the dog

12 hours later we're still using the name Penny, although since she has NO idea that's her name we can still change it if we come up with something we like more. At the SPCA she was called "Gracie."

We wanted a dog and we were mostly just waiting for our Colorado trip to be over to get one. And then being in Breckenridge, home of some of the coolest and friendliest dogs ever, only added fuel to the fire. We decided we'd go check out the SPCA sometime this week during Matt's lunch break. And that's where we met Gracie/Penny/what have you. She was happy but calm, and when we took her to the private room to get to know her, she played very charmingly with her leash and pranced around. She has a tendency to flop at your feet when you've been stationary for a bit. And her white markings on her black body are quite adorable. Matt was concerned about getting a dog on our first outing, which I understood, but I also recognized that this particular dog met all of my criteria and we didn't need to delay. True, there would have been others. So how did this come about, you might ask? Well, as anyone with whom the topic of dogs had come up will know, getting the house was really just the first step in dog ownership. Matt and I both other dogs out there, but this one was right in front of us, needing a loving home and being so cute besides! So that was it :)


I took Matt back to work and returned to fill out the paperwork. Penny and I loaded up in the car and went to see her new grandparents, Marc and Susan. We hung out with them for a long time, first in the side yard and then in the breakfast area - Penny is not house trained so we were being careful. She was mellow but friendly, and was quite happy to just sit with us. And she was courteous to Murphy. Dad and I went by Cisco to say hi to Tom, Willy, and Erik. Then I took Penny over to meet some more family: John, Susie and Luke. She was well-behaved with them too, although she did want to frolic with Nellie. In the backyard, John pulled some weeds and Pen got them in her mouth and pranced around with them. She also got in their little pond and got a bit wet - yep, I think she's part Lab! They offered to babysit her while I went to Petco to get some supplies. When I returned she was laying at Susie's feet while she did e-mail. What a good dog!


As one might expect, a Penny album has been started on our picture web site.

Big Uncle Cemetery & Colorado

Topic #1: Big Uncle Cemetery

On July 28, Dad and I drove down to Richland Springs, TX to see Big Uncle Cemetery get its very own historical marker. It was also a family reunion of sorts and a board meeting of the Big Uncle Cemetery Association (of which Uncle Mike is treasurer). We met up with the extended family (we're talking like 4th cousins twice removed and stuff) at a restaurant for lunch and conversation. We sat with Uncle Mike and Eve as well as two of Granddaddy Bill's first cousins that he'd played with as a kid. You could see the Hall family resemblance in both of them, and they also happen to be very neat people and extremely intelligent.

After lunch we all headed out to the cemetery, which is tucked away in the middle of ranch land off a dirt road. We mingled and looked at the headstones - I got to see where my great great great great grandparents are buried - and learned how shaving cream and a squeegee can help one see the writing on old, eroded tombstones. Then we had a special little ceremony included boy scouts posting the colors, speeches by several people, and then finally the unveiling of the marker. It's a handsome black and silver historical cemetery marker you encounter as soon as you enter the cemetery. Very cool!

After the unveiling we had snacks and punch provided by a nice little ad hoc committee and talked with people for a while longer. Then Dad and I loaded up with Mike and Eve (they drove us in Mike's big truck from the restaurant). Mike took us back the scenic route where I got to see the 3 Hall Ranch (owned by my great great great great uncles or something along those lines) which was once as large as 40,000 acres. I also got my picture taken under the Hall, TX city sign, which is apparently a Hall family tradition. Then Dad and I cruised back to Dallas.

side note: Penny takes an unwholesome interest in shoes.

Topic #2: Breckenridge, CO

Mom and Dad picked us up at 5AM last Monday (July 30) to drive to Breckenridge. Matt and Dad switched off driving (I offered to help!) and the 14 hours went by very quickly. We got in to town, picked up some groceries and our fishing licenses, and went up the ski side of town to the townhouse Jim Collins was renting. He was waiting on the front porch for us, reading and smoking his pipe =D The house was more than adequate - plenty of space although not as fancy or well decorated as some of the places we'd stayed - and we were all spread out over three floors, which was nice for privacy's sake. We tried to get to bed early.

Tuesday's activity was a fly fishing guided event for M&D and me. Matt tagged along to act as packmule, camera man and fishing caddy. Our guide Kevin took us to the lake just off the main street of Fairplay. Mom had never fly fished before and Dad only once, so they learned about the gear and casting and stuff. We had waders and felt-bottomed boots, which was a first to me, so we could wade out into the lake. We all caught some fish, which were of an impressive size to me, as I was used to fishing in little mountain streams, not lakes.

On Wednesday Matt, Mom and I went on a hike in the mountains above Silverthorne to a place called Willow Falls while Dad golfed with Jim. Our hike was more challenging than we expected because we ended up going down some steep parts on our way to the falls. The hike was well worth it though, because the falls were really pretty. We had lunch by them and then Mom rested her feet while Matt and I climbed up and looked around. There were more pretty falls above, and it's always fun to get off the main trail and explore. Wednesday night we had a date night. Matt and I walked down to town and ate at the Quandary Grill and then walked around town while Mom and Dad ate (turns out at the same place) before catching a ride back to the house with them.

Thursday morning Dad played golf and Mom went to town while Matt and I rented mountain bikes. We started from the shop in town and rode up first through houses and new developments, then through an older mining valley. Our destination was an old mine, and we'd climbed at least a thousand feet by the time we got there. The mine was pretty neat, and the views were great. Especially the ones looking out back at town when it was impressively far away and below! This was my first time really mountain biking. It was hard! Going up in the easiest gear when you feel like you're crawling forward and your thighs are burning...it's challenging! Especially at 10,000 feet of altitude. Also, going down I was pretty nervous. I don't like all the rocks on the trail because they make me afraid I'll hit them and lose control. However, I was going pretty fast by the time we got to the bottom as I grew more familiar with my limitations (which weren't as great as they seemed). We rode back into town and had some crepes at the crepe stand and Mom joined us. We decided we wanted to go back on a second ride after lunch, so after arranging to have Mom pick us up from the store when we were done, we set out. Unfortunately it was sprinkling rain. By the time we were at the top of our road to get onto our trail, it was pouring. By the time we had picked up speed heading downhill and back to the store, it was hailing. We called it a day.

Friday - Dad golfed for the last time with Jim while Mom, Matt and I headed out to fish. We went to a spot that I'd been to with John the last two years which is pretty and has great fishing. Unfortunately, all the rain had turned our stream above the reservoir into quite the roarer and the fishing wasn't good. Also, it was hard to even get to the water because the bushes and grasses we had to go through were totally water-laden and the ground was soaked. So Mom and I were completely dripping in short order. But we did get some good casts in - Mom's turning into quite the caster - and saw some pretty scenery. And had an adventure, which is all one really needs. We met up with the golfing boys for a late lunch and then went home to finish our jigsaw puzzle (you didn't think we'd be in Colorado without doing a puzzle, did you?) Before it got dark, M&D, Matt and I drove up to Boreas Pass and wandered for a while. We were sad we didn't see any wildlife besides two deer, but Matt and I did see some bear poo. Then we got packed up and rolled out of town early on Saturday, making the drive back to Dallas in a new record of 13 hours.

We all had a really good time, and the two days in the car for four days in Colorado were totally worth it. Jim Collins was a fabulous host and it was cool to get to know him better, beyond the occasional encounter in the restaurants.

the colorado post can wait

Maybe tomorrow I'll get to posting about my trip to Big Uncle Cemetery and then Colorado (they were both good)...but tonight I need to introduce you to the newest member of the Hall-Roberts family:She's a three month old lab mix from the SPCA. She came there because her owner had too many animals, and she had to live outside. :( But now she's with us! :) Look at those big puppy paws! We're open to name suggestions. The one we're using right now is from Grandpa John - Penny.

Oh, but I should mention the latest on Murphy: he came home Monday with stitches from his left shoulder all the way down his side, but he's doing really well. Even with all the stitches you can tell he feels so much better. And he's lighter on his feet!

Another Murphy Update

I just got the 48 hour post-surgery Murphy update from Dad. He's doing well but still on IV fluids and antibiotics. Dr. Myers is going to try switching him to oral medicine and see how he does; a good reaction may get him a ticket home for Saturday. We think the condition of the skin around the tumor site is what is making Dr. Myers take the cautious approach, but we're glad Murphy is improving and I hope we'll get him home this weekend!

Our Colorado trip has snuck up on us - we leave on Monday! The plan is an all-day drive Monday, then we'll play in Breckenridge Tuesday-Friday and drive back all day Saturday. But before Colorado, Dad and I are making a day trip to see the Big Uncle Cemetery get its historical marker (the Halls are one of the main families buried there). From the Texas Historical Commission website:

The Big Uncle Association invites you to the Dedication Ceremony for the Texas Historical Commission marker medallion awarded by the State of Texas to the Historic Big Uncle Cemetery of Richland Springs, Texas, presented by the San Saba County Historical Commission. The ceremony will commence at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 28, 2007 under the beautiful oaks of the Big Uncle Cemetery, just off CR 204 northwest of Richland Spring, San Saba County, Texas

So I'm recovered from whatever little bug that made me feel wonky. My indisposition did make me pick up "the Garion" books as Leslie and I call them for some comfort reading though (the five books of the Belgariad by David Eddings). But then, I was past due for my essentially annual reread of my first love in fantasy books. :)

Murphy Update

Murphy had his surgery this morning and it went well. Before the operation he weighed 19 pounds, and three pounds of that was tumor/cyst/whatever nastiness the vet removed. The Murph was up and walking this afternoon, and Dr. Myers is taking him home with him tonight to keep an eye on him and "let him spend time with his sister." Good old Uncle Tony. The main concern, other than the usual post-operative issues, is that Murphy's skin was so stretched out that the stitches might not hold. As of yet, they have been fine and we can sleep easier tonight knowing Murphy is in good hands.

In other news, I'm sick or something and feel like crap. I've just lain around all day...stupid headache ruins my favorite sick activity - reading - so I'm miffed.