Das Mutt has been given a smooch in your honor.

A little additon to the Jimmy Carter story: I stand 6 feet tall the last time I bothered to check (although it is possible I may have shrunk an inch or two as I get ready to start year #50 on the planet). The one thing I noticed about our soon-to-be president as I was standing behind him seriously invading his personal space was the fact that the top of his head only came up to my chest!!! (It’s true–they do look taller on TV.)

Something else about the man: Clinton and Bush I are out pounding the pavement to get us to give money for Katrina relief (and before that for those poor unfortunates of the Tsunami). Carter on the other hand, will probably go to the area–and build houses. (Habitat for Humanity is probably already set up in Biloxi as we type.)

Kirk (or “ewcnlqhf” as per the verifcation below the comment box–what’s up with that anyway? I have a tough enough time spelling real words these days!)

ZG - Thanks! I knew that I could depend on you. No, I haven’t started smoking - but a girl’s gotta have some currency.

AFF - Thank you, too. I don’t have a trailer for the cat & that’s kind of a long drive & with the price of fuel & as fast as the D4 goes, well. . . it probably wouldn’t be a good idea. How’s about I come up in the car and we hire some high school kids to clean both our houses while we take a road trip? Except anyone in their right mind would quit once thay saw my place. Oh - then I must be okay - since that’s what I want to do…

Kirk - I didn’t know that there was such a suite. I will have to check it out. Great Carter story - thanks. Pet that Sheba girl for me.

Bonita - I don’t think I’ve ever really had one. Are they sold under the “bon-bon” name?

Bonnie - If your guys are finished - can we convince them to come north for a few days?

L - Yes, the part that was total fabrication was the most fun. Sigh.

Moosekahl - Of course - we may be getting a bon-bon delivery. Can we watch General Hospital there?

When you do the corn chopping pictures be sure and capture the trail of tiny bits of corn from the back door to the Baron’s reliner. Also the seat of the recliner after he crawls off to bed. If the whole crew is eating at your table, you will also want to document the floor under and around it and estimate the tons that will be vacuumed rather than packed! bonnie

When Jimmy Carter came to Billings in the 1976 campaign, he made mention of why he wanted to be president. He said, “When I began my campaign in Warm Springs…” and the crowd in front of the then-EMC Gym fell to the ground in hysterical laughter en masse. (Then Governor Tom Judge whispered in Carter’s ear what was located at our Warm Springs, and Jimmy smiled and said, “I understand.”)

Carter decided to announce on the tarmac at Logan Field that he was in favor of gun control–which should have gotten him the Racicot Suite, not the Oval Office. Ford carried Montana that year. Big. Reagan carried Montana four years later. Bigger. (As Carter was working the crowd at Eastern that day, I found myself literally right behind him. Suffice it to say that several gentlemen in suits and sunglasses were eyeing me very carefully.)

Kirk (still trying to figure sout this “verification” thing–methinks Sheba could handle it better)