Much needed laugh!

The talking dog.

A guy is driving around Wadsworth, Ohio and he sees a sign in front of a house: "Talking Dog For Sale." He rings the bell and the owner tells him the dog is in the backyard. The guy goes into the backyard and sees a Labrador retriever sitting there. "You talk?" he asks. "Yep," the Lab replies.

"So, what's your story?" The Lab looks up and says, "Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the government, so I told the CIA about my gift, and in no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping. I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running."

"But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger so I decided to settle down. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security wandering near suspicious characters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals. I got married, had a mess of puppies, and now I'm just retired."

The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog. "Ten dollars," the guy says. "Ten dollars? This dog is amazing. Why on earth are you selling him so cheaply?"

"Because he's lying, he never did any of that stuff."

Melinda

What is your favorite Holiday food memory?

Mine is my mothers Fresh Apple Cake. She made it for me at Thanksgiving every year.

This will be my 2nd Thanksgiving without my Mom, she died in July 2007 of Ovarian Cancer. Last year I didn't have the strength or desire to even pretend there was a Thanksgiving or Christmas. I just wanted them to be over with, it was hard to face them without her.

This year however, I'm going to do better for my family's sake. I have my Mom's recipe book and will be attempting to make this cake because it's a tradition we shared, just she and I. It's full of recipe clippings from years back, but this is the ONE recipe that means the most to me.

I would sit at her kitchen table and peel the apples because it hurt her hands to do it, and we would talk as she made the cake magic happen. Maybe my daughter will help me do it this year and we can start this tradition with the next generation.

I know as I smell it cooking, my thoughts will be of my Mother, and how much I loved all the Holidays she made so special.