From the Home Place

April 1, 2026

Today’s weather forecast mentions the possibility of a little moisture, please pray it to be so! We are starting the day at 35, moving up to 53 with SSE winds gusting at 28 mph. Moisture would be such a blessing!

Here we are at another April Fool Day. Yet for the two old people at this house, today is a special day, it is Coffee’s birthday! Please allow me to brag upon our special red, 4-legged friend. Miss Coffee is the dog I did not want. When our eldest daughter dropped her off at our place, I threw a fit. I did not want a dog! I tried for months to give her to someone who wanted a dog, but she has lived here for the past 8 years now and is without a doubt the best dog we have ever had or has ever had us.

Coffee has buttons she pushes for “Eat, Outside, Water and Walk.” She long ago replaced me as Miss Deb’s best friend. These two are best of buds, though they often tease each other with their little games. Deb will ask Coffee to bring her one of Coffee’s toys (Fish, Toy, Blue, Foxie, Dino or Ball; she never chews up a toy, so she has several) and Coffee will go get that exact toy, bring it towards Deb and then drop it and lay down. You can see the dog almost grin as she knows it frustrates the Boss Lady.

When Coffee is outside or in a store or a park or any other place, I can tell her that she needs to go to the Boss Lady and Coffee will take off and find Miss Deb wherever she is. We have laughed as we watch that dumb dog search until she finds the Boss Lady! Oh, then there are the toenail clippers. Because Coffee’s toenails grow rather rapidly, Miss Deb will get out the clippers to trim the ‘ol dog’s hooves. If Miss Deb says the words “toenail clippers,” or just gets them out, Coffee is gone! But about once a month, the two of them will wrestle each other around and Coffee will quit “clacking” as she walks across the hardwood floors.

I reckon being this is her birthday; Coffee will have to go for a ride in the Buggy (side-by-side). If our vehicles are outside, I can tell Coffee to “go get in” the pickup, the car or the buggy and she will start circling the vehicle I have designated. For sure, Coffee is way smarter than the people she lives with!

Coffee is an 8-year-old red and white Border Collie. One thing you have to know about Border Collies is that they live their life to make you happy!

If only I would have the same passion in my relationship with God, that I would only do things that make Him happy. When Coffee and I go outside and there is a bunny in the yard, all I have to do is to say, “I don’t think so” and she will walk right past “ol Pete. Boy, if I would listen to God that well, and then obey!

I have often thought that the reason God wouldn’t let me give this dog away was because He uses her to teach me about He and I. Every time I sit down, Coffee lays her head in the chair next to my leg, requiring that I pay the “sit tax” by petting her. Wow, if every time I sit down, I would pay attention to God, my prayer life would be much improved.

Also, if I would not do, when He says, “I don’t think so,” my life would be less conflicted. If I just lived my life to make God happy??? Oh ya, and then there is bedtime. All I have to do is tell Coffee, “I think this day is tired of us,” and off she goes and gets into her bed. I’m usually the first person to crawl into the ‘ol sack, and Coffee sticks her head under my covers and gets her good-night pet. Then when Miss Deb crawls into bed, Coffee jumps up, runs around to Deb’s side of the bed and gets and gives kisses. When I turn the light off, I reach down for a final pat and say, “Good night, Fat Butt” and then I say, “Good night Pretty Lady.” Every night the same. The first night 8-years-ago that I made those two comments, Miss Deb asked about just who each comment was directed at, but now we just all know which is which and are soon all three asleep.

Just before my eyes go shut on another day, I thank our Lord for the blessings of that day and tell Him “Good night” as well. I guess maybe Coffee’s habits are finally having some positive effect upon my life.

Thanking our Lord for all of His blessings with you, even a dumb dog, Neal

Toy Arranger