Welcome Ms. Sienna (with Santa). Callie Clever from SC, please try uploading again.

“Looks like it’s the Golovin checkpoint,” Spence says. “We’ll do it in the name of the Chet and Bernie Mysteries.”

“What if I can’t find the check book?” Admin says.

Spence takes the check book form his pocket, waves it around. “Here’s a little of what Rebecca has to say about Golovin – ‘In 2007, I served as snowmachine support on a dog sledding expedition that follows the original trail of the serum run that saved the lives of the people of Nome in the 1925.  Leaving Golovin, and crossing the bay was the most difficult part of the trail for me … Unforgiving winds, whiteout conditions and going over sea ice, it was hard to get your bearings … Many mushers speak of relief when they finally cross the bay.’”

Welcome Chuck.

And a big shout-out to all the Plunderers for their amazing generosity, enthusiasm for Snowhook, and just plain sense of fun.

“But it’s actually Washington’s birthday,” says Admin. “What happened to Lincoln’s birthday? It used to get its own holiday.”

“So you’re for more public holidays?” Spence says.

“I didn’t say that.”

“But I’m happy to,” says Spence. “More holidays! Life shouldn’t be work and nothing but.”

“Heard of globalization?” Admin says. “You’re too late.”

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. – from Washington’s farewell address.

Welcome adventure lover, dude with 3 mascots, friend from Savannah, 2Spot.

“Great,” says Spence. “Beautifully organized, friendly, fun. Here’s a question – what do we know about coydogs? Half coyotes, half dogs – one of the kids at Beach High School, where I went on Friday, has one.”

“Not a thing, myself,” Admin says. “I’ll do some digging after breakfast.”

Digging? Half-coyote dogs? The day is shaping up very well.

I can hear Spence on the other end. It’s his voice for saying no.

“Well, maybe after your appearance this morning at 9:30, Telfair Square Tent. Are you going to sing Sundays in Savannah? You could pretend it was tomorrow.”

No sound from the other end.

Welcome back-up dude.

I can hear Spence on the other end, but can’t make out the words.

“You’ve got a talk at the Telfair Square Tent tomorrow at 9:30, right?” Admin says. “Remember that song by Nina Simone – Sundays in Savannah? I think you should sing it. That’s my only suggestion. Bye.”

Welcome Tyb (with Lego pal), Isis & Kali.

Welcome 2 new dudes.

“Not sure,” says Spence, “but in the nation within, I liked the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever – is that the name? Didn’t even know about the breed. And also that Doberman was pretty impressive.”

“What’s with the mouth on the Dogue de Bordeaux?”

“No idea. Now I’m looking forward to the Iditarod, next big event on the canine calendar.”

“Go Snowhook!”

“No question,” says Admin. “Excellent start to Westminster. But no time to discuss it.”

“Because you’re off to the florist’s?”

“You got it.”

“Roses and lilies?”

“Always.”

“Happy Valentines Day, everybody!”

Welcome Aiko & Winchester, Shira & Sapphi.

“Well, won’t everyone be eventually?” says Spence.

“Interesting,” Admin says. “How much more human history will there be? 1000 years? 2000? 10,000? 36 days?”

“I just felt a chill.”

“Then here’s an antidote – a bit of Sarah Vaughan. Listen to what she does around 1:10, I think it is, and also how she handles the ‘easy’ in ‘easy chair.’”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u37lgz7b3lQ

Welcome reclining but alert dude.

Tonight: Westminster!