Squirrels, Raccoons, and Hummingbirds, Oh My! - Postcards From The Road: Episode 7

Summary

Podcast Summary: For Love and Chocolate – "Squirrels, Raccoons, and Hummingbirds, Oh My! - Postcards From The Road: Episode 7"

Release Date: November 6, 2024

Hosts: Tommy and Tara Gallop
Produced by: Tara Gallop, Tommy Gallop, Adam Haagen

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1. Introduction and Road Trip Vibes

The episode kicks off with Mr. Truffles and Mrs. Truffles (Tommy and Tara Gallop) setting the scene for their latest adventure on the road. Cruising along the scenic 101, they share their excitement about exploring new horizons under the summer sun.

Mr. Truffles (00:00): "Cruising up the 101 where summer breezes blow. Chasing new horizons under the golden sun."

Mrs. Truffles (00:42): "All right, Mr. Truffles. Well, here we are, back out on the road again."

Their enthusiasm is palpable as they discuss the joys of Airstreaming and the freedom of life on the road, emphasizing the importance of embracing each journey with a positive mindset.

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2. Life on the Road and Preparing for Adventures

The couple delves into their daily routines and responsibilities while traveling. Mr. Truffles handles the mechanical aspects of their journey, ensuring that everything from the tires to the engine is in top condition.

Mr. Truffles (01:55): "So I handle all of the mechanical. I handle Blue Baby and Godspeed. I make sure there's air in the tires and there's oil in the oil thingy."

Meanwhile, Mrs. Truffles manages packing essentials like clothes and snacks, highlighting their teamwork and the balance of responsibilities in their relationship.

Mrs. Truffles (02:23): "Pretty much, yeah, pretty much."

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3. The Squirrel Food Fiasco

A humorous incident unfolds when Mr. Truffles discovers that the "squirrel food" he was snacking on was not human granola as he had assumed. This mix-up leads to a playful exchange that showcases their lighthearted dynamic.

Mr. Truffles (02:42): "It was the squirrel food, sweetheart. And you let me snack on that for a good 20 minutes."

Mrs. Truffles (02:54): "You're just like, wow, we're switching to a really healthy diet."

The conversation teases Mr. Truffles about his inability to distinguish between human food and animal feed, ultimately highlighting their ability to laugh together over small mishaps.

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4. Navigating Neighborhood Challenges: Coyotes in Beverly Hills

The couple shifts focus to local concerns, particularly the presence of coyotes in their Beverly Hills neighborhood. They discuss the potential threats to their pets and the community's safety, reflecting their proactive and caring nature.

Mr. Truffles (05:32): "I take them for walks in the morning. And the last couple days, actually over the last week, I've had people kind of stop in their cars to warn me that there's a couple coyotes loose in the hills of Beverly."

Mrs. Truffles (05:31): "Well, I hope they don't eat my squirrel."

Their dialogue underscores the importance of vigilance and community awareness, while also injecting humor into the situation.

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5. A Visit to Avala Farm and the Love for Pies

Highlighting one of their favorite destinations, the hosts describe Avala Farm—a picturesque location known for its pumpkin patch, petting zoo, restaurant, and especially its delectable pies.

Mr. Truffles (06:17): "And we can't even begin to tell you how beautiful our favorite little Avala farm is this time of year."

Mrs. Truffles (06:30): "Oh my God, the best pies ever."

They rave about the farm's offerings, from fresh honey to pie-making kits, emphasizing the farm's charm and the irresistible allure of its homemade pies.

Mr. Truffles (07:31): "I'm gonna get five hand pies. And I'm gonna probably get a good idea that you don't have to total pumpkin bread loaf."

Their enthusiasm for Avala Farm's pumpkin pies illustrates their appreciation for simple, wholesome pleasures and community-supported businesses.

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6. Embracing Nature: Squirrels, Hummingbirds, and Pets

Mrs. Truffles shares her affection for local wildlife, particularly squirrels and hummingbirds, which adds a serene and nature-loving dimension to their travels.

Mrs. Truffles (03:59): "I'm sorry, but the little squirrel is so cute when he eats his little seeds and holds them in his hand. And he's so charming."

Additionally, they introduce their beloved pets—Blue Baby and Bubbles, their dachshund Yorkie—highlighting the role their furry friends play in their nomadic lifestyle.

Mr. Truffles (05:12): "We've got two long haired mini dachshunds, and we've got our dorky pooji."

Their discussion underscores the importance of pets in their lives, providing companionship and joy as they navigate various landscapes.

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7. Mrs. Truffles' Sneezing Affliction: A Quirky Challenge

A recurring theme in their relationship is Mrs. Truffles' sneezing affliction, particularly triggered by expensive meals. This light-hearted topic reveals their ability to support each other through quirky challenges.

Mr. Truffles (09:43): "She's got a sneezing affliction that sometimes takes her over. And it's usually after a very expensive meal."

Mrs. Truffles (10:10): "It's happened before."

They laugh about the situation, with Mr. Truffles planning elaborate birthday meals to trigger her sneezing, turning a potential annoyance into a shared joke.

Mr. Truffles (10:09): "For her birthday, I'm looking for a 10 sneeze situation. I think we're gonna really go out."

This segment highlights their playful relationship and the deep understanding they share.

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8. Building Connections and Closing Remarks

As the episode draws to a close, the hosts reflect on the importance of unplugging and building meaningful connections away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Mr. Truffles (08:18): "Yeah. Raccoons too."

Mr. Truffles (08:38): "The fancy people do."

They emphasize that whether it's enjoying nature, savoring homemade pies, or simply spending quality time together, these moments are essential for enduring love and happiness.

In their final moments, they reiterate their gratitude to listeners and tease future episodes, maintaining a warm and inviting tone.

Mr. Truffles (11:28): "This show is brought to you by Beverly Hills Toy Shore Chocolates of Switzerland, home of the world's first and finest champagne truffles. Join us next week for more adventures in everlasting love."

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Conclusion

Episode 7 of "Postcards From The Road" offers a delightful glimpse into the Gallops' life on the road, blending humor, love, and a touch of whimsy. From playful mishaps like the squirrel food incident to heartfelt discussions about nature and community, Tommy and Tara Gallop craft a narrative that is both entertaining and endearing. Their ability to navigate challenges with grace and laughter serves as a testament to their enduring love and the sweet essence of their "For Love and Chocolate" podcast.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Mr. Truffles (02:42): "It was the squirrel food, sweetheart. And you let me snack on that for a good 20 minutes."
• Mrs. Truffles (03:59): "I'm sorry, but the little squirrel is so cute when he eats his little seeds and holds them in his hand."
• Mr. Truffles (05:32): "I take them for walks in the morning. And the last couple days, actually over the last week, I've had people kind of stop in their cars to warn me that there's a couple coyotes loose in the hills of Beverly."
• Mrs. Truffles (06:30): "Oh my God, the best pies ever."
• Mr. Truffles (09:43): "She's got a sneezing affliction that sometimes takes her over."

This episode masterfully intertwines personal anecdotes, humor, and heartfelt moments, making it a must-listen for fans of "For Love and Chocolate" and anyone interested in the sweet dynamics of enduring love.

Transcript

[Mr. Truffles]

Mr. And Mrs. Truffles with blue Baby and Bubbles in tow. Cruising up the 101 where summer breezes blow Chasing new horizons under the golden sun Postcards from the road where the journey just be good.

[Mrs. Truffles]

All right, Mr. Truffles. Well, here we are, back out on the road again.

[Mr. Truffles]

You know, I couldn't be happier, Mrs. Truffles. I got a spring in my step. I got the wind and what hair I have left. It's so fun.

[Mrs. Truffles]

So here we are, back out on the road on election day. But we did fill out our ballots before we left town.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

[Mrs. Truffles]

I hope everybody got a chance to vote.

[Mr. Truffles]

So important. Regardless of which way you went, it's so important to get out there.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yeah.

Whatever way you voted, we still love you. And we hope you all still love each other, because we're all Americans.

[Mr. Truffles]

That's right. But now we're camping, aren't we? It's our favorite thing.

[Mrs. Truffles]

It is.

[Mr. Truffles]

We love Airstreaming so much.

[Mrs. Truffles]

We're back out in our Airstream bubbles. We're back out in the fresh air.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah. But, you know, something happened on the road trip that I need to talk about.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Okay.

[Mr. Truffles]

And I adore you. You know that?

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yes, you do. You're very adoring to your wife.

[Mr. Truffles]

And that's always dangerous when the sentence starts out with, you know, I adore you because something's going to come.

[Mrs. Truffles]

You like to do that to me when you, like, have something to, like, kind of drop on me. You like to build up to it. Well, get me all nervous. I'm sitting here on pins and needles. No. What is he going to say?

[Mr. Truffles]

What have I done now? So I handle all of the mechanical. I handle Blue Baby and Godspeed. I make sure there's air in the tires and there's oil in the oil thingy, and I make sure that everything's ready and ready to go.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Plenty of coal in the combustible engine.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yes. We have engine room.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yeah.

[Mr. Truffles]

And you handle pretty much everything else in our lives, don't you?

[Mrs. Truffles]

Pretty much, yeah, pretty much.

[Mr. Truffles]

And so you're packing clothes, you're packing snacks.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yeah, all the snacks.

[Mr. Truffles]

All the snacks. Well, so something happened that, you know, I'm still kind of reeling from, and that is that you made a little purchase on Amazon and you didn't tell me about it.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Was it the squirrel food?

[Mr. Truffles]

It was the squirrel food, sweetheart. And you let.

[Mrs. Truffles]

You thought it was for you.

[Mr. Truffles]

You let me snack on that for a good 20 minutes.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Was it that yummy?

[Mr. Truffles]

No, I. I mean, I just. I Thought it was granola.

[Mrs. Truffles]

You can't tell the difference.

[Mr. Truffles]

Well, I don't know.

[Mrs. Truffles]

It's kind of on you. There's no seasoning.

[Mr. Truffles]

No, it's not, because. And you just.

[Mrs. Truffles]

You're just like, wow, we're switching to a really healthy diet.

[Mr. Truffles]

Like the cat that ate the canary. You had this big Cheshire grin on your face because you knew I was eating squirrel food and you didn't stop me.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Okay, that's not true. I wasn't Cheshire catting you.

[Mr. Truffles]

What were you doing?

[Mrs. Truffles]

I was busy. I was working on things in the car, driving up. There's a lot to work on.

[Mr. Truffles]

Is there? I loved it.

[Mrs. Truffles]

I'm sorry. I was shopping on ebay.

[Mr. Truffles]

All I know is I asked for a snack. I grabbed something. You opened it? I kept grabbing it.

[Mrs. Truffles]

I don't know why the squirrel food was in our to go bag anyway. That doesn't make sense.

[Mr. Truffles]

Well, I must have put it there because I thought it was granola.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Okay, well, then again, if you can't tell the difference between squirrel food and human food, maybe there isn't a difference. And so I don't see the problem.

[Mr. Truffles]

I just don't know why there's nothing.

[Mrs. Truffles]

In there that a human shouldn't eat.

[Mr. Truffles]

Why is the squirrel food mixed in with the human food in our cupboard?

[Mrs. Truffles]

It was sitting on the counter next to the toaster. I listen because I just filled the squirrel feeder.

[Mr. Truffles]

Cuz that's a thing.

[Mrs. Truffles]

I'm sorry, but the little squirrel is so cute when he eats his little seeds and holds them in his hand. And he's so. He's just so charming. I love him. We have a hummingbird feeder out back, and we have a squirrel feeder. And I can sit out there and simultaneously watch hummingbirds eat and squirrels eat and makes me really happy.

[Mr. Truffles]

You love birds and squirrels and dogs. Yep. You love birds most of all.

[Mrs. Truffles]

I love you.

[Mr. Truffles]

Aw, it's a good save, sweetheart.

[Mrs. Truffles]

I'm sorry, but I think that that was probably adding some nice nutrition to your diet. And you shouldn't complain. It's probably healthier than some of the other choices that you make.

[Mr. Truffles]

Sometimes I keep cleaning my eyebrows with my paw. I know that's because of what I've just eaten, but.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Okay. Well, they look nice.

[Mr. Truffles]

Thanks. Anyway, I just had to get that off of my chest and we're gonna be okay. But yeah, that was next. It's gonna be gerbil food. I think I'd know the difference between.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Oh, I don't feed the gerbils. We don't have Any gerbils in the neighborhood that I know of.

[Mr. Truffles]

Right. Speaking of the neighborhood. Okay, before we left, this was kind of crazy. I, as people may or may not know, we have three sweet little dogs. We've got two long haired mini dachshunds, and we've got our dorky pooji. Who's a dorky at dachshund Yorkie.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Fifteen and a half year old dorky.

[Mr. Truffles]

He's so sweet. Anyway, I take them for walks in the morning. And the last couple days, actually over the last week, I've had people kind of stop in their cars to warn me that there's a couple coyotes loose in the hills of Beverly.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Well, I hope they don't eat my squirrel.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah, or our dogs.

[Mrs. Truffles]

They're not gonna eat our dogs. We don't let them wander about the neighborhood on their own.

[Mr. Truffles]

Well, you might not.

[Mrs. Truffles]

You're gonna fight the coyotes.

[Mr. Truffles]

I thought coyotes like cats. Do coyotes like dogs?

[Mrs. Truffles]

They like anything small and yummy.

[Mr. Truffles]

Meaty. Right. Anyway, that, that freaked me out a little bit. But enough about us and our coyotes and our dogs. What's important is that we're here, you and me, up on the Central coast, just living our best life.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yes. And we can't even begin to tell you how beautiful our favorite little Avala farm is this time of year. We talked about this in an earlier postcard. This beautiful little farm, pumpkin patchy, pumpkin patch, petting zoo, restaurant.

[Mr. Truffles]

It really is a kid's job.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Every amazing little like handmade homemade item you could find in there. They sell fresh honey.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah.

[Mrs. Truffles]

They sell pie making kits.

[Mr. Truffles]

Pie making kits.

[Mrs. Truffles]

But more importantly, they sell pies.

[Mr. Truffles]

They sell pies.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Oh my God, the best pies ever.

[Mr. Truffles]

You know what they should sell with the pies is just new belts because.

[Mrs. Truffles]

I have or stretchy pants.

[Mr. Truffles]

I have to switch a knot literally every time we come up here. Because yes, you send me. You know, I'm so happy to make us breakfast in the morning. Healthy breakfasts. Healthy egg white omelets or whatever you want. You don't want that.

[Mrs. Truffles]

What is what? Have you ever made an egg white omelet? Now you're just exaggerating. First you say I maliciously fed you squirrel food and now you're lying about egg white.

[Mr. Truffles]

Okay, maybe not. Maybe it was a sausage and bacon backed omelet.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Okay, well, all I'm saying is that next to the pumpkin pies which are out of this world, they should sell pumpkin colored stretchy pants.

[Mr. Truffles]

I just know that when I go, because I've taken whatever 15 minutes to get there. Right. And it is so beautiful. The air is so clean. I'm not gonna just get one pie. Sorry, sweetie. I'm gonna get five hand pies. And I'm gonna probably get a good idea that you don't have to total pumpkin bread loaf.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Then you don't have to go back tomorrow.

[Mr. Truffles]

And you know what? And we're gonna eat all of it. And we're probably not gonna share.

[Mrs. Truffles]

You know, last time we gifted one to the gajetas and they give us an interview for that pumpkin bread.

[Mr. Truffles]

That's true. Should be our calling card. So I should just carry loaves of pumpkin bread around with me just in case we unsuspecting couples that have been.

[Mrs. Truffles]

For years, then when you feel snacky, you don't have to eat the squirrels food.

[Mr. Truffles]

I love how you brought it all back to your pies.

[Mrs. Truffles]

My pies, my squirrels, my husband who likes to snack.

Yes.

And especially my squirrels. Because squirrels lives really do matter.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah. Raccoons too.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yes.

Squirrels and raccoons. Rest in peace, Peanut and Freddy. We're sorry.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah, it's so sad. Can be such a harsh world sometimes. Which is why it's so important to just get away unplugged sometimes, you know? I mean, some people have their second homes, right? They've got their go to summer places that they make their memories.

[Mrs. Truffles]

The fancy people do.

[Mr. Truffles]

The fancy people do.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yeah. In the olden days, we all kind of had those.

[Mr. Truffles]

Has Avila beach become our second home? We just.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Well, anywhere we can park Bubbles as a second home.

[Mr. Truffles]

It really is.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Bubbles is the second home.

[Mr. Truffles]

But you know, what's. What's.

[Mrs. Truffles]

He likes to move around.

[Mr. Truffles]

You know, what's interesting is that I feel like since we're coming on, what, 15, 16 months with Bubbles, I feel like as much as our destination has to do with the climate and the topography, we really want to go where we think loving couples might be hanging out, don't we?

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yeah, because we're a loving couple.

[Mr. Truffles]

That's right. And we want to be with our own Mr. Truffles.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Excuse me, but I have to sneeze.

[Mr. Truffles]

Oh, she's got to sneeze. Hold on, people. Hold on. Are you okay? Yes.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Just one minute, please.

[Mr. Truffles]

She needs a moment. So the thing about Mrs. Truffles is that she does have. It's actually pretty cute.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Hey, this is not.

[Mr. Truffles]

Oh, no. This is.

[Mrs. Truffles]

No.

[Mr. Truffles]

Oh, please, please.

[Mrs. Truffles]

I said no.

[Mr. Truffles]

She's got a sneezing.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Just for that. I'm not gonna sneeze.

[Mr. Truffles]

She's got a sneezing affliction that sometimes takes her over. And it's usually after a very expensive meal. And the more sneezing, the more expensive the meal. So for her birthday, I'm looking for a 10 sneeze situation. I think we're gonna really go out. I think we're gonna throw down. I think they're gonna be oysters. I think there's gonna be lobster. I think there's gonna be some kind of chocolate lava souffle. Maybe we'll get to 12 sneezes.

[Mrs. Truffles]

It's happened before.

[Mr. Truffles]

I. You know, it's so fun because when it's happening, we all know it's happening. And people around us, they're very sweet, but usually it's the waiter that's kind of waiting and waiting, and I'll let them know. It's like we're just three away. Three more and we'll be done. And it's crazy. Seven sneezes. That's all it takes. And then you're back. You're giving me that eye, that evil.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Eye that I'm not giving any evil eyes. Will you stop saying things like that? I didn't give you a Cheshire smile. And I'm not giving you the evil eye.

[Mr. Truffles]

I do love you. Ow.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Anyway, and I didn't ow you.

[Mr. Truffles]

You didn't. Oh, no, that was my imagination.

[Mrs. Truffles]

You're just all kinds of imagination.

[Mr. Truffles]

I am. I'm just making things up. Anyway, gu. We just wanted to check in because. Oh, there we go. It's just a matter of time. Anyway, we just wanted to check in. Thank you again for joining us. Oh, hold on. Yeah, just. Let's give it a minute. Okay. Yeah, we'll take more bread and butter. Anyway, guys, thanks again for joining us. We love having you with us on our postcards from the road. And guess what? We're gonna do it again next week. But until then, say goodbye, Mrs. Truffles.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Goodbye, Mrs. Truffles.

[Mr. Truffles]

This show is brought to you by Beverly Hills Toy Shore Chocolates of Switzerland, home of the world's first and finest champagne truffles. Join us next week for more adventures in everlasting love.