Borders?
“Sure hope Borders emerges from this bankruptcy thing somehow still selling books,” says Spence.
“Didn’t they do an interview with Bernie before Dog On It came out?” Admin says.
“Maybe it’s around somewhere,” says Spence:
Having read Dog On It, I have the feeling we may not get much out of you in this interview.
Bernie: Oh?
This is just an impression – by the way, are you armed right now?
Bernie: I’d rather not say.
Just an impression, and no offense, but would it be fair to say that your approach to people is guarded?
Bernie: Fair to whom?
Good point. But what I’m leading to is the idea that the only being you really open up to is your dog Chet.
Bernie: I don’t think of him as my dog.
How do you think of him?
Bernie: We’re partners, Chet and I.
In the Little Detective Agency?
Bernie: That’s part of it.
Tell us about the Agency – how you got started, what kind of cases you take on, the highs and lows.
Bernie: I worked in law enforcement here in the Valley after I got out of the Army, and after a few years went out on my own.
You’re a graduate of West Point?
Bernie: Yes.
And you played baseball there?
Bernie: Uh-huh.
What position?
Bernie: Pitcher.
Did you harbor any dreams of playing in the Majors?
Bernie: Not realistic ones.
I understand you fought in Desert Storm. What can you tell us about that?
Bernie: I came back in one piece.
Let’s get to Chet. I take it you first encountered him on that notorious final day of his at K-9 school.
Bernie: Notorious?
The day Chet flunked out of the program. Perhaps we can say “eventful.”
Bernie: All right.
What were the circumstances?
Bernie: I just happened to be there, as a guest of Lt. Stine of the Valley PD.
A close reading of Dog On It suggests that a cat and blood were involved in Chet’s failure.
Bernie: I wouldn’t use the word “failure.”
But were a cat and blood part of the story?
Bernie: I couldn’t say for sure. It all happened very fast.
And you took Chet home that night?
Bernie: Yes.
You were married at the time. Reading between the lines, it’s my impression that your then-wife Leda didn’t bond quite so closely with Chet as you did.
Bernie: Now you’re getting into personal territory.
This is a promotional-type interview, after all.
Bernie: Maybe for you.
Uh, could you talk about your finances a bit? It’s repeatedly suggested in Dog On It that they’re “a mess.”
Bernie: We’re doing all right.
But what about the problem of those private school tuition payments you’re obligated to pay for your son Charlie even though you’re not the custodial –
Bernie (interrupting): Nothing about my son is a problem – and he’s off-limits for the purposes of this discussion.
No need to get up, Mr. Little. That’s better. Mind if I ask you your height and weight?
Bernie: six-two, two-oh-five.
And you seem to keep yourself in pretty good shape.
Bernie: Not really.
I’d imagine Chet’s in good shape, too.
Bernie: The best.
What makes him such a good detective? His hearing? Smelling ability? Strength? Endurance?
Bernie: Chet understands people. That what makes him such a good detective.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Bernie: Solving cases, missing children’s cases especially, when we bring them back safe.
And the worst?
Bernie: Seeing what some people will do to other people.
You seem to have taught Chet many things. He can open certain kinds of doorknobs, for example, and find buried evidence.
Bernie: Chet picks up some things pretty easily. But what I’ve taught him doesn’t compare to what he’s taught me.
Oh? Like what?
Bernie: The most important thing Chet taught me – and it’s something I’m still working on – is to get everything you can out of life. But that’s him barking outside. Nice meeting you.
Welcome Gracie, Blind Dog Sparky, Ginger the protector.
Tags: Borders
This entry was posted on Thursday, March 10th, 2011 at 7:53 am and is filed under Chet The Dog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
8:03 am on March 10th, 2011
Oh Bernie – what a beautiful thought “The most important thing Chet taught me – and it’s something I’m still working on – is to get everything you can out of life.” And here I thought that only Chet was the real philosopher but you said it beautifully. Here’s to living life to the fullest every day.
8:38 am on March 10th, 2011
Bernie is excellent at setting boundaries with nosey reporters!
Morning DebbieLM, thought you’d be sleeping in after all that quilting!
9:11 am on March 10th, 2011
I love Chet’s approach to life. My Mom tells me that stuff too.
9:13 am on March 10th, 2011
Good morning Debbie and Melanie! Yes, Bernie said it very well. We need to enjoy each moment, and not get bogged down with the little things.
Melanie, Barb received your book yesterday. Thank you for sending it. Looks like it will be a fun….well you know. Loved the card, too. Is Windsor Jambs a spot near your home?
9:45 am on March 10th, 2011
Bernie!…. I bet Bernie will grow up to be like Grampy one day…heh!
10:07 am on March 10th, 2011
Jee Louise. I am doing this on my phone. Last time I am doing this. Glad the book got thrtr. Going blind with thìs.BBL
10:13 am on March 10th, 2011
I love that “interview.” Bernie is wonderful. And I think the Borders (original store begun in 1971 by the Borders brothers) in downtown Ann Arbor where the University of Michigan main campus is located is staying open. It’s my favorite bookstore.
My favorite part of the interview is when Bernie says that Chet understands people.
10:23 am on March 10th, 2011
Rio: I do see a bit of Grampy’s personality in Bernie. Bernie is younger and more mellow. Grampy would never let anyone fool him out of money.
10:24 am on March 10th, 2011
Bee, You are right about Chet understanding people. It is one of those things that is hard to describe to people when you are trying to explain why you loves the series and Chet.
There was some excitment on the blog last night, with Natasha’s flamboyant “outing”. We loved it! She is quite the character.
Later on I tried to do a sentence like Natasha would (I think Bee and Staff did that too), and then Rio thought Natasha had used our Avatar again. I tried to explain to Rio and he called me stupid, or said what I did was stupid. I got my fur ruffled over that word, so Barb called it a night. Just to repeat myself, Natasha did not use my Avatar last night.
Barb has to go in to work early today, so we will BBL. Barb’s co worker is going to a conference today and tomorrow, so Barb is filling in.
Know this is long, but we are trying to stay on the Pug’s good side by not doing short posts.
10:36 am on March 10th, 2011
Loved reading your post today Chet! It is very funny and very Chet and Bernie. The Borders store closest to me has a big banner across the front of it, “Store Closing”…very sad.
Rio, I don’t know why you are limiting your number of posts. I think I can speak for all of us when I say we enjoy reading whatever you have to say. I know I do.
I’ll be back later in the day with Iditarod updates. Whitey and team can’t leave Takotna until this afternoon when they will have finished their 24 hour rest.
11:11 am on March 10th, 2011
Stupid!… For the record, I do not think Barb and MagPie are stupid. Anyone who can figure out Tin Futures is not stupid in my book…grunt!… When she acted like she was Natasha, I thought that Nattie had gone against her word and had taken over MagPie’s identity once again… grump!… This irritated me to no end, especially after I found out Barb and MagPie were actually doing it themselves for fun….grumble!…which by golly, I thought was a stupid thing to do since we had just established Nattie’s “true” identity, or at least a mocked up Twin Peaks-like photo of her…sniff!….Is it just me or does Nattie look an awful lot like a Goat??…..snort!
MagPie!… I do appreciate your longer more thoughtful post….grunt!… Curb your posts! Say more than one thought at a time in your posts. Write a paragraph, it won’t kill you!….snort!… Don’t use up 5 posts when you can say it in one or two posts…wheeze! ….We will still get the blog count up to 100. Mark my words….sniff!
Whitey!….Now I have to go over and check up on Whitey and the gang!….chorkel!
11:22 am on March 10th, 2011
I’m leaving for Sam’s (the little diva) where I will be until the end of the month. This is a long visit because part of the time Mom will be in Florida.
If Sam complains that I’m stealing her toys, pay no attention.
11:53 am on March 10th, 2011
I loved the post today. Great news that Whitey made it to McGrath.
12:00 pm on March 10th, 2011
12:02 pm on March 10th, 2011
[img]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/’97 Bear & Masquers-2.jpg[/img)
12:08 pm on March 10th, 2011
Thank you Rio, for your explanation. I promise to never – or almost never- try to talk like Natasha again, even tho it was fun.
Would someone please explain the reference to Twin Peaks? Know it was a very popular TV show from about 20 years ago, but how does that fit in with Natasha?
Barb is at the office and some guy just came in a sprayed “totally harmless” bug spray all over the flippin place. If she dies, we will never post again. Agh, cough, wheeze…. Bye-bye everyone! It’s been a slice.
12:31 pm on March 10th, 2011
I think Barb should leave the office immediately.
Is BearSpirit trying to post an avatar? Rio can tell you better than I can how to do it but go to gravatar.com and use the same email address that you have used for this blog. You just have to follow the directions on that site.
Have a great time in Florida Mollypop’s mom. (I haven’t gotten there yet.)
1:22 pm on March 10th, 2011
avatar madness!
1:24 pm on March 10th, 2011
Our local Borders Store is closing and our mom is very sad. She went there every Sunday to drink coffee and look through books. This is a great interview with Bernie. Chet, it’s obvious you and Bernie were meant to be together. (Like us and Mom…even Montana, too.)
1:27 pm on March 10th, 2011
Bear!….Now that you’ve got an Avatar, get rid of all the words in the field below that is called “Website” and your name will be White again….grunt! …Always make sure this field is empty before you post or your name will become dark blue….grumble!….Amateurs!
1:31 pm on March 10th, 2011
Thank you, B.!!! As you can see my avatar has been uploaded. Yay!!! No one ever said Nana was a techno wizard, but she tries.
We loved the blog today – Bernie’s interview with B&N.
1:38 pm on March 10th, 2011
Hi everyone! We’re back! We were going to ask what’s been going on, but geez, it looks like we don’t have to!
So, Natasha took over other blog avatars? Ok Rio – so NOW do you believe its not us? How’d she do that?
So, our friends that live in the north next to the ocean have had a tough time this winter. Their garage caved in with the last snowstorm that was followed by ice rain. Thank dog their van wasn’t in the garage at the time, but it was still a huge mess to clean up and they needed lots of help.
Mama let us come along, but not the Wrottten Kats, hahahaha Kats!
We got home last night, but Mama has to go work for the Crazy Lady now. (she spent all our posting time reading the blogs for the last couple of days to catch up) Hope she will let us come back later tonight.
2:12 pm on March 10th, 2011
Thank you Rio!
2:25 pm on March 10th, 2011
Wow, watched Justified.. His boss called Raylan the Hillbilly Whisperer.
2:37 pm on March 10th, 2011
Raylan!…. I can’t wait till someone gets home tonight so we can watch Justified!!!….wooooo!…. Mollie, I think you are an episode ahead of me yet….grunt!….The last show we saw ended with Boyd holding that irritating guy in a headlock and dragging him alongside his pick-up truck….heh!….Thank goodness that guy was still alive after Boyd let go of him. I don’t want to see Boyd spend any more time in jail. His papa isn’t in there to protect him anymore….sniff! …Now I have to go listen to Justified’s hillbilly theme song!….wooooo!
3:08 pm on March 10th, 2011
3:12 pm on March 10th, 2011
BearSpirit did it!! Yes! Welcome.
3:17 pm on March 10th, 2011
I’ll see if I can post a picture.
Okay Bear: After I opened browse, selected a picture from my files and clicked on “open” in that dialog box, the address appeared in the “Select File: Browse” area under the comment box here, and the picture appeared below that. Now I’m going to click the “submit comment” button and we’ll see.
3:20 pm on March 10th, 2011
Bear: In case you don’t already know, those of us whose names appear in blue have websites. If you click on a “blue” name you’ll be taken to the website.
4:00 pm on March 10th, 2011
Whitey-Lance update—Whitey and his team finished their 24 hr. rest and are now speeding down the trail and are almost to Ophir. I hope I am able to keep saying this…I can’t believe how good they are doing!!!! They are racing like a bunch of veterans, which they aren’t. They are making all of us fans very proud!!!
There is no way of knowing yet who is in the lead to win this race. This is one of those times that it is truly a race between the lead teams. Will it be Martin or can Lance pull this out of the hat with only 10 dogs or will it be a musher and team we are not expecting to win? Stay tuned.
Welcome Bear!!!
4:09 pm on March 10th, 2011
Whitey!…Wow! They are sure racing along. What’s their speed? Or can I find this on the Iditarod website? …..grunt!.. Go Whitey! Fly like the wind!….wooooo!
4:13 pm on March 10th, 2011
Thanks SH. I’m glad W.L. is doing so well.
4:18 pm on March 10th, 2011
Rio, right at the moment Whitey and team are flying…10.4 mph.
That is not an average speed for a good team..they must be going downhill or something. I don’t know if they will take a little rest in Ophir or not. I’ll keep you posted.
4:22 pm on March 10th, 2011
They are stopped in Ophir right now, but there is no way of knowing for how long until they get moving again.
There is a thread on the Iditarod message boards that Whitey’s mom started last year when Whitey took his little vacation. As soon as I help mom get the trash out and stuff like that, I think I’ll go post our support on it.
4:45 pm on March 10th, 2011
Rio – my little darling. I am devastated that you vould think that Natasha vould go back on her vord. I have promised that I vill not kidnap any other avatars, and my promise is cross my heart. Besides, you now know vhat I look like, so you may enjoy my gorgeous beauty vhen I honor you vith posting.
I may be greatest undercover spy in vorld, but I am still honorable.
4:53 pm on March 10th, 2011
Nattie!…Was that photo of you taken in The Red Room at The Black Lodge? Did you see little Mike and the Giant? Do you know how to talk backwards? ….snort!…. Now I will have to ask someone to order Twin Peaks from Netflix…..chorkel!
5:04 pm on March 10th, 2011
Whitey and team are out of Ophir and are now flying along the trail to the ghost town of Iditarod. Their speed is 8.6 mph, which is still fast.
5:11 pm on March 10th, 2011
Hello all and Welcome Bear!
Hold on I need to shout!
I HATE DRIVING> This last time made 4 trips down the hill in four days, and this ain’t any trip through the woods to Grandmother’s house.
Okay, I have to do one more tomorrow. Dan had to go in for an appointment this morning, but Zoë wasn’t feeling well. Down the hill with Dan, up the hill with Dan, down the hill after I take him home, for PT>
BTW, how are your fingers supposed to fit on those smart phones?
Anyhoo, glad to be back home. Everyone sounds great today. Just old complaining me!
5:19 pm on March 10th, 2011
Can Natasha tie a knot in the stalk of a cherry with her tongue?
Bernie…sigh…he’s so gorgeous. I love the interview this morning. I wonder what Chet was up to before he started barking at the back door.
5:39 pm on March 10th, 2011
No one has explained how Natasha fits in with Twin Peaks.
Liz, Barb knew a lady who could do the cherry stem thing – it can be done. Also what is the definition of that word you used the other day – squiffy I think it was. We liked it and want to start using it.
Melanie, the correct verbage is “it ain’t no trip”, not any trip. We are pros at bad English, because that’s the way everyone talks in these little towns in Illinois. One day one of the realtors said to Barb ” He ain’t got no hair”. Barb thought she was kidding at first, and being a grammarphobe, it drives her CRAZY.
5:57 pm on March 10th, 2011
MagPie!….Have you ever watched Twin Peaks??….snort! …. If you haven’t, no explanation in the world would make you understand……grunt!…Just know that there is a Red Room at the Black Lodge where little Mike and the Giant reside….snap!
6:03 pm on March 10th, 2011
We just feel compelled to continue. This was Barb’s Crazy Lady boss talking to a client on the phone this afternoon. “This house don’t need no work”. Do youse want to see it?” Hows about Sunday? This comes from the mouth of the most successful realtor in 2 counties!
6:28 pm on March 10th, 2011
Yikes, I think I’ll stick with my pretend bad grammar.
Hope Kirby’s son’s interview went great.
Riö: I watched “Twin Peaks” until the storyline got some convoluted that even I couldn’t follow it anymore.
Just finished “The Closer” episode where male “Kitty” has kittens. Snicker.
6:59 pm on March 10th, 2011
Melanie, We love The Closer but don’t remember that episode. Is that an earlier one?
Never watched Twin Peaks, so guess I won’t get that reference.
Siber, Animal Planet has a show on tonight called Alaska Dogs. It’s on at 7:00 cst.
7:06 pm on March 10th, 2011
Rio: I’m watching The Event. The news person from Detroit is real also.
7:06 pm on March 10th, 2011
Thanks Barb…mom and I have seen it before, but we might watch it again.
7:16 pm on March 10th, 2011
Rio: Had to kind of close my eyes at one scene in Justified in eposode 5..you can probably guess which one when you see it.
7:18 pm on March 10th, 2011
Barb: One from the first season.
Folks and Furry Folks, I am done in. Hello everyone who come on late, but I can’t take any more.
TTFN
7:41 pm on March 10th, 2011
Barb, squiffy just means messed up – originally it meant slightly drunk, nowadays I guess it describes anything that’s a bit crooked or different or confused. Speaking of which, Twin Peaks was like that, it got really confusing, but also started to creep me out. I think Little Mike was also in Carnivale, is that what it was called? Boy, THAT was a creepy TV show.
That realtor – shocking!!
7:53 pm on March 10th, 2011
Mollie!… We are right now watching episode 4 of Justified….snort!….Loving it so far, how could we not?….heh! ….Mollie, the eyes closed scene didn’t have Boyd in it, did it?….sniff!…I wish he would stay out of trouble….dammit!
Stover!… I figured if they used The Chip Monk from here they were using real news casters from other states…heh! ….I mean really, the Monk got on an episode of The Event!…..snorkel!
MagPie!… I hate listening to anyone with bad grammar. I mean even the hillbillies and thugs in Kentucky speak very well most of the time and with that lovely twang. I have to try and remember some of their very insightful sayings as this show goes on….heh! ….Mollie knows what I mean.
8:09 pm on March 10th, 2011
No!….No, Boyd No!….snort!…Don’t be tempted into the life of crime again….sob!…I really don’t like that guy he drug along side his pickup truck…sniff!….He’s going to get Boyd in trouble with the law again…grump!
SiberH!…Is there any update on Whitey and the Gang?…snort!…Are they still moving or resting? Its still early in Alaska, isn’t it?…sniff! ….I keep thinking about those guys and want them all to be safe and WINNIT!….heh!
8:18 pm on March 10th, 2011
Hello dear Blog,
I appreciate you keeping me up to date on the Iditarod Mr. Husky.
I faintly remember Twin Peaks. I don’t remember the details like Rio does. I did get a CD of the music from TP because I really liked it. I think I got sort of bored with it at the end because I had no idea what was happening.
I have a memory of a female (in a red dress?)(in a red chair?) sitting holding a piece of tree trunk like a baby.
Do you remember that Rio?
8:33 pm on March 10th, 2011
Log!….There was the Log Lady, She carried around a log.…sniff!…She doesn’t remember The Log Lady ever wearing wore Red though. Someone here can’t remember if the show went 2 or 3 seasons. The last season was a mess. I read where David Lynch, the creator, didn’t want the murder to ever be resolved….heh!…He knew the show would be over after that, but he was pressured by the network weenies…snort! ….Boy was he right about that. I hear it was a heck of a ride while it lasted thanks to his brilliant imagination….chorkel!….She says her mother saw the first episode and said out loud who the murderer was…heh!…My friend scoffed at the time. Wonder what that Lynch guy has been up to lately. He might be in an old writer/directors old folks home by now….sniff!
8:48 pm on March 10th, 2011
Rio, it is two hours earlier in Alaska than it is in our time zone. Whitey and gang are moving toward the ghost town of Iditarod at 7.9 mph. They have 60 miles to go before they reach the once booming town of Iditarod.
Whitey and the gang won’t win this race but what an impressive showing they are making so far. They would have never entered the race with the idea of winning, They just wanted to do the Iditarod…cross the great state of Alaska, be with your best friends, and see the beautiful scenery. I can see Justin and the team being competitive in the future, though. I hope we are looking at a future top 10 for them.
The leading mushers are stacking up in the town of Iditarod. My best guess as to why they are so far not moving on down the trail is because it has been too hot for the dogs today. At sunset in Alaska some of the leaders will surely be moving out.
8:56 pm on March 10th, 2011
Hi again. sigh, we are SO tired. Its been a long couple of days and then an afternoon with the Crazy Lady has just about done Mama in. And now she has to go back tomorrow AND Saturday..its just not fair. We want her to stay home and snuggle with us and nap!
Barb and Maggie – you aren’t the only one who doesn’t get the Twin Peaks ref. We were aware that it was a tv show, but never saw it. Log Lady? Mike and the Giant? Whatever.
When it comes to your Crazy Lady – do you think she talks that way just to fit in with the locals? Is that the vernacular of (some) people in your area? Or is she just one of those successful people that defy the definition of success?
Liz – we LOVE SQUIFFY! We plan to use it at least once a day! We do try to use our vocab words from that word quilt of underused words, but squiffy will be a lot more fun!
Next time Basil and Sage try to tease us, they are going to get called a new name! tee hee
8:59 pm on March 10th, 2011
Hot!?….How hot would Hot be for a sled dog racing in the iditarod?….sniff!… I don’t like anything above 85 degrees myself…heh! …I know they might not winnit, but I do have high hopes for Whitey’s team. It’s called “Redemption”….snuffle! ….Go Team Whitey!….wooooo!
9:10 pm on March 10th, 2011
A high of 20 above would be hot for a sled dog racing in Alaska. The nights are not even getting much below zero right now.The next 65 miles after the teams get out of Iditarod are going to be tough because the snow is deep and powdery. This may make for slower traveling time. They have had perfect trail conditions up to now, but that is going to change.
9:19 pm on March 10th, 2011
Good night all.
9:22 pm on March 10th, 2011
Weather!… I was looking at the future weather conditions for the race today and it was Sunshine On My Shoulders the whole week on the Iditarod trail this week….sniff!…Will this “warm” weather make the trail more dangerous, what with the rivers to cross and all…yeep!
Ghostly!…Where is everyone today / tonight?…sniffel!…So many missing. This always concerns me because I wander what is going on with everyone….grunt!…Where are Wookie, Kirby, Wolfie, Alice, AbbieTheKat, Dawson, Jasper, BluKat, Charris, MinPin, Puss N’ Boots, and others I’m sure?….grunt!
9:27 pm on March 10th, 2011
We are watching a series of shows about the Iditarod from Animal Planet. It is from the 2008 race, so no Whitey-Lance, but it is really interesting. Go team Snowhook!
9:28 pm on March 10th, 2011
Squiffykats!
9:39 pm on March 10th, 2011
Siber, We watched part of Alaska Dogs and Barb laughed at me cause when Jerico was on (the Alaska Huskey that got rescued by the former model/musher)I jumped up and down in front of the tv and barked at him. Not sure why, he just needed to be barked at.
Liz, that is a definite No that Barb’s boss talks that way to fit in. She just uses horrible English. The funny thing is that she has a BS in Nursing, so she went through 4 years of college, back about 40 years ago. Maybe nurses don’t have to take English classes!
9:44 pm on March 10th, 2011
I don’t think it will make the rivers more dangerous. They will actually travel on the Yukon River for quite a ways and all of the race officials and mushers know what they are doing.
The weather is going to affect this next stretch of trail because it is suppose to be in bad shape to start with and the warm weather will make it worse. Besides the fact that is so warm there for the dogs, all the mushers that are holed up in Iditarod may be waiting for it to get colder and the trail to firm up.
9:46 pm on March 10th, 2011
Maggie, Maybe Jerico needed barking at because you thought he was a good looking guy. I won’t tell.
9:48 pm on March 10th, 2011
Liz!…Does “squiffykats” mean “booty” in N. American English?…heh!….I’m glad everyone seems to be on board with the Whitey Team!….snort!…This is going to be so much fun watching their progress. Miracles can happen, and they just may end up in the top 10!…gruff!…This will make it so much easier for them to get sponsorship for next year!…gruffle!
9:57 pm on March 10th, 2011
Great!…All the guys holed up at the Iditarod checkpoint are the front runners, right?…snort!…This will give Team Whitey a chance to catch up to them…heh!…They can Hole-Up as long as they want, but Whitey is on their butts gaining on them all the time!…snorkel!.
10:14 pm on March 10th, 2011
By ‘booty’ I take it you mean ‘loot’, as per our earlier discussion this week? (just kidding)
Barb, it sounds like the boss would have trouble getting through high school, let alone college!
10:15 pm on March 10th, 2011
Rio: Two words for the “scene” Mags and hammer.
It was one of the most effective moments in the story.
That Boyd is sure one good actor. You never know with him.
10:16 pm on March 10th, 2011
One musher has finally left Iditarod so the race begins again. Our boy Whitey and his team and musher are stopped along the trail. Mushers do this all the time to rest the dogs and feed them. They usually rest as much as they “run”…the dogs get a lot of rest, and a lot of tasty food. This could be a 6hr. rest for our gang…you just never know what the musher will do until you see them moving again.
10:23 pm on March 10th, 2011
Hi Rio. I just took it easy today after all my hard work yesterday with the quilt ladies. Also, we had rain al day today, torrential at times. I am rooting hard for Whitey though. Sound like the team is off to a good start. Wookie
10:28 pm on March 10th, 2011
Siber-H: Is it night in Alaska? Are they going to run (after they rest) at night? They are about half way there aren’t they?
I hope Whitey & team are doing OK.
10:29 pm on March 10th, 2011
Siber, On that show on Alaska Dogs, they mentioned the calorie intake of the sled dogs, which you had mentioned the other day. They said the normal intake is about 800 calories per day and during racing 10,000 calories, as you said.
10:35 pm on March 10th, 2011
When it is “hot” the dogs prefer to run at night when it is cooler. I do not understand these pooches at all. I need sunshine on my shoulders, it makes me happy.
10:40 pm on March 10th, 2011
Liz!… I was plugging you for that one word post, “squissykats” compared to Dawson’s one word post yesterday being, “booty”. I had thoughts of you two in cahoots to make me crazy…grump!
Mollie!…Mags?…sniff!…I don’t understand what ‘Mags’ are, but I do understand the implications of a hammer…snort!…I want to know more, but then again I just want to see it for myself, but it is a whole week away…grumble…A dilemma for sure….wheeze!…That Boyd is as good an actor as Raylan…snuffle!…We here love them both and if anything bad happens to those guys we will be devastated!…yeep!
10:47 pm on March 10th, 2011
Team!…So if I understand SiberH correctly, Whitey and his team have stopped somewhere outside of the Iditarod Checkpoint for rest and feeding…grunt! …Why didn’t they just stop at the checkpoint for all of this? …sniff!
Wookie!….So very glad to hear from you pal. You know I worry when you disappear. But I understand that you are tired after the Quilting Extravaganza yesterday…heh!…Sounds like you kept all the ladies on their tip toes and doing their very best…snort!
Mollie!…Your question made me think of how a sled team can see the trail in the dark night time…grunt!…SiberH, how are they able to run in the night? It has got to be pitch black out there unless it is a full moon, which it is Not!….snuffle!
10:47 pm on March 10th, 2011
Rio: Sorry if I said too much. None of my friends will watch Justified, so I am glad you do. Mags is the woman that is the mother of the Bennett guys. She makes the “apple pie” whiskey. She is really doing a good job. I just read that “Cottonmouth” (this episode) is the best episode of the season so far.
10:50 pm on March 10th, 2011
I’m tempted to post ‘bwah-ha-ha’ and imply that Dawson and I are secretly plotting to drive you crazy, plus also only post one short thing and thus drive you even crazier – but I won’t.
T&G, do you like squiffy because it’s quite close to spiffy, and is very pommy-sounding and suitable for royal dogs?
I’m inserting a plug for our exhibition, which opens in a week-and-a-bit (hope I don’t get into trouble…)
10:51 pm on March 10th, 2011
Barb has an early day tomorrow, so we must say good night, all.
10:53 pm on March 10th, 2011
Yeah Maggie, and they get stuff like salmon and moose to eat. One year a musher flew lamb chops out to all the checkpoints for his dogs.
Mom is making me go to sleep soon. She says it looks like Whitey and the gang are sleeping now. With the condition that trail is suppose to be in, I’ll probably be awake before any team reaches the Yukon River tomorrow.
Good Night All!
11:03 pm on March 10th, 2011
Rio, a lot of mushers don’t like to do their rest times right at the checkpoints because the dogs and musher get a quieter, more peaceful sleep away from the commotion at the checkpoints.
They run at night from the bright headlamp that the mushers wear during the dark. The trail markers have reflective tape on them which helps the musher see the trail. Teams sometimes get lost and lose time, but they eventually find their way back to the trail. Out in the wilderness like that, the stars shine much brighter than in the cities, and starlight can help them find their way also.
nighty night again
11:12 pm on March 10th, 2011
Mags!….Of course I know Mags!…heh!…Thanks Mollie, I was thinking objects not people for some reason…grunt!…Mags is one of a kind. Tonight we both were amazed by her great acting abilities. Totally believable in her characterization of a hillbilly drug queen, and bitter mother of no good boys, yet has a heart of poisoned gold….heh!…You did not say too much! No worries at all!…snort!
Liz!…I was going to ask you about your Art Exhibit, so I am very happy to see you posted about it and in more than a one word post…heh! …Nicely done. March 22nd – April 3rd. Is that correct?…heh! …Wish I could be there to see it for myself! How thrilling for you!.. ..snort!…Imagine, next year you will have a sketch of me on this here Exhibit…gruff!
11:16 pm on March 10th, 2011
SiberH!….Thanks! I thought I was going to have to go to my warm soft bed with all my baseball toys waiting for me with those iditarod questions swirling in my mind….grunt!…Now I can sleep peacefully and know that Whitey and gang are sleeping soundly and hopefully warmly too….sigh!
11:21 pm on March 10th, 2011
Art!…Everyone please click on Liz’s poster to get the full view of it!….snort!…We have to do something special for her opening come March 22, which is really March 21st our time…hmmm…Need to figure out the timeline for the opening party…heh! …Wolfie! help! Help!…snort!
11:25 pm on March 10th, 2011
Goodnight everyone. Staff said I had to post because Rio was whining about how I seldom do. Gosh Rio you know I am not as outgoing as that Alice M. Johnson.
Anyway lovely to see all the posts and see you all tomorrow.
11:26 pm on March 10th, 2011
I also am wondering about Jasper with the green eyes. I hope everything is OK in Michigan.
AtK
11:36 pm on March 10th, 2011
Wow!…AbbieTheQueenOfKats has blessed us with her brief presence….heh! …Pisses me off that does. …grump!…Be here or not, don’t be here half assed….grumble!
11:41 pm on March 10th, 2011
Bedtime!…I’m told we are a bit past our bedtime tonight…grump!…So I need to say goodnight to you all!…sniffle!…Goodnight dear friends. Hopefully all you MIA will find your way back soon, and all is well with you….grunt!…I am off to my lovely bed for a good solid 14 – 16 hours of sleep, only to be interrupted early tomorrow morning for a brief outside visit…wuffle!
12:24 am on March 11th, 2011
Hey, y’all! Sorry I’m here so late, but Mom stopped to do errands on the way home, then when she sat on the couch for about 5 minutes she fell asleep because she was up so late last night making her cake. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that your good wishes paid off — my boy said his interview went well, and when he got home they contacted him to set up a second interview. So I need all your paws crossed again on Tuesday morning! Now I’m off to my cozy couch with my Iowa blanket — good night, y’all. See you tomorrow night!!!
2:04 am on March 11th, 2011
Kirby: very good news about your son. We on the blog will be sending him our best positive energies on Tuesday morning.
I’m late posting as I just got back from a school event. Northern Lights have been great these last couple of nights although I am almost too tired to enjoy them.