Chetspeak on Sunday
The new waterway rounded a corner and opened up into a big round lake lined by green grasses and some tall trees, all that greenery reappearing on the surface of the water. And a boat – hey! our boat! – was doing that same doubled-up thing. Our boat but with one very rough-looking customer in the bow. The hair on the back of my neck rose right away, and I got ready to –
“Chet! For God’s sake! How many times do we have to go through this?”
Go through what? While I tried to remember whatever I was supposed to remember, the rough customer stopped baring his enormous teeth and so did I. Why look for trouble? And what was this? His ears didn’t match? And one of them had a tiny notch taken out of it, the kind of notch a whizzing bullet might have … At that moment, I remembered what I was supposed to remember. Then there was nothing to do but give myself a good shake, which was what I did.
“Chet! You’re going to tip the goddamn boat!”
And then we’d have our swim? That sounded pretty good to –
“CHET!”
– from The Sound and the Furry (now in paperback).
Welcome new friends Spike, Atticus, Miley.
Tags: Chetspeak, The Sound and the Furry
This entry was posted on Sunday, July 20th, 2014 at 8:26 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.
9:14 am on July 20th, 2014
Good morning, everyone! Wowser! Chetspeak…we like that really rough-looking customer part. Egg Day! Sunday! We feel tip top, let mom sleep in a bit and life is great.
Have a simply successful Sunday 🙂
9:36 am on July 20th, 2014
Good morning, HOH and Everyone!
If I would spot that rough-looking customer on our boat, my hair would go up too! Oh wait…I don’t have a boat. But I did get to go to a faraway bar yesterday, where I was given the adulation I deserve. I walked right thru the restaurant and on out to the porch. The staff immediately served me up a bowl of my favorite drink. There was a very mean pit, in a pink tutu! Go figure.
Happy Egg Day! I figured out that there are really 3 levels of Plunderers (yes, I can count to 3: Mom, Pop, and me): First, there are the regular old ones like me who don’t stand a chance of meeting TM. Then there are youse guys whose towns he comes to visit and sign books. Then, at the top are Tupper and Gilly’s ‘rents who he personally emails and visits at THEIR SHOW! Wowzer! They must be what are known as “celebrities”! And Kat has met them, so therefore: ummm….I forget where I was going with this.
9:36 am on July 20th, 2014
Hounds: Wowzer is right! We Remember that part being pretty intense. Two Chets? Heh. Maybe a story for another day.
The Royals will take your Successful Sunday suggestion and raise it and so will we.
Good Morning Everyone!
Wose: Zelda, the Gentle Giant, is up Top!
9:39 am on July 20th, 2014
‘Morning, Zeus. You Sneaked in there on me. You can count to 3? This is big news.
9:51 am on July 20th, 2014
Good morning all, and Happy Sunday/Egg Day/Chetspeak Day. Barb had an egg in celebration and I got the last bites as usual.
Bear, When we mentioned a bush variety of zucchini last night, it isn’t really a true bush with veggies hanging off of it. It simply doesn’t vine and grows upward and develops into a big plant. The zucchinis all grow close to the base. The don’t take up as much room as long vines so are better for a compact garden.
Look forward to some photos of the Cape Cod group later today.
Barb already took Lucy Goosey for a walk earlier and now it is time for me, me, me!
10:09 am on July 20th, 2014
B&M, OH and others who have suffered from SSS (surprise squash syndrome).
Once we had a white and green squash come up in our “used” bird seed garden. Vines like many and his the fruits. Those guys got HUGE! WE thought they were kaput-ski but research showed them to be called “Mexican White” zucchini. They were tender at any size and always tasty. When the peeps moves they could no longer find the same seed for the POP and have never found that squash again.
10:10 am on July 20th, 2014
Love that scene.
Good morning all.
10:18 am on July 20th, 2014
I love Chet!
T.C., please tell your mom that I sent her something by SDD.
Zucchini! Once one hid from me so long that I named him Baby Tony Zucchini.
Happy Sunday Everyone!
10:31 am on July 20th, 2014
HOH, Baker’s Creek Heirloom Seeds -www.rareseeds.com- has a couple different varieties of “white zucchini” They are not true white, but rather a pale green color. Baker’s Creek specializes in rare and heirloom seeds, and they have thousands of choices. They are located in southern Mo. They have a great website and a beautiful catalog.
10:40 am on July 20th, 2014
B&M, thanks. Had forgotten that sit but used it years ago. Will check it out again.
10:45 am on July 20th, 2014
Feeling bad for the Hounds on their loss of a Treasured Seed variety, but Barb&Magpie To The Rescue!
BTW…Don’t believe we have ever seen that zucchini plant you speak of…our vines tend to take over the garden.
BillysBuddy: Squash/Zucchini jokes? But it’s so early in the morning.
10:50 am on July 20th, 2014
Does that mean we cant say things like…zucchini, its beachwear for captive animals.
B&M: checked Bakers and they have 2 possibilities 🙂
10:54 am on July 20th, 2014
Rain in the evening hours, now koolish in the a.m.
B: Was your area part of the kool front that passed over the midwest?
It’s the middle of July…summer is officially half over…sob.
But Hey! Today is the day…fantastic fotoz will soon be on the way.
10:56 am on July 20th, 2014
HOH: Almost didn’t “get” that one…it’s definitely too, too early.
10:59 am on July 20th, 2014
Masquers, we are with you on that one, had to think and rethink before we got it!
Now grass cutting time before the heat makes it difficult.
11:14 am on July 20th, 2014
Oh, No! James Garner! Another Good Guy Gone.
One thing we didn’t know…He always did his own Stunts.
11:23 am on July 20th, 2014
Sixteen days and counting for the pub date of Paw and Order!
Mom and Dad are shopping for cars. Do they pay big, big bucks for a newish car? Or buy an older (cheaper) car? They can’t seem to make up their mind…
…any thoughts on this?
11:43 am on July 20th, 2014
BSD, we just saw that. Sob, sob, always enjoyed him,
Wolfie, with vehicles its damned if you do and damned if you don’t 🙁 Mom usually researches recent models for value/cost/durability and availability then bites the bullet and spends our treat money.
11:51 am on July 20th, 2014
Wolfie: Sometimes the older cheaper cars are Not really Cheap in the long run.
We like the Herd of Hounds Advice. Do the Research…then decide.
Spending our treatie money is okay with us if we have a reliable ride.
11:55 am on July 20th, 2014
Wolfie, I know we have said this before, but we have always had good luck with cars about 2 years old and with 20-30,000 miles on them. Seems like you get a good price break and you can always pay extra and get an extended warranty if you tend to keep cars a long time.
We just saw that about James Garner too. Always loved him, way back to the Maverick days. Another thing we didn’t know – he married his wife in 1956 or ’57 after knowing her two weeks, and they were still married. According to what we read this morning, they had some rough spots but stuck it out. Most unusual for a movie star.
12:09 pm on July 20th, 2014
Happy Chetspeak Day Everyone!!
Zeus? Who is TM?
I give up on trying to figure it out.
12:13 pm on July 20th, 2014
Siber: OFA aka The Master (from a recent Amazon review we all read and love).
12:14 pm on July 20th, 2014
Happy Chetspeak Sunday. I saw a mighty rough looking person staring back at me in the mirror this morning. Then I smiled.
Wolfie: I drive a 1986 Dodge so I guess you know what camp I’m in. I’ve never been in the right circumstances to buy a newer or new car. I have been lucky with this car that I bought for $750.00. Other than a new set of tires, some oil changes and just recently a timing belt repair, I’ve had no maintenance bills in 5 or 6 years. I am trying to save some pennies to get a newer vehicle, if this one will only last until I have a small fortune.
HOH: I had to work my brain to “get” that one too.
Zucchini Patch!
I just got my first squash blossom last week. I was going to plant three zucchini plants but the man who lives in this house said I was to plant 3 or 4 seeds in each mound. So I did. I have 6 mounds with 3 or 4 zucchini plants growing in each and I am going to be supplying the town with zucchinis very soon! I have been craving zuchs for a couple weeks now.
12:23 pm on July 20th, 2014
Masquers, Thank you.
I have only one thing to say about zucchini. It is fairly boring to eat even when cooks try to disguise it as something tasty.
12:25 pm on July 20th, 2014
My name is Vince Stead and I just got done looking at your site and really liked it. I make dog books in Paperback, Digital and Audio too. You can see them at http://www.Fun2ReadBooks.com and the audio books are fun to listen to. Thank you very much and I enjoyed your site!
12:34 pm on July 20th, 2014
Mom has a recipe called “Zuccanoes”. Involves halving & scooping out squash insides of 3 medium squash. Chopping those up and sautéing it with chopped mushroom, onion, garlic and sunflower seeds. Throw a little rosemary, basil and thyme in for seasoning. Beat 3 eggs and mix with 1 1/2 C. cottage cheese, 1/4 C. wheat germ, 3 Tbs. tamari or soy, dash of Worcestershire and Tobasco, 1 C grated cheddar and 1 C. cooked rice (brown is good). Mix with veggies, stuff into the canoes, sprinkle with paprika and bake 40 min. @ 350*F. Serve topped with more cheese or sour cream. Serve with sliced ‘maters topped with basil.
!!!! See how much came out of the garden!!!! Yummy treat.
12:36 pm on July 20th, 2014
Vince, glad you stopped by and enjoyed. Y’all come back now, ya hear?
12:41 pm on July 20th, 2014
You beat me to it, HOH, but I did not feel nearly as welcoming as you! Vincer needs to sell his wares elsewhere, and I hope he is gone next time I check the page!
12:47 pm on July 20th, 2014
Hi ALR!
Since Rio is on Cape Cod, I will say this for him. Do not click on that link. I know you guys already know this, but Rio would be concerned.
12:52 pm on July 20th, 2014
SiberH, WE too heard Rio’s bark of warning, repeatedly. Didn’t click, just welcomed. If he is truly interested, he’ll (a la Arnold Swartz..) be back.
1:01 pm on July 20th, 2014
I didn’t hear Rio, so I clicked! Instant smut! Get him by the pantsleg, Chet, and maybe you won’t be able to help having your nice big teeth sink in a bit.
1:04 pm on July 20th, 2014
Hi from us too, ALR! Nice to know when you aren’t posting you are lurking & protecting, ala LL.
1:05 pm on July 20th, 2014
Oh yes, This offense calls for teeth in the leg.
1:09 pm on July 20th, 2014
HOH, That recipe sounds very good, more like a main course than a side dish. We have an excellent zucchini pie recipe that has sauteed onion, cheese, some egg and milk (think quiche), baked in a pie crust and topped with tomato slices.
For myself, I usually slice it long ways, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, pour on some olive oil, sprinkle with Greek or Italian spices, let sit awhile, and then grill. Quick and easy.
If cooking inside, I saute with onions and then sprinkle parm. cheese on before serving.
We would never think of clicking on that link. Might be legit, but who wants to take a chance, not even counting the wrath of Rio!
1:11 pm on July 20th, 2014
Masquers, I love hanging out here and putting in a few words from time to time. I never miss a day……….except when I am at my fav place on Southern Oregon Coast where there is blessedly NO internet connectiveness!
1:15 pm on July 20th, 2014
ALR, So it wasn’t about dog books? You mean Rio is right? We didn’t click on it but it did sound real, as opposed to those with incorrect language and badly constructed sentences.
Now time for lunch and a little reading before our nap. Barb is re-reading Secret Life of Bees to help Baye with her report, and is really getting into it, taking notes and everything. Baye says her comments so far have been very helpful.
1:23 pm on July 20th, 2014
B&M, Your zucchini usage sounds good and, YES, our is a main dish and serves 6 (seem like many).
ALR: Thanks for the poop on the poop. Hope you can de-louse your computer from that shiitake 🙂
1:26 pm on July 20th, 2014
Barb: You are the best grandma ever!
Youse are driving me crazy with these zucchini recipes. I’m trying NOT to go buy a zucchini! I love zucchini with my scrambled eggs in the morning. Add cheese, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions or whatever is in the kitchen. Some friends grate their large zucchinis and freeze them in 2 cup portions for muffins and such through through the winter.
I have sugar snap peas! Yummers!
1:53 pm on July 20th, 2014
Masquers: The cool front did not last long here. It’s 80 right now. (Anything above 70 is too hot.)
I just bought the first corn on the cob of the season and will have it tonight with tomato Provencal. (I didn’t grow any of this–sigh–but bought it at the roadside market.)
Kat is coming over later to teach me some more Siberian.
1:53 pm on July 20th, 2014
Busy busy busy, but we did have a very special visitor.
1:53 pm on July 20th, 2014
Dawson, You will get your fill of zucchini with all the plants you have! Just wait!
As far as being a good Grandma, it helps a lot that Barb loved this book the first time she read it. Baye’s choices were Secret Life or Ordinary People. Barb didn’t read that book, but saw the movie, and it was a REAL downer. If she had decided on that one, Barb would not be reading it. We encourage her to read TSLOB because we thought she would like it better. The main character is a 14 year old girl, so even though she is poor and it is set in the deep south in 1964, we thought she would be able to relate somewhat. She has to write a journal and an essay, totaling 7 typed pages.
1:53 pm on July 20th, 2014
Grump!….Dat Rio better come home today or his ass is gonna be grass….grunt!sneeze!…My friend is starting to look at his doppelganger balloon a little to closely…sniff!sniff!
1:55 pm on July 20th, 2014
Look at that big paw TM has wrapped around Rio!
1:57 pm on July 20th, 2014
Sneeze!…Dat guy’s keyboard must be giant-sized…cough!sneeze!…I bet dat Rio will want dis photo blown-up and framed….grumble!
2:20 pm on July 20th, 2014
Four of us posted at the same time. I don’t think that’s ever happened before.
Great picture of Spence.
2:24 pm on July 20th, 2014
That’s an excellent photo of both of them. It’s a happy picture.
LOL It won’t be long before Stover refuses to come when called.
2:31 pm on July 20th, 2014
I am going to spend an entire Siberian lesson on “No”, as in “No way am I stopping now…you just made this sound interesting”.
LL, we got your SDD and will send Jem on his way this week.
2:36 pm on July 20th, 2014
We may try one of your zucchini ideas one day, if Mom ever gets tired of her recipe. Hers involves spears cut into 4-5″, sauteed in broth and garlic and oil. Then it gets topped with chopped walnuts and asiago cheese. It is very yummy.
2:40 pm on July 20th, 2014
It’s a Great Photo of OFA & Rio!!!
Siber-H: “…refuses to come when called”. That’s Funny.
2:42 pm on July 20th, 2014
B: You are right! Double posts, but never quadruples.
2:49 pm on July 20th, 2014
I could get to like these “Siberian” lessons!
2:51 pm on July 20th, 2014
Heh, heh. Judging from the look on his face Riö may have been a little nervous about meeting OFA.
3:03 pm on July 20th, 2014
Tupper’s Mama: Excellent picture! Even grumpy old Rio managed a smile when meeting OFA. For once he looks speechless!
3:09 pm on July 20th, 2014
Oh no!
Siberian lessons plus a little Cahors and BStover as we know her may be history! If these lessons continue, she may end up in Alaska!! Say…where do I sign up for these lessons?
3:20 pm on July 20th, 2014
Awesome, your wish is my command. While commands are but fantasies, I will still give you lessons. Look for your first lesson to arrive shortly.
3:26 pm on July 20th, 2014
Kat? Are you sending Dawson the same thing you sent Stover?
Mom and dad think it is so funny. I, myself, do not understand what is so funny about it.
3:39 pm on July 20th, 2014
Yes, Siber. I sent her the same first lesson. This is a serious Siberian language lesson. Nothing funny about it. (Whispering) My mom laughs too every time she rereads it. What’s up with that?
3:48 pm on July 20th, 2014
Speechless!…Dat Rio does not speak but he sure lets off a lot of hot air….sniff!…Da look on his face is pure fright…heh!heh!…This is the same face my friend will have on when she finally meets an greets ole Spencer…snuffle!
3:54 pm on July 20th, 2014
“No way am I stopping now” sounds like the mantra of the nation within 🙂
ROFL at the foto of TM (OFA) and Rio the ???? .
Lots of good sounding Zucchini recipes and lots of zucchini coming.
4:03 pm on July 20th, 2014
Great photo of Spence and OFP (our favorite Pug).
Sad news about James Garner. He was a true class act in Hollywood, which unfortunately are few and far between, and certainly my favorite actor. In addition to two great television shows, some of his best stuff were the movies with Julie Andrews (three altogether I believe, although one may have been for television).
4:12 pm on July 20th, 2014
Howlers, Your recipe sounds really good too. What could be bad with walnuts and asiago? Barb has a big bag of raw walnuts in the fridge. She uses them a lot on salad with some dried cranberries and blue cheese crumbled on the top.
4:54 pm on July 20th, 2014
HOH: I just got it! Zoo-kini! Obviously I am VERY slow today.
5:02 pm on July 20th, 2014
BB: So…THAT’s what it means.
5:04 pm on July 20th, 2014
Well, I got the “kini” part right.
5:37 pm on July 20th, 2014
Hungry Here…Anyone have a Snack?…Not zucchini.
It’s a vegetable and I’m not in the mood for vegetables right now unless it is a side dish.
Hmmm…must be about mealtime on the Coast that is East of here. Wondering What’s for Dinner?
5:41 pm on July 20th, 2014
Do you think it is lobstah? Chowdah?
5:45 pm on July 20th, 2014
Bear!….sneeze!…Do youse like meatloaf with jalapenos?…sniff!…Dat is what is on the menu at my place tonight….snuffle!sneeze!
5:47 pm on July 20th, 2014
Our Pop ran away and we may never eat again. Sniff
What? Oh yeah. We did eat. It is Mom who may never eat again.
5:56 pm on July 20th, 2014
Howlers! What?
6:02 pm on July 20th, 2014
Beau: That Meatloaf sounds really Good, but the Jalapenos will never do. Javelina, yes. Jalapeno, no.
6:06 pm on July 20th, 2014
Howlers? What?
6:19 pm on July 20th, 2014
The ‘rents were working down their list of chores. Mom harrowed the ring. Pop attached the sprayer and was all set to mix up the bad stuff. Pop got a phone call from that place that makes his heart pump too fast. Then he had to leave. There sits the tractor with the sprayer attached. Here sits Mom all stiff from pulling more weeds around this place. And there is no food or Pop in sight.
Sob
6:27 pm on July 20th, 2014
Sob.
6:32 pm on July 20th, 2014
We think the Howlers might be over reacting just a tad bit.
Tonight on Barb’s menu we have a small steak, baked potato, baked onion (both wrapped in foil and done on the grill) and some green beans.
6:34 pm on July 20th, 2014
Oh no, Sibers never over react.
sob
6:48 pm on July 20th, 2014
Beating!…My friend understands da Howlers completely – or so she says…sniff!sneeze!…Da place dat makes her heart beat too fast is da busy-place and she is dreading going in tomorrow. There is not enough two-leggeds to go-around….gah!…Sounds like a nightmare ta me…guffle!
Rio!…Come Home!…yeeeep!
6:52 pm on July 20th, 2014
Hello All–
Still catching up, but I did think Rio and Beau might want to have a look at this
7:17 pm on July 20th, 2014
Beau, we hoped your friend’s busy place was better nowadays, since she started working for the hotshot. But we get the short-pawed part. Toobadthose humans don”t have 4 paws like us.
Pop’s boss is a schizo-something. He is driving our pop to an early grave.
Sob
7:23 pm on July 20th, 2014
Our 4 paws aren’t so great at typing though. 🙂
7:28 pm on July 20th, 2014
Howlers!….OooooHhhhhH – Nooooo. Schizo is da worst kind…sniff!…My friend is happier or was happier until 2 out of 2 (I only know 2) quit at da same time an now she is expected ta know everything when she was doing a very specific thing for a long time wiff no training in all diss other stuff…sniff!…The hot-shot is on her hit-list right now, I do know dat for a fact…grunt!…He cannot seem to figure out who is da good ones ta hire…sniff!cough!gag! …Da last one lasted about 3 weeks…wheeze!
7:30 pm on July 20th, 2014
Weeks!…Maybe just 2 weeks…sniff!…whatever! Rio better get his butt home soon or else da fur will fly high…gasp!sneeze!
7:36 pm on July 20th, 2014
Pop called! He is coming home, and bringing food!!! What a guy! Mom couldn’t decide between beer or wine so she is having Chimay! She cracks us up!
7:47 pm on July 20th, 2014
Food!…All is well dat ends well with food and such…snuffle!…Where is dat Rio? I bet he is having beers with his favorite Author-Writer guy….sniff!…He better be on the first flight home soon…yeeep!
7:51 pm on July 20th, 2014
Aw come on Beau. It’s not every day that a Member of the Nation gets to spend time with a Master. Give Rio some time to bask. It’s more than (most of) the rest of us can do.
8:04 pm on July 20th, 2014
Dinner tonight looked good and smelled delicious. Mom was inspired by the recipes today and made stuffed summer squash with onions and cheese. All my two-legged siblings arrived: the girl and her husband, the older boy, and the younger boy who lives here with mom and me. Wild salmon, squash, peas, salad, and rice. And did I get any? No! I am protesting by sitting on mom’s lap and turning my head away from her.
8:20 pm on July 20th, 2014
Scout!…sneeze!…Trust me. Dat never works…eh!heh!heh!…Use the “in yer face” ploy…sniffle! …Add in da pleading pug-eyes and da snuffles and da snorkels…sneeze! …Limp a little if ya can – dat really works for me…chuffle!cough!
8:28 pm on July 20th, 2014
The HOH just sent a message to my little GoPhone:
No WiFi!! stop. Will post again asap. stop.
as soon as DDD fixes the problem. stop.
8:34 pm on July 20th, 2014
Wait a minute…That sounded more like a cryptic Western Union message…Gasp. Maybe they are caught in a Time Warp!
8:42 pm on July 20th, 2014
Scout, sounds like the two-leggeds had a yummy meal. We here love salmon, and wild caught is the best. Right now though, Barb is so stuffed she doesn’t even want to think about food.
Tonight is going to be an early night. We got up at before sunrise and didn’t get a nap-we tried but lawn mowers and phone calls interfered with our plans.
8:50 pm on July 20th, 2014
Barb&Magpie: Your meal was the Best! But, so was Scout’s!
Steak or Salmon? I can’t decide. Delish either way.
8:53 pm on July 20th, 2014
Well carp! No wifi at the hotel at all tonight. Somehow the phone still works. That must be why it’s called “smart”
The show was very good. After all our fears about being moved etc, the new location was way off the tourist path, but they came. They spent. They laughed and danced to the music. It was a good weekend.
Of course it was great to see OFA. He did give us the inside scoop on the next Chet and Bernie, but there is an even better surprise coming. We promised not to spill the beans – contractual agreement stuff, you know – but you will all be thrilled. Rio did somersaults, but he promised not to tell either.
Sorry there was only one picture, but the show was mobbed. There was only a minute or two between customers to visit. But we do know that OFA is really looking forward to meeting Plunderers on his coming tour.
And gee whiz- we aren’t celebrities. We’re just lucky.
9:15 pm on July 20th, 2014
Tupper’s Mama! Trust us. You are celebrity. Heck, your initials even match!
Pop is here. He brought Mom Thai food. All’s right with the world, except: he is on his phone woth work once again.
Night all!
9:35 pm on July 20th, 2014
Promised!….Dat Rio promised not to spill da beans?…eh!heh!heh!….This I gotta see for myself. I can’t wait ta find out what da big secret is all abouts…snort!sneeze!
9:41 pm on July 20th, 2014
Sounds like you had a great day, A & L. We are happy and now we can go to bed.
Night all. Sleep well.
10:06 pm on July 20th, 2014
All the zucchini recipes are helpful to the Catty Librarian. She only has one zuke plant but we’ve already pulled 8 zucchini off it. What is Dawson going to do with all those zukes! They’ll be coming out of her ears!
10:30 pm on July 20th, 2014
A Catty Librarian: I’m going to look up squash blossom recipes to cut down on the number of zukes.
Night all and g’day to LizF and Ruby.
10:31 pm on July 20th, 2014
A&L: Good show, great visit with TM…we love it when that happens.
Hey, Elliot and Catty! Good to hear from you.
We here are headed for the cushy couch & On Demand.
Have a good evening everyone.
11:44 pm on July 20th, 2014
How about that Elliot the massage kat. Good to hear from you Elliot. I am thinking about the squash recipes. The one I liked best so far had the walnuts and asiago cheese. Unfortunately they don’t do Asiago in Mayville. Have to go to Fargo for that and Rio tells me not to go there. grump.