STP?

Well, kids, I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not, but I finally relented and had my Xtracycle sent up here (thanks, mom!).

It is a good thing in that I haven't been able to ride for months. Although Leo and I normally bring our bikes with us to Seattle, we had to leave them behind for repairs this trip.

On the other hand, I went to the trouble of having it sent up because our stay here is dragging out to such an inordinate extreme that there seemed no sense in trying to do without the essentials any longer. The downside to having my bike and blender here is that, increasingly, it feels as though we ourselves are being transplanted here.

With the blender here, I have been whipping up organic smoothies to tempt Leo's tummy, and hopefully speed his already breath-taking recovery; and with my bike here I have been thoroughly enjoying ridding the bike trails near Ronald McDonald House. Perhaps Leo and I can use the Xtracycle to blend in with the STP crowd and make our escape back to Portland that way!

Leo's Biscuit Company

Not one to let a little thing like major surgery slow him down,Leo is forging ahead with his plans to launch a dog biscuit company.

Like most kids his age, Leo has tried his hand at selling lemonade, but he quickly lost interest. He isn't passionate about lemons; he is passionate about animals, as am I, which is part of how this pursuit of his has become a family affair.

I previously worked as a veterinary technician and more recently have self employed as and organic baker and caterer, so developing healthy recipes that dogs really like quickly became a family project, and, before his health took a nose dive, we were busily whipping up treats for a small but loyal fallowing.

Leo is no figurehead in this fledgling business, on the contrary, he has a hand in every aspect of the company, from choosing the cookie cutters and packaging to baking the biscuits. All the ingredients are human grade and certified organic.

He tells me that I wouldn't have to return to school if I worked for Leo & Co., and the simple fact is that I cant return to school or work while he is recovering, so look for his taisty treats coming soon, on-line and in stores, and perhaps the kid will be able to keep me in a style to which I would like to become accustomed.