We have been babysitting the granddogs for just 36 hours now and there is much to report. This is not the kind of information anyone needs, but it will be therapeutic for me to write it. So far I have had to, let’s just say “use the shovel”, 18 times to keep my showcase back lawn clear for walking. Three more times I have had to use a bigger, better shovel to repair deep holes they dug just for fun. And one more shovel job was needed to clean up after they shredded a plastic manure bag and spread the smelly contents, though not evenly enough to do any good. Finally, I used a V-shaped hoe to repair my beloved flower/vegetable/herb garden that Monty danced in, despite the makeshift fence that I put up when I heard they were coming. On the bright side though, the black plastic beneath Albert and Rocko’s tree that had been encrusted with weeks worth of bird droppings was licked clean. Maybe that was the dogs’ way of saying sorry and making up for the damage, but more likely it was just another doggish indulgence. Strangely enough, I can’t stay mad at them for long, and it's not just the Christmas spirit that makes me so tolerant. I guess I'm a true dog lover. Bumpus Hounds and Nose Smears on Glass

We acquired another African Gray parrot to go with Albert. Nan met some people who are moving to New Zealand and have to give up their bird for adoption. After a brief trial period, Rocko became ours. With her came the need for a cage to hold two birds, as well as some professional wing feather clipping so that we can move birds outside in the daytime and inside at night. After a few days of practice it is now much easier to move birds than to move cages. The video below is quite long, but should be interesting in a vindictive way to all those who have been mutilated by Albert. Since it is really difficult to get Nan to write articles for these pages, I decided just to excerpt a hunk of the letter she recently wrote to Rocko's parents. Click "read more" below to see that. The video that used to be here slowed down the loading of this page, so it has been moved to here.

After a couple of days of pretty hard labor and two unproductive trips to the hospital, Andy and Theresa scheduled a Caesarian section for Saturday morning. The doctor said Theresa's tissue was perfect for the operation, and it took only 10 minutes from start to final stitch. I was the first visitor when they finally were moved to the recovery room, and I was amazed at how good both Theresa and the baby looked. See for yourself... Here are some of Andy's pictures:

I thought the Fall season was disappointing overall, but the trip was still well worth it.

Rob and Nan travel to Cedar City, UT to see the plays.

Jake and Jen made a great movie of baby Abby. Here is a link to it on their web site.