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There's no place like home, there's no place like home.

OKC DOT question....

We've lived in Texas for 32 years. Early on, our only vacations were to NW Iowa. I figure we've made the trip over 30 times. We never flew, always drove. Usually, there was construction either in Oklahoma City or Kansas City.

Several years ago, my son and I made the trip together. We were driving through Oklahoma City in what seemed like a WAY OUT OF OUR WAY detour. The speed limit on this route was posted at 54 mph. 54.

This trip, again there was construction in OKC. Minor construction, but the digitally posted speed limit was.....wait..... 48 mph.

Now, I'm thankful even numbers were used. Those who know me may be aware of my need for even numbers or those ending in 5. But....54? 48? Can someone explain the need to diverge from standard road speeds??

Rudy didn't seem to mind:

Guess where I am now....

Not home yet....but in the hot, muggy state, at least.

Little Big Man

Rudy went nameless for about a week after we got him.

We had a 65 pound Springer Spaniel until a little more than a year ago. Murphy thought he was a lap dog. Now we had this lap dog acting like he could do anything. The first day we had him, weighing in at 2.7 pounds, he tried to jump on the couch. Kept trying. He carried Cuddle Bun's size 11s around. They not only were bigger than him, but weighed more. Played fiercely with a huge lab pup and barked his first bark at him.

I wanted a big guy name. Something like Jack Crabb. Fezzik. (Name those movies? Anyone?) My son-in-law said he need a gangsta name. My nephew suggested 20 Cent. My brother-in-law called him Killer. He was known at the vet as Baby Dog Burke.

Nothing really seemed to fit. He's such a little guy with such a big guy attitude and so dern cute.

Old Folk's Feet and Geeks

Upon getting the link to my new blog, my daughter emailed me, and I quote: "Oh no you didn't. DH. You're one of those people now."

What do you suppose she meant?

A geek? Yep. But she already knew that.

A blogger? I'm retired and the dog's cute. How best to show everyone? Or was it the use of DH? (My son and my DH, hereafter referred to as Cuddle Buns, have had fun figuring out the different things that acronym could mean.)

OR does she think I've become one of those crazy old ladies who talks to their dogs like they are babies calling them things in a really high pitched voice like HEY RUDY TOOTIE FRESH AND FRUITY, carrying them everywhere and dressing them in ridiculous costumes.

As an afterthought to my Iowa visit, why is it, do you suppose, that the parents felt the need to play with my dog with their feet? Dad did, too. At least my mom refuses to take off her shoes. She's the only one not to get a pieced toe.

Lampyridae

As I was walking around my sister's backyard this evening in an attempt to get Rudy to poopoo, I was utterly amazed at the fireflies. They seemed to be rising from the ground and up into the trees like Christmas tree lights. There were so many of them. It was magical. Really. OK, family members are rolling their eyes right now, but REALLY, it was magical.

Until I googled them. This is Wikipedia: Lampyridae is a family of insects in the beetle order Coleoptera. They are winged beetles, and commonly called fireflies or lightning bugs for their conspicuous crepuscular use of bioluminescence to attract mates or prey.

Fireflies were doing it all over my sister's backyard. And it was magical!!

(PS...Rudy thought so, too. He chased a couple, got one, but I saved it. Just didn't know what I was saving it to do.)

I don't know how to tell Rudy....

Rudy's mom was a stray chihuahua who hung around the business where my husband works. For the first 6 months, she wouldn't let anyone touch her. Then she began to soften up, and Manny, who works with my husband and lives close to the business, became her best bud. Manny kind of adopted her, named her Princess, and let the pups be born on his porch.

Manny found her today by the side of the road in front of work. She had been hit by a car.

I had never met Princess, but I've been sad all day. Princess, you birthed one great puppy! Rest in peace!

We also said good-bye to my mom. I don't think Rudy, who kind of enjoyed rides in her wheelchair, really knew the significance of that last smooch. But I'll tell you, the best part of my day was, after I tucked her in her bed at the care center, hearing her giggle like days of old when Rudy licked her all over her face.

And in this corner...

Rudy is having a little fun with one of his cousins. Abby is kind of bi-polar. A lot of the time she wants nothing to do with him. Then she'll decide it's Wrestle Mania.

This is Abby. She's a Westie.



Right now imagine a cute little poodle signaling the beginning of the first round:










This is Maddy. She is a Bijon. She is the house Diva and prefers to have nothing to do with either of the wrestlers. She won't even officiate.