What do dogs, health food and beer have in common?
A day in the outside world with son and youngest grandgirl. (Two more grandgirls are also expected here this week).
Dogs, Dogs, Dogs
Knowing how much Bill and I wish for a four-legged friend, our son and grandgirl took us on a dog search at PetSmart in Waynesboro, Virginia. Every Saturday from 10AM to 2:00PM various foster people bring available rescue dogs there for open air viewing and visitations.
How exciting and sometimes sad it was to meet and greet all the homeless canines available. Many were being adopted quickly and of course I fell in love with one.
“Paddy” is a big dog in a 20 pound body – an Aussie/Sheltie mix with the most intelligent adorable face. He seemed as calm as could be in the face of maniacal barking all around him and sat by my feet allowing me to stroke his sweet head.
Even so, I was advised that Australian Shepherds are extremely high energy and difficult and I took the handler at her word. The message was that Paddy needs a young family to take him home and of course he was snatched up immediately.
I still have regrets and miss Paddy even though I only knew him for a few minutes. I hope he is happy in his new digs.
Healthy Eating?
Next Stop: The Cheese Shop in Stuart’s Draft, Virginia. This is where you can get old fashioned candies (healthy?), magnificent cheeses, and all sorts of nuts, jams, jellies, and spices!
The Cheese Shop has been on my favorites list for over 20 years and it just keeps getting better as well as more and more expensive than it was way back then. We wound up with peanut butter pretzel pillows, several varieties of candies like caramel creams, chocolate covered coffee beans, elderberry jam, beef sticks, muenster and farmer cheese, and more!
Bound for Beer
Next was the Devil’s Backbone Outpost for dinner.
It’s a brewery just north of Lexington, Virginia that has recently opened a “kitchen” in addition to their well established beer bar/tap room. A great big dining area was bustling when we arrived and there was even musical entertainment brought in from Lynchburg, Virginia.
We wound up sitting outside with a stellar view of the Blue Ridge Mountains on a cool, delicious evening of beer tasting, happy talk and uniquely tasty grub.
It was a grand day.
And even though we returned home with no dog to cuddle, I am grateful for a grand family, good times, and all that candy on my “no/no” list.
Virginia Views 