Gunner

With high temperatures in the 100's this week-I thought it might be a good time to remind everyone that a hot car or truck IS NO PLACE to leave an animal. While there is no specific law making it illegal to leave a pet in a parked car in Texas-there ARE animal cruelty laws that can be applied to cases like this with some pretty steep penalties. Best to use common sense-would YOU want to be left in a locked, parked car with no air on an extremely hot day? NO, you wouldn't. So use your head and don't do it to your dog, either.

FINALLY! It's that time of year again in West Texas. After weeks of temperatures warm enough to be at the pool-the gates are finally unlocked and the pools are OPEN! Just in time to get a small tan on before Memorial Day Weekend and Bar-B-Ques and Pool time. Just a few things to remember, though, with temperatures this week reaching above 100 degrees for highs--to be safe and comfortable:

Supposed to be nice and warm temperature-wise, touching the low 100s (which is fine because many area pools are opening this weekend for the season here). But the big news is the forecast for the wind. Only supposed to get to 9 miles per hour on Saturday, and up to 15 miles per hour on Sunday. THAT means you can light the grill, and set all the condiments outside on the patio table with the paper plates too-and they won't all blow into the neighbor's yard!!! Wind does pick up slightly starting again on Monday-but only into the low 20s as far as wind speeds for the start of the week. Be safe, and enjoy or warm wind-free weekend!

I've driven past this 100 times or more since moving here but never paid that close attention till today when it caught my eye from across the other side of 191 heading toward Loop 250 in Midland. And it struck me as odd, because even though I know who the man on the billboard is because I'm 52-I wondered if anyone here age 35 or under would? I mean, growing up in the '70s and 80's, everyone knew who John Wayne was. "The Duke" starred in so many films, one of which is my favorite western thanks to my Dad passing on his love for it--Rio Bravo. I've even been to the movie set in Tucson Arizona to see where they filmed. But like everything else in life, as time passes and generations move forward-what and who was famous to one, will be replaced by the next in line.

It's getting warm consistently now, and the pool in our subdivision opens this coming weekend. Grilling season is here! And who doesn't love a good burger or hot dog on the grill on a warm weekend afternoon? With all the fixins like ketchup, onion, pickle, tomato, and lettuce... And oh yeah-MUSTARD! But wait--you head to the grocery store to look for good ole yellow mustard--that staple that's always right there on the shelf when you need more and it's GONE. Poof! You can't find it. Went to two different stores near the house and both were OUT. Which is crazy! Why a yellow mustard shortage? I didn't realize there was any kind of threat to production for it till I went looking for it and couldn't find it. The good news is-Dollar General down Big Spring Street happened to have a few bottles, so this weekend's grilling has been saved. But it's still puzzling. What did we miss as far as shortages go? Is there something you love that you haven't been able to find any of lately? Comment below and tell us!

Whether you're bothered by the number 13, the movies with Jason and his Goalie mask, or some of the other superstitions surrounding the day Friday the 13th-here's a look at some things you can put into practice here in Midland Odessa to get ready for tomorrow:

Every day, we go about our daily routine. Make breakfast, and throw away unused ingredients. Have lunch at home, and throw away the paper plate you used so you don't have to add a regular plate to the dishwasher later... Make dinner, load up the trash can with scraps and take it out to the big can so the house doesn't stink. On trash day-set the cans out to be emptied by the Garbage Trucks that swing thru West Texas neighborhoods, ridding us of all the unwanted and unused excess that is our daily existence. HOWEVER-you DO need to be mindful here when you're throwing things away, that some things around the house or job might not be ok to just toss in the trash can. You MAY have to set an appointment for them to be removed, or take them to a recycling or special dumping place, depending on what they are. And if you don't, you could be breaking the law and illegally dumping something you're supposed to be disposing of in a certain manner.

It's not a bad idea to contact your landscaper and make sure the sprinkler system is fine-tuned and programmed correctly so that everything gets the water it needs without bleeding your bank account dry every month. Enjoy your extra warm and dry summer!

Everyone in West Texas LOVES to go out to eat and we needed another classy seafood restaurant with amazing food and drink to add to the list of options here... So along comes Red Crab Bar in Odessa to fill the spot on our list!

Meet Chrome! This sweet guy was adopted from Lone Star when he was a puppy. Chrome was sadly returned because his owner's Son was allergic to him. Although he was initially sad to see his former owner leave, Chrome has adjusted quickly to being back at the Sanctuary. He has two new doggie pals and his tail never stops wagging! Chrome is a four-year-old large Pit Bull Terrier mix. He is the sweetest boy that just loves people! He is good with kids and other dogs. Although he has never met a cat, Chrome has no prey drive and all signs point to him doing well in a household with a cat. He is a timid boy and requires an owner with a gentle touch. Very soft correction is what is needed for this boy. Chrome is not a high-energy dog and would love to be your indoor couch potato! He does love his swimming pool and jumped right in the minute he was put into a yard after arriving at the Sanctuary! Given his size and breed, he can not go to an apartment and his owner must have a fenced-in yard. Chrome's previous adopter said that he is mostly potty trained but did have a few accidents here and there.