Tuesday, June 30, 2009

A day at the (water) park










With high summer in full swing the kids wanted to go somewhere we'd been before, a change from my usually making a point to do new things in new places when they're with me. Since our hometown has still yet to catch up with its much-smaller neighbor 20 miles to the north, it was off to Ashville we went.
In keeping with the sweltering summer theme I bought them decidely bland-tasting ice cream on a stick, the flavor of which was not commented upon because it featured the appropriate cartoom character.
Once at the park I slathered my spawn who will never own a tan with SPF 45 sunscreen. I even bared by lily-white upper body and put some on myself, too, having been reminded on Memorial Day on the beach how quickly and thoroughly I burn when I let the sun have its way with me.
By coincidence a church group was using the nearby pavilion and was packing up not long after we arrived. A gentleman I did not know walked up and asked 'are those your kids?' and I said yes, two of them are, and he said we were welcome to come their food, which they would rather give away than carry home. So we went and tried to get plates of hot dogs, chips and cookies but were flat refused...the ladies there insisted on making plates for us and giving out cold drinks too, which we graciously accepted. After thanking them profusely we ate and it was back to play in the water...as you can see.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

My new buddy


Picked up an interesting tip at work Thursday and I have yet to decide what to call it.

It was busy at work all day that day, one delivery after another to mostly-generous customers glad to get the nutritious and delicious I am proud to bring. Then late in the afternoon I went to a singlewide trailer that was about as old as I am, to a 300-poundish customer who stiffed me. As I left, her Chihuahua got out and made a beeline for the road, but I grabbed him up and carried him back to the residence. 'Dang dawg,' the woman said before thanking me and letting him back in.

Got back to the store a just a few minutes later another order--to the very same house. I got there and she had company, and I guess wanted to feed them, too. Once again she stiffed me (oh well, no surprise that time) and once again the dog got out and took off for the road. So, knowing that Chihuahuas tend to lack the sense to stay out of the road (Mama kept 'em when I was a kid) I picked him up again and took him back to the doorstep.

This time rotund customer said, "Yew wont that dawg? Cuz he seems like he wonts yew." No, I can't take your dog, ma'am, I replied. "Well I wuddunt kiddin, yew want im?

Hmmm I thought, my kids have been after me to get a dog for them to play with when they visit me every other weekend...I know the breed is all right and their poop piles are small, even though I am a cat person from way back, I guess it wouldn't hurt....

"Well if y'all don't want him I guess I'll take him."

"Good lemme git his bag of food for ya," and with that, I had a new buddy.

As for a name, I have it narrowed down to two choices. One is Tip, or Tippy, since he was sort of a tip from a customer...but that one isn't very colorful.

Since I know the breed and how they can be, and their origin in Mexico, I kinda like Pendejo as a name...and if it doesn't work out, a buddy gave me a recipe:

2 lbs. lean chihuahua
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, Mexican style
1 small can green chile peppers
1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce
1/2 cup chopped onion
two beef bouillon cubes or equivalent granules or base
2 cans (15 ounces each) red kidney beans; rinsed and drained
Shredded cheddar cheese