No Longer in a Fog

The day began early with chipping ice off the windshield and letting the Van warm up before his highness, Buster, would venture outdoors. I have created a wimp! He wouldn't come in the house for the first two years of his life. It was a very foggy day but having fasted for 11 hours, I was not going to blow off my appointment for a blood test so we turned on the lights and crept. Lander was in sunshine. The hospital staff was in full Hallowe'en mode. I was received by a clown, Sneezy the dwarf took my money. The phlebotomist was professional. I was done in 15 minutes and headed for McDonald's for breakfast for two. The courthouse was not busy so I was out of there in 15 minutes with license stickers for the van that I attached in the parking lot. Left sunny Lander for foggy Little Wind River Valley.

Of course I didn't make a list and had to go to Riverton in the afternoon-that venture taking about twice as long as usual due to the construction. Armed with treats for the Trick or Treaters who have come three times in 30 some years, I started passing some out to people in the waiting cars. Was rewarded with smiles and waves from three little Indian kids in the car in front of me. They had costumes and were about to fly with excitement.

My test results will likely arrive tomorrow. What a deal. Walk in, pay $40.00 for two blood tests and get them overnight.

Had good Email from pranksters and friends.

Snow and Wind

Snowy and Windy today and this evening but the weatherman says it won't last long-for what that is worth. To see people still putting up hay in the last week of October is unusual. We have been lucky this year to have such a nice fall.

I had a quiet day at home. I managed to make the glucometer hit 284 last night and did not feel well but have progressively felt better today. Fine right now. I had a big dinner yesterday at the Golden Corral buffet-feeling I needed veggies and fruit- right choices but probably too much and went to McDonald's to get a burger for the pooch and noticed they were now offering ice cream cones. I succumbed to that temptation. That is probably what did it but first thing today I made an appointment with the Doctor. On a fast since last night I was still at 151 at noon. I'll go tomorrow to get blood tests at Lander (and license plates for the Ford Van). I'll see the doc on Friday afternoon with test results and my own glucose chart at the ready. Meanwhile, I am being careful. I am probably just too sweet for my own good.

I did do some exercising and work. The fleet is ready for the long winter.

Buster and I have a new room mate- he seems quite relaxed and at home. D-Con will get him soon. Everybody is trying to get settled for winter. Can't blame him.

Delores called. We always have a laugh or six-at somebody's expense, often our own. Medical talk too. Riverton hospital life flighted our mutual acquaintance to Casper with a supposed heart attack. Casper diagnosed shingles! Somebody else was diagnosed with an inner ear infection and had, instead, had a stroke-life flight to Salt Lake.

Matt called- he sounded a little lonesome with his women in California. I miss him too but I always have. Hope he gets some sleep while he can.

Paydirt!

Cheryl e-mailed this picture from her new camera-the plan is working. The occasion was our last supper when the Audster decided to give Grampie an unsolicited hug. A treasured moment.

Back home on the rez, I was feeling rested up and called Sue and Rasty-suggesting I bring Sunday dinner up. That was a good plan. Went to town, did my chores, found a better pillow for Buster to ride on, and stopped by KFC to get a big bucket and four side dishes. Having been gone for awhile, it was both good to see them and disheartening because Rasty's decline is rapid. He is socially appropriate, but only about half of his responses are on point. Sue had set the table and had ice water put out. Rasty sat down and started to stir his napkin into his ice water. He needs help getting food onto his plate but eats well. Sue is sweet with him-protecting his dignity. That is not always a two way street. When she has to she just agrees or tells him what he wants to hear. It is going to be lost in a minute anyway. It didn't make too much difference because I blabbed on (and on). Sue wanted to fuss about leftovers but I skedaddled. She has enough to do- if they can make a dinner and lunch out of the leftovers, I am glad of it.
Rasty's son and grandson have been over to help them get the swamp cooler down and get some sheep to the sale barn. Sue thinks she can manage the rest. The mamallama and the baby are doing fine. The baby is growing and full of it. The triplets are cute little lambs and they have a mama who is very protective. She was bobbing her head and pawing and snorting at me and I wasn't even near them. Rasty's beloved horses moved to Guy's place and Rasty has not missed them. God save me from Alzheimer's.

One Hundred Ten Years Later

The top photograph was taken around 1898 in Springview, Nebraska. John Ali, the great, great, grandfather of Matthew, the man in the picture below it, was holding a fork and a turkey leg. Matthew is holding a turkey leg. Aside from continuing a line of two-fisted eaters, there are some similarities. Hmmm

Within us we carry whole strings of DNA replicating all our predecessors from lowly worm to our parents. Our ancestors are within us, complete. When we are conceived two lines of DNA are combined in a unique way depending on chance, health, the phase of the moon, the number of martinis consumed, etc. and certain traits are expressed (dominant) and others are not (recessive).

Knowing this, I feel close to those who have gone before: I talk and listen. The family is always with me. Occasionally I see parts of them in my brothers, cousins, sons, grandaughter. Not that all are not unique, but all is explicable.

HOME!

We left Winnemucca shortly after 6:00 a.m PST. McDonald's good coffee lasted us until Wells, Nevada which's Flying J has a good cook, and a clean restroom, and nice grass for the doggie with lots of interesting sniffs. I had signed up for a month of Flying J WiFi last night because Motel 6 (by the way the light was burned out! in my room) is Internet barren. So I sent a few emails from Wells with pictures that pertained to yesterday's travels and elicited several "Where in the Hell are you's?" Jason responded from an airplane. I wasted exactly 48 minutes from the Garmin's original projection of arrival time on my doorstep. That included gas stops, food stops and potty stops. Still it was a darn long day- 9:15 p.m. MST arrival home. I was almost on autopilot sometimes.

It took Buster about 15 seconds to discover the Norse's dogs had been peeing in our yard and he gave them "what-for." The sheriff of this proppity is back in town! Of course they gave him the doggie equivalent of "ha, ha, nyah, nyah."

Good to be home.... It was a great visit.

Home Again , Home Again...

Good-byes having been said the night before, we took off in the glooming-grey day, traveling upward to Klamath Falls through several layers of clouds. Blustery coolness. We stopped at the Happy Horse in Lakeview for our last taste of Oregon: Beef Barley soup and a Saucy Turkey Sandwich for me, half of a plain turkey sandwich with provolone for Buster. You might ask, as I did, what a Saucy Turkey Sandwich is. Start with sourdough bread, spread it with cream cheese, add a layer of cranberry sauce, then a layer of lettuce and alfalfa sprouts, a generous layer of sliced turkey, mayo on the top slice. Cunningly spear it with sandwich picks to hold it together. Deeelicious. We ate half of our lunch and saved half in case we got snowed in or broke down-neither of which happened.

I enjoyed the drive, knowing it well enough now to plan our stops and get pictures. We also have our favorite rest stops, both provided and impromptu. I made a lead deposit in a gravel pile in order to test and learn about my new pistol: (Made by the Jimenez Firearms Co. of Phoenix, AZ-can you get any more "Saturday Night Special" than that?) Observations: it is louder and has more kick than I expected. It is a real gun and a serious tool. Hope I never have to use it for self-defense but now I know how.

Stopped and hiked back up the road for this shot of a waterfall on Drake Creek, near Adel, Oregon:

The Wild Burros were very placid this time and allowed several pictures to be taken without moving a step. I am very concerned about them. They were brought into the area by the Spanish Conquistadors so have been resident for 400 years. Some genius has decided that since the Pronghorn Antelope is "more indigenous" the Burros should go. The Burros have friends, though and the battle is being waged. Of course this legal precedent would be very interesting if the Native Americans were able to make it stick. Anybody who isn't truly indigenous to North America would have to go back from whence they came. Leave the burros alone!

Winding Down in Oregon

This was a busy day . I had shopping to do -the kids' digital camera had been dunked, hit, and abused to death. I have ulterior motives in keeping them in cameras: getting pictures. So I endured the apathy at Circuit City and got them a Canon A-720. (with an extended warranty that covers all events) I tried twice to buy gas at Safeway and succeeded the second time. With my club card it reduced the price to $2.94. Oregon has no self-service-a scheme to keep the inept gainfully employed-it still took me 30 minutes to buy gas.

I did a load of laundry at Eve's, rehung her window screen, fixed the hose outlet. Ibought trip provisions, had lunch with Matt-an Avocado Swiss Burger at Eddie's Hamburger Stand.

When I got back to Matt's he was hauling wood from a neighbor's tree to his woodpile. He had fertilized the lawn and strewn grass seed in lots of spots. He is a householder.

I offered to buy our farewell dinner but Matt wanted to cook and did a superb job with grilled pork loin in Jamaican Lime Jerk Sauce, new finger potatoes with rosemary,
and broccoli.

Audrey had not had a good day at school-she got bitten. She was ready for a little rest when she got home but she ate enthusiastically. We sat next to each other and she quite spontaneously gave her Grampie some hugs. That justified the whole trip.

After dinner she was engrossed with her Play-Doh and needed help flattening it out. The big blue patch is my work, Ahem. It was fascinating to watch her work. I have to remind myself she is only 2 and a half because she is very capable. After awhile she wanted her daddy to help her. He was rolling the Play Doh. Then she announced to me she was smashing her daddy's balls. Matthew nearly wet himself laughing.

Hugs all around- I went back to Eve's to say goodbye and retrieve my socks and underpants which I had washed and bagged but forgot. New undies, too, or I would have told her to toss them.

It has been a great visit.

Busted!

Tuesdays are "Daddy Daycare" days. Matt has Audrey all day and generally does the marketing at Costco and other household chores. He and Audrey famously have a good time and take lunch at Costco. Cheryl wanted pictures for the scrapbook. I took two before security told me that Costco did not allow pictures to be taken in the store "to protect the privacy of their customers." From then on I was compliant with their wishes but on hyperalert to see just what those customers might be up to that they were ashamed of: saving money? We did have a good time: lots of free samples and Audrey likes to poke the dead trout, and run in the wide aisles. She was galloping horselike and talked Grampie into doing some galloping too. Matt was obviously a familiar sight in there from the number of 'associates" who spoke to him. Matt is a good shopper-in fact avoiding most of the temptations and sticking to his plan. Grampie was running low on his minerals and sat the last inning out but we had lunch (part of which Audrey ate like like a puppy). We visited a bit back at Matt and Cheryl's and Grampie left-took a good nap and re-upped his minerals.

We convened for dinner at Eve's in a valiant attempt to erase the leftovers along with some new fruit and Fritos. Eve had received a music CD that she had done the cover art for-credits duly noted-jazz album which had Audrey dancing and drumming. Soon Cheryl was on the kitchen floor drumming and Audrey and Eve were dancing. Grampie slipped outside to the deck for a quiet smoke, joined after a bit by Matt. We made quick work of the dishes, leftovers leftover were packed and sent with the youngers and Buster and Grampie were in the motel by 8:30.

Matt's intense day and night work schedule commences Thursday afternoon and continues until Monday. Cheryl and Audrey leave for Los Angeles territory Friday to celebrate her mom's 62nd birthday. I hope they don't get smoked out from the horrible fires down there. Grampie and Buster will hit the road for Wyoming on Thursday morning, arriving Friday night, God Willing.

Spoke to Lori- she is home safe but the dog-sitter gave Juneau a rawhide bone the day she came home and he has had the trots.

Taking it Down a Notch

The Floridians have left: Jason back to Seattle for conferences this week, Lori back to Florida and her Juneau pup. I took Starbuck's coffee and muffins over to Eve's, Matt joined us and we had a visit and farewells. It was so good to see them and all play together for a few days. They are pressing me to come in time for Thanksgiviing. I told them I would try. The six times they asked they said "But no pressure," and grinned.

I spent the day with Matt as he did chores: vacuuming the leaves off the flat part of his roof, replacing floodlights on his house and just visiting, (and eating leftover turkey for lunch) pumping the peanut oil from the fryer back into the jugs. He is working three days a week at the County Corrections Program-supervising trusties and doing UA's . It is a very innovative program. I gave Buster a good brushing as he is shedding. He is settling in at Matt's house and even went to him for a scratch, flattering Matt. We both like this person quite a lot. He is a good man.

In the afternoon, I went to Eve's to work on her computer-and ended up trying to instruct her in a few tricks and operating conventions. She is a brilliant woman but artist think and computer think are separate skills. Folded laundry from the guests- a task that would not have been completed at my house until they were due to visit again. Monday is Audrey's afternoon at grammie's. She was a delight after her nap. Cheryl came to collect her and we met Matt at Kaleidoscope Pizza. Excellent Pizza and salads-I was a little taken aback at a bill for $89.00! It was a mistake but even $55.00 was a little high for Pizza, though it was very good and the Pear Hard Cider,and Wine added some. I'd do it again, though. Called it an early evening for all are tired- more relating and visiting than any of us are accustomed to- even Buster has not moved in three hours.

A Picaresque Day

A day in which your narrator spontaneously goes to the beach, falls in the Pacific Ocean, and has Thanksgiving Dinner on October 21st 2007: At 8:30 a.m. Lori calls. "How about a drive to the coast?" Sounds good to me. I gather Dutch Bros. lattes, and head for Eve's. I opt to drive my van with dog and to spare the others the aroma of cigarette smoke (or me walking home). They go to collect Audrey and give Cheryl a free Sunday. Not having planned on a drive, I had taken my overdue diuretic. I was getting about thirty miles to a pint until noon. Told them to scurry on and we would connect via cell phone near Crescent City. They didn't have to put up with my fumes but Audrey barfed so they had fumes all right. Lori looked a little pale. We met at BatteryLighthouse Point. I was following Jason across a spit when I fell in a tidal pool. Soaked to the knees, and my camera was a little worse for the wear until we fixed it.

Audrey was wired after being cooped in the car and when the Historical Society Lady showed us the old Lighthouse Keeper's Book, Audrey started to tell one and all about when she was in her mommy's belly. The lady kept looking from Eve to Lori- whose belly?" The lighthouse was built in 1858, the keeper told us as Audrey annoyed the cat and proceeded to take her shoes off.

The ocean was vast, the redwoods majestic, the leaves brilliant, the cascading water thrilling.

Matthew, after having worked all day, deep fried a turkey and fixed sweet potatoes and creamed green beans, Cheryl made canapes, a great salad and set a beautiful table. Audrey rolled the crescent rolls. We had hard cider and fine wine. Buster had some turkey too and was good as gold although a little wary of Audrey (and everybody else). This meal was so fine-outstanding, and we toasted our Thanksgiving at being together. It was a brilliant end to an adventure filled day.

I said goodbye to Tucker's remains. He was remembered in words and deeds and photographs-as all good dogs should be. Thankful for his presence too.

Click the thumbnail picture or title below for more pictures.

A Day at the Beach- Crescent City

Autumn Fun in Oregon

By nine a.m Matt, Jason and I were on our way to to Grant's Pass and the Josephine County Gun Show. Fortified with Dutch Brothers Coffee courtesy of Matt, we got freebie admission to the show because Matt's Security business was doing the security and the show manager stamped us and waved us through. I fancied a little pistol and Matt was able to obtain it immediately by virtue of his concealed weapons permit. On the way over he played cops and robbers-leaving me in his dust, then suddenly appearing in my rear view mirror. Dutifully checking in with the "wimmen-folk" afterward, we learned we were due at Harry and David's for the pumpking weighing contest and a photo-opportunity in 30 minutes. We made it. Tasted several varieties of wine served by a striking tattooed lady. Because Cheryl is in charge of all of Harry and David's Cell Phones, we helped her shop (more wine!) using her employee discount. We had grilled sausages with apple and vidalia onion sauce and Italian sodas for lunch. Very tasty. We think Audrey is going through a growth spurt because that three year old can eat! Then we took pictures.

Eve and Jason and Lori headed for Ashland, another winery tour, and massages, Eve's treat, at a spa she favors. We collected there at the Kat Wok, an Asian-fusion cuisine restaurant. By virtue of Matt doing their security, he knows what is good and we had an amazing array of sushi, prawns, ribs, steak, sauteed veggies, veggies tempura, jasmine rice, miso soup and shared a piece of deep fried cheesecake. Decadent. By virtue of Jason arriving first, my money was no good. It was drizzling when we left: I-5 Traffic was sane for a change. A great day! Buster was good as gold in all our wanderings. He has been enjoying rare bones, from the pork roast Happi fixed.

Grampie Lives Dangerously

In a family that truly enjoys being together but prizes individuality, this is what a day looks like:
Grampie gets marching orders for groceries for dinner by phone about 9:30 a.m. Eve and Lori have hired a town car for a tour of local wineries. Jason is working the phones on behalf of his company, Matthew works at home. He and Jason connect later and go to Matt's house for more techie chores. Grampie shows up with groceries about 3:00 p.m, Nobody home so he has a visit with Clara the cat until Eve and Lori arrive, about two sheets to the wind but in high spirits. They had a great time and only when the wine starts to be delivered in Florida will Jason know exactly how good a time they had. Lori kept trying to fix Eve up with Bob, their chauffeur, who had a bad toupee and bad breath. Jason and Matt showed up. Lori called Cheryl at work. There were more wineries to be visited and a party at one--did Cheryl want to go? Eve called her neighbor friend Happi to come for wine and dinner. Dinner was truly a cooperative venture with everybody stirring, dicing and slicing- turkey tacos, Leftover chili morphed into posole, exotic cheeses, dips, crackers, and a wide range of beverages. Audrey had come home from school in a foul mood. Cheryl and Lori left for more winery hopping, Eve and Audrey decided to hot tub which always relaxes them both. Matt and Jason were taking Audrey home and finishing the upgrade on Matt's computer. Grampie and Buster headed to the motel to publish a risque' picture on the Blog. Tomorrow guys will go to the Gun Show in Grant's Pass. Probably pumpkin carving at Harry and David's and definitely dinner at the Kat Wok in Ashland, Oregon.

Autumn in Oregon

From perpetually green Florida, and the browning Wyoming, we have gathered in colorful Oregon. Lori got in Thursday morning. I went to wait with Matt at Eve's house. Jason had given Matt an HTC unlocked cellphone PDA that will not be released in the USA until late November. I passed on the gadget freak gene to my boys. Matt was very pleased. On and off we three men were demonstrating our various fancy cell phones until it reached the point we were sitting on Eve's deck, having traveled a combined 5000 miles to see one another, sending each other emails from our cell phones! We started laughing. Nuts!

Eve made a big pot of chili for lunch and I remembered on the way over how Lori got me hooked on Fritos last winter so I picked up some Fritos and shredded cheese and we had some good feasting. With pouches full and after traveling, naps were in order all around. Buster and I came back to the motel.

Eve's neighbor and friend Happi cooked a pork roast with carrots, potatoes and onions. Eve made a good salad. We had a good visit and dinner. Audrey had a good afternoon playing with Aunt Lori but she got an owie on her knee. It feels great to be all together. Eve is preening. We have loose plans formulated for the time we have. It should be a great time.

More pix at the Album link:

Oregon Fall 2007

The Oregon Trail

We left at 4:30 a.m. in the hope of beating a storm due in Salt Lake City at the same time we intended to get there. We were successful but we coincided with it at the rest stop just this side of Wendover, Utah. We had time to snap a picture of the storm arriving on the salt lake flats and seek shelter under the canopy at the rest stop. Nap time for a hour's deep sleep. I tossed my pillow on the passenger side and we hit the road after the storm passed.

The pillow was too inviting for Buster who is great at finding comfy spots at the right temperature for him. Isn't he cute? My little buddy.

The stormy weather provided spectacular lights and shadows on the Nevada landscape. This one was snapped at a picture stop somewhere after Wells, Nevada but before Beowawe. We made it to Winnemucca about 10:00 p.m. and had to settle for a non-smoking room. So we had a few walks. It may be entirely my imagination-because I don't know if it is even possible or how a dog's brain works but Buster took inordinate interest in Goodie's old piddle spots- he lingered and was thinking something. Since to him she left in the car and never returned...


This looks back toward Denio Junction in the 204 mile -no gas station, no civilization stretch of highway 140. I could become a desert rat pretty easily- this is intriguing and beautiful country. Even with a late start and picture stops, we made it to Lakeview, OR 15 minutes before the Happy Horse Antique Shop and Deli stopped serving food. Homemade sausage and cabbage soup and a Reuben sandwich were a treat. (Buster had a plain turkey and mayo sandwich-for two meals today.) Clean wholesome food made by loving Christian hands. (no cynicism here-these are real Christians-not the pain in the ass, judgemental ones.) I look forward to these stops.

We made it to Matt's house about 8:00 p.m. and hugged the adults. Audrey, the adorable, was shy and coy but favored me with a voluntary lap-sit before she went off to bed. She is a riot. Definitely in charge of herself and whoever else she can get away with, She is going to give her folks a run for their money. We watched Audrey's "Kid's Yoga" DVD. I want one-I finally got what Yoga does- this was pitched at my level. Jason was to arrive at midnight. The old man needed to put his feet up so I will see all in the morning. Glad to be here even in the rain.

Taking This Show on the Road for a bit

Either I am in an unprecedented state of readiness, or the brain corpsuckles (as my old friend Mike Wilson used to say) have let me down. I'll let you know. Saw a quote on the Forbes magazine website: "Take twice the cash and half the clothes." Destination Oregon where not only the residents of that state will be, but by happy coincidence, the Floridians will be. We have been fortunate in so dispersed a family to enjoy a get-together about once a year. Nonetheless, I stopped at K-Mart to buy unmentionables-God forbid I am in an accident and am discovered with dingy drawers-when in reality, if I am in an accident, there may well be lumps!

I got a flu shot at K-Mart- $28.00 which I do not regard as a deep discount but it sure was handy and the nurse was an artist with the needle. She kept having to tell people she was done.

I talked Thayne into sighting in the scope on my .22 rifle. He and Thomas enjoyed themselves plinking. I surely appreciate having this done. The llamas are now in the pasture with cows-should be safer as cows band together to attack in the face of danger. Sue called to tell me she shot at a black dog but only succeeded in scaring it to the river. Guy told me Hollis dispatched a stray black dog today. One and the same? I have pangs about being able to shoot a dog but then I think of the llama's face and know it must be done. Shame on the people who do not manage their dogs.

It is strange that domestic, or formerly domestic, canines are causing this grief and the resident coyote is not. Turns out Harlan is of the same mind as I am about Wily. He follows Harlan when he is running the swather. He pounces on the mice that are dislodged- a benefit to the farmer. In fact, there is a whole array of gleaners that follow the swather, seagulls and ravens love to clean up the bugs and mice too.

Hope to have some pictures for you next time from on the road and Oregon. Memory-Making is in the offing as opposed to memory-making. They are all good (well, mostly).

Murder and Mayhem in my Backyard

I was restoring the traveling gear in the Van. I had tricked Buster into going in the house in order to avoid working around him-car door open, he is in it. I heard some dogs yipping in the pasture and went to see what was up. A pack of dogs was attacking the male llama. I started off toward them yelling "Git" and they were undisturbed. Pete was fighting valiantly when I started toward them but he was down in minutes with six dogs attacking him. I was approaching throwing distance when I realized these dogs could turn on me. Fortunately, an Indian man named Damien had been hunting down by the river and arrived about the same time and at my urging took a few shots which did not hit anything. These dogs were intent. A few backed off and waited until they could return even as we stood next to poor Pete, some others attacked the mama llamas and their babies. Damien shot again and some took off toward the river. I had my cell phone and called Paula and told her to bring a gun. She arrived pretty quickly Aaron in T-shirt and underpants fresh from the shower. Pete, the llama, was down and making horrible noises-his face torn completely off. I pointed out one of the dogs and Paula wounded it on her second shot. Damien left to retrieve his pack. Darkness was closing in. After consulting with Thayne, Paula dispatched the llama as the kinder thing to do. It might have survived the attack but its mutilated face would have frozen this winter.

The female llamas started making their warning sound again so I knew the dogs were still lurking. We decided to put the llamas in the corral or barn. That was not an easy task in the state they were in. I got my Ford Ranger 4WD and a little spotlight and my .22 and patrolled a little while we herded the llamas. Thomas arrived to help. Some other headlights appeared. It was the BIA police. The one dog Paula wounded made it home and the Norses called the cops on us for shooting their killer dog! The policeman was cool and after he heard the story went back to Norses and told them to get ready to be sued for the cost of a llama-their complaint was a confession. Keeping their dogs home would keep them safe. (like THAT will happen)

These dogs were "wilding" and will kill again. I will shoot on sight. I called the neighbors with sheep and warned them to keep an eye out. This was very disturbing. I was fond of that llama and his harem. It was a terrible way to die. Wilding dogs are very scary. Now I understand those news stories of people getting killed by dogs. As much as I love domestic dogs, there is another perspective to keep in mind.

Smoking! Gambling! Wild Sex!

OK, I am lying about the wild sex. It works for the Enquirer- why not my Blog? Paula graciously offered to haul me to town to pick up my van but Sue was so disappointed that her respite care person didn't show yesterday that I thought maybe lunch in town would be salutary so I called them to see if they would haul me. They did, and since I had told Sue how much cheaper smokes were at the Casino, we decided to stick our noses in there. What a transformation has taken place! Spruced up and Hospitality Training has had a good impact. Native American run and run in a heads-up manner. Pride is evident. The new facility is under construction but this one is pretty good. We decided to stay for lunch which I was going buy as "cab fare," but Sue beat me to it. We each had a chicken fried steak sandwich (more than passable, and only $5.00).

Rasty and Sue are known to many people and regarded warmly. Rasty was struggling sometimes to place the names and faces but he was gracious throughout. Seeing how easily the Native Americans conversed with Sue was an eye opener. I think we will be returning for occasional Senior Tuesdays- a free lunch and $5.00 in gambling money and you are automatically registered for a drawing. That can't be beaten and the place is welcoming. Fun time.

They dropped me at RTO-the estimated repairs slipped upwards by $250 but everything was documented and done. Wrote a check for $650+ and slid into my fresh running flivver.
Had to take my little boy dog for a ride this afternoon- he gets so excited to go that it seems cruel to not. He got leftovers from the luncheon feast. I played musical chairs with my vehicles to 1) get them close to outlets for their chargers, 2) accessible to drive if whim or necessity dictates, and 3) secure, by strategically parking one vehicle or locking the gate. I will re-assemble the cross-country equipment in the green Van. This is more of a chore than one might think by the time all wiring, chargers, cooler, antennae, cell phone stuff, GPS, iPod, etc., get hooked up. To Oregon on the 16th I think.

I was feeling pretty punk this evening-headache, queasy, achy, leaden, so took my blood sugar to just see-and it was 214. It must have been the volume of food today because I was pretty good on selection. Took some pills and promptly conked out. Awoke at midnight and am blogging until sleep suggests itself again and I just yawned. Night All.

It's Always Something

It's always something here in the wild west. Last night I missed the "clunk-chunk" sound my refrigerator makes when the compressor stops. It had stopped for the last time. It has been living on borrowed time for about six years. I bought it in 1974 so I can't complain (think "Harvest Gold") about the value, but I can complain about the inconvenience and expense at this time. Called Sue this morning to see if she had freezer space. She said her freezer was filled with dead porcupines. (She dyes and sells quills on eBay) but her fridge had some empty freezer space. I wanted to donate the food-rather than waste it-I will deal with getting a new refrigerator after I come back from Oregon. I also found out she was having trouble medicating the mama llama and volunteered to help with that when I brought the food up.

Rasty was having his nap in the chair so we entered the barn and commenced to have a little rodeo. The llama has a halter and a rope and doesn't mind it a bit as long as nobody is holding the other end. That was my job. Sue's was to take a squirt bottle of medication and try to hit the llama in the vagina. Llamas do not find this either dignified nor pleasantly refreshing. So the north end of the llama headed south and so did I. (repeat several times). Meanwhile, the baby was racing around underfoot. The barn was a virtual dust bowl. We got her done. Put another check mark in the column "Things I never expected to do in my lifetime."

I met the ewe and her new triplets-two conventional ones and a calico. The ewe seems to have milk enough right now for the lambs are tiny and are doing just fine. They had some lunch and their little tails were wriggling with joy. Cute.

The picture above was shot by Sue from her front yard. The frosty nights are turning everything golden.

My Helper Turns 16, Yay!

Thomas turned 16 which means I no longer have to accompany him on the trips to the dump, although I may go anyway, because he is good company. Since the day a few years ago that my full-size pickup went up in flames at the dump, trash hauling has been problematic. So this year I enlisted learner permit Thomas who liked to practice driving and could use gas money for his truck, to be my aide. Brother Aaron and sister Amanda obviously think he is great and would look better with bunny ears.

He was off to a hunter's safety course this day so Paula, his mom came to fetch me at my mechanics at RTO. The Green Van is in for a fix and the oil boom is such that mechanics are booked tight. So I left it and they will work on it as they can. Oregon is on my mind and agenda.

There is a crime wave in the neighborhood. Harlan was looking to get a new farm pickup to replace the ancient Dodge 4WD, that misses on one cylinder. They were surprised at the cost of a late model pickup and at how little the Dodge would bring on trade in. The negotiations were rendered moot: the Dodge went missing. Stolen in the night.
Guess I had better start taking the keys out my vehicles, though I hate to after 34 years of no problems. I'll keep my eyes peeled for their Dodge around the rez and when I go south. It is pretty recognizable. You just have to hope dishonest people get what's coming to them someday. Karma takes care of what the law misses.

Sue had a ewe that threw three lambs. I'll bet they are cute. I will go see someday soon.

Mama Llama Drama and the North Wind

This day couldn't decide what it wanted to be so it has been a lot of things. Sleet was blowing last night, drizzly early today, then nice, now at 7:30 pm, the North wind is blowing chilly gusts.

Started out early to get supplies in the face of uncertain weather. Called Sue to see if they needed anything at the store -they did. Said I would deliver and bring lunch and we would watch an old silent movie I got in on DVD.

Delores coincidentally pulled up at Wally World and we had a cup of coffee. She had ditched the Maxine persona and was all glam: Italian shades, red muffler, hair done, easily the best looking woman in the store. But today was "lame and halt" day at Wal-Mart. Never saw so many walkers, handicarts, limpers, blind, etc., so the competition wasn't very stiff. We had a good visit and mediocre coffee.

Arrived at Rasty and Sue's with a Perrett's Pizza, possibly the best in the world, at about 1:00. Rasty who has chewed snoose for 65 years has forgotten he chews and is going through withdrawal as well as Alzheimer's, so he was not exactly with it, and a little bit grumpy. At this point Sue is not telling him he chews. We will see how this turns out. Hope everybody lives.

Sue and I went to see the Mama Llama and baby safe in the barn. They were just returned from the Vet's. Fortunately Rasty's son, Guy, was visiting the other day when they noticed two Pit Bull dogs after the baby llama and the mother frantically trying to fend off the attack. Guy is a pretty good shot. There are two less Pit Bulls on the reservation but the llamas were traumatized and Sue saw some posterior damage on the mama. Rasty who is beyond driving, jumped in the truck and ran it into a barrel in front of the shop where it sat with windshield wipers at full tilt and the radio playing Country Western music. A trip was arranged to the Vet's with the help of Sue's "adopted" Indian daughter, Veronica. (Sue has started to Blog but says she is not ready for prime time yet, so I am shamelessly stealing her material.)

Turns out the Mama Llama's damage was from a birthing gone bad. The Vet(our good Vet) stitched her up and medicated her and she is safely in the nice warm barn. She is producing milk and the prognosis for all is good.

Blogging Wyoming friend Denis has posted on his recent hunting trip with Delores' husband Don and a friend. I have been razzing him a little. From the pictures, I counted at least $150, 000 worth of equipment used to bag one poor Blue Grouse. They have great fun though and razz each other.

Check it out here:

http://nospare.blogspot.com/

Sue and Rasty gave me a bodacious money clip-pen knife, screwdriver, scissors, with an inlaid Indian design on it. Now we will see if I can adapt to this bit of organization.

I May Dance Again

The legs are resuming human proportions again. Horizontal time seems to be the best treatment and that has not been hard to do. The sleep deficit caught up and is also in the process of being remedied. Buster is bored with me and is letting me know about it. I think the trick is to not let it get so bad again before having a sleep-fest.

I was due for another freebie cell phone. What was wanted is for my LG6100 to just be fresh again-good ringer, clear strong signal. It is a gem of simplicity, could be tethered to the computer for a modem (although slow- but effective anywhere a signal could be obtained) and was small and light. I got an LG 5430 which is very similar, lighter, smaller, has bluetooth, instead of tethering and is a tri-mode phone meaning it works on the old network as well as the new. The old network is supposed to go dark in February 2008 but in the wide open spaces, the stronger, older, network will likely dwindle instead of stop as cell phone providers race to replace their repeater towers.

Did you know: Old Cell Phones-even "de-activated" ones still work for emergencies? You can dial 611 (and 911) even if you no longer have cell phone service. So, if you choose not to donate it to an abuse shelter, it is still useful to you in an emergency. Turned off, the batteries last quite awhile. You should charge them once in awhile though.




Friend Delores celebrated a birthday. The folks at the office built on her observation that she is morphing into cartoon character Maxine and played it up providing regalia. Here she is in character and all her splendor:

Jason Catches Lori Sleeping With Boyfriend!

Jason has photographic evidence of alienation of affections but he doesn't seem to mind at all. Cozy naps with warm dogs are one of life's great pleasures. My Grandpuppy is turning into a Grand-dog. This is a good sign, actually. Juneau has been so rambunctious that he was most often a dud as a snuggler. He slept on my feet when I stayed my last night in Florida and that was seen as an anomaly. Jason says Juneau is definitely bonded with Lori. When he walks him, Juneau keeps looking back to see if Lori is coming.

Lori must like living on the edge-her head is awfully close to the dangerous end of a Lab. My Goodie was part Lab and part some more fastidious breed. She would occasionally have a "Lab moment" and turn around as if to say "What was That!?" She was such a lady.

They are having RV dreams. That is a natural evolution in dog ownership. Leaving the dog at home is hard to do. Traveling with them is somewhat problematic. Motorhomes are the answer. At John Prince Park many rig owners are candid: "That is the dog's (or cat's) motorhome."

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Lots of horizontal time, interspersed with brisk
walks and heavy duty compression socks and lots of magnesium and other minerals have my legs headed back toward normal. Some pain. I have to admit this was a bad bout. My calves pretty much met my jeans. Some leakage. But that is in the rear view mirror. Glucose monitoring has raised the consciousness and my numbers are better. (Not to bore you with this stuff but I have found the Blog useful to me to see what is/was happening- mostly for my own use.)

Beautiful Babies

Sue had a surprise. The llama they received this spring was keeping a secret. The secret was revealed this week. A beautiful baby girl llama entered the world. She is the color of her daddy, Pete, the rascal, who lives in the pasture below my house. As this is late in the season, that dark wool will be helpful in keeping warm this winter. They also have a barn. Sue's picture- a birth announcement came by email. She will have fun with this little girl. In a week or two she will be scampering-running for the thrill of it and so will the baby llama. (joke, Sue, though if you take to scampering in the pasture give a call- that is one picture I would love to take.)

Kids like to dress up. Audrey, my granddaughter, decided this was the outfit she wanted. The outfit was lovingly knitted for her while she was still in the oven. Old favorites are still favorites and she is so pleased with being in the height of fashion with her bare tummy and pink tenny-runners and matching chapeau. Grandma Eve is her partner in crime and cheerleader, snapping this photograph and, happily, emailing it to Grampie. Digital photographs are the best!