Thank God for: "Axel"

Tonight I was walking “Axel” and we came across a couple of armadillos. These were the “live” kind – not the “flattened” kind. No problem for us. Then I noticed a fairly large boxer (the “dog” kind) stalking us. I have seen this dog running loose a couple of times before. In fact, we’ve had a couple of “incidents”… We kept on about our walk and started heading towards the house. The boxer was still stalking us until he walked up to the porch on one particular house. I figured he lived there. I put “Axel” in a “stay” (off leash) and went up and rang the doorbell. A lady opened the door. I said “Is this your dog?” and she said “Thank You” as she let the dog in and closed the door. Granted, I wasn’t expecting a reward – but this seemed rather cold. Maybe St. Rebecca II needs to give this dog a blessing – because I don’t think this dog is getting many blessings from his owners.

So my dog is trained to behave “off-leash” so I can return other dogs to owners who probably don’t give a damn. What’s up with that?

Anyway – I’m so pleased to have a dog like “Axel” who can allow me to do things like that. This isn’t the first time. Once I even had to take the leash off “Axel” so I could use the leash to walk a stray named “Tanner” back to our house. We found the owner, TWICE!

“Axel” has turned out to be so much like "Alex" it’s unreal. Thank you God, for “Axel”!

Thank God for: TiVo!

After not blogging for a few days I decided if nothing else I can blog about what I’m thankful for. No disrespect intended – I do thank God for things like TiVo.

Last weekend Hank and I went to the store and we each got a new TiVo. I already had one, but I couldn’t beat the price: almost totally FREE after a mail in rebate. I hate rebates, but a new TiVo is worth the hassle.

My new TiVo can store about 70 hours worth of programming. My old one only stores about 35 hours. So now we have TiVo upstairs and downstairs – and we can thrown one in the RV while we’re camping...

When I first heard about TiVo I thought it was useless. Now I can’t imagine life without it. It records shows all day long and we get to watch them whenever we want. What does it record? Well, it records whatever you want. You can tell it to record certain shows – and you can also rank shows using a “Thumbs Up” or “Thumbs Down” rating.

Today I programmed the new TiVo with the basics. It’s going to record:

Everybody Loves Raymond (Brenda’s favorite)
Mythbusters (my favorite)
Anything to do with LSU football
Anything with Chevy Chase, John Candy, Bill Murray, or Steve Martin

I still need to program the next “Survivor” – (Yes, I admit I’m hooked!)

I also did the obligatory 3 “Thumbs Down” for the “Home Shopping Network”!!!

It’s funny how things go in circles. One of my first computers was a Commodore 64 – and it used my TV as a monitor. Now, 25-ish years later, my newest (TiVo) “computer” plugs into my TV, too.

The new TiVo will also be great at camp: We’ll be “roughing it” with up to 70 hours of stuff we like to watch! Actually, we’ll still be “roughing it” since we’ll only have one satellite feed at camp. At the house we have 3!

On a different subject – I didn’t make it to see Cooder Graw in Denton. I expect Cousin Kevin to blog me about that. I know – my loss! But remember – “I’ve got dogs”.

TTFN

I could stop on a dime...

If only I had one!!!

Today was my RDO (Regular Day Off, AAFES speak for day of freedom since I’m working 9 hour days). Early this morning I took my truck in for some brake work. At around 4:30, and several hundred dollars later, I had my truck back. I had them install some new shocks, too. Oh well, it beats driving around with bad brakes.

The good news was that I rode my bike home from the repair shop. I also rode it back to the shop when my truck was ready. The shop is only about 1.5 miles from the house – but it was a couple of rides. Also, add in that I mowed the yard with my Push-Reel (Patrick-Powered) lawn mower and rode my bike for 7 miles. OBTW: My heart rate monitor says moving the lawn is a better working than riding my bike.

Somebody sent me a quote about health addicts who will end up dying - of  nothing. After today I figure I may die of nothing – and I’ll be broke, too!

BFN

What's With The Hair?

OK – My hair is getting long. However, it’s not some kind of fashion statement. If you’ve seen how I dress you know I speak the truth. Actually, I ‘m attempting to grow a pony tail long enough to donate to Locks of Love. This has been over a year in the making. Right now I calculate I’m barely at the 10 inch minimum for donation. So I’ve been trying to decide when I’ll actually go into make my donation. (I certainly don’t want to be rejected!).

I’ve also been riding my bike and logging my time to the Presidents Challenge. Tonight I made a decision. I’ve been pushing to get the “Gold Medal” before I go in to my next AAFES-mandated physical at Cooper Clinic some time in October. Looking at the stats I’m only 80% of the way to my “Gold Medal” – and I probably won’t make it in time for the physical.

Therefore, tonight I decided I’ll get my hair cut once I reach the “Gold Medal”. I’m thinking that will be early October. That’s the goal - and realize that between now and then my hair will be "wild" and "Un-ruley".
So, in November, if you see a little kid with cancer sporting grey hair dew then you can assume that that un-lucky kid got my hair. I guess that’s my way of merging the two goals.

A couple of quick updates:

No news on “Diamond” – so I’m assuming all is well.

Brother Mike called and my Dad is doing much better. They’re planning to send him home tomorrow. (Mike – thanks for calling me every day this week – it means much more than you know!!!).

GGN

"Diamond" Update

Garry called today to give me an update on “Diamond” (see previous Habemus-Santiem blog). It turns out “Diamond” got along with all of Garry’s family and friends except “Pepper”, his Blue Heeler. Garry decided to do his own match-making and gave “Diamond” to his Mom. “Diamond” now has fee reign at his Mom’s place – which is 5 or 6 lots all fenced in together. I guess all’s well that ends well. Thanks again to St. Rebecca II, Garry, and Garry's Mom!

Once again, Cousin Kevin is blogging about the "Cooder Graw Tour de New Mexico" and I’m blogging about dogs. I can’t complain – “I’ve Got Dogs”.

Mike called and said Dad was doing better. Today they moved him out of ICU and into a regular “Cardiac” room. Please keep him in your prayers.

TTFN

1,100 Caleries

“Axel”, our Australian Cattle Dog (aka “Blue Heeler”) is going to spend about 1,100 calories every day. I can walk him, or I can let him tear up the house. Tonight I walked him with a La Flor Dom Ligero – one of my favorites. He walks off leash with no problems. When a car passes he lays down – without any commands. Once the car passes he gets up. It’s nice walking to the trail knowing that my dog is under control.

After we get home he likes to play “That’s Mine”. Basically it’s a game of tug-of-war, but he hasn’t old me all the rules. Anyway, we played until we got tired.

TTFN

Dog Duty

Woke up today with my mood in the way and no means to forget… Sorry, and my apologies to Cooder Graw! Actually woke up with a “Breakfast Date” planned with Brenda and a “Family Game Night” planned for this evening. Well, things don’t always go as planned, although Brenda and I did eat a “days worth” at the local IHOP.

The “Breakfast Date” in the morning and the “Family Game Night” in the evening forced me to ride my bike in the heat of the day. I rode over 14 miles and then I started “lolly-gagging around like it was over a hundred and twenty degrees. He## - It couldn't have be more than an hundred and fourteen!” [Movie?] Well, it was actually around ninety-seven. with a heat index of "Who Cares?". Anyway, the ride was good.

As we were getting ready to head over to Bonnie and John’s “Skooter” started acting disoriented. If you haven’t met the “Koo” you have to realize he’s a Shi Tzu and he’s at least 18 years old - and very likely 20.

I volunteered to stay at the house and keep an eye on the “Koo”. Brenda went on to the “Game Night” and that left me with “Dog Duty”. Cooder Graw has a great song called “I’ve Got Kids”. Well, if I had written the song would be titled “I’ve Got Dogs”.

We found where the “Koo” had puked right outside the back door so most likely he was just “puked out”. He was doing OK so I went ahead and took “Axel” on a walk. I smoked a Gispert Churchill along the way but I “munged” it up (yes, I think that’s a word) when I took the label off.

When I got home I decided to salvage the stogie and set up a fire in the back yard (see previous blog). “Axel” and “Whizzer” and I enjoyed the fire while the “Koo” kept telling us to get to bed.

So, while Brenda is visiting with her family and Cousin Kevin is blogging about the Cooder Graw show in Albuquerque I’m sitting at the house on the lookout for dog puke. What can I say, I’m “Married, with Dogs”…

Mike just called and said Dad is doing better. Please keep him in your prayers.

BFN

First Blog at The Fire

Details Later...

Axel is insisting that I play "That's Mine"!
___
Sent from my Treo 650

Habemus Saintiem!

We have a new Saint! Please welcome St. Rebecca II!

Last weekend Greg, Monique, and Lauren told Brenda they were looking for a home for “Diamond”, an Australian Cattle Dog, (a.k.a. Blue Heeler). “Bishop Becky” helped me post a “FREE to Good Home” notice on the AAFES bulletin boards and, lo and behold, Garry was interested. Tonight Garry came over to meet "Diamond" and it really looked like a match made in heaven. “Diamond” looked very content sitting in the passenger seat of Garry’s truck as they drove off. I’m certain that they will be very happy together!

So, with her second assist on finding a home for a dog, “Bishop Becky” is once again promoted to Sainthood. Thanks so much!!!

Tonight I enjoyed a CAO Churchill Gold as I walked “Axel” and “Whizzer” through the neighborhood. All was well until I saw a sign posted for a lost Yorkie. Oh well, Brenda will probably find him soon….

One more bit of news: My Dad is having some complications after his heart valve replacement and triple bypass surgery. Please keep him in your prayers.

BFN

Three R's Nite

It's 3R's night and it was my turn to drive. Winding down at Marsha and
Hanks. Finishing off a CAO Maduro Robusto before I head home.

Life is good.

L8TR
___
Sent from my Treo 650

Another "Blog" On The Fire

It looks like my first blog made it OK. Now I gotta figure out how to blog
from my phone...
___
Sent from my Treo 650

First "Blog" On the Fire

After several attempts we finally decided what to call our blog. First of all, “we” are Patrick and Brenda Hunt. And second, we do NOT own a Bed and Breakfast, at least not a real one.

Here’s the scoop: When I was kid my family went camping a lot. Outside our rather large tent my Dad would hang up a sign labeled “Hunt’s Hilton”. When Brenda and I got married we started camping so I created a “Hunt’s Bed and Breakfast” sign to hang up outside our small tent. Over the years we’ve gone from tent, to pop-up, to travel trailer, to fifth wheel, and finally our first motor home. We’ve gone through several signs, too. Our current sign is pictured here (and yes I know it’s in the shape of a fifth wheel. Guess I’ll be making a new sign on the next trip!).

We get all kinds of questions about the sign while we’re camping, too. The most common question is “What’s for breakfast?” and my standard reply is the “McDonald’s Number 2”. The second most common question is “What time is breakfast?” and I usually say something like “5 AM”. So far nobody has come strolling into our camp site at that early hour.

And finally, I must give credit where credit is due. My inspiration for this blog came from Rock's Road Diary. This blog was set up by my “long lost” Cousin Kevin and he writes a diary as he travels around with Cooder Graw. Oh yea – that’s my Nephew Jon playing the drums (so far my only claim to fame).

Now if I can only figure out how to post this thing…

CUL8TR