This is Sheriff Peanut Butter Brickle.  In life, you have one of two choices.  Either arrest the day, or let it go.  And yesterday, I decided to let it all go.  It was Monday after all.  I couldn’t make all the arrests for the week at once.

Try traveling to a different state every few weeks.  One day it is cold. One day it is raining.  One day it is windy.  And the next day, it is literally 100 degrees.  Such was our week just in Washington alone! And does 100 degrees feel like 100 degrees?  What kind of question is that?  Why do  persons ask questions that make no sense?

As the temperature rose yesterday, the persons considered what our day would hold for us.  We could either choose to travel to our next destination in Silver Creek, Washington, or we could wait one more day.  There was plenty to do here, and work to be done.  But looking at me and Deputy Digby, Girl Person knew that we should not go anywhere.  We were tired.  Our day wouldn’t be exciting, and a year ago? Well, the persons would have pushed us to go.  But a year brings a lot of changes.  A year also gives you more knowledge.  And I was proud of Girl Person for realizing that our business, our Facebook page and our livelihood were still not as important as what was right in front of her, the most handsome Sheriff this side of anywhere in fact.

Sometimes, it is hard to recognize that we all have limitations. Things happen in life that change us, and make us grow like Digby’s stomach.

On the banks of the river on a well beaten path
It’s funny how those memories they last
Like strawberry wine

And when you are in the moment, you try and push yourself so very much that you don’t realize what is in front of you, and that you are missing the beauty of it.

The persons have been guilty of this the past year.  They wanted to make sure we finished this trip on time, which we still did not accomplish!  And they wanted to make sure that the rescues and shelters we visited got the attention they deserved.  But truth be told, and I always tell the truth, we may have missed out on a lot of things.  Could they have learned this lesson earlier?  Probably not.  Some things, well, you just have to go thru.  And so yesterday, as me and Digby rested in the air conditioning, the persons decided to take a break.  They went to pick berries and cherries and tried not to feel guilty they weren’t working.  And we were ok with that.  Because when they are happy, we are happy.

When one restless summer we found love growing wild
On the banks of the river on a well beaten path
It’s funny how those memories they last
Like strawberry wine

The persons don’t have much time to themselves, and they don’t mind that.  Good thing, because that isn’t ever changing.  But even I know that sometimes, they need to get out, clear their mind so that they take care of us better, and just reset.  Plus, the few times that they leave us with a sitter, we get to hear stories when they get back.  And it makes us appreciate them more. I am lying about that.  I hate when they leave.  Seriously.

But as Girl Person told us of the strawberry fields, and how they smelled like strawberry wine in the 100 degree Washington heat, she had a new smile on her face.

As she told us of all the things we could make to eat with the Rainer cherries and the strawberries, it was nice to hear her talk about things she loved again like planting things and farming like her and her Pappy used to do.

And somehow, as the persons found a little peace in the Washington berry fields and cherry trees, they remembered what this trip started out to be before deadlines and rushing and breaking down.  And they hoped to always remember the Washington berry fields that reset their buttons.

But year after year I come back to this place
Just to remember the taste
Of strawberry wine

So! With renewed energies and love for the remaining days on our Adventure Of A Lifetime, we head to our second Washington camp in Silver Creek!  Let’s see what wonderful things we can fill our time with in Washington, and stay tuned for our Washington picked rescue!

-Sheriff Peanut Butter Brickle

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