My first Tot sized canine...

Times have severely changed since my days as a full time Captain steering my ship around the globe. These days people board a long oval tube with wings that span what seems as infinite. Everyone has their own items and cram them into an extremely small compartment overhead. Once settle they cleverly latch themselves in a seat with these metal attachments. I remember seeing those same contraptions when Shelley and Doug took me to Jefferson, accept the transportation didn't have any wings.

Well anyway, we all got buckled in and for the life of me what happens next scared the little tot poop out of me. A voice speaks out and yells please prepare for takeoff. FOR WHAT I SAY??? Hoollllyyyyyy! My seat is sucking me in. What the hell is going on?!? My eye patch flies off scaring the hell out of this little boy across the aisle. I'm bouncing up and down trying not to puke and then I start laughing hysterically entering a world of Tot dimentia. Suddenly, everything settles to a calm tranquil bliss like I just swallowed a smooth shot of rum. Ahhh...shall I take a nap?

Doug failed to inform me we were visiting his family in a place called San Diego. The name sounds vaguely familiar but I will have to see if perhaps I once visited before. Shelley also came along and apparently it was her first time to meet his family. Needless to say she looked white as a ghost. I will just keep that to myself. More bumps and loud noises occurred as the tube landed safely. Found my eyepatch and off to a new world we go.

We met up with Doug's sister and brother-in-law, Tricia and Howard. They were kind enough to pick us up and head out to another location where his family resides. Lemme just tell ya, Doug has one large family. Geesh!

I met Doug's nephew and niece, Dante and Camille. They are really sweet children. They played with me and invited over to their inventive play area. That's when Camille introduced me to her dog named Pup.



A really friendly young lad who spoke highly of Camille. He really enjoyed staying inside his dog house. She would feed him regularly and on occasion give him a bath. And I snuck a little rum in his water bowl to see any reaction. Whoa, I thought I could take some naps. Man alive, this thing could make money doing this. When everyone left and it left only snooze dog that's when I decided to ween him off the snooze juice so I could have a buddy to play with although the face licking I could do without! :)

My first spec"tator" sport..

Wow, Shelley and Doug were up early for this one. Doug managed to walk, mimicking a mummy, to the kitchen creating the best morning drink of all...Spiced Apple Cider Rum and believe me, it was superb! Meanwhile, zombified Shelley finally awoke to a great aroma, gathered her things and off we went to White Rock Lake for the 2009 White Rock Half.

Their friend Diane Golden, who owns an adventure travel company, had a pit stop around mile 9 or so according to Doug and Shelleys conversation heading there. I knew nothing of what they were talking about but Doug explained it to me and advised to scream my little Tot head off when runners went by. However, I didn't know what really to say. Way to go?? Almost there?? Not much farther?? I learned the hard way by saying any of those a deathly gaze steered in my direction. I was quieted down by Shelley and she calmed me down with a little shot of cider....Ahhhh, much better and she provided me with a terrific shout out for the runners. An Al Pacino "Hoo ahh" ..


A friend of theirs, Amy Jacoby Turner, had full control of directing traffic. She
exclaimed "Water first, Gatorade second!" little did the runners know that spiced rum was third and I had it all to myself. Doug kept lurking around for good music to play while Diane was hounding him to find a better station. Meanwhile, Amy was still directing fantastically and I am sipping away with no disturbance.



A little hairy creature kept picking me up and moving me to another spot on the grass. I would mose back to my location and it would come back for some more. Later I found out her name was Lucy! A great day had by all, and as a well drunken pirate should quote...burp!

Petanque?!? What in the wide wide world of sports is going on here...

OK, now I have heard of football, baseball, soccer, golf, but Petanque(pronounced Pay- Tahnk)? I must say Doug has interesting tastes' in international games. He explained to me the origin of this wonderful game and how it came about. Originating in France, this game is similar to another favorite of Doug's, Bocce. Though the rules differ a bit, in essence they are parallel.

I was a little overwhelmed when he decided to grab his set and head to the park. Not knowing the rules and assumed I would be a spectator rather than a participant, I stashed my rum to help pass the time. When we arrived at the park, Doug was looking for the optimum spot to play. I kept thinking how perfect of flat ground do you need Big Boy? It was then, he settled for the infield of a baseball diamond. Perfect, since diversity is limited in Dallas. More to come later on that topic...

So, he explained the rules to me and thus a game had begun. Such a strategic game once one understands the concept. I really enjoyed the day in the sun. Perfect weather, smooth rum, and great company while we enjoyed a couple of tosses. I suggest to all my followers to try this game out. If you choose to do so, please feel free to update me of your thoughts. And if you wish to play a game or two with me, contact Doug. He'll set up an appointment!

PR stop

This was around the corner of the general store. As you can see, the public restrooms are exactly what you expected. Available to all! Such a new concept, well to Dallas maybe. It's not everyday that you stroll along the streets and see PR signs hanging aloof. Gave me a giggle. time for a little rum since I know where the restrooms are. Arrrgh!