Miss Hickory's Forever Home

Well, friends....I have things to show you. And to tell you.....First of all, I will now be known as Miss Tina Hickory. My traveling days are behind me now and I am settling into my new home. Remember when Miss Kathie wanted to share with you the reason for the name "Hometown Hittys" (She lost the picture until now)....That is because even tho she doesn't live there anymore, she still loves and remembers her hometown. She lived here in 1951 when this town gained it's fame (most likely the only fame, except for the original "uranium tunnel") for being -53 degrees BELOW zero. Her grandfather had to torch the oil tank to get it back to liquid form. It was so cold that everything seemed totally silent.

And more that you have been waiting for. Miss Tina Hickory with all her wonderful gifts from her traveling hosts. From acorn pie and Ferrero Rocher chocolates, pinny, coverlet, dress and bonnet, bowling game, cute new canisters and lamp, to a bowling set, birdhouse and even an old fashioned wringer washer!!! And I must not forget the nice hat and purse!! Everyone was soooo generous. Miss Hickory, Tiny Tot and the Hometwon Hittys thank you all.

And thanks again to Tina for providing us a fun time. Thanks to Linda too for initiating the project.



Miss Tina, TT and the Hometown Hittys

Miss Hickory's Forever Home

Well, friends....I have things to show you. And to tell you.....First of all, I will now be known as Miss Tina Hickory. My traveling days are behind me now and I am settling into my new home. Remember when Miss Kathie wanted to share with you the reason for the name "Hometown Hittys" (She lost the picture until now)....That is because even tho she doesn't live there anymore, she still loves and remembers her hometown. She lived here in 1951 when this town gained it's fame (most likely the only fame, except for the original "uranium tunnel") for being -53 degrees BELOW zero. Her grandfather had to torch the oil tank to get it back to liquid form. It was so cold that everything seemed totally silent.

And more that you have been waiting for. Miss Tina Hickory with all her wonderful gifts from her traveling hosts. From acorn pie and Ferrero Rocher chocolates, pinny, coverlet, dress and bonnet, bowling game, cute new canisters and lamp, to a bowling set, birdhouse and even an old fashioned wringer washer!!! And I must not forget the nice hat and purse!! Everyone was soooo generous. Miss Hickory, Tiny Tot and the Hometwon Hittys thank you all.

And thanks again to Tina for providing us a fun time. Thanks to Linda too for initiating the project.

Miss Tina, TT and the Hometown Hittys

agility trials---continued

Oh good, today the ground is solid and dry enough to continue with Shelby's trials. We got the gear ready and made a trip over to the dogpark!

Shelby seemed confident as ths walked through this. Deedee has been giving her treats at home for walking thorugh ANYTHING!


We laughed til we cried, with the look Shelby gave us when she saw alllll these hurdles lined up. Though she trembled and whimpered, Deedee coaxed her through. I must admit we all held our breath as she completed these. How proud of her we were!


Here Shelby meets the Lego newsreporter that is covering the event. We'd like to think she made a good impression on him.


She seems to think ramps are fun! Jumping off the other end is another matter, though...


This is the pause mat. We are not sure what it is for, but Shelby was asked to sit VERY still. She accommodated, as well as a Shelby dog can.


The weaving poles seem a bit tricky. There are lots of equipment pieces that make it easier to teach this, but the goal is speed and NOT knocking down the poles. Shelby took her time but did not get a very good speed.


Navigating oh so carefully, Shelby makes it out of the poles with no knock-overs, albeit in poor time. We clapped for her anyway!!




Last but not least, Shelby considers the hoop. Like a pro, she backs up, runs to it and flies like the wind. It was epecially nice seeing her ears flapping in the breeze she created. Good job, girl!




Shelby did not take first place, but took first place, puppy-division. She took it in stride and seemed to want a saltine cracker for her trouble. How we all cheered and hooted! Even the reserved Dr. Isabella hooted. She explained that since she was so close to Shelby, taking all the photos, she lost herself in the emotion of the moment. "Couldn't help myself," she chuckled as Shelby stole a forbidden lick on her face.



The perfect end to a perfect December day in Nappanee. Dr. Isabella takes a family photo at the dogpark, to include of course the now-famous Shelby the Wonderdog. Lil Tot and I enjoyed ourselves immensely.




A huge thank you to all who have hosted me over the past few months. I have seen new things and more importantly, made new and forever friends.
Now I am ready to go HOME.
Blessings to you all,
Miss Hickory and Lil Tot

Hello from Maryann in Nappanee

Hello from Nappanee. It has been a surprise to find that the resident dog, Shelby, has an agility test trial this week and we were able to go to it! The weather gave us a break and while it was nippier than last week, the air has a hint of spring in it----the ladies laugh at me for bundling myself and Lil Tot up, but to us it is still December! Let me tell you about the dogpark and agility trials...


--Lil Tot and I watch as the dogs get acquainted. Shelby is playing around with the first part of the agility test equipment. She doesn't take her work seriously !


--Azure Hollow Ladies watch as the dogs in the park get to smell each other. Not exactly what I would want to do, but it was fun to see their delightful antics. Shelby was most hyper of all.


The rest of the Hollow Ladies look on at the incredible canine crowd. Dr. Isabella was the day's photogprapher, so she isn't in any photos.

We sure enjoyed all of the puppy behavior!--Shelby goes nose to nose with a Shelty. She sure needs to sniff out each dog. As playful as she is, we are not sure that her doggy-manners are "up to snuff."


How proud we were of Shelby when she made it through the tunnel! She looked right proud of herself, too. We sure needed to encourage her to come out!


Shelby investigates the hurdle. She isn't sure about it, but with treats she made it over.

Another hurdle to jump? She seems to be getting the hang of this. She even seems excited to go through the course.

That is all for the day; we had to round up the items as the weather began to threaten. We can come back and finish the trials another day this week.
This has been my first agility trials and we did have fun! Amazing that Lil Tot could fall asleep during it, though, with all the barking and tail-waggin'.
Bye for now,
Miss Hickory
Lil Tot

Dec. 2, 2011 Dear Diary,

This past day has been one full of pleasant things. It started with Hitty Tina and I trekking up to the attic.

There were scores of interesting objects vying for my attention; they all seemd to be bursting with a story of a time long ago. However, Hitty Tina decidedly pulled out a medium box for me and a large trunk for herself which she directed me to take downstairs.
Upon opening them, a vast array of Christmas decorations were presented. They all just about took my breath away.

Then the fun began. I hung the shiny wrath at the door and redecorated the fireplace mantle.

Hitty Tina and I took a short break to admire all the work being done down stairs.
I was very glad to have performed the tasks I did because I am rather feeble-kneed on ladders to hang up ceiling ornaments as Hitty Tina did. She also did a fantastic job of the staircase. I don’t think I could’ve done as well. We hiked ourselves upstairs to swap out an item in my room.
The finished look was marvelous to see. After a short siesta, I had to be on my way to Azure Hollow. The weather can be most unpredictable here. It was a sunny morning, but after I got up I noticed a good foot or so of snow! It definitely caught me off guard, but Hitty Tina arrived with a warm winter coat that fit beautifully. I was very grateful as we said our good-byes.
The snow plow hadn’t been through yet, so they bundled us both up and sent us on our merry way in a sleigh!
I was quite surprised with all the people who came to see me off. Everyone who had a warm coat was there, I think.
I certainly enjoyed a wonderful time and look forward to more fun at my next and last stop, Azure Hollow.
Signing off,
Miss Hickory
and
Lil’ Tot