Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Lubbock Lake Historic Site

Well, who knew.  Yep, Lubbock -flat as a pancake, dry as the desert, a place that needs to post signs to tell which way for the water to run - had a lake. Of course there are small "playas" around town with fountains in them; I don't think that really counts as a lake. But out on the edge of town is a depression in the ground - a big depression - surrounded by high hills and bluffs that once was an ancient lake.  This is where we went today with the boys. It is now an official archaeological site. They have uncovered mammoth bones, a short-nosed bear, a giant armadillo, bison, arrowheads, etc.  The center was very interesting. Looking at the site from an areal photo, it looks as if the site was an ancient meteor crater.  We took the archaeological trail and only walked it halfway. It was 97 degrees outside.

Jacob being trampled by a Mammoth



Benny on the baby Mammoth's trunk



Mommo and the boys


BoBo and the boys...Guess what they are doing?


Thursday, August 5, 2010

Elvis the Gentle Chihuahua

Sometimes Chihuahua's aren't the surly, snarkey beings as reputed. Elvis is one of the exceptions, he has always been an overly friendly, "Mr. not-listening." He is a lovey, hugger and loves with his whole body. He doesn't lick but caresses you with his face. I love it. I've never had a dog that hugs or lays his head on my shoulder the way he does.

But recently he has turned his attention to Momma Jean.  He knows she is having problems and is very attuned to her emotions. When she was extremely sad last week about not being able to walk most of the time, she went to bed early and cried. Elvis was in the bed with her, loving on her, trying to absorb all the sadness and fill her up with love. Every night when we go to bed, he walks beside the walker or the wheelchair (whichever we are using that evening) and hops on her bed - in spite of the two HUGE cats sitting on the bed threatening to crush him with one paw - and patiently waits for her to get into bed. This is a task in itself, but finally she is safely cocooned in the blankets and pillows and tucked in tight - there's Elvis, hugging her face with his, wagging his little stub tail and in return getting soft little pets. We kiss her goodnight and turn out the lights. Elvis stays for a moment longer and gives his love and protection before hopping off the bed and letting the cats have their domain.

Elvis is truly an exceptional dog.