One Legger




	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" February 18, 2003 Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator@write2theheart.com ----------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart" You are receiving this newsletter because you requested a subscription or a friend generously forwarded their copy to you. To subscribe send a blank e-mail to subscribe@write2theheart.com. ------------------------------------------------------------ Moving to the country. What nostalgic memories it stirs up for me, and horror stories! Kate seems to be handling it with more finesse than I ever did. ------------------------------------------------------------ The One-Legger By Kate Gibblin ------------------------------------------------------------ "Do you have any dogs in your yard?" the man on the phone asked. I told him that I had two, a mixed breed and a German Shepherd. "Then you'll have to put them up somewhere when I come out. I don't like dogs loose in the yard when I'm working." I could certainly understand the man's trepidation. He was coming to our new home in the country to fill our propane tank. I could just imagine what his day was like, driving from one farm house to another, getting in and out of his big propane truck, and wondering if the next dog he encountered would be one that would bite a trespasser. After finding out that the propane truck was only a mile from our house and that we were his next stop, I assured him that I would go straight out and corral the dogs. As I hung up the phone, I wondered where I could put them. We had a very large yard with several barns and outbuildings nearby, but we hadn't lived there long enough to look the buildings over well. Which one would be the best one to confine my pets? I decided that the closest old building would be the first place to look. It was sturdy, well built and had a fenced enclosure in front of it. It might have been a chicken house at one time. Hopefully, it would hold my two "fierce" dogs for the few minutes it would take to fill the big white tank beside the house. I left my unpacking of boxes and stepped out onto the porch, calling, "Here, Jake! Here, Blossom!" Jake, the big Shepherd rose up slowly from his shady spot under the honeysuckle vine. Blossom raced around the corner of the house, ears up, looking for me. Both dogs were too big for me to wrestle, but if I made a game of it, maybe could persuade them to come willingly. "Come on, you guys, time to hustle!" I told them as I shuffled hurriedly through the tall grass beside the house. We hadn't even had time to fully mow the lawn, just a small part in front. Most of the lawn and garden tools were still in moving boxes. Mowing the rest of the yard was on my to-do list. As I ran, the two dogs bounded along beside me. They looked up at me with brilliant eyes shining, mouths open as if laughing. This looked like a great new game to them. They were eager to play. This is no trouble at all, I thought to myself. Piece of cake. I'll just put them behind the fence, then sit on the porch and wait for the propane truck... The next thing I knew, I was tumbling through the air. I had done a one-legger down an old fence post hole I hadn't seen. I hit the ground hard and lay there stunned and breathless. I opened my eyes, and saw the blue sky shimmering through the hickory tree leaves above me. For several seconds, I was afraid to move in case I had fractured any bones. Suddenly two huge, black snuffling noses washed over my face. Was this some new part of the game? What was Mom doing down there on the ground? Was she sleeping? A few quick licks and a bark brought me sitting straight up again! I giggled with relief that I wasn't hurt, only bruised. I hugged the big furry necks as I told Jake and Blossom jus how wonderful they were to come back and check on me. In the end, I sat on the porch with my dogs on their leashes, and introduced them properly to the propane truck driver. They are friendly, lovable dogs and quickly became buddies with him. Now he doesn't worry about coming into the yard with Jake and Blossom. After the tank was filled and the big truck gone, I let my furry friends off their leashes. I still had a lot of work to do. Now, as soon as I've unpacked a shovel, I'm filling up those old post holes! by Kate Gibblin katyg.1 @ juno.com (You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know what you think of their story, just remember to remove the space before and after the @ symbol. The space is placed in the address to protect our writers from viruses and email harvesting programs. Have a comment on today's story? Send it to: moderator@write2theheart.com) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Kate Gibblin lives near Stillwater, Oklahoma and works as a veterinary assistant in a mixed animal practice. -------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------- Letters From Our Readers -------------------------------------------------------------- Cheryl....what a lovely story of you and your husband! It is those type moments that tend to make the left open drawers and cabinet doors and other male irritating patter seem less stressful! :o) Betty King www.betty.newsmoose.com *** Cheryl, It was a delight to read one of your stories today. I loved "Dancing in the Moonlight." It is another way of saying that we need to "Stop and "Smell the Roses." Have a blessed Valentine's Day! Annettee *** Dear Cheryl What a great remembrance, and an inspiring last paragraph! We have had precious moments like yours. Rose Marie and Paul Leadem P.S. Hmmm. I think David is having a "mid-life crisis" with the motorcycle bit. I enjoyed Cheryl's Corner also. --------------------------------------------------------------- Military Prayer Reminder --------------------------------------------------------------- As you read over this list of names, please take that moment to pray for these young people and their families: Chris Speir, Tim Speir, Howard, Alan and Thaddeaus. If you have loved ones in the military, or who are being called to go overseas, send their names (first and last or first only) to be included in our prayer reminder. --------------------------------------------------------------- Cheryl's Corner Why is it when you decide to watch what you eat, you want to eat everything in sight? And crave everything that isn't? I guess I should never make dietary changes around any holiday that involves food. The only two I can think of that don't involve food or sweet treats is Ground Hogs day and Presidents Day. I really wouldn't mind a cherry pie for Presidents Day. Warm. with ice-cream. God Bless, Cheryl ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- © 2003 Write 2 the Heart Nothing may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual author or copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors.