Tripping

I didn’t really want to write about us being gone while we were gone and away from the house, but we will be back home in a few hours so I thought I’d mention that we have been rumbling around the states for the last couple of weeks in our RV with our greyhounds.

We went to my parents house as my Mom has finished her radiation treatments, only to find my Dad with two injured feet, one of which had broken bones. So it was good we went and *I* think the timing was fine, but my Dad didn’t. He had 3 people after him then to take proper care of himself…which left him basically no choice. With that many people after you, you almost have nothing else you can do but comply.

We also spent a couple of days at Fort Wilderness while we were down there and the rest of the time, except for the first 2 nights, the rig was parked out at Griffin State Park. This is a very nice park, a photo of the road we were camped on is below.

Going down was lovely weather, but then one of our Greyhounds, the eldest, Blew started having problems, so he had emergency vet appointment first thing in the morning when we got there. The vet put him on some meds and he is much better. They had x- rayed his leg, as it was swollen twice the size it should have been and bone cancer was suspected – but not so, he has beautiful bones, no sign of cancer so we were pleased. The medication really helped and he has been doing very well since.

I continued my classes on-line, while I was there so it was not a ‘work free’ experience. I stayed up quite a few nights until after 1 am doing school work.

Coming home has been anything but free and easy. Storms had broken out from south to north in the mid-portion of the country.

Tumultuous Skies of Tennessee

The brunt of the poor weather was in Tennessee where we were headed through to get to Paducah, Kentucky to bed down for the night. Stopped for gas outside of Clarksville and tornado sirens were going off. Got the dogs out for a quick walk in a sprinkling of rain and winds that were picking up by the minute. Finished gassing up and we were off toward Clarksville, not knowing what else to do but head onward in the direction of home. Considering the storm just kind of kicked up violently all around us we just kept moving hoping to move out of it.

However, it was not to be the case as just a few miles south of Clarksville we were caught in a mini tornado that sent rain, wind and small tree branches swirling around us as it rocked the RV and made it hard to see. It was actually very terrifying, we were pretty much all over the road and creeping along. Then it was gone and still heavy rain and wind prevailed. The wind remained heavy as we drove down the road passed Clarksville and on toward Paducah. There were several tornados moving through the area and one of them hit pay dirt as it picked up an empty semi ahead of us and threw it on its side.

Traffic stopped completely in all lanes as we all waited for the tow trucks to come and remove the semi from the road. It was a scary bit of time as we sat feeling rather trapped in the jammed up traffic, the RV rocking, at times violently, with the strong gusts of wind. We saw storm chasers zoom by us on the side of the road as they chased the elusive funnels. Finally we were underway again and the wind did not give up on pushing us all over the road for the next hour or so until we got to our over-night spot. It was dark and we were continuously concerned about being tossed over on our side, which added to the worry of just keeping it on the road. We did make it of course, but were pretty shaken up in the process.

This morning we found the weather much the same with not only rain, but snow as well. Though the winds have still been pretty hefty and the temps have dropped considerably from when we left to travel south from Minnesota, they have not been as frightening as yesterday evening. The winds have been heaving us around all day so far (we are about 4 hours from home at this point) and we understand that we will just be beating a snow storm into Minnesota (comes tomorrow – Monday), so we are thankful for that. It will be so good to be home again.

ABC Wednesday – ‘I’

This is the first Instance that I have adhered to the ABC Wednesday rule and find this Interesting and even challenging to participate in. I Intend to do well but we shall see as this project Intensifies as we progress. First stop is the fountain out back that is now a heaving mountain of Ice, due to the Inhospitable temperatures of our Minnesota Winter.

Lovely isn’t it? And if this isn’t enough ice for you then I can also Introduce you to an Incredible Minnesota Tradition that is built during our Winter Carnival known as the Ice Palace.

Of course then you will want to see Inside this Interesting place where people have placed placed coins Into the walls.

The large block walls are Incandescent with color.

Our Itsy-bitsy fountain pales in comparison.

It may be Inferior to the Ice Palace, but it is Impeccably cared for and well loved.

It’s The Little Things.

In the hum drum day-to-day, it is often the events which seem very insignificant, to some, that can really make a difference to many. So now you ask, what could the above photo possibly have to do with the significant, (or perhaps insignificant), statement above. The printing on the box along with what the box contains is very big news IF you are a member of the Celiac Disease community. Yes, check below the name of the product and right on the front with big green letters it states that it is now ‘Gluten Free’.

Not that I eat Corn Chex normally, but I will go grab a box in support, it is the idea that mainstream manufacturers are now starting to pay attention and take seriously, the needs of people who cannot live with gluten in their lives. Each time another manufacturer reformulates one of their products, that never really needed to contain gluten in the first place, so that it no longer contains it, voices of the Celiac community can be heard cheering from coast to coast. Kudos to General Mills for being one of the leaders among major food manufacturers for stepping up to the plate to offer mainstream products that can be had in any grocery store for a normal mainstream price.

In the last few years we have started seeing a slow progression of mainstream manufacturers moving toward better labeling of gluten in their products. Prior to this movement Celiac’s were forced to purchase food items that were quite often obscure and very expensive in order to be able to have something that compared to what they ate before diagnosis. Yet, regardless of paying twice or even three times more for the item, it often tasted quite below par. I do hope that other mainstream manufactures will jump on the bandwagon and at least label their packages to help Celiac consumers decipher whether or not items contain gluten or are gluten free. Being able to just pick up a package and see it clearly stating whether or not the product contains gluten would shorten shopping time considerably and be a veritable Godsend to the Celiac family as a whole. Two Thumbs UP for General Mills.

Topsy-Turvy

 

Wow.....the last few days have been warm here. (figured I hadn't done a weather post for a day or two) And the snow, of which we had a lot, is now nearly gone. Yesterday I actually saw a opossum toddering around out by the pond, in broad daylight (now that's just not right). Things are topsy-turvy around here. I'm thinking by the end of the day we could be hanging out at the lakes in our shorts (I never wear swim suits...so not going there) and flip flops. Temps here in Minnesota don't have to go too high in order for us here to revert to summer wear. A little sun and 50+ degrees and a lot of us are ready to go for a dip in the lake...uh provided the ice is off it. I know, for some March is when a lot of people start feeling that spring has sprung, but those of us in this far flung northern state KNOW it ain't over till it's over, and that can be anywhere between April and June. March is generally the snowiest month of the year. BUT if it hits 50 it is good enough for us to discard the snow pants for a pair of shorts, even if it is for only one day.

Hick-Up

Just noticed strange movement across the room from me, looked up and Scooter seems to have quite the case of hick-ups, laying on his bed there. Seems pretty non-plused about it.

Speaking of Scooter, our vet visit on Saturday ended up showing that he is extremely hypothyroid. So we have started him on soloxine. Hoping now that perhaps it was the reason for his strange type of seizures. Disorientation is probably a better way to describe them.

Monty also did not do well.

I am working on a diet for him that will help him. Still have to get a urine sample in for Monty...I have to say, urine samples are much easier to get from a greyhound than a little kitty cat. But one way or another, I'll get that little jar under there, that is btw the easy part, catching him in the act is a little tougher and requires vigilance...following until finally going to the litter box...type of thing. It is always good to have a ‘mission’ for the day, no matter if it does require following around a cat with an empty baby food jar.

I’m on it like litter on paws!

Do They Come In Pink?

Apparently so.

Photo: CATERS NEWS

Check it out further using this link:

Telegraph

Pinky is the world’s only Pink Bottlenose dolphin and was discovered in a Louisiana Lake. It’s coloration is due to albinism.

And just when you think you’ve seen everything to see that is possible in pink, one more thing pops out at you. Truly fascinating.

We Are Loud Today!

Yes, Grandson + MeeMaw = Loud around our house. After chasing Bampa with a snake around the kitchen island for a while, then chasing Meemaw around the house with a snake, even Ruby for a while, it was time to put the snake (a long shoe horn) away and wave bye-bye to Bampa as he backed out of the garage and went to work. Scaring everyone brought him great joy. Ate cereal with blueberries, fed dogs,doggy dishes washed, doggies taken out 3 times, watched Big Bird and Elmo for a little bit on Sesame Street. We have built a sand tower in the garage out of the sand that is used to keep the doggies from slipping on the ice, advised Bampa that his pond is frozen and needs more water. Made the Robin 'flap flap' around the house and go sit back on its perch to sleep. Read 3 books twice, done puzzles, played with the Little People Airport. All doggies have been kissed more than once and informed 'WAKE UP', found the kitties, started the dishwasher. Played dodge ball, seal, bounce the ball, chase around the island, spin the ball on your finger, kick ball and roll around on the ball on your tummy (which I didn't participate in that one so much, hide and seek and it is not even 8:30 am yet. Who knows what the rest of the day will bring.

Yesterday

Crazy day....geez I hate Saturdays where you have so much to do the day is gone before you even know it is here. Took a lot of the pets here into the vet to the tune of $1300+. The rest of the crew are not due until April, so we will do it all again then. Mostly good news

Renner Sleeps In Back Of Car.

on the ones that went in, but we have to wait for the lab tests to come back, then see if there is anything we need to do from there.

Then the Fridge in our camper was recalled, we just had the camper in last week getting a winter thing done on it, and the stairs fixed (they quit working right the end of last fall) last week, would have been nice to get the recall letter BEFORE we did that, but no it came right after we got it home from the shop. So took it back again yesterday. Hopefully they can fix it up in good time so we can go visit my Mom and Dad with the doggies when the time comes.

I also had to hunt some new kitty food for Monty. He and Vinni are the old guys of the crew here, will be 20 in April, and Monty is supposed to be eating NF, but can't tolerate it for some reason. So I started giving him regular kibble again. That helped a lot, but was too high in protein. So I was trying to find a commercial brand that matched the vet kibble, that he would be able to eat. I came up with a few choices, but couldn't find any of the brands at my normal haunts. So I got a kibble that was close for now, however...he snubs it. I guess less protein means less appeal, which makes sense. Sigh - well....what do you do then...something I have faced with many a pet. We usually just work until we find some sort of mid-ground that works for all, it is just finding it that can be tough some times. After finding the kitty food we moved on to Fresh and Natural.

F & N is an organic food store that carries a lot of Gluten Free items as I am a Celiac and so have to be on a special diet myself. Usually I shop at a normal store for most things, but some things you can't find at a normal store, so I have to head out to either

F & N or a Whole Foods. I like the organic stores better anyway, but they are pretty expensive. After going back home to feed the dogs and let them out, (where we’d be in and out a few times already) we stopped for dinner. When dinner was finished we went to the airport to pick up the kids who were coming back from San Diego. Brought them back to their house, then came back to our house to pick up Ruby, my GrandGreyhound, to take her back home. Everyone was very glad to see each other. :) Blew had graced us twice that day with a peed on floor...frustrating, but he is an old man and had a rough day (does not like going to the vet), so we felt pretty bad for him. Having such a tough day then having your owners gone off and on so much is not easy for an old guy. By the time we got home and settled in again it was about bed time. Being busy is good of course, but sometimes I feel like I should just have a revolving door installed at my house.