RACING SEASON IS JUST ABOUT HERE..........!!!

Yesterday we went to practice at the dirt track.  Unfortunately John has a lot of work in order to get the new dirt track car ready to race the 28th of January, in other words he has about 2 weeks to get it ready.  

I said I wouldn't run the asphalt Dodge Neon on the dirt, but John insisted, so we loaded it up and hauled it to the track.  What a come down from road racer to asphalt circle track, to wet slick slimy mud............. poor car.  

I have to say it handles as well on the dirt as it does on the asphalt, it is a very nice handling car.  I brought it home in the same condition it was when we left the house, well except for mud all underneath that will have to be cleaned out before I put it on the asphalt.  They would absolutely have a hissy fit, if I went out there and dropped dirt all over their track..........LOL

My car is on the left and Lynn's car is on the right.  They ran out of time to get it painted and numbered.  He had never been on a track, and really did good.  We got to go out on the track 4 times I think, and after the 1st time, he tried following me on the track.  I'm not sure that's a real good idea, but he said it helped him, where to be on the track and he stayed pretty close to me.  Next thing he'll be passing me.........LOL

Lynn and John attempting to untangle a tie down strap.  They finally threw it in the back of the pick-up and decided the car had enough tie downs on it.  It must really be tangled, because I heard "throw away" mentioned a couple of times and those things are costly.

 

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We got a little rain overnight and most of the morning.  This is one of our 2 annual rainy seasons, so it's appreciated.  

The donkeys "hate" getting wet.  Last week a woman and her daughter came out to groom and wanted to come out again this morning and bring family.  They did come out, but not to groom as the donkeys would have really been grumpy.  But they did enjoy having company.  Last week 13 year old Olivia the daughter made a connection with Penny, who usually doesn't want to be touched by anyone.  The relationship continued this week.  Really amazing to watch Penny actually enjoy being with people.  

Unfortunately Olivia's cousin was messing with Boaz and he clamped down on one of her fingers.  It didn't break the skin, but it did compress the tissue and I'm sure was really painful.  We put ice on it and it started feeling better.  She's a horse person too, so I'm not sure what happened.  We never feed treats when people are here to visit and the donkeys are out of their pens, but if her finger was sticking up, while she was playing with his muzzle, he might have thought it was a carrot.  

Thanks for the picture, Linda

This is Gizmo and Lola enjoying a drink together.  Lola is hyper, I think that's why they got along together........!!   Linda says she has attention deficient disorder..........LOL

Kris says Gizmo's actually roaming around with the girls and he helped her clean the pens.  I'm sure his help was really appreciated, but he does like to be where the action is and doesn't seem to care if you appreciate his efforts or not................!!

This is the latest pic Kris sent of Gizmo with the girl's

GIZMO HAS LEFT FOREVER HOME

We loaded Gizmo and headed to Kris and Jim's place yesterday afternoon.  Gizmo wasn't real thrilled about a trailer ride, but I do think he was a little better about getting in the trailer, than when we picked him up last spring up in Show Low.  He almost took John for a "ski" ride, John was in the trailer and Gizmo didn't want to go in the trailer.  John hung onto the rope, managed to fly out of the trailer, land on his feet and get Gizmo to slow down, before the rope went thru his hand.  And didn't get any rope burns in the process, a good reason to use cotton leads.  You would think by this time, we would have learned to wear gloves when working with ropes, but..........guess not..........!!!  

Kris put him in his stall between PoohBear on the left and Reba on the right.  You can tell how upset he was, Kris only treats in the feed buckets and he was enjoying black sunflower seeds and could have cared less about the girls on either side.  We warned them, that he is mouthy.  Everyone here except me, carries animal crackers in their pockets and Gizmo was well aware of that.  So he would use his mouth to get the point across, not the teeth, he just nibbled with his lips.  And of course was usually rewarded with a cookie.........GRRRRRR........!!!   That is all going to be discontinued, there will be RULES at Kris' barn........LOL

This is Reba, she's about 34 years old, kinda showing her age, but all in all looks pretty good.

This is Pooh, she is a Haflinger mule, really pretty and is the equine in charge, I can't tell you how unimpressed Gizmo was.........LOL

After a meet and great, Kris let them out of their pens.  He was so busy being nosy, he wasn't paying any attention, except when Pooh got closer than he wanted her, then he'd just move a little faster.  She'd gripe and kick up her heels, but seemed to be real careful to not actually make contact.  She was just showing him who's boss.  

Kris sent this picture this morning.  I don't think he's use to having an observer while he's eating, but it doesn't seem to bother him.  Probably not as much as the cat was bothered when it came in from a day of doing cat stuff, and finding "this" in the barn.  

Seemed to go well, they were talking about maybe getting a cart, which would be really good for him.  He needs a job to keep him busy. 

FALENA AND SELENA ARE TRYING OUT A NEW HOME THIS MONTH

Yesterday we took the girls into Tucson to hopefully their new forever home.  

This is the girls getting to know their new friend

The girls going into their pen, being googled by the "neighbors"  The mare with the highest head seems to think she is in charge of the world.  She's like this with the other horses and I guess she will bite you if you stand too close to her pen.  She romped and stomped and lunged the whole time we were there.  I wish the girl's pen wasn't next to her, hopefully she'll settle down quickly to just being bitchy..........!!  I would imagine the girls will just ignore her, donkeys don't do "drama" usually....  LOL

This is their Moab mare on the other side.  She is very sweet and seemed to welcome them to the neighborhood

The people will foster them for a month to see if it will work out.  The pen is smaller than we would like, but they will get 2 days of freedom in one of 2 arenas with their mare every week.  If they're adopted  they will be going to Colorado in the summer, along with the mare.  

A big plus to counteract the less than ideal pen size, is Falena's contracted tendon that requires a shoe.  Tim wasn't fazed at all, when he was told about it.  Most people want donkeys that require no extra care, especially if it costs money.  But he didn't see it as a problem, even though it will be a lifetime commitment.  He wants to train them to pack, which I'm sure will be easy, these girls are really easy to get along with.  

Lynn and Linda will be leaving this Saturday to head back to Colorado for the summer.  We are really going to miss them, they have become family.  For never being around donkeys, they have completely immersed themselves in anything to do with the donkeys.  It's finally warmed up enough to go ahead and body clip Daisy, so that's what Linda and I will do tomorrow, unless something more important comes up.  It's not too hot yet, so we can put it off for awhile, but Linda wants to try everything and this is about the only thing she hasn't done.  

This year instead of putting fly masks on everyone at the same time, we have been observing faces.  If a donkey has more than 3 or 4 flies on their faces or in Frijolita's case gnats, we just put a mask on that one.  I'm sure sooner or later they'll all be wearing masks.  Yesterday was time to put one on Gizmo, the mini mule.  I don't think Gizmo has ever had a mask on before, to say he was less than impressed is an understatement.  Had to put him in a redneck squeeze.  This morning he wasn't overly cooperative, but he did let John put it on without having to go into the squeeze, after they danced around the pen a few times.  John opened the squeeze as a threat, and he said Gizmo decided to give up.  Anyone that thinks these animals aren't smart and don't think, hasn't observed them very long.  

Speaking of Gizmo, he's dived right into the animal cracker way of life.  He presents himself at the front of the pack, whenever crackers might be available.  He has so much personality, and seems to really like people.  I don't carry crackers and he will still come up to me to get scratched.  Of course he usually doesn't stay long without the crackers. LOL  He also spends time over by the fence between Burroland and the 10 acres Casper is staying on.  They both have made a trench in the dirt from pacing back and forth one on one side, the one on the other. 

AN ANSWER TO THE CASPER PROBLEM........HOPEFULLY.........!!

Yesterday was Casper's day to be out of the pens, and a couple of hours after everyone went out, we got a call from a neighbor, that Casper was down by their place in the road roaming around without a care in the world.......Grrrrrr.........!!!  

Lynn, Linda and I went to retrieve the little devil and as we spread out with a plan, we found out that he doesn't need to find a place he can go under the fence, he basically goes in and out wherever he wants to.  We got him to the pen area and he went in the pen no problem.  Of course we closed the gate on him, so we wouldn't have to spend anymore time rounding him up.  And Gizmo got to go out for the day.  

The neighbor's that tattled on him, came for a visit yesterday afternoon and we got to talking about Casper's little problem.  Actually it isn't his problem it's our problem.  We really don't like to leave them in the pens all the time, but he just doesn't see a need to stay within the property lines.  They have 10 acres that is fenced with horse fence, which is squares about 6 inches square.  Vic is a horse person and had an old mule named Chief, we helped him find a few years ago.  Chief is actually buried on our property.  They said they would be willing to foster Casper.  It's almost perfect, 10 acres, horse fencing, no other equines and they will let him do whatever he wants.  I don't think he'll be able to get out of the horse fence, unless he knows how to climb it, and that is a possibility I guess.  He's surprised us more than once already......LOL

Linda took this picture during yesterday's round-up.  I'm doing my best to look unassuming and not interested in what he is doing.  He's watching me, just before he takes off running past me towards Linda.  I guess he figured out I was probably interested in him after all.  He ran down the road, took a right hand turn, went under the fence and headed for the pen area.  Bad decision on his part, that's when we got him back in the pen and he had to stay there.  I sure hope this works out, it would be a good home for him.  

This is Frijolita and Daisy trying to figure out what the heck we are doing out there.  We hardly ever go down that side of the property especially outside the fence.  

So now little Gizmo can be out all the time.  Maybe he and Casper can visit thru the fence, they will be sharing between our properties.  

Gizmo is very sweet and loves people.  He's going to have to have a special home, where the people will him lots of attention and he has equine friends.  

Linda and I were going to body clip Daisy today, as you can see in the picture she is much shaggier than Frijolita, which is one of the symptoms of Cushings disease.  She has been on medication for years and it does control most of her symptoms, but every year I do have to clip her.  

The reason we didn't is this morning was jacket weather for some reason and the weatherman says cold nights the rest of this week.  I don't think she would appreciate losing her hair in middle of a cold snap, so we'll just wait.  

This is a picture Doug took of Rosie's new shelter, made out of pallets.  For right now they are just using a tarp, but eventually the plan is to cover it with fiberglass roof panels.   Most of the designs you see for these shelters use tarp, but in Arizona they only last one season, if you are lucky.  Sunny Arizona is good for a lot of things but tarp longevity isn't one of them. 

Spring winds have set in.............!!!

BlackJack, John and Cisco, doing their thing up at Gammons Gulch a few years ago.  There was clutter of vehicles behind them  and also off to the right.  Linda said she knew someone that could "fix" it, and I think it came out great......!!  The movie was      THE GUNDOWN

Spring in the desert is usually windy and today has REALLY been windy.  We went down to Sierra Vista about 50 miles away to find a 12 foot corral panel, with a 4 foot gate built into it.  Lynn is redoing Rosie's pen, so she can have a nice shelter to eat in and we can stand up in it if we want to.  Lynn figured out if we lengthened the pen with another panel, when visitors come to see the donkeys, we wouldn't have to let her out with Gigi.  Her pen is within Gigi's pen and didn't have access to where the people stand.

John had a doctor's appointment, and there are 2 places that sell corral panels in Sierra Vista.  But the 1st one didn't have panels with a gate.  The 2nd one did, but after checking inventory, paying for it and going to the yard to pick it up............they didn't have it.

Of course we were after the cheapest one to serve the purpose..........bummer.  They did have a better quality one that had a bent pipe and they said they would discount it.  I must say they were more than generous, it ended up only costing $6 more than the other one.  Believe me, it cost a lot more than that to start with.  Enough that I wasn't going to buy it............LOL

We should have taken the trailer, a 12 foot long panel, 51/2 feet tall, won't fit in the pick-up bed.  Thank goodness John always carries tie down straps, ended up tying it down on top of the bed and driving home very conservatively.   The wind added to the adventure, but we made it.  LOL

 Casper was out all day yesterday and all night last night and as far as we know didn't go outside the fence.  Either he's getting satisfied with being here or sneaking out when we don't know it.  LOL  Since he doesn't play well with Gizmo, and ignores the donkeys,  they are taking turns being out of the pens.  Each one gets 24 hours out of the pen, while the other one has to stay in the pens for that time.  So far it's working out just fine.  Just wish the little monster would behave himself.  Gizmo would still like to be friends, but Casper just isn't going to give up trying to fight with him I guess.....!!

You know how sometimes something happens that makes you think the world is getting smaller and smaller?  Well yesterday was such a day.

Lynn and Linda have some good friends staying in Tucson in their RV for awhile.  They invited them out for a visit and to see the donkeys.

We were all jabbering about this and that, really nice people and we ended up, guys talking military and gals talking about something, don't even remember what.  All of the sudden the guys come over and get in our space.  John says, "you're not going to believe this" and he was right, it was pretty unbelievable.  Russ and I are cousins by marriage, if you want to stretch the bonds of family...........!!! LOL I guess they were talking about where they had been stationed and John said he'd met me at Richard's Gebaur, AFB outside Kansas City and as they say, it all started falling into place that we were from the same little town, went to the same school, and shared relatives.

Not only that, he spent time with the aunt and uncle that ties us together and their 5 kids, and that aunt and uncle only lived about 2 blocks from where I lived, and we spent a lot of time with them also.  I'm from the aunt's side of the family and he was from the uncle's, and he is older than me, so we didn't run across each other in school, although we both graduated from the same school and I actually had heard quite a bit about his family over the years.  Even remembered after he left that his Mother was a nurse for the local doctor.    He actually remembered my uncle that was like my big brother, who was 2 years ahead of him in school that wasn't involved in any of this mess.  I even had a package of family pictures to send to Judy, one of the kids, which I showed him.

Russ and Patti looking at the family pictures, thanks Linda

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPENING....... ??  

WELL, THAT DIDN'T GO WELL........!!!

When it was time to let everyone out, I didn't get the memo that EVERYONE was going out as a group.  The 1st I knew that it was getting exciting outside, was dogs barking, people running, dust flying and in general chaos seemed to prevail.  I went out to see if I could add to the confusion and noticed Saddik was right in the middle of all the excitement.  I told Doug to take him in the RV, Saddik becomes absolutely deaf when things get exciting and he seems to prefer being right in the middle of whatever is happening.

By the time I got outside John had managed to get Gizmo into Quilla's empty pen.  We all stood around for a few minutes discussing what had happened and what was going to happen, and what we hoped happened.  

The donkeys were all milling and trying to figure out what was going on to their tranquil life.  Casper came by to harass Gizmo in Quilla's pen and happened to get into BlackJack's space.  BJ made a horrible growling sound he doesn't make often and Casper took an immediate left turn.  WOW, who knew he could be intimidated............LOL  

After everything settled down, we decided to try it again, this time they are racing thru the area where the donkeys had congregated to figure out what was going on I guess.  Gizmo came running thru, kicking back at Casper hot on his trail, biting Gizmo's butt if he could get close enough.  Donkeys started kicking as they flew by.  What a mess........didn't take long to decide it wasn't going to work.  I went to Gizmo's pen, opened the gate and he ran in on the next pass.  Then it took awhile to get Casper back in his pen for the day.  As soon as he was corralled I let Gizmo out and was a little surprised that he was more than willing to come out.    

WELL, NOW WHAT?

Gizmo enjoying some peace and quiet.......!!!

   l think Gizmo would like to be buds, obviously Casper has different plans for him.  This is the behavior that got Casper in trouble and certainly will cut down on available adoption homes.  He's personable with people and doesn't seem to attack the donkeys, so it will either be a home without horses/mules, or a home without any equine.  

Lynn and John finished running water thru the eastside pens this morning.  We had always ran hose on top of the ground to the individual buckets in the pens.  It worked, but look rather temporary.  Now they looked like someone had a plan and we won't have to carry water in buckets to the ones that didn't even have hoses.  Next project, Rosie's shelter.  She has a roof laying on top of the corral panels.  If you raise up when picking up poo or doctoring her belly, we are all taller than a corral panel.........LOL

Lynn dug the trenches by hand, but for the west side we are going to rent a ditch witch for him.  We are really going to miss them both when they go back to Colorado.  They've been waiting for it to quit snowing at home as their primary reason to head back, is to start their garden.  We're still trying to figure out how to adopt them..........LOL

TODAY IS THE DAY..........!!!

 LINDA BEING MUGGED FOR COOKIES, QUILLA, CHEYENNE, JUSTIN AND FUZZY DAISY

Everyone is here today, so we will let Casper out, while Gizmo is out with the donkeys and see how it goes.  I hope he behaves himself, better than he has while they are separated.  Mules can be a challenge, that's for sure.  

Here is an article about a little mule named Muffin and I think this is a pretty common story for mules unfortunately.  Although Casper going thru the auction 3 times since January and being handed off to someone else that handed him off to us, doesn't seem to have put any fear into him.  He actually seems to be very adept at getting along and doing his thing.  But he is difficult to catch and without a redneck squeeze not sure you'd ever get him.  He's well behaved, even under stress he's never kicked at any of us, but he does seem to know how long a human arm is and also seems to be aware that humans can't run as fast as he can............LOL

Gizmo is quite a lovebug..............on his terms.  Since I took his halter off, I've been scratching his head and neck every morning when I go out.  He sees me coming and comes to the side of his pen to be scratched.  This morning I went in the pen and he was OK with that.  Jean said he is afraid of ropes because he was used for roping practice, so for now, no ropes are in his life.  Jean had him for 6 years, but mules never forget. I have a feeling getting a halter back on him, will require a squeeze. 

GIZMO IS OUT.........!!!

Yesterday morning I took his halter off.  He was pretty good about it, although the halter had been on him so long it was very stiff and hard to unbuckle.  He got impatient and took off, but came back and I got it off.  He has the shape of the halter outlined, on his face,  complete with bald spots because it was too tight, for a long time probably.  

He did very well, came out and went right to Casper, who was staying in his pen since he can't behave.  Of course he started sticking his head thru the corral panels, mouth wide open in a rather threatening manner.  Gizmo, spun and kicked at him, actually got him a couple of times.  So he's not going to be a push over. 

Since he ignored the donkeys and went to hang with Casper, my assumption is, he is NOT a hinny, but is a mule.  When we checked on him during the day most of the time he was in Casper's area, although he would go off and explore.  

At first he went in Tula's pen, which is next to Casper's.  I think he has always been in a pen, or at least for the 6 years Jean had him, he went in, rolled in the sand and acted like it suited him.  We closed all the pens, so he couldn't just stay in what looked like his comfort zone.  After all there is a lot to see and do on 10 acres.  We had Burroland closed, just in case we had to round him up at feeding time.  

He spent the day doing his thing.  Round up was not a problem, if you have food on your body.  He is more than happy to follow you anywhere.  I went out in the afternoon with animal crackers to see if he would follow me.  Not a problem, in fact he's like Penny, he'll run right up your back.........LOL

Today we are doing a home study, a possible home for him with a donkey gelding and a little mini mare.  I have a feeling we better find him a home quickly, or he might be here permanently.  I always accuse John of being a hoarder, but I kinda like this little guy............LOL  

He'll go out today and Casper will stay in like yesterday.  But tomorrow we will all be here all day, so we'll go ahead and let the little white tornado out and see what happens.  I'd like to think he will behave himself, but his track record isn't all that good and he has the scars to prove it.  Hopefully the 5 of us can keep the situation from getting out of control, if necessary. 

Poco Mierda Blanco Diablo!

Casper has a new name.........  If you know Spanish you might be horrified........!!!! LOL

Thanks for the pictures Linda, they show the natural progression of the little "darling".....!! LOL

Mules large or small, have a way of approaching life that doesn't necessarily bode well for the people around them.

We came home from town yesterday afternoon to a tale of Casper's adventures.  Thank goodness Lynn, Linda and Doug were here, so he might have been to Willcox by the time we got home.

There is a 2 strand wire fence around Doug's RV.  Hasn't been a problem, but if you look at the 1st picture, Casper is really close to Doug's RV.  Doug ran him out, and said he actually came back in right in front of him, as if to show Doug he could do what he wanted.

Then he stood out in the middle of the property, planning his next adventure I guess.  If you notice in the 4th picture you can just barely see him up the road, as he is headed for Gammon's Gulch.  They got him to turn around and head the right direction.  Linda stayed to open the gate, if he knew enough to turn in when he got there.  Couldn't leave it open or the others might have went on a hike too.

When he got close Linda opened the gate, told him to come in and wonders of wonders.........he did.  I'm surprised he didn't just keep on going.  It seems like he's probably been in trouble a lot in his life.  If he gets caught he gives up real quick.........LOL

Over the years our fences have been adequate, donkeys usually aren't fence challengers.  But they will take advantage of a weak spot in the fence, especially during mesquite bean season, when they can see all those neglected beans in the neighbor's yard.  The only other "challenger" was Jack the other little mini mule we had.  Maybe it's a mule thing.

He is still trying to get to Gizmo.  Today we will let Gizmo out to explore for awhile, then we'll let the donkeys out and I haven't decided what to do with Casper.  He'll probably stay in his pen for the day, that is if we can keep him in there.  He went under the corral panels, not long after he got here and took off. 

CASPER IS GETTING AN EDUCATON.....!!!

Well at least I hope he is.  This morning when round up was going on, for everyone to go in their pens for breakfast, Casper started "attacking" Gizmo in his pen.  John got the BB gun, stood on the porch of the feed room, which is at least 20 feet away and popped Casper on the butt.  John said he tucked his fanny and took off running............right into his pen......!!!   He's obviously not stupid.........LOL  From that distance it won't hurt him, but obviously he felt it.  

 Gizmo is a little stockier, but I have a feeling it doesn't matter with Casper, he didn't get all the scars he's carrying, by giving up, I'm sure.....!!

We haven't had to use the BB gun since Paladin was here, after a recent gelding and thought every jenny on the property was fair game, just had to catch one.  He was chasing Tula one time and she ducked under a large tree limb........he didn't.  He almost went down, and as it was had quite a nasty swelling open wound on his forehead.  Didn't even slow him down, unfortunately neither did the BB gun.  The only thing that worked was finding him a home with another gelding.......!!

BACK FROM OUR ADVENTURE

Made it up to ShowLow and back as planned.  Even took a side trip to Snowflake to visit with Christine at Equine WellBeing Rescue.  I had never met her in person, but we had ran across each other on the internet a few times.

 

Had a great visit, for an hour or so, met Larry her husband and had a great time.  She just got in a load of mini donkeys from the large hoarding rescue, Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue did a few weeks ago.  They haven't had a lot of handling, but she's going to work with them and get them ready to be adopted.  Some of them are pregnant jennies, so the people adopting them, will get a "two-fer" good deal....!!! 

Spent the night in Showlow and went the next morning to pick up the hinny.  He seems to be willing to go along with what's happening.  The woman had him 6 years and her horse and mini mare both have died.  She is 81, has Parkinson's, and wanted him with other animals.  So many people don't plan ahead and when the time comes, without advanced planning the family doesn't know what to do.  

We went thru Globe and came back thru Springerville.  The Springerville route is highway 191.  Seems like everyone we've talked to knows not to go that way, unless you're ready for an adventure.  It's over 7,000 feet in quite a few areas, lots of switchbacks, and no a guardrail in sight.  One area has signs no vehicles over 40 feet because the switchbacks are so "close".  And we got to see rain, snow, sleet and freezing rain, for most of the mountain part of the trip.....!!!   LOL  We really enjoyed the trip, but John isn't comfortable hauling an animal, under those circumstances.  He said his left leg is sore today from having the foot up in the air prepared to put on the brake.  Saw a mule deer, and wild turkey, both by themselves, which is unusual.  

The little guy did just fine.  We haven't come up with a name yet.  No one likes my choice, so we're having a "conference" today, everyone can input their choice and then we'll have to decide which one  works.  

This video was taken this morning.  We thought Casper was trying to visit with the new guy and trying to keep everyone away from his new friend, which we all thought was so cute.  Until Casper started running at Linda, instead of the dogs and donkeys.  Now we're thinking this might be the bad behavior he has been accused of.  

Since taking the video he has tried to dig under the pen, and has stuck his nose thru the corral panel with his mouth open.  So it should get interesting in a couple of days when we let the new guy out.  We might put Casper in his pen, so he can't attack, if that's what he's planning.  This seems to be more involved than just a testosterone high.  I thought he might have been scared of the horses the people had, but he is initiating the confrontation.  So we may have to re-evaluate what to do with him.  He doesn't react to the donkeys at all, so he may have to either go with donkeys, or possibly as the only equine.  Dogs didn't seem to bother him, although this morning he was going after them too. 

We really had a good time, ate great Mexican food in Globe on the way up.  Monday night we found a great steak house in Showlow, biggest 8 ounce sirloin I ever saw.  On the way home once we got past Springerville, before lunchtime and after that there wasn't anyplace to eat or get gas until we got to Morenci and Clifton. They border each other and we drove thru slowly, and there wasn't a place to eat in sight.  Got to the city limit of Clifton and saw a sign for Tyler's Texas Bar Be Que, at a rather ramshackled building.  Looked like an old Mercantile store.  Went in and what a treat, the walls were covered with memorabilia from many different areas, we couldn't see it all.  John's brisket and my pulled pork sandwich were as good as we've ever had.  The waitress has a familiar accent, I asked her where she was from, she said Jal, New Mexico, born and raised.  I doubt that there are many people in the world that know where Jal is, or even care.  It is about 90 miles from anywhere in all directions, a few hundred people, in the middle of nowhere.  But it's close enough to west Texas for the accent to carry over I guess.  I ran out of gas there one time, actually about 20 miles out of town.  The men are gentlemen, they'll pick up a woman carrying a 5 gallon jerry can down the highway.......LOL  

We had our naming conference, everyone from Dillon that picks up poo to Suzanne sister of Michelle who has the weekly task of mucking out the house, got involved.  Not to mention our good friends, Marv and Bettie that came to visit for the afternoon.  We ended up with a tie between Scooter and Gizmo, so that's why Michelle called Suzanne to break the tie.........Gizmo won, so Gizmo he is.