Volunteer work at a "No Kill" dog shelter

Today was my first visit to a "No Kill"  shelter, I was there as part of a volunteer group to tear down, clean up and build new kennels. Thankfully it was a great day for working outside. I was surprised to see that all the residents were Pit Bulls or a mix. I can understand them being hard to adopt out. We had a team of 35 people from the college I attend. I was amazed at how well things were organized and how hard every one was working. I had the job of taking pictures until they gave me a shovel and told me to dig weeds. Although most people there had pick up trucks, we were almost swallowed up in the pot holes in the parking lot so, for some reason, they put the girls on filling up the holes with gravel.
We all had a bit of instruction for a burley fellow. He showed us how to effectively toss a  shovel full of gravel into a hole filled with muddy water. Then he handed me a pick ax and taught me how to dig in a pile of gravel properly I was dreaming of being inside washing the dogs dishes. I didn't last long on the chain gang before I started getting dizzy and was off to wash dishes.
All in all, these folks do a wonderful job and you can see they believe strongly in helping these older, abandoned dogs. It is a good cause and a job quickly done with a team of Kingwood College students. I was glad to be a part. Laurie Claire Wells

Houston's Rodeo

Rodeo days in Houston are really big deals. It is quite amazing how the city comes to life in a "cowboy" mode. Starting off with the trail rides converging on Houston and making traffic  come to a standstill while they slowly meander along. to the wonderful chile cook offs. And of course I love all the Country music.
I do miss the times when I would take all my kids and spend all day at the exhibits, eating lunch and then enjoy watching the kids roll down the grass slopes over and over. Now, as they are all grown, when rodeo days come around, I  just get so sentimental.
This year, Violet is participating in the Loan-a-Llama program again. I can't miss that. It's more exciting than the Pig races with all the pigs that have politician's names. I don't know how they get away with that?
Well, rodeos have come a long ways from when I was a kid at the Sutter County Fair Grounds in Yuba City when I would ride my horse all the way to town to participate. I guess it was a 1 woman trail ride. I had my fun and won quite a few small prizes and had my losses as well due to my talented but stubborn horse Ringo.

Diabetes

Well, I am officially diabetic. It's not a shock as my grandmother, mom and sis all have/had the problem. It is new territory and will take some time. Teresa suggested a walk yesterday and we ended up going 8 miles on the new Spring Creek Greenway. It runs right by our house;. which makes it convenient. Jesse Jones Park and Pundt Park now have a paved road joining them. It was a bit busy however as policemen on their 4 wheelers kept zipping by us. I am embarking on a exercise/ diet journey with more gusto.
I welcome any tips.