This favorite Cuban/Mexican song of mine is supposed to be a dialog between two people, but for me it is the internal dialog that goes on much of the time...

Oh great, just when I am considering an extended trip to Mexico I run across this little helpful program...

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Mona stands by the big CAT earth mover

Mona and Clark decided some time ago to deepen and enlarge the ranch pond. They envisioned a little boat dock with a rowboat, and fish to catch and eat. It was also possible that the original pond was in danger of silting in and becoming a bog full of cattails.


Pat surveys the Big Dig from a hill of piled up pond bottom

The project has created quite a disruption - first, the incoming stream had to be diverted to allow for the old pond basin to drain (last summer). Then, to make the soil firm enough to get heavy equipment into, the winter's hard freeze had to take place. Then suitable equipped contractors who would be available had to be found and hired.


View to NW


View to SW

It's been slow going, and hard for everyone to get through. Hopefully, the project now is moving toward the completion half of the process.


Pat and Mona survey from the West bank


View to the East with the house in the background

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Rocket is the lastest foster dog here. She arrived about a week ago, clinging to the rescue lady who had fostered her for the preceding couple of weeks. She hesitantly came to me in the minutes before her rescue mom left (who I thought I detected was holding back tears).















The name was actually Rocca - but she turned out to be such a slug and couch potato that we quickly changed that to an ironic Rocket. She is so timid and adorable, we have been tempted as much as by any foster dog to go ahead and adopt her. But the usual issues persist - unstable/uncertain future for us with regard to jobs and location, a possibility of Mexican travel and/or relocation.



I've learned that it's always heartbreaking when a foster dog leaves for an adoption. Some are more painful than others. But it seems to be true that I don't have to own them just because they are wonderful. I hope someday we have a stable place suitable for several dogs, and we can enjoy their company for a lifetime. Until then, at least we are helping these little guys on their journey from wherever and whatever they were rescued from to where they will find a long-term home where hopefully they will be loved and well cared for.

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Arlene and Mitts

I was going to save this for a surprise for my friend Arlene, but after chatting with her on the phone this morning decided to go ahead and post this today hoping she would see it when she logs on at Starbucks. Mitts passed on recently after providing a lot of comfort and companionship for Arlene over the years.

Thanks for being my friend Arlene. Send me an email if you saw this today.

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I've been promising a couple of folks some pictures of the little foster dog we've been caring for (and enjoying quite a bit) for the past several weeks. Here then, is Aspen.


She is a smallish (around 30 pounds) Border Collie mix. Mix with what? Lab, Blue Heeler, Beagle?


This is what I see in the bathroom mirror when I brush my teeth.


Just small enough to pass for a lap dog.




Mindfulness dog

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NOW you're mad???

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