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Sorry I couldn't stop by, SSAGI, but it really was a hit and run, down Wednesday morning to see rural Austin and back on Friday afternoon after a two day work conference. Here's the most miraculous part -- all four of my American Airlines flights were ON TIME!

It is fun to be reminded the best part of being on this board -- meeting other boogers. I called JLZ and said, "Hey, I'm coming to Austin. You picking me up from the airport?" and that was all there was to it. I did call her from St. Louis to say that I was, indeed, en route and to say, "Err, by the way, I have no idea what you look like." Reminded me of my first anonymous booger visit to Liz a few years back!

JLZ and I ended up using our cellphones to locate each other. "I'm in front of the statue." "Hey, I'M IN FRONT of the statue!" Although her bright yellow anti-war t-shirt should have clued me right in. : - )

Off to the 290 Cafe for some chicken fried steak swimming in brown gravy. I'm liking Tejas already. Then, like ASB said, a whirlwind tour of her absolutely amazingly fabulous farm (ranch?) and home. I got my dog fix right away, and Emma is truly adorable but because of her puppy ADD I actually connected with Jake the shepard and the big border collie cross (whose name escapes me) the most, but all together they were a happy pack indeed. Then the horses! Rhocket is even MORE handsome than his pictures -- without a doubt he is the most attractive Arab (or cross, I forget, sorry) I have ever met. (Apologies to all the Arabs I've loved, before.) Happy looked quite happy, as did the lovely gray girls. As well they should, for they live in a beautiful place.

ASB is very kind since I'm sure I came off as rather autistic but I really like dogs and I never get to be around them. (Please don't be offended, I did the same thing when I met JLZ's pack of hounds.) I really was paying attention and her home is lovely, and the building going up to house hubby's toy racecar was very impressive. ASB was warm and direct and I really wished we had more time to chat.

But off to JLZ's chicken farm we sped. Her pack of dogs (and kitties when the dog dust settled down) were very happy to accompany us on tour of the various chicken and duck residences, and eventually the cow and horse pastures. It was all quite wonderous. The horses and Boo made us walk out to them instead of deigning to come to the sound of a carrot snapped from a mile away. ; - ) We stood and scratched and chatted for a while, met the Dexters (including baby Nan -- at least until her mom caught us checking her out and came to the rescue) before heading back for dinner.

Yum, dinner. Roasted chicken, salad and roasted potatoes and flan and wine. Perhaps a little too much wine but it went down well on a porch with such a lovely view of the countryside. I was a very gracious guest, as I always am (just ask Liz) by making myself at home and sitting firmly on my butt for hours. Ahhhhhhhhh! A storm was trying to roll in so there was a great breeze ruffling the chicken wings and a gorgeous dark sky as the background for cattle horns. Very peaceful patch of earth.

Terry is tall and handsome and smart and kind, JLZ is tiny and adorable and intelligent and passionate; it was so great to meet them. I may be on Terry's sh*t list now, though. The storm finally came in during the night, and as the dawn peeked though the mist settled on their front hill (breathtaking sight), it became obvious the wind had disturbed the chicken tractors and there were quite a few escapees to contend with, which Terry had to deal with while Jane dragged my freeloading butt back to town and reality.

Thanks again for the hospitality, Tejas boogers!

Next new victim -- LPA! (Liz gets stuck with me every year.)

Fatty foods and booze are a great draw for me. That, and being invited. ; - )

Janie, I do love you, and you have no idea how much I want to come visit you. I always imagined me riding along with you past the tip. Does your new place have easy access to a tip? That might be the deciding factor.