Well, we're back, and vacation sure is over! Nothing left of Christmas but the laundry and unpacking (but Boomer's getting around to that). Our ferrets had quite the vacation. Their big adventure was going ice fishing. We were only planning to go for about an hour and it was almost 30 degrees ABOVE zero, and as usual, Boomer had been hanging out by the door all day, so we thought what the heck. For anyone who's interested, the front pocket of a pair of Carhart bibs is the perfect size for a ferret. (for anyone who's never had the need for Carharts, and doesn't know what they are, how do you feel about adopting two really spoiled ferrets and their humans?) Boomer went nutso - he almost imploded from the excitement. Bongo peeked out, sneezed, and hunkered down for a nap. Not an outdoors ferret. Of course Boomer insisted on getting down and exploring (far away from the hole!!). Dean had him and (I thought) was watching him. I saw something out of the corner of my eye, and looked down to see Boomer stealing a perch!! The little bugger held on to the thing, too, and hissed when I grabbed it. So then I had an idea...we lowered him into the hole by his leash to see if he came up with a fish...NO WE DIDN'T!! Sheesh. Although he probably would have gone for it. Anyway, they both loved it, and it wasn't too cold for them to play in the snow (wearing their socks) for once. Now every time Boomer sees a pair of coveralls, he crawls in the pocket and waits. Boomer also met his first cow (heifer, actually). I had him in my coat when I went to get the mail. My uncle has his cattle in the barnyard for the winter, so we took a little detour. One of the heifers came up to the fence, and Boomer got curious and poked his head out to sniff. Scared the pants off the poor heifer, and he thought it was funny. He hung way out of my jacket and dooked at her. What a bully. We are back into our usual school-time thrill-a-minute routine now - poo. And the weather is back to normal, which is a big relief - we are expecting 40 mph winds and -70 wind chills starting this afternoon, and this weekend we got 20 inches of snow. And just in time - all that 10 above and no wind weather was making me jumpy!! Mo'Bob - glad to hear about your dad! (the part about him getting better, not being mean!) Although I can see where someone from your family tree might be a "difficult" patient! ;) Later! Tanya ("Give that fish back! That's my supper!") Boomer ("Well, I don't know what it is, but it's going under the couch as soon as I find one out here.") Bongo ("Boy, this nap is making me tired. Let's go home so I can sleep in the laundry.") [Posted in FML issue 1809]