Running Buddies

Using the long lens, Buster and Honey were caught ranging in the pasture- finding snacks and sniffs. The pictures are better if you click on them to enlarge them. Honey would love to play with the older llama baby. The way it runs and bucks and scampers is playfulness made visible. She does not have the same relationship with the heifers who sedately haze her off their territory. She got too big for her britches today and I used Valerie's technique that she had to use with alpha Lab female. Grab the front paws and put them in the lap and have a serious talk until the struggling stops. Honey didn't like this one bit either but I have to get this under control. I hate doing it but I hate the idea of the things that could happen on this highway even more. As one website said, your dogs need to respect you first, love you second. They are DEPENDENTS- like having a toddler forever. They don't have the gift (or curse) of foresight. They need to mind for their own good.

Thomas will come to haul trash tomorrow. Now I am apologizing to the (imaginary?) coons. Honey was on the porch night before last and yelped and ran to my side- I went outside and one critter zoomed by, then another- big cats. Then a surprise third one got revenge- startled me. The next morning the neighbor's big white dog was enjoying a rummage when we got up. Buster turned himself into a growling rocket and the dog didn't look back until he was safely home. Busty lives to avoid conflict but when it is unavoidable he steps up- that is courage. So the attractive nuisance will go away tomorrow morning.

Sun is shining...

The Sun is shining, the grass is growing, the dogs are napping after playing, and I have been napping often. Feel fine, it is not unpleasant, it's just not a choice. All of which makes for a boring read so I am not going to commit to a daily blog for awhile- maybe a few times a week until I have something zippy or worthwhile to "Show and Tell."

The Fog is Lifting

Another day of unexpected sleep-the afternoon nap was long and befuddling-"Where am I?" But, like the clearing skies, my head is clearing too. The local rag, The Riverton Ranger, declares our multi-year drought is over in view of the record setting rains we have had-over 4 inches in eight days. To this I say, not so fast-hot dry winds can change things in a hurry but I too am jubilant that rivers and streams are full, snow is prolific in the lower and upper mountains, the prairie had a chance to absorb lots of rain and the vegetation is popping. As soon as weather permits, I will go take some pictures of the phenomena for you to see and for me to have for the scrapbook.

An apology to the usual suspects: The neighbor's dogs are not the garbage hounds. Coons made another foray even getting on the back porch. The rains have kept me from getting Thomas down to haul the trash so there is all this fascinating and icky stuff to attract the coons. Erase from your memory those grade school pictures of the cute little coons washing their food in the stream-they like nasty garbage.

Had to be the Grinch with the dogs-reminding of my father: "No rough-housing in the house." They had ample opportunity to play outside tonight but we are in by dark and they had to rough and tumble and amusing as it is, it tends to escalate to hysteria. Buster has perfect pack manners to the point of not eating until I at least start eating, Honey is starting to get it but not when it comes to food- first she gets the good stuff from her dish, heads for Buster's dish which he sweetly shares after he has gotten the good stuff, then to to my lap where soulful eyes and whining gets her no place.

Cuz Donna called: she was interested in going mobile with her computer. She found Sprint has a good deal on an aircard and you can put it on hiatus for $10.00 a month when you are not using it. She is up and running.

I think I hear coons on the roof-"See ya in the funny papers,"as my uncle Ed used to say.

Memorial Day

Early Monday Morning: It is doubtful that anything of import will happen today. It is raining buckets and even the dogs are casting a jaundiced eye on the prospect of going outdoors. We've got grub and it appears in my case that my old enemy sleep deprivation crept up on me so I will work on catching up. Broke out the chemical help for the serotonin yesterdaywhen it hit home. Yesterday was a dozy day: piddled with the VW-tarted her up with stuff to make the tires and running boards shine black and tried a different wax on the top. The dogs could not be enticed into it-Buster would have-so they got put in the house when I went for a spin.

The dogs went on an odyssey yesterday-they were in sight but rambling. When they came back Miss fancypants, Honey, was out of control. So we had a leash training session and she has been good as gold since-sweet. From what I have seen and read I think this breed tests the waters daily as to who is leader of the pack and is happy enough to be a lower number than one but you have to establish it every day. Pyrs are descended from European wolves. Poor old Buster overdid it on his gimpy leg- he nursed it and was a slow mover the balance of the day but I could see he was having a ball showing Honey the sights.

Wake me up when the Sun comes out.

Slow Learners or Like to Play?

After getting stuck yesterday with fewer bales on the trailer, and a night long rainstorm last night, the neighbors added a ton or two of hay and tried to get away with it. They had to get the tractor. And they made it on my land with mud bog making equipment. I have to admit, in my ranching days, getting stuck provided a welcome break in the monotony and they seemed to enjoy the challenge this morning. I very nearly missed it because after a 6 a.m. wakeup, potty the dogs, make a cup of coffee, fall asleep in the chair scenario, I was oblivious. Buster woke me up because he wanted to know about the commotion out there. It was a cool day and another nap took place in the afternoon. The doggies were still dozing at my feet when I slipped out to the VW and went to town for dinner for all. Pushed the sun roof back and turned up the radio and shed all those years back to 1976 and cruising in a "76" Superbeetle. It was almost as if I still had hair on my head. Topped the gas tank up with two gallons and the 18 year old clerk at the Loaf and Jug said she really liked my car. Validation!....32 years too late but still nice.

There is a new llama baby for me to watch. So cute and born so "ready to go." She was sniffing her cousin and running within minutes of hitting the earth. Her cousin is months older than she and as I was watching he was playing tag with a bunny.

Got the leash out and worked with Honey on coming when called. I have a breed specific training manual coming from Amazon. I knew I needed it when it said it had help on "selective deafness." The girl has it. With the lead on she did pretty well- some bucking and fighting but she caught on really quickly. I think she was not too traumatized-enjoyed the praise anyway.

Stick in the Muds

The fabled green Dodge was making stuck in the mud noises this morning which drew me and my camera. Peggy hopped out and Harlan drove it out of the mud. Just those two feeding today. They saw me and did not drive in my part of the pasture though the two year olds often do end up feeding below the house. Two trips with less weight would keep the ground intact. As my grass in the yard is lush and the pasture is criminally overgrazed, our annual trouble is going to start. Cows will end up in my yard. I send Buster on perimeter patrol and he is good at keeping them at a distance. Like a good boy he always awaits permission to spring into action. So we miss them sometimes when they make their move. The Norse's dogs, perpetually underfed, raided my garbage bags in the rain last night making a mess. I started the day annoyed and it did not get much better.

We had two inches of rain and the newspaper said they had 10 inches of snow at the Riverton airport. It melted right away but there is white stuff on Beaver Rim and the Wind Rivers down to a low elevation. All bodes well for growing and green. But I have been cold and cooped up so I am ready for a sunshine break.

Click on the pictures to embiggen them. You can see the Little Wind River is about to leave its bed.

This is my 600th Blog Entry on this blog. Apparently there is no prize.

Wonderful Wyoming Wetness

Life-giving rain has fallen for 24 hours and it is still trying. I have been chilly but still enjoy looking at rare puddles of water. This has been part of a major storm system that also brought a reportedly mile wide tornado to Windsor and Greeley, Colorado and a smaller one to Laramie. Around here, those farmers who have their crops in are going to see an explosion of vegetation. Meanwhile, my river is full- a sight for sore eyes. The prairie will bloom.

Before the rain, I installed a Martha Stewart doggie door and insect preventer. From observation, bugs tend to enter the house about 2/3rds up the door frame. Sometimes higher, seldom lower. I want the dogs to be able come and go and to be able to hear them. My swamp cooler needs at least 8 square feet of exhaust area to function effectively. Answer: a telescoping curtain rod and a Martha Stewart Everyday curtain panel. Seems to work. All parts: $7.00. Installation : less than 10 minutes.

The North Wind Doth Blow

"The North wind doth blow and we shall have snow,
And what will poor robin do then, poor thing?
He'll sit in a barn and keep himself warm
And hide his head under his wing, poor thing." Nursery Rhyme

It doth blow hard and it doth bring rain and snow and lighting and thunder. Wrapping a towel around the outlet of a swamp cooler with a forty mile an hour wind blowing through it is a mite trickier than you might imagine. Sixteen feet of baling twine finally did it.

I blew my resolution to drive the VW instead of a van two days running. Yesterday was a big load day and it was too nasty today. So tomorrow we are really, really, going to start using the VW to go to town. The need was brought home again with a $75.00 gas fill tonight. I spent two days tinkering with the VW"s sunroof. The apparatus that opens and closes it has been kaput since before I owned it. I got it back in its track and lubricated and screwed a part of a dog leash to it to make a convenient way to open and close it. A new OEM apparatus would cost about $300 and about that much to install it. Then we are getting into original cost territory. If I were proud, it might make a difference.

Miss Honey knows that if I get up and it is still dark outside it is just a potty break. But with dawn in the offing at 5:00 a.m. I am just out of luck. She greets the day so happily and I am not about to deny a puppy that thinks she needs to go out a chance to do just that. These early mornings are having a cumulative effect on me. I love them but I am getting tired. She, on the other hand, has been taking 3 hour siestas-new behavior that makes me worry she ate something to make herself sick but now I think she is going through a growth spurt and needs to rest. She was getting wary of me because I would snag her and we would go in the car. I've left the dogs home a couple of days- Buster to babysit-but she amazes me with what she gets into. Hard to figure out how to handle this. I don't want her being a reluctant rider or wary of me. She is fast approaching a weight that tells me lifting her into the car is a temporary thing.

Spoke to Matt and he got a pretty good report on his CAT-scan and surgeon exam. One more month of no weight on it- the donor bone is grafting O.K. and he now has a full range of motion brace and is supposed to start flexing exercises with two pound weights. Still is a long time to be laid up. Eve says he has lost 20 pounds.

Zzzzzzz

I am getting very sleepy. Will write tomorrow. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Puttering Around

Literally, putt-ering around: I uncovered, waxed, and fired up the VW bug. I am going to try to get organized on the trips to town, taking a van once weekly for a long list and using the Goldbug for emergencies. It's the difference between a little less than $8.00 per trip versus a little more than $4.00 in the VeeDub. Still outrageous but more affordable. The VW is fun to drive. It scoots. Good radio. No air conditioning.

Talked to Daryne over the fence as they fed the cows. The story of their lost pickup, according to Daryne's supposition, is this: John M who manages the Arapaho Tribe Farm is a bit of religious zealot. He took a chance on an alcoholic. The alcoholic took off with the green Dodge, parking it at another farm site at their junk vehicle site where it blended in. John eventually had a light bulb come on ( I said he was zealous, not brilliant. ) he asked them to take a look at it. The only thing missing was an air-freshener in the shape of a woman scantily clad. So the truck came back. Gran Peg drove this morning and little McAye was the co-pilot while Daryne and Thayne peeled off large flakes of hay for the cows.

Daryne said the BIA was flushing the irrigation ditches today so I was out patrolling with my hoe and fixed a headgate of mine that seems to be shrinking in width. If the water in there is enough to flush the ditch, I'll put in with you. But with the hot weather and wind, anything wet is welcome .

Cleaned and mounted the Swamp Cooler ( it deserves capital letters- it is my friend). This one is a good deal larger than the one that died last year. Pretty good chore. It works fine. Half-speed is plenty. I am ready. It will probably freeze in the next couple of days.

Every day is different with the dogs. Yesterday the playing turned into a fight- lots of noise and hurt feelings but no injuries. Honey doesn't know when to quit. I try to listen for the intensity and make them take a break but it doesn't work every time. Kids!

Niece Alicia now has a My Space Page-with music. If this works, you should be able to click here to go there:

http://www.myspace.com/aliciadanielleroberts

Baa, Baa, Black Sheep, Have You Any Wool?

Sheep shearers showed, set up in the little barn and the poor sheep were darn near outnumbered by helpers. It went swimmingly. Sue had it organized down to collecting the fleeces individually, and lunch for 15 or so. The shearers were forgiven for their Saturday no-show, in the end. They worked hard and had minimal nicks on the sheep. Sue gave them lunch, hugs and a tip in addition to lining up several other small bands for them to shear. They were staying in a motel in town which was good: their RV was one of the worst I have ever seen.
Mia was given the wrong motel room number so some poor white dude was awakened at 7:00 a.m. by a 6'3", 300 pound Indian with tattoos asking "Ready to shear some sheep?" They did the same thing to me- they wanted prints of pictures so I dropped them by about 4:30 p.m. and got the same dude. He knew how to direct traffic at this point.

Sue sells wool for crafters on eBay and the black fleeces are prized. Her grandson Hollis gathered this beautiful black wool for a bag. A Wyoming wool processor is starting up in Buffalo, WY. Sue will be one of the first customers. If I told you how diverse the crowd was you wouldn't believe it so I won't. But apparently diversity works- everybody had a good time and got a lot done.

Breaking bread together always brings out the best- the shearers, though limited English speakers, let their personalities out a bit.
More pictures at the web album which can be accessed through the link below:

Shearing Sheep 2008

Pastoral Picture

The view from my deck with the Sony camera and a long lens. I never get tired of this view. There are horses, cows, llamas, coyotes, geese, ducks, pheasants, foxes, Sandhill cranes, eagles, owls, and other birds, people, and seasonal changes to watch- my own little "aquarium." I unlimbered the Sony in preparation to go to Sue and Rasty's to observe the shearing of the sheep. The shearers called from Rawlins about 9:00 a.m. and told Sue they were on their way- they were supposed to be at the ranch at that time. Meanwhile a crew of helpers from as far away as 50 miles were on hold. The shearers finally arrived in Lander about 3:00 p.m. What is normally a two hour drive took six plus! We are on for 8:00 a.m. tomorrow and Sue is sending a big old Indian kid to gather them up. I felt bad because Sue felt bad but what are you going to do? She is kind of held hostage- until the shearing is over, but these birds better do a good job and be gentle with the sheep or else. They have used up any grace that might have been accorded them.

During the delay, I went to town. I bent over at the Deli counter and the clerk whom I have known for years said the top of my head looked like her husband's- he is tall and always has a scab on his head too. My head must be a sight. I've kind of had the slows the last couple of days- swelly legs, but did roust myself to do some repair work on the house exterior and some other chores. Started prepping the swamp cooler. It was 82 today-beautiful, and the window fan is just great but the day is coming...

Matt called. They had arrested his attacker- he had to do a photo line up yesterday and identified the guy. He is being held on $1 million bond as a flight risk. We have a name and I had credit on one of those Internet background check deals so I looked him up. Unfortunately it doesn't appear he has much in the way of assets but he does have a criminal record. Grand Jury time. Matt is also to go to Eugene Monday for a CAT-scan and a check on his progress.

The Florida kids called late last night- see guilt still does work if not as swiftly as it used to. Had a good visit. The bird still lives with them and has a fancy rolling cage. Juneau hurt his leg playing fetch and went to night clinic because he was gimping seriously. He seems to have spontaneously cured by today. They have been busy.

The dogs played hard all day long today and I had a brief "simmer down" session with Honey tonight. She amazes me- she "got it"- knew exactly what the problem was and settled right down for a snooze.

I think I will go count some sheep so I can get up and go do the same tomorrow morning.

Beware: Purple Prose Follows:

Beware; Purple Prose Follows:
Spring in the High Plains happens in its own good time. The calendar is only a rough guide. As I sat on the deck this early morning, the pasture was golden with dandelions, the black heifers and calves basked in the sunshine. The llamas leisurely surveyed the land. The plum blossoms popped releasing their sweet perfume and honeybees buzzed business-like catching early pollen and nectar. Birds chattered and flew swooping in front of me. The sun warmed my back. Two puffy clouds floated against the background of a Wyoming blue sky- pale from the altitude and crystalline clean. Connected with the day by all my senses, a frisson of joy to be alive and in this place and time; I was in the picture of Wyoming Spring.

Second Verse, Same as the First

Her Fuzziness woke up the household by getting on the bed about 7:00 a.m. She sleeps next to me on the floor, by choice. Mr. Buster was scandalized and kind of went into a droop today. I think he needed quiet time because he holed up in the RV for a good nap. He perked up for a trip to town and after dinner tonight they were wrestling on the bed.

The household drudgery is still on the top of the agenda and efforts are sustained.

Cuz Donna called and we talked until my phone battery died. She is making progress on her thesis, has a teaching assistantship at Boulder for fall semester but isn't sure the pay will cover the commuting costs. She was getting a new garage door installed. We will get together for Rich and Val's wedding on July 5. Good to chat.

Memory Hook: The cyclone death toll estimate in Burma has been raised to 250,000. The earthquake death toll in China is estimated to be 50,000. I think they are still underestimating. Sad. Mother Earth is angry.

I'm Three Months Old and I need a Job!

There being no sheep in the near vicinity, Honey's guard dog instincts are trained on the cows. She is doing what the breed does at first-get them used to her-non threatening- just being there. Pyr's don't herd, they guard. Her mom is an Australian Shepherd mix so she may herd but she is all Pyr right now. She doesn't know she is just a little shaver. But if the cows get too pushy it is time to scoot for dad! We'll try again tomorrow.

A nap with Buster is always a nice thing too:

The day started out pretty nice but got more gray and windy. It is supposed to rain and as the clothesline is full it probably will but a rainwater rinse might be nice. Household chores are proceeding apace. After five months in Florida, there is plenty to do.

Sue called. The Wind River Casino has new procedures for Senior Tuesday and they were issuing permanent plastic cards. The line was long, long, long, but nobody left and things will move right along in the future. She said it was kind of fun because everybody shows up- lots of visiting. She might think it is fun because she won $75.00 two weeks ago on her free $5.00 chit and she won $150.00 yesterday. Plus the free lunches! I'm going to get a card. But Sue is such a good soul her dharma probably makes those cherries line right up.

Thayne was down to check on the cows (about 6 times a day but I saw him this time). Crops are in. They have quite a scientific experiment going. Their reputation as farmers is so excellent (best alfalfa hay in the U.S.A, best Coors regional barley) that seed companies are lining up to give them experimental seed. Not only that, Harlan, like his dad, is a firm believer in planting by the moon. They have the corn plots all assigned. This will be interesting. A word to the wise: stock up on your dried beans and other stuff now- the contract prices are sky high. Great for the growers, not so hot for the eaters.

Note: this thing didn't publish right. Could be Google's issue or mine. Please excuse the mess.

S.S.D.D.

Same S--t, Different Day. But progress is being made! Puppy full of it, Buster patient, Me, putt, putt, puttering along. Trimmed bushes, did laundry, pitched stuff, ran the vacuum, visited with Kristi who brought their Christmas letter by-pleasant visit. That's All Folks! hahahaHaha...

To Heck with Human Growth Hormone!

I want puppy growth hormone! Cold and wet most of the day so less outdoor running and more cooped up. The Honey-bear was wild and in every nook and cranny and just full of it. Just enough cute stuff to keep me laughing. I was checking my email and the dogs were under the table. All of a sudden USB devices were shutting off and the mouse was dead. I checked the cord and it was neatly severed by little puppy teeth and it caused the USB multiport to die. She found one of Buster's old bones and they took turns stealing it and having it in two mouths-growling and eye to eye. Very funny. After we came back from town she sat in the rain and watched the cows that came close to the house to get out of the wind. She is apparently impervious to the elements whereas Buster and I ventured no further than the porch. Drying her off was a trick. She ran down about 20 minutes ago. Thank you Jesus!

The main projects are successfully completed to this point. Should make life easier. Lesser projects are now ready to be undertaken. I feel like I am on a roll.

Mother's Day

Coffee and a cig on the back deck with lots of thoughts about mom and dad. They seem more remarkable as I age. I don't think that is mere sentimentality though there is some of that for sure. They were admirable in many ways and as for their shortcomings, they seem trifling as I get more age under my hat. Considering the times they gracefully survived, they did better than we are doing. Perhaps we have more clutter and cash but they came further and left us something! Bless 'em.

Heard from my brother Rich and son Matt. Underscore the paragraph above. It was nice to hear their voices and hear about how they were celebrating the day. I went to the Golden Corral and partook of the Mother's Day Buffet- a little higher $ than usual so the dogs had roast beef. I never use all three plates they proffer so I am guilt-free. In fact this was the big splurge of the week. I have been doing well on selections and portions and my body is grateful. (Can you say Ramen and Rice and veggies?)

My activity level is also higher. The Ford Van needs to go see the doctor so I am clearing out the dog paraphernalia so the "dog-house" can be removed for engine access. Tidied and cleaned in the RV. I was going to attack the projects that I bought supplies for but the batteries on my screwdriver were kaput. That was the utility aspect of the trip to town-getting a new electric screwdriver. That is almost as empowering as a sharpened pencil. Except you get to screw a lot instead of write.

Miss Honey was pretty good today though a busy bee. She dug a hole, found the cats that live under the trailer and explored under there, displayed fancy footwork that would have thrilled a soccer player and had a long play session with Buster. They are both pooped out ( hope Honey is, she was restless and looking in the house-took her out three times but it was dark).

Buster Sums It Up

He looks ferocious but is really very gentle with Honey. He would like to bite her I think but today so would I. If there are 7 dog years to a human year I guess we are in the "terrible twos." Say, "No" and the ears go back and she looks the other way. Correct her and she sneaks and does something naughty-like pee inside. She is persistent. LOTS of energy and she likes to manipulate things and chew electrical cords. She is feeling her oats- I think she is completely comfortable here but I am going to back her off feeling quite so confident. Baby or no, there is a pecking order around here. She and Buster can work out who is number two and who is number three.

The Wyoming Weather is pulling all its tricks out of the bag. When I walked the dogs for the last time last night it was snowing. There was snow on the ground this morning. When I was coming back from town this afternoon I needed the air conditioner. I think with the wetness of the past few days we are going to get a period of green which is so welcome and treasured because it is transient.

The trip to town was to fulfill a list made for Ace Hardware. Fix up, projects, no paint up yet because I oiled the cabin last year and bought some trim paint then but didn't put it on. I am sure there will be more such trips but Sunday's agenda is set.

Knocking Myself Out

I really can't remember when when I haven't had a scab on the top of my head. Tall man in a short world. I saw stars going into the chicken coop to change a fuse. Copious blood, headache for awhile but complete recovery by noon. Strange because I woke up feeling good-rested, zippy. But I made progress on a number of things. Re-hung the door to the pumphouse. Straightened up the deck. A person gets used to his own messes so I tried to look through different eyes and set some plans for restoring some order. I'm pondering (have been for a year at least) doing alternative energy for the homestead. RV living convinces me that 12 volts is enough for most things. I will never be able to get off the grid entirely but getting some of it off the grid might be possible. The oil crisis is making me feel vulnerable to the corporations more than ever. Hugo Chavez in Venezuela has a bellyache so oil goes up to $126.00 a barrel because commodity traders are AFRAID something might happen. It never goes down-I think it is a scam. Particularly when the U.S. Government is competing with the U.S. people by filling the "Strategic Reserve" at astronomical prices- to the tune of 80,000 barrels a day.

Had a good play session with the doggies before this gray cool day produced some thunder- game over for the dogs. Honey was almost naughty tonight with pent up energy. I think she might be very smart and sensitive. She ventured into the pasture today and a mama cow took exception to her being there so she scooted for home. Buster who was napping out of sight of the action, suddenly appeared and put his heeler skills to good use and sent the cow back to the herd. He didn't even have to leave the yard. Guess he feels protective of the little scamp.

Wind River Casino

Though not quite finished, the Wind River Casino is doing a soft opening. The interim 789 site is much less busy and the huge parking lot at the new place is about one third filled with lots of local cars but cars from around the state, Texas, Iowa, Washington, too. A nice lady gave me the standard spiel about no cameras inside. The inside is more lavish than the metal clad barn of a building promises. No liquor, but a cafe, space for a restaurant, and an open gift shop, and acres of slot machines tinkling away. A pleasant atmosphere. I think it will do well and all those people are going to need to sleep someplace, drink, eat, buy gas, etc.

The trip to town was occasioned by the need to refill prescriptions. The RV plumbing repair was done with super glue gel, 100 mile an hour tape and book tape. Gorilla tape was not pliable enough. We'll know how permanent the patch is soon. The pump runs whenever there is any flow so when it pressured up and promptly quit, I did a little dance. The pump will also announce any breakdown. I flip it on only when getting ready to use the water so no danger of a flood unless I forget and of course there is no danger of that!

Much better day with the dogs-they are cute together. I think Honey is going to be quite the little mother for Buster. She loves him and he is softer on her than he likes to let on. Much more tolerant than at first. She is a sweetie but can be absolutely full of it. She needs to be outdoors quite a bit.

Dog Trials

With a fuzzy white puppy sleeping on my shoe and Buster also under the table, they look so innocent, a picture of cozy domesticity. They nearly drove me nuts today. Feeding is complicated by a second dog. The very nature of a dog requires him to check out another dog's dish to see if there is anything better in that one. Buster takes meds-only if they are cleverly disguised in food. Shoving a pill down that dog's throat is like staring down the barrel of a BB pistol. The boy can projectile vomit a single pill and ricochet it off the wall. I cooked them a two egg omelet this morning loaded Buster's dish and stood between them to referee. They both ate just the eggs and went outside.

I have been leaving the back door open so I can hear them and they can come and go. Honey came back in and I assumed Buster was going for his dust bath/roll in the driveway. Buster found his favorite springtime treat: fresh cow placenta dusted lightly with dried cow manure. Determined not to share with Honey he barged in the house and headed straight for the bed. This is a dog friendly household but I do draw the line. Irateness ensued: cleaning and cursing, scolding and disposing. His feelngs were hurt. He sulked all day. Honey was investigating the trash bag with the prize all day long which gave me ample opportunity to practice the "No" command.

Took them to town- I had lunch and ordered their dinner too- liver and bacon, thinking if it's entrails they want, entrails they'll get, and to soften the tenor of the day.

They were pleased. Buster was still sulking, though so I went out to play with Honey and apply the RV plumbing fixes that frustrated me yesterday. Lost sight of the fuzz-ball so I went looking- she was way out in the pasture selecting a nice calf turd to eat. "Oh, Hell," says I. It is the nature of the dog.

Meanwhile it turns out Buster has an earache and he won't take any pills from the likes of me tonught,

The RV didn't fix the easy way. Will undertake the right way tomorrow. Wish me luck.

Not So Handy Andy

We are always the last to know: What I have seen in the mirror and others have noticed, is coming home internally; I am getting old, fading, going backwards, slowing down, pooping out, (add your own words here). It has always been so: I felt like I was 35 until I was 50. Felt like I was 50 until now. I had the ladder out today and got up on the roof of my mobile home/storage building to fix the drop of the electric line that recent winds fouled up. It went OK but the ladder climbing is not spry and hurts the bones. Grateful for the cell phone in case things went to hell on me. Tried to get the Lindy motorhome summer operational and discovered a freeze/leak after I took pains to winterize it. The leak is under the sink in close quarters and so, contorted and with my pants sliding down, I became very frustrated with my ineptitude, weight, inflexibility and less strength. I had to give myself a pep-talk. I can still do a lot, more slowly, and some things may need to be hired done. One foot in front of the other is the trick....and Lists!

Perhaps getting a puppy of a breed that usually lives 12 years was an act of optimism (or foolishness). Buster's breed is very long-lived though-23 so I need to make provisions perhaps.

The doggies played a lot today-they stick in the yard. I didn't watch them 100% of the time but Honey had wet spots so I know she was being mouthed. She is definitely the instigator. Buster went to bed early. It is good for them both.

Saw life at the old Harrington Place (Delaunays live there but they still call my place the Davis place or the Peterson Place in spite of the fact I have lived here 30 years, so I treat others according to local custom.) The green pickup went up to the top of the 80 where the sheep were hanging out. Haven't seen any lights on in the new house, though.

The Feglers are driving the old green Dodge pickup they reported stolen last year. I haven't heard that story yet. I'll bet it is a good one.

Honey of a Day

Her highness had her first visit to the Vet for puppy shots and a heart listen. She got some fur trimmed and might have a mild case of puppy vaginitis that should clear up with the worm medicine. She was a very good girl through the whole thing. Earned herself a chicken tender-Buster too.

I was invited to lunch at Sue's, billed as leftover ham sandwiches, but that somehow morphed into ham, scalloped potatoes, gelatin salad, home-made rolls and cake and strawberries. No way to work on a spare tire but a very delicious way to fall off the wagon. I was late due to errands and the shots and the need for gas-at the Casino-about ten cents cheaper per gallon than town and a free 32 oz. drink with purchase of 8 gallons or more.

As you can see my socialization play sessions have yielded a pretty good result. The kids are playing and even slept touching!

They are learning each other's style. Buster is toning down his growling and Honey is learning when to back off a little. She is enthusiastic.

Buster is learning his new command "No humping." Though he is fixed, there is a vestigial impulse or maybe it is a dominance thing. Not exactly the sort of decoration one wants on the lawn. He is doing pretty well. The vet suggested I change his food because I asked about his licking and the fact that his "tickle spot" is now pretty much him.

May 5, 1912 my mother was born in Kemmerer, WY, one of the choicest of the world. I took "May Baskets" to the Saturday party for that was one of the many little joyous things she taught me. A host of happy memories.

Memory Hook: More than 10,000 people were killed by a Cyclone (hurricane) in Burma yesterday. First Lady Laura Bush took to the airwaves today to criticize the government of Burma for not being prepared and not warning people ahead of time.

Honey takes a ride

Going in the car is not one of Honey's favorite things to do. To save myself a chase, I scooped her up and put her in the car before I loaded Buster. She did fine after a a few reassuring pats. She has figured out the treat part. I was cooling the "flame broiled patties" and dividing them and she was all of a sudden in the front seat.

It is always a puzzle what animals understand. Friend Mike said his neighbor who has aging horses has had to bury a few over the past years. He has one old horse left and he was looking pretty sad last fall so he hired a backhoe to dig the hole before the ground froze. The horse checked out the hole and did his best to gallop and whinny all winter long. Made it to Spring in fine shape.

Miss Honey disappeared twice for awhile after we returned this evening. So I got the leash out. We had a few tug of war matches and a "take down" and a time-out. After I thought I had won the day I left the leash on her and was scratching Buster. Looked over and Honey had the leash cut halfway through with her puppy teeth. I have a feeling the battle of wills with her is not going to be a cakewalk. An unruly 100 pound dog is not an option.

Almost got myself in a real jam today. I have been working at reducing the "spare tire" (for an eighteen wheeler! ) Faded too far, had a low sugar incident-not out, but very low. Figured it out finally and took steps but you feel lousy for awhile afterwards. Must have had too much glucophage for the amount of food (admittedly not much). Testing will have to be more frequent for awhile.

Reunion I

(Read reunion II first)

About 2:30 Sue went out and started calling "lambs, lambs"and the girls came running. They sure look good and a shearing is in their near future. These are just a few of them. Sue has them trained.

In picture number two Polly has picked out their guard dog, nearly a twin to my Honey. Mose looks on good-naturedly. He may well be glad to see them go. While this dog will not likely be a house dog-it will assume the job the breed is born for-it will have a good life. These women are good to their animals. The mares are ready to foal and Polly is nervous.

In picture number three, Cinnamon the mama llama checks us out. Sue is waiting for them to go in the corral too.

Picture number four is the rest of the band of sheep about to come in for the evening. We had a fine warm spring day. The Sweetwater visitors were pleased. After their storm yesterday they are all mud and snow and wind up there.

Reunions II

Ryan came from North Carolina to the Sweetwater to see his family. He is an active duty Marine with a specialty so unique he has seen action in everything. He is a Tactical Air Controller. Where combat involves air support, he is calling the shots. A nice young man-sweet, unassuming. He fixed his grandfather's plate. Sue fixed a roast ham, beans, sweet potatoes, two salads, home-made rolls, angel food cake with strawberries Extravaganza. Very interesting people with good stories and kind hearts. Soft spots for animals. I was loving their company.

In picture number two, Honey enjoyed a little reunion of her own. Her mom and her dad and siblings checked her out and then they played awhile. I went out to fetch her when the barking got intense and she was happy to nap under the kitchen table- a very good dog. She was ready to go home when we left. Polly took her white sister home to the Sweetwater to guard their sheep. I was worried that Honey missed her pack but it seems not to be a factor. She is bonded here with us crusty old guys-the queen. The puppies are going away gradually. Sue and Rasty used to breed purebred Pyrenees so this is old hat to her. I was not aware of that. Mose and Shy, Honey's parents appear not to hold any grudge and were cozying up to me like always (treats?).

Picture number three- of four, something is amiss-this will likely be a two post day, is Lynda looking at her son. Pretty much says it all.

Different Day

New three foot snowdrifts up on the Sweetwater delayed Sue's luncheon party plans. Polly and Lynda's son Ryan is home briefly from Iraq and they were coming down but they needed to attend to their critters. We get to anticipate that for another time. There I was semi-gussied up ( the compression stockings had to go back on, too- ouch) and needing to go for a joyful mission, I did. I took Honey to my old office to introduce her to Delores and Mike. She was a model dog-child (saved the wild stuff until we got home). It was so very nice to see them and visit a little. Asked if I liked Florida better than here, I honestly said they are completely different but that is good.

I went to Wal-Mart on my mission. I stopped at the deli for service and the lump behind the counter was all alone and laboriously slicing ham. She said she would be right with me and I continued to wait, wait, wait. Along comes Grandpa Harry on a scooter. He had a healing foot and I heard the history of the foot in ten year segments from the time he hurt it playing baseball as a youth and every insult to it since in excruciating (to me) detail. Harry was rather stingy when it came to paying for his own health care. Since Medicare commenced, he and his wife have decided the sky is the limit. He was miffed that Dr. Gose wouldn't approve a Rascal scooter for Irene. (Good for Dr. Gose!)I was looking for an out about the time he was telling how he buries llama turds under his tomato plants and THE Lump passed me over to wait on somebody else. Vesuvius erupted. "I didn't mean to ignore you." "Fact is, you did ignore me whether you intended to or not!" Stomp, stomp, stomp. What people better realize is that my "Give a shit attachment," only works sporadically. I am subject to going off...without embarassment or remorse.

Woke up to Honey's fuzzy face staring at my face- amusing. Should have known because Buster was snuggled tightly against my backside. She is coming along just fine. So is he. He is pretty tolerant but will tell her off without bloodshed. That is what is needed with this breed. They are pretty independent and very "packy." Pecking order is critical and the human had better not relax, but corrections must be mild and they "get it," and accept it.

This Here Blog Thingy

I signed up for Google Analytics in October. Since a lot of people blog for money and not for love of it, the analysis of hits is interesting to them. Since I started keeping track I have had 3005 visitors who viewed 4064 pages. They come from 43 states and 32 countries around the world. I am big in the USA, Canada, the U.K., Germany and India, and have had readers from Indonesia, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Colombia, Singapore, New Zealand, Japan, Spain, Chile, Ireland, Australia, Saudi Araia, Venezuela, Norway, Serbia and Montenegro, the United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Hong Kong, Bosnia and Herzogovenia, Poland, Sweden, the Phillipines, France, Denmark, and Egypt. In the United States, my month to month readers are plotted daily, down to the city they are from. It doesn't take long to figure out who is paying attention and who is not. I average between 15 and 20 readers a day. The high was sixty but I don't hit that very often. Some days I only get a couple of hits.

All of which makes this a modestly pleasing thing to do.

So what have I learned?

1. The Internet is amazing,
2. People are interested in other people,
3. Maybe people are lonesome or curious,
4. Maybe some people have too much time on their hands (Singapore? Egypt?),
5. When your relatives call and ask what you have been doing and your blog is a click away from the porn sites they have been surfing, the call is really about them. I have been pondering this insight: 90 percent of phone calls are about the caller. Should I pay for my phone or should they?
6. A Blog is unashamedly about the writer-you can't really write about somebody else's life and thoughts. But at least that is honest. So suck it up and lay that first person singular pronoun out there. Or get a dog-it is so much less offensive than the "Royal We," and less pretentious than the "Editorial We."
7. A Blog as a diary has value for the writer. Particularly for the older writer (CRS disease). The record, patterns, "the unexamined life, blah, blah, blah..."
8. It really does keep connections with some people alive without cluttering up their in-boxes.
9. It is something you can do by yourself that is not fattening or guilt-making.
10. You appreciate every reader and every hit you get-it is somehow validating.
11. When you croak, it is more noticeable than a tombstone or one of those crosses by the side of the road all weathered and leaning over.
12. It helps you plan your life so you can have something half-way interesting to write about or take a picture of, so you don't have to rely too often on statistics about your stupid blog.