Spent Thursday evening delivering phone books again. This was my fourth evening delivering these things door to door, and the fifth for the wife and boys.

The most any other parents have spent on this task is two evenings.

The hotshot who really wanted to do this as a fund-raiser, and then took off for vacation?

One evening.

To top it off, he apparently decided to take over the operation, and sent another family off to deliver books to the northwest edge of town on Tuesday.

We already did those houses, two weeks ago. It's marked on the map.

So they wasted half an evening, a bunch of folks got two phone books, and we can't claim those as deliveries.

Most of the blocks marked off on the map have our name on them.

And we're tired of delivering phone books (although it is good exercise).

Sons and wife's godson are the point of mutiny. They want to leave the rest of town (about a third) for Mr. Vacation. But the contract calls for delivery by Thursday. Doubt if he could make it.

There are good things about delivering phone books to every door in town.

You get to see places you never knew existed. Told the wife to turn down a road by the tracks, and she thought I was crazy. But there were three homes hidden down there. One with a wonderful herb garden in the back. Owner was hand watering her curbing when I walked up, and I complimented her on her garden. She seemed surprised.

But why would anyone who cares enough to grow their own healthy herbs smoke?

Went inside to deliver the books for the Cowboy Bar. One of the town's oldest institutions, and I'd never been inside. No reason to go back.

Took a short-cut through The Keg, and dropped their books off as I passed through. Only second time I've been in that establishment. Hasn't changed much.

Met the fattest heeler I've ever seen. Probably the fattest in the world. Looked like somebody slid a blue heeler inside a pig. Really! The whole chest rolled from side to side like it was wearing a barrel. That heeler was definitely retired.

Also met a really vicious border collie.

Didn't know there even was such a thing, but there is. Sign said "Beware of Dog", and they weren't foolin'. It was hitting the storm door about shoulder high, teeth bared, bouncing and attacking with all the speed and persistence you expect from a border collie.

But ran into at least a half dozen other friendly dogs.

And the people too. I've had several offers to come in for coffee, and one family that offered to share their barbecue. Smelled good, but wife was waiting at the end of the block with more books, so I passed.

Wife and I were getting a little testy with each other. Rather than moving ahead just one block with the vehicle, she repeatedly parked more than a block ahead, or behind me, making me walk twice the distance to refill on books.

Finally got her to do some of the walking, and did the same back to her.

Eldest son got to deliver to his coffee shop, so he was happy. (It's for sale if anybody wants to relocate. He'll provide you with good steady income until fall.)

And before I forget... Congratulations to The Finn and Hooligan!