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Friday, February 01, 2008

The Muffin Saga, Part VII



Life changed for us in the parsonage after the only residents were Muffin and me. Although I enjoy cooking, much of the joy comes from preparing meals for others. Muffin, with her desire for meat and only meat limited my culinary adventures. I found myself even eating out in restaurants. These were basically limited to luncheon meeting with the county Clergy Association and invitations to dine with parishioners, who seemed concerned about my living and dining alone.

Much too often I would walk across the street in front of the parsonage to the convenience store and purchase “dinner”—always junk food. For example, I developed a craving for Hostess Twinkies and chocolate milk. Add one of the ready made, plastic wrap covered sandwiches they sold at the store, and I had my dinner.

One evening I walked back to the parsonage with a ham and cheese sub and the inevitable Twinkies and chocolate milk. I warmed the sandwich in the microwave, put in on a plate, carried the meal into the living room, placed it on a table beside my recliner, plopped down in the chair, and used to TV remote to locate a program that was the equivalent of the junk food I was about to consume. I was just about to take my first bite of melted cheese on ham when Muffin, who had been beside me throughout the “meal preparation,” ran from the living room to the front door, barking her head off.

Through the years Muffin had become our doorbell and alerted us whenever someone came through the gate into the yard. So I out the sandwich back on the plate and reluctantly left the living and went through the hallway to the door. Through the glass, I could see no one on the porch; I opened the door and went outside. No one was there.

“Dumb dog,” I said as I returned to the living room, “no one’s here.” I sat back down in the recliner and reach for my sandwich. The plate was empty. Then I look at Muffin, who was in her sphinx position a few feet from me. She was looking up at me, with her tongue out and her eyes sparkling. I few inches inform of her was my sandwich with doggy tooth marks on it. I suddenly realized that Muffin had (again) out smarted me. She didn’t touch the sandwich on the floor in front of her until I said, “Go ahead, Muffin, I not going to eat it now.” She then scoffed it up in three bites. It is very humbling to be outsmarted by a dog!

So Muffin and I spent our free time watching TV, listening to music, (me) reading and, of course, taking our walks through town. During that summer we also added rides in the country. That summer my MGB was running, at least briefly. Muffin, who had vomited in our car the day we brought her home from the dog pound, had since developed a tolerance and a love for riding in cars. She loved having the wind blowing in her moppish face. Thus Muffin and I would ride in the sports car with its top down, the airstream ruffling our hair, and the warmth of the sun tanning my skin a deep brown.

By the end of the summer, Muffin and I were preparing to leave the parsonage, which had been out home for eleven years, and move to Louisville, where my (soon to be ex-) wife was attending school.



The Muffin Saga will continue. The previous part may be accessed by clicking below;

The Muffin Saga, Part I

The Muffin Saga, Part II

The Muffin Saga, Part III

The Muffin Saga, Part IV

The MUffin Saga, Part V

THe Muffin Saga, Part VI

20 comments:

  1. I'm hooked on the Muffin saga, can't wait for the next part. Hope your fully recovered from your storm adventure now. Take care Queenie.

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  2. I'm hooked on Muffin sagas, also. What a little buddy she was!

    Twinkies. I confess. I now eat organic, no red meat, no dairy, no wheat. But in junior high, I too was addicted to Twinkies. Twinkies and orange drink for lunch EVERY school day. I think Twinkies have some addictive chemical in them.

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  3. Oh Muffin was a clever one alright! Love the Muffin Sagas. :)

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  4. Let me chime in. I love the whole Muffin saga as well. What a smart and clever dog. And it sounds like a perfect companion as well.

    You know I have had more than my share of twinkies but I can not remember the last time I had one. It has not been any time recent. Now ding dongs I have had more recent but even that was probably over 5 years now.

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  5. Serves you right for not getting Muffin her own sandwich and twinkie (well, sandwich at least).

    :-)

    www.rimshot-online.com/blog
    ~ my new home on the web

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  6. Hey, she waited for you to say okay before she actually ate it, didn't she? Besides, she left the twinkies and chocolate milk for you. That's a true friend !

    Susan

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  7. Not to do with this post, but i would love to hear about a woman, her lover, her husband, a ferry, a bridge and a murdering robber :D

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  8. I must have more Muffin stories soon. I am addicted.

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  9. Muffin rocks! Love the stories and I love the new look! Got the same storm you did the other night...VERY glad you're okay!

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  10. That Muffin was some smart dog! Did she play chess?

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  11. ` I keep being impressed by Muffin's smarts!

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  12. Oh I am enjoying the Muffin stories, Nick. I can imagine her being quite the favourite with your not so fortunate parishioners. Animals can do that, can't they? Break down reserve, give comfort, become ice breakers, etc. I feel you would have been an easy person to talk to, regardless.

    Keep up with the Muffin stories, Nick, they're wonderful.

    And give the Alex rascal and hug from me and Mitzi, one for you, too.

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  13. Hi Nick ~~ Like everyone else, I am enjoying the Muffin stories. Ever thought about putting them into a book? Judging by their reception
    here, a book would probably do well.
    Take care, Regards, Merle.

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  14. I've just caught up on all of this. Muffin sounds like such a perfect dog for kids to grow up with. You are blessed to have had her in your life.

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  15. So Muffin tricked you into going to the door so she could grab your sandwich! She really di9dn’t eat it until you gave her permission? What a clever and polite dog.

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  16. You should've had that Muffin's IQ tested. She's Mensa material, Nick!

    That blue MG is a beauty. I am picturing you and Muffin riding around in it--quite the picture of coolness.

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  17. Ornery little thing- I can see why you like Muffin!

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  18. you should write a book about your life, really interesting read!

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  19. Husband had an MGB! I can picture you both driving along, Muffin with her ears blowing in the wind.

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