The Monkeywrangler's Blog

Friday, July 21, 2017

All that's fit to read

A fellow blogger and Texan recently (as in this week) published his first book. And what a book it is! LawDog, as he is known on the net, has published his first book via Amazon, in e-book format, with the dead tree edition soon to follow. This bit of news was cause for much celebration and laughter here at the casa. We have followed 'Dog's blog for years now, and always enjoy his tales, both of his unique upbringing in Africa, and of his work in rural law enforcement in Texas. It is the latter which is the subject of his initial book, The LawDog Files.

I purchased the book while riding shotgun in the truck today, visiting various Doctors Orthopedic, dining on Hard 8 BBQ, and bemoaning the state of traffic in the Metromess. Of course, I immediately began reading. I couldn't help but laugh, loudly enough to receive inquiry from DH. So I began to read to him as he drove. Sort of an Audiobook...with giggles. I couldn't help it--it's that good!

His second book, tales of growing up in Africa, is due out in a month or two. You can check for updates on that, if you follow his blog, also known as The LawDog Files, btw. He has posted a pre-order link on the blog, for those who are ready to order early.

If you enjoy reading funny stories (most of them anyway) with a take on rural Texas life and law enforcement, you will love this book. 'Dog has a wicked wit, and quite the unique turn of phrase. I personally, am eagerly looking forward to the second book, African Adventures. I want to read The Ratel Pit again!

Monday, July 17, 2017

Probably gonna rain again...

The Silverado Sage is blooming fiercely again. That usually means it's gonna rain within 2-3 days. It's nearly (moreso sometimes) as accurate as the weather forecasts.

And it is better looking than the weatherguessers!

One day, we hope these will all be a large silver-grey and purple hedge around the pool deck.

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Fun at the Tour de Paris

This year, due to DH's recent hand surgery, and a distinct lack of cycling this year, we decided, when approached by the Chamber of Commerce, to help out with the Tour de Paris through our church, by running a rest stop, aka SAG stop.

Our church happily agreed to volunteer warm bodies to man the SAG stop, and also to make lots of homemade cookies to give out to the cyclists. The ride has a large number of cyclists typically, usually 1000+/-.

We took charge of a relatively remote SAG stop on the 66mi route. It was around 31 miles into the route. We got set up at a local landowner's property just down from an intersection on the route. The landowners were great to work with. They let us set up along their fence, granted us parking in their driveway, and also access to their water in case we needed more.

Getting set up

The ride began at 8am, but we were on site by 7 and set up ready to rock before 8am. We had expected it to be hot and humid, as is typical in Texas for July. However we were blessed by fairly heavy cloud cover all day. There were storms in the area, but for the most part, the ride was dry.

There was even bike--mobile EMS!

We didn't see as many riders as we had expected, due in part to a time cut off (riders had to make a certain rest stop by 11am in order to continue on the 66 or 80 mile routes), and I think also due to the rain potential.

The first shift crew.

I think everyone who got a chance to serve the cyclists had fun. I know we did. I look forward to either helping out again next year on TdP, or riding it. It is a nice way to give back, to a community (local and cycling) that we care about.