Coco Conundrum struggles to free herself from the grasp of Tru!

Rick says we need a family dog. I’m a cat person. I’ve never lived with a dog. Growing up, Rick had dogs. He says every boy should have a dog, and according to him, our son is missing out.

Truman says he doesn’t want a dog until his cats “die and go up to heaven.” He worries dogs would hurt his two cats. Our cats were strays. We’re lucky to actually see them in eyeshot of Truman. They are frightened of him, and yet he adores them. He begs me to catch one so he can hold it. When he does, the cat yowls and threatens to rip him to shreds.

If we got a dog, I would be the primary caregiver. I work from home and would be spending most of the day with the pup. I would have to walk him and feed him and make sure he is potty trained. Since I’m not sure how dogs work, I told Rick I wanted to buy some books and take a class before a dog joined our family. And I gave him a distant deadline – Truman’s 6th birthday. But that deadline is drawing near.

Sweet Little Probie needs a home.

The other day the humane society brought an adorable field-breed golden retriever on Rick’s show. Probie is 13 months old and very mild tempered. And he’s adorable. Rick sent me this TwitPic of him. Over the weekend we went to the shelter and visited Probie. He was very sweet with our little boy and Truman enjoyed playing with him. Since we were about to leave town I suggested we not make any hasty decisions. And so we’re waiting. And waiting. And I suspect someone will snatch up Probie before we are (I am) ready for a dog. Which would probably be a good thing. Still, I’m just not convinced I want a dog. And Truman seems lukewarm.

After a few minutes playing with Probie, Truman’s focus immediately turned to the cats. He was smitten. Unlike our strays back home, the kittens there had been around people since birth. They were rag dolls in my son’s arms. One even purred as he slug it around.

Rick rolled his eyes. He says it’s beginning to look like we may end up with another cat rather than a new dog. I think two cats are plenty for this household. Truman says he wants a kitten. And a lizard and a bluebird and a tree snake and a fish and a mouse.

We’ve got about six months before Truman’s birthday. I’m just not sure… What do you think? Can I grow to love a dog like I love my kitties?

Photo, JWJourney

Post from: Blisstree

Dogs vs. Cats – Which Pet to Get?

Old School Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya from Real Cajun by Donald Link

I think cool, rainy, lazy Sundays call for slow-cooked and fussy meals. Warm, sunny days, of course, demand something grilled. And once Pepper Place farmers market opens here, we’ll have locally grown fresh vegetables all weekend long. (Last year I did a Summer Soup Series with a new vegetable soup each week, like minestrone and gazpacho and a fabulous smoked onion soup. I might have to revive the soup series again this summer.)

3 1/2 hours later - the finished product!

I enjoy making dinner for the family every night. Rick will sometimes take over some or all of the duties. And Truman likes to help, too. But for the most part, I enjoy the boys sitting close and coloring world flags while I chop, sauté, stuff or baste. Rick and I were both raised in homes where our parents actually cooked dinner as opposed to slapping frozen fish sticks on a baking sheet or picking up a sack full of McDonald’s. (Not that they didn’t do that from time to time.) I am still amazed at how many parents dread making dinner. To me, food is art and creating new ways to release its flavors is an expression of love. To share it with others, like love itself, makes it even more meaningful.

NPR food commentator Bonny Wolf said in a recent story that our country’s recession is making home cooking more popular again. “But it won’t be exactly like your grandma’s. There will be slightly more sophisticated twists — artisan cheese mixed in with your mashed potatoes. And things will probably be healthier — less butter, more vegetables,” she said. “This may also bring back, the trend-spotters say, the family dinner, which has been a victim of two-income families and after-school activities for the last few years.”

Looks like for once in my life I’m riding the crest of a trend!

Source: NPR
Photos, JWJourney

Post from: Blisstree

Recession Revives Family Dinner Trend