15 minute posts,  Bug,  the sticks

See ya ’round, Town.

Untitled

This morning Bug and I decided to take The Hollster (aka Holly, the dog) on a walk around the block. When we first moved here we used to take her on several walks daily and she loved it. We all did. But then we stopped because I got this paranoid fear that my house was going to be broken into if my alarm system decided to go walking around the neighborhood advertising that she was not guarding all my valuables. In hind sight it was kind of silly to be so paranoid but I haven’t backed up my laptop in a few years (I know, I know!) and pretty much my entire career is tied up with that thing. I’m living on the edge.

Untitled

Today for some reason I decided to live even further on the edge. Maybe it was the cowgirl hat that Bug has been wearing since we bought it yesterday at a thrift store and the fake Texas drawl she’s taken to using all day and all night. This morning she sighed dejectedly, elbows on the counter leaning like she just walked the back forty and says, “Weeelll…I had to tayke mah horse to The Haven. Ah miss her so.”

The Haven is a nickname we call the local animal shelter. It’s called Ramona Animal Haven or Shelter or something like that but we locals often call it “The Haven”. Sadly, it comes up a lot in conversation around here. I’m not sure why other than the fact that pets are cheap and they multiply with no effort at all. People around here seem to like to adopt pets that they can’t really handle and then the next thing you know they are having babies. So somebody is always going to the Haven to get a pet or get rid of one. Somebody always has a batch of kittens to get rid of or a puppy with mange or some other even worse story. Bug knows all about animals and all the ways they are taken care of or not taken care of. Let’s just say it’s been educational.

I’m rambling. What I was getting at is that Bug knows very little about real horses or ranches or farms but she knows a lot about animal shelters and her imaginary horse had to get put down at The Haven, which apparently was very sad. So we decided to go for a walk and look for a new one.

Untitled

And we wrangled Holly to go along with us.

Untitled

This looked like a place a horse would live but no, just old dead cars.

Untitled

None here either. Probably because the grass was fake. Everyone knows horses don’t eat green painted rocks.

Untitled

Not even any here.

Untitled

Or here, though she did see some tracks.

Untitled

All the horses were in other pastures.

Untitled

So we walked back home. But it was nice long walk. We enjoyed it and I took about a thousand instagram photos, (because I didn’t have the forethought to bring a real camera with me) which I’m sure cost me a few followers but also turned into a little farewell collection. I might have to frame them all and put them up in my new place.

12 Comments

  • Becca

    I was curious with the Instagram influx – but did enjoy them. Bug is adorable. Her imagination is the greatest and I love that she even included a Texas accent to her play.

    Excited to see more beach-y photos, but will miss the beauty of the desert.

  • Susan:)

    Those are cute! I like how you found some Western backdrops like the fence and cacti, and Cowgirl Bug fit right in with her poses.

  • a chris

    Followers are a funny thing. I’ve been noticing the balancing act people start having to do once they have a niche — put up something outside the niche, or just put up too much, and people complain. It’s interesting to see reasonably well-known people falling into the trap of putting “off-topic” stuff on their main blog or Twitter and having people rebuke them for it. Just a funny new culture thing.

    I wish I was a squillionaire with lots of time. I would get on a plane and back up your freaking computer for you. The time it takes to back up is so negligible compared to the time to recover from a crash or theft. Compared to the time you’ll spend feeling rotten and kicking yourself.

    I’m about to do a backup myself, tonight! Join me…all the cool kids are doing it! Actually, not, but every once in a while you hear about one of the cool kids losing all her data.

    (On another topic:) You must be so excited!

  • Carrie

    Those pictures are too cute! I want a giant dog and a cowboy hat so I can do a photoshoot. But I don’t want to keep the dog. Heh.

    Have you ever looked into Carbonite? I think it is $49/year and it keeps everything on your computer backed up. So worth it for the peace of mind! I’ve also had to actually use it a couple of times, so for me it already paid for itself.

  • aunt kathy

    When you get a chance, come and visit! We have horses. Bug would love it and my girls would be thrilled to show her the ropes. (Pun unintended)

  • Cathy

    Bug is so adorable in her cowboy hat (and all black!) You should film her drawl, too cute. (BTW, I have to tell you that I think she’ll look like Nadia G of Bitchin’ Kitchen when she grows up!) I also hear that Carbonite is the way to go!

  • Susan

    Hello Dear Brenda, I am so excited for you and Lena. I love the wall color its going to be so beautiful. I wish you the best for your move and cant wait to see you and more photos of your new home!!! Congrats on getiing things backed up, you sure don’t need to deal with a computer issue. XXOO