Barbecues, Booms, and the Leaning Blue Spruce

 

Well, readers, our weekend began on Wednesday evening, July 3. Our beautiful Togo began his walk as usual, searching for that perfect blade of grass to piss on. But this time his nose went deeper into the grass. I use the word grass loosely, as most of the green along the side of the alley is created by weeds. Many weeds. 

The baby boy began to really jam his nose into the ground to get a good sniff. I thought nothing of it at first although the way he was jamming his nose in, hopping to the spot ahead, and then pushing the nose deep into the ground again had me concerned. It dawned on me at that moment that he was trying to get at a snake. My life, as I know it, will come to a sudden halt if a snake were to take a right turn at Albuquerque and come my way. Clean pants are definitely needed at that point. 

I watched Togo dive two more times into the grass when it hit me, I can't run. My ankle is not good at running any longer since it was dislocated from my lower leg and since the breaking of three places on my lower leg. Not good. I couldn't run. Just not a good scenario all the way around. I finally made the decision to pull the pup out of the snake area. Ugh. 

Evening hours rolled around. Terry suggested we go out to eat at one of our favorite places, Hacienda Vieja. Good food and sweet employees. 

Driving to the eatery, we were met with smiling faces and lots of, "Haven't seen you in a while." We sat in our favorite booth toward the back of the restaurant, where Terry could hear our conversation better. Chips and salsa came quickly. We nibbled dripped tortilla chips as we chose our meal. 

I looked at the salsa. Same type as we always enjoy here. But this time, the salsa came with a friend. There was some greenish-looking stuff sitting in a bowl beside it. Hmm. What could this be? Terry looked up from his menu to see what I was curious about. He had no idea what the green stuff could be either. He suggested I wait until we ask first, but no. I'm a stubborn Capricorn and quite talented that way. I dipped a chip deep into the mixture. In my mouth it went ...

Coughing and choking followed. Ugh. Nasty shit. I don't do spicy well. My mouth was now on fire, my eyes were tearing up, and I was literally coughing and choking. The waiter came to the table again, and Terry asked what that was. With a smile, he said, "Oh, that's green hot sauce. You don't like spicy?" Terry smiled back and informed him he was fine, but his wife was dying over here. The waiter looked at my face and began to laugh. In between gagging and coughing, I told him I knew it was bad sauce for gringos. He laughed and walked back toward the kitchen. 

The green chile sauce had my mouth burning and my lips numb for a while. Terry giggled and watched me wipe away tears the best I could. He suggested next time I might want to wait until I find out what it is. Nah. But oh, my God, my mouth was on fire!

Next time, I will stick to the slightly spicy salsa we know and love. I won't go chasing waterfalls and will stick to the stuff I know. Wow. 

We both ordered the number five selection on the menu. Rice, beans, an enchilada, and a tamale. Excellent. Love it!

As I ate my dinner, my mouth finally started to come back to normal again. My lip was still a little numb, but nothing like it was a few moments before. We ate, had some good laughs, and then returned home for a nice, relaxing evening together. 

***

Earlier in the day, Mallory stopped by. We had not seen her for a while, so it was good to sit and chat once again. Of course, the fur babies were the focal point. Esme curled up beside her and began her snuggle up and love the humans bit she performs quite well. She will kiss up to anyone who pets her and shows her some love. Once a starving-to-death stray, she now shows her gratitude by being a sweetheart and loves everyone. I caught a couple of looks of complete admiration while Mallory pet her. 

Esme always looks up into your eyes with a beautiful smile on her face. She is so happy to be inside now, with food and plenty of love coming her way. One more week of being on the streets, and she would have been very, very weak or dead. Her bones were so prominent, her skin hanging loosely on her bones. Now she is pear-shaped, happy, and healthy. We do adore her and feel she came to us as a real blessing. Even if I were to ask for a sweeter animal, it still would not have been any sweeter than little Esme. 

***

On the storefront, I completed three sets of earrings and two autumn-themed necklaces to put in the store. One is this longer necklace with matching earrings. Links of mismatched beads, faux pearls, and small Venus jasper rounds are used to bring fall colors to the mix. A metal leaf hangs to the side and matches the earrings. 

This is my favorite out of the pieces I worked on today. Same design basically, but this necklace is strung on beading wire. Earrings are included and match the necklace. Mismatched beads, Venus jasper, and faux pearls, plus the small round of Venus jasper, create the look shown here. 

I had a couple of links of leaves and beads left, so I put them together to make this set of earrings. I have been carrying the fall jewelry around in my tote for a long time. I finally utilized what I had and felt accomplished for completing these pieces. 

***

Terry and I decided to go back to Stewart Park for a picnic dinner. Subway sandwiches, soda, and Sparkling Ice drinks, and a bag of chips were the dinner of choice, just like the other night. Great stuff and beautiful place to be. I might add the company is rather awesome, too. 

I was working all day today, so I look like shit. We just got up and went. 

The park environment was warm, quiet, and tranquil. Not too hot today with overcast skies, but warm enough to be comfortable. 

I fell in love with the leaning blue spruce tree. 

Later, as the day progressed, the sun moved, shining directly on us. We chose to move to a space under the blue spruce. 

It made the perfect shade umbrella for us to sit under.  

After eating, we loaded up the Xterra once again and drove home. Great memories again. I love that Terry thought of the picnic idea. It has become "our thing" and will continue. It's a lovely break to get out for a couple of hours, and after concentrating on beading all day long, it really helped. Plus, I love the idea that we spend a bit of time together each day. We have a great time while out in the park. Discussions are good, and it's a joy to be outside. 

***

Well, here we are. The Fourth of July of 2025. Wow. Time is traveling so quickly now, it seems. Mallory and Hayden are coming over for a barbecue, and hopefully, the fireworks show that happened last year will appear over the fence again. Large, professional fireworks burst in the air last year, making it an awesome sight. I did not have to leave my front porch to see any fireworks. 

I believe Mallory and Hayden are coming for a quick dinner and then heading home. Terry and I will be able to sit and watch the show after dinner if they shoot them off again. It was a great show last year, and I do hope it is repeated this year. We will have to see. 

***

Things did not go as well as I thought. We had a good dinner going or at least we thought we did. Something happened to the barbecue, as in two of the lines of burners lit up, but very little, and the other two did not. Terry and I think it's out of propane or getting very low. 

Our guests were entertained by the fur babies in the meantime. Togo loves Hayden and Mallory. He doesn't get a chance to see Hayden as often as Mallory, so he really gets in there and makes every moment count when he does visit. 

Steak, burgers, and corn on the cob started to cook, but it was taking a couple of hours. Finally I brought the food in to cook it on the stove and microwave. Finally, after about three hours, we sat together with Mallory and Hayden to eat dinner. Burgers, corn on the cob, baked beans, and steak, plus some Funyuns brought us all around the TV to watch a movie. 

Once the film was complete, I began to clean things up. Then it was time to feed the dogs. I was getting rather excited to watch the show from the front deck area, either with or without Terry. Mallory and Hayden took off for home to avoid driving in the darkness with the possible addition of drunks on the road. We said our goodbyes and I headed into the bedroom to grab the pup's food dishes. 

I gave Togo his dinner in the back part of the house, including the office, bathroom, and our bedroom. We turn on the air conditioning unit in the bedroom while he's in there. The bedroom actually remains cooler than most of the house, even without the AC on. 

While getting Jasper's food, I heard a few fireworks outside. Of course, the loud "boom" followed close behind, and Togo began to yell for his momma and daddy. I fed Jasper and went into our bedroom. 

Curling up on the bed, I called Togo to join me. He climbed up, then jumped down, walked into the bathroom, and back into the bedroom. He was pacing while his chest and ribs went in and out with fear. His panting was far too fast to make me comfortable. Being seven years of age does not mean he is old, but it does mean he is older and the wear and tear on his heart is there. Not only was my baby boy panting hard, but his eyes were all black they were dilated so much.

Immediately I gave up on the idea of going out to watch the fireworks. Instead, I grabbed my phone, turned on Peacock, and watched a show with the volume up high. The air conditioner drowned out a bit of the outside battle zone sounds too. 

Meanwhile, I invited Togo to come up on the bed with me. I curled up around him and pulled him close. He survived the heat of me being on him for a few minutes and then off the bed he went. 

This time I noticed he was lying on the floor without as much of the rapid breathing pattern. He seemed to be calming a bit. I kept the show running at a loud volume to help cover the loudness of the explosives outside. I'm sure we had a good show from the deck too, as I heard big explosions coming from that direction. 

Togo finally drifted off around 2:00 AM. I passed out cold. Terry came in from smoking his cigars and reading at about 2:30. The Armageddon holiday for animals and veterans is finally over. It's time to calm things down once more and enjoy peace around the homestead. 

Hopefully the veterans in the country and all of the homeless animals can regain their calmness and get back to life. The hopes are that wildlife made it through yet another horrible night of fear. Drone firework displays may be the answer. Without putting toxic fumes into the air, without light pollution, and minus the loud booms and bangs, we might just be onto something safer, less intimidating to some, and definitely animal and veteran friendly. 

We hope everyone had a good Fourth of July evening, with plenty of safe fun. Until our next post, take care of yourselves and shine your light! 

Vicki & Terry Macrae

Lotus pond & fountain, taken by Vicki Macrae in 2018