Ed

Ed
Ed is the former owner of Taylor's Market...an outstanding store with a full "butcher" shop, including the freshest fish, meat, chicken and a large variety of tasty hard to find items, as well as some "cooked" food that can make the novice look gourmet. You can always get "help", and they insist on carrying your groceries to the car!
Today, as I was leaving, Ed was on his way in, looking quite dapper. I asked if I could take his picture and use it for my blog...he was quite excited that now he would be posted on the "Internet!"....So, thank you to Ed for providing me with great food for many years...here's to you!!!

Perfect 3; There is No Place Like Home

Perfect 3
Today was Pugtacular, in Walnut Creek, the best of the Northern California Pug Club. All pugs were adorable, beautiful faces, and cobby. The building was freezing and the sales were less than usual...I could not wait to get home to MY perfect black and fawn...and of course Itty, and yes, Kate...who is pouting because Itty is living here this week (she is lucky enough to spend some weeks at Virginia's, my wonderful neighbor who spoils her rotten...this routine started last summer when Virginia's kitty Neeko went missing for nearly a month!) As you can see, Hannah loves to sit on Jack...don't ask me why...

Parts

Pieces
Today was spent catching up from a romp through Kansas. Thankfully my plane out of Colorado was as delayed as my plane in, and I spent the night in MY bed, instead of the Denver Airport. Laundry and mail needed sorting, the back yard needed scooping, plants needed watering, and the pugs needed love. Several errands later, I am late with blogging, and pulling together the details for tomorrow's Pugtacular.
In my view, the World is full of "parts" that make up the "whole". The details of the "whole" are remarkable when enjoyed by themselves. This is a picture of one Cob's owned by Goldhill's Welsh. I can see the softness that a hand can feel when viewing this "part". This is his nose/muzzle and lips. Horses are so large, and enjoying them a piece a time makes it last much longer...enjoy!

Kansas Morning

Kansas Morning

This was the view from my hotel this morning as I struggled to get downstairs on time. Last night was a blur, with too much great food, some difficult conversation, Holiday gift exchange with my Team, and a couple of excellent margaritas. I thoughtfully set my alarm for what I thought was 15 minutes earlier than previous days, making the error of not checking AM vs PM...I woke up late, and showered, shampooed, hair dried (etc), shined and packed in 40 minutes. This lead me to spend a portion of the day wondering why I normally spent 2 hours on this activity....go figure....

I also am in awe of waking up in Wichita, and hopefully going to bed in Sacramento...though this may be pandora-ish...so far my plane is parked on the runway in Denver...must fly here, pick me up, and then return me to Denver in a timeframe that is compatible with my connecting flight out of Denver...it could be a long night...luckily the bar is directly across from my gate...a happy thought would be appreciated!

Food and Thankfulness

Food and Thankfulness

I am so fortunate in that I have never gone hungry...unless you count the one or two times I tried to loose that last pound to fit in my skinny jeans. Yesterday my work Team volunteered to sort food that will be given to families in need of assistance for the December Holidays. There were foods (meats) in cans that I was unaware were available in that format. Pat the Director is an amazing person, calm, direct and visionary...she also "donates" her "salary" to purchase additional food for those in need...a true Hero. It was an honor to assist her efforts, and was a gift to spend time reflecting on the many gifts of my life.

As a side note, Kansas is an interesting place...cold this time of year, flat, good margaritas and nice people. My hair loves the water here, though the wind not so much...

Flying

Flying

The past several months have been filled with travel. Several trips to New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Dallas and finally Kansas. Here is my plane from yesterday that delivered me to Denver, a great margarita and a chicken sandwich. I started the new Robert Parker book on the plane, and completed a large portion of my "pug" Christmas Cards...all in all a great travel day. It is freezing (okay, I spent Saturday on a California beach sans coat) here...and flurries are predicted for tomorrow...my cab driver said that "your head is not just something to hang your hat on"...good to know...

Goldhill's Welsh

Goldhill's Welsh
I am truly blessed to have many great friends. I met Jackie and Gerald several years ago when my daughter was looking for a horse to ride. Elvis (Goldhill's All Shook Up) gave me some of the best times and memories of my life...we sold him when my daughter required spinal surgery, which is a topic for another day. My father is a Judge and married Jackie and Gerald...who now have a beautiful daughter of their own. Yesterday we took the drive, stopped for our favorite Pizza Bell toasted sandwiches, and visited. The day was again beautiful, and between the sea air, and the barn air I am confident that Kansas (I am flying in a couple of hours) will be okay!
Here is a picture of one of their prize Cobs...the mark on his face is actually a fly!