The thing in my back yard

Have you ever had to brush your dogs teeth? Well if you have you know the first time is not all that fun, they are at first very excited you are down in there face and it looks like you have food, but you don't. Things get very unpleasant very quickly. As it turns out dogs, at least my dog, does not like the taste of dog tooth paste. Even though the package assures you they will. What are the differences between people tooth past and dog toothpaste? Dogs can not spit so there is a lack of fluoride and it is supposed to taste like chicken. I told my dog that but he did not really seem to care. It is not that I have some unreasonable hygiene issues with my dog, it is that I saw him with an opossum in his mouth in my back yard, as proud as anyone has ever been of anything. Just in case you are city folk like me, they do actually play opossum. He laid there breathing very shallow for a long time before hauling it over the fence. This is of course after about half an hour of telling my dog to "DROP IT!" The neighbors loved that at 11:00 at night.

What you should know is that upon first meeting my dog you would think he is a little stupid, sweet, but stupid. If you are a man you would think my dog is rather mean as he has a habit of giving a high five, to anyone who comes in house, in the crotch area. I find this funny other do not. I have seen this dog run up stairs, and just forget to pick up his feet and crack his sternum on the next step. I have seen him run head first, at full speed into a sliding glass door. I have also seen him keep my 18 month old niece away from the top of the stairs, and double back on my brother to meet him as they were playing chase around the couch. So I am not sure if the stupid thing is an act, or he has moments of clarity. If the stupid is an act it is a role that he is highly commit ed to.

About three weeks ago I had to bribe him with food to come in at night, he would sit at the foot of a large Arizona ash in our back yard and look up at the limbs, very calm, very quiet, just waiting. I was starting to think his mind was beginning to go. Then about a week ago, I was making a late dinner and stepped outside to get the food off of the grill and saw that beady eyed little booger on the fence. The dog went nuts trying to get him, but he ran off. A few nights later he caught him. I had just opened the door to walk outside to get him, when I saw him come around the corner, it was dark so I was not sure what he had, then I saw how he was shaking and pawing at it, and I knew. I do not suppose we will see the possum any time soon, hopefully never. He had to learn the hard way, that you never know what day you will catch the dog on, and he got a little too close on a good day.

Eat well for a little less

I have a theory about going out to eat. It is more than food, it is more than not having to do the dishes after you are done. It is one of the few places that you are taken care of, you are actually waited on. One person is assigned to you when you walk in the door, and what ever you need, on the menu, they will bring you. Everyone at the table can have a different meal and it is brought to you usually with in about 20 minutes. In a time where we are all a little afraid of what tomorrow may bring financially I have put together a list of good restaurants that have specials, on certain nights. Go have a good time and feel good about it taking a little bit of your day just for you, and however you want to spend that time with. These are for Austin, and if you have any other suggestions do speak up. If you do not live in Austin put together a list of your own, and share it with your friends.

Serranos:http://www.serranos.com/specials.html Monday: Join us for our legendary Buy-One-Get-One-Free Enchilada Dinner (Dine in ONLY. Other Restrictions Apply)

Huts: http://www.hutsfrankandangies.com/newhutsmenu/content/newmenu_4_large.html Monday night 2 for 1 veggie burgers, and Wednesday 2 for 1 burgers, Dine in only.

Double Dave's: 2 for 1 pepperoni rolls Tuesday http://doubledaves.com/locations/index.html?c=2

Patsy’s cowgirl cafe: http://www.patsyscowgirlcafe.com/ half price burgers 5 PM to close.

Elsie's: http://www.elsisrestaurant.com/ no 2 for 1 specials, but reasonably priced, and very good in my opinion.

Texican: http://www.texicancafe.com/dinnerspecial.html not bad the whole deal for 19.99 on Sunday through Thursday 5- 10, they close at 9 on Sundays.

Din Ho: They do not have specials, or a website, but they are worth the trip, we usually spend about 20.00 bucks with the standard fare, I love there barbecue pork soup, the fried rice, and the general tso’s. http://www.yelp.com/biz/din-ho-chinese-bbq-austin

El sol y la Luna: http://www.elsolylalunaaustin.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=35 no day specials, but still very inexpensive even down on 6th street.

El Chile: very reasonable for the caliber of food. http://www.elchilecafe.com/

El Chilito: There taco bar just down the street, inexpensive, and good, just no air conditioning. Monday through Friday: 7am--10pm Saturday: 8am--10pm Sunday: 8am--9pm http://www.elchilito.com/

Enchiladas y Mas: This is down an dirty text-mex. But they put something on the fajita chicken that is so very good. http://enchiladasymas.com/page/o4lo/Dinner_Menu.html

Taco Deli: certainly not the cheapest taco in town, but it is good, and cheaper than most restaurants. http://www.tacodeli.com/specials.php http://www.elsisrestaurant.com/ no 2 for 1 specials, but reasonably priced, and very good in my opinion.

I love Austin, I really do. I love the food, I love the open green spaces, and I really love the people. This last Saturday was my first time to show at the Austin Handmade Market. It was a little chilly, a little rainy, and there was a rooster crowing within earshot all day long, but that did not stop folks from coming out. From open to close, 12:00-6:00, there was a steady stream of people who wanted to see what was going on. Even though we took over the parking lot, there were still ample spaces along Mary St. to park. It was a really great mix of different mediums. There were a couple of jewelers, a soap maker, different work with fabrics, a book binder, and other really fun stuff. Seeing people stand in the rain to shop really warms the heart of a street show crafter. In the future the shows our host would like to have food, and music, and make it bigger and better each time. They wants to have a rotating mix of different crafters and artists for each show, so you will always see something different and new each time you stop by. The Market will be held every second and last Saturday of the month. I hope to see you out agin this Saturday, May 2nd, from noon-6.

These beauties are actual safety rated glasses they are UV blocking, spark deflecting marvels of modern science. And yes they do have rhinestones in them. While recently at my local home improvement store I happened upon them. They are “Women’s Safety Goggles” and I must admit they fit better than any pair I have had before. Apparently I have a feminine little head, I never would have guessed. Another added plus of these is that I look like a very fancy bug while wearing them. I am sure that at some point I probably wished that I could fly, and that I had some sparkles, I guess I can see how that got twisted around to looking like a fancy flying thing, a bug. So be careful what you wish for kids. I really can see these handed out to all the girls on the line during the war. Rosie the Riveter was only missing a pair of these lovelies propped up on her head. It cracks me up that even in a situation where you are elbow deep in dust, and grime is still no excuse to not look like a lady.

This Saturday is the second ever Austin Handmade Market. It will be my first. I must admit I am a little excited. It has been a long time since I have been going to art shows regularly, and I am really looking forward to it. If you are in the Austin are this Saturday, April 11th, you should stop by 507 West Mary Street. It is right on the corner of South First and Mary, just north or Oltorf, you can not miss it. There are a lot of really cool places on South First if you have not been recently, it is worth a look see. The market is supposed to happen every second and Saturday of the month from 12-6, but this is a new thing so if it does not just roll with it people. The owners of the Austin Handmade store are super cool and very gracious to host an event like this so often for young artists, so I hope that everyone who can will stop by and look around. I know you will all be searching for a reason to leave the house being cooped up with your family for the Easter holiday anyhow. So bring all of your rich relatives over to the show. The Austin Handmade market is put on with my crafty group Etsy Austin. They are a great group of crafters and artists, and a really good mix of different mediums. There are jewelers, of course, all different kinds of textile work, a book binder, and even a metal worker, me. I hope to see, and meet a lot of folks out there. Have a good one.

http://www.austinhandmade.com/

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Austin+&state=TX&address=507+W+Mary