This morning, after Kinky did his interview with Imus, Kinky called and invited Tony and me over for a cup of kona. We had a fun visit, and then Kinky challenged Tony to shoot pool. “I’m on a roll,” Kinky said, I’ve won the last two tournaments—of two out of three games. I’ve out shot Will and Goat. The Hummingbird Man is now ready to take on The Medina Bulldog!”
Fifteen minutes later, The Hummingbird Man—0 and The Medina Bulldog—2! That put a smile on both of our faces!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Carl's Poem For Blue
This evening, after bloggling—I checked my e-mail. Our great friend, Carl Naylor, who does our auctions at our Bonefits, and is the best auctioneer in Texas—wrote a poem about Blue, and I want to share it with everyone. It’s beautiful. Thank you Carl. We loved it.
Nancy,
I just now read about Blue's passing. Tell Tony that my thoughts are with you and him at this terribly sad time. I know that you gave an old friend many wonderful years of happiness, and I am sure he would want you to think only of the good times. Loyal friends are just that way. I enjoyed your poem and I am not much of a writer, but here's my attempt at poetry.
As the Moon rises and the Sun sets
All days come to an end.
Birds roost, owls awake, coyotes prowl
This happens time and time again.
Some days are cold, hard and unforgiving
And some are just plain tough.
and, As we travel the winding road of life
We find it smooth and yet terribly rough.
The smooth part makes us awake and happy
Ready for mountains to climb
When its rough and we're tired and cold
One wants to whimper, cry and whine.
As the sun rises and the moon fades,
another day begins anew.
Thank God for good food, a warm bed
And a trusted friend like Blue.
Please tell Tony that Blue was a very lucky dog.
Your Friend, Carl
Nancy,
I just now read about Blue's passing. Tell Tony that my thoughts are with you and him at this terribly sad time. I know that you gave an old friend many wonderful years of happiness, and I am sure he would want you to think only of the good times. Loyal friends are just that way. I enjoyed your poem and I am not much of a writer, but here's my attempt at poetry.
As the Moon rises and the Sun sets
All days come to an end.
Birds roost, owls awake, coyotes prowl
This happens time and time again.
Some days are cold, hard and unforgiving
And some are just plain tough.
and, As we travel the winding road of life
We find it smooth and yet terribly rough.
The smooth part makes us awake and happy
Ready for mountains to climb
When its rough and we're tired and cold
One wants to whimper, cry and whine.
As the sun rises and the moon fades,
another day begins anew.
Thank God for good food, a warm bed
And a trusted friend like Blue.
Please tell Tony that Blue was a very lucky dog.
Your Friend, Carl
Imus In The Morning!
This morning I went over to have coffee with Kinky, and to discuss some rescue ranch business. We had our business meeting in his kitchen and when it was over—we went outside to the Friedman Family Bone Orchard for a visit.
Near the end of our visit, Kinky told me that he was going to be on Imus at 7:30 tomorrow morning. I think he told me that, so I wouldn’t call him during his telephone interview, like I did the last time. But, he did ask me to please give him a wake up call around 6:30 tomorrow morning. Then Kinky told me a funny story about last night, that made me laugh out loud!
He told me that last night he couldn’t sleep, so he stayed up until two-thirty, and finally decided to go to bed and try to sleep. When he crawled into his bed, the covers were all twisted up—thanks to Gooie—who tries to bury his chewgars and toys under the sheets and blankets.
When Kinky put his head down on the pillow, something alive started moving rapidly near his face! Kinky told me that it nearly scared him to death, because he was sure that it was a snake! So, he jumped out of his bed as fast as he could. He then flipped on the lights, so he could get his shotgun, but fortunately, there was no need for one—thank goodness!
“Kinky,” I said. “What in the world was it? A squirrel, a opossum?”
“No Nance,” Kinky said. “It was Brownie, or should I say it was actually Brownie’s tail. He was tangled up between the sheets, and when I layed down, he started wagging his tail real fast. So, thanks to Mr. B., I didn’t fall to sleep until after four thirty, and I am dragging this morning.”
P.S. Tony and I want to thank everyone for their kind words about Blue’s passing. It meant a lot to us.
Near the end of our visit, Kinky told me that he was going to be on Imus at 7:30 tomorrow morning. I think he told me that, so I wouldn’t call him during his telephone interview, like I did the last time. But, he did ask me to please give him a wake up call around 6:30 tomorrow morning. Then Kinky told me a funny story about last night, that made me laugh out loud!
He told me that last night he couldn’t sleep, so he stayed up until two-thirty, and finally decided to go to bed and try to sleep. When he crawled into his bed, the covers were all twisted up—thanks to Gooie—who tries to bury his chewgars and toys under the sheets and blankets.
When Kinky put his head down on the pillow, something alive started moving rapidly near his face! Kinky told me that it nearly scared him to death, because he was sure that it was a snake! So, he jumped out of his bed as fast as he could. He then flipped on the lights, so he could get his shotgun, but fortunately, there was no need for one—thank goodness!
“Kinky,” I said. “What in the world was it? A squirrel, a opossum?”
“No Nance,” Kinky said. “It was Brownie, or should I say it was actually Brownie’s tail. He was tangled up between the sheets, and when I layed down, he started wagging his tail real fast. So, thanks to Mr. B., I didn’t fall to sleep until after four thirty, and I am dragging this morning.”
P.S. Tony and I want to thank everyone for their kind words about Blue’s passing. It meant a lot to us.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Blue
Today has not been a great day. This morning, our veterinarian called to tell me, that Blue was dying from kidney failure, and he had very little time left. He recommended euthanasia.
Tony and I rescued Blue back in 1998, when his owner had called Kinky, to tell him that we needed to rescue his dog, because he was fixin’ to shoot him, because the man was scared Blue might get run over! Total nonsense.
Tony and I drove over to Kinky’s, from Utopia, and picked up Blue in our old pickup. Blue was so happy, sitting between us as we drove home, and that was when I decided to tell Tony that I wanted Blue to be my dog, because I had always wanted a Blue Heeler. And, Tony had no problem with that, but Blue did.
Within three days, Blue had nothing to do with me at all—he was Tony’s dog! From then on every morning, Tony and Blue went to town together to drink coffee with the old timers. They were partners.
Blue and Tony were the best of friends, and I used to joke about having to ask Tony to make Blue get out of my chair, etc., because Blue had selective hearing, and anything that I had to say—just didn’t count. I mean, he wouldn’t come to me, go outside for me—nothing—Tony was his boss!
One time in Utopia, Tony phoned me around seven o’clock in the morning. “Nance,” Tony said, with people in the background laughing. “Could you come up here and unlock the truck for me? Blue has locked me out of the truck.”
I drove to town, and handed Tony the other set of keys for the truck, and then Tony told me the rest of the story. A pickup had pulled up to the store carrying about five large dogs in the back of the truck. The dogs spotted Blue sitting inside our truck, and began barking at him. So Blue, trying to act tough began barking back and he accidentally pushed the locks down. And, Tony never lived that one down in Utopia.
There is also a story about Blue in my book, too. He’s the one who jumped up on Jo West’s brand new Lincoln, and slid across the hood—hitting the windshield—just to welcome her to the rescue ranch! Blue was also in a Kinky for gov commercial, when the camera crew came inside the trailer and shot Kinky playing with our dogs and then fades out on Blue. You can watch that commercial on youtube.goodshepherd. There are many more stories about old Blue’s escapades, that I could write a book about him.
Three weeks ago, Blue’s health started going downhill. He was nearly blind, and we were treating him for liver and kidney failure. Back then, our veterinarian told us that he would try to buy a little more time for Blue, but the end would be near. Blue recovered for a few weeks, and then his health started declining, again. So last Thursday, Tony took Blue in to see if there was anything else to do for his old friend.
Today, when Tony came inside, after doing his chores with John, I told Tony the sad news. Tony called our veterinarian back to discuss Blue’s condition. Tony cried after the phone call.
At 1:15, after saying goodbye to Blue, and telling him what a great dog he had been, and while Tony petted Blue, the vet injected the lethal dosage and Blue was gone.
In honor of Tony and Blue I have written this poem for them. And,these are two of my favorite pictures, that I took of Blue a few years back.
The Best Friend Tony Ever Had
Tony had a dog and his name was Blue,
Tony rescued Blue, and they were good buddies, too.
Blue always came a runnin’ when Tony called his name,
And, Blue never came a runnin’ when I called his name.
Today, Tony cried, ‘Here Blue! Oh, where are you?’
He cried, ‘Goodbye Blue! You know I’ll miss you, too.’
And Tony cried, ‘You were the best dog that I’ve ever had,
I loved you, Blue.’
Blue
1997-2008
R.I. P.
Goodbye Blue.
He loved you, and so did I.
Tony and I rescued Blue back in 1998, when his owner had called Kinky, to tell him that we needed to rescue his dog, because he was fixin’ to shoot him, because the man was scared Blue might get run over! Total nonsense.
Tony and I drove over to Kinky’s, from Utopia, and picked up Blue in our old pickup. Blue was so happy, sitting between us as we drove home, and that was when I decided to tell Tony that I wanted Blue to be my dog, because I had always wanted a Blue Heeler. And, Tony had no problem with that, but Blue did.
Within three days, Blue had nothing to do with me at all—he was Tony’s dog! From then on every morning, Tony and Blue went to town together to drink coffee with the old timers. They were partners.
Blue and Tony were the best of friends, and I used to joke about having to ask Tony to make Blue get out of my chair, etc., because Blue had selective hearing, and anything that I had to say—just didn’t count. I mean, he wouldn’t come to me, go outside for me—nothing—Tony was his boss!
One time in Utopia, Tony phoned me around seven o’clock in the morning. “Nance,” Tony said, with people in the background laughing. “Could you come up here and unlock the truck for me? Blue has locked me out of the truck.”
I drove to town, and handed Tony the other set of keys for the truck, and then Tony told me the rest of the story. A pickup had pulled up to the store carrying about five large dogs in the back of the truck. The dogs spotted Blue sitting inside our truck, and began barking at him. So Blue, trying to act tough began barking back and he accidentally pushed the locks down. And, Tony never lived that one down in Utopia.
There is also a story about Blue in my book, too. He’s the one who jumped up on Jo West’s brand new Lincoln, and slid across the hood—hitting the windshield—just to welcome her to the rescue ranch! Blue was also in a Kinky for gov commercial, when the camera crew came inside the trailer and shot Kinky playing with our dogs and then fades out on Blue. You can watch that commercial on youtube.goodshepherd. There are many more stories about old Blue’s escapades, that I could write a book about him.
Three weeks ago, Blue’s health started going downhill. He was nearly blind, and we were treating him for liver and kidney failure. Back then, our veterinarian told us that he would try to buy a little more time for Blue, but the end would be near. Blue recovered for a few weeks, and then his health started declining, again. So last Thursday, Tony took Blue in to see if there was anything else to do for his old friend.
Today, when Tony came inside, after doing his chores with John, I told Tony the sad news. Tony called our veterinarian back to discuss Blue’s condition. Tony cried after the phone call.
At 1:15, after saying goodbye to Blue, and telling him what a great dog he had been, and while Tony petted Blue, the vet injected the lethal dosage and Blue was gone.
In honor of Tony and Blue I have written this poem for them. And,these are two of my favorite pictures, that I took of Blue a few years back.
The Best Friend Tony Ever Had
Tony had a dog and his name was Blue,
Tony rescued Blue, and they were good buddies, too.
Blue always came a runnin’ when Tony called his name,
And, Blue never came a runnin’ when I called his name.
Today, Tony cried, ‘Here Blue! Oh, where are you?’
He cried, ‘Goodbye Blue! You know I’ll miss you, too.’
And Tony cried, ‘You were the best dog that I’ve ever had,
I loved you, Blue.’
Blue
1997-2008
R.I. P.
Goodbye Blue.
He loved you, and so did I.
Friday, April 25, 2008
A Little Piece of History!
Since, finding that picture of 'Men In Trees', and after receiving updates from Paula, about her and her dad trying to solve the mystery of it—I want to share a story with you about WWII.
On May 2, 2007, Kinky called to invite Tony and me over, so that we could meet his long time friend—Will Hoover. It was around nine o’clock in the morning, Tony was working, so I drove over to the Lodge to meet Hoover.
For years, I have heard many stories about Hoover, and I was anxious to finally get to meet him. I already knew that Hoover was an extremely talented song writer, singer, writer, musician and he writes regularly, for a popular newspaper in Hawaii—where he lives. And, Hoover was one of the main characters in Kinky’s book, “Steppin’ On A Rainbow.” In other words, Hoover is really famous!
After driving over to Kinky’s, I met Hoover, when I first walked inside the door—sitting at the kitchen table, drinking coffee, while Kinky was in his office, talking on the phone. I poured myself some Kona coffee, sat down at the table, and we started talking. By the time Kinky had gotten off the phone—Hoover and I were already good friends.
Kinky, Hoover and I had a great visit, and it was a lot of fun, because Hoover kept making us laugh! When it was time for me to get back over to the rescue ranch, Hoover walked me to Trigger, and then he asked me to please wait a minute, because he wanted to give me a copy of his CD, “Hoover—The Lost Outlaw Album!”
When he returned from the cabin, he gave me the CD, and then he asked me if I liked history. I told him yes, and then he opened up the trunk of his rental car, and reached inside a bag. And then—he handed me a tiny stick from a pouch, and he seemed real proud about giving it to me!
“Well, thank you, Hoover,” I said, wondering if I should pick up a stick from the ground, and give it to him. I was thinking this must be some kind of Hawaiian tradition. Then he told me the fascinating story about my little stick.
Years ago, after our government had finally decided where to retire the U.S.S. Missouri—they chose Hawaii, because that is where the peace treaty to end World War II was signed. A couple of weeks before the U.S.S. Missouri was to be opened up to the public, Hoover had been assigned to write a story about the history of this famous ship. Hoover told me that when he went aboard the ship, there were workers everywhere, repairing and painting it, so it would be ready for the public. He was given a grand tour, and granted full access to anywhere on the ship!
He made several visits to the U.S.S. Missouri, and on one trip, he noticed men ripping up the original teak deck, because it was damaged and needed to be replaced. “Cousin Nancy,” Hoover said. “There were boards and planks of the deck scattered all over the place. I thought, this is history and I want a piece of it! So I asked if it would be okay for me to take a few of the deck planks home, and they said fine. They didn’t care. So, I grabbed several pieces of the old teak deck. And, you are holding a piece of history in your hand. That deck that I took home, was the deck where the peace treaty was signed!”
I got goosebumps after hearing Hoover’s story, and I was absolutely thrilled to have that little piece of teak wood! Wow!
Later, that morning, I went back over to the Lodge to give Hoover, a copy of my book, and to tell him that I loved his CD, and that my favorite song on it was, “Jesus Don’t Drive No Fastback Ford.”
The following morning, I went back over to the Lodge to talk some business with Kinky, and to ask Hoover to sign his CD that he had given to me. Before I reached the gate, Hoover caught up with me, and told me that he started reading my book and he was really enjoying it, and then he told me that he was also a Libra and we talked about that for a while. Then I asked him to please sign my CD.
Today, when Tony and I met some friends at La Fours Restaurant, for lunch I remembered to take my camera with me, because near the front door of the restaurant, hangs a large framed photo of the signing of the peace treaty on the U.S.S. Missouri—with Truman’s signature at the bottom of the old picture!
P.S. Hoover, thank you for the stories, the laughs, that great CD, and that little piece of big history. Thank you! Come see us!
On May 2, 2007, Kinky called to invite Tony and me over, so that we could meet his long time friend—Will Hoover. It was around nine o’clock in the morning, Tony was working, so I drove over to the Lodge to meet Hoover.
For years, I have heard many stories about Hoover, and I was anxious to finally get to meet him. I already knew that Hoover was an extremely talented song writer, singer, writer, musician and he writes regularly, for a popular newspaper in Hawaii—where he lives. And, Hoover was one of the main characters in Kinky’s book, “Steppin’ On A Rainbow.” In other words, Hoover is really famous!
After driving over to Kinky’s, I met Hoover, when I first walked inside the door—sitting at the kitchen table, drinking coffee, while Kinky was in his office, talking on the phone. I poured myself some Kona coffee, sat down at the table, and we started talking. By the time Kinky had gotten off the phone—Hoover and I were already good friends.
Kinky, Hoover and I had a great visit, and it was a lot of fun, because Hoover kept making us laugh! When it was time for me to get back over to the rescue ranch, Hoover walked me to Trigger, and then he asked me to please wait a minute, because he wanted to give me a copy of his CD, “Hoover—The Lost Outlaw Album!”
When he returned from the cabin, he gave me the CD, and then he asked me if I liked history. I told him yes, and then he opened up the trunk of his rental car, and reached inside a bag. And then—he handed me a tiny stick from a pouch, and he seemed real proud about giving it to me!
“Well, thank you, Hoover,” I said, wondering if I should pick up a stick from the ground, and give it to him. I was thinking this must be some kind of Hawaiian tradition. Then he told me the fascinating story about my little stick.
Years ago, after our government had finally decided where to retire the U.S.S. Missouri—they chose Hawaii, because that is where the peace treaty to end World War II was signed. A couple of weeks before the U.S.S. Missouri was to be opened up to the public, Hoover had been assigned to write a story about the history of this famous ship. Hoover told me that when he went aboard the ship, there were workers everywhere, repairing and painting it, so it would be ready for the public. He was given a grand tour, and granted full access to anywhere on the ship!
He made several visits to the U.S.S. Missouri, and on one trip, he noticed men ripping up the original teak deck, because it was damaged and needed to be replaced. “Cousin Nancy,” Hoover said. “There were boards and planks of the deck scattered all over the place. I thought, this is history and I want a piece of it! So I asked if it would be okay for me to take a few of the deck planks home, and they said fine. They didn’t care. So, I grabbed several pieces of the old teak deck. And, you are holding a piece of history in your hand. That deck that I took home, was the deck where the peace treaty was signed!”
I got goosebumps after hearing Hoover’s story, and I was absolutely thrilled to have that little piece of teak wood! Wow!
Later, that morning, I went back over to the Lodge to give Hoover, a copy of my book, and to tell him that I loved his CD, and that my favorite song on it was, “Jesus Don’t Drive No Fastback Ford.”
The following morning, I went back over to the Lodge to talk some business with Kinky, and to ask Hoover to sign his CD that he had given to me. Before I reached the gate, Hoover caught up with me, and told me that he started reading my book and he was really enjoying it, and then he told me that he was also a Libra and we talked about that for a while. Then I asked him to please sign my CD.
Today, when Tony and I met some friends at La Fours Restaurant, for lunch I remembered to take my camera with me, because near the front door of the restaurant, hangs a large framed photo of the signing of the peace treaty on the U.S.S. Missouri—with Truman’s signature at the bottom of the old picture!
P.S. Hoover, thank you for the stories, the laughs, that great CD, and that little piece of big history. Thank you! Come see us!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Bad News—Good News!
Sally, the Border Collie pup, that was just adopted out last Saturday—came back to us, because the couples' landlord, told them they could not keep her, because she was too big! Good grief! Sally weighs no more than twenty five pounds! The couple was sick about not getting to keep her, and they cried when they returned Sally to us on Tuesday. They told Tony that they had fallen in love with Sally—and they were heart broken. The good news is—Orion, the little pup, that had been her roommate—is now happy, to have her back as his roommate!
MIT—Latest Update!
The following day, Paula sent me her latest report on the Men In Trees picture! I think, she should have been a private investigator —along with her dad, because they are really following up on that mystery picture! In this latest letter, Paula also included a picture of Marty Robbins, and the resemblance was remarkable, to say the least! I think that would be too cool, if Marty Robbins was in the Men In Trees picture! Gosh, it sure feels good, to be blogging, again! Here is Paula's latest update:
Dear Nancy,
My dad and I went by the shop to see Dale just as he was closing up yesterday, and we showed him the picture of the Men in Trees. He loved it and the mystery. He sure sees the resemblance and is going to ask his sisters what they might know. But even though his dad was in WWII in the Pacific, he doesn't really think it's his dad. But he does think it's... Marty Robbins! I found this old photo of Marty—what do you think???
At the other end of the mystery—my dad is on the case. He's found that the Garrett name from inside the Kipling book goes back to the 1850's here in Kaufman, and there are still some down the road (10 miles away) in the small community of Scurry (don't you love that name? And, if someone from Kaufman is calling it small, you know it's tiny.) Anyway, my dad is going to ask around at the Senior Citizens' about Virginia Lou. And we'll go from there, probably to Scurry.
I hope things are going well with you guys. Tell the pups I love them. xoPaula
Dear Nancy,
My dad and I went by the shop to see Dale just as he was closing up yesterday, and we showed him the picture of the Men in Trees. He loved it and the mystery. He sure sees the resemblance and is going to ask his sisters what they might know. But even though his dad was in WWII in the Pacific, he doesn't really think it's his dad. But he does think it's... Marty Robbins! I found this old photo of Marty—what do you think???
At the other end of the mystery—my dad is on the case. He's found that the Garrett name from inside the Kipling book goes back to the 1850's here in Kaufman, and there are still some down the road (10 miles away) in the small community of Scurry (don't you love that name? And, if someone from Kaufman is calling it small, you know it's tiny.) Anyway, my dad is going to ask around at the Senior Citizens' about Virginia Lou. And we'll go from there, probably to Scurry.
I hope things are going well with you guys. Tell the pups I love them. xoPaula
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