Cuzzin Fest in Casper

Cuz Donna from Denver and her book-club friend Susan floated the Platte and watched the birds-a great trip-they enjoyed immensely. Meanwhile, cuz Jim and Susie were hosting longtime friends and hot air balloon pilots at their house up the street from Richie's. So Rich and Valerie were pressed into ground crew duty which awakened a new passion for them. Valerie got a ride in a balloon and they touched down briefly in the Platte. Val got her champagne toast and bath as a newbie and was still as high as a kite (not from champagne) from the experience. She was burning up those cell phone minutes telling her kids and family about it. Everybody ended up gathering at the ancestral home on Spruce for a barbecue and fabulous dinner that just sort of came together. I love these people. Kind hearts and good humor and shared history and making memories. If the day wan't nice, I don't know what is.

Buster was a good boy and his socialization continued. He can get a little overwhelmed by crowds but by the time he got bits of steak and brats and pats from practically everybody, he was "into it"- big time.

Heather, my niece "threw together" a fabulous pasta salad, razzed her little brother, and shared a fabulous DVD of her year-ago wedding. I had to head for home-I like to get past all the spots I have deer hunted with my cars before dark. But the art and music of the DVD was truly impressive. I caught a glimpse of the possible-combining media and photographs.