Let me tell you about the birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees

...as the old song goes: One of the things I like best about my home place is being a part of "nature." I have at least one resident bunny this year. The plum trees are in full bloom and air is redolent with eau de plum blossom which is attracting bees (thank goodness). Other trees and bushes are tentatively putting forth leaves and blossoms, the llamas are breeding, calves are mostly here and are feeling frisky in the warmth. Birds abound. It is dry so I am putting out water for the birds and sundry. Bright yellow finches attend the bird feeder at Rasty and Sue's. I have been up there quite a bit. Took Chinese food and a simple gift for Rasty's 80th birthday week on Thursday.

I took pictures of some of their dogs when I went up there for dinner last night-Sue made a Mexican casserole and cheese bread and good salad, watermelon. Sent home stuff too. They are fun to visit with and comfortable to be around. Very enjoyable. These two dogs like to play together-tug of war and other games. I observe Glasser Principles: Fun, Belongingness, Power, Freedom, in all creatures. Buster just let himself out the screen door to bark at a despised neighbor (he doesn't like that pickup for some reason-strange because I think he is related to the dog that rides in the back-but that is like so many on the rez. "Familiarity breeds contempt," I guess.) He waits patiently to be let out most of the time but in an emergency he will take action. The PBS programs on the origin of dogs is very interesting to me.

Plugging Along

This post is being typed one-handed, with the iPod blaring vintage Beatles all in aid of calming Buster who heard thunder and nearly knocked the screen door off its hinges getting in and is parked very close to me with my other hand on his neck. Blowing, dark clouds, thunder, but not a drop of rain...yet.

The cabin is oiled-some parts twice. The "summer house" is redecorated and put to rights after winter, I have re-set some fence posts by my "deck." Progress is being made. The new food regimen is working out fairly well. I feel less, whether I am less or not. Things are getting better all the time according to the Beatles.

My dear little brother rousted the neighbors to come check on me this morning. I had left my cell phone in the van for a couple of days. Days go by without incoming calls and I made my last call from town yesterday. He was wondering if I had been kind enough to write my obituary. He is funny. I guess it is better to have someone to worry about you than not, but if I croak, I will not care about the details- besides I am fine. I am like my vans- high mileage models but still plugging along. I suggested to Rich to try email before calling for reinforcements. I check it several times a day.

"Will you still need me, Will you still feed me, When I'm 64?"

Saying Farewell to an old Friend

Buster and I blew down to Casper (and swam back) Monday for Ken's funeral. A friend from high school and college days, his funeral was well attended by family, friends, and other people who were very supportive during his long bout with throat cancer. At our 30th class reunion, I, as a fan of the film "The Big Chill," suggested that we ought to be having some "pre-Big Chill" get-togethers and so a group of us did just that, gathering at Carl and Vickie's sumptuous B&B in Estes Park as well as at other gatherings like Bonnie's visits over the last 15 years. Some great laughs and memories and caring and sharing. Better than eulogies, though Ken got some fine ones. No pictures of Ken-he made a complete ash of himself.

I always miss the turn-off to the Petroleum Club where a reception was held. Needing to turn around, I discovered the new BLM "Old West Trails Center." A great sculpture and a great view of Casper from the hill. ( I know I should have shot from the edge but I was loathe to tread on newly seeded grass.) Had brief but pleasant visits with brother Rich, his former wife Peggy, and Jackie. Had a little nosh.

We drove home in life-giving rain most of the way. Much more to the east of here but the home place got some, too. Perfect weather for contemplating the larger questions of life dredged up by a death during the drive time. Buster, who is so painfully good when we travel that it is easy to forget he is along, got a double hamburger from Burger King as his just reward.

New Babies-camera report

How I like seeing new life hit the planet! This llama baby is the spitting image of its daddy so far, which is unusual-they can be any color
or combination. As my firm belief is that mother and child need undisturbed quiet time together, it seemed to be a good time to test the 18X zoom. (All posted pictures are vastly reduced in file size, hence quality) The llamas were quite a distance. The Olympus SP550UZ at 18X has more lens than the sensor (7.1 megapixel) can record. The grass at full size is patches of green.

Buster, at a closer range, at full size, reveals almost every single hair. So the expectation, from the paper specifications, in real practice, must be adjusted downward. Every camera is a compromise. Perhaps a 10 megapixel sensor would behave differently but the file size would be huge and I seldom use images at full resolution but I may want to on occasion. So this is a little disappointing but does not yet merit a trip to return it. The experience will guide camera choice in individual shooting situations if I keep it.

Bill, my UPS man and a "lucky gene" physical specimen, brought my Swanson supplements today. He is now 52 years old ( You are a baby!") and uses supplements, too. Swanson Health Products is prompt and inexpensive. I took a loading dose of the multi-vitamin and my first dose of Triphala. I can feel a result-feeling pretty good. I may start a blog on supplements because I have developed a philosophy based on years of experimentation. My doctor inquires from time to time because my test results are better than she expects from my lifestyle. Perhaps the Triphala will mediate my blood pressure. Wouldn't that be nice to go from a $105/month medication to a $3.00 supplement?

The Weather Channel

Sixty mile an hour gusts and an otherwise grey day kept us in until dusk when we made a break for town to stock up on vitals, victuals, and sundry in case the 40% chance of rain/snow bears out. When it is nice, progress is made. I have been giving the septic tank drain an enema. The pipe at the end froze, collapsed and plugged up, backed up. It has been possible to get a flush or two each day but there is an end to that eventually unless things are flowing. I have run a hose with a special nozzle up there and I got to a point of no resistance. Next step will be to insert a liner of pvc pipe. Cabin oiling is progressing but needs windless days to continue. Country Living.

The television has been riveting with all the spin on the tragedy at Virginia Tech. Everybody has their take and wants to blame some policy or person. We delude ourselves to think that we can control things. We can limit risks but along comes a wacko, or a tornado, or a bus. I can't help but reflect how we become hysterical over these events (which ARE horrible) on our turf but 33 dead in Iraq is a calm day. No big whoop. I don't get it.

Allergies have been plagueing me since Florida. I dug out an old Sears electronic air filter and am amazed how much it helps me and Buster. Sleeping better, feeling better. Ordered some Triphala from Swanson vitamins. I read in the Independent that conventional trials found it inhibited cancer. It is supposed to be THE mainstay of medicine in India, balancing, reducing blood pressure, helping maintain blood sugar, cleansing blood and bowel. I will let you know- it is cheap enough.

Found a keen little clock radio/iPod dock on clearance at Ace hardware. Keeps the iPod charged and has good sound and a remote control. Enjoying my tunes.

Temperature is up and so am I

Getting out in the sunshine helps. Today was a great day and the rising temperature last evening prompted me to begin oiling the cabin at dusk. It was still a little cool so the oil went on thick and went fast. I will need more. The freshly oiled wall is the south facing one which gets the most sun and dries out the worst so this is actually a good thing. I will remember the trick in the future. I trimmed some volunteer plum trees and washed the windows today-they always catch some splatter. Buster played and got yelled at-he wants to cross the street, still. This road has increased traffic and people always speed past here. But he went down to the corrals for a few "taste treats." He got some good exercise but I need to watch him like a hawk. Hard to do because he "blends." I can call him and he is right under my nose sometimes.

This picture is taken with the new camera. It seems fine to me-so far. My Canon cameras seem to boost color a little which is pleasing to the eye but Olympus seems a little truer to my eyes. I need to find a circumstance to put it through its paces in a more stressful (to it) environment. After bragging about how my old Oly UZI held its value, I went on eBay to find out that situation has changed. I even bid on a backup-I got outbid today. I am increasingly suspicious that some folks up their own bids or collude based on my experience. I will wait and see what happens with the bidding and look closer to auction end. Perhaps I will swoop at the end or perhaps I will not (or perhaps I will forget). I have some money in my PayPal account (it pays better interest than my bank) but do not want to send more. Too many "spoofs" undermine my confidence in PayPal.

Itchy Feet but still in place

The weather has been cold or cold and windy for days and not much has been happening around here that would titillate, elucidate, educate or other wise edify a loyal reader. Fornicate! I am more determined to find a way to elongate my next departure date in Florida state. Perhaps the new chez Jason and Lori as pictured will have a cubby for the Pater with a bald pate.


But, ever one to try to make the most of whatever, I have dusted off the slow cooker and armed with all the new information on chub, I am cooking, trying to establish a more vitamin rich, calorie sparse, cuisine. Apparently genetic inheritance is a strong factor, dieting is harmful, and the goal should be a way to develop a lifelong war more than a series of losing diet battles. Of course, being satisfied with the food you do get to eat is critical to carrying on, especially for me. So that is my goal. So far, so good, but it is way early. I will cheat as necessary. One "advantage" of home is fewer exotic temptations, though fresh fruit is sorely missed.

I have laid in a supply of shingle oil and will coat the cabin and everything else in sight with it as soon as it is warm and calm enough to do so. A talk with my friend Mike about his new pre-fab cabin to go on their old "home place." put me on to some economical solar panels that I am exploring.
Invested in (yet another) camera: 18X zoom, Olympus SP550UZ. The reviews are all over the place so I got it at Wal-Mart and will not hesitate to return it. The review site that is the most exacting kind of panned it. But they panned my Oly 2100UZ which they now refer to as "classic" and is one of the sweetest cameras I have. They sell today for more than they did new. If it had more pixels it would still be my favorite. So I just have to see for myself in the next few weeks. I'll let you know. So it goes.

Easter Sunday

Ham, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes with walnuts, fruit compote, fresh rolls, apple pie a la mode: Dee-lores pulled out all the stops. Dee-licious. She generously packed a care package for a repeat I am ashamed to say no longer exists. I had not seen them since I left for Florida in December so it was a nice visit. Don had lots of show and tell with a new gold pan and his very nice metal detector. Since Bear-Bear, their dog, went to heaven Don has become the patron of all the dogs in the neighborhood-passing out dog biscuits that they come to collect. Buster too. Delores caught me up on the latest with the Wingrove Hill crowd and the doings in town that I missed during the Winter. A very nice time.

Both boys called. Matt was supervising Audrey's Easter Egg Hunt in the back yard. Turns out he did not do what he told his brother he was going to do-take spray paint and color the dog's turds and kill two birds with an Easter Egg hunt. He does have some warped sense of humor-where it comes from I will never know. Pleasing day. Talked to my brother Rich a minute ago-he played in three separate musical performances today, had a fancy dinner at Heather and Tom's, saw his kids, and was ready for bed.

Sunshine and warmer today.

Good Friday

Being a local tourist is NOT exactly working out so far but the idea is good. I did have a good gab with Lori yesterday. She takes off for a family wedding in Texas. Jason has a conference, Juneau went to Barkingham Palace. Pretty routine around here but I have gone to town to do chores and am whittling away at things. Buster fell out of the van at Wal-Mart. I had opened the front door passenger side to stash my wallet and didn't get the door closed tightly. He elected to ride up front. We were barely moving but it surprised us both. It hasn't stopped him from wanting to go-with, however. I ran into Kristi Fegler at Wal-Mart. Her kids have grown like weeds. Caught up on a few things. As mentioned earlier in the Blog, Peggy's brother Raymond, the baby of the family, died at age 51 this year. EVERYBODY needs a WILL. Nuff said.

Ran up to see Sue and Rasty this afternoon and take a little Easter gift. Due to the cold, they were having a crafty day-Sue doing beading and Rasty watching a shoot-em up. Sue had made cookies and pressed some on me "for Buster." Then I felt compelled to share one with him-they made a hit with us both-he is devoted to them. It is pretty chilly here. Easter dinner with Don and Delores but tomorrow may be another stay-in day.

Tuesday already?

Sunday I enjoyed meeting and being treated to lunch at the Imperial Palace by Rasty and Sue. It was a "We are going to...you want to meet in 45 minutes?" deal. Sometimes the best kind.

The snow has all but disappeared except on the mountains and the days are sunny and the nights freezing. I have been fiddling with the well. It decided to go septic over the winter, pouring out black stuff. Clorox shock seems to have cleared that up but I am still a little leery of it. Buster and I drink bottled water. He has grown into the alpha dog role-he crabs at me and whines until he gets his ride, or out, or drink, or scratch, or whatever. He still wants to cross the road so I am like an eagle when he goes out. I don't trust him not to go visiting other dogs. I looked at the Casper pound website, where I got Goody and there were some strikingly similar dogs. Set me to mulling. Still would prefer his companion to be subordinate size but...

The Florida kids have decided on a new house and it easy to catch their enthusiasm. In pictures it looks to be quite nice and a sixty foot dock has Jason thinking B-O-A-T. Kind of mind-bending for an old guy who is perfectly content in a log cabin on the rez. My kids have both surpassed the old man in the splendor of their digs. (That is what you want. isn't it?) Shaped by our times and experiences I suppose but I remember feeling like my expensive mortgage owned me instead of vice versa. Went happily downscale, post-divorce, and have never regretted it. True freedom, for me, is not keeping up with the Joneses, it is ignoring their opinions entirely. ("I Did It My Way," plays softly in the background.) Which soliloquy sounds like implied criticism but is not. I celebrate their choices. Everybody gets to choose for themselves and the O.F. gets to visit and enjoy. What could be better than that? Basking in the glory of your children is nicer than the reverse, I think. It is their time, now.