Of Cruising and Cooking

I'm not a big risk taker. Yet I certainly admire those brave souls who are willing to step outside their comfort zone and take a chance. So when my friend, Linda O'Connell, over at Write From the Heart told me about her friend's new ambition, I couldn't resist checking it out.

Jean Ellen Whatley is an award winning journalist who decided to leave the grind of a regular job, pack up her pup, Libby, and cruise across the country and back again. She and Libby plan to visit dog parks along the way and share the stories of the people and pets they meet. I'm sure you'll be as interested in reading their adventues as I will, so check out the launch of her new blog, Off The Leash, Road Stories With My Dog.

Keep your eyes open, all you Critter Alley readers. Perhaps you'll run into Jean and Libby at a dog park near you!

Here at home, we have an unexciting weekend ahead. Indy is snoozing and Bogey is guarding the yard against potential bird or squirrel invasions.

Father's Day is only a few days away, and that makes me think about my dad. He passed away more than 30 years ago at the age of 46. So very young...

Dad's greatest joy was to barbecue. He was a master chef with a talent for creating the most tasty pork steaks I've ever had. And just like the mailman, neither rain, snow, or sleet kept him from cooking over an open fire. Here's proof positive:

This scene hung on the wall in my mom's house for years. I recently reframed it. The picture reminds me of a Norman Rockwell portrait...a sweet, funny, everyday moment captured forever.

Dad's barbecue tools were the most heavy duty utensils that money could buy. They were so durable, in fact, that Hubby is now the proud owner of the tongs. He uses them every time he barbecues and they still can turn over one heck of a pork steak.

Happy Father's Day! And Dad, hope you and Mom have enough pork steaks to feed all those angels!