Karma threw two freeway traffic jams (one 10 minute stretch that took over 30 minutes to traverse, the other one caused a side trip through town to avoid) on the drive to the next town over. When I arrived to ask about the dog to foster another family was already with him. I'm sure what clinched it for them was the little girl from the front trotting back to tell them someone else wanted to meet the dog if they didn't want him. . . that's a classic technique to close a sale, if only she knew.

That said, this trip tells me a few things. We're ready to add another dog, and there are other good dogs needing homes in the world. The temperament and age of this one sounded excellent; he was a little bigger than I wanted but we could have lived with that. I realized I don't have enough dog dishes (because Pepper uses two now, one for her dry food and one for the fresh veggies). And it is the holidays, so there is a bit of fuss coming up pretty soon. But come the new year, I'll look more seriously for the right pooch (one that Cookie can play and cuddle with, and that is just a normal dog around Pepper.) This isn't a standard too high to achieve.

I'm addressing the holiday letters and will drop them off at the post office tomorrow. Mailing before xmas is always a goal. Now to do more house organizing and get ready to mail a box on Monday. Since our family gift exchange is delayed a few days, this will be on time even if it isn't there before the 25th.

It is 80^o and sunny this afternoon. It doesn't feel like the holiday season. Yesterday I drove through the neighborhood and realized there were fewer lights than in recent years, so I think people aren't feeling it this year. I think I can add a few more light strings to the display in the yard to up our game a bit. Sometimes that's all it takes to encourage others to join in.