Dixie Fix: Pumpkin Shortage...and More

The Benefits of Pumpkin: No, I'm not getting ready for fall baking! A holistic vet once told me that pumpkin is great if your dog had diarrhia. I have used it on Jackson and it worked like a charm. I don't know how Lily, the dog we're babysitting, got it because I have not changed her food, but she came down with a nasty bout (in the house, of course!) Saturday night. So Sunday, after the Kiwanis installation, we stopped by the downtown Safeway to pick up some trusty pumpkin. After searching Aisle 3 and enlisting the help of at least 2 employees, we were only able to find canned pumpkin pie filling -- no plain canned pumpkin. Robert remembers getting it at the "Big Safeway" so we headed there. Empty shelves where both the pie filling and the pumpkin would have been, had they had it. I found a stock boy to ask what was happening...why the sudden run on pumpkin? He told me there was a "shortage at the wherehouse" and they had been out for a week and a half! I crossed my fingers last night, hoping that Lily was over her problem, but as luck would have it, that was NOT the case! Today on the neighborhood dog walk I was lamenting the lack of pumpkin and neighbor Carol Carter said she had some. Lucky me! Lily lapped up the 2 tablespoons and I'm hoping it will work its magic. Light a candle for me.

Matteo's Public in Nevada City: We had a delightful dinner there Saturday night and if you haven't tried it, you're in for a treat! It is very Northridge-esque in menu and price (a tad more gourmet) and all of our dinners were rated A in our book. Even the cheese plate got raves. It's fun to sit there with the doors flung open and watch Nevada City come alive at night. Matt and his wife are lovely, friendly people! Peter Wilson was there playing guitar and singing, adding to the comfortable atmosphere. Supporting local businesses is good karma!