Holly Deyo
December 23, 2015

Much to my irritation a cold was coming on. Felt that creepy-around thing when you don't feel right. How dare it! Being (in my mind) that picture of health… This. Doesn't. Happen. Yet it did.

It started with a sore throat. You think OK, it's really dry now here in Colorado, maybe it's just a 'thing'. Then that 'thing' didn't go away despite drinking tons of water like always. When hiking, your legs felt like overcooked spaghetti. Something's off. Have to face that ugly possibility – you've gotten sick – you, the impervious one, the Ye gads of total health. That's the diagnosis. Sick. Bugger… That's Australian for "crap" so I guess I can say that here.

Image: This is my "care package" from friends who are neighbors. Most fav things on the planet that aren't carnivore foods: Harry and David Golden Riveria Pears, Honeycrisp apples, bananas, hard cheeses, COOKIES – any kind, seedless grapes (TIP: from my dad who was the Purchasing Agent "Chief" for Army installations, Kansas City region) when green grapes turn a little bit auburn, may have a bruise here and there, they are at their sweetest), and more cookies. Yum.

This cold-thing laid me out flat to where walking upstairs warranted cudos. Weak as a newborn. Drat! It's really inconvenient coming up on Christmas – inpinged on the hiking routine with bestie who is also a neighbor. Don't think in all the years we've walked that an entire week went sideways. So she knew I was really sick when begging off the walk days of Christmas week. Her yellow Lab and our two Kelpies are best friends. They live for when our 4-leggeds get together and socialize, run, sniff stuff, hike a leg, chase rabbits, sniff some more, nuzzle.

So now sucking down Nyquil, the beverage of choice these days. Joann brought over yesterday a care package. It was filled with lovely cheeses and crackers. (Must have been a mouse in a former life.) Then I spied a lovely box of cookies in her gift bag. Oooooh, that is the weak thingy. Can bypass homemade pies and cakes, but cookies, ooh la la. Well, that's a different matter.

Beautifully cut, nicely decorated, just because they had dog-inspired shapes, I thougt it was because she and I are all about our 4-leggeds. Did I miss those bold letters saying "Canine Cuisine Cookies"? Yeppers, I did. Forget the 2 white paw print cookies. Didn't see them. Nyquil, shame on you!

Joann brought over this beautiful package from Hickory Farms and she knows I wouldn't eat salami in a fit, but the cheeses… whoa boy, they were aromatic. Being the soul of self-control (yeah, right) I put that cookie idea on the back burner. Stanley, my better half, in the mean time who knows me all too well said, "Just in case you're thinking about diving into those cookies, prominently displayed it says, DOG BISCUITS!"

Buggah, who knew?

Merry Christmas to all and may God bless you and your family,

Stan, Holly, Jayzbo, and Isabella