Guys Like Us
“Ever make a mistake that came back to bite you?” Colonel Bob said.
We were in the patio bar at the Dry Gulch Saloon and Steak House, one of our favorite spots. They have a waitress named Deena who knows about my thing for steak tips. She likes Bernie a lot – that’s the kind of thing I can just sniff out – but I don’t think he knows. And that would be way too complicated! There’s Suzie, right? And the whole new Leda situation – is that in To Fetch A Thief?
“Next question,” said Bernie.
Meaning what? The answer had to be no. Bernie had never been bitten, not that I could remember. We’ve had some close calls, of course. I thought right away of that night near the huge saguaro on the border. That’s in To Fetch A Thief, for sure.
Meanwhile Colonel Bob was laughing. “What is it about guys like us?” he said.
Bernie sipped his bourbon. “Born too late,” he said.
Colonel Bob stopped laughing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl9t90y4BKs
Tags: Colonel Bob, Deena, Leda, steak, Suzie, To Fetch A Thief
This entry was posted on Friday, March 19th, 2010 at 9:24 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.
4:35 am on March 19th, 2010
"Born too late." Interesting. What does Bernie mean?
4:42 am on March 19th, 2010
Vincent will you teach me how to paint
Teresa will I ever be a saint
John I really think your songs are great
I was born too late
4:48 am on March 19th, 2010
Snort!… I'm not convinced Bernie was referencing a song when he answered Colonel Bob….grunt!
4:49 am on March 19th, 2010
Thanks Rio. That actually means that any/everyone could be born too late. I wonder if Col. Bob and Bernie wish that they had been of the hippie generation.
How's the snow?
4:58 am on March 19th, 2010
Siber-H!… your friend paid you another visit last night…. sassy!
5:05 am on March 19th, 2010
Snow!…. it’s coming down down down like a ring of fire…. Snort!… Its gonna snow all freakin’ day – probably into tomorrow!….crap!… right up to the minute Spring arrives… grump!…. we always balance eggs on end during the Spring Equinox…. Snort!… you guys ever do that??
5:16 am on March 19th, 2010
Sorry about the snow, Rio. At this time of year it is a bit much. In Michigan the sun is out, it's going into the 60s and the song sparrows are back in my garden. However, it may snow tomorrow night. You can't blink around here. When is the spring equinox and why do you balance eggs on end?
5:26 am on March 19th, 2010
Spring!….tomorrow at 1:32 eastern standard time…. Snort!… it’s the only time of year an egg will balance on its end…. Gruff!… You’ve never done this?…. it’s not easy, but it will happen. … grunt!….We have cracking good times at my house …snort!
6:03 am on March 19th, 2010
Eggs!….I think if one had the time and patience eggs could be balanced on end anytime of the year…snort!… but we only do it during the Spring Equinox… grunt!… it’s a tradition around here.
6:15 am on March 19th, 2010
Socks, the dog next door, is chasing squirrels out of my garden. Eggs: You balance them on the broad end where the inside air pocket is, right? I don't think I have the patience to attempt it. Now I have to get to work.
6:27 am on March 19th, 2010
Late!… I have a theory about what Bernie means by “Born too Late”…. Grunt!… I think he would have liked living during the Wild West times when things like relationships were a lot simpler…. wheeze!
7:08 am on March 19th, 2010
Rio, I think that human to human relationships have never been easy. Now the Nation within the Nation is much better than we humans are with all those things.
There have been times, I've thought I was born too early. I've told my children if I get a chance to colonize the moon or mars, I'm out of here. Mars has these really big tubes in it that you could cover and create your own ecosystem in there. Awesome.
Born too late? I don't know, have to think on it. Can't think of anytime that didn't have it's own downs as well as ups. Rather have been born a dog. Especially in this household!
7:10 am on March 19th, 2010
Oh yeah, eggs . . .
The thought of trying to balance an egg with the Pack helping is just too funny. Not only would they try to eat it. . . This is a house that's almost 200 years old and when the Pack goes through a room, things shake!
I did dye an Easter egg for each of their Easter dinners last year. Took off the shell first. The eggs did not last long. Just one gulp.
7:23 am on March 19th, 2010
Wow!…. The Newfs are a force to be reckoned with!….gulp!
8:16 am on March 19th, 2010
yeah, I know Rio I'm like whatever about that.
I'm concentrating on the Col. Bob story now. I'm like Chet, I can only think about one thing at a time. I'm glad Chet is telling us more of the story.
"Born to Late" was a hit song way back in the age of the dinosaurs, but I agree with Rio that he is probably not referencing the song. Bernie has thought before that he was born to late, maybe not in those exact words, but he looks at the country he lives in and imagines what it would have been like before the white man or even the Native Americans arrived. My mom does the same thing. She and Bernie have this in common. In this particular part of the story, Bernie may be thinking of a time in history-like maybe he and Col. Bob would have been better off living in days of the Wild Wild West. My crazy mom thinks she would have liked to have been a mountain man, not to trap animals, but to see the country before it was civilized.
8:22 am on March 19th, 2010
We are having the same thoughts, Rio, and I didn't even read your post before I wrote the above. This must mean we are right about what Bernie is thinking. I get this wishful thinking stuff from mom just like Chet gets it from Bernie.
10:16 am on March 19th, 2010
We’re excited that Chet is starting to talk about the Col Bob case. It looks like maybe B.Stover guessed right about how he ended up with a son in addition to the twin girls.
9:25 am on March 19th, 2010
Kats!… I can’t figure out if AbbieTheKat and Alice are sand bagging it… snort!… or if they are working on quilts somewhere in the mid-west inside a henhouse.… grunt!… seems an odd place to patch up a quilt….wheeze!… that chicken poo is alarming in size and smell!…. Hey! Alice, can you bring me some eggs?… heh
10:21 am on March 19th, 2010
Ugh!… what could be worse than having a chicken crap on your head?… heh!
10:40 am on March 19th, 2010
Wild west. Good thought. Was it Bernie's grandfather who owned the land in the canyon? Before any problem with the aquifer. However, how do we connect that, or "born too late" with Col. Bob's son? Perhaps Chet was so busy thinking about Bernie and bites that he missed the "next question."
11:03 am on March 19th, 2010
Thirsty!… I think it came up because Colonel Bob was discussing his unfortunate affair with that Jason gal. … snort!… and the fact that both of those guys are divorced…. Grunt!…I could really go for a bourbon right now with Bernie…..wheeze!
11:26 am on March 19th, 2010
Ummmm. Well, I still don't get it. (They'd rather have been born before divorce was accepted??) If you have too much bourbon you won't be able to balance eggs on end. You'd probably have a crackin' good time again.
Melanie: What tubes does Mars have?
11:41 am on March 19th, 2010
Hi B. Stover,
Lava tubes! There were aboe to locate lava tubes in the Alba Patera region of Mars. Would prtect from the dust stomrs, meteorites and solar radiation. Because underground, the temps would be about the same both night and day. They can be pretty long up to around 2 miles and around 90 yards wide.
So cool! I want to live in an underground house anyway (not a hole, Rio) here on earth where the south side is covered with windows. Will have to do until I get to Mars.
11:42 am on March 19th, 2010
Spence and Admin had a big fight on account of B. Stover, who's a big favorite of theirs. Spence said, "See the confusion that happens when you put big blocks of text between lines of dialogue that hook up obliquely?" "Who taught you everything you know about writing?" Admin said. "You, but – " said Spence. "And what did I always say?" Admin said. "To go for it," said Spence. "Then go for it," said Admin, "and stop bothering me. Any of that bourbon left, Bernie? It's Friday. Let's knock off."
11:49 am on March 19th, 2010
Holy Crap!….wheeze!
12:07 pm on March 19th, 2010
Stover!… you are a “big favorite” of Spence and Admin!… snort!… I wonder if they have any other favorites??…. hmmm… probably a long shot… sniffle.
Wow!… those two really go at it!…snort!… I hope Admin doesn’t knock Spence out with that bottle of bourbon… yeep!
1:29 pm on March 19th, 2010
Melanie: I think that is why some humans like to have close relationshis with dogs. Dogs are always honest.
Rio: Hang in there through the snow. I’m thinking of you,pal, and wishing I was there.
I thought the cats were filling sandbags, but they are doing quilts. I was hoping for more reports from the frontline from them.
12:42 pm on March 19th, 2010
All this talk about chickens reminds me of a little unfortunate situation I was involved in the other day. Usually Mom's chickens (rare breeds, whatever that is) are in their pen and I am on the other side. Somehow I ended up in their pen, and then I decided to take a little stroll into the chicken coop. That is where they live and lay those eggs you guys are talking about. Well anyway, those crazy chickens were flying around and squaking their ugly little heads off. I tried to hold one down just to make her quiet down a little bit. Boy, my Mom was really mad at me. Me, I thought it was great fun! Wish you guys could have been there to join the fun.
12:48 pm on March 19th, 2010
I think Admin has given the green light!! (Chet: Make sure Spence keeps giving him bourbon.)
Rio: You are everyone's favorite.
Melanie: How fascinating! Thank you.
Now I'm going to have some Rhone wine.
1:51 pm on March 19th, 2010
Stover!… I don’t know about that… snort!…sometimes I think you want to skin me alive and hang me out to dry …grunt!
But!… You are their favorite!….whooo!…And right now you have got to be Stoked Stover!… heh.
What!… do you mean about Admin giving the “green light”?….snort!
3:00 pm on March 19th, 2010
Chicken poo is really bad. Mom once had a dog that tried to catch a chicken and the chicken did you know what on his head. Bath time for the dog. “Bath”-what a horrible word.
At the last adoption event mom worked for Husky rescue, a woman asked her if “those huskies would get along with chickens” no, no, no, we don’t think so.
2:45 pm on March 19th, 2010
Magpie!… did you see the fight between Admin and Spence?….snicker!… How much fun was that?… Loads!
Heh!… So when you were “holding down” the little squawking rare chicken, did you perhaps have your paws on its neck? ….snort!…and your teeth very, very close to its throat?… snort!…Just wondering… grunt!… I don’t get to be around chickens much… wheeze!… I am around horses though!…..gruff!…And what fun that is…nip!nip!nip!… Nasty beasts with sharp hoofs!
2:55 pm on March 19th, 2010
One!… would think the Huskies could do better in the Iditarod…snort!… “I’m just saying”… heh… to quote someone on this here blog… grunt!… Weren’t they the original sled dogs?
Oh!.., I’m fired up tonight!… snort!…That toss in the snow bank really got my heart a pumping!… grump!
3:08 pm on March 19th, 2010
Admin told Spence to go for it (a past bit of advice apparently) but also to stop "bothering" him, so…..Maybe Chet can give us more chunks of works in progress. Fun!
I would never want to hang you out to dry Rio. Ping you on your pug nose, perhaps….just kidding. If I'm "stoked" it's because I bought an espresso machine and I'm drinking a large cup with foamy richness.
Horses, especially Standardbreds, are beautiful and noble, though they aren't as intelligent as dogs.
3:24 pm on March 19th, 2010
Yippie!!! Melanie!!! I wouldn't go out and do errands with mom until the Sibes got safely to Nome. It is not official yet, but they may have broken the Siberian record (their record) by one hour. The Alaskan Huskies call Siberians, "Slowberians' I don't take offense. I think it is funny.
Melanie, We have lava tubes in New Mexico. I know it is not the same as Mars, but they might work for practice. We are also going to have a spaceport where, if you are a millionaire, you can be shot into space for a very brief time.
3:24 pm on March 19th, 2010
We went up to the Henhouse again today, no eggs there, just fabric. It is way north and a little west of Fargo so no worries, right?
Wrong! They have a little tiny river there. The Goose River.
(I know, the Goose River and the Henhouse.)
Anyway there was water all over! And huge thick chunks of ice almost up on the road. Ice chunks as big or bigger than a table top and probably 8 to 12 inches thick.
Whoooeee! The River came up the last two days from all the snow melt in the fields. Tuesday when we went up it was only a little bit high. This water will not get to Fargo though because it is going north to Grand Forks.
Alice was not on the job in Mayville, North Dakota. That is for sure.
Abbie the Kitty, who is still high and dry.
3:30 pm on March 19th, 2010
Stover! … Maybe you are right!…but I think Admin will keep butting his big pimply crooked nose into everything Spence, Bernie or Chet try to put out here…grunt!… lets hope not for our sakes.
You! …said you wouldn’t want to hang me up to dry, but you probably still want to skin me alive!… wheeze!… I’ve heard that one before from humans!… hmmm… I thought you’d be drinking wine by now “favorite one”…its Friday!.,, heh!.
4:02 pm on March 19th, 2010
Yikes!
I wasn't gonna say anything Rio, but you keep begging for it. Remember I told you about skinning squirrels at the Trappers Rendezvous? Well, what full color picture made it into the weekly newspaper. Some poor squirrel splayed out for all us squeamish types to contemplate. (Plus the winning dog sled weight puller). Now, my point is that once you've skinned one little critter, you can skin 'em all. Maybe next year I'll skin a squirrel. Where do they get all these squirrels anyhoo? I'm just saying…
Zip
4:05 pm on March 19th, 2010
Rio, I didn't get a chance to really sample that skinny little neck, cause Mom ran in a rescued her or stopped the fun, how ever you want to look at it. Did you know chickens are related to T-Rex? Only thing good about those guys is that they lay eggs. Someimes when Mom brings in some eggs, I go into counter-cruise mode and grab one before she puts them in the frig. I eat the whole thing, inside and outide and, boy, are they good. Outside is a little crunchy but tasty, never the less.
4:13 pm on March 19th, 2010
SH: Thanks for the info about the breed. It's interesting.
4:15 pm on March 19th, 2010
Dawson!…. I think they get all those squirrels from Molly’s yard!… snort!…Do not ever think I don’t want to hear what is on your strange and awesome mind!… grunt!… It’s just my Pug nature to be “rude”…grunt!… I love anyone brave enough to jump in and fuel the fires!….There is a line sometimes…when feelings are involved…. just be aware of crossing it. Sniff!
Key-word for Dawson to back off = “crossing”…. Take it or leave it… mmmm…
4:36 pm on March 19th, 2010
Siber-H!…Being a real writer involves way more commitment than I could ever give…snort!… People like Peter Abrahams, are very special types and we should appreciate them way more!….wheeze!… I like to write short sweet, maybe sometimes funny little diddy’s, that’s all…. grunt!… but on a scale of “Book” – I would fail miserably, I am sure… golly!… Thanks for the encouragement though!… feels good!
4:36 pm on March 19th, 2010
oops..sorry..not for everyone's sensibilities…but true none-the-less. Although I would never actually skin anything. It was you who was bringing up being skinned…Zip
4:46 pm on March 19th, 2010
Rio, there's always next time for that blood thingy. Maybe my little detour won't be so quickly noticed. I don't get to be around horses, but we have one dinky little miniature donkey, which is close. Same nasty smell and sharp hooves. By the way, did you ever get a chance to chew on one of the hoof trimmings after the farrier made a visit? Those are as tasty as bacon or the very best chew strips ever.
4:47 pm on March 19th, 2010
In New Mexico, the fleas on squirrels can carry the plague. If I don't show up here tomorrow on Chet's blog, it means the NM Tourist Board has taken me away.
5:11 pm on March 19th, 2010
Yikes!
Hope we don't get our squirrels from New Mexico!
Siberian Husky: Be careful.
5:11 pm on March 19th, 2010
Siber-H… Cool that you probably live in the same state as Bernie and Chet!…snort!… when they are not up at Spencer’s house doing hell knows what!…grunt!….Can I come visit you and see a saguaro?
5:20 pm on March 19th, 2010
Magpie!…They always clean up to quick!… snort!…I never get a chance to R-U-N-N-O-F-T… with one of those hoof clippings….damn!
6:57 pm on March 19th, 2010
S.Husky,
Your team has made it to NOME!
Hip Hip Ruff! for the Siberan Husky team!
6:02 pm on March 19th, 2010
Rio: Chet and Bernie live in southern Arizona. They are my neighbors. I wish we had saguaros here. We do have the same water problems that Bernie is concerned about. I certainly am not worried about a water shortage and Chet doesn't seem to be either. Humans have so much to learn from dogs.
Chet and I do share a New Mexico story; We were both on death row in the pound in a small, rural, NM town, but that is a story for another time.
6:06 pm on March 19th, 2010
Stover!… I just figured out what you were saying to me… snort!…. Ping away my dear… Ping away!… I am who I am… I am Rio…I need not be anyone else to have this much fun!… snort!
6:11 pm on March 19th, 2010
I'll let mom look at that Alice. It would probably be too much for me to take. Do you guys think that Alice is deliberately trying to give me nightmares.
6:12 pm on March 19th, 2010
Guys Like You!….give me hope!… Holy Holy Holy!… Siber-H!… I praise the Creator of All Creatures Great and Small that you were saved and are here now with us all… sigh…oh my bleedin’ heart!… snort!
6:19 pm on March 19th, 2010
Alice!… I clicked on her link and it was a boring live cam of a rising river…. Snort!… now if AbbieTheKat had been floating in it…..well that would have been interesting!…. grunt!
6:38 pm on March 19th, 2010
Siber-H, There should never be a Death Row anywhere, well, at least not for dogs! So glad you are in a better place now.
7:47 pm on March 19th, 2010
In regards to Dogs and Kats on death row… unless they are rabid and uncontrollable, no cold blooded murder should be allowed to take place… snort!… but, it takes money to take care of our homeless friends, the ones who are not in families…. Grunt!…Shelters need funds. To help the homeless dogs and kats within our communitities – they need volunteers and funds… gruff!
Guys Like Us…are the only hope for these pals of ours.
8:50 pm on March 19th, 2010
That’s a good report Abbie, but I may have nightmares tonight–all that water.
Rio; Alaskan huskies are faster than Siberians. They have longer legs because the Alaskan mushing community has bred dogs like greyhounds and pointers with the Siberian Husky. We may be slower, but we are a tougher dog, with tougher feet. and we can survive the cold much better. We are the true husky, not the Alaskans-love and admire them, though, I do.
Aww gee Rio, you are everyone’s favorite here. You can be as entertaining as Chet. You could write a book from a pug’s point of view. Not just any pug-your pug point of view.
Melanie probably has a book in her also. With 10 newfs, there has to be a lot of stories.
9:18 pm on March 19th, 2010
Ewww!… Magpie!… raw freakin’ eggs!.. and the shells too!… snort! … Even the Newfs eat theirs cooked and colored!… gross girl!… grunt… Too damn bad you didn’t get some of that rare chicken blood on your tongue!
10:53 pm on March 19th, 2010
http://www.grandforksherald.com/pages/floodcam2010
Live flood cam in Grand Forks. Better during daylight of course.
Alice Johnson
6:24 am on March 20th, 2010
Well, the staff is packing up to go. Alice has been trapped in an upstairs bedroom as she is trying to stay and help some more but she is not in control right now. Poor Alice.
She gave me this link for the Fargo flood cams. She told me she likes cam #3 the best.
Soon we will be on our way back to Minneapolis. We will go right through Fargo (the interstate bridge is still open)to give Alice a chance for one more look at everything there and then we will leave them on their own to await the crest. It is supposed to be lower than previously reported so everything should be OK.
AbbietheKitty
http://www.inforum.com/pages/floodcam