Hi Michael,

 ML> > Steve wwas taking care of the neighbor's dogs--
 ML> > she raised Bichons for sale/show while they were
 ML> > on leave. As part payment, she gave us one that
 ML> > didn't meet show standards but made a great pet
 ML> > for 2 little girls.

 ML> Raising animals for show always struck me as
 ML> silly anyway, and actually showing them

So much is involved with it...............Sam was AKC registered when he
was born but we never transferred the registration to our name when we
adopted him. He was just a good pet, albeit a bit goofy.

 ML> manipulation bordering on cruelty.

Makes you wonder, sometimes, if the amimal could express its thoughts,
what it would be thinking.

 ML> you noted earlier, the really needy seldom if
 ML> ever had any such - animals had to justify
 ML> their keep by serving a useful purpose.
 ML> > Our girls had been rather leery of dogs before,
 ML> > but having a small, friendly dog helped them
 ML> > learn to like dogs. Must have done a good job
 ML> > of it; Deborah now has 6 of them. (G)

 ML> Too many by half! 5.5 dogs is plenty.

All of hers are rescues, and at least one is a therapy dog. Latest one
is a Great Pyranese, shelter said it needed to be part of a pack with
at least one other big dog. She had that so they let her take the dog.


 ML> Well, Lilli bought the tickets.
 ML> > Hopefully the tickets are refundable if needs be.

 ML> Creditable, not refundable.

Better than no way to reuse them.

 ML> tradition unless I can get to an airport to take
 ML> a pointless trip on the 11th. I think this means
 ML> > Anybody in the group have a private plane and pilot's license?

 ML> Yes indeedy, but not one that would be
 ML> valid to rent and fly a vehicle in Italy.

So you will break your record, on the 20th anniversary.

 ML> that I'm responsible for the food, wine, and
 ML> lodging ... and the guy whose retirement party
 ML> it is likes his luxuries.
 ML> > We'd keep it much lower key.

 ML> I've seen it both ways. Sometimes the
 ML> fancy celebrations can be very nice.
 ML> Sometimes the simple ones are very nice.

We did a simple one for Steve's parent's 70th in 2019. A small reception
limited to family and close friends, dinner the night before and night
of, with just children and spouses. The last one anything special was
done for my parents was their 60th, again, small-ish but more involved
than with Steve's parents. Reception was more of an open house, then a
catered dinner with just (extended) family and very close friends. Steve
and I have made it to 45 but never done anything except the 2 of us
going out for a special meal.

 ML> That's the other extreme, of course, which to
 ML> my knowledge has never been put into practice
 ML> in the US.
 ML> > Our borders have been relatively open until the
 ML> > last hundred years or so.

 ML> One opens and closes them as the need and
 ML> the enforceability arise. I've never seen
 ML> the need as being as acute as certain
 ML> others have. I mean, if border crossings
 ML> become illegal, only criminals will cross
 ML> borders.

I'll not comment, don't want to get into a political discussion.


 ML> Campfire popcorn
 ML> h - churro seasoning
 ML> h - olive oil, rosemary, and lemon seasoning
 ML> h - taco seasoning
 ML> > OK, I see, it's 3 different sets of seasoning.
 ML> > At first glance, it looked like all those seasonings
 ML> > for the same batch of popcorn. I like just butter,
 ML> > onion powder, gaarlic powder and a bit of salt on my
 ML> > popcorn.

 ML> Some of the midwestern confectioners offer
 ML> multiflavored popcorn. Garrett's comes to

There's a place in the Raleigh area that does that. I was at an event
once where they were the main food providers so got to taste several of
their creations--nothing I'd spend money on.

 ML> mind, but there are (regrettably) others.

True.

 ML>       Title: Milk Chocolate Popcorn
 ML>  Categories: Appetizers, Chocolate
 ML>       Yield: 1 servings

 ML>      12 c  Popped popcorn                    1/4 c  Butter or
 ML> margarine   2 1/2 c  (12oz can) salted peanuts           2 c  11 1/2
 ML> oz bag Milk
 ML> chocolate
 ML>       1 c  Corn syrup                               Chips

 ML>   to two weeks. Makes about 14 cups. Recipe from NESTLE Toll house
 ML> kitchens.
 ML>   Formated by Diana Lewis - M's note: it would be easy to improve this
 ML> recipe

Very, start by using dark chocolate. Also add some crushed peppermint
candies to the mix.

---
Catch you later,
Ruth
rchaffly{at}earthlink{dot}net  FIDO 1:396/45.28


... Multitask: make twice the mistakes in 1/2 the time.

--- PPoint 3.01