#139 - Food and a Jerk

Around here, when a new restaurant or fast-food joint opens, it is BIG news! Our town here in the Greater Houston area is located more toward the Gulf of Mexico and since Hurricane Ike hit us hard, it's been a slow recovery for businesses as well.

However, it seems the Food Executives in their towers have figured out that our side of town would appreciate having more food choices, so they began building a Carl's Jr. across the street from good old Walmart.

The first day that it appeared they were open for business, we didn't let the jam-packed parking lot stop us from making our way into the craziness. Deputy Dave was toting me and Stefie along for a generous night out on the town and a young man in the Carl's Jr. parking lot walked up and said, "Do you guys have your reservations as family or friend? This is a closed celebration for family and friends only, but we open tomorrow."

For a moment, we considered saying, "Check your list, we are...we are...the Johnsons, yeah, the Johnsons and the little blonde in the backseat, yeah, she's a Smith."

But, we didn't do anything. The young man gave us a little menu with a $1.00 off coupon and we went on our way, the smiling faces melting.

The following day, the Grand Opening of this restaurant in town found it to be so incredibly crazy that customers were having to make reservations. Reservations to eat at Carl's Jr.? Now...at this point I had never eaten there, but it seemed like reservations to this joint would be similar to having call-ahead-seating at Whataburger. Just not right.

Finally, we decided to make another attempt to dine at this new establishment on the second night it had been in business. Stefie had to follow Deputy Dave and I in her own truck because she had to rush to an afternoon college class after our early dinner. So, we headed to Carl's Jr. and when we pulled into the parking lot, it was a MADHOUSE! Deputy Dave snagged a parking space in the regular lot, but Stefie had to off-road it to a grassy lot next to Carl's Jr. that was designated for overflow parking. Crazy.

Outside, the drive-through lane had about six helpers guiding people through because the line wrapped around the building TWICE and the employees made sure everyone stayed in order. Inside the joint, there were long snaking lines that were actually handled with great organization. Their team moved us through nicely and took the orders expertly. I decided to try the Chicken Tenders with the Honey Mustard Sauce and yes, it was good. Of all the area restaurants with chicken tenders, I admit that Carl's Jr. has the best.

But, living in a rather smallish town connected with H-Town (Houston) is always amusing. When we're out, we always see someone we know. Of course, walking through the doors of the restaurant found Stefie and a young man exchanging greetings and smiles. They spoke for a few seconds, then he left. Stefie informed us that this was her friend from school who had decided one night to ride a dirt-bike for the first time...he crashed...his bottom tooth went through his lip and all he cared about was that his tooth was chipped. Cute kid.

Then, as we got our food and sat down at a table I had grabbed --- a clean table that I re-cleaned to the little worker girl's confusion --- we were eating and in walked my nephew, my brother's first son!

He is a tad younger than Stefie and a lot of fun. He left his place in that LONG line to come over and chat with us and to get a few hugs. I laughed and told Stefie that it's weird how we can't have a night out with her running into friends and cousins.

Overall, it was a good dinner. I cannot eat very much in one sitting because that is my personality - I've always been the slow-as-Christmas eater. But, nothing went to waste.

Deputy Dave decided he wanted Carl's Jr. again last night, so we headed out for another exciting excursion and so he could get another six pound burger. Let me tell you folks, my husband knows how to treat a woman...such a romantic day with a man showing his good heart and kind words! What more could a woman want in life? For all the women around town just dying to go to Carl's Jr. --- eat your heart out!

Then, we got home.

Unfortunately, most of my food ended up in our refrigerator and here's why...I'd had a rotten day with an awful random nosebleed earlier in the day that surely wasn't enjoyable, then a more rotten afternoon after being sickened at overhearing a husband in the neighborhood in an argument with his wife and hearing him suddenly working in words, repeatedly, about "busting a mouth" --- REALLY? This man lost all respect in my eyes. He's the kind who really doesn't care about his wife's feelings, so it's unlikely an apology will ever come forth...it's really obvious to many people around here that he can't worry about her because he's too busy being a jerk. I stood there wondering why she'd ever WANT to be with a man who talked to her like that? He's probably pretty lousy in all areas of being a husband. Regardless, the "bust a mouth" words were said in a snide, rambling manner so that he could assure himself and his wife that he was not DIRECTLY threatening her, but those words had no place in the conversation. It was completely inappropriate and sick and a veiled threat. Not very manly, not at all. Good job Mr.

I had to walk away...these situations are volatile, usually because the man feels a need to verbally push his wife around so he can relieve his own frustrations and make himself feel superior instead of being a good husband...which makes him pitiful to behold. He thinks he's "won" but he's lost all positioning in his family and that means he's pretty much a loser in my book.

So, I had to put my food in the refrigerator after that experience...witnessing veiled threats is not a pleasant ordeal.

And as for that ugly man...I think that people like that will have exactly what they deserve coming for them...in a manner they least expect and in a way they never imagined. People full of such ugliness usually have it bounce back upon them in all areas of their life and then they wonder why they are so miserable? A person who is unwilling to be sorry for their words and actions are usually walking around with a dark cloud over them.

Yes, a dark, dark cloud and a wife whose heart could not be kept for himself, for obvious reasons.

The neighborhood soap opera continues. And, I live my life in peace and with joy down in my heart...thanking God for His love and mercy! Meanwhile, I know God is great at handing out justice.

Have a great weekend everyone, I know I plan to!

#137 - Two Brothers Fishing

Somewhere in Galveston Bay, two brothers were fishing together this past weeked.

Deputy Dave and his brother getting ready to launch
their kayaks for a day of fishing.

Redfish....catch and release, but at least there was some
catching! This method helps keep the hands cleaner.

Time to go.

A day of fishing --- always a day where fun can be found.

#136 - Laughing at My Bloom

First, for my Tighten-It-Up-Thursday update...I am again on the losing trend of pounds down. The five pounds seems to finally be OFF! Five out of my twenty-five goal...twenty pounds more to go! Actually, I am on the verge of a six pound loss, but a couple of days it went up and down on the scale for that 6th pound, which is what usually happens before it disappears! I am on a roll. A slow roll, but it feels good, painless and solidly gone.

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Now, for a few funny moments. I took a gander at Belle the Yorkie's paws as she laid on the stairs and I noticed how her paws blended in with the carpet color. Since she has caramel and white on part of her body, then grey and white on the other part, she almost partially blends in with the carpet. So, I looked at this picture and thought, "Where does the dog begin and end?" It made me smile.

Next, I have an absolute favorite pot with a weird Mexican plant in it sitting on my back porch. Well, it WAS sitting on my back porch a couple of weeks ago...until I noticed the chickens continually sitting inside the pot as they gazed inside the kitchen window harassing me. My lovely plant that had vines trailing down the side of the pot in a most unusual manner had been nearly picked to death by the chickens. So, I lugged the heavy pot inside the house and put it by my front door. At least it's safe from the chickens.

One thing I've learned about having chickens is...no plant is safe from your chicken. They will destroy your gardens and eat all of your veggie plants. They don't touch my Rosemary or my Sweet Basil, but they eat the Bell Peppers, Jalapeno Peppers and everything else in between.


My rescued plant.

On my front porch, I have some plants that have been transplanted and cut and started anew in different pots...I do not know the name of most of my plants, but I sure do love them. This plant in the picture below is one that has been kept alive through the years through aforementioned methods, originally the plant was given to me by my grandmother, at least 15 years ago. It often has little side sprouts that I transplant into a new pot, so the goodness keeps on growing.

Well, you can see the Creepy Fig that I tried to transplant
into the pot last week, but it didn't make it.

For years, my front porch often would look sparse and filled with dead or dying plants. Most often, this was because I was too sick to think about taking care of plants and no one else in the house was inclined or free to do so either. Dealing with catastrophic illness in the family will zap you of your ability to think about anything other than trying to get through each day as it comes...plants and cleaning and other "fun" stuff becomes a luxury. Well, these days, I'm enjoying luxuries again! My plants are proof! Even through the horrible drought that Texas endured, my potted plants on the front porch thrived with my regular waterings.

I have a couple of plants where the seedlings failed, but I don't stop trying.

This past weekend, I asked Shaye to come to the side of the house with me to take pictures with an OLD Aloe Vera plant we've had for years and years. This is another "old" plant that came from a grandmother...my husband's Grandmother Esther. We've created many more Aloe Vera plants from the original plant and we are big-time into using the Aloe Vera for various remedies.

In my family, I grew up knowing how to expertly scrape out the pulp and use it as a healing, soothing skin solution. Later, I discovered that my Native American heritage had passed this knowledge down through new generations...without us even realizing where the skills had come from. My husband knew to use Aloe Vera for burns, but I taught him and my children how to scrape out the pulp to create a juice and to use the cutting down to the outer skin. I sure can make extended use out of one little "branch" of the plant.

Speaking of the gorgeous Aloe Vera plant that has taken an awful beating from the drought...last weekend, I asked Shaye, "Will you take a picture next to one of my favorite plants that has a beautiful bloom growing out of it?"

She yelled enthusiastically, "SURE!"

As she rounded the corner of the house and caught a glimpse of the plant, I think her mental image of the bloom was blown to pieces. Her disappointment and personal thoughts about my "bloom" is evident in her expression.

I could barely hold the camera still as I asked her to try to smell the pretty flower! I am soooo mean!! Clearly, she did NOT want to do any smelling of anything that looked this weird. So, she tried to fake her smelling abilities...as I am barely able to stand upright from laughing so hard. At this point, I'm about to hit the driveway concrete and roll around in hysterics, at least my neighbors would have had something to talk about for the next week.

Then, I told her that she could be honest about the plant. An Aloe Vera plant is pretty amazing and I do think the bloom is beautiful, but we agreed that it wasn't exactly on the same level as a rose or a gardenia bloom. Her opinion was respected and safe. Cut loose Shaye! Tell me how you REALLY feel about this plant!

Truly, the camera can't even capture the gorgeous color of this bloom in the midst of my ugly pots full of weeds. Focus on the BLOOM!

This is a true diamond in the rough.

And I just love these fun moments with the kiddos. I believe her mental horizons about a blooming plant has just been majorly expanded after this past weekend with her aunt.

I think she'll be leery of any bloom unless she sees it for herself OR she might learn to appreciate different blooms, even if they don't have a traditional good-smelling, beautiful petal involved.

Maybe her next lesson over here will be a continuation on how to harvest the soothing pulp from the main parts of this amazing plant. Passing down generational knowledge is a treasure so many of us take forgranted. What are you passing down to the next generation that might be otherwise forgotten?

Really...I want to know...tell me what you are passing down.

#135 - Great Dane Disaster

This past week we've had something super exciting happen at our house. Just to clarify...I'm being sarcastic and here's why...the neighbors directly behind us brought home two full grown Great Danes to leave in their backyard and they barked nonstop for three straight days and nights before they calmed down a tad.

These neighbors have a backyard half the size of our backyard and now it's housing two massive Great Danes. Now...I'm a dog lover, but these dogs are way too big for their environment. The neighbor is a single woman and she has this nice sized metal shed on one side of the backyard that the dogs are using as a super-sized dog house.

Since those dogs were brought home to this lucky address, directly behind my house, it's been so much fun around here.

First of all, our other neighbors have dogs and we are both polite dog owners, letting our dogs in and out for brief amounts of time because we all live so close to one another. If I let Howdy outside and he gets on a barking binge, I have him come back inside. No need to drive the neighbors batty.

However, the Great Dane household has been not so caring about all of us who live around here. In fact, the dogs were dropped off into the backyard by some scroungy looking guys, then we've not seen anyone for days.

This morning, I went outside to let the chickens out of their coop. The Great Danes began chiming in with their terrifying "WOOFFF, WOOOOOFFF, WOOOFFF," and Howdy is ready to protect me, but I know he'd be a doggie treat in one bite to those horses in the next yard. Still, Howdy's posture is ready to do battle.

The chickens come down their ramp, one by one as I spread feed in the yard and as I am moving backwards, spreading feed, I notice an entire six foot wood picket fence that the Great Danes have busted down...which means that Belle the Yorkie could fit through the gap in the fence easily, and with her fighting mentality, she'd be yanked through the hole faster than the speed of light and probably would be swallowed whole.

Then, it hits me that the chickens LOVE to peck the growing grass all along the fenceline and it would only be a matter of time before they found the hole in the fence and the Great Danes found a squawking appetizer.

So, I gathered the chickens up and had to put them all safely back into the coop. A big pain! Yes, the crazy woman on the block with the chickens in the backyard is outside in her robe letting the chickens out of the coop early in the morning while two Great Danes bark ferociously at her, but then she just starts running around the yard three minutes later as she puts all the chickens immediately back inside the coop. Brilliant.

The feeling I get at seeing the picket knocked down by the heads of the Great Danes is so awesome. Such a great way to wake up. I found something to wedge against the gap in the fence, but one of the Great Danes would not let me near the fence, he'd lower his head growling at me through the empty space where the board is missing as I approached. One little "bump" and the next fence picket will fall forward and the demon dogs would have a buffet at their disposal.

Deputy Dave repaired it when he got home, but he too had trouble approaching the fence. We both eyed the other fence pickets while KNOWING they will NOT hold up to these two Great Danes over an extended period of time.

This neighbor has several parts of her fence deteriorating, but a couple of stretches have boards nailed to the posts on her side of the fence. So, a while back, Deputy Dave even purchased a couple of fence pickets to replace the rotting boards and he politely slid them over into her yard over the fence so that they would lay against her back fence, directly leaning against the rotting boards. Since the expense was paid for with the boards, all the neighbor had to do was nail the new board to the fence. But, the boards disappeared for some other use...they were not used as was clearly needed. So, we are not paying for any more boards.

But, I have a feeling that we aren't the neighbor cringing the most. At least we have our yard space buffering us, somewhat, from all of those double-barking sessions that last for hours on end. And, I have great sympathy for the neighbors on either side of her, especially the neighbor who added an outdoor room at about a minimum of $20,000. this past year, even paying to have the roof of the outdoor room perfectly tied in with the roof of their house so it all looks uniform. Yep, I think this outdoor room will not be as enjoyable with the Great Danes barking nonstop just a few feet away. And, the other neighbor has bedroom windows in close proximity to her yard which must be miserable as these dogs bark so powerfully that you can easily hear them five houses down.

My real estate background cringes at the sight and sound of these dogs crammed into the backyard behind us because once we get the For Sale sign in our front yard to sell our home, I know that potential buyers will be going into the backyard and they won't be able to carry on a conversation because of the Great Danes. I would need a distracting water feature that has the power of Niagara Falls to re-direct a buyer from hearing the angry Great Danes. Then again, the backyard chickens might have them so freaked out that the Great Danes are a distant thundering sound.

Miss Speckles trusts Howdy, even when he is in
butt-sniffing mode. Augh!

I can see how people on farms and ranches love their fences and their cross fences. Fences, fences and more fences...along with good guard dogs and a little protection hung comfortably at the hip. At least in the country I'd be far enough away from neighbors that I will not have to lie in bed listening to their two new HUGE dogs throw a fit all night long. Hearing a dog bark in the distance is so much better than hearing two bark within 30 feet of your house, nonstop.

I think we should have zoo rules around here ---- for the anxious dogs barking in the adjoining yards all night, we should be allowed to shoot darts loaded with a safe sedative at these dogs. Oh how horrible! How could I even think such a thing about those precious dogs who keep us awake all night and then destroy all peace during the day as they head-butt the fence until it comes down? Anyway, I'll wager a bet that those dogs are really tired and need a good night's rest. Any zoo-keepers out there with an extra set of darts on them? Weight is approximately 120 pounds each...so, the dart needs to have just the right amount of sedative.

This isn't possible? Oh well.

For now, I'll be jealous of the zoo keeper's supplies as I dream about the power I'd have with a couple of feathered darts aimed through a hole in the fence. Nighty-Night.

Oh yes, since I'm back into my drugged dart daydream, I might as well conjure up the extra darts for the days we show the house to prospective buyers.

The thought of flying darts loaded with sedatives is so unlike me, but it sure feels good to have an aim and fire daydream when you've been sleep deprived. I think there's too much "Texas" in me, and I'm plain tired.

Beyond the barking, I can't imagine what her backyard will look or smell like within four months. These dogs are not getting any attention, they are not being walked, they are not allowed inside the house whatsoever...they are stuck outside to live in their new surroundings with obvious high anxiety.

At the least, I hope she has a pitchfork and a compost pile because it will be getting thick, really fast, in that small yard. Since we've not seen our neighbor in the backyard, not even one time since the Great Danes have joined our community, I wonder...What's the point with having these dogs? The guy we saw dropping the dogs off might be a boyfriend, a brother or friend who needed a temporary place for the dogs to stay. At least, that's what I am hoping. Temporary, very temporary.

I guess we'll see what happens over the next few days. We're trying to be patient. I'm not so sure the other neighbors will do the same since they are even closer to her yard. But, this coming weekend, we might have to have a discussion with our neighbor and confront the issue of fence destruction caused by her monster dogs so that I may go into my own backyard and feel safe and so the little ones can go into the backyard and not worry about a massive dog barreling through loose boards.

This is such a good lesson for Stefie to see...Monster dogs need supervision, especially when they must live in close proximity to neighbors that you might not want to tick off...you might need neighborly help one day...you might enjoy having neighbors that don't sport the evil eye at you every time you walk out your door because they hate your dogs and you. These monster dogs need lots of food and lots of space to process that food; the fencing needs to be strong and in good condition to withstand a bit of Great Dane pressure and the barking tendencies need to be kept in check so that it does not become everyone else's problem. And, monster dogs need love and affection just as a small cute Yorkie does...they can't be left in a backyard and forgotten while everyone else in the neighborhood, is again, acutely aware of their presence.

Just another day in Paradise here folks! Regardless, I am content, yet still eager to get moved to the country. I think the holidays will distract our plans because we will be so busy entertaining, but once the New Year rolls around, we will be rolling ---- OUTTA HERE!

It won't be long...power tools and the smell of fresh cut wood...here we come baby!

#134 - Chickens, Southern Manners, and Taylor Swift

Do you keep your closet organized by keeping seasonal clothes removed from the mix? When Deputy Dave and I lived in Germany, this was actually a fun seasonal chore...remove summer things and put them in a box to store under the bed for winter. But, here in Texas we find ourselves with a closet holding seasonal clothing all together. Except for the sweaters that are put away or tucked away during summertime, a Texan's wardrobe often caters to dressing lightly, for the heat. We don't know much about seasonal closet organization because it doesn't really apply to us.

One thing is certain, Texas is known for having chaotic weather. One day will be toasty in the 80's and the next will be in the 40's.

Here I am, summer before last, on the beach
in my SUNDRESS and cowboy hat.

It can feel odd to be outside with the kids, letting them play with the water hose on a hot day while knowing the weather man said tomorrow will be a cold, cold day that will require coats, hats and NO SANDALS!

So often, here in Texas, the seasons change only in name. Fall may not necessarily have anything but green, green, green everywhere. Winter may not necessarily have what Northerners would call a "cold" day. We basically live in a perpetual state of Spring and Summer. I can't really complain; I like it.

Frankly, if I had to choose, I'd rather be warm than cold. Actually, I'd rather live with weather that is "just right." For us Texans, that means a day that's warm enough to go to the beach with a soft breeze, yet not so hot as to sweat or a nice afternoon on the front porch without feeling as if we're in a sauna. High 70's, low 80's is pretty much perfect in my book. Sometimes, that's a tall order for Texas living.

A perfect day at Galveston's beach.

Our weather here in Texas is masterful at contradicting the seasons. Every now and then, it will be December, yet hot and stuffy, but you'll still see someone walking around in a thick turtle-neck sweater and boots designed for trekking through the snow. It's as if they are so desperate to wear their winter clothes that they don't care if they look like a lost Eskimo. I've considered that these inappropriately dressed people might be traveling to the South, for the first time, and are unaware that they should've also packed summer clothes, even though they are here only for Christmas.

I think Texans eye such people with wariness because they wonder how long it will be before these unfortunate people will fall over from self-inflicted heat stroke. To be fair, I can say that unless I had lived many years of my life in Europe, I'd not have a clue as to how to dress for visiting Northern states. Dressing in layers cannot be over-emphasized, it's how we survived in Germany. In Texas, we avoid stuffy layered clothing, unless you enjoy doing laundry.

Deputy Dave with his older brother Mark --- Mark is holding
his youngest daughter, adorable Aimee! Deputy Dave is
wearing one of his favorite shirts, with panels that open for the breeze
to blow in on the skin; these are his fishing shirts.

Here we are, it's November and this past week we've had a couple of days in the 80 degree range. My winter coat is surely in need of a good cleaning because it sits lonely and unworn in the far recesses of my closet. My leather boots need a good polishing, and I dread having to be bundled up in too many clothes --- I don't like feeling stifled.

I'm a true Southern gal. I love wearing a flowing, airy sundress with spaghetti straps. Sundresses are my thing. Even today, as I sit here typing, I'm wearing my sundress. Sometimes I watch old movies and am salivating at the designs and the former beauty that was once put into sewing the old-days-gone-by sundresses. It makes me want to lug out the sewing machine and get to work on creating some of my own designs. I often visit TEXAN at http://www.texan.blogspot.com/ and salivate over her sewing abilities. She sews on a professional level. Also, Karen over at http://www.krensgarden-karen.blogspot.com/ amazed me by sewing the stylish, elegant jacket she wore this past year to her class reunion.

So many blog buddies sew and are inspirational in this area. For me, a woman sewing is similar to a man doing wood-work, I've done a little of both and they relate so much to each other...patterns, measuring, cutting, putting the pieces together...trying to not bring the potty-mouth into the equation.

I would like to have a closet full of sundresses in my closet, perhaps a few made with fabric that has chickens incorporated into the fabric, for extra fun for when the kids visit. I'm thinking, these dresses might be a great idea for myself. Give me some leeway --- I'm moving to the country, so I will be allowed to be extra quirky with designing things that have chickens involved.

Yes, I think that I will become more eccentric the older I get. After all, isn't that the fun part of getting older? For my husband's pleasure, perhaps I'll sew myself a few sundresses with Aggie fabric...yes...we are getting old in THAT area as well. Let's spice things up baby! I can imagine walking into the living room to show off my newly sewn Aggie sundress as Deputy Dave admires me with glowing fascination. How about THIS Aggie attire? After 25 years of marriage, I KNOW what makes my man happy!

Goodness, I'm on a roll. All of my loyal readers already KNOW that I will very likely follow through with this creative thought, as soon as the holidays are finished and I have room to drudge out the sewing machine and buy some Aggie fabric. Heck, I might sew a game-day dress!

As for this past weekend, we got to spend all day Saturday and Sunday with my niece, Shaye. Talk about being on a roll...two weekends consecutively pulling babysitter duty. Don't I live the enviable life style?

Anyway, as for Shaye...that kid has been taught typical Southern manners, Yes Maam, No Sir, Please, Thank You, Excuse Me and such. These words are a natural part of her regular vocabulary, nothing is contrived, just good old-fashioned KNOWING your manners and using them as second-nature is already her nature.

And YES, I am growing Blue Bell ice-cream.

She's five, but I sure love to see a young child who has been raised with manners. It makes a difference.

Shaye has lost her first tooth. She lost it while playing at church a couple of Sundays ago with her parents nearby. The Tooth Fairy brought her two $1 bills and her mother took her to the dollar store so she could have a ball spending her money.

So, we had a great weekend together. On Saturday, I made a big lunch and that afternoon I was tuckered out. Laying down in my bed upstairs, reading, Shaye walked in and asked if she could crawl into bed and cuddle. Oh My Gosh --- Of Course!! Such a doll! She and I talked about how grown up she's getting and how we will be doing different things as she ages. For now, we play Barbies and read books, later, she'll be reading her own books, but we'll be going to the movies together and perhaps to the mall for a fun trip. Shaye would smile so big, letting me see the gap where the missing tooth is evident.

I continued to read my book as Shaye laid her head on my shoulder. She had her hand laying on my arm and with heavy, sleepy eyes, she said, "You feel, to me, just like my mommy."

A lump grew in my throat. Such a compliment! I put my hand on hers and said, "You feel, to me, just like one of my own daughters when they were little like you."

Shaye smiled big and drifted off to sleep.

These precious moments cannot be bought.

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NOW...FOR THE MOST IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR MY FAMILY...WE HAD SOMEONE IN THE FAMILY ACTUALLY GET TO SEE TAYLOR SWIFT IN CONCERT!

My youngest, Stefie, had a very exciting weekend (LAST weekend) as she went to see Taylor Swift perform in Houston. Meanwhile, on that same weekend, Deputy Dave and I were babysitting the entire weekend for his niece and nephew.

Stefie at the Taylor Swift concert.

Her boyfriend had purchased tickets many months ago and their seats were directly on the floor, same level as the stage with Taylor Swift at MinuteMaid Park with 42,000 people, a sold out show.

Stefie is a HUGE Taylor Swift fan.

Stefie always sings along to every song of Taylor Swift; Stefie has a heavenly voice. Stefie had been in choir all through school, she sang Opera songs in Italian, had private voice lessons, and she literally could probably pursue singing career-wise, but she is content to sing along with Miss. Swift.

Stefie said Taylor Swift was a great LIVE performer and the entire experience was wonderful.

Here, you can see how close Stefie and Brice are
to the stage. Great Seats! Good job Brice!

For the guys, like Brice, the good boyfriends...there was another performer that came out to sing with Taylor Swift...NELLY. For the young-ins...Nelly is awesome, a great contrast in performing styles to enjoy.

Well, I have more to add, but I can't seem to catch up with blogging about all the things that happen in our lives day by day. It feels as if I am living a slow-paced life, but when I begin to blog about my boring little life, I can't seem to catch up in words to all of our pictures that we constantly take throughout the week of our activities. I guess our combined lives are FULL to the brim.

I might need to slow down with our living a little bit so I can catch up with my blogging.

Smile everyone!

#133 - Australian Shepherd Chronicles - Part III

Australian Shepherds are becoming a big part of our lives. Once we get moved to our land full-time, I hope that Howdy will still be happy and healthy so that we can add more of his awesome genes to the dog world. Since we have a decent amount of land, I hope to be able to keep one of his offspring, but we will see how it goes. Howdy definitely as an "A" dog personality...this breed is independent, likes to take charge and must be made useful in a working mode.

Henry playing with the three Australian Shepherds
at the beach in Galveston, Texas.
Howdy has the market on jumping ability.

Here, you can see Howdy's mane. Tux, the Blue Merle Aussie
is my daughter's dog and the Red Tri is Howdy's offspring, still a puppy
and lives in my daughter's household. His name is Dunk.

For this particular blog entry, I want to get one of the difficult parts about these dogs out of the way early. For the ugly truth, an Australian Shepherd can be destructive. They have a tremendous desire to "work" with their teeth and paws. I'm not talking about mouthing and pawing as a normal puppy, an Aussie MUST work their mouths and paws...it is the entire make-up of their nature to keep their mouths and paws employed.

If an Australian Shepherd's mouth and paws are not kept purposefully busy with productive activities, this deep-seated need within this breed can become disastrous for your home. Many new puppies can be chastised for this kind of behavior, but it must be understood that an Aussie wants to use their mouth and paws intelligently. If you give them a good reason to put themselves to work, this will create a happy owner and a happy dog.

If an Aussie feels unable to be exuberant, they can develop serious anxiety. Basically, this means that these dogs must be given robust, regular, consistent exercise and play-time. If not, they will chew off your window sills, destroy your shoes, gnaw on the edge of your sofa and simple find themselves doing mindless destructive things in their unguided efforts to expend excessive, unused energy.

My oldest daughter, Heather, as Howdy jumps
for the rope. She is nearly six foot tall and ready to play.

Aussies have a "soft" bite when working the farm and going
on instinct, but when in a game of competition, their jaws
can be fierce. If you play with the big dogs, you may get bit.
Don't whine, but play as safe as you can, ready to let go if their
jaws get too close to your hand. Be sharp, these dogs are FAST.

No doubt about it...these dogs must be kept busy and be worn out. And...wearing them out is not easy. Daily, it is nothing special in our household to play ball with Howdy for two hours nonstop. Our arm will wear out LONG before his body will. These dogs are magnificent athletes. I have been forced to even submit to playing ball in the house. Since I'm not always game to stand outside in 105 degree Texas heat, an indoor game will sometimes have to be sufficient. Believe me, Howdy doesn't care where we play a good game of fetch, he's happy, just as long as we play.

Still an athlete, Tux can't jump as high as Howdy, but he has
all of these dogs beat in his ability to have speed when running.
Howdy doesn't have a chance to keep up with Tux's speed.

Frankly, I have days when I am tired, but I sit on the living room loveseat and throw the ball across the room to hit the back wall and Howdy leaps into the air to catch it. Often, we have a game of how many times he can catch it mid-air without it rolling away from him to pursue. I think our current record count is 62 times, consecutively. When we play ball, most often, I have him follow a few commands before I will throw the ball, he listens and follows the commands, but he will NOT take his focus off the ball. I might have him "sit" and then "lay" and then I will count to three before throwing the ball...he knows all about the count of three and is ready to launch into a run at "three." The count of three is a great precursor to "stay" because there are times Deputy Dave will throw the ball and Howdy will have to wait until the count of three BEFORE he can go fetch it...for a dog, that is self-restraint.

Shaye holding the bamboo stick is sometimes a problem
for Howdy, he wants to take the stick in his mouth
and make her go where HE wants her to go. She has learned
to have a voice of authority over Howdy.

In the corner, you can see Tux in his "predatory" mode, ready
to go for the rope. And Howdy has his head tilted slightly to
keep his eye constantly on Tux. Little Dunk is still a puppy and
can't compete with these two dominate dogs, but he's learning.

Another way we play is for me to simply throw the ball into the air for him to jump and catch it. He can do this all day long. My point is, if you have an Aussie, you might have to develop some indoor games, especially if you are in the suburbs, as we are. For us, having backyard chickens has helped Howdy exert some of his intense energy and focus as he runs around the yard, actually making a count of his flock several times per day. He knows each of those birds better than I do. Throughout the day, he will run outside and immediately start looking for the chickens in their favorite spots, just so he can make sure they are there. Then, he's often content to come back in the house for a few more minutes of indoor time.

My youngest daughter playing ball on the beach and Howdy is
STILL ready to play some more. He sits in between Stefie and Brice
as they throw the ball, hoping it will come his way.
Tux knows this isn't his game.

Many of these dogs are known to keep running and to keep working, even in the heat of Texas until they drop dead from heat stroke. These dogs don't have an "off" button. You must be a strong master to remain on diligent Aussie-Alert so that you can get these dogs to do as they should do for their own health. In the heat of the summer, if your Aussie will not calm down, you might need to kennel them for a brief time-out in a cool spot during the heat of the day. But, if you need a working dog with a great work ethic, an Australian Shepherd is the dog for you. Just remember, if they are not given constant jobs or tools to keep them busy, they will find something suitable to meet their need. This is exactly why these dogs make great companions for the disabled...after they have been thoroughly chilled out by age and training. Since their average life-span is 12-15 years, training these dogs is a good investment.

Dancing on the beach, Howdy is still ready for a turn.
He loves Stefanie.

There is one very special aspect to this breed that we have noticed in both Aussies we've helped to raise...our own, Howdy, and my oldest daughter's Aussie, Tux ---- any time we have had to leave the house, upon our return, the Aussies MUST go find one of their toys and they come running to present it to us. One day, I realized upon walking in the door that Howdy was racing around the house and would not stop going from room to room in a very anxious manner, then I realized that I had put all of the tennis balls up on the fireplace mantel when I had mopped the floor. He finally stopped at the mantel and pointed his face upward without moving, to make sure I followed his stare right toward the tennis balls. Once I figured it out and gave him a ball, he was extremely happy and pounding around, then he brought the ball to my feet and dropped it. His "Welcome Home" gift, as usual. So, in our household, the Aussies have a strong habit of needing to bring us a toy every time we get home and see each other again. Actually, it's kind of sweet.

Howdy is actually jumping on the trampoline with
Deputy Dave and little Shaye. Normal dogs
would not even want to go NEAR a trampoline with
people jumping on it.

Another interesting fact about this dog is that they are always alert, even when it appears they are resting. Usually, they flip an ear back so that their inner ear is exposed and their eyes will narrow into a noticeable sharpened focus as they become nearly obsessed with figuring out the change in surroundings. If you bring something different into the house, they will note it.

Howdy playing the Belle the Yorkie!

One very noticeable difference we've had with this breed compared to other that we've owned through the years is that when we set up Howdy's kennel inside the house with a comfortable blanket for night-time, like we've always done with every dog we've owned, we had problems. In the morning, we would always find the blanket with the quilted lining completely torn out. Thinking that Howdy shouldn't have a "padded" or "quilted" blanket, I would put a regular single-layer blanket in his kennel. No matter what kind of blanket I'd put in his kennel, in the morning I'd end up gathering all the pieces and throwing it away while being perplexed.

We even tried to put in an old blanket that had our smell all over it.

Nope, it didn't work. Same thing, next morning the blanket was in shreds.

The next night, we figured we could put an old towel in the kennel with Howdy, surely that would give him SOMETHING soft to have to lay upon that wouldn't deserve a shredding by his powerful claws. The next morning, we opened the kennel and immediately found Howdy in a tizzy. He was backing out of his kennel with the towel in his powerful jaws and his front two paws attacking the towel as he worked frantically to pull the towel out of his kennel, then he put his big head back inside the kennel for a good look around, he let out a big snort and went about his day.

What was wrong with this dog? More aptly, what was wrong with me? I just couldn't accept the fact that maybe he didn't WANT anything soft or cuddly in his kennel. NOOOOOOO, that thought would not DARE cross my mind.

In my Aussie denseness, I felt so bad for my BABY --- he would not accept a blanket at all. How could he be comfortable in the hard kennel all night? Then, one day I was again studying Australian Shepherds and there was a passage about how wranglers loved the ease of traveling with an Aussie because other dogs and animals often need to have their blankets at night, but the Australian Shepherd is apparently known for shunning blankets...that's because the Aussie's double coat of hair, with its thick under-coat, means that he has no use for blankets.

Lana's lightbulb finally lit up.

Since we had found Howdy after he was several months old and after he had lived on a ranch in the open, not inside a residence, he was probably already set in his ways for being content with his built-in padding.

This breed is a double-coated breed. His natural double coat of hair serves as a built-in blanket. Australian Shepherds are also like little heaters, they put off a ton of body heat. Sometimes, I indulge my dogs with extra attention, so I'll let Howdy up on the sofa with me for a few minutes. He will lean against me or crawl partly across my lap, so content to be close...these dogs are very affectionate, but within three minutes, he is radiating serious heat and starting to pant as if he is parched...I know that he won't sit there for long, simply because he gets too hot and prefers his space.

Of course, during cold weather, an Aussie can be your best heating pad; they won't let you go cold. Howdy can be very sweet and an Aussie will lay his head against you firmly in the most endearing manner. Since their head and ears are of a different texture of hair, it is silky smooth hair, I can only imagine that God created this dog so that his warm nature of needing contact with his owner is made more lovable by the soft hair on their head as you pet them. At least it's a nice thought.

Their undercoat is also called a "warming undercoat" and the thickness depends on the climate the dog lives in. I find it fascinating that this undercoat not only helps them keep warm in the winter, but it helps to keep them cool in summer. In the heat, the undercoat also works as a built-in "air-conditioner" because it helps lift the upper coat of hair to aid circulation. If you keep the hair that is shedding regularly brushed out, the double coat of hair also acts as a protectant for their skin to stay cool and healthy beneath the sun's harmful rays. Regular brushing with a deep scrub bath every three or so weeks can work wonders to help your Aussie stay cool in the summer months. They do not need to be bathed too often because they have natural oils on their skin and hair, plus you will find that an Aussie's outer coat of hair is so coarse that they do not easily hold caked on dirt for long. If they do happen to play in the mud, which Howdy LOVES to do, then their hair is more likely to let the dirt go after it has dried and they have played a few hard games outdoors in the dry grass.

If Howdy does romp around in the mud, this is when he must accept a big absorbant towel in his kennel. I'll put his soaking, muddy self in the kennel with the towel and after a bit he will be dry, then we can step onto the porch to brush the dirt out pretty easily. And these days, I manage to keep a small towel in his kennel with him most of the time.

The good thing is...these dogs also really do not benefit from being shaved, especially after you understand the function of their double-coat of hair.

If you do not want a dog that sheds a LOT, then avoid the Australian Shepherd. To be honest, this is one aspect to owning an Aussie that I had NOT been prepared to live with. I am obsessed with my floors and with trying to keep things dusted; however, since we have owned Howdy, it's a losing battle. I must admit, we have Aussie Hair Everywhere.

When brushing Howdy, we must be out of doors because the double-coat is thick...making for constant brush cleaning and hair flying everywhere as you brush. I am obsessive about my floors and sweep daily, sometimes multiple times per day and I always find more hair laying around than I can clean. It's a constant battle. It's a good thing that we do not have any carpet downstairs, except for my cowhide which I still vacuum and Deputy Dave takes outside once a year for a good beating. The tiled floors equalize the battle against the shedding Aussie. Since Howdy basically lives indoors, he sheds more year-round than a dog would if he were living in outdoor quarters.

As for the fur of an Australian Shepherd, it can vary slightly, but this breed is very unique in that the male dog looks masculine and the female appears feminine. Males have a more mascular build and females are more delicate looking. Compared to breeds such as the Boxer, where a female can look just as intimidating and muscular as a male Boxer, this is interesting. Males, such as Howdy, often develop a rather large and impressive mane of hair. I admit, we had cut his hair last year, not understanding the effects of his double-coat; his mane is just now growing back fully. A male Aussie, with a full mane, can indeed look intimidating. However, since I know Howdy's softer side, I can laugh as he prances around in the backyard like a mini-Lion with his mane blowing around in the wind. It appears that the excessive hair around their neck serves a valid purpose...in the wild, it is more difficult for a predator or enemy to get a good grip around a neck full of thick hair. And their coarse hair is less likely to be tangled or caught up in thorny shrubs.

When Howdy was a puppy, he looked like a little fluffy bear. His fur was super soft, very fine and silky all over. However, be warned, as you are looking at the adorable little Aussie puppy, keep in mind that the Australian Shepherd's coat changes from a puppy coat of fluffy softness to a more coarse, wavy coat that is nearly impervious to dirt and water.

Lyla is still top dog around here.

Howdy as a puppy, before he grew in his mature coat of hair.

Since these are dogs that are meant to be outdoor working dogs, they have a coat of hair that is not only a double-coat, it is waterproof so they can be better able to withstand the elements of outdoor life. Howdy loves going outside in the rain. He will actually plop down in the yard and lay there looking content as it pours down. The rain beads up on his top coat of hair and just rolls off of him. But remember, these dogs cannot be bathed too frequently or their natural, protective oils will be stripped away.

I am enjoying my time writing about Australian Shepherds and hearing about other people's experiences with them...good, bad and indifferent. I love reading other people's blogs about these dogs. I also found it interesting that this breed was developed by partially using the Collie line, which isn't surprising considering their herding and working instinct. In fact, if you look at a Collie, the Aussie looks similar. I am still a novice in raising these dogs, but in this area, I am a fast learner.

I am fascinated by their stamina, agility, and power. This dog has taught me a lot of things, such as how to be a strong "master" or this dog will run all over you, literally. We had a few tense moments when I had to assert myself as "A" dog over him, but I will share those moments with you later. Once I had passed the test and Howdy had been reminded that Mama Rules, all was well in the house. And, for the most part, a happy house we've had with Howdy.

I leave you with a video of me feeding the three dogs by fork. It's Sunday eggs. Every Sunday I make eggs for the dogs which helps them have a shiny coat of hair. You can see the difference in the breed by the way they eat. Howdy, who is the only male of the bunch, is the most delicate with eating because of the Aussie's innate nature to use a soft bite. And...ignore my kitchen rug, it survived Hurricane Ike and is on its last leg...full of grass from a day of doggie traffic...I think new kitchen rugs are on my list, but I cringe at the dirt and post it anyway!

http://youtu.be/1TIP_5joV08