Houston Museum of Natural Science

I am going to start off the blog this morning telling you what we did yesterday and Joey will finish up with his thoughts.

Yesterday, we visited the Houston Museum of Natural Science. It is located near downtown and is about a 45 minute drive from our RV park.  There is a parking garage that is attached.  It is $10 to park.  It was very nice to just park in the garage and walk directly into the museum. We did not have to walk outside.  The museum has various prices.  If you want to see the permanent exhibits, the price is $15.  They have a Titanic exhibit which is $27.  We decided not to see that one since we visited the Titanic Museum in Branson, MO and saw a lot there. Jeff surprised me by adding the butterfly exhibit onto our tour. It was $8 a person.  I thought it was a little pricey when we were already spending $15 a person for the main exhibit, but I did really enjoy it.  You are able to watch butterflies hatch and then walk out into an area where they are flying all over. There is a McDonald's inside the museum which I was very happy about for a few reasons.  1) I have not had McDonald's in eight weeks and I had been wanting it.  2) The food prices were about $.50 more than other McDonald's, so they were not inflated by much.  3) The food was good, unlike the food we had at NASA and McDonald's cost less.

I really was not looking forward to seeing the museum, but we heard many good things about it.  There were things that I enjoyed seeing such as gems, shells, butterflies and I found some of the items from the Arctic and Indians interesting.  Jeff enjoyed the dinosaurs and there were a lot of them, 30 to be exact. I thought we would never get through that exhibit.  It was the size of a football field.

Termite mound.  Jeff said he saw these in St. Thomas

A chart that we were given as we entered the area with the live butterflies.

Waterfall in butterfly area

Ceiling in butterfly area.

One of the many gemstone carvings of Harold Van Pelt

One of the 30 dinosaurs in the Hall of Paleontology

...and another one

Giant Armadillo - supposedly like were quite large at one time.

Largest snail shell in the world

Another view of the shell

More shells

Gold nugget

Another dinosaur as seen from the second floor.

There is a room with jewelry and very large gem stones.  It was dark inside with only lights on the gems and jewelry.  I did not take photos there.

We arrived early around 10 a.m. and left at 2 p.m.  There were large lines to get in as we were leaving, so I am glad we arrived early.

Last night, we decided we wanted Mexican for dinner.  There are many restaurants near us, so I decided to check the reviews. We finally decided on Lupe Tortilla.  The reviews said that they had the best fajitas in Houston and also their tortillas are homemade and paper thin and just the best.  I decided I had to see for myself.  They serve a salsa that is not traditional. I am not quite sure how to describe it. It has tomatoes, onions and maybe a few peppers.  It is not a red base though.  It is clear. They also bring a hot bean type of dip with the tortilla chips.  I really liked both of them.  I ordered the The Original “Beeg Sucker” Burrito Flour tortilla filled con beef, frijoles, covered con chili gravy queso. Served with tomatoes, onions and shredded lettuce. I chose to upgrade it to the fajita beef instead of regular ground beef for $3 more.  It was really good.  I loved the fajita beef and the chili sauce was really good.

Burrito

Jeff ordered the fajitas with chicken, beef and shrimp. He also ordered a side of grilled corn on the cob.  His food took up half the table. I asked him if he thought they were the best fajitas he has ever had and he said they were good, but probably not the best. We have found that in Houston, fajitas are not served with green peppers like we are used to in Missouri. This one had one pepper.  It is interesting to see the differences in food here compared to at home.  Most of the Mexican restaurants here serve two types of salsas with their tortilla chips and I like that. 

My attempt at showing Jeff's food.  It is not all in this photo. 

The hats are the lights.  First time I have seen that.

Here is Joey's report:

I am doing really good wearing my boot!  I love that I can go wherever I want now.  I can walk on the gravel and the asphalt.  It's very likely that the next place we stay at will not have as much grass, so I'm glad I can walk on other surfaces without hopping.  You should have seen me this morning. I walked to the far lake and then we walked all the way to the other end of the park and to the firehouse.

How do I look?  Mama says I look pretty spiffy.

Walking with Dad yesterday.

That's all I have to say today.  Mama seems to have talked enough for both of us.

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Likes Being Booted

I Got The Boot!

Ha ha..... This morning, Mama and Dad measured me for a Thera-paw boot.  They were really confused by the measurements, so they called the company but they are closed until Monday.  Mama started looking for any place in Houston that sells them.  She found that Greyhound Pets of America, Houston carried them. Dad called them to see if they could help us determine the size and they said we were welcome to come by and try them on.  We piled in the car and off we went.  It was an hour drive, of course.  The people were very nice and Mama explained to them my history and my limping. She said that she thought is was a corn, but she couldn't find one.  There was a man there who they said was a greyhound guru who looked at my foot and within 3 seconds, said "Yep, he has a corn."  Can you believe that?  It is really small.  Mama still didn't see it until they pointed it out to her.  She told them how the Previcox had been helping me and she thought that I had arthritis again.  They said it could be, but I definitely have a corn.  Now, I have to get rid of it.  So, for all of you who said "it sounds like a corn",  you were right.  Mama feels really stupid for not being able to see it. She poked, squeezed and rubbed my pads and didn't feel or see it and I never reacted.  I guess we will know for sure once the corn is gone if the arthritis is back.

We have been reading the websites on how to get rid of the corn.  Does anyone have any tips?

I wore my boot tonight and I was allowed to walk on the gravel and the pavement.  I walked pretty good with it.  I feel like a clown though.  I didn't hop.  I walked on my foot.

Oh, I have to tell you what happened on my walk tonight.  Dad told Mama to stop.  He said there is a snake.  She screamed really loud and jumped up in the air.  He then said, "YOU JUST STEPPED ON IT!". She screamed really loud again. There were men outside and they laughed.  It was a non-poisonous one, so it was okay, but you should have heard her screaming.

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Got The Boot

Day 63, Updates Today

We just returned from a walk and we ran into that lady that was supposed to be kicked out because her dog bit the lady. Mama asked her why she was still here and she said she went to pay the rent yesterday (supposed to be her last day here) and she asked the park manager if she could stay if she kept her dogs on leashes.  The park manager said that she must keep the dogs on leashes and if they bite anyone else, she doesn't know the dogs are here.  Mama is disappointed in the park manager.  We felt she was putting herself at risk for letting them stay another week knowing they bit someone and now she is letting them stay for at least another month.  The lady said her husband is only off on Sundays and he didn't feel like moving.  LOL  I guess they don't know how lucky they are that they were not booted out of the park immediately.  The woman that was bit saw them the other day and she was not happy.  The lady with the dogs said she just yelled at her and told her "THEY ARE ON LEASHES!"  The lady told Mama she was on her way to the store for a beer.  It was 8:45 a.m. when she said that.

The elderly couple that we were concerned about because they had not returned home and then we found out that they went to Alaska returned on Wednesday.  They hooked up their car to their Class C and left. They were only in Alaska for a week. We thought they would be gone longer.

Mama received a call yesterday from Greyhound Companions of Missouri.  My medicine is on the way!  Mama is going to work on trying to get the generic.

This piece of art is located near the lake at the far end of the campground.  Mama has been trying to figure out why it was put next to the lake.  Well, about a week or so ago, a new piece was added to it.  It looks like that piece had been buried for a while.  Now it makes sense since it is put next to the lake.

The dish cloths that were made by the Blogsville Ladies Crochet Society have been unveiled. Check them out at Dip-Dip and The Bridge.

These are the ones that Mama made.

This shows that Mama can't follow directions.  She created her own stitch, we think.

This more what is should look like.

This month we are making pot holders.  There is still time to join in on the fun.

We were asked if we got treats from our begging yesterday. Yes, we did. Scout is the one who does most of the work and I just join in at the end.

It's is going to be another hot day, so I am just going to put my feet up and relax.  Have a nice day!

Joey,
The Greyhound  Who Knows How To Relax

I'm A Lucky Dog!

Last night, I fixed Baked Ziti, Caesar Salad and Garlic Bread. Yum! This baked ziti has provolone cheese as well as sour cream.  I normally would just add mozzarella cheese to it, so this was different and it was good.

½ lb dry ziti pasta
½ onion-chopped, ½ lb ground beef chuck
8 oz tomato sauce
4 slices provolone cheese
½ c sour cream
8 oz pkg shredded mozzarella cheese
(Cooking spray, 1 T grated parmesan)

Boil ziti until al dente, 7-8 min. In large skillet brown onion and ground beef. Add tomato sauce, simmer 15 min. Preheat oven to 350˚. Grease an 8x8" baking dish. Layer as follows: ½ of pasta, ½ meat sauce, provolone, sour cream, remaining pasta, remaining meat sauce, mozzarella cheese, and top with grated parmesan. Bake 30 min or until cheese is melted.

Baked Ziti  - look at all that cheese!

Here's Joey:

Why am I a lucky dog? Well, is started about a year ago when I met Teddy Palmer of Halfway Home Greyhound Adoptions.   I knew it was a big day because if she liked me, I was going to find a forever home. I guess I charmed her because she chose me and the next thing I knew, I was on her website and then my future Mama and Dad saw me and in less than a month I was in my new home. Teddy was my first Guardian Angel, but then I found out that everyone at Greyhound Companions of Missouri are my Guardian Angels.  They made sure I got the best care possible when I needed the surgeries on my leg.  They sent me a soft crate and an x-pen to use while I healed.  They were there for me and Mama the entire time.  They are still there for us even though we are miles from home. They read my blog and read what happened with my medicine and they are trying to come up with a better solution for us.  Mama was able to cancel the order she had placed because it had not yet been approved by the vet.  It sure is nice to have Guardian Angels.  Mama says she can't imagine a better group.  She knows that other groups don't do nearly as much.  You are never alone if you adopt from Greyhound Companions. They are always there to answer questions and support you, if you need it. Mama says we can never repay them for all they have done to help me.   If you click on their link, you will see photos of me and Scout.  Jack's photo still pops up from time to time.

Mama checked me again for corns.  She hasn't found any.  She has poked me, squeezed me and examined me.  She did order us some Glucosamine from Greyhound Gang.  She has heard good things about that company.  Thanks for all your comments and suggestions.  Hopefully, I am on back on the right track.

Mama, I want a treat!

Handle over the treats, woman!

Come on, you know you want to.

My charm works on Mama, too.

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Has Guardian Angels Here On Earth

Day 61 - 105 - A New Record

We set a new record high for June 26.  It was 105. It was 97 by 11 a.m.  Mama had to check that on two sources because she didn't think that could be true.  Our air conditioners ran non-stop and were only able to keep it around 82-84 in here.  We have a fan that we use and that made it okay.  We didn't have the awning out yesterday due to possible storms. It does make a difference having it out, so even though there is a small chance of storms today, we have it out.  Mama will just have to take it down if storms pop up.  It was 99 at 8 p.m. The air was so still, so it was very stuffy.  Our living room air conditioner finally took a break around 9 p.m.  It's hot all over, so we are not complaining.  We are just reporting the conditions here.  LOL

Joey's unique sleeping position

Mama will not be doing her Emeals report today.  She did fix dinner last night, but she didn't eat it and she forgot to take pictures. She was very upset with my vet (surgeon).  He called last night at dinner time and she told him how the Previcox seems to be working. She had talked to him last week and he said he would give me a generic which is $4 for a 30 day supply.  Last night, he said I should just stay on the Previcox since that is working. Why mess with what is working?  Well, the Previcox is $75.  My budget for food, bones and toys is $75 a month.  Ack!  He told Mama that she can order it from the company that he gets it from and it is cheaper than online.  It is not.  It is $20 more.  He told Mama she could go to a vet here and he would send them a prescription.  She called two vets and they both refused to do that. Mama was crying when Dad came home. Dad told her she is silly for getting so upset, but she has been so worried about me and now the medicine is going to be $71 more than she expected. Dad told her to call Scout's vet.  He has only seen me once.  Mama said doesn't know if he will prescribe anything without see me.  He is very budget conscience though and she will take me to see him when we get back home.  She didn't want to push the other vet into giving me a generic if he didn't want to because he must have his reasons, right?  It is a human drug, but she knows several greyhounds that take it. She finally placed an order online, but the vet will have to approve that before it can be mailed to us. She ordered a 60 day supply in hopes that it lasts much longer than that and we will be back home when it's time to refill it.  She hopes it all goes smoothly.  If it doesn't, she will just take me to a vet here and hope they work with us.  It would have been so much easier to have the generic ordered at Walgreens.

Mama is going to check for corns again on my foot. She has looked at it so many times, but will check it out again.  Wouldn't it be something if it is not arthritis?   I am walking on the pavement now with just a hop or two and if I see a cat in my path, I walk really well.

Scout says it is so hot that her tongue has dried out.  LOL

Yep, that tongue is definitely dried out.

 It's going to be another day of just laying under the air conditioning vent today.  It's very hot at home today, too.

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Is Petitioning To Have His Budget Increased