Side of Ranch

Lost dog was finally found this morning, thanks to a "live trap" set. My friends are so thrilled to have their baby back! I was glad for them, too. Plus, I got my day back on schedule.

After book club at 9 a.m., I headed east to Fond du Lac to meet up with my cowboy nephew Zach and his wife for a photo/video shoot with interviews, etc. As he often says, we were getting ranchy. Well Aunt Robyn was trying.

Got some pretty pictures, though! And didn't step in any fresh manure deposits anywhere. That I know of. Can't tell you much about the project because we don't want anyone stealing our idea. I will say it was pretty cool seeing an active horsewoman my mother's age – 87 – and her husband both so involved.

As a bonus we got to meet Paco, a mule with an affinity for Mountain Dew. Here he is "doing the Dew." Too funny. I guess we all need something to keep us moving!

Let there before 5 p.m. and was going to meet hubby and friends at a Wisconsin Rapids Rafters baseball game... but then rain happened. He was already there and I was running behind. Probably best. I didn't go at all so didn't suffer the rain or cold.

Are we all sure it's mid-June? Even Paco is stubborn about shedding his coat.

And not just because he's a mule!

Doggone It

This looks like the scene from a horror movie. And it sort of is. Last night a friend of ours came over and said earlier in the day his wife was in a car accident. In a nutshell, she's OK, car is totaled, and her dog (favorite passenger) got out of the wrecked car and took off in all the chaos.

So I set out searching last night after he left and boy did darkness fall quickly. Right when I was cutting through some woods – very long woods – to search for her. Do you know what's scary about walking alone in the woods in the dark? Every. Flippin'. Thing.

On top of it, no luck finding their puppy Zoey.

The good news is that she was spotted today so she survived the night. The bad news is that even though they "thought" they had around noon today, she ran off again. Kept running away from people – even her owners.

So late this afternoon I trekked out again. This time it was daylight. But the rain made it so messy. I was hoping I'd find Zoey hiding out on a porch somewhere. Trudged through the woods bordering back yards and had no success. By shoes, socks, and pants were soaked. But I just wanted so badly to find her. What I did find was a few rain shots...

And a skeleton...

Say what? Not quite sure. Too bad Zoey isn't a big bad-arse dog who wanted some bones.

As of late tonight, she still hadn't been found and reunited with her human momma. I pray that she makes it through the chilly, rainy night, and that tomorrow brings good news!

Over and Out, Good Buddy

There's no such thing as travel without adventure. Sometimes the adventure means sitting by a celebrity on the plane (didn't happen). And sometimes it means running through the world's busiest airport to catch your connection (definitely happened).

All that matters, though, is that the trip was a success and we made it home safely.

This is the Jackson 5 before we headed out today after gathering of videos, photos, and words at one of our trucking customers.

Do you like the "crown" on my head? Like cargo a 100 yards in the background and it lined up perfectly.  My new CB handle should be Road Queen or something.

I did have flashbacks to my dad's trucking days when I was a youngster.

Got to sit in the cab of a brand new truck. And today I got to ride in one. These new rigs have huge sleepers and I could stand up behind the seats no problem. And not because I'm short. Was pretty cool for a secret gearhead like me.

The whole trip was. I'll tell y'all about some food adventures another time. Signing off as my ride is almost to our office in Stevens Point and I've got to drive that last leg home after being gone what feels like a week!

Night, y'all!

Hotter Than a Pepper Sprout

Not sure I know what a pepper sprout is or how hot it is. But I do know there was quite a temp difference from north to south.

Today by the numbers...

Wake-up time when you have a 6 a.m. flight. Yowza.

Departure temperature in Wisconsin.

Arrival temperature in Jackson was 81 degrees at 10 a.m. but quickly rose to this.

We were fortunate to have a considerable breeze. So it didn't feel too bad at all. Of course, we were in air conditioning quite a bit as we got the lay of the land. Tomorrow morning (not quite as early) is go time.

Really need to nod off, y'all.

Yup, "y'all." Southern slang is pretty catchy.

P.S. sorry for any typos or weird auto corrects. Typing on my phone!

Variety is the Spice of Work

We got married in a fever...

If you're an old school country music fan, you know that Johnny and June tune. Been singing that all day because,  well, I'm going to Jackson.

Actually in a hotel in Appleton now so our work crew can meet up at 4:30 a.m. and fly south from here. Gotta stop in Atlanta somewhere in there to switch planes and peel off some layers.  From what we're told.

Since we got here this evening, we found a Mexican place near our hotel and caught some dinner. Saleo's or something like that. If you're in Appleton area,  try it. As with anything, you can spice it up! Which I did, of course.

They say variety is the spice of life. If you're lucky enough to have variety in your job, too, that's a huge bonus.  It's one of the reasons I love my job so much.

Our spicy variety this week is flying down to a customer's in Jackson, MS, to do some videography and such. I'm doing some of the interviewing, so just call me the off-camera talent. Ha. Excited and nervous.  For now I just have to sleep fast.

I'll check in when I can.

I'm going to Jackson,  but first to bed...

It's Juxt Us Opposin'

juxtaposition |ˌjəkstəpəˈziSH(ə)n|: noun. The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect: the juxtaposition of these two images.

I remember learning this word in English class back in the day. Never was it so evident as our date night tonight...

A well-rounded date starts with fancy-schmancy dinner at The Muse followed by action at the race track – with a 70 mph wardrobe change on Highway 10 in between. That's how we roll on a Saturday night!

Let's start with dinner. Our delicious dinner at The Muse restaurant that is part of the Sentry campus. It's really a nice place and was a great setting for a surprise 50th birthday gathering for our neighbor. Well now I can't say her name or you'll know her age! Anyway, the new AARP girl was surprised and it was fun. And so very, very delish!

Above, for example, was my rhubarb dessert. Crispy custard topped with rhubarb and white chocolate and pistachios. Do not try this at home. It could never compare. Yum.

From there it was a quick drive west to Marshfield. The guy above is some unknown fan, but I had to capture the image to complete the juxtaposition. Plus, I forgot to take our picture at the restaurant so you wouldn't know the difference with our "outfits" – which were appropriate for each occasion. I basically just changed my shirt while hubby drove and kept my black skort on to save time.

We were anxious to get over there after we heard our nephew Colin qualified with the fastest time. That's always a big deal – and today even more so because they weren't sure the car was going to cooperate for racing tonight. We got to the track in time for the feature but, unfortunately #87 only lasted two laps. Dang. Better luck next time, kiddo!

At least it extended our unique date night – that and the train stopped when we got back to town. Yup. That's exactly how we roll on a Saturday night.

Dream big, my friends. Dream big.

There Are Worse Things Than Mosquitoes

I should probably apologize for giving mosquitoes a bad rap the other night. Yes, they are annoying – as proven tonight when they were out in droves at our friends' house – but there are worse things.

We had a gathering tonight with some people I work with, including the host couple who both hubby and I worked with in Iola for a decade before our current stint together. It was warm and sunny and we had a great time visiting, playing yard games (a new one called Kubb), and eating, of course. Oh, and swatting skeeters.

When I got home, I realized I still need another 500 steps to get my 10,000 for the day. So I went outside to take a stroll... and turned into one of the Solid Gold Dancers...

Mosquitoes may be super pests but at least they aren't as gross and disgusting and creepy as June bugs. It's bad enough they look overstuffed wood ticks. But then they make noise when they ping against the screen door. And you can feel them when they dive bomb into you in the night.

EEEEEEWWWWW!

Needless to say, I got those final steps in record time. Plus, I performed my own June Bug version of the Jitter Bug. At least the mosquitoes knew to stay out of my way!