Not Made in a Lab but Made By a Lab's Family - Heidi Pops Popcorn

Today, instead of a story about a dog, I'd like feature one of my favorite new family owned "Hoosier" businesses (Indiana, for those not familiar with the phrase) that's owned by a couple of dog lovers.

Today I had to drop a friend off at the Indianapolis Airport at lunch time and stopped on my way out of town at the Metropolis Mall in Plainfield, Indiana (Futura Parkway just off Perry Road, which is a little West of the airport off of I-70.) There's a nice little Irish pub there we had a bloggers gathering at one time, that I wanted to try again for lunch before I hit the freeway. But first, a wander to check out a new business I'd heard of.

The Metropolis mall is a fun little outdoor mall, with an eclectic assortment of shops, a good restaurant or two and a movie theater. I'm not a fan of malls, but I liked this one. It's more like a cluster of unique shops as opposed to that whole "mall" feeling, in a suburban community that's low on crime and high on friendliness. Plainfield police have a station on the main street and the feel to the whole place was clean and family friendly. 

Heidi Pops Gourmet Popcorn. I heard about it from a friend that works in Plainfield and knows Heidi.  She said --"Heidi and her husband have black labs-- you need to go say hello".  So I did. Owned by a husband and wife team, and yes, "Mom and Dad" to two Labrador Retrievers, the store's been open for a couple of weeks, ready for their permanent sign and hungry customers. This is their dream, after a lifetime of good jobs working for others, to have their own Mom and Pop (pun intended) business; the entrepreneurial spirit of America alive and well in them.

There's a couple of other popcorn places around the Indianapolis area. Good, but not enough to make me go out of my way to get some. But I DO like popcorn. . .

Wow. THIS popcorn I'd make the drive for. Seriously, if I was anywhere near the I-465/I-70 interchange in Indianapolis I'd be stopping in.  OK, if I was anywhere  in the middle of the STATE, I'd stop in. It's not mass produced, but hand crafted in small batches and Mr. G. was making some as I wandered in. It's the kind of popcorn you'd find at places such as Gerrett's in Chicago without the drive and that special Illinois pricing. The popcorn I got today at Heidi Pops to share with some friends later was still warm in the bag and was quite reasonably priced for the quality. 

I was warmly greeted by Mr. G. when I popped in and was given a quick tour of their treats and tastes. Then I snapped some pictures while he set up more samples for customers to try.  They always have some standards such as caramel corn, caramel corn with pecans or almonds, and sharp cheddar cheese.

Today they also had buffalo ranch.  MMMMM. And Pickle.  Yes Pickle.   If you love sea salt and vinegar style chips you will snarf up the pickle flavor.

The cheddar popcorn is amazing  It's a sharp cheddar, though not a biting sharp, and tastes like the best quality real cheddar, not that cheddar-like cheezy dust you usually find on popcorn. It's like you mated the best quality Indiana popcorn with that wonderful sharp cheddar pub cheese in the brown crock. I would drive a long way for this cheddar popcorn.

You can get a single serving size bag, small, medium, or large for sharing, and tubs up to many gallons, which you can fill with more than one flavor, with little dividers put in them. And there were a lot of flavors in addition to the ones pictured here, including chocolate and some colorful fruit flavors that would surprise you.

They also have some fun decorative tins, small to large, which would make great little gifts for family, coworkers or perhaps a holiday housewarming, birthday, new baby, etc. Dad is so going to enjoy the one I'll get him during the Christmas season.  I'm also going to get a huge tin of the buffalo ranch and cheese popcorn to haul home for my co-workers.  Heidi Pops - parties, catering, they do it all.

So, if you are traveling through Indiana, or work or live here, stop on in and bring home some tasty goodness. I can't wait to get home so I can try it.

How did my steering wheel end up orange?

Don't eat and drive.

Barkley Memories - Begger Boys

But they're SILK sheets, Mom!
 

I found this photo, and a number of others, on some old camera cards that I'd pulled out of the camera, but not uploaded to the computer.  The one above is my fancy schmancy house I happily got rid of when I moved here, donating half of my stuff to AmVets and changing the way I lived.  Barkley didn't care, and I found out, I was much happier with a simpler lifestyle and the people I met, where it didn't matter what I owned, just who I was. And there was dog hair.  LOTS of dog hair.

And dogs and stole my knickers in the middle of the night.

In looking at photos of him I'd forgotten of, my eyes welled up, but then I smiled, good memories there. Just simple things, ones that make you happy, ones worth sharing.

For those of you who have bought the Book of Barkley, thank you.  The money from the proceeds is providing for my 94 year old Dad's nursing care (some stubborn redhead refuses to live with one of the kids or grandkids). It's available with the links on the right, and also Amazon, USA, UK and AU.

 

For tonight, as I got back to work, some Barkley memories, taken at my little crash pad near my workplace in the big city.

Hey, I think someone has food up there.

 No seriously.  Did Mom cook something while you took me outside?

Don't be holding out on me.

  I see a bowl, I smell Popcorn!  Mom made popcorn?

 Wait - you have ice cream  ??

But seriously, I smelled popcorn!

 You get BOTH ice cream and popcorn!  What kind of sick, twisted people are you?

I will just sit here in front of my empty food bowl and look pitiful while you two heathens finish your snack.

WHO Knows a Lab Like This?

Pardon me  - your camera is disrupting the linear air flow.

That's my granddog, in his Doggles, on a ride in Colorado where my daughter moved after graduation.The eye piece was a great way to shield his eyes from bugs or any other flying debris.

I'm sure I have a number of folks here who watch who are fans of gadgets, inventions and science fiction.

 One of my favorite shows that combines all 3 is Dr. Who from the BBC. If you've never seen the series, or the episode "Blink" go watch it!

There's not much that actually scares me, real life has many more fatal little surprises than TV, but this episode totally drew me in, and gave me  some serious goosebumps. It's the episode (1 of 3 total) with the "weeping angels".

The weeping angels look, to the unaware, like any of the statue angels you see in cemeteries, English gardens, parks.  But they are actually quantum locked humanoids, who, when observed by any other creature (including other  weeping angels) turn to stone, rendering them resistant to harm.  Even looking at one another can do it, so they often hide their faces in their hands, hence the weeping appearance. But if you look away, even blink they are on you faster than you can imagine. They if you see them again, they stop, only mere feet away from you, then. . oh, please. . . try not and blink again.

One minute.

A peaceful angel.

Close your eyes for a second?

They are very very old and deadly assassins.  If they don't kill you by snapping your neck (not particularly quickly), with a touch, you go back in time to die perhaps hundreds of years ago, with full memory of what you left here, never to see again.  They then feed on the potential energy that was your time here, not finished.

So for my Dr. Who fans and my Barkley fans. I'll end this post with Barkley's imitation of a weeping angel  (scroll down slowly).

Don't blink. Don't even blink.

 

 Blink and you're dead.

 

Don't look away,

 

don't turn your head,

 

 and don't blink. . . . Good luck"

 

-  The Doctor

 

You blinked!

An Excerpt from the Book of Barkley - Ghosts

After the death of Barkley, I received this note from a female friend, a sailor and adventurer with an indomitable spirit:

“When I was 18, and lost my lifelong companion, Sally - with me since birth, a small black and white cocker mix, my best and sometimes only friend, my soul-mate. She loved me, I believe, more perfectly than I could ever have loved her in my inexperience. When she was 18 she died and I grieved and I cried and I still get tears in my eyes when I think of that sweet little soul who gave me so much. So, no, you never get over it, I do not know anyone who has loved a dog and has said goodbye that gets over it. The pain? As you know, it eases, it becomes sweet memory with time, you still get tears in your eyes, but the smiles and laughter at the remembered fun and antics of your 4-legged Pal returns to you.

My mother is part Iroquois, and although a lifelong Catholic, carried with her some of the mythology handed down in her family. She knew my grief was raw and painful and that only time would help heal the wound in my heart. She said to me ‘Sally walks with you, and with time, she will allow you to feel her there beside you. During the first time of grief, you are blind to her, and that is as it should be, so she will know she is no longer in This World, but now walks in the Spirit World. When you are ready, she will help ease your pain by showing you memories, and helping you laugh again when you are ready to see that she is not lost to you, but always remains a part of you. Your tears will then be tears of joy at your good fortune at having known such a one."

Those words brought me much comfort, even as I did not dream of him. Sleep through the night was finally occurring, even as I woke, expecting to feel the touch of cold snoot against my hand: "Get up, Mom; get up, Mom it's time for Dog Food again!"

--From Chapter 49 of the Book of Barkley

-------------------------
The photo above is a bookmark, the color and shape of Barkley's collar.  the piece hand stitched to it is the top of an antique piano key on which the very last photo taken of him was etched on with a laser by a dear friend who is in the robotics field. He is one of the few people that have heard me play in public so the piano key was quite touching. When he and his wife brought it to me, when we were having one of our evenings together as families, I think we all cried.

So many friends have been a part of our journey, reading about Barkley in social media, visiting our home, having us over to theirs.

To those of you who  stopped in here or wrote a note of support with your request for an autographed copy, that means so much, even if I could not reply to each and every one of you individually.  So many memories there, and hopefully here, more stories to share.
LB Johnson

Old Friends

Dad and Barkley - Old Friends at Dad's 90th Birthday Bash.

My friend Vic posted a fun little piece about her Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue Dogs from TIRR (she provided a photo below) called Old Friends . (click on link to open)

I just loved it and told my husband "Vic did a piece using a Simon and Garfunkel song, but now it's about dogs!"

He looked at me, lifted an eyebrow and said--

"In the clearing, stands a boxer."

Smile, take a peek at Vic's post and consider a Rescue Dog or a tax deductible donation, if you have some extra to spare with love but no room in your home for another dog at the moment.  I love Abby, who I adopted through the caring hearts of Love of Labs Indiana--LOLIN . 

How I Wish We Were All More Like a Dog

He doesn't worry about things he doesn't have.

Or how he is going to obtain them.

He is just as happy going for a drive in an old Chevy truck as a brand new Mercedes.

He doesn't worry about how many Facebook friends he has, who is on First, or how many calories there are in a bacon cheeseburger.

He doesn't care about your age, your weight, your tax bracket, your biological clock or what is on TV.  He only knows that soon, the people he loves will be home.

On those days that I come home drained from a difficult day, tears in my eyes and the worry of ghosts in my soul, he simply lays his head on my knee and looks up, as if that moment is what he lived for.  His tail will wag with a healing that humans can't always give.

If there is a ball to be thrown,  he will abandon all restraint and give every fiber of himself, to reach that for which was before, only a dream; unmitigated glory.

His life is not deadlines, or deals or caring about the things that in all reality, will not matter at the end of a life.

All he cares about  is how to bequeath that for which sustains him,  in his too short life, his faith and his love, as he patiently waits.

There are days when I wish we were all, more like a dog.

Barkley Memories - Lookin' For Luv

Back Seat Diners

Mom,  that's like the third burger place you've passed up!

 

Beggin Barkley

But you have bacon and I do not. . . .

Chapter 36 - Branch Manager - The Photos

Are you awake??

With the AutoCAT software, I didn't need a alarm, and was up to first light, the smell of coffee wafting down the hall

Chapter 36 in the Book of Barkley deals with a particular trip out to friends in the country.  You'll have to get the book to read the whole thing, but here are some highlights of that tripwith Barkley, with friends that had some acreage up north.  I loved the times there, sleeping on a huge high top bed with old fashioned quilts in the guest room.  Barkley always had such fun there, and here are the photos of that particular trip and the mayhem that ensued. The day started with some Amish Bacon and Chocolate Brontosaurus pancakes.

 It looks like Dogosaurus wants some bacon.

The afternoon brought sun, and a chance to go hike around their land with Barkley in tow.

One of my friends had Barkley on his lead as we headed back deep into the property  Barkley had been cooped up while I worked some long hours that week and  he was chomping at the bit.  He was also still sulking a bit from the grooming and nail clipping before we left Indy ("I smell like a french poodle AND they put a scarf on me").  So, when we were well back of the house and road Mr. B. said "it won't hurt to let him off the leash?"

I said "no!"

He was off like a shot.

To the only deep mud puddle around.

Even with the zoom lens, the remaining photos were a blur of splashing water and muddy dog.

Oh wait!  There's more!!

 Barkley spotted the pond.  We weren't going to let him over there as it was the neighbor's but. . But at least it will help get him cleaned off.

 He had a grand time splashing around.

Then it was time to fetch the stick.  The BIG stick.

Mr. B. throws, and he's off.

 Big Stick!!  Mine!!

After some more "fetch" it was back to the house to hose off Mr. Barkley.  Barkley does NOT like hoses, sprinklers or cold water from either and will forcibly try and get away from either.  He was also very muddy.  Mr. B. is quite strong and very determined. The cats watch and wager over who will end up more soaked..

Socks   - I'm wagering $2 on Mr. B.
Goldie - I'm betting on our black brother.

Everyone clean and sort of dried off, it was time for a little afternoon refreshment.

Barkley, it's not going to work, I've seen those sad eyes before when I had the Yuengling out, besides you've had all the excitement you need for one day.

 

Radio Control Retriever

Mom:  Ready Barkley?

Preflight - Complete!

Before Start - Check!

My Hovercraft is full of eels! - Check!

(If Barkley could talk) - Moje vznášedlo je plné úhořů !

When you have a Labrador Retriever in the family you soon learn, that not only are your toys "his" toys but the urge to retrieve is hardwired into him.   It was a Friday.  I'd been on the road, and was happy to be home from travels safely with a new toy and a black lab always happy to play air traffic controller  (Watch that landing Mom  - Bouncy Bouncy!) 

I took the little RC helicopter down to play in the walk out basement Barkley following me down, wanting to be part of the fun,,

Remember what I said about the "retrieving part?'

"Great Leapin Labrador Retrievers.  Climb Captain CLIMB!!"

Remembering Barkley

The Book of Barkley Blog is here at your request, to continue to share the stories and photos of Barkley the black lab.  For the 8 and a half million folks that visited him over at my place, I hope you will stop back with this new blog each week to remember him and share your own canine stories.

I will also offer up pictures that correspond to the chapters in the book, a number of them that have never been seen

Yo, Mom, I was watching Animal Planet.  What's with you guys taking over  the crash pad  TV set.

Yeah, but he's messing with my channel.  There was going to be hot poodles on the commercials, I know it.

Hey, he's in my spot, I'm supposed to get the spot next to Mom.

Well, Archer IS kind of like Animal Planet. . . .

You were ignoring me so I ate your last roll of toilet paper.