the instruction manuals carefully, and followed the directions carefully. After doing everything it had told us to do—we turned them on!

“Hello, Houston. We’ve got a problem!” Our iPods would not connect us to iTunes, Safari, the GPS or anything else! ‘Help me Ronda,’ should have been the next song to play on my old iPod, but it didn’t, because I don’t have it on my play list! Instead, it played, ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy’ by Bobby McFerrin. Tony and I were like two little kids at a candy store—with no candy.

We then started over with our iPod touches, doing everything the directions told us to do—but no cigar—no nothing. I then went online to Apple troubleshooting—and it was all too confusing for me. I am not real good at high tech stuff.

Yesterday morning, after Tony and John had finished feeding the dogs, and cleaning their pens, Tony came inside the trailer and I dialed The Apple Store. We were immediately helped, by a friendly, patient service technician, and she spent over twenty minutes with us, trying to solve the problems—but, at the end of our conversation, she suggested that we first go to a nearby Star bucks, which is a ‘hot zone’ to see if we could connect to the internet from there. Then, she asked us to call her back, and we would proceed from there.

Tony and I jumped into Buttermilk and drove to the only Starbucks in Kerrville, Texas!

I have been to a Starbucks only once in my life, and that was in San Antonio, years ago, before a protest. Tony has never been to a Starbucks, so when we arrived at Starbucks, Tony and I ordered two small coffees, and then we sat down at a small round table in the corner. We quickly turned on our iPod touches, and they worked! Hello, Safari, hello iTunes, hello GPS! We were so happy—like two senior citizens, using their senior discount cards, at the movies, for the first time!

We stayed at Starbucks for about thirty minutes, and that is where, we fell in love with our new handheld computers! When we arrived back home, I booted my iPod, hoping that it might just work—nope. It showed I had a Linksys signal, but it would not get me online. So, now after taking care of paperwork and returning phone calls, Tony and I are fixing to call Kimberly back at The Apple Store for more help.

I think the problem has something to do with our Linksys wireless router, and we will find out soon enough. Wish us luck!

P.S. Tonight's the Fort Worth Bonefit at The Flying Saucer at 8:00 pm!

My Four Day Vacation!

Yesterday, Kinky called me and we had a lot to say to each other!

The first part of our conversation was him telling me how glad he was about returning to the ranch tonight! He said, that he was tired from being on the road, and that he was looking forward to doing nothing, but resting and spending the next four days with us and his dogs! I am so excited that he has nothing scheduled or planned events to be at—until this coming Tuesday, when he must take off, again, to do the Bonefits that he, Little Jewford and Steve Fromholz are doing for the rescue ranch!

In the middle part of our conversation, I told Kinky about Woody and Rose coming out for a visit. He told me that he was sorry that he had missed seeing them, but hoped that I had told them that he was so happy about their engagement, and sorry that he had missed seeing them.

When it was finally my turn to talk, I told him that I had done that, and they of course understood, and they were sorry that they had missed seeing him, too. While it was still my turn to talk, I said, “Kinky, I baked up a loaf of Cousin Nancy’s Miracle Bread for Rose and Woody and they loved it! They ate the whole loaf!”

Kinky laughed. But, before he could say anything, I said, “Have you seen the documentary, ‘Super Size Me?’”

“Yes, Nance,” Kinky said. “It was great.” Then Kinky and I had a lengthy discussion about it. He agreed with me—that everyone needs to see it.

In the final part of our conversation—we both said, “Bye.”

I can’t wait to see Kinky, and having him at the ranch for the next four days. It will be like a vacation for me! And, Tony is looking forward to the many pool tournaments between the two!

More Texas Bonefits For Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch!!

June 25 Flying Saucer 817-336-PINT $50.00
8:00 PM 111 E. Fourth Street www.beerknurd.com
Fort Worth, TX


June 26 Dan's Silver Leaf 940-320-2000 $40.00
8:00 PM 103 Industrial www.danssilverleaf.com
Denton, TX


June 27 Reynolds Compound $50.00
8:00 PM Private
San Antonio, TX


June 28 Rialto Theater 361-758-0383 $50.00
7:30 PM 327 South Commercial www.rialtotheater.org
Aransas Pass, TX


June 29 Executive Surf Club 361-884-SURF $40.00
4:00 PM 309 North Water Street www.executivesurfclub.com
Corpus Christi, TX

The Auslander Tonight!

Tony and I are going to try to go to The Auslander tonight! I hope everyone can make one of these great Bonefits! They are a lot of fun!

5/2 The Auslander http://www.theauslander.com $35-$50 7:30PM
323 Main Street, Fredericksburg
830-997-7714

5/3 Silver Spur Theatre http://www.saladosilverspur.com $50 7:30PM
108 Royal Street, Salado
254-947-3456

5/4 Uptown Marble Theater http://www.uptownmarble.com $35-$45 4:00PM
218 Main Street, Marble Falls
830-693-9996

New Bonefit Dates!

New Bonefit Dates for the Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch!

4/25 The Big Easy http://www.thebigeasynightclub.com $50.00 8:00PM
2411 Mechanic Street, Galveston
409-762-7900

5/2 The Auslander http://www.theauslander.com $35-$50 7:30PM
323 Main Street, Fredericksburg
830-997-7714

5/3 Silver Spur Theatre http://www.saladosilverspur.com $50 7:30PM
108 Royal Street, Salado
254-947-3456

5/4 Uptown Marble Theater http://www.uptownmarble.com $35-$45 4:00PM
218 Main Street, Marble Falls
830-693-9996

V.I.P. Tours!

This afternoon, Carl Naylor, our great friend and supporter of the rescue ranch, came out to visit us, and he brought a ton of dog treats for our dogs to enjoy! Carl drank some coffee with us inside the Nellybelle and we had ourselves one great visit! Then Tony and I gave Carl, the world’s greatest auctioneer, our ‘V.I. P. Tour’ of our rescue ranch, which included my writing cabin!

As we were leaving the cabin—Kinky showed up with two very special passengers—Steven Fromholz and his lovely sister, Angie! After a lot of hugging and handshaking, we gave them a V.I.P. Tour, too!

Steven and Angie fell in love with all of our dogs, and so did Carl. Carl wanted to adopt everyone of our dogs, but couldn’t because of a promise he had made earlier, to his beautiful wife, Debbie, because they already have nine dogs and cats! Needless to say—we understood Debbie’s logic and we didn’t let Kinky pressure Carl into adopting a dog.

After tour number two was completed, Kinky invited all of us to come over to the Lodge—and so we did. We had a fun visit there, too. If Carl wasn’t making us laugh—Steven was—or Kinky was! I didn’t have a chance to be funny, because I was laughing so much!

Steven and Angie had to leave first, because their drive back home was over a five hour drive. Carl stayed a little bit longer, and then he left so he could keep an appointment with one of his clients.

Our visitors today were a lot of fun and sadly, the only thing wrong—was that Carl’s wife, Debbie was unable to come, but Carl has promised to bring her back on the next visit and we can’t wait! Today has been a great day!

Thank You Casbeers! We Love You!

Kinky, Steve Fromholz and Little Jewford put on a great show, and then they took a break! Then our friend, Carl Naylor, took to the stage, and he put on a fun, and often hilarious auction, with the help of Barbara and Carol! And, thanks to them—they raised a lot of money for the rescue ranch!

Following the auction, the three ‘Muttsketeers’ came back on stage to polish off the night! And, they were fabulous! If Jewford wasn’t making us laugh out loud, then Kinky was—or Steven was! I hated for the show to come to an end, but thank goodness it did, because I would still be there.

Carol, John, Tony and I visited with the three ‘Muttsketeers’ including A.J. and Ben for a little while after the show, and then we said our good byes to everyone, and left Casbeers.

As soon as I was outside, I realized that it was much colder, because a norther had blown in. With Tony as pilot, and me as his co-pilot, and our two, first class passengers, Carol and John, we quickly boarded Buttermilk, buckled up and headed for home sweet trailer.

Before getting on to I-10, I announced that the outside temperature was at fifty degrees and had dropped five degrees since leaving Casbeers. I knew this, because Buttermilk has an outside thermometer. So we started watching the degrees drop outside, and started placing bets on what the temperature would be by the time we reached Boerne. No one won that bet, because it had jumped up to fifty-six degrees.

When we reached Kerrville, the gauge was fluctuating between forty-seven, and forty-five degrees. John, then bet that the outside temperature would be forty-four by the time we reached his apartment. He lost that bet, because it was forty-three.

After safely depositing John at his place, Carol, Tony and I started placing bets on what the temperature would be at her ranch, and what the temperature would be when we got home. Carol had guessed forty-one for her place, and thirty-nine degrees for the rescue ranch. Well, she won the first part of the bet on her place, but when we arrived at the trailer—Carol’s prediction was way off!

When Tony and I pulled up to our trailer, Buttermilk’s gauge showed thirty-six degrees outside, and to confirm her accuracy, I checked the front porch thermometer before going inside. It was thirty-six degrees!

I must admit, that was one fun vacation for Tony and me! And, I just want to say thank you, again to Casbeers, their waitresses, Barbara and Steve, Steven Fromholz, Little Jewford, Kinky, Ben and A.J., and Carl Naylor for making Casbeers one of the best Bonefits ever!

Casbeers Rocks!

Last Friday afternoon, after adopting out Snowflake to a lovely woman named Marilyn, from Blanco, Tony and I returned to the trailer, so I could do The Chris Duel Show at 4:19!

At 4:11, Michael called to tell me that Chris was at this time, interviewing Kinky, and that he was going to put me on hold, and then in a few minutes, Chris would put me on the air with him and Kinky, to talk about the evening’s Bonefit at Casbeers, in San Antonio. I quickly downed a glass of water and waited. Then Chris put me on the air with Kinky. I loved it!

The three of us took turns talking about the event, and there was a lot of laughter! After a few minutes, Kinky told us good bye—and it was now just Chris and me. I love talking to him because he has a great sense of humor, and knows how to put you at ease. We talked for a few more minutes, and then he plugged our rescue ranch, Kinky, my book, our web site, and lastly my blog!

After the show, Tony told me that he thought the interview went real well, even though, he said I sounded like Gabby Hayes on helium, again. Because, Chris Duel had told me that the Casbeers Bonefit was sold out, I suggested to Tony that we might ought to leave thirty minutes earlier than we had planned with Carol and John. He agreed.

So, while Tony phoned Carol to ask if it would be okay to pick her up at 6:00 instead of 6:30—I was on my laptop writing a dear John letter—to let him know that we would be picking him up thirty minutes earlier, instead of 7:00—now 6:30.

With the plans now changed, Tony and I quickly cleaned up, and dressed for the event. After a couple of minutes of lying to each other about the other looking good, we bid farewell to our dogs and cat. Before leaving the trailer, we grabbed the camera and the map to Casbeers!

We arrived ten minutes early at Carol’s gate, but luckily, she was parked by it, and ready to go! When Carol, all dressed up, got into the backseat of the Explorer, Tony and I both told her that she looked great—which wasn’t a lie. “Thanks,” Carol said.

The three of us laughed, and talked about everything under the sun, as we drove the twenty-one miles to John’s apartment. When we pulled up in the driveway, forty minutes early—Tony honked Buttermilk’s horn, and we waited, and waited and waited. Then Tony honked again, and this time John ran out on the balcony—with a towel wrapped around his waist, but wearing a smile! “He must have not gotten my e-mail,” I commented. And, then we burst out laughing.

A few minutes passed, and then John appeared on the balcony—dressed! When he climbed into the Explorer, Tony said, “You clean up nice, John. I guess you didn’t get Nancy’s e-mail about leaving earlier?”

“Thanks,” John said. “And, no I didn’t get an e-mail.”

Tony backed out of the driveway, put Buttermilk into drive—and then we galloped off for Casbeers! I was fine, until we got onto I-10, because it was already dark outside, and the traffic was heavy! As Buttermilk raced to keep up with the flow of traffic, I tried to appear calm, and not backseat drive from the front seat. By the time I get to Phoenix, I mean Boerne—I was gripping the armrest, and saying little prayers—inside my head, for Buttermilk to get us there safely. I wish I wasn’t scared of city traffic, but I am. But, thanks to John and Carol’s funny tales—they kept me laughing all of the way!

Outside of Boerne, Tony asked John if he would drive us into San Antonio, because of the much heavier traffic and the blinding headlights. John agreed to do it, so Tony took the next exit. It was a rest area for weary drivers! I couldn’t believe our luck! I was weary!

After that fire drill, John navigated us safely to Casbeers, even though his and my maps disagreed with each other’s directions—so I put mine away in my purse.

I knew it was going to be a great night, when John found the only parking place on the block —right in front of Casbeers! It was an omen. When we walked inside the packed club, I told the man taking tickets, that we were on the guest list. “I know, Cousin Nancy,” he said, “I’m Steve, Barbara’s husband. Welcome to Casbeers!”

We shook hands, and then a tall, beautiful blonde, walked up to take us to our table. “Cousin Nancy, I’m Barbara. Welcome to Casbeers,” she said, as she gave me a hug! I then introduced everyone to Barbara and Steve, and then we followed her to a table reserved for us—front row center—four feet from the stage! We had the best table in the club, and everyone was staring at us!

After we had ordered some drinks and super nachos, Chris Duel came over to our table to greet us! After introductions and shaking hands, we visited with Chris for a few minutes, and then he left to go join his beautiful wife, at the table behind us. Then Kinky and Jewford came over to visit with us, and then Carl Naylor—the great auctioneer! When they left—our food and drinks arrived.

Five minutes before show time, Carl Naylor came back to our table, to ask Carol if she would mind helping him with the auction. He told her that he needed her to help spot for him, and that he would also be kidding around with her. Carol, blushed, but agreed to his request, even though, she is somewhat on the shy side—when it comes to crowds. Yeah, Carol—she was going to face one of her fears! Then after Carl left our table—the lights inside the club dimmed.

The stage lit up! “Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Chris Duel, and I want to start the show by asking Cousin Nancy, her husband, Tony Simons, Carol Vail and John Kemmerly to please stand up.”

The four of us stood up, and waved to the friendly crowd.

“Folks, Cousin Nancy and Tony, co-founded the Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch with Kinky, and they run the rescue ranch! Carol is their incredibly dedicated volunteer—who walks all of their dogs, and John is, as Cousin Nancy says—the best thing to ever happen to the rescue ranch, and to their dogs! Please give these fine folks a hand!”

The applause was deafening, and then we quickly sat down in our chairs. “Ladies and Gentleman, give it up for Steven Fromholz, Kinky Friedman and Little Jewford!” The crowd went wild as the three walked out onto the stage! It gave me goosebumps.

To be continued...

News-Talk 550 KTSA! Hello, Chris Duel!

Michael from KTSA, just called and today's interview will be at 4:19! I hope everyone can listen to it, too! At 3:30 today, we will hopefully be adopting out Lana Nelson or her sister, Snowflake. A very nice woman from Blanco is driving out to possibly adopt her. Keep your fingers crossed! And, Tony and I have just confirmed our baby sitters for the rescue ranch tonight—so, we can go with John and Carol to Casbeers to see Kinky, Steven Fromholz, Little Jewford, the greatest auctioneer—Carl Naylor, and at last, get to meet the owners of Casbeers—Barbara and Steve! I know that it is going to be a fun night, too because Ben Welch and his business partner, A.J. Agiewich, are also going to be there—selling merchandise. I will give a full report tomorrow!

p.s. To listen to the show please go to: KTSA.com and please note that Kinky will be following me with an interview, too!

What's Going On?

This morning I woke up at 6:00 to the ‘Sounds of Silence,’ because I forgot to turn off my iPod last night.

After letting my dogs go outside, I phoned Kinky to wake him up. No answer. Fifteen minutes later, I tried reaching out and touching the Kinkster, again. Second verse, same as the first—no answer. So, I fed my dogs, including Lucky, the cat, and then I washed my hair in the sink.

At twenty minutes till seven, I thought, third times the charm, and phoned Kinky—still no answer. Wearing a big tan bath towel on my head, with my long gray hair wrapped up inside it, I called Kinky’s number, again. When his answering machine decided it was time for me to talk, I said, “Kinky, it’s Nancy. Wake up! Mr. Magoo, Chumley, Brownie and Perky—help me wake up Kinky! Start barking!” And, then I hung up the phone.

Knowing that time was of the essence, I pulled my wannabe terry turban off of my head, twisted up my wet hair, tucked it up inside my white cap, and headed out the front door. The sun was fixin’ to come up over the bluff behind us, and when I climbed into Trigger—his windshield was covered in ice! I turned on the defroster and the windshield wipers.

Two minutes later, the ice had melted enough for me to throw Trigger into reverse. I flipped on the high beam headlights and took off for the Lodge! When I arrived at Kinky’s, no lights were on inside so I jumped out of Trigger and went to the door. I opened the door, went inside and said, “Kinky, it’s Nancy! You need to get up! You’ve got less than twenty minutes before you have to call Bob!”

The bedroom light came on. “Nance, I’m up. Do you want some coffee?”

“No,” I half hollered. “I need to get back over to the rescue ranch. Randy Travis is out!”

“Thanks for waking me up,” Kinky said, sounding half asleep. “I’ll call you when the show is over.”

I left Kinky’s. When I got to the rescue ranch, Randy was running from pen to pen teasing the dogs, but when he saw me—he headed for his pen, so I could let him back inside it. He greeted me when I climbed out of the truck and anxiously ran back inside his pen after I had opened the gate. The dogs outside, immediately quieted down and I went back to the trailer.

I listened to Bob Cole’s show with Kinky and it went really well, and as soon as it was over—Kinky called me. “Nance, do you want to come over and drink some coffee?”

I went back over to the Lodge and we drank coffee and discussed business for about an hour and then I came home and fixed breakfast for Tony and me.

Around 11:30, Tony came inside the trailer and said, “Nance, Carol, and John are here and they want to talk to you. Where are you?”

“I’m back here in the office,” I said. “I’ll be right there.” I shut down the computer, and left my little office, and headed down the hallway, for what I like to call, ‘the big room.’ John was sitting on a stool at the breakfast bar, Carol was sitting in a chair at my cluttered kitchen table, and Tony was pouring himself some coffee. “Morning y’all. Do you want some coffee?”

“No, thank you,” they said, in two part harmony.

So, as Marvin Gaye would say, I said, “What’s going on?”

“Well,” John said, wearing a smile, as he handed me some paperwork. “I want to tell you about this morning. First, I went to Hoegemeyers to pick up Lana and Snowflake.”

“I hope they didn’t get carsick, John,” I said. "I didn’t get your e-mail until 9:30 this morning, so I wasn’t able to call Hoegemeyers to ask them not to feed the girls.”

“Lana did, about halfway here, and then Snowflake started freaking out. I had to pull off of the road, clean up the vomit and then try to settle Snowflake down. After I arrived here, when I started to put Snowflake back in her pen with Maggie—they were growling at each other like they didn’t know each other and I had to break them up before they got into a fight. So, I put her in the alley over there by Honey and Baxter. Then when I went to put Lana back in with Jedi, her mom—they nearly got into it! So, I stayed inside their pen until I felt things were calm.”

“Good grief,” I said. “That’s too weird.”

“I know,” Carol said.

“I’m not finished,” John said. “Then when I went to feed Toby and Baby, that concrete strip under the gate, had been dug up, and when I started to go inside, I stumbled, but didn’t fall! I can’t figure out why all of this happened.”

“John, I think it’s your fault. Maybe we need to smudge you,” I said.

“What?” John asked. “What do you mean smudge me?”

I started laughing. “I’m teasing,” I said, as Tony, Carol and John laughed. “Smudging is a deal the Native Americans do—to get rid of bad vibes, etc. They usually use sweet grass or sage. I’m thinking that maybe Lana and Snowflake had upset you on the drive here, and the dogs picked up on it. And, that’s why they were acting so weird.”

Then I told Carol and John about the time when Kinky went missing in Cabo San Lucas, back on December 17, 1998, and I was freaked out, and the rescued dogs outside started fighting with each other and acting strange, until I had called Copper Love and told her about Kinky missing and the police being involved, with search parties, etc. And, when I told her about our dogs suddenly acting so weird, she told me that I had to change my thoughts, because the dogs were picking up on my fears.

I took her advice and tried to make myself happy, but that didn’t work—because I wasn’t happy. But, when I received a call from John McCall, a few hours later, telling me they had found Kinky and he was fine—I was truly happy! And, yes, after that phone conversation, I went outside and all of the dogs were calm and acting normal.

After my long winded story, the four of us made a plan for Friday night at Casbeers, in San Antonio, to see Steven Fromholz, Kinky and Little Jewford!

And, here’s tonight’s report: At approximately 6:45 pm—The Hummingbird Man and the Medina Bulldog tied!

The Best Is Yet To Come!

Yesterday afternoon, Ringo was adopted to a great home! Talk about making my day great! He had been adopted out in October, but unfortunately was returned to us, because he enjoyed visiting neighbors more than he liked sitting in the backyard. Ringo was so excited about getting adopted, that he forgot to kiss us good bye. As soon as his adoption papers were signed, he jumped into the couples Suburban to begin his new life on a ranch!

I have been hearing from several, well informed friends, that 2008 is supposed to be one great year for all of us! And,I have been paying close attention, and am really starting to believe these predictions!

On New Year’s Eve day, Kinky’s car was in the shop, and he had asked me if I could please drive him to Kerrville, so he could take care of some business—so I did.

When I drove over to the Lodge, Kinky was ready to go to Kerrville. When he jumped into the passenger side of the pickkup—I could tell that he was not a happy camper. The reason for this temporary mood swing, was because I had the bench seat pulled up as close to the dashboard as it could get—because I am tall challenged, and my feet can’t reach the pedals.

We took off on the caliche road, and we had just crossed over the Echo Hill cattle guard, when Kinky says to me, “Nance, would you like for me to drive us to town?”

Not wanting to cramp his style, I said, “Sure Kink, if you’ll promise to drive under the speed limit. Your driving sorta scares me.” I then stopped the truck in the middle of the dirt road, and we jumped out of the cab to switch sides. It reminded me of the many times as a teenager, when me and my friends would pull up to a four-way stop sign, and then jump out of the car, and switch sides! Why I thought that was fun is beyond me.

Anyway, after we had changed seats in the pickup, Kinky scooted the truck seat as far back as it would go, and then we buckled up, and took off for Kerrville, again. “Kinky the truck’s name is Trigger.”

“Okay, Nance,” Kinky said, as he cranked down the window on his side. “Trigger.”

About halfway there, I opened up my purse and pulled out my trusty, 80 gig, iPod. I plugged it in, and turned up the volume. The Kingston Trio were singing, ‘Hang Down Your Head, Tom Dooley.’ I could barely hear it because of the wind noise, coming from Kinky’s side, so I cranked it up some more. Then Phoebe Snow began singing, ‘Poetry Man.’ “ I just love that song,” I said. “This is perfect music for a New Year’s Eve.”

Kinky puffed away on his cigar. He didn’t hear me because of the wind, and he was driving six miles over the speed limit.

“The speed limit is fifty-five miles, Kinky,” I said loudly, as the iPod played, ‘They say don’t go, to Wolverton...’

Kinky slowed down. “Wolverton Mountain’ is a great song.”

By the time we had reached Wolfmuellers, we had listened to Carlos Santana, the Rolling Stones, Buffalo Springfield, Sting, Air Supply, and the Beatles. We had a fun visit with Sandy and Jon, and then we went our separate ways. Kinky walked over to the bank and I drove over to HEB to buy some groceries. The parking lot was so full, I gave up trying to find a place to park, so I went back to Wolfmuellers. Kinky showed up a few minutes later. We invited them to go to lunch with us, but they were so busy selling books—they declined the invite.

Kinky wanted to go to that orange restaurant for mexican food, but I refused. I reminded him that it was my turn to pick, so he and I drove over to The Save Inn Restaurant. The parking lot was full, as it always is. Kinky found a space and parked Trigger, after he had bumped into a cement barrier, that neither one of us had seen. The only damage done to Trigger, was he broke off one side of the license plate, which is now dangling from one screw.

Kinky ordered their delicious grilled hamburger steak, and I ordered chicken fried steak, one of my favorites. Our meals were delicious, but because my chicken fried steak was so huge—Kinky took half, and finished it off for me. When we walked out of The Save Inn Restaurant, Kinky told me that he really liked the place and would definitely be coming back for more.

On our way back to ranch, on top of the pass, I said, “Kinky, I am thinking that I am going to try to start writing for some newspapers, and magazines to bring in more income for Tony and me. I’m tired of being poor. And, did you know this is supposed to be a great year for you and me? I saw Cindy at Albertsons, the other day, and she told me that. And I think she’s right.”

We chatted the rest of the way home, and he offered me some very helpful tips, to help me get some writing gigs.

Two days later, Kinky called to ask me to come over to the Lodge for an early morning meeting. Over some Kona coffee, Kinky suggested that he and I partner up, to write a book together! Wow! Talk about some great news, and what a way to start out the New Year!

The following morning, Kinky called to ask me to come over to the Lodge for an early morning meeting, again. After that meeting was over—Kinky and I are now going to co-write two books, and we also decided to self-publish, and the name of our publishing company is, ‘South Flat Press!’

So now, I am on cloud nine, my dreams of writing with Kinky are coming true! I love it!

This morning Kinky called me from Austin, to tell me about last Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s bonefits, that he and his friends Steven Fromholz and Little Jewford, did to raise money for the rescue ranch. His news was great! They had done much better than they had expected!

He also told me that Burl Taylor, his friend, and one great auctioneer, from Denton, had played a huge part in raising the money for us! “Nance, Burl has nine dogs, and he told me that he wants to help us, because Oliver, his old blind dog told him to. He’s like us!”

“Please thank Burl Taylor for me,” I said.

Kinky laughed. “Nance, you are getting hard of hearing. His name isn’t Burl Taylor. His name is Carl—C, A, R, L—Carl Naylor—not Taylor—N, A, Y, L, O, R—Naylor—Carl Naylor!”

We both laughed. “Okay, please thank Carl Naylor for me.”

“Carl is going to do the rest of the bonefits with us this month!” Kinky stated. “I can’t wait for you to meet him.”

“Well, John, Tony and me, and hopefully Carol, are planning to go to the bonefit at Casbeers Friday.”

“That would be great if y’all could come. I should be back at the ranch in a few hours. Give the Friedmans my love.”

“I will. Bye.”

And, that is why I believe the predictions!

Well, John just took off with Lana and Snowflake, to get them spayed and given all shots and Tony and I are fixin’ to head to Kerrville for supplies.

Here is the Bonefit information for the next three:

Friday, January 11th....Casbeers in San Antonio...starts at 8:30 pm

Saturday, January 12th...McGonigel’s Mucky Duck in Houston...starts at 7:00 pm

Sunday, January 13th...The Bugle Boy in La Grange...starts at 4:00 pm