Great Western Corgi Tour

This is just a quick story about my trip west. More details will be posted later.

Just returned from the West on Monday 7/5. Fly and I left home on June 18 around 6AM. We drive all day to Lincoln NE and stayed with another Corgi friend, her husband and her Pems. Digby is Fly's half brother. From Lincoln we headed west again. As we drove I started to feel puny. We only missed 1 rest stop in NE. Speaking of rest stops at the last rest stop in NE I got Fly out to walk. I took him to the pet exercise are where I stepped off the sidewalk to the grassy area and I saw an orange sign. The sign said that rattlesnakes were native to the area and to be aware. Back on the sidewalk and back in the car! We drove on to Rock Springs Wy. I stopped about 7:30 and slept off and on most of the night. I felt a little better the next AM. Rock Springs is a neat little town. The motel was clean, but no place to walk Fly. I stopped at a local WalMart and got an anti diarrehal (TMI) and a sweatshirt.

In UT we got a good stretch at a rest stop. It had a hill with a cross honoring a state trooper who was killed near there. I saw my first real magpie there too. They are beautiful, but evidently a pest. No rattlesnake signs. The hill was very steep. Fly was too interested in sniffing to see the gopher on the path and the bunny next to the path. I stopped for ice cream later in the day hoping it would settle my stomach and got a shock, actually 2. One was the cost of gas and the other was the baby rattlers. I wasn't going to look at all, but the clerk convinced me. She was right they were really cute, real baby rattlers. They were real baby rattlers in pink, blue and yellow. We drove on and eventually saw part of the Great Salt Lake. Through out this western part of the trip I was struck by the highway closed signs, gates and huge snow fences. This is not an area I want to visit in the winter.

Arrived at Judy's Sunday evening early. Still felt bad. Slept like a rock that night. Judy put me to work the next day getting ready for the the trial the next weekend. Judy's friend, Debby, came on Monday night and Judy worked us both to death the rest of the week. Later in the week I noticed that Fly was limping. He had gotten sore feet from either the pea gravel or chain link in the kennel. Judy's daughter -in-law gave me an ointment to put on it. Fly was allergic! The day of the trial he came out of his crate, where he had been moved to help his feet, he couldn't even put his right foot on the ground. Off to the vet. Debby was nice enough to drive us in her truck. Antibiotics and Better Apple helped. Fly got to run on Sunday, but I pulled him on Saturday. Oh yeah, during the week Debby and I discovered a new store that we really love, Winn Co. Almost like a Sam's Club, but no membership required. Anyway, we ran on Sunday. He really tried, but the sheep knew where the gate was. We did get through the Y and almost to the Z. I was actually pleased. This was our first time in Started.

The weather in ID is good. It is hot, but the humidity is low. I drank a lot of water and iced tea. The scenery was boring. We left on Wednesday heading for WA to see my brother and his family.

In OR the shocks started again. Of course, the gas prices were high, but there were no self service stations. In WA we saw lots of orchards and wineries. I wish I had had more of an inclination to stop. I did buy 2 bottles of wine at a gas stations. It was called Mad Housewife. The merlot was okay, but the chardonnay was really good. They were only $7.99 per bottle. Reasonable.

Arrived at my brother's early evening on the 30th. Met many of his step-children and their children on the 1st. Great family. Fly loved the kids. Tied a yellow ribbon on a tree in the front in honor of his son in Afghanistan. Left on the 3rd. Middle WA is creepy in a Twins Peaks kind of way. It is dark and wet. I did see the most beautiful rainbows. They were huge. The full spectrum was almost visible. You could almost touch them. I think I drove through one. The rain drops on my wind shields all turned to rainbows. It was cool.

East WA was pretty boring again. More rattlesnake signs. Saw the National Wild Horse Monument. Tried to climb up,but it was too steep for me and Fly. Also the trail was loose rock and sand. I didn't have on hiking shoes. Decided to vist Grand Coulee dam. HA HA! I got off the highway thinking it wasn't too far based on other signs I saw. Finally, I saw and sign that said 52 miles. Nope, too far. Turned back. Stayed over night in St. Regis MT. Will never ever stay in a Super 8 again. It was over $100 and no fridge or microwave. Montana is a huge state! One we drove. I noticed that my left turn signal was out. Stopped in a small town, Clinton, I think. The auto parts place repaired it. Just charged for the bulb.

Visited the Little Big Horn Battlefield. More rattlesnake signs. What I was struck by was the silence. No wind noise, no cars, no voices, just a bird once in a while and a slight rustling of the grass. No rattlesnake noises. Did hear that someone had seen one on a trail that I was going to take. Didn't take the trail. I don't think the battlefield is haunted. Isn't that weird. I did not feel uncomfortable there at all alone except for that snake thing. STayed the night hear Buffalo WY. Stayed at Motel 6. Did some laundry, used the microwave and even opened the merlot and had 1 glass. Nice lady at the desk and her husband stayed there with her during the night.

Visited Devil's Tower in the AM and missed Mt. Rushmore. It was pouring rain, but what better day to visit than the 4th. Oh well, I'll go again someday. Stopped in Wall SD at the world famous Wall Drugs. It was okay. I wasn't impressed. Stayed overnight near Sioux City at a Motel 6. Again very nice desk clerk. Microwave didn't work so she used the employees' microwave. On Monday the big push home started. Big cheer when I crossed the Missouri River at Ocama SD. Stopped at a park just across the river to take a couple pics and walk Fly. Again, those darn rattlesnake signs. Back in the car! Oops, we crossed the MO River before Sioux City. Things were running together by then.

In IA we stopped in Winterset to see John Wayne's birthplace and take pics for my brother in Wa, who is a huge fan. I had heard after we were in WY that he had fallen an broken his hip very badly. I called to tell him about the Winterset stop just as he was getting ready to go into surgery. He was thrilled. It was very early in the AM and the house and gift shop were not open yet. I didn't want to wait around. I was on the big push.

The rest of the trip is a blur. I kind of wish I had not argued with the GPS. It had me arriving home 3 hours earlier than I did. I took a different route. I thought the "lady in the box" was going to put me on toll roads near Chicago. I wanted to be on I70. I70 seemed to be a straight shot. Of course, I ran into a lot of contruction getting to I70 on I25. Maybe, I should stop arguing with her so much. On the way out from NE to ID she got put on the floor.

Anyway, we are home. Tilly, Toby and Jerry Garcia are home. I am still tired. I will post some the the details at a later time.

Eight Months

It has been 8 months since I lost Tyler. I still have a hole in my heart. I miss the boy so much. I think a some it may be guilt as I didn't keep up with the heartworm meds. Today the other dogs get their meds. It is appropriate that it is the anniversary of Ty's death.

Holeeee cow! I watched Julie and Julia today. Who would have though that such a light movie could conjure up such feelings in me? If guess it was the obvious love between Julia and Paul and Julie and her husband. It could also be the merlot. I will not be watching Sideways any time soon. NO MERLOT!!!!! Red zin is too hard to find especially at Wallyworld.

I have decided that retirement is rotting my brain. Thank goodness for Facebook and this blog. I have become a fan of American Idol. Heaven help me. I have tried crosswords and games, but nothing beats human interaction. I can't be a hermit afterall. I have wanted to for years. Now the reality is here and it ain't all it is cracked up to be.

I enjoyed the "pissing and moaning" about my co workers. I enjoyed the stress of working with downstream departments. Didn't enjoy the drive in to Indy in the snow and getting docked and written up for being late.

Too bad Randy Stevenson (whatever) doesn't come out of his ivory tower and see what is really going on in the trenches. Maybe, HE needs to talk to the customers of AT&T in person. No, I'm not bitter at all.

No, I don't want to go back to work. Spring will be here shortly. I am just having a cabin fever moment!

Can't wait for new sheep!

Nuttin' New

I am settling in still to retirement. This winter I have been drinking a lot of wine. It is too cold to go out.

Just got back from grocery shopping. I am more tired than when I walked an hour yesterday with the dogs uphill and down.

You know we are becoming a homogenized society! I had to go to 3 different groceries to get everything I needed and still need a couple things more. These are not exotic gourmet foods. It is sad. Of course, part of it is the clientle these stores cater to. I could not find sun dried tomatoes or dry sherry at WalMart or Kroger. Go figure. I knew Aldi would have neither. Swiss chard may be out of season.

I think retirement has mellowed me. I haven't felt the need to hurt anyone at the stores in a couple months. Or else my face is on a poster somewhere saying beware and stay out of her way. Good deal on that! I can't get over how women walk away from their carts in the middle of aisle with their purses sitting wide open. I use the seat belt to strap mine in and I don't leave my cart.

So, I am home now. Tired, having a glass of merlot and a few almonds to fortify me before dinner. The weather is good. Finally, the cold spell broke. It was oppressive. It was almost as bad as a prolonged heat wave in August.

Dogs are fine. Tilly has a Rally trial in Indy in Feb. It will be her last hurrah, I hope. I just want to get her advanced title and then retire her. I don't think I will put Fly in Advanced Rally until he is older. He is ADHD boy. Love him and he is good in Novice, but off the leash he would be going to the hot dog stand or out the door.

Happy New Year

Holy cow was 2009 a bad year or what? Let's kick the dust from our shoes and move on.

Don't forget the the past year, but don't dwell on it either. Raise your head and lift your heart.

I am looking for a rescue corgi. I just want a pet. Tilly and Fly are my show corgis. I still need a snuggle corgi. I want an older boy. I have filled out the paperwork and we will see. If it is meant to be it will happen. No dog can ever replace Tyler that is for sure. Still I need snuggles.

Today my friend and I went for our annual New Year's Day walk. We walked over an hour with our dogs. Tilly and Fly are tired. I am exhausted! It feels good. It was 20, no wind and sunny. It was a beautiful day. Just a day to enjoy being alive. Fly is laying on my feet as I type this and Tilly is on the couch. Life is good.

Been a while!

Well, it has been some time since I posted. Things have been okay. Today I am just feeling philosophical about life and spelling.

I am missing Al and my Mom. I am not depressed just melancholy. I had planned to do so much with my Mom after I retired and now she is gone before I even had a chance to get in the mode of not working.

The local radio station is having a 60s weekend and so I am missing Al because of that.

Missing Tyler because he was my hugger. Still I am feeling okay.

I think in order to live alone you have to like yourself. I like me. I get bored being alone, but very seldom am lonely. There is the web after all! Still this being alone is relatively new to me. Before I did get to go to work and see people. I miss most of my co-workers.

Dogs are no substitute for people. I don't understand people who have lots of dogs or cats in the house with them. I love my dogs, but they can't replace people no matter how many you have.

The garage looks good. Someone is coming, hopefully, to take the big old walnut desk. I will have lots of room then.

An old acquaintance of my stopped by today and wanted to rent my pasture for a couple months. That's okay. I am reseeding in late winter anyway. The horses will eat it down to nubbins in no time. The money is a little bit of nothing. It will pay for the water. It will be nice to see animals out there again. I only sold the sheep on Friday and I miss their presence already. I will be getting new sheep in the spring. Something the dogs can work with.

My back went out while working on the garage. So, I had to apply alcohol internally. It is feeling better. A little merlot is a great pain reliever.

I am ready for another Corgi. I will be contacting the rescue groups. I just want a pet this time. I need another snuggler. Think I can find one? I'll keep you posted.

Needs

You never out grow the need for your mother. I have thought this for a long time. When my husband passed away in Feb of 1999 who did I call first? MOM. I knew she wasn't as strong as the Mom I had come to rely on in my adulthood, but she was still my Mom and I needed her. Now my Mom has gone. Who do I call now?

This has been a horrible month. Tyler got sick then he died. Mom fell and then she passed away. The most comfort I have is that Ty and Mom are together. Ty loved Mom. Of course, Ty loved anyone who would pet him and had food.

Sometimes I think I was a horrible child. I was mean to my brothers. I resented having to babysit them. I guess that was normal. I had the normal fights with Mom, I guess.

After I went into the Air Force and then got married our relationship changed to more friends than mother and daughter. Still when I needed a Mom she was there.

I think that Moms should tell their daughters that this will happen. Moms should not try to run their adult children's lives. Mom was a good mother in law as was my husband's mother. Don't take sides and stay out of their lives. When I got married Mom said you made your bed now lay in it. Don't get me wrong she loved my husband and he was a good man and husband and son in law. She just wanted me to know this was now my life. Of all the kids I am the only one who never has come back home.

I don't have any guilty feelings which really surprises me. I don't have anything to feel guilty for, but still we all have those feelings. Maybe, after the viewing today I will. This hasn't been real yet. I saw Mom on the Tuesday afternoon before she fell and broke her leg. She fell in the early hours of Wednesday. On Monday I was to take her to the Dr. and when I got up that morning Tyler was dead. I was too upset to take her. I went to visit her on Tuesday. She was upset that Tyler had died, too. I thought that day that her eyes looked good. They had been kind of cloudy for a while. She had bright green eyes that day. On the day she passed away, my brother and I went to the hospital early in the morning to talk to the Dr. I talked to her. Of course,there was no response. Later just after noon my brother called to tell me the news. I felt nothing except maybe a little surprise. I thought she would be here a few more days. Maybe it was a coping method. Who knows?

Anyway, ladies tell your daughters that they will never outgrow the need for their mothers. Ladies, be good mothers. Mine was.