Inside the Bronze Antler Bed and Breakfast

Who is Inside the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast

There are four of us in addition to Heather that keep the Bronze Antler Bed and Breakfast up and running strong.

Bill, Heather's husband, is the primary chef and logistician plus all around handyman. Bill is a Rotarian and is president-elect fof the Wallowa County Rotary Club #317 (District 5100) for 2009.

Joanna is our stalwart housekeeper--she who keeps everything lovely in the bed and breakfast.

Tiffany is Joanna's daughter and helps out with the housekeeping when she can. She's a sophomore at Joseph High School and hopes to go to Japan next year as part of the Rotary International Youth Exchange Program.

Madigan, our resident feline, has her own opinions about how the Bronze Antler should be run. She drops in her comments on life, guests, the weather, and what it's like to be a bed and breakfast cat.

You'll see comments from each of them listed with "___sends:"
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Bill sends:

My contribution to the bed and breakfast revolves around the kitchen. Heather & I assess the upcoming week's menu, taking into consideration guests with specific food allergies, religious restrictions or preferences. We serve breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. to give the early-birds a jump on the day. Those that want to snooze to the last minute can do that too. We usually alternate our menu from savory dishes to sweet dishes.

I am surprised at the number of people who typically start the day with little or no breakfast. But here at the Bronze Antler, I try to give them a full, balanced and tasty experience.
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Joanna sends:

My name is Joanna and I have lived in Wallowa County for 6 years. I have lived all the way from the base of Chief Joseph Mountain to the Imnaha Canyon where I live now. I enjoy an orchard with Pears, Apples, Cherries, Plums and Apricots. I also enjoy a healthy Vegetable Garden every year and my Berry and Flower beds grow bigger each year.

The Imnaha Canyon has many species of wildlife including Bears, Cougars, Coyotes, Turkeys, Deer, Elk and Big Horn Sheep for starters. The Imnaha River usually has 2 Steelhead seasons a year and this year, 2008, had a very good salmon season.

I am happily married to an avid hunter and fisherman. I have a 16-year old daughter who is preparing to go to Japan for her Junior year of school and a 13-year old son who plays defensive nose tackle on the Joseph Oregon Junior High School Football team.

I shot my first Buck Deer this year. A non-typical 3x4 with double eye guards. He was HUGE!! I will be back out hunting with my son at the end of November, trying to bring home a Cow Elk.

I have worked at the Bronze Antler Bed and Breakfast for 4 years. I have been through interesting upgrades to the rooms and the entire construction of the newest add-ons, the Mirror Lake Suiteand the new private den. Bill and Heather have proven to be fun and relaxed innkeepers and employers.
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Tiffany sends:

Hey everyone. My name is Tiffany and I've lived with my Mom in Wallowa County for two years. I am in the 10th grade in Joseph High School and am looking forward to going to Japan in August for Rotary Exchange.

I am currently going into Softball this spring and am making a 4.0 GPA. I've been going to school in Joseph Oregon for almost two years and have made many good friends. I am also currently taking AP classes, Algebra 2 and advanced Art.

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Madigan sends:

Every bed and breakfast ought to have a cat and I'm the cat-in-charge around here. So what that I'm the only cat. Everyone does my bidding, especially the two that live here full-time.

She prepares my breakfast, then I spend the morning on the back of the couch. Later, I'll move to my bed for a late-morning to mid-afternoon nap. It's so tiring supervising this place! In the evening, I'll be back on my couch on the cushion. Unless, there's a guest in the way, then I'll scowl and make smart remarks until they leave.

I enjoy surfing the Internet (I watch over her shoulder). I'm also thinking about a literary career but haven't pursued it yet. Something about opposable thumbs and keyboards that just doesn't work that well.

Hiking in the Wallowa Mountains

Saturday, July 30, 2011 by Inside the Bronze Antler

Maxwell Lake in the High Wallowa Mountains from the Lostine River Road. This year Maxwell Lake was still snowed in during July.

Summer 2011 is going down as the year of late hiking in the Wallowa Mountains. Seems like the late snows are affecting quite a few of the trails. Last week one of our guests changed her plans about hiking to Ice Lake because the bridge was removed and the Wallowa River is too high for comfortable fording. The week before that some of our guests hiked to Maxwell Lake, only to discover that it's still snowed in--and it's almost August!

I was reminded of this when I read this article at the East Oregonian website earlier today:

Posted: Saturday, July 30, 2011 12:05 am

Some Wallowa-Whitman Forest trails unpassable

BAKER — Downed trees block many trails in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest because of last’s year’s heavy snowfall and strong winds.

Forest trail crews and volunteers are working in priority areas but late snow and high creek crossings have made some trails difficult to access.

Several lower elevation trails in the Wallowa Mountains are open and have been cleared. Within the Lostine River corridor, Bowman trail 1651 to John Henry Lake and trail 1674 to Maxwell Lake are clear. The South Fork Imnaha trail 1816 has been cleared to the junction with the North Fork Imnaha trail 1814 and the West Fork Wallowa River trail 1820 is open to Six Mile meadow.

Many lower elevation trails in the Elkhorn Mountains are now free of snow, however blow-down from winter storms remains on several trails.

Visitors should use caution while traveling on unmaintained trails. Many high lakes are partially frozen and several trails remain snow-covered.

To check the most up-to-date trail conditions, visit the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman.

—Erin Mills

If you're thinking about coming out to Wallowa Lake or Joseph Oregon for hiking in the Wallowas there are still plenty of places to hike. We keep trail maps, hiking guides, etc. for our Joseph Oregon bed and breakfast guests. And hopefully you won't need any snowshoes this summer!

Lazuli Bunting Makes His Appearance in Eastern Oregon

Sunday, June 19, 2011 by Inside the Bronze Antler

Lazuli Bunting image copyrighted by Tom Munson as seen on the Idaho Fish & Game website

I have to say that I saw the bird before she did. Here we are in mid-June and we saw our first male Lazuli Bunting at the feeder. Haven't seen any females yet but they're not as dramatic as the males.

This is our first sighting of this bird since we started keeping track of what birds are coming to the feeder. He seems to prefer the cracked corn mix to the sunflower seeds.

What a gorgeous blue color against the backdrop of snow on the Wallowa Mountains!

If part of your romantic getaway Oregon style includes birdwatching, swing by and check out this Lazuli Bunting. Of course, we don't know how often he'll be here, but there are plenty of birds to see in Joseph Oregon and at Wallowa Lake.

Lower Imnaha River in Winter not far from our Joseph Oregon Bed and Breakfast

Wednesday, January 5, 2011 by Inside the Bronze Antler

No guests on the afternoon of January 2, 2011, so Heather & I took off for a lower elevation hike along the Imnaha River. We hoped to get to the confluence of the Imnaha and the Snake River in Hells Canyon, but got too late of a start (we did serve breakfast this morning).

If you're here for an Eastern Oregon vacation in winter and are tired of snow, then the drive down through Imnaha and on the Dug Bar Road leading to the trailhead at Cow Creek is pretty refreshing. Plenty of wildlife. We saw this eagle all plumped up keeping his toes warm--kinda like a penguin. Not a bad idea as it was below freezing!

Heather shot a little video about two miles short of the confluence.

'Course if you want to visit this place, you'd best have a truck or other kind of vehicle with heavier tires and higher clearance. As nice as they are on the open road, this is not the place for a Prius or a Mini Cooper!

Stop in at our Joseph Oregon bed and breakfast and we'll tell you all about it and even send you out with a map so we'll see you again.

Joseph Oregon for Thanksgiving?

Saturday, November 20, 2010 by Inside the Bronze Antler

How about Joseph Oregon for Thanksgiving? Here at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast we're planning a Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings on Thursday afternoon. Featured will be heirloom turkeys from Hidden Springs Farm here in our own Wallowa County.

There are four seats left at the dinner table and two rooms available at the inn. You have your choice of the Chief Joseph Mountain Room or the Mirror Lake Suite. Both have stunning south-facing views towards snow-covered Chief Joseph Mountain and the Eagle Cap Wilderness. With our recent snowfall and winter-like temperatures, you'll get a taste of winter in the Wallowas ahead of schedule.

We haven't set a price yet for dinner but it will be reasonable. Pacific Northwest wines are available in our cellar or bring your own (and no corkage fee).

Plus, you'll be positioned for starting your holiday shopping on Friday with Jingle through Joseph events at various downtown Joseph Oregon shops and boutiques!

Skip the Joseph Oregon hotels (there aren't any anyway) and stay with us at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast.

Observing Literacy in April

Monday, May 3, 2010 by Inside the Bronze Antler

Madigan sends:

Okay, need to get back on my Observing Literacy project. I observe what books people are reading here at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast and tell you about it. What a cush job for a bed & breakfast cat.

A few days ago we had these guests. She said she's an author an' left us some of her books. The Losses of Our Lives: The Sacred Gifts of Renewal in Everyday Loss by Dr. Nancy Copeland-Payton. She was a pretty nice lady--got a neat website too--www.spiritlistening.com. She and her husband went hiking or snowshoeing almost every day they were here. I especially liked her laugh.

They were reading a few books too. The ones I got to see were:

The Awakened Heart: Opening Yourself to the Love You Need by Gerald G. May, MD

Hot, Flat and Crowded: Why We Need A Green Revolution and How It Can Renew America by Thomas L. Friedman (updated & expanded)

I promise promise promise to write more about the books our guests are reading!

Terminal Gravity Beer Tasting Workshop!

Friday, April 23, 2010 by Inside the Bronze Antler

Terminal Gravity Brewing near Joseph Oregon

Good beer? Bad beer? Is it just the taste or are there other things you should be looking for? Terminal Gravity Brewing is putting on a beer tasting workshop. Tuesday, April 27th, 5:15 p.m. in the pub. If you work at Terminal Gravity it's free. All the rest of us pay $15 each. If you want more information, call Steve or Shelley at TG at (541) 426-0158.

Many of us grew up with only one beer. Growing up in the Tri-Cities, mine was Olympia (mainly because of the labels--four dots. Need I say more?)

The workshop allows you to "learn sensory evaluation techniques and common off flavors of beer." They don't want you wearing perfumes, or smoking, or eating or drinking before the workshop. Might interfere.

We like to find things for our guests to do that are unusual. We found out about this one when we stopped in for dinner this week. Won't find it on the Terminal Gravity website. This workshop is certainly one of them. We still have a couple of rooms at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast. Yea, we know it's the middle of the week. And you'll have to drive yourself. No taxis in Wallowa County. But Joseph Oregon isn't far from Enterprise. And we'll fix you a nice breakfast in the morning.

New Toy for the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast chef

Sunday, March 7, 2010 by Inside the Bronze Antler

Everyone deserves a new toy every now and than. Thursday, March 4, 2010, was an exciting day at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast. The bed and breakfast Executive Chef and co-owner (that's me) was the happy recipient of a new GE dual-fuel range.

See, Joseph Oregon is not anywhere close to natural gas lines. That's one of the reasons we decided to open our Hells Canyon Byway lodging way out here where we're somewhat remote from things like natural gas. I've been wanting a gas range ever since we opened the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast and it's only taken me 10 years to get it!

It might not excite you, but the beauty of this baby is that is has a gas top and two electric ovens--the best of both worlds. And it fit in the bed and breakfast kitchen without getting out my Sawzall!

Having the ability to quickly control the temperature on the range with the gas is awesome! I tried it out Thursday night with lamb chops. They were seasoned only with salt and pepper and seared in the skillet, then rested in the oven while I made a reduction sauce. I sweated some shallots and threw in some small crimini mushrooms with a little butter, and added a cup and a half of exquisite $3.95/bottle Merlot. Once the liquid reduced to about half, I added a couple of tablespoons of butter.

While the sauce was reducing, I boiled up a big pot of water and cooked rice noodles. I then pan-fried them with scallions and tamari.

Heather & I had a very delicious dinner. We were so excited with the new stove that we forgot to take photographs of the stove in action or of our dinner before we ate it.

Now we're ready for the Eastern Oregon vacation season. C'mon guests!

A cheesy blog post from your favorite Joseph Oregon lodging

Monday, January 25, 2010 by Inside the Bronze Antler

Madigan sends:

Okay, this is just too cheesy not to blog about. it's not just mice that love cheese. Everyone knows that dogs (ugh) love cheese. And cats love it too. She was on my couch again this morning watching a video about Tillamook cheese--that got me interested. Looks like they're takin' these funny little chopped up VW buses an' dressed 'em up like Baby Loaf Tillamook an' they're drivin' them around the country getting people to sample Tillamook cheese. Something about a "Loaf Love Tour"--I dunno. I'm just a bed and breakfast cat. But I know what I like.

Now, if'n you came to your favorite Joseph Oregon lodging, you might even get some of this cheese. He uses Tillamook cheese around here all the time. He even blogged about it--bragging on his hash browns. If'n you stay here at our Joseph Oregon bed and breakfast he'll probably put Tillamook cheese in your omlette. He might sprinkle Tillamook cheese on your pear or mix it in your hash brown bake.

An' the best part, he might just leave a little Tillamook cheese out for his favorite bed and breakfast cat when he's all through! I love the stuff!

Slow guest days and maintenance on the private baths

Saturday, January 23, 2010 by Inside the Bronze Antler

Sawtooth Mountain Room at our Joseph Oregon bed and breakfast. The window looks north towards downtown and towards Enterprise. All our upstairs private baths include pedestal sink, Toto toilet and bidet, and a deeper style bath tub with shower fixture.

Bill writes:

Slow guest days gives me an opportunity to do a little maintenance in the private baths of our Joseph bed and breakfast. Today's mssion was to replace a ceramic cartridge that was causing a leaky faucet. An easy job for a professional plumber.

After I enlisted Heather's aid, it only took us only an hour. Heather hanging on one end with a wrench and me applying a little muscle. What a sight. . .

While up close and personal with the sink, I noticed that it's time to replace the sink caulk. I decided, "Why not replace the caulk on all three sinks in the upstairs guestrooms?" Another simple job that only took two hours, and I only have a "little" repair work to do after one of my tools slipped. . .

Keeping up on maintenance in the guestrooms is an ongoing effort. It's a lot harder in the summer when our bed & breakfast is so busy. During the winter, I have the time to make a permanent repair.

After nine years, I'm very pleased with how well the rooms appear. It's a compliment to our guests and our housekeepers, and the contractors who renovated this old bungalow nine years ago.

Observing Literacy at our Joseph Oregon Bed and Breakfast

Monday, January 18, 2010 by Inside the Bronze Antler

Madigan sends:

So, last year I resolved to start an Observing Literacy Program and wrote about the books I observed our bed and breakfast guests reading while staying here at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast. It was such a success that I decided to continue it for 2010.

Recent books:

Thousand Mile Song: Whale Music in a Sea of Sound by David Rothenberg
Many World in One by Alex Vilenkin
Conscious Dreaming: A Spiritual Path for Everyday Life by Robert Moss
You Know Your Way Home by Suzanne Jauchins

We're off to a slow start, but that's what always happens in January and February. I know by this summer I'll have so many bed and breakfast guests reading books that I won't be able to keep up. So mebbe May & June, or September & October would be best. Some guests in the house, but not so many that I get overwhelmed. There's only so much observing literacy that a bed and breakfast cat can do!

Guests at our Joseph Oregon Bed and Breakfast

Friday, January 15, 2010 by Inside the Bronze Antler

Madigan sends:

Madigan, official bed and breakfast cat at the Bronze Antler B&B in Joseph OR

Well, it's hard to predict just when people are going to show up at the door. But last night we had guests at our Joseph bed and breakfast. They weren't here for the Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race (currently underway). They were just looking for a nice place to stay and get out of the cold.

They really liked me. How can you not like a bed and breakfast cat? They have cats of their own at home. I let them scratch under my chin, and she told them if they were to stick a finger in my ear and rub I'd be their friend forever. How does she know that?

So, I heard that they're opening a new company in Tigard, Oregon (near Portland). It's called "Denture Design" and features "Dentures with a European Touch"--I guess they'd know. The she-guest said she's from Prague in the Czech Republic. I don't think I'll ever need dentures myself, but they say that people that have them need a place to get them serviced. Or even fixed if the dog gets hold of them (yuck!).

So, if you're in Tigard, stop in and say hello. The grand opening of Denture Design is Saturday, January 23, 2010. They said they'll have all sorts of goodies at the grand opening. You'll find them at 13075 SW Pacific Highway in Tigard. Or call Darrell at 503-443-2325 for directions. Or email Gita at denturedesign@gmail.com Hey, they're nice people. They like cats!

Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race in Joseph OR, Jan 13-16, 2010

Monday, January 4, 2010 by Inside the Bronze Antler

Rick Katucki starts at the Eagle Cap Extreme 2009

Madigan sends:

Time for another Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race update. (You understand that a bed and breakfast cat is reluctant to report on these things. . .)

Looks like 12 teams are entered for this Eastern Oregon annual event. The fun starts with veterinary checks on Wednesday, January 13th. The race itself starts on Thursday, January 14th, near Joseph Oregon (probably at Ferguson Ridge Ski Area, weather depending). And the awards banquet and Musher's Ball will be Saturday, January 16th at the Joseph Oregon Community Center.

We'll be hosting one of the out of town staff people at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast. It's a little thing, but it's how we can show our support for this event. And any other guests are going to be able to bend the staffer's ear (so to speak) and learn more about sled dog racing. Last year we had the trail boss with us. Maybe we'll have him again this year, who knows?

Plan your Joseph Oregon vacation for the snow season and join us for the dogs (ugh!). We'll be happy to see you!

Innkeepers searching for Minnie & Mickey

Tuesday, December 1, 2009 by Inside the Bronze Antler

grandkids getting ready for Disneyworld!

For a short time in December, the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast staff will become innkeepers searching for Minnie & Mickey. We're going to Orlando for a family reunion and get a dose of grandkids like the two pictured here.

Madigan's staying home, but she not very fond of cooking breakfast for guests, so we decided to give her some time off too. We just don't think she'd do complete justice to our Joseph Oregon bed and breakfast. Tuna in the morning can be difficult to stomach!

If you're planning your romantic getaway Oregon style to the far reaches of northeastern Oregon, hold that thought until the week between Christmas and New Years!

Rest and Relaxation at our Joseph Oregon Bed and Breakfast

Sunday, November 22, 2009 by Inside the Bronze Antler

Madigan sends:

Okay already. So I'm a slug and a cat at the same time. My observing literacy project at our Joseph Oregon bed and breakfast has taken a downturn. I've been lazy.

But this week made up for it. We had a guest who came here by herself for a little eastern Oregon vacation--'said it was more for rest and relaxation. She has a very busy professional life and needed some time to get away from it all, read a book, take a walk, and slow down for a little while.

She didn't even bring a computer with her! But she did bring a couple of books. The first one was one in the Twlight sequel. I approved of her reading something totally entertaining. She said she wanted to see it before the movie. Then she switched to

something that would help her out as a small business owner, the E-Myth Revisited.

Now, that's a book I could get into, although all the blood 'n' stuff in Twilight looked pretty good too. Can't be picky about what the guest reads sitting on the couch.

She said she had a good week. Got plenty of rest. Lots of relaxation. And she's thinkin' she might want to keep our little Joseph Oregon lodging as a secret getaway for herself. More people should have the same idea!

Literary Events in September in Wallowa County Oregon

Monday, August 31, 2009 by Inside the Bronze Antler

Madigan sends:

Literary events in September in Wallowa County Oregon? Geez, an' I thought I had the corner on the literary end of Wallowa County with my Observing Literacy program here at the bed and breakfast.

But she was surfing on my couch today an' reading her email, and read this from Rick Bombaci, the director at Fishtrap:

"While I was 40 miles north of town, dancing under the moon, those storm clouds were pummeling Enterprise with hail. But locals shouldn’t complain. In 1903, a hailstorm led to a flood which devastated the town of Heppner, Oregon, killing one out of five residents. Join us as former journalist Joann Byrd reads from her book, Calamity. Friday, September 25th, 7 pm at Fishtrap. Admission is free.

"And on [Wednesday] September 30, R. Gregory Nokes will read from his book Massacred for Gold, The Chinese in Hells Canyon, the first authoritative account of the long-forgotten 1887 massacre of more than 30 Chinese gold miners in Hells Canyon. Admission is free."

So there's still room at the Bronze Antler Bed and Breakfast if anyone wants to come out and attend these Fishtrap events. I might think 'bout goin' myself if they'd dare let a cat into a Fishtrap (whatever that is). An' the price is right--free!

Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race comes to Joseph Oregon in 2010

Thursday, August 13, 2009 by Inside the Bronze Antler

Madigan sends:

Well, against my better judgement, I have to announce that the Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race will take place next year January 14-16, 2010 (Thursday thru Saturday). The race president just announced the dates on the Eagle Cap Extreme website.

There's a bright side to this--a really cool video shot by Oregon Public Broadcasting's Oregon Field Guild team last January. You can watch it here.

I just cringe at the thought of all those dogs here in Joseph Oregon for the vet checks on Wednesday, Jan 13th. . .too much noise--all those barking, happy mutts!

So our Joseph bed and breakfast guests in January 2010 could have the chance to see the start of the race, or the end, or attend the Mushers Ball. Or they could get really crazy and become a volunteer. Guess they need a lot of folks to put this thing on.

I don't think she's taken any reservations for January yet. If you just have to see the action, the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast in Joseph Oregon might just be the ticket. Give her a call at 866-520-9769. She'll be happy to make your reservation.

Nora The Piano Cat

Friday, July 31, 2009 by Inside the Bronze Antler

Madigan sends:

I have to take a break from my observing literacy program at our bed and breakfast to comment about Nora The Piano Cat. I'm truly impressed by this cat's command of the keyboard. And the composer is so clever to capture her enthusiasm for her instrument.

Gee, if they got a piano for me, we might be able to turn this place into a Wallowa Lake hotel with me in the lobby on the keyboard. . .I could serenade the guests in the afternoon when they first arrive on their Eastern Oregon vacation, or mebbe after coming in from a Wallowa Mountains hike. The possibilities are endless. Nora The Piano Cat is such an inspiration--and a fine keyboardist to boot!

Observing Literacy at our Wallowa Lake lodging in July

Wednesday, July 22, 2009 by Inside the Bronze Antler

Wallowa Lake image courtesy of the Wallowa Land Trust at wallowalandtrust.org

Madigan sends:

So here's a new twist. In the evening the guests took their books out on the porch of our bed and breakfast to read.

Then the next morning they drove to the north end of Wallowa Lake and sat on the picnic benches at the Wallowa County Park so they could read and look at the Wallowa Mountains with the lake in front of them, sorta like this picture.

Then in the afternoon when it got hotter they went to the Wallowa Lake State Park at the south end of the lake where it's a little cooler so they could read their books some more. Have to watch out for the deer at the north end of the lake. If they think you're got food, well, they just get really interested

It was hard keeping up with them, but here's some of what they read:

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Secret Prey by John Sanford

They said they had a good time with all the reading they did. I hope they bring some fresh books when they come back again!

Observing Literacy in July at our Wallowa Lake Lodging

Saturday, July 11, 2009 by Inside the Bronze Antler

Madigan sends:

My observing literacy program has been slowing down a little lately at our Wallowa Lake lodging. I'm not surprised. It's summer and most of the guests at our Joseph bed and breakfast are more interested in getting outside and hiking rather than staying on the porch and reading a book. Last week we even had guests that hiked all the way to Ice Lake and back in just one day!

So here's an abbreviated reading list:

Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating by Mark Bittman

The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid

Loving Frank by Nancy Horan (I saw this one on the porch in June too)

I think food matters. Every morning I start with a little wedge of Iams pate-style chicken or fish (don't care for beef or lamb). I follow that up with just a splash of concentrated Meyerberg goat milk (can you say "goat milk"? Yum!). Then it's off to the bathrooom for a drink of water, a brushing and a treat of hairball remedy.

Time for a snooze, then I'm ready to observe more literacy.

Life doesn't get much better than this!