For The Love Of Dogs

Being a dog lover, I love the following quote...

Ben (1996 - 2006)

"He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.) When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever - in case I need him. And I expect I will - as I always have. He is just my dog."
- Gene Hill

Bear (1996 - 2008)

Hannah snoozing 2010 (2008 - )

Maggie (2008 - )

Balloon Fiesta 2010 - Felling Balloons

So, I didn't make it to the Fiesta this year, but my friends' house is in the flight pattern most days (when the wind is just right).  So this morning, I jumped out of bed, grabbed the camera and headed outside.  Just in time to see one balloon fly low over the house - the others were heading a further to the East.

Sandy asked if I wanted to go to the empty field not far from the house to get better photos so I said sure... little did I know the 'treat' I'd get while there.  The field is a popular landing spot so I just knew I'd get some great shots.  And then a balloon came in... shouting down, asking if we could catch them.  So much for photos, the camera and coffee cup were tossed to the side and Sandy & I ran to the basket and grabbed hold of it. There were, luckily, a couple of other helpers so we weren't dragged too far and the basket did not tip over, spilling its pilot and crew.  YEA!  My first balloon 'catching' or felling as seems to be the vernacular to use.

We 'walked' the balloon several yards further, creating more room for more balloon landings.  All in all we helped fell four balloons. Kinda exciting.  The pilots were even recruiting us to help next year.  If any one is interested check out Quad-A (http://www.hotairballooning.org/) to see about being on balloon crews next year.  If I were going to be here,  I'd be signing up!  Sandy would rock at it - already shouting orders to some kids about grabbing the guide wire for the top of the balloon and they obeyed.  Below are a few photos from the morning.  (My cheap-o camera has something on the lens that I can't get off so ignore the IBD (unidentified black dot) on most of the photos).

The first several photos are by my friend Sandy.  Thanks for sharing Sandy!

Me and the first balloon I helped fell

Hanging on!!

Sandy holding things down

Folding up the balloon

Balloon over the house

The New House & Damn Fire Ants

So last weekend I was able to spend a brief amount of time at the new house in Texas.  I kinda like it... lots of room, TONS of storage and Bryan and the girls are there.  Very 'farmhousey' country.  The bathrooms and kitchen could use an overhauling but all in all, it seems to be a good house - even in the disarray of a temporary 'bachelor pad'.   And I love the area - after 2 years in the high desert of New Mexico it seemed extremely lush and green. Lots of trees and nice rolling hills.  The lake is small but nice, I sort of equate it to Lake Stevens in WA but it is smaller.  Still it has that Lake Stevens feel.  The downside to the house (aside that it isn't unpacked and ready for me) is that it doesn't have a fenced yard for Hannah & Maggie.  Oh well, can't have everything I suppose.

And the weather was PERFECT!!!

While I was there we walked the neighborhood with H & M and took them below the spillway for a dip in the 'creek' (AKA running mudhole).  What did we care, the girls LOVED it.  There is a ditch nearby that has a trickle of water and they run up & down it several times - laying low to the ground, Greyhounds wouldn't stand a chance against these two ditch runners!!

I also was able to visit the "lodge" for dinner - Saturday is $2 margarita night (I'm gonna love this place) and 1/2 price steak night.  It wasn't JaK's but it wasn't bad either.

And as a homecoming, I was stung/bitten by a freakin' fire ant. Really?  Already?  Argh...  I'm gonna hate Texas.

Below are a few photos of our walks. I'll post house pictures once we get more settled, right now its a flipping mess.  :-)

On the road to the ditch

Disk golf field & basket

Off we go...

Ahh, the watering hole

Chasing a stick

Ditch running

Hannah watching me clean up the utility/mudroom

My sweet Maggie