Friend lost

Misty, my 15 yo field English Setter, died this week.  She was being cared for by a friend and time caught up with her.  Never a favorite of the family, she was a great companion in the field, and I’ll miss her there.  She was a poster child for a dog raised without adequate socialization and that is why none in the family really cared for her.  But for hunting quail and pheasants, she had few peers.  Fast, stylish and a good nose made her the one to chase when she was down on the ground.  Only one could consistently best her, Tony’s Gus.  Both are gone now and the memories are numerous and warm.  Life is too short for all of us!

Moving On

We closed on our house the 29th of Dec and finished packing, jumped into the truck (pulling a car) and car (stuffed) to lumber up the highway towards Kansas. The weather was closing in in Arkansas, so we left Mobile late pm. After dark, Gaia called me on the cell to tell me the trailer lights were out. So our 6 hour drive was cut at 3 hours. UHaul promptly sent a repair gu out who determined that 1. The routing of the wire to the trailer was poor causing 2. a short that 3. burned a fuse. Took about 5 minutes to fix.

Slept well in a nice hotel that let us keep the dogs inside. Got a reasonable start and drove 14 hours or so to Wichita. Arrived intact.

Awoke to snow the next AM….welcome to Kansas. After 6 years in the South, a big change.

During the next week, we were up and down about a new house. The one we had bid on kept having issues, but we went throught with it. Since the 5th of Jan we have been camping out in the house. House hold goods are still in storage and will be until several “projects” are completed:

1. Have to move the stairs to the basement. They run into a wall of cement making the basement not user friendly.

2. Paint. I’m told that was finished yesterday, but I’m in Texas and wasn’t there for the final touches.

3. Remodel the kitchen. We’ve already removed some cabinets and bases that really made a big difference, but will do more depending on the $$$$ involved. It ain’t cheap!

4. Carpet. The entire house was/is blue. Counter tops, carpet, shades, walls. Sky blue. I like my sunsets and clear sky’s outside.

5. Remove a wall. The house is nice sized, but odd room sizes make it hard to use. Opening up some space will help.

The views are great for sunsets and the MB is HUGE. The process is glacial, but we will have a nice house when done. Gaia Garden had a special nack for making a place our home. Can’t wait.