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Growing a Garden of Friends

While enjoying a great conversation a few days ago, my bestie, CC, and I discussed the blessings found in new friendships. Enjoying a mindful minute, I too time to reflect on our conversation while appreciating how beautifully my friendships have bloomed while continuing to grow. Sometimes, it’s easy to believe these things just happen by themselves. The truth is that great friendships take work.

Communication is key to any successful relationship. When I first met HHH, we both agreed that honest and continual communication would be the cornerstone to our marriage. Speaking and listening are both necessary to nourish any deep relationship. While enjoying our first year of marriage, we continue to learn about each other through healthy conversations.

It’s also important to make time for those you love. Thinking back to my childhood, I remember days when neighbors would stop by just to say “Hello”. My dad would actually stop working to sit under the Mulberry tree a spell. Mom would bring out fresh lemonade and cookies, while kids were expected to be seen and not heard. Country folk know how to enjoy a visit under the tree to discuss the latest crop prices or talk of upcoming weather. Nothing better than making time for a friends!

Here in the desert, surprise visits aren’t something experienced very often. On Sunday, I enjoyed one from a friend who dropped off a gorgeous bouquet of flowers. Such unexpected kindness was special, indeed.

She and I recently found ourselves needing to find forgiveness over a silly misunderstanding. Both being stubborn and silly, we’d been at an arm’s length until she broke the ice. The misunderstanding came about because of texting. It’s my suggestion that no one depends on texting for important things. When did it become too cumbersome to call someone to talk for a minute? Oy. Vey. This crazy world in which we live.

At any rate, with mutual apologies offered and forgiveness accepted, our friendship lives to bloom another day. With continued communication, respect, empathy and flexibility, I see us being friends until we are old and grey.

Oh wait…… we ARE old and grey.

Well, you get the picture.

Remember, true friends love you unconditionally. They are with you without judgement through the ups and downs of life. If you start to derail, they’re confidant enough to help you get back on track. Though you may not always agree, during bad times they’ll have your back. Most importantly, they can be trusted to speak highly of you when you aren’t there to defend yourself.

Yes, friendships in the garden of life are the most beautiful blooms of all. Whatever you do today, take inventory of your own besties and give them a call. It’s been too long.

More tomorrow.

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A Little Kindness Goes a Long Way

Oh, the drama of the world. Somedays it’s best to turn off the outside noise and focus on dust bunnies. Heaven knows, there are plenty multiplying here at Winterpast. I’m not sure why this is such a dusty summer, but it sure it. That’s a great place to turn my attention, away from the drama all over the world.

How I long for the olden days of the 1900’s. We’d wait four years to cheer for our country as American athletes did their best to represent us. Heck, I loved the Olympics so much, I visited Innsbruck, Austria just to see that little Tyrolean Village in the summer of 1977. How disappointed I was to find out it was nothing like the Olympian town I’d witnessed just a few month before on television. I should have known the Olympics were fabricated for television right then.

A couple days ago, an Egyptian Judo expert refused to shake the hand of an Israeli Judo expert. At the Olympics, no less. Really? Where have the simplest acts of kindness gone? Is it just too late? Even at the Olympics??

Random Acts of Kindness are positive actions that changes the givers thinking. A connection to others in a way nothing else is. A simple smile can change someone’s day for the better. I know of someone this happened to.

There is a pleasantly nice woman that works at a local store here in town. She has back issues and it’s apparent she suffers through her work days. Somedays, her employer allows her a chair, while other days, she stands, wincing as she scans codes. She rarely smiles

One day, HHH and I were in buying something. HHH had witnessed something outrageous across the store and made a simple but hilarious comment. What he said wasn’t important. It was that she found it as funny as we did and the three of us broke into laughter. Three strangers sharing a belly laugh. Now, that’s priceless.

Since then, her back doesn’t seem to have improved. However, she always has a broad smile for us when we shop. We, in turn, always try to get in her line. A shared bit of laughter has changed the way we see our time in that store. Hers, too, it seems.

When I came to my little town, without knowing it, I started planting a friendship garden full of strangers I’ve since gotten to know. Their smiles and encouragement bloom year round and for that I’m truly grateful.

Some of the best random acts of kindness are anonymous, spontaneous, and unplanned. When the time is right, you just know.

Pay for something that’s not yours.

Pick up a piece of trash you didn’t drop.

Teach something.

Rescue another living being from a rough situation.

Pay a visit to a shut in, even if only by a phone call.

Carry something heavy for someone else for a little bit.

Write a heart-felt Thank-You note.

All the while, smile, smile, smile. That smile costs nothing and can mean the world to another going through a rough time.

Whatever you do today, think about doing a random act of kindness this week. Just one. Maybe even something secret and anonymous. You will be surprised how it affects your day!

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1/2 Full or 1/2 Empty

AT this very moment is your glass half full or half empty? Your experiences today may depend on that question and how often you choose to see it as full. Every single day, happiness is a choice we all make. Even on the darkest days, you can choose to leave the drapes closed or get up and go with the flow.

Consistently happy people seem to look at situations in life to find the good. In 2020, when grief was new, small miracles lifted my spirits every day. That I could be lifted up was a miracle in itself. Some of those miracles were hard to see at the time. Once I opened my eyes, I saw them surrounding me every day.

Take, for instance, the fact that I moved to a new house and town just 17 days after becoming a widow. Everything I’ve ever read on widowhood would’ve advised against going through a complicated sale and purchase of two properties, and the move that followed. And yet, that was exactly the thing I needed to do. I was blessed things worked out the way they did.

At the time, Covid was new. The quarantine was very real, with almost everyone hunkered down in their homes. For a woman that hadn’t driven in six years, this was golden. I could get in my Barbie Jeep and go.. And, I did, while enjoying the empty roads of the high desert plains of Northwestern Nevada.

During those days of quarantine, I enjoyed a beautiful boat ride by myself on a Lake Tahoe Yacht, the Bleu Wave. I spent nights in several casinos and slept well because there were not many guests to make noise. I ate out often at restaurants that remained open. All the while, I had time to grieve quietly, remembering what I needed to remember and forgetting the parts I chose not to.

It was during those early days I found I’d been ignoring my relationship with God. I fixed that, learning so much during hours of Bible Study. As my soul became stronger, so did earthIy relationships, forming friendships I still rely on today.

Slowly, I found the strength to rid myself of things I’d no longer need. I sold my beloved RV, while accepting I’d never have another. I made myself a beautiful nest in which to heal and did the best I could to provide myself with nourishment each day. I found I love the quiet more than anyone should and became best friends with my God AND my own soul.

So many in life don’t have the ability or will to take a step beyond the date someone dies. For whatever reason, they find themselves lingering in an empty room waiting for some answers. I did that for a time. Then, after finding strength on a mountain top in an early summer wind storm, I finally released my beloved to the universe. By releasing him, I found freedom in my own soul. Life could finally move on.

My glass through the entire process remained overflowing with goodness. With the help of family and friends, growth occurred in spite of the tragedy of cancer. Looking back with a grateful heart, I’m thankful God surrounded me with earthly angels. They all took turns carrying me when I was sure I couldn’t take another step alone.

Was it easy? NOPE. Did I wake up every morning to the question — 1/2 Full or 1/2 Empty? You betcha. Some days, it was just impossible and I’d choose sleep over wakefulness. But, I usually concluded that 1/2 full was better than empty of anything and went on. After awhile, it was just easy to choose happiness, because after everything is said and done, it IS a choice.

Whatever you do today, think about all the wonderful things that’ve happened to you since your loss and be thankful. Life is a series of journeys. Some are just plain great, while others are the most difficult in life. Look for the good in life as you make your way. You’ll be surprised how much beauty surrounds you!!

More tomorrow.

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Choose Today to Begin!

Celebrated each year on July 26, National All or Nothing Day allows people to throw caution to the wind and go for broke. Everyone holds unfulfilled dreams, unmade decisions, or uncompleted plans. On this day, people break free of everything holding them back and Go For Broke!!!

In 2020, I’d never blogged a day in my life. With so much to share, I decided I was ready to publish my thoughts. On one autumn afternoon, I created Grieving Gardener, posting my first blog on September 24. Since then, I’ve never looked back.

Is there room for improvement? Of course. Is every word spelled correctly, or every bit of grammar correct? Nope. But, this much is true. I’ve found the words I’d lost for so long. As each month passes, my writing has improved. I’ll continue to write for the rest of my life. It all started with that first blog so long ago.

Everyone has at least one obstacle they’d like to conquer or overcome. It may be that fear or hesitancy is holding you back. So make today YOUR September 24. Make a plan, take a first step and move towards it.

Whether you make a public announcement, apply for the job you’ve been eying, or mend a fence, sometimes we need to take a different path. While other days on the calendar don’t urge us to make a decision or change, this one does.

So…..

1.Define your goal.

2. Write down the first three steps to move toward that goal.

3. Enlist help from a friend or family member to encourage you. You can even choose a challenge you can do together.

4. Get out there and tackle it!

Some of the biggest changes in our lives start with small steps. Often they are gut-wrenching decisions because we rarely know whether the outcome will be successful. But how will we ever grow if we don’t keeping reaching for those dreams?

Whatever you do today, make a decision. Make a plan. Inform others of your goal. Most importantly, Go For Your Dreams!!!

Have a wonderful weekend. I’ll be back Monday.

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Green Grows the Desert

This week, we’ve been enjoying the best evening thunder and lightning storms since I moved here in 2020. With conditions just right, we’ve had nightly flash flood warnings, along with maps of lightning strikes within miles of Winterpast. The storms should continue through the weekend, with rain pouring out of the sky every evening between 4 and 6 PM.

After long summer days of 100+ degree temperatures, the clouds roll in and the wind begins to howl. A little while later, the water comes down in sheets. Such a beautiful ending to hot summer days, although Oliver and Wookie remain a bit confused. Until now, water usually comes out of the hose or sprinkler system. They’re not so sure about this new arrangement.

With only a few days of evening rain, the desert has again come alive. The sage brush is greening as it sits in puddles of fresh water. Plants that seemed dead on Monday are growing green today. Such an amazing place in which we live.

Flash floods in the desert are a very real threat. When the water comes down so quickly, it has no where to go. Following the terrain of the land, it flows downward towards the big canal running through our town. It matters not if roadways happen to be in the way. It just flows on.

If you live in a desert environment, you probably already know that driving through such an event is not a smart thing to do. A car can begin hydroplaning, causing the driver to lose control.

Hydroplaning can occur when there is very little water on the road. It happens when your tires lose the grip on the roadway, and instead travel on a film of water reducing the ability to steer and brake. Your speed, tire tread, and vehicle weight can contribute to the danger. Never choose to drive through flowing flood waters. Turn around, don’t drown.

While the evening rains continue, the mustangs are coming down from the hills. On our travels during the last two days, we have seen hundreds of horses of all ages. Many foals have been born this spring, hanging out with their bands. Today, we saw our first two mustangs munching on the neighbors lawn.

Normally, the mustangs live high in the surrounding hills. In the spring, they have plenty to eat and drink. As the summer goes on, by August, the food and water are gone and they come begging down to the low lands. It’s then we start to see conflicts between the horses and people.

These horses, although smaller than domestic horses, still weigh approximately 1500 lbs. Hitting something of this size is fatal for motorcycle riders. It can definitely hospitalize or kill the driver or a car or truck, as well. Dark horses on a dark night are nearly impossible to see when driving 65 mph along the worlds loneliest highway, a problem for which there is no easy answer. Horses and motorists don’t mix.

Remember to slow down on wet roads. Avoid using cruise control. Try to go around puddles or standing water. Don’t tailgate, but give yourself plenty of time to stop.

You may have heard of the quick, easy way to check tread depth — just take a penny and place it in one of the tire’s grooves with Abe Lincoln’s head facing the base of the groove. If the tread doesn’t cover any part of Lincoln’s head, the tire is at or below 2/32nd of an inch and should be replaced. Please don’t drive on bald tires.

Most of all, at this time of year, listen for weather updates. If at all possible, choose to stay home. Summer thunderstorms are unpredictable and can be deadly. Yesterday, less than two miles from Winterpast, one person went to heaven, while three others took the earthly route to the hospital. Be careful before, during, and after summer rains.

Whatever you do today, enjoy these summer days. There are just 58 days until the first day of autumn. Summer is indeed a lovely time of year!! Take time to make the best of it!!

More tomorrow.

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Organizing Life

Life can get messy sometimes. There are minor things like October weddings and March cruises far more fascinating than sitting at a desk shredding and filing. As time goes on, the paperwork just stacks up. Two weeks ago, I decided to take the bull by the horns and get organized.

I started with the shredder, getting rid of all documents more than seven years old. It’s so freeing to watch financial papers turn into tiny bits of paper snow flakes. The shredder is a wonderful tool that can make fast work of all kinds of unwanted documents. No need to store box after box of paper when they are way past the expiration date of seven years.

Next, I emptied a wonderful file drawer in my desk. Again, emptying out all the unnecessary documents, I had a clean place to put my important documents.

A few weeks before, I had heard about a great product. The NOKBox. NOK stands for Next-of-Kin. This organization system is designed to ask questions about your home, cars, insurance, health, income, and end of life wishes. I decided on NOKBox Lite. Along with this, I needed a filing crate, fifteen hanging files, 67 file folders, paper, and a printer. Once the necessary items were at hand, I was ready to begin.

The “NOKBox” system came with detailed instructions that make failure impossible. Each section has a checklist detailing what you need. It’s up to you to find, print, and file. As simple as that.

As a retired teacher, organization has always been key to a happy life. It’s frustrating to spend hours looking for a certain document, key, or item. Much easier to have them at your fingertips. With great instructions, I began organizing my life. I’m almost done.

With each new question, I cleaned up details of my life. Many of my accounts were under my old name. I can assure you, Joy Hurt left the building many months ago. It was good to make sure HHH would have access to our accounts, should something happen to me.

Over the last nine months, I have called the utility companies on several occasions to change my name. In this day and age, you would think this would be easy. Nope.

“Oh Yes. Please send an original copy of your original identification along with certified copies of your marriage license. Then, we will forward this to our document specialist who will………” Shred the whole mess. I’m sure of that, because over nine months, the name remained unchanged on three accounts after multiple contacts.

With the NOKBox and new-found patience, I do believe my name is changed on everything. One of the most difficult things associated with getting married in 2023.

The NOKBox took a jumble of paperwork and put it all in a space no bigger than a bankers box of current information. As I went through, I realized I might need to rethink my car insurance, as it’s gotten quite high. It made me reexamine my bank accounts, choosing which ones needed to be closed. With every question, I became more organized, which is a great feeling.

A nice thing about retirement is that the retiree (me) finally has time to do these sorts of things. With everything in order, there’s no need to stress about the “What If’s??” of life, because all the information is organized and ready to go.

Whatever you do today, organize a drawer. When you start, plan to get ride of five things in the drawer. Once you start, you may get rid of ten things. Then, keep going. WE all carry so much extra baggage. Get going! It’s time to purge.

More tomorrow.

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No Tee Time Thanks to Our Bee Hive

It takes a lot for any man to cancel his tee-time with family and friends. That’s just what happened yesterday, as HHH continues to heal from a dozen bee stings. After a very quiet weekend, he continues to heal but it’s slow going.

Saturday morning, I woke up to a very swollen husband. With a sting above the eyebrow, his eye was swollen shut. His biceps resembled PopEye’s. The sting sites itched like crazy. HHH was poisoned with venom.

Oy. Vey.

I asked multiple times if a trip to ER was necessary. Each time the answer was “NO”. I watched his breathing as he napped throughout the day as the swelling stabilized. He’s been one sick husband.

Throughout this ordeal, the thought of living without bees is not yet a consideration. Rule #1 — Always suit up. This rule was ignored during an invasive procedure. The bees did what they do and HHH paid the price. We may change our minds, but for now, the bees stay.

It must be hard for some to understand. The calming affect the bees have on us on most days is amazing. To watch their little society of 50,000 individuals working together for the good is awe inspiring. Right now, they’re struggling a bit to establish themselves, but they haven’t given up. Last Friday, they defended the hive and HHH was in the way.

With home remedies of Advil for the swelling, and Benadryl and Hydrocortisone Cream for the itching, HHH is healing. Days later, he’s still not back to normal, but improves every day.

While couch bound, HHH and I had time to sit and watch the electric changes in our country. If you blink, you might miss something major. With time to really listen to coverage from BOTH the left and right, I realized this.

Over the past eight years, I’ve forgotten what it means to REALLY listen and consider different points of view. A simple-minded person will jump on any band wagon and cheer for the winning team. With blinders on, it’s easy to plant a flag and die on a hill, even if you haven’t heard a word the leader has said.

Same thing when slinging arrows. It’s a mob mentality when people accept rumors as the truth. We are so much better than that.

It should come at no surprise that I live on the right side of politics. I’ve never owned a Nazi flag or a white robe. I collect guns I don’t intend to shoot very often. I love our beautiful country. I want the best for every CITIZEN. The American Dream brought my ancestors from the grips of truly evil dictators. Many of my ancestors were sent to die in the REAL Siberia. I support the idea of MAGA which means Make America Great Again. Right now, America is struggling. We need great new ideas. We’re in trouble.

Just as the angry bees died before they could realize HHH was one of the good guys, many of us have lost relationships without ever listening to a candidate speak for more than a few soundbites. Not good. Any person is much more than some edited clips. There ARE reporters that can cover stories fairly on BOTH sides of the aisle. Again, we just need to flip the channels and take time to listen to what is being said.

I challenge you to find a candidate you really dislike and listen closely to one speech. Just one. From start to finish. Look for signs of Nazi flags or hate speech in the crowd. Look for the tone and cadence of the speaker. Look and judge for yourself. You may find you’ve been sold a bill of goods. While doing this, please remember that NO ONE deserves to be shot by an assassins’ bullet. No One.

This is the most important political season of our lifetime. When you choose your candidates, make sure to listen to words of your leaders carefully. Watch their actions. Consider both sides. Make your best decision based on facts, not personalities. Our country depends on it.

Whatever you do today, enjoy the great outdoors. If you see bees, watch before you run. Run, don’t swat. And follow Rule #1. Always suit up for the job.

More tomorrow.

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Oy. Vey. What A Day!

Over and over and over, again.

This picture detects what I’ll look like when I finally get stung. It hasn’t happened yet, but I can’t say the same for poor HHH. Friday morning was one to forget, and quickly.

The Bee Lady and her fiend, Anti-Mite Man, came for a visit to our hives early Friday morning. Bees these days all suffer from an invasive mite that infects the bees and weakens the hive. Every few weeks during the summer, the Anti-Mite Man comes equipped with oxalic acid gas, which kills the Verona mites and any others hanging about.

Now, bees don’t think kindly to people inserting gas into their hive and then covering the opening with the wet towel for five minutes. Whether or not they remembered this man, I can’t say. All I know is that when the hive was opened, the bees became very unhappy. It could have also been caused by the fact that no smoke was used before opening the hive.

At any rate, I was raking a good distance from the hive when an angry bee tried to sting me. Thank goodness my long hair was in the way and I flew into the house, unscathed. But, HHH had been standing near the hive without his bee-keepers suit. Our usually kind, sweet, and docile bees went for him.

As he was swatting and asking them to back off, he accidentally knocked off one $2500 hearing aide into the tall bushes while making it to the back porch. By that time, he had been stung six times, once in the face above his eye.

After coming in to remove the stingers, HHH again tried to go outside and they were on him again, as he suffered through two more stings. At any point, this situation could’ve become deadly. I was glad the epi-pens were on the counter at the ready. Luckily, there was no immediate reaction.

As our friends were leaving, the bees were still on the attack, getting HHH two more times, at which point his very expensive Maui Jim Sunglasses fell to the pavement and shattered. Repair cost — $100.

Now, I have a very dejected husband with one good ear, no sunglasses, AND the possibility of and episode of anaphylactic shock. We both returned to the house wondering how this happened???? Our bees are so docile, they often settle on our hand and look around before they fly off. Well???? Wild animals are unpredictable. Today wasn’t the day to make them angry.

After going out to breakfast, we both decided it was a day to lay low and hope for a better Saturday. Watching TV while enjoying Chinese food, we were thankful things weren’t worse.

Now, having four younger brothers, he did something silly. He texted them with the news. They all found it very humorous, asking if they could view all existing videos. Somedays, there is no respect in this world. Especially from kid brothers!!!!

Whatever you do today, remember bees aren’t always docile. Even the quiet can become combative if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Bee keeping is a hobby that can kill. Rule #1. When handling bees, suit up. Thank goodness HHH lives on to tell the tale.

More tomorrow.

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The Coolest Early Birds

Even though I haven’t mentioned it in a few days, our desert days remain hot. Not just a little warm, but over the century mark every afternoon. Although I continue to love life here on the high desert plains of Northwestern Nevada, at times I wonder what I was thinking choosing to live in a summer furnace. Sometime before death, HHH and I hope to live somewhere green with constant temperatures of 75 degrees. Not sure when or where that will be, but we can dream.

For now, dealing with the hot weather makes me thankful to be wired as an early bird. Every morning, like clockwork, HHH and I awake before the dogs. By time the coffee finishes brewing, our day has already started with local news.

If you are at all like HHH and I, the news has been fascinating. It seems if you miss an hour, it might take you two more to catch up. Between hype for the Olympics starting next week, and the political news, there is something for everyone. This from a woman that preaches about staying unplugged.

Around 6:30, you’ll find HHH in the back yard doing something. From dead-heading the roses to watering, we are on a mission to finish our chores before it becomes too hot. That’s usually around 11 am.

The afternoons find us working on indoor projects. From fixing a leaky flapper valve on the toilet to organizing our financial affairs, there’s plenty to keep us busy until evening.

Yesterday, while working on Ancestry, (which is eating up more time than I’d like to admit), I found that HHH’s history goes all the way back to days of Lords and Lady’s. My mind is still stuck on the fact that I’m related to someone that was the #1 Bookie on the west coast, living at 2230 Hollyridge Drive (right near the Hollywood) sign in the 1930’s. Looking for more interesting facts, I’ll continue my fascinating journey back to learn more about my past.

Agua Caliente Casino, Resort, and Racetrack

Late afternoons at Winterpast find HHH looking through a large stash of recipes to find just the right meal for dinner. I’m beginning to love “Left-Over’s” nights. HHH is an exceptional cook, along with all his other amazing talents. Some of his best meals are even better the second day.

I doubt I’ll ever be one to burn the candle at both ends. Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise, or so they say. As the summer races by us, I’m trying to squeeze as many hours out of a day as possible.

It’s hard to believe that a year ago, HHH was thinking about proposing. Life has been full of amazing miracles since then. We are so blessed with happiness. Our home is filled with love, as it should be. We both deserve nothing less.

Whatever you do today, think about discovering what goes on outside an hour before sunrise. You might be surprised to find your back yard looks totally different in the early morning hours. There’s always something new to discover!

Have a wonderful weekend. I’ll be back Monday.

It’s going to be a great day!! Stay Calm and Carry On!!!!!
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Something Old

There is nothing better than getting sucked into a great book. As any teacher knows, our bookshelves can become crowded after years of collecting great reads. After many years, its necessary for me to empty some shelves. While doing this, I ran across a couple titles that I must read once more in my lifetime. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is one of those stories.

One of the best things about this book, is that it unfolds in a completely different way than the movie we’ve all seen so many times in our lifetimes. From the opening scene, when Auntie Em runs down the ladder into the storm cellar without Dorothy, new details stand out.

There were enough fantastic details to give the movie makers a place from which to create the magical land of Oz. Every time I see the movie, it’s hard to remember than it was made in 1939. One of the all time greats.

The book explains why each character is seeking help. Of course, the scarecrow needs a brain, the tin-man needs a heart, the lion needs courage, and Dorothy just wants to go home. But the reasons behind their deficits are explained in a little more detail.

That this story was written in 1900 and yet is so readable is a bit surprising.

L. Frank Baum — 1856-1919 —

Lyman Frank Baum wrote about Oz and many other things. A prolific author, in addition to the 14 Oz books, Baum penned 41 other novels (not including four lost, unpublished novels), 83 short stories, over 200 poems, and at least 42 scripts ( according to Wikipedia).

After a lifetime of writing fabulous stories told with descriptive paragraphs creating stunning visual images, Baum suffered a stroke, slipped into a coma. He died the following day at the age of 62. His last words spoken to his wife during a brief period of lucidity: “Now we can cross the Shifting Sands.” In his books, the land of Oz is cut off from the rest of the world by impassable wastelands, including a desert called the Shifting Sands. 

Enjoying this story more than a grown woman should, I suspect I’ll need to read the 39 books that came after this amazing story.

Whatever you do today, consider returning to a favorite book you may have placed on a shelf long ago. Books are a magical carpet ride taking the reader on adventures beyond the normal persons imagination. Please excuse me now, as I don’t want Dorothy and the gang to get too far ahead.

More tomorrow.