The Pancho Sessions

Rob and Julie.

Thanksgiving Blogathon

Greetings, and I hope you all had a nice safe Thanksgiving. For me, it has been an eventful week. As many of you know, Kev and I have a hobby popularly known as the Palo Pinto House Pants House Band. This is a "band" we have in our house while wearing our house pants (sometimes called "sleep bottoms" in the retail world, but the Palo Pinto Sleep Bottoms House Band doesn't sound very good, and we've always called them house pants anyway). It is great fun being in a house band. Kev writes songs, and we play them and sometimes even record them, since one of our wedding gifts was a 12-track recorder. Last year we made a whole CD and gave it to people for Christmas. It is very home-made sounding, but I really like it, and it was fun to do. I think Kev is a great song-writer. And for being recorded in our house, I think it sounds pretty darn good. Anyway, we decided to record another CD for this Christmas, and this week we finished it up. I hope people will like it. I think it's better than the first one. And the really exciting thing is, that this time we have some special guest stars. Here is what happened:

Kev made a country song. And it was good, but kinda slow moving, and we couldn't figure out who (meaning which instrument) should play the melody. So, I kept saying that it was the kind of song that needed vocals, but neither of us can sing. Actually, Kev can sing, he just doesn't like to. Meanwhile, Pancho, our backyard 'possum as regular readers will know, had stopped frequenting our yard, and I was getting worried about him. Then one night a couple weeks ago, we saw a 'possum on the side of the road who had, um, gone to be with Jesus. It broke my heart. We of course don't know if it was Pancho, but it definitely could have been, so I was really sad. The next morning, lyrics to Kev's country song were born. So now, "Song for Pancho" had music and lyrics, but no one to sing. So, I called my friends Julie and Rob and invited them to record a little country song about a 'possum, and they both enthusiastically accepted! They came over on Tuesday night, and got the song in very few takes, and it sounds awesome. I want to say right here and now that Rob and Julie are really really cool and fun, and I am so excited that they were part of the PPHPHB this year. It is a goal of the band to have lots of other people participate. So if any of you would like to join in, you are more than welcome.

So anyway, that night I went to bed stuck on the Pancho song, which I had heard over and over that night. At about 3 in the morning, I woke up. There was lots of wind outside, but I began to hear a familiar scratching at the aluminum around our foundation, so I jumped up and ran to the back door, but I didn't see anything. I decided it was just the wind, or the pepperoni pizza playing tricks on my mind. Or maybe it was Pancho's ghost?

Yesterday was Thanksgiving, and I want to kick a shout out to my mom who made a great dinner, and my dad who tried to get everyone to play cards even though all everyone seemed to want to do was nap.

When we got home, it was pretty much time for bed, so I went to sleep only to wake up at 2 AM. The scratching sound was back! So again, I jumped up and went to the back door. What a racket! Suddenly, a critter emerged from under our house! I held my breath and waited, and there he was! A giant....raccoon.

You thought it was Pancho, didn't you? (Sigh). So did I.

So I didn't know if I should be disappointed that it wasn't him, or excited about my first raccoon sighting, or what. Was it being disloyal to Pancho if I decided to be excited about the raccoon? I was awake for at least an hour.

Well, as Kev said, even if Pancho is gone, he has been immortalized in song. I welcome the raccoon, and any other woodland creatures that want to live in my back yard. We have had rabbits, 'possoms, raccoons, birds, lizards, and cats and dogs. My parents have an armadillo. Kev's parents have had deer, geese, moose, wild turkeys, and recently a bear. And his sister has bobcats. I think it's good to have wildlife around. It makes me happy.

Anyway, be watching for your copy of the PPHPHB Vol.2, featuring Rob and Julie.

And if anybody wants to read something funny, check out
larryfeathers.blogspot.com
and make sure you have the volume up on your computer.

Time to go buy a Christmas tree!

Official Statement from the LRHS

I would like to take this time to officially apologize to all domestic turkeys of the world for accusing them of being ignorant enough to drown in rain. I realize I should not blog things if I am only 97% sure of the accuracy. Thanks to Christine for setting me straight.

Thanksgiving List

Well, as Thanksgiving approaches, I thought it would be appropriate to blog a list of things I am thankful for. So, here goes:

My nice family, Kev, Kev's nice family, Albert, all of my friends, my good house, my front porch with swing, the brief periods of sunshine over the weekend, that the sun is supposed to come out again Wednesday, coffee, my friend Damon is OK, critters of all kinds, PBS, KERA (esp Fresh Air and Diane Rehm and Glen Mitchell), freedom to blog, White Rock Lake, Central Market, the groove, the Christmas spirit, housepants, nice people who don't litter and do take good care of their pets, and ice cream, popcorn, pie and various other treats.

Thanksgiving is a good holiday because it is about food and fellowship instead of gifts. And now that I am a grown-up, I like more of the traditional food items, so I don't have to ask my mom to make extra different stuff or order pizza.

Not-so-fun fact: Domestic turkeys aren't very bright. Many of them die because they don't know how to eat when they are born. Also, they have been know to drown in the rain by looking up.

Little Hike on the Prairie

Prairie Growth

This morning, I got up at the crack of dawn to attend my first Sierra Club field trip. I met some others at the carpool location in Plano at 7:00am, and managed to get a ride with some people in a mini-van to our destination, the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area. This is an area behind the dam at Lewisville Lake which is closed to the public, and good birds were promised. I've been interested in birds for over a year now, but this was my first guided excursion, so I was looking forward to having an expert there to point things out. I did end up seeing a few new birds for my list, but I didn't learn very much about them. And I think maybe I missed the excitement of figuring things out for myself. It seems to kinda lose something when someone else is solving the mystery for me. Anyway, here is what I saw today:

• Red-tail hawk
• American Kestrel
• Yellow-bellied sapsucker*
• Song sparrow*
• Turkey Vulture
• Ruby-crowned kinglet
• American goldfinch*
• Rock Wren*
• Savannah Sparrow*
• Shrike*
• LeConte's sparrow*
• Downy woodpecker
• Cedar waxwing
• Harrier hawk*

*indicates new bird for list.

I also saw coyote tracks (pictured above), and a family of bobcats, which was really the best part of the trip. And it was my first time to be in the official prairie I think. So that was cool.

Anyway, I was hoping that I might make some new friends, but I don't think it's going to be easy. For one thing, I am shy. And I don't really know if these are the friends I am looking for. They are all very nice, but all much older than me. And they are all VERY serious about birds. These are people who use the word "bird" as a verb without the slightest hint of self-consciousness. "First, we'll bird by the beaver pond, and later we'll be birding in the prairie." They all have high-powered binoculars and some even have telescopes that they carry around. I think they think I am a bird poser. That's OK though. I will still go on field trips sometimes. And I will still go to meetings. And I will still try to make some new friends. I think today my heart just wasn't in it. I am cranky.

Sideways Dog

Oops...I forgot to rotate this picture. Turn your head sideways, and you will see Albert, a good dog.

Oo-oh, who are the critters in your neighborhood...

Yesterday as I was going down a street around the corner from my house, there were some chickens. I was glad to have my camera. I live in the city, by the way. I showed this picture to one of my students. He said, "Yeah, that one would make a real nice meal." It was disappointing.

Hank vs Garth

Last night I watched part of a show on CMT called The 100 Greatest County Songs of all Time. This was a very bad show with annoying hosts (Keith Urban, Austrailan Country Guy, and Kimberly-Williams-Paisley, spare actress married to lame country guy). But I thought I'd get to see some good footage of cool singers doing cool songs. Anyway, I can't really say too much because I didn't see the whole list, but I did see numbers 50 through 12, and I'll tell you this is a bogus list. First of all, in the two plus hours I invested in this thing, there was no mention of the great Buck Owens. Also, the very best country song of all time, I'm so Lonesome I could Cry by Hank Sr. came in at #29! And some of the songs that were "better" were " I Hope you Dance," " Amarillo by Morning," and the Dixie Chicks hit that I can't remember plus some other really bad stuff. I am now going to vow in public that I will never watch a list show again. I think I'll make my own lists from now on.

Wet Wednesday

Every day it rains and rains. Is this what it's like to live in Seattle? My hair cannot handle all the humidity, especially the silver ones which like to strike out on their own and call attention to themselves by distancing from the other hairs. There is one in the front that likes to stand up like a little antennae every day. I think I will name it "Marvin." Speaking of naming things, I have been receiving some good ideas for my sock monkey, so thanks to those who participated.
Saw an interesting "Frontline" about Wal-Mart last night. This country has problems.

Lazy Russian Horses Show Volunteer Reader Participation Activity courtesy of Carl Pope:
Immediate Action Needed: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Under Attack.The Bush Administration is pushing hard again to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil development. The Sierra Club is urging members and supporters to sign a petition to Harry Reid, Senate Minority Leader-elect, urging him to rally opposition to the Bush Energy Plan and any proposal to allow development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

If that link doesn't work, try

www.sierraclub.org/petition/arctic/

Yesterday I got a letter from a congressman about landfills and it was really signed! So, some of them really do pay attention I think.

In spite of last night's defeat, I like what I'm seeing from the Mavericks. I wish Mark Cuban would be more behind-the-scenes though. He is a creepy guy.

Fun Fact: George Jones' nickname is Possom.

Updated Monkey

Here is a more recent photo of my one-eyed un-named sock monkey.

La Tour avec un Chapeau au Paris, Texas

I was told my blog needed more pictures. Here is the Eiffel Tower, Texas-style. I talked to Whitney today, but she couldn't remember the name of the good barbeque place across from the McDonald's in Paris either.

Please Help Me Name My Monkey

This is a picture of my sock monkey. He isn't quite finished. He now actually has one eye, but this picture was taken before I stitched it on. Anyway, he is going to need a name. Please submit your ideas via "Comments." No swear-words or obscenities please.

Train people

Today as I was riding the Dart Train, I realized how much I miss regularly riding the Dart Train. It is an interesting thing to do, and I recommend it if you have time on your hands. First of all, there are all kinds of people to watch. Most people sleep, but a few make better use of their time, like the lady today who tweezed hair after hair from her upper lip, or the man behind her who was rolling his own cigarettes. Also, you can learn stuff by reading the train marquee. Today I learned that HBO started with only 350 households in Wilkes-Barre, PA. And I learned that I can improve my life by attending DeVry. There is also good advice for you if you are pregnant, have diabetes, or have a torn earlobe in need of repair. In addition, if you are feeling blue and need a pick-me-up, there is the "Get Happy" advice of the day. Past examples I have seen are: "Don't just sit on your couch, go out and enjoy the sun," "Read a great book. It will put you in a good mood," "After it rains and there is a rainbow, everything is brighter," and "Write someone a nice letter. It will cheer them up, and put a smile on your face." One time, I was waiting for the train on a hot hot day, when a lady came up and told me to beware because there was witchcraft all around. "You've got it on your shoes," she said to me. Another time a lady sat by me who smelled like balogna. Once, when I got off the train, some police officers had rounded up and hand-cuffed a group of gangstas who were all wearing big character slippers (i.e. Homer Simpson, Spongebob). So, you see, you never know what adventures you might have on the Dart Train.

Fiesta de los Perros

I LOVE Sunday. It is one o'clock in the afternoon, and I am sitting here with my nice cup of Vanilla Decaf Hot Chai Tea, wearing my pajamas, with no commitments whatsoever, blogging. Earlier, our daily walk took us to Benny's bagels for breakfast and the Sunday paper. This is the life.

Yesterday was Topsy's birthday party, and what a production! Ron invited all of his (or Topsy's) friends from the dog park, and in the early afternoon, they all began to gather in his back yard. There was Spike, Junior, Woody, Yogi, Yoda, Draper, Emma, Suzy, Leo, and Mr. Wiggles, just to name a few of the guests. Oh, there were also some people. Kev and I were the only dog-less couple there, so it was a little awkward, but we enjoyed watching the other people's dogs run and fight and play, and they also did a few kinda gross things I won't mention. ( We here at the LRHS like to keep things rated G). And as promised, there were tamales from a place called Luna, which were really good. Ron gave us some of the left-overs. I put them in the freezer, because I have found that tamales are the kind of food you can't go around eating every day. Anyway, back to the dogs. Here's the thing. They were all really cute dogs, but I gotta say, most of them didn't appear to be very bright. I think this may be due to in-breeding. The smartest one there I think was Mr. Wiggles, and he is a mutt. There were some (3) bull-dogs, who were very cute, but had terrible manners and a great deal of difficulty breathing. I once knew a bull dog that belonged to my brother's friend David. My brother was dog-sitting one time, and I went with him to David's apartment. Upon arrival, I was shocked to see the nearly unrecognizable remains of David's couch and a lot of other damage. I don't think I would like to have a bull dog. But, the party was fun, and I'm glad we have a nice neighbor like GNR.

Last night we went to the Son's of Hermann Hall to see what's left of Cowboys and Indians, but that's a story for another day. I'm gonna go sit on my couch and do nothing now. Because it's Sunday.

Saturday Morning Shorts

• If you want to see a good movie and don't mind some swear-words and nakeds, go to see Sideways. It is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. If you are particularly beaten-down, it might make you feel better about your life, even.
• I was thinking maybe consumers should get together and stop paying movie theater prices for snacks. They suck you in with the popcorn smell. It isn't right.
• If you want a good meal, try Mai's Vietnamese restaurant at Bryan and Fitzhugh. The food is great and cheap, and the people who work there are very nice.
• If you don't have recycling in your neighborhood, you can take your newspapers to the SPCA or other shelters to be shredded and used in the crates for the pets.
• I wish Samurai Jack would come back to Cartoon Network.
• I recently got a mail-order catalog where you can order a life-size giraffe for your yard. Is there really a market for that? The same catalog also had velvet cloaks. They weren't trying to be funny.
• I am worried about Pancho. He hasn't been around lately.

Dogs

Yesterday I went to the Downtown SPCA to get a birthday gift for Topsy, Good Neighbor Ron's dog. If any of you out there want a good dog, go to the SPCA. They have some really good ones. There are good puppies, and good older dogs too. At the end of the big dog row, there is a GREAT dog named Trixie who really needs a nice new home because she was abandoned by her owners and is scared at the SPCA. She was shaking like a leaf, but calmed down a lot after I petted her for a while. She is two years old, and already trained. She is really gentle and sweet and I think if you met her you would want to take her home as much as I did! Plus they have cats and rabbits. Even if you don't want a new pet, the SPCA is a good place to visit because the dogs and cats and rabbits really really like having visitors.

Tomorrow is the Dog party next door. I found out there are going to be lots of dogs there, and I wonder what GNR is going to do if it rains. There will also be tamales.

Anonymous

I would like to kick a special shout out to the people who read my block and never comment. I know who you are.

Open Letter to a Jack-Ass

Dear Man-in-the-giant-blue-SUV,

I just want to thank you for setting me straight tonight when you laid on your horn for several minutes behind me in the completely stopped traffic. I'm sure the six or seven other drivers in front of me appreciated it too! I don't know what we were thinking, having the audacity to follow traffic rules and exercise caution when entering the Service Road to 75 into fast-moving on-coming cars during rush hour tonight. It was inconsiderate of us to make you late for meeting your crack dealer or whatever it was you were in such a hurry to do. I know it must have been much more important than anything the rest of us were on our way to do. It was very silly of me to think maybe my car was on fire or that I was about to be car-jacked when I heard you honking and honking for no apparent reason. Why, important people like you don't have time to warn other drivers of impending danger! I should have realized you were only trying to encourage us to pull on out into traffic without a care in the world. If you ever catch me being such a rude driver again, please feel free to go ahead and ram my car from behind a few times. That'll teach me!

Sincerely,
The Blue Buick

Sad bird news

Well, two whooping cranes in Kansas have been shot, according to CNN.com. It is very extra sad considering there are only about 500 whooping cranes in all. These cranes were shot by hunters who claim to have thought they were actually sand-hill cranes, which begs the question, why would anyone want to shoot sand-hill cranes? Evidently, it was opening day of "goose and sand-hill crane season" in Kansas. Do people eat cranes? Why do we need to hunt them? This news was upsetting, and I was so distracted by it this morning that I almost poured coffee in my cereal bowl. People often ask me why I care so much about things like whooping cranes and polar bears. I just think it is a shame that animals are going extinct, not because of any kind of natural process, but because of humans coming along and screwing up their world. The thing is, we're not only screwing things up for the animals, but for ourselves too. Eventually the damage will be irreversible. Make fun of me if you want to, I don't care.