Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin. So how was your Turkey Day? Excessive and over-the-top, I hope. Here at The Nest it was a beautifully messy affair and that’s the way we like it.
And for your Quote of the Week, and to perhaps explain my philosophy regarding the Thanksgiving Day festivities, and I assume I’m in the majority on this, may I offer these words from the wonderful novelist and short story writer, W. Somerset Maugham (‘Of Human Bondage’ (1915)), who wisely observed, “Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit.” Good stuff, William. Of course I could have given you the classic comment on this topic by William Blake. In fact, as this is the mantra for any self-respecting Turkey Vulture, I think I will anyway. It was Blake, a fine poet, who said, “The road to excess leads to the palace of wisdom.” Who can argue with that?
Moving on. It’s time for te Public Service Announcements #325. The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital are in the Valley tomorrow, Dec 2nd at the AV Farm Supply north of Philo on Hwy 128. They will be back once more this month, next week on the 9th and if you do take your pet in, while you’re there perhaps show a little support for our local farm supply business that provides this very helpful service. #326. The Holiday Bazaar sponsored by the Unity Club, is this Saturday, Dec 4th, from 10am-4pm at the Apple Hall in Boonville. It will feature an array of holiday food and gifts, pictures with Santa, a snack bar, and a raffle. #327. The AV Animal Rescue will be setting up their adoption program for dogs and cats very aptly outside Laughing Dog Books in downtown Boonville. It may take a few weeks to get the program set up at its full potential but please don’t let this deter you from stopping by and giving your support. They plan to be there every Sunday from 11am-4pm. If you have any inquiries please call Jim at 684-9659 or check out their website at www.avanimalrescue.org. And you can always step inside the excellent bookstore and make a Christmas Gift purchase too.
Now to a couple of observations made this past week by regulars at The Three-Dot Lounge, my favorite gathering place in the Valley.
…The Buckhorn Pub and Restaurant, which will be ‘a fine grub pub’ I am reliably informed, will be opening sometime in the next month or so. It really will. Why didn’t KZYX local radio mention the power outage in the Valley north of Philo last Saturday from mid-afternoon on Saturday to the early hours of Sunday morning? They may have got to it at some point later in the evening but not when the news was most needed. Just wondering. And now to a few of my Thanksgiving Awards. Warmest welcome of the Week for a Turkey Vulture? The Boonville Saloon courtesy of Shelley and Marcia behind the bar on Saturday evening. Runner-up? The baptism event on the same evening at the Apple Hall, courtesy of several of my Mexican friends who insisted I eat some dinner and had a little drink of something. Most perfect place to give thanks over this past weekend? Hendy Woods — a beautiful and humbling experience, and a place for which you cannot be thankful enough. Best non-turkey meal of the Thanksgiving Holiday? The classic cheeseburger and fries at Lauren’s.
With all this eating and drinking going on, it would be almost rude not to offer you a Wine of the Week. That goes to the truly delicious Esterlina Syrah which, when paired with some chocolate cake for dessert, a few hours after the turkey had been devoured, was heavenly and, dare I say, a quite orgasmic culinary experience. I suggest you get yourself a bottle with your next chocolate dish. Trust me on this, you can thank me later.
And unfortunately, as is the tradition, we must also have the Whine of the Week. This is an old one of mine which surfaced again this weekend when the radio KZYX’s Trading Times program featured two calls for lost dogs and apparently neither had tags and in one case the collar was also missing. Then later in the day, Hummingbird found a lost Aussie cattle dog on Rancho Navarro without a collar. What is the problem? Why wouldn’t you have a collar and tag for your pet? Our four-legged friends are not a commodity that can be simply replaced. We are their guardians and they will love us unconditionally until their last beat of their heart so surely taking a precaution as basic as a collar and tag is not a lot to expect. The worry over a pet being lost out in the woods somewhere, or anywhere else for that matter, is a very unpleasant feeling indeed. If they are fortunate to be found it would be very helpful for the finder to have a number to call, wouldn’t you say? Come on dog owners, help others to help you, and get your dogs a collar and tag. It’s even easier if you go on-line to www.tagxpress.com and they will have your new tag back to you in less than a week for under $9 and free shipping. I humbly suggest you do yourself and your pet a big, big favor; it may result in a lot of anguish and sadness being avoided.
So, lots of dog/pet references this week, not that there is anything whatsoever wrong with that in my book. They are our best friends after all. Be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you. Of course, one final request, “Let us prey.” Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture. PS. Keep the Faith and ‘woof, woof!’ PPS. Contact me with words of support/abuse through the Letters Page or by e-mail: turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net.
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