Patriarch

It’s been a while since I sat down and put out some effort to share my journey with you my faithful fans. 

Father’s day happened recently. This is some human invention to stimulate sales at the local retail stores. The concept is simple enough—to honor the patriarch of the family. Bones pretends to scoff at these events but secretly he loves any chance to get his clan together in the same time and space. This year was especially grand. 

It was kind of a combo deal. We had all been scattered about on Dan’s birthday and Megan’s birthday was coming up so it was a multi-purpose celebration. We all got together in Solvang where Deb and I and Bones live. Meg, Jess and Dan all made the journey up the hill and met us at the field where I go so that Rox and I could blow off some steam.

Oh yea—it  was Roxy’s first visit to the valley and a big deal for me to show her my new stomping grounds. We ran and barked and wrestled and I got to show her one of the spots I go to walk. Afterwards we all got in 2 cars and headed to a restaurant so the silly humans could spend way too much money on food. It is some sort of ritual. Roxy and I could split a dead squirrel and be very content. 

Woo and I rode in Meg’s truck and Dan rode with Deb and Bones.

One year ago on Father’s day the clan minus Deb (who had not become part of this dynamic, yet) were eating in a Santa Barbara restaurant.  Meg reminded bones that at that time I was in his car bleeding from my nose.  I was diagnosed as terminal and not, by any means, a happy boy.

Wow, what a difference a year makes. Sure, Bones got in a brutal wreck and his knee is still frustratingly too weak to surf on. But guess what? The big picture is I am so healthy I am chubby, have the best girlfriend in the world, nd the coolest group of people that love me.

I guess when I think about it, this party was really for me. Who knows? There could be some little Cash’s running around Arizona somewhere. Heck, they didn't mess with my junk until I was 3 or 4 so I sowed a few wild oats.

Of course, don’t forget that Bones also ended up with the coolest girlfriend in the world. I guess from tragedy comes deliverance. 

When we left the restaurant the girls dropped us off on the grass—another of my spots—and Bones and his puppies, Rox and I, walked backed to the house after we did a journey to the creek bed to burn off some more energy.

Later we went to our house. Now, remember this is Roxy’s first visit and we had no idea how she would do with the cats who are now my buddies. Murphy was really funny.  He showed no concern, fear, or aggression. He just kicked back and watched it happen. Purrcy was a different matter. He and Rox did a have a few moments. Rox was intent on getting his goat. JuJu kept her distance and watched the whole scene from her perch. 

Bones got a gift of some 5-finger shoes. He loves them even though they are gay. Not that there is any thing wrong with it. The peeps played a word game and ate pie and ice cream. Bones got a card that all the kids signed with a message from each. He cried but what’s new? He wears his heart on his sleeve.

We all stayed up late and it was hard to watch Rox leave, but I had the best time. 

Deb is really cool to have opened her heart and home to 

the Bones clan and I love her so much for that. The cats were really cool also.

Family matters: Hugs from the valley   Cash Fargo Bellinger