October 12, 2015 A Letter & A Day Trip to the Winery

A photo from Saturday's drive.

Our wood cradle and the pile of
branches I plan to cut in it.

Friday 10/9. I have always been a sucker for a great sale, whether I really needed anything that was on sale or not.  So yesterday when I got home and saw the flyer for Shopko's quarterly sale, I cut out the ads for several items that were a very good deal.  However, it was with a great deal of pride that I later threw them all away and decided that we just do not need anything.  Our budget was so thankful.

Today I simply could not face all the paperwork that needed to be sorted.  So after laundry and lunch, I helped JB build the wood cradle.  We were almost done when the battery died on the screw driver.  Perfect timing though as it was time for him to drive down and meet the tree guy at the pavement.  He loved our place and gave us an excellent deal on taking down the three trees near the house.  They should be up in the next week or two to do the deed.  It will be interesting watching them as they are going to take the trees down in sections.

Following is the letter that I am sending to my Senators and Representative:
    I am writing to you regarding the heinous act of Martin Shkreli in raising the 
    price of Darapim to $750 per pill.  Neither an arrogant hedge-fund director 
    nor anyone, for that matter, should have to power to commit such an
    atrocity.  It is worse than many felonies.  It is robbery, extortion and possible
    murder all rolled into one act.  And the federal government should be held 
    accountable.

    As a voting citizen of this United States, I am demanding that this obscenity
    be corrected immediately and never be allowed to happen again.

    Please do not reply with any political garble.  This is an issue that MUST be
    addressed, and quickly.  And do not blame the Republicans.  I am an
    Independent, but these days I would not even consider voting for a Demo-
    crat until they all start getting off their liberal high horses and get realistic.

(Both our Senators are Democrats.)

With my intestinal issues, which are producing what most politicians do, yogurt has become my new best friend. . .

It was a slow, but good day and our high temp was 60.

Saturday 10/10. It was 54 and cloudy this morning.  We decided to visit JB's brother's winery today.  I am feeling ever so much more socially inclined since my trip with Nene, and I have never been to the winery.  

We got a bit of a late start and weren't on our way out of town until 10:00 am.  Even through the Wenatchee River Valley, the Fall colors were beautiful.  But as we passed through Leavenworth and into Tumwater Canyon, they became brilliant.  There are some things, some experiences, for which our language simply has no adequate words to describe.  Fall colors along the river is one of those things.  One of those experiences.  The vivid and brilliant bushes and trees are beyond amazing, and all with a backdrop of evergreen.  Even the pictures I took do it little justice.

I have seen upstate New York in the Fall and, as incredible as it is, without the evergreens I do not think it is as stunning as this season in the Washington mountains.

A light rain was falling as we drove over Steven's Pass.  As soon as we passed over the summit, the colors began to disappear until there was only the many shades of green.  As if the crispness of Fall had not yet arrived on the west side of the mountains.  The side of cedars, moss and ferns.  Slowly patches of yellows, oranges and reds began to appear, but only the trees, not the underbrush as on the east side.  We arrived at the winery at about 12:30 pm.

JB's brother gave me the royal tour, explaining everything.  It is a bit overwhelming all the details that must be attended to in making wine.  So much to know; so much to do.  But they are obviously doing it very well, as their business is growing.  Their wine tasting room is delightful and we had a delicious lunch and a good visit 

While we were eating, the sky let loose with a downpour.  One of the things that I do not miss about living over there.  We left at 2:30 pm, running through the rain to the car.  I wanted to visit their Costco to look for more gluten-free foods and found myself in the midst of yuppie mayhem.  Can't believe that at one time I simply accepted that experience as normal.  I did find a couple different crackers which I purchased.  I hope they are worth the effort.

Back on the highway and headed for home, the rain and wind picked up.  We were fighting them all the way back to Leavenworth where they both dissipated.  That lovely, little Bavarian town sits at the base of the mountains where the Wenatchee river exits Tumwater Canyon.  And where Octoberfest was in full swing.  It took us more than fifteen minutes to make a normal five-minute drive.  One of these years, when I am feeling really social, we will attend that party.

There were only a few sprinkles on our 25 mile drive home from there, that is until about a mile from our mailbox.  So when I had to get out of the car to collect the mail, I was pelted by rain and wind.  And again when I got out to open our gate.  A few minutes later, the rain stopped.  But it was quite evident that the rain had been falling for a while as the road was a little dicey in places.

We arrived back at Rose Camp a little after 6:00 pm, where the wind was gusting to 36 mph, but the rain had moved on.  Despite the weather, we were both glad that we had gone today, but it was so nice to be home again.  Our high for the day Up Here had been 66.

Sunday 10/11. This morning was a crisp 40 with blue skies.  We could see that there was snow on some of the highest mountain peaks from yesterday.

The girls haven't given us any eggs for several days now.  Elsie says that they are getting very few.  Hmmm. . .

After doing dishes, I vacuumed and did lots of other overdue housework.  Also gathered some kindling in the form of dead branches that were blown down in yesterday's storm.  JB finished the wood cradle, so I am good to go on cutting the pile of branch wood which will get stacked on the porch.

Randy called and we had a good, long chat.  All is well with them, but, like me, he is having problems adjusting to the early darkness.

I took a nap while JB was fixing dinner and when I awoke an hour later, the sky had become overcast.  Our high for the day was 56.

Monday 10/12. It is 48 and mostly overcast this morning.  And we have a mouse in the house. . .

Thought for the day: Fall has always been my favorite season.  The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.  Lauren DeStefano Wither

October 9, 2015 Where Is The Outrage?!

Another view from the ridge that Claudia climbs
every morning (she is 86).

Wednesday 10/7. Mother Nature put an end to our plans for building the wood cradle today with a lazy rain that began about 9:30 am.  Fine by me - I just went back to bed. . .

After I got up, we did the dishes and laundry (hung it inside) instead.  A good day for reading and recuperating, baking muffins and defrosting the fridge.  The rain let up around 1:00 pm and then the fog (or low clouds) moved in.  Our high for the day was this morning's 53.

Living Up Here without TV, we do not have access to the TV news and most newspapers, so we are not privy to the daily goings on except for internet news.  But in the papers and magazines that we have received, I have seen very little about Martin Shjreki and his heinous act of raising the price of a pill that cost $13.50 to $750 each!  Where is the outrage? Where are the laws forbidding this?  Obviously the pharmaceutical industry needs MUCH more federal control!  Perhaps his arrogance has finally brought the problem into the spotlight for good.  Just unbelievable.  I certainly would not want to deal with his karma.  I can only hope that everyone in the U.S. is writing to their Senators and Representatives, as I am, denouncing this atrocious act and demanding a solution.

But, back to the good life.  JB used our bird book to determine that the grouse that seem to be making their home in our yard, are female blue grouse.  Probably the harem of the male blue grouse who has been living nearby for a few years.

We got an automated call today which announced that we were eligible for a free security system.  I hung up as soon as I realized it wasn't going to be a German shepherd.

We watched Notting Hill this evening.  An older, but great romcom with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant.  Two of my favorites.

Thursday 10/8. It was 48 and we were in the clouds this morning.  I left for Down There about 8:45 am to pick up a package from UPS that was supposed to ship via parcel post.  Made it to the ladies room in Safeway just in time to take care of business.  Sometimes the cure can be as bad as the illness. . .

I thought it was fog that surrounded us this morning, until I got almost to Larry and Elsie's and was suddenly underneath the cloud cover.  Of course we never go Down There for just one thing, so I took care of a few other errands, but was home by noon.

We remained cloud bound til early evening and our high was just 52.  This kind of weather puts JB in the baking mood, so he spent time this afternoon putting together gluten-free flour mixes that he uses for many of his recipes.  Lots of goodies to look forward to.

I am feeling a little better each day, but still don't have a lot of energy.  Just have to be patient as I will be on these antibiotics for another week. . .

JB called a tree-cutting company and they are coming up tomorrow afternoon to give us an estimate on cutting down three large trees that are near the house.  We really do not want to deal with them ourselves.

Friday 10/9. It is 50 and partly overcast this morning.  I will probably be inside most of the day as I have got to sort, throw or file all the paperwork that has accumulated the past several weeks.  Oh goodie. . .

Thanks to Randy for your comment on my Wednesday's post.  Yes, thank you Nene!

Thought for the day: I would trade all my technology for an afternoon with Socrates.  Steve Jobs

October 7, 2015 No Bug & The Best Moose

The best kind of moose!

A sign on Randy's wall
says it all.

Monday 10/5. A couple hours into the day and I was sure of what was causing me to feel so badly.  It was no bug - my diverticulitis was acting up again.  Fortunately, my doctor had an opening at 11:40 am that I took.  I came back home with two antibiotics, and a bag of caramel apple Milky Way minis that were on sale.  That's the problem with getting to the pharmacy before your meds are ready. . .

The only nice thing about all this is that I know I am not expected to do anything except get to feeling better.  Lots of naps coming up.

The sky clouded over and our high for the day was 60.

A couple days ago I finally cleaned the top of the wood stove which is soapstone.  Using the finest grade of steel wool, a little water and a little elbow grease, most of the coffee rings came right off.  This is one of those projects that I save for Summer but never gets done because I have so much time to do it.

Tuesday 10/6. It was 52 and partly cloudy this morning.  JB and I loaded the trailer with a year's worth of cardboard for recycle, and he was on his way by 8:45 am.  He attended the annual meeting on our health-care insurance (the premiums are going up $7/mo.), did a couple errands, and bought the lumber for building the wood cradle.

By the time I hung out the laundry at 10:30 am, the sky was completely overcast.  Looked like some rain fell in the mountains, but none of it got this far.  I puttered around the house, took a two-hour nap and kept telling myself that I would be feeling much better in a day or two.

The winter issue of Capper's Farmer magazine, that we received on Saturday, is filled with great articles.  I love this magazine!

The sky remained overcast for the rest of the day and our high was 62.

Wednesday 10/7. This morning it is overcast and 53.  We want to start building the wood cradle today.  My fever broke last night, so I should be good to go.

Thought for the day: Don't judge someone just because they sin differently than you do.

October 5, 2015 A Bug & A Moose

Nene's Fall crocuses.

Friday 10/2. The overcast cleared by mid afternoon, but it was breezy most of the day with a high of 66.  A good thing for the laundry that I hung out, as it dries much more quickly with a breeze.

JB dumped another trailer load of small wood debris on the small swale.  Then, while I took a nice long nap, he took the weed eater to the old garden area.

The girls only gave us 23 eggs in September.  I think that now it is Betty who is doing most of the laying.  Belinda can't be bothered with something so mundane, and I'm just not sure about Blondie.  We will definitely be getting some young chickens in the late Spring.

I'm not sure if I caught a bug on the trip or am having a reaction to all the gluten I ate, but I sure don't feel very well.

I called Nene to chat and let her know that the package containing three of the coats/jackets I forgot at her place arrived today.  I had told her that she did not have to send them as they are my Down There jackets that I could get by without, but there's just no reasoning with a stubborn ninety-year-old!  Just for that, JB will be mailing a package to her on Tuesday when he goes Down There for the annual Health-Insurance meeting.

The wind really picked up this evening and blew most of the night, gusting to almost 20.

Saturday 10/3. It was 46 and overcast this morning.  A light shower passed over about 7:00 am, but the ground was dry by 8:00 am.

New neighbors drove up to meet us.  They had just purchased a 21-acre lot on the main canyon road and another neighbor told them to come see us about living Up Here full time.  They are from out of state but plan to move and build Up Here next summer.  We showed them around Rose Camp and came to the conclusion that they will be a perfect fit for our little mountain community.

It was another lovely Fall day.  The sky cleared and we had a high of 62.

Still not feeling well, so I didn't get much done today.  JB left at 3:30 pm in Miss Kitty to go down and help Larry install an inverter for some new solar panels he is putting up.  His visit turned into a late-night event, and Larry had to drive him back home. . .

Sunday 10/4. It was 46 with clear skies this morning, but there was nothing clear about JB's head.  Last night's event turned today into a recuperation and sleep event for him.  However, we did have to drive down to get Miss Kitty and had a nice, sober visit with Larry and Elsie.  Also had a look at their root cellar which is finished and Larry is in the process of covering back up with dirt, as soon as he fixes the leak in his tractor's radiator that appeared this morning. . .

Claudia sent me an email saying that as she was driving home yesterday, she had to stop to let a moose just mosey across the road in front of her!  That ol' moose knew we were gone, and knew Claudia would email us!  What a tease!

I was feeling better today, but we both took a couple naps.  It was a beautiful, sunny day with a high of 60.  Gradually getting cooler.

Monday 10/5. The skies are clear this morning with a temp of 48.  I doubt I will be picking more rose hips, but I plan to make more marmalade today with the three pounds that are in the freezer.

Thought for the day: A man with a helmet defending our country should make more money than a man with a helmet defending a football.

October 2, 2015 Getting Ready for Winter

Seals and cormorants that we saw
on our way to Blake Island.

Driving through the aspen on Thursday

Fire weed living up to
its name

Wednesday 9/30. There are four grouse still hanging around the yard and you have to be careful to watch for them, as they often don't fly away until you are right upon them. . .

The days certainly are getting shorter now, and with the sun, so goes our power.  We have to be careful to use items that pull a lot of power in the morning, so the batteries have a chance to recharge before dark.  Even more so now that we need a new battery bank.  And that will have to wait until Spring.

The dogs are barking, the frogs under the house are croaking, the chickens are calling and the birds are chirping.  What was that I said about it being so quiet Up Here?!

I split the last round of wood and stacked it in the wood shed, which is pretty much full now.  JB used Miss Kitty to move the splitter so he can level out that area with the tractor.  Then he used the tractor to fill the trailer with small pieces of bark and wood debris.  We pulled it down the road with Miss Kitty and filled the worst pot holes.  Down and back was about three miles, which of course the dogs turned into at least six miles with all their running back and forth.  We both got a good workout too.  It was a perfect day for this project with a high of 68.

Our annual propane delivery came while I was on my trip.  So with that and our wood, we are set for another year.  I always give a sigh of relief when that delivery arrives.

The rose hips that were ripe when I left are now shriveled and dry, and those that were still yellow and orange are now ripe.  I hope I can get some more picked while they are still good.

We watched The Magnificent Seven this evening.  Hard to believe it was made way back in 1960.  All those great actors are now gone.

Thursday 10/1. It was 52 with a few clouds this morning which turned into a partial overcast but cleared by late afternoon.  I was on my way Down There by 9:00 and home by 1:30 pm.  Along with groceries, I picked up some tarps that were on sale, as we always need a few new ones for winter.  Also got a great insert for the trailer hitch on my Jeep that says: Gun Control Is Using Both Hands.

My drive down and back was lit up by the Fall colors that are exploding on our mountain.  The aspens, fire weed, rose bushes and other plants are really putting on a show.

As I was putting groceries away in the pantry and JB was noting them on the list, I realized that we are pretty well set for winter food already.  Will probably just have to get perishables from now on.

It was another beautiful Fall day with a high of 68, although that is the temperature as noted on the porch in the shade.  While our weather station was working, it usually recorded temps about seven degrees warmer on sunny days.

Well, long and clean finger nails sure were nice to have for a week or so.  I doubt I will have them again until our next trip.

And on my trip, it was really driven home that life is really about perception and attitude.  Those two things seem to determine one's life and how it is lived.  I really believe the maxim that "Attitude is Everything."  It can change your perception, but one mustn't let perception change one's attitude for the worse, or visa versa.

Friday 10/2. It is 56 this morning with clouds on the western horizon and scattered overhead.  There is a good chance of rain this evening.

Thought for the day: When you lick the icing off of a cupcake, it becomes a muffin. . . and muffins are good for you. Cheech Marin

September 30, 2015 Living Life on the Mountain Again

Randy's root cellar under his garage.
It's huge!

A squirrel at Nene's back door,
wondering where the peanuts are.

Our helper on the
tractor.

Monday 9/28. Today was mainly used for getting re-settled.  I unpacked; did laundry; read newspapers.  Just got used to life on the mountain again.  Twelve days away and my fingernails were finally clean, long and unbroken.  That lasted until I gathered two more bags of pine needles for fire starter.  Broke one and got them all dirty.

Sandy called just as I was finishing my blog for today, which took much longer than usual.  We had a nice talk and I told her to be sure to check out the photo of Nene in her birthday hat.

The quiet of Rose Camp.  So different from the hustle and bustle of Down There.  Only one person and two dogs to talk to.  So different from the groups of friends and family on our trip.  I am pretty sure that I talked more in that twelve days than I have all year since our last trip.  And that's a good thing.  I really did need the social connections.  They completely revitalized me, so now I figure I'm good to go for another year.  My world tends to shrink Up Here.  It is so easy to get into hermit mode.  Even just driving back up our road, I could feel the social layers begin to slough off and I had to grab onto them.

One thing that really stood out on my trip was the pale eggs!  The yolks in store-bought ones simply cannot compete with the bright orange ones in the eggs that the girls give us.

Today was such a beautiful reflection of Autumn.  Our high was 60 and the sky remain blue.  JB had to drive Down There this afternoon to pick up our order from Emergency Essentials at the UPS office.  While he was gone, I put my summer clothes away and got out my winter ones.  I even remembered to go on our afternoon walk, and feed the chickens and dogs. . .

Tuesday 9/29. It was 50 with blue sky this morning.  Was still reading newspapers and magazines with my breakfast.  I called Randy and his Mom, and had a nice chat with them both.  It seems odd not to have talked to Nene since Sunday.

After washing the dishes, we went outside and I split 3-1/2 of the 4-1/2 large rounds that were left.  Turned out to be four tractor-bucket loads, and I got it all stacked in the wood shed.  One smaller round to split tomorrow and that will probably fill the shed, leaving the huge stack of branch wood to be stacked on the porch once it is all cut up.  We will be getting all the supplies to build the wood cradle within a week.

We unpacked all our go-bags and boxes.  Getting ready for the change of season and weather.

It was another beautiful but warmer day, with a high of 64.  Actually quite hot in the sun, especially while splitting the wood.

I noticed that my tastes have changed since being gone for almost two weeks and eating so differently (and so much more) than we do Up Here.  I had hardly eaten any chocolate during the trip and when I had a few M&M's yesterday, they did not taste very good at all!  However, I loved the dark chocolate bars that are 79% cocoa.  I guess that's a good thing.

I plan to go Down There for groceries and a few other items on Thursday.  Not sure when we will get the supplies for the wood cradle, but it will be soon.

Couldn't go another day without talking to Nene, so I gave her a call after dinner.  Had such a nice chat.

Wednesday 9/30. This morning is 54 with clear skies.  The last day of September.  Our main project for October will be building the wood cradle, cutting all the branch wood and getting it stacked on the porch.

Thought for the day: I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house.  So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air. Nathaniel Hawthorne

September 28, 2015 The Tale of Our Trip

A view from the top of our hike.

Nene in her birthday hat, eating clams
as we arrived at Tillicum Village on
Blake Island.

Wednesday 9/16. As I drove over Blewett Pass and Snoqualmie Pass, I could see the Fall colors beginning to pop through the forest green, getting ready to explode.  I stopped for a visit with JB's Mom and then arrived at Aunt Nene's at about 1:30 pm.  We spent the rest of the day talking.  

Thursday 917. Our journey together began Thursday morning as we hit the road at 7:30 am.  I fueled up with a latte and then fueled up the car with gas.  A light rain was falling and continued until we left western Washington behind at Snoqualamie Pass.  The sun broke through the clouds to shine on eastern Washington, as it usually does.

Down through the mountains and out into the rolling hills we went.  Over the Columbia River and into the wheat, alfalfa, and other grass fields.  We stopped in Moses Lake and met Mrs. Gridder's parents for lunch.  Then on through the flat lands to Spokane, where mountains once again rose to greet us.  We turned north at Couer d'Alene, Idaho, and began our entrance into the cedar forests of Bonner's Ferry.  We arrived at Claudia's home at 5:30 pm, tired but thrilled to be there.

Friday 9/18. I walked with Claudia, her dog, Jake, and her neighbor, Clint, each morning on her upmountain (that ain't no hill) hike, trying to work off all the food I was eating.  Clint drove us over the short-cut to Randy's, which cut more than half the miles off from going the paved roads (well, mostly paved roads).  We finally met Randy and his Mother in person after more than three years of corresponding by email and talking on the phone.  We had a great visit, and, after giving them the gifts that Nene and I had brought, Randy gave Nene and me a driving tour of their place, then drove us down to meet one of his neighbors.  We made plans to meet them for lunch on Tuesday at Fiest Creek Resort by the waterfall.

That evening, Claudia, Nene and I played Skip-Bo, a we did each evening.

Saturday 9/19. After our morning hike, which included Clint's wife, Amy, we all walked back to Claudia's for a photo session and light breakfast which included my rose hip/orange marmalade that I had brought for everyone.  Nene had been working on her gifts that she brought for several months: hand made pillow cases in a variety of vivid and appropriate fabrics, and hand-embroidered pillow cases and a runner, which, of course, thrilled them all.

After our drive into Bonner's Ferry, Clint drove Nene in his Kowasaki Mule (ATV) up to the ridge to which we hiked each day.  She had hiked it many times over the years during her visits with Uncle Jack, but now is unable to.  Claudia, Amy and I once again hiked up to meet them.  I was hoping that once Clint drove Nene back to the house, he would come pick us up, but no such luck.

Sunday 9/20. We drove to Spokane today for a family get-together of Uncle Jack's side of the family that Claudia had arranged.  It was an especially poignant experience as Nene thought she would never see any of them again after Jack passed away a few years ago.  He comes from a family of twelve children, and some have passed on.  I had never met any of them but had heard many stories throughout the years, so it was great to be able to put faces to some of the names.

Monday 9/21. Today was a day of rest, just staying at Claudia's and playing Skip-Bo.  But I did earn my keep by chopping up a couple big cedar rounds into kindling for her.  Her home has a big wood furnace in the basement.  Clint always gets her wood cut for her, but she was out of kindling.  Then we had a big roast beef dinner with fresh carrots and beans from her garden and, of course, her home-made noodles especially for Nene.

Tuesday 9/22. We met Randy and his Mom for lunch by the waterfall, then drove back up to their place for more visiting.  Randy gave me the walking tour of his place which is just phenomenal.

Back at Claudia's and after more Skip-Bo, it was early to bed to get a good rest for our trip tomorrow.

We saw so many wild turkeys during our stay.  It seemed like there was a flock in every clearing.  Lots of deer too, but no moose or bears.  I am pretty sure someone told them we were coming so they just stayed in the trees.  I could almost see their eyes twinkling through the branches.  We were both a bit disappointed.

Wednesday 9/23. We were on our way home early this morning, finding it hard to believe that our visit was over.  We stopped in Spokane for breakfast with our cousin and his wife, then visited the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum where I dropped off some old photos and a program from the Spokane Exposition in the early 1900's.  Both Nene and I definitely want to be able to come back and spend time looking at all the exhibits, especially since we were told that they had a lot of information on the families of both Nene's parents (my grandparents).  Both families were pioneers there in the valley.

Then it was back through the plains, back over the Cascade mountains and across a leg of the Puget Sound to Port Orchard where we arrived at Nene's house about 6:30 pm.  Tired, but looking forward to preparing for Nene's 90th birthday celebration on Saturday.  And where Nene gave me a pillow case with an embroidered moose on it!  Even better than seeing one in person.

Thursday 9/24 & Friday 9/25.  We spent the days buying food and decorating for Saturday, as many of those going to Blake Island would be coming back to the house.  And, of course, we talked and talked, and played some Skip-Bo.

Saturday 9/26. Twenty-seven friends and family met us at the ferry dock in Port Orchard for the trip to Blake Island.  One of Nene's friends is living in Virginia for a couple years and flew back just for the party.  Nene wore the birthday hat I gave her for the whole trip!  (See photo above.)  The day was perfect.  Absolutely perfect.  After everyone had left, we cleaned up and talked.  And talked.  Neither one of us wanted to go to bed.  We didn't want the day to end.

Sunday 9/27. I was on my way home by 9:00 am, unable to believe that my visit had ended.  It was very difficult to say goodbye to Nene.  But it was a beautiful day and in just the few days since we had driven back over the pass, the Fall colors had begun their explosion.  I was home by 1:15 pm and it was good to be at Rose Camp.

Monday 9/28. It is 46 with a clear, blue sky this morning.  We had hiked up to the south ridge last night after dark in hopes of seeing the Full Blood Moon eclipse, but the trees were in the way.  By the time we could see the moon from the house, the eclipse was over.  

So now it is time to go feed the chickens and get back into the swing of life Up Here.  That's the great thing about vacations - no meals to cook, no dishes to wash, no bills to pay, no getting up at 4:00 am to let the dogs out.  And Nene thoroughly spoiled me. . .

Thought for the day: I love you, Nene.