Vicious Dogs

We just happened to be outside early this afternoon, when we witnessed a near-attack. The neighbor who lives a few houses past us was out with her two kids in the stroller and two dogs sans leashes. The neighbor's child who lives next to us going the other direction was walking down the street towards her house. She was at least 100 feet from the dog, maybe more. The dog, named "Blue" (a Blue Heeler), took off at a dead run, decidedly on the attack towards the child. Paul and I wear screaming and yelling at the dog (okay, maybe I was screaming and Paul was yelling), but the child jumped up into the bushes and the dog finally backed off and came back to it's owner. I am sure I looked like a rabid dog as I told the owner that she needed to keep the animal on a leash and had better not take the dogs out again without a leash. "Yes ma’am. Yes ma’am," was all she said as she headed back to her house with her children and the dogs. I went to the girl's house to let her mother know what had happened, but by the time I went, no one was home. Later, I called the Sheriff's office to make a complaint. The officer (TCSO) was here within 5 minutes! (Paul, this will be the majority of the type of work you will do...). The officer went to talk with the owner. When he returned, I learned that the lady walking the dogs has "memory loss" issues. There is really nothing he can do unless the child's parent's make a complaint. The dog has been complained on before. Here's my point: the guy knows his daughter-in-law is not completely competent (memory loss - I am sorry for her condition and whatever caused it, but it still makes her incompetent and is not an excuse) and yet he keeps a vicious dog that cannot be controlled. He will be responsible for any injury that dog causes. I hope that it won't take a serious injury for the dog to be impounded. The owner is just as responsible for the actions of his dog and his daughter-in-law as a driver under the influence, and in my opinion (it's my blog, it's my opinion), even more so because he knows and has been warned several times.

The Johnson's Are Here

Suz, Paul, Retta, Clifford and the three pugs arrived Thursday, on one of the most perfect days so far this year. At the beginning of the week it was possible to imagine people stopping by on a gorgeous Easter Sunday for a bite of BBQ and a hello to the Johnson's. Now that it's freaking freezing, I am totally whimping out. So if you are in the area, please feel free to stop by, but I will be planning BBQ and more a little later in the year when the weather is bound to be a little warmer and more conducive to outdoor activities, boisterous children, barking dogs, etc.

The Johnson's Are Coming!

Suzy called today as she drove across the border into Texas. She said they would be here tomorrow. Of course, you will probably find out right away when she updates her blog tomorrow. I am planning on having lots of food and other refreshments available on Sunday. I will blog more details on Friday to let you know what time to stop in. Probably all day. All are welcome. Very informal.

Finally

I had been in touch with the people who sent me the broken tripod. I bugged them almost daily. Only one email and one phone call today and I got a response. They are sending me a new "comparable" tripod. They don't even want the old one back. I hope it arrives soon, as I would love to start using it. I think it will be especially helpful during the filming of the Retta Show - Texas Episodes...

New Clothes

Yesterday the doorbell rang. This doesn't happen very often, but I expect traffic is going to pick up. Gisselle was at the door. Natalie had brought clothes for Retta and Cliff. This is really great as I am sure when Suz, Paul and the kids arrive, they will have a ton of clothes for the wash. Natalie asked me for directions to Jaime's house. I couldn't give them. I can get to Jaime's house, but I can't tell you how to get there. No worries, though, as I see from Jaime's blog that Natalie made it to her house. I don't know how Natalie had the time to drive clothes around as she is such a prolific blogger. In other news, I found the first scorpion of the season. I chased him around trying to get his photo for you, but he kept running under things. Eventually I decided it would be better to just get rid of him...

Unexpected Jewels

Maybe this isn't new to anyone else, but...

I was moving things to the storage shed tonight. Of course I was using my handy Petzel headlamp that Suz and Paul gave me for Christmas a couple of years ago. As I was walking back, I saw the most beautiful blue/green, sparkling "lights" all over the ground. The color is spectacular. I moved in closer to the ground for a better look and discovered the diamonds in the rough. I did try to capture the sparkle, but just couldn't do it. Perhaps when Cy and Kimberly are here they will be able to show me how to do it. Anyway, take a look at the creature that has the most beautiful eyes in all the world - at least at night in the glow of an led light.

It's ALIVE!!

Last year, sometime before they left to California, Suzy, Paul, Retta and Cliff planted Cliff's tree. I first attacked the web worms that attacked the tree, picking them off and avoiding any harmful chemicals. Then, during the summer (the long, dry summer), I kept Clifford's tree watered with a trickle from the hose at least every 3 days. The leaves fell off during winter. When things started turning green around here, it seemed like everything, EXCEPT Clifford's tree was alive. The thistle's are almost bushes already! I have checked that tree every day for the past 6 weeks and was starting to think it might not come back. But here it is. The entire tree is about to sprout leaves! Those web worms better watch out!