It's Miller Time!

No, not the beer-the bugs. Mother Nature's fecundity has produced some pests. All of a sudden Prairie Dogs are making a comeback too. Several fat little devils were scooting around down by the coyote's lair. I hope he gets them. I saw some up at Guy and Janet's today. Guy's theory is that they follow the water table down and up so we are seeing them now. I have to take a spin up to Boysen Dam. It is full and they are spilling water for the first time since 1999. The water table is up.

Yes, I was up at Janet's and Guy's again today for consultation with Verizon on the MiFi. The problem is Windows Vista I am pretty sure. I spent four hours installing, uninstalling, chatting on the phone to tech support, and did not gain ground. I am stumped.

They have three dogs so mine stayed home these past couple of days. The swamp cooler got cleaned and operational yesterday. Just the breeze from the exhaust fan was enough to keep it cool for man and beasts until about six p.m. The pot roast, she is finis! Pups are sorry, I am glad.

I am feeling a little fragile -an incongruous word for a hulk. When I stopped in Omaha I told my brother Bob that I was having vivid, memorable dreams but I was not in them (!)- it was like watching bad movies. I have been having "goodbye" dreams, lately. Almost like a little kid saying "goodbye bed, good bye walls, goodbye sky." And I have been feeling physically different-not particularly bad but not particularly good either. Prophecy or Neurosis? Time will tell. I'm hoping for nutty.

Crash and Burn

A little correspondence with the less than competent appaiser who will appraise my property for the road building that is going to take place sent me over the edge into the slough of despond. Fortunately I have meds at the ready as this problem has been recurrent since the 1970's and d-i-v-o-r-c-e. The phrase that tipped me over-"the problem of your trees." We will see what he has to say but the anxiety over losing any of my beloved, protective, sheltering, noise dampening beautiful trees is overwhelming.

I busied myself with Guy and Janet's MiFi wireless internet set up. Took two of their laptops and the MiFi to the Verizon store. He was as stumped as I am. He sent me to their corporate HQ where the professional techs were as stumped as I am-after two hours. I returned the equipment slightly improved. Guy was there and we had a mutual fomenting over TERO, BIA incompetence, and the like. Janet could tell we were fomenting by the body language when she returned from work. She had auditors all day. Ugly day all around. I have one more resource to try on the MiFi.

The feds could take an economics lesson from the Tribes. The bonus oil royalty for the tribes amounted to $1700.00 for the more numerous Northern Arapahoes and $3400.00 for the Eastern Shoshones: man, woman, and enrolled child. The local banks ran out of money. There were more temporary license stickers at the WalMart parking lot than I could count, and Native Americans were lined up four deep at the Verizon store. There was an economic stimulus for Fremont county that was almost instantaneous. As I was buying kibbles for the dogs, some of the Indians were almost giddy-"What are you going to do with your money?" A lot of it went directly to WalMart HQ. But people were getting what they needed. It was really kind of fun to watch. The economic lesson, long known is that those with little disposable income (poor) will get that money into the economy fast. The well-off will save it. So the feds are giving money to bankers?

On Top of Old Smoky, All Covered With Snow

Snow on the Wind Rivers on June 28th. The rivers are still full, the valley is lush. So beautiful to my eyes. A very nice Sunday: I was out of fresh meat for the hounds and starving myself so we made an early trip to town. I have been buying them tenderized steaks at Safeway because they are tired of burger it seems. Safeway had a 7 bone roast at a ridiculously low price so I bought one of those too. Then I went to JB's for the breakfast buffet which was very nice-read the local scandal sheet with a front page warning about mosquitoes and West Nille Virus as well as the usual fluff. Scored the dogs some sausages to tide them over and moseyed home taking this shot on the way.

It was a fair and warm day. The sunshine and my iPod music made me sleepy so I took a nap. I awoke to find my little girl asleep, keeping watch over me. I popped the roast into my huge frying pan and put it in the oven adding carrots, potatoes, wine and diced tomatoes. Four hours later-delish. Food for another two days.

While cooking I swatted a couple of mosquitoes so the fogger came out. It makes it possible to dine outdoors and we did. The doggies were impressed with the roast. Played tag with Honey and Buster jumped in. They are funny.

Watched Mystery on PBS- Poirot solved another one. A very pleasant Sunday of the yesteryear sort. A roast in the oven evokes memories of many pleasant family Sunday dinners. I'm sure there were some I would like to forget and I guess maybe I have.

Powwow Time

What a beauty! The 2009 Shoshone Powwow Queen graciously posed for a picture. The 60th Annual Eastern Shoshone Powwow is off and running. It is a really accessible event and it seems bigger and better this year. The Grand Entry Procession was the best I have seen in quite a few years of attending. It took three songs and two drums (bands) and the youngsters were still not in the arena. I was a little pressed for time with a warm day and two dogs in the van but I got some photos and videos. You can see them here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/sroberts.wyoming

Star Weed, a 92 year old elder told tales and prayed in Shoshone and English. He asked for blessings on everybody from the President to the automobiles ("so the people can be happy"-was a frequent refrain)

Native Americans humble me-they are very patriotic and if anybody could understandably be less than enthusiastic about the United States government it is indigenous people. But they wave the flag and honor their veterans with fervor.

I love powwows. I see some of the same dancers year after year and some are slowing down but their dignity grows.

Quid Pro Oops!

Coming back from Guy and Janet's last night (Thursday), I was struck with the beauty of the wide open spaces- the mountains get all the attention but the high plains are gorgeous too. This looks toward my home.

I had a great time up there-it was Hollis' birthday celebration-35 years old and his grands, Susie and Max, came too. The quid-pro-quo was that I was going to work on Guy's computers and they were going to feed me. Somehow the project morphed and I was going to replace their aircard with a thing called a MiFi, by Verizon that would act as a router and allow both Hollis and Guy to surf at the same time. I did get the tower computer functional again so that part was good. I got the MiFi installed but I can't get the supplied WEP password to work. The dude who sold it was not returning calls today-methinks he might have been working toward a monthly quota. But Guy and Janet did swell by me: Giant T-bones, sweet potatoes, fruit salad, artisan bread and Italian butter. Hollis's "cake" was his requested "fruit pizza." A new one on me and totally awesome. It was beautiful too. The dumbhead didn't take a food picture!

Today, I waited for the Verizon guy to call back on this semi-drizzly Friday-didn't happen. I don't know how the branding went-if the calves get wet, that is the end of branding. Fedex brought me the Apple earphones/microphone that will enable telephone calls on the iPod touch. I tried a call out and it works! Then I just listened to my Brazilian guitarists and on second listening with earphones was wowed. What they did with Rhapsody in Blue made it fresh and a new favorite all over again.

Music is magical. I was semi-surprised by the death of Michael Jackson-the suddeness-it seemed to me he was in a decline for a long time. I have some of his music and I enjoy it. I can't help but have grudging admiration for anyone who dies with $400 million in DEBTS! As for Farrah Fawcett-that is sad too. I could have made love to her in the 70's. I was enjoying her picture but I couldn't find her. Matt had her poster over his bed in Cheyenne. EVERYBODY gets old.... or not.

As for Jon and Kate plus 8 who gives a rat's patootie?
Governor Sanford made the wrong decision. With those emails out there, his wife will be frosted until 2025. He would be better off in
Argentina or dead. And Senator Ensign! These guys are ruining the old joke: "Did you hear the one about the queer Republican? He likes women more than money."

It will even the stakes in Foul Person Poker: "I'll see your Gary Hart, Bill Clinton and Eliot Spitzer, and raise you Mark Foley, Larry Craig, John Ensign and Governor Sanford!" OR we could all grow up and be like the French. "C'est la Vie."

Catching Up

Having gotten on the short side of sleep for several days I got a little run down. But I slept and took some vitamins and otherwise recuperated. Not that I was a total loss: I gave up on the Weed-B- Gone and took the whacker to the mustard weed yesterday. I have a little more to do but after my second encounter with wire which jumped up and wrapped itself around the shaft of the whacker I cussed loudly and stalked off.

While I lay napping evidently the UPS guy made it past Honey and left me a package from Swanson Health Products. I was out of my good Multi-Vitamins- they all have similar ingredients but these make me feel better. I also layed in a supply of essential oils. I had been reading about their ability to act as bug deterrents, decided to try them and got sundry others: Lavender, Camphor, Eucalyptus, Citronella, Texas Cedar Wood, Orange and Patchouli (mostly as a remembrance of those lovely hippie girls but it is supposed to repel bugs too.). So far in backyard tests they seem to help but not as much as the Black Flag Fogger. Swanson's is cheap and fast-I always feel like a skunk not patronizing Linda at Wind River Merc-she is a brilliant and nice woman but she charges too much. Some of the oils do seem to open clogged nasal passages. That is an unforeseen consequence of the good sort. The pollen is flying.

Guy had filled me in on his technology needs and I stopped at the Verizon store to see if they had a tethering kit for Hollis's phone. They had something better and I am following up on that.

Buster had been off his chow for a couple of feedings so his meds did not get down. He was fading but I enticed him with chicken this morning and got his heart medicine down. He is visibly better. Shoving a pill down his throat is not possible-he clamps those jaws and will not open. God love him. We do the best we can. I am not going to torture him his last days. On his meds, his last days seem down the road awhile but I notice his back is getting a little bony. He enjoys his life-he tried to hump Honey this morning. Maybe it was the Patchouli oil.

Short Night, Long Day

My little buddies started raising a fuss last night after lights out. I ignored them for an hour, then decided to let them out. No big whoop-something had been in the yard but no longer was. The aftermath was I was up until after 3:00 a.m. and up by 7:30. After surveying the mustard weed I decided a second spraying couldn't hurt. Maybe I have the wrong stuff.

The rose bush is putting forth nice scents and pretty flowers. Today I saw a bunny hop across the pasture. two strange dogs and Wily Coyote. My dogs were oblivious and I am not sorry. The grass has grown so tall that it hides the view for the shorter critters. Wily is in the center of the bottom picture-click for a closer up.

I was reading a 2006 October New Yorker and it raved about some music so I downloaded it. It is pretty interesting guitar music by two Brazilian brothers. I'm not sure the whole album is rave-worthy though. It is interesting to read back issues of magazines-some missed it completely on the Iraq invasion and others were prescient. Real journalism is only being practiced in magazines any more. Newspapers are only a step up from gossip. There certainly isn't much that is thoughtful or educational. Mostly they are a medium to sell automobiles.

Then there is TV: my choices tonight-PBS: a convict who became a Muslim, Married With Children, 48 Hours Murder Myster: (slutty wife fools around and somebody dies), and Dr. Oz on Oprah (how to check your testicles for cancer). Click.

The stomach problem passed. If I had it to do over I would pass on the colonoscopy. They hurt me enough to awaken me from the anaesthetic-told me to hold still and bear it. They created a distention near my appendix that now hurts from gas and...worse. I hope I don't have to live on soft food for the rest of my life.

I am beat and am going to try for a good night's sleep. It was warm enough to require a fan or two today. The house cools nicely at night-great for sleeping.

Monaco/Arapahoe

Lori and Jason are on the boat in the port of Monaco. The time difference is causing them grief-they are wide awake at night and tired in the morning. That iPhone takes pretty good pictures. In Arapahoe, home of that other famous gambling place, the Wind River Casino, I was up early spraying weeds. I can tell the Kocha weed is already sad looking and the Mustard should show signs by tomorrow or I will re-spray. I discovered a huge pile of nasty ants-they bit the hell out out of me last year. I put lots of Boric Acid on their nest. It is non- toxic except to ants.

Guy stopped by-it was great to visit with him. He has interesting conversation. We sat on the deck-he had a stogy and I had my usual. With all the wet weather they just got their beans in. He is going to start haying soon. The hay has done very well with all the rain. He needs a little help with his old computer so he is going to make/ask Janet to cook for me. Didn't tell him I would do it without being fed. Mrs R. didn't raise all fools. We are both loving seeing Wyoming green after years of drought. Of course it is going to get hot and dry soon enough but we sure can enjoy it while we have it.

I got charley horses in the night so took some potassium this morning. Then I had a belly ache most of the day. No winning some days. I think it is evening out this evening.

First Day of Summer/Father's Day

On both counts a capital day. Coolish but sunshiny, the wild roses are starting to pop on the hillside. The whitetop weed also, so I whacked away. I will get the mustard weed in the next couple of days. I think they are both pretty flowers but the farmers are scandalized when I let them grow too profusely. My home page includes the weather in Arapahoe and West Palm Beach-the "feels like" temperature in Florida today was 105 degrees. Nice to be here.

I got through the night with only two wakeups so I was surprised to find myself very drowsy early on-I am working on the theory that blood sugar may be at fault. The new anti-allergenic pillows did seem to help with continuous sleep. Aging really is kind of exciting. One never knows exactly how the day is going to be- what is working or what is not. The enjoyment of the day is hardly hampered.

Honey is a funny dog-she has a sense of humor and is really pretty fun. Fun to play with: she loves tag and keep away, tug of war, and hide and seek. For Father's Day I did a little grilling on the barbecue and we three furry ones ate on the deck. Matt called and Audrey sang me a song and we chatted. Things are going well in Medford. Cheryl was not included in the Harry and David's layoffs, so both are employed for awhile in this sucky economy. Delores and I finally connected-I acquainted her with the *228 concept to update her roaming. Cade had her 13th birthday and it is ongoing-it will include a trip to Broadway for the Lion King. As usual we had some good laughs. She relaxes in West Virginia and her long time crazy friends are great playmates.

The new iPod phone included a new software version (3.0) which also applies to the iPod touch. I had to download it for $9.98 but for the iTouch it is no big whoop. I did download Skype for it so I really can make a call on it as long as I am near a wifi connection and have my headset handy.

Jason and Lori are due to board a cruise ship soon if they have not already done so. I am not sure how the communication logistics work on board- I think they are very pricey if they even exist. I am going to be interested in how the security is managed. They are in proximity to Iraq, and Iran and will stop in Turkey which is contiguous with Iraq.

Rich just called for a little yak and yawned in my ear. Gave me an idea.

The Pantheon in Rome

Sightseeing in Rome I surmise. This Wiki link has the fascinating history of this much abused structure:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon,_Rome Parts of it predate Christendom. That mightier and loftier civilizations predated ours and lasted much longer always seems to inspire awe and act as a cautionary tale to me. One of the results of travel: putting "us" in perspective.

I'm glad the travelers are sending material. Another nap day for me. These are not "I think I'll take a nap," naps. These are "I'd better lay down before I fall down," naps. Now there is a crackling good thunderstorm passing through. Not much news from Arapahoe today.

Cappucino From Rome

A Cappucino in an Internet Cafe in Rome was the creative, Italian stylish, not a paper cup message from Jason and Lori today. To which I say, "What? The Pope was too busy!?" Jason is a caffeine aficionado. I hope this was as good as it looks.

Kind of a weird day around here today. I felt kind of funny-didn't do a whole lot-napped outside -the sleep of the dead-I was numb and couldn't wake up. But I finally did. I have not been sleeping well-bought new pillows and covers and cases. A pretty day, though.

Touring the Rez

On my way to and from Fort Washakie I stopped and snapped. The weather patterns make for interesting lighting. All the pictures will look better if you click to enlarge. Some mighty pretty country out here. Janet wrote poetically of seeing a flock of pelicans by the bridge. We have had several down here but no flocks. I hope they are eating carp, not trout. They have big appetites.

This taken less than a mile from my front door. I am ever looking for ways to shoot the scenic Wind River Mountains without the visual clutter of power lines. This is a spot I go to every now and again.

This is a view on a small road side road on South fork.

A view of the canyon that holds Washakie Dam and reservoir.

I had ordered several things from Amazon and they let me down-the order confirmation promised delivery by July 26th! So I cancelled the order except for a $2.50 item that was already shipped so I was not too surprised to see UPS pull up. I was surprised with the contents. The Floridians took care of Father's Day before departure. I had carefully scraped the flaking black enamel off my current watch just last night. I spent $15.00 for it at Casual Male in Boynton Beach-my favorite tall and lard-ass outlet, and I wanted more than six months use out of it even if it was not sartorially perfect. Problem solved: A Citizen eco drive Titanium Sports Chronometer was in the package. It is solar powered for a lifetime and will function for six months after they put me in a box. It is waterproof to a depth of 660 feet. The only occasion I will test the warranty on that will be when the plane breaks up over the Atlantic and I will be holding my nose and waiting for the watch to quit so I will know when I am a gone goose. What I think is great about it is the dial is large, the numerals are large and they glow in the dark. The little manual I could not read-too small. So I had to go online to see how to set it-it has bells and whistles. I was alarmed by the suggested price. I hope they got a deal and even at that it is my most expensive watch ever. Very flattering but it should be my last one. An heirloom. Tasteful-not showy, I love it.

Trimming and Skimming

They came to trim my trees and worked hard all day. They have to come back-will they? We'll see. There was a thrilling thunderstorm which interrupted things for awhile this afternoon. I was reflecting: this weather is like Laramie summer weather, cool nights, sunshine in the morning, and an afternoon rain. I loved it then but this is so atypical for this area. Not unprecedented but atypical.

The arborists were here at 7:30 a.m. I was up before that. Honey decided to chase the cows for the hell of it right off the bat and I buzzed her home. She met up with the Fegler's electric fence which she usually passes with impunity. It was a life changing event for her. She has been close to me ever since and has not ventured into the pasture again. This is sad in some respects because she runs off a lot of steam down there. We will see what we will see. While they were mutilating my vegetation I went to Fort Washakie to pay my water bill. Everybody should have the experience of becoming a minority once in awhile. The clerk who took my money was efficient and pleasant but the others seemed to regard me as they are regarded in Walmart-with suspicion. I took advantage of the trip to take some pictures, some of which are pretty good. I'll post them tomorrow.

Meanwhile, through the miracle of the iPhone, Jason has indulged the old man with trip pictures! Here Lori is settling into her "suite" on Virgin Atlantic. The seats turn into a regular "flat bed" I hope they got a package deal because I checked the fares. Lori is the best travel agent so I am sure they did get a package.

Here is Lori in London-new jacket and she looks chilly! Hope they found a tea shop and warmed up. On to Rome soon.

Living Well-the best revenge

"Living Well is the Best Revenge" is one of my favorite sayings- a Spanish proverb. I derive as much pleasure from others living well as my own privileged adventures. That is one of the reasons I love pictures. The picture above shows Rich and Val's, and sundry Sprecher's rented lodgings in Seattle for the graduation. They have been having fun-doing a hike today. Home on Wednesday.

Of course there is also the German revenge "Schaudenfreude" which is taking joy from the misfortune of others. Into this category the lightning strike on the "Angel Moroni" atop the new Mormon temple on Oquirrh mountain falls. One hopes they will take the singeing as as sign to mind their own business going forward. Freedom of religion in this country means you have the right to whatever bizarre beliefs you want to indulge in on Sunday but you don't get to remake the whole of society according to them. If you don't believe in abortion, don't have one. If you don't believe in gay marriage, don't marry one. Your rights end where the other guy's nose begins. I bought some wonderful bumperstickers. They incorporate all the religious symbols into the word "coexist." Coexistence is a great concept. Approve or disapprove, good manners are the grease of civilized society.

Jason had some road time from Orlando to Deerfield so he called yesterday. They will board Virgin Atlantic tonight at around 10 in Miami and will wake up in London around 9 in the morning. Depending on how Lori handles the flight (she has to be wary of deep vein thrombosis) they either stay in London a bit or fly on to Rome. After seeing sights there they will board a cruise ship for Italy, Greece, Turkey, and ports in between for two weeks. I am excited for them and hope for pictures but I will get to see them in the fall if they don't come during the trip. Cousin Karla has been hired to sit the Juneau dog.

Around here, the wet weather brought the mosquitoes out in force. As we are in West Nile country, I have moved them up the list from pest to deadly pest. The fogger has been used twice to good effect. I can live indoors but that is not fair to the fuzzy ones.

High Plains Power tree trimmers will visit tomorrow. It went well last time. I hope it will go well this time. They have been very polite-that has not always been the case and war broke out on a couple of occasions.

Yesterday was kind of cold- played with the music. Today is beautiful but the forecast is iffy. I am enjoying what I get. The cottonwood is starting to fly.

I Still Count!

A Census taker came bySunday. He was preceded by a letter from the Bureau assuring me that my randomly selected address was their primary interest- I am sure that is true because the agent wanted to know about the never-lived-in trailers down the road. This is part of an on-going special interest survey focussing on employment. He is an atmospheric meteorologist by training who is employed doing this and the National guard because of the employment situation. It was an interesting process. "Would I take a job?" I thought for a minute and said "Yes." That kind of surprised me. They are going to follow my progress for several months. Most can be done by telephone now.

Sunday couldn't have been a nicer day. Pretty warm and sunshine nearly all day long. Buster was hearing thunder because he was close all day (like today which is grey and threatening). I got some pictures of my beautiful red-headed boy. Honey is turning into a special girl. She never fails to give Buster a kiss and she will find him if I can't which admittedly is not often-he is keeping close these days.

Rich called again from Seattle-he is having fun and they will return on Wednesday. Matthew escaped the Oregon state budget cuts. His job is safe for now. Greg returned my call- I had been wondering about those guys. It has been wet back there too. He has to replant his beans. The seed that got planted in his 23 year old daughter by a 33 year old guy took, however. He bought a dump truck ($500.00-1963 International) and is fixing his lengthy road, shoring up his ponds and keeping busy. Lew is working at the clinic a couple of days a week-enough to keep licensed. We all agree-Florida is great in the winter but there is no place like home.

I spent some time in the "studio" and made four compilation CD's. Cooked some Bison meat for the dogs and me-my stock went up in their eyes. Salisbury steak and a baked potato for me. I am done with russet potatoes. Reds are so much better.

Howling in the Dawning

The feeder cattle left at dusk on Friday. I thought they were headed the wrong direction to Ogallalla, but what do I know? The cows and calves remain in the pasture and we three hounds were up early watching them graze. An eagle swept low over the pasture, a pair of sandhill cranes strafed the lagoon, a pheasant called, mourning doves cooed, and from the distant hill coyotes called-one very insistently-was he trapped? in distress? Buster answered-it was a new behavior to me and even Honey looked at him as if to say, "Was that you?" The coyote was at it awhile. I scanned with my field glasses, I could hear Manu's dogs at work guarding their sheep. The llamas down by the river were like weather vanes pointing at the coyote. Then Feglers arrived with the hay wagon-the cows fell into line for breakfast, man had stamped a new order on the day.

The day grew cooler-I thought the studio would make a cozy refuge and set about backing up my purchased iTune songs-2.4 gigabytes on a DVD which merely backs them up-it is unplayable except on a computer. It started to rain. After it let up, we went to town for some regular CD's. To further make playable backups is the plan and since the iTunes computer is getting venerable and I am still keenly feeling the loss of data stolen, backups are a worthwhile thing to do.

Then the heavens opened up and a really impressive thunder and lightning demonstration took place. I grew sleepy and headed for the bed. Was joined by the fuzz-faces for a long nap. I think I can fold early tonight too.

Kids!

A wet Honey Bear with a dirty nose. The nose was my fault. I gave both dogs a milkbone treat. Honey very politely took hers and proceeded to bury it for another day. I decided it was time to hit the road and to let the van heater dry off the dogs and to let the neighbors load their cattle. We wandered-came home once, the cattle were still here, the dogs refused to budge. The warm van and a longer ride were too inviting. So we were off again. I went shopping for a utility trailer. Those jesses are pricey. My old friend Connie had one for $1000 but she said Linton's sells similar ones for $750. My garbage guy has moved away and I have no good way to transport anything large. The Ranger is too small and the Vans are likewise not big enough (and might take a beating from lumber or an appliance). Secondhand would be just the ticket but they seem to be highly prized by their owners. I am not a borrower. This matter is still under advisement.

We wandered to St. Stephen's Mission. I have taken some great pictures there over the years. It has changed in the last year or two. The old Nunnery is gone. The Mission is still beautiful but in a different way. St. Francis would love it, St. Paul, not so much. The photographer/publisher guy, Ron Mamot who does the fundraising magazine seems to have moved into the main residence and I saw no sign of a priest. I think they stashed Fr. Hilbert here in the aftermath of an accusation of the Catholic Priest sort, and then something was mentioned and he was gone. The Catholics and Episcopalians on the reservation seem to have lost their missionary zeal. The Fundies seem to be doing well, though. Hate sells these days.

Brother Rich called from Seattle-Val's daughter is graduating and her dad, a Wells-Fargo Banker, found a "six bedroom with water view" for the guests to enjoy while celebrating the occasion. I have enjoyed my visits to Seattle-one of the great cities of this country.

We were early to bed last night and consequently the dogs were up and eager to go out at 5:30 a.m. I think the Sun is trying hard this morning. The forecast is for several more days of possible thnderstorms so I am rooting for warm sunshine in whatever measure we can get it. The cattle are still here-perhaps mud concerns over the trucks was the issue.

Appreciating Emily Dickinson

Emily's poetry has always knocked me out-insightful, emotionally complete, beautifully phrased, wise. She rarely left her house. Took care of dad until he died, never married, though there was a married neighbor lady she was close to (wink) and yet she seemed to experience life in its entirety.

After what seems like 40 days and nights of rain, I appreciate her feat even more. I seem to be having difficulty finding writing material without free ranging. Maybe I will go internal, like Emily. I did read an inspiring article in the Sun magazine on Shamanism. Free TV is somewhat dispiriting except for PBS. I have been tinkering with my toys. I set up the sound studio in the Lindy RV and my new arrangement with antennas links it with the Internet. Surprisingly, my Verizon bill went down so I added the web to my "Boulder" phone. Now that purportedly unbreakable phone has a whole new personality-music, video, news, weather. I fell in love again.

Buster is having mostly good days. Honey is a treat (much of the time). She has gotten chummy and she has a real sense of humor. She is on the bed right now. Feglers are supposed to be shipping cattle today so I want her in or we will be gone. Too much tempting commotion for her excitable nature. Also too much poop and mud.

I was upset yesterday. My classmate Alice Hubley died of breast cancer years ago-much too young. Her elder sister "Skip" is my cousin Jim's partner's (Susie) sister in law (though long divorced) and great fun-she graced all of our Casper soirees. Skip's mind has been a concern for about a year-it seems to be going. Susie has noticed an odor about her and when her arm swelled, Susie said "That's it," and took her to the hospital against her will. Skip has breast cancer and was packing the wound with sanitary napkins. She is beyond help.

Susie did what she does like nobody else. Pitched Skip a birthday party with 23 guests. Likely her last and there were old friends she didn't recognize. So many ugly "end-games." I am trying to imagine a pretty one.

It feels treasonous to complain about rain in Wyoming but the crops and I both need a ray of sunshine and heat.

Keep on Moving Folks

Nothing to see here.

Jet set Juneau

Juneau and Jason fly private. I had put in a couple of calls to the Florida kids. I knew Texas was on the agenda and Europe was on the agenda but the details were missing. Their friend David had a meeting in Las Vegas and put his private jet at their disposal so they had 12 days in White Deer, Amarillo, and Paris, Texas. They had lots of family visits and Lori and Jason helped Joy, Lori's mom, do some painting and redecorating. Loris dad's family had a reunion in Paris (Texas). Juneau is not crazy about flying so Jason had him on his lap most of the time. They brought three nieces and nephews and a neighbor girl home to Florida yesterday for a visit. The young ones will fly home "commercial" on Thursday. Jason has meetings in Orlando over the weekend and then they are off to Europe for three weeks on next Tuesday! The lives of the fabulous as told by Mr. Unfabulous. Hell, it is a big deal when we go to WalMart!

Buster went down the hill to do his business this morning, charged up the hill and more or less collapsed. He rested awhile. I fed and medicated him and he was pretty quiet most of the day save for a little running down to the corral. Bless his heart. He stays pretty close to dad these days. I pruned some bushes and puttered with the electronics. The aircard seems slow and I am in a fringe area for two towers-one in Lander, one in Riverton so I have been experimenting with antennas. I do now have digital television! Yay-six channels but two of them are the same. I haven't watched anything.

Thayne stopped by-they will be trucking some cattle out on Thursday. We visited and I got caught up on some of the doings around the valley.

Delores just called-we had been wondering how the cell phones would work on the train. Just fine apparently. They just left Fort Morgan about 10:15. I have the route on a pdf. I do like to follow along when my friends and family travel. When Jason and Lori went on their Alaska cruise I followed along on the website and as there was a webcam on the ship, I went too. I am hoping they will email pictures on the Europe trip but I think that is harder logistically than it sounds. Their first priority is to have a good time. Entertaining the O.F. is, and should be, down the list quite a ways.

Outliers Tour of River City

Malcolm Gladwell, an interesting New Yorker writer, had an article in the latest magazine based on his book in which he advances some theories. One is that the self-made man is a complete fabrication-all successes had immense help whether schooling, supportive parents, a mentor or some other factor, and two, that a factor of the person that makes them what he calls an "outlier" ( sounds like "out-liar") which he uses to denote that peculiarity of being on the edge or fringe which allows a perspective or perception to be capitalized on. Being somewhat of an outlier myself though not of the wildly successful type, I have been ruminating on these ideas.
Today was Cold and Wet-40 degrees. A drive to pacify the antsy dogs and antsy human seemed like a good idea. I decided to tour the perimeters of the town-the geographic outliers and using my knowledge of the town pursue the outlier idea. Observation one: I have missed a lot by not doing this more often-lots of growth-a complete new elementary school, new housing-mostly low income and some industrialization.

Carnies are ultimate outliers on one end of the Bell Curve. The weather shut this nice clean carnival from Montana, down and it gave me the opportunity to take pictures. The rides are really engineering masterpieces.

This masterpiece is revealed in the next picture as a mural on the lumber storage shed at A.D. Martin Lumber. Pretty co0l and kind of an outlier concept.

The Depot in the old railroad depot is a great Mexican restaurant. The decorative giraffes are definitely outlier concepts.

I have stolen a word from Gladwell-my interest in outliers is probably not economic except tangentially. I have always had a fascination with the outliers-mostly psychologically, sociologically and artistically. Outliers are where the "action" is-originality. Not often found in neatly manicured bungalows.

Oooops!

While on a run to Riverton for a last coffee and bon voyage for my friend Delores, I encountered a parade of Native Americans with chase cars, police escort, Arapaho Flags, on the main highway. I pulled over and proceeded to smile, wave and give a big thumbs up...until I saw the T-shirts. It was a funeral procession. Oops! Last year three young Native American girls were found dead in an empty house at Beaver Creek Housing. The authorities have been very tight lipped about how and what happened and it has become a big bone of contention. The march was as much protest as funeral. My money is on autoerotic asphyxiation, Years ago there was an epidemic of young 'suicides" on and off the reservation. It was tragic-I knew many of the students. It was finally ended with a traditional "paint ceremony" I was on the task force. Several of the "suicides" were from hanging from door knobs and there was a whisper about erotic hanging going around in a couple of those cases. I feel for the authorities -to tell would be awful to the memory of 14 years olds and to not tell is scary and maddening to the people.

With a red face I proceeded to Delores' and Don's. Ruby our friend came over and we had a good gab. Busy lives for everyone. Ruby is going to take Delores to Casper and then her granddaughter's mother will take Delores and Cade (14 yr old granddaughter) to catch the AMTRAK in Fort Morgan, Colorado for their trip/two month stay in W. Virginia with trips to Connecticut and Broadway sandwiched in. Ruby is head of Wyoming Public TV and is on the National Board of Governors of PBS so she will be going to D.C. next week (she has a daughter there so that works well ). They will have a dinner at the Rockefeller's house. Ruby has to come right back from the Casper trip because the PBS "beg-a-thon" as she calls it will start Sunday-tomorrow. Ruby looks good-she is taking off weight and seems more evened out after losing her husband to cancer about 18 months ago.

Buster was such an instigator today-sick or no sick, I got a stick and poked him with it and made him come in for a time out. Scolding lasts about ten seconds with him. He was on the road twice barking at the neighbor dogs. In some ways he is having the best summer of his life-He and Honey are really tight and do lots of doggie exploring together. He loves having a big sister to back him up but he is taking advantage. Goodie was pretty aloof-the queen didn't tumble for the rabble-rouser.

I made scrumptious soup this afternoon. Lots of fresh veggies. Tomorrow is taken care of too.

Little Herder Girl

Honey is probably wasted on me-she has the instincts of a herder and guard dog. Probably would be outstanding in her field (yuk) but that is not her lot in life and she is coming along just fine for being a great pet and part time working dog. These two pictures show her tending "her" flock.

Brother Rich called on his way to Denver to his daughter Alicia's graduation from her Master's Program. He called again. He wanted to know the address on Pearl Street where our family lived. Wrong branch. Mom's family lived on Pearl in Kemmerer. In Denver we were on Pennsylvania and York. I am proud of Alicia's accomplishments but with no place to stash the pups I was not up for the trek to Denver. Besides, I am up 4 to zip on graduations. I have never been a "counter" on my own behalf but my kids deserved better. Perhaps a card.

The novel I started yesterday was dangerous to my health. I quit it at 3:00 a.m. and the dogs were up at 7:30. I started the day thinking it would be a waste-I was pretty tired. I started "puttering" and really got quite a bit done-enough to justify my existence. And I finished the book. It was engrossing but hardly edifying. What I learned: There are some sick sumbitches out there in Minnesota fiction land.

Speaking of which, while I really was fond of David Carradine's acting and characters, is anybody else getting the giggles about an autoerotic asphyxiation gone wrong: the curtain sash cord tied to neck, hands, and genitals (age 72!) in a closet in Bangkok, "Tieland" while working on a movie called Stretch? " Ah, Grasshopper, man with hole in pocket...."

"Not Responsible For Misprints"

Took the morning coffee here which always puts me in a good frame of mind. About ten a.m. we loaded up for Lander and I was prepped to do business on several fronts and make a day of it, taking pictures, going to the courthouse, ALCO and having lunch. The next picture is of our return this evening from the Riverton side looking toward the gap that holds Washakie Dam. Cloudy and stormy and the light was very interesting. Click it to enlarge, you will like what you see.

Click this one taken in the morning on our way to Lander- The clouds were in front of the mountains except the mountain tops were peeking through. The countryside is beautiful this year. Lander is looking pretty perky too. Several building projects and the Pioneer Museum is open. I didn't go in but it is on the radar now. It deserves more time than I had today. ALCO was our first stop to scarf up a $179.00 Flat screen LCD digital Sansui 26 inch Television set. Oops! It was a misprint. They tried to sell me "up" but I bought down dang 'em. A 19 inch digital TV for $119.00 which was not a misprint and will serve its limited purpose in my life.

I took my Florida paperwork to the courthouse to get the Jeep titled in my name and buy plates for it. I did not have the Palm Beach Sheriff's Officer's signature notarized but the Clerk accepted it as it was. That part went well. The plates and paperwork are already stashed in the Ford Van so they will not get forgotten. With a new John Sandford mystery (Phantom Prey) from ALCO in hand I went to the Gannett Grill, ate one of their fabulous hamburgers (took the bacon off for the dogs) sitting outside and reading. Sooz and Bon had been recommending some Wyoming based authors for me but this will do in the meantime. Two sex acts and a murder and I am only on page 33-pretty good! I came home by way of 789 Bingo to buy gas and smokes. This was a better day ALCO's treachery notwithstanding.

Poor Buster was so bushed last night he went to bed early and when I got there I had to move him-he was like Gumby-he stayed in whatever position I put him. A good night's rest put him right and he was giving me wakeup kisses about 7:30 (yuk!) but I made us all stay in bed until 8:30. I needed the rack time. He played out again this morning but Honey "get's it" and led me to him. After a rest he made it home. The coon is still around. Honey went on a rampage with hackles up this evening. She is impressive. A pack of coyotes were singing on the hill tonight so I brought her in. She'll work all night if you let her. She likes her flock/herd in a group. It is fascinating to watch her work. She put subtle pressure on a bunch of calves this afternoon-she pushes them a little then lays down and stares at them-pretty soon they are heading for mom. If one challenges her though, he is going to get it.

Total Crap Day

Ken, my Finnish friend from Thunder Bay, Ontario called two nights ago. He wanted to set up a Skype video call so I could meet his kids who were home from England and Finland. He was three sheets to the wind when he called and he must have miscalculated the time difference.... or forgot. Thinking to give them a treat I took the netbook with video camera built-in to the deck and faced it toward the Little Wind. I sat in the 7:30 ayem morning misty damp and sat and sat and sat, No Ken. No call. No big deal.

I called Rich-he had called three times and had heard the Little Wind was flooding so was concerned. I had the phone with me last night and this morning and heard it not-it did not ring. Assuaging his fears that I was swept away he ended the call by saying I was getting old and can't hear my phone.

Meanwhile Buster led a foray to the yapping dogs across the street and the first I knew of it was cars honking-the universal rez code for "dogs in the road." The dogs were a stinking challenge all day long and Buster was the instigator. Honey chased cows and got zapped.

Then we discovered a raccoon had taken up residence in the "summer house" Honey was determined to get it. I was fearful that one or both would be hurt and was tugging on her and zapping away to no avail. The coon headed up a tree.

I got my mail and there was an offer from the National Education Association for insurance to cover "my final expenses." Well thanks a lot- have they been talking to Richard?

Then the dogs went coursing down the eighty acres. Honey by this time is very alert to the pager and leery of a zap but poor old Buster who went down in a hurry was really struggling to get home. Dear Honey went out to him to encourage him. I was not looking forward to trekking in the mud and trying to carry him home in it. When I got them collected I put them in the van. I had seen an ad for a 27 inch LCD TV for $179 at ALCO in Lander. I thought "We'll go see (and give the coon a chance to get away.)" Second thoughts down the road: "If they are that cheap at ALCO I'll bet they are cheaper at WalMart." 180 to Riverton. Bought burger for the hounds and checked out the TV's- every single one was at least twice the price. Lander tomorrow. Am I doing this for the bargain or because I like TV? It is the bargain- that is about all I want to pay.

Came home and played with Honey-she had been looking at me since the coon incident like she wasn't sure whose side I was on. Then we discovered the stupid coon had returned to the summerhouse. Big chase, biting and snarling and up a tree again. Sheesh!

I had pounding temples and said "Enough!" We all came in and I fed the dawgs. No more outside today.

Checked my email and had a message from Bank of America. "Possible fraudulent Credit Card Use of Your Account. Please call." I did , There was: $600.00 for bikinis and makeup. Now there is a picture for you! Definitely not my merchandise. New card and an affadavit is in the mail. What do you want to bet they lower my limit? It's about $25,000.00 and I had no charges on it. Maybe it is a ruse.

I am ready for a new day tomorrow-a better one than this one.

Living Large on the Little Wind

My previous post this day might have led one to believe we were in for the duration. It didn't turn out that way. I finally got Honey corralled on the bed for a towelling and because it was a bit chilly, the covers looked inviting. We three had a daytime snuggle/nap and when we woke up it was only 1:30. Honey was antsy so it seemed a ride was a decent alternative togetting soaked again. We had no plan but I remembered it was Senior Day at the Casino. They were serving nice big cheeseburgers, coleslaw and potato salad for the sum of zero dollars. So I swiped my card and also got my $5.00 gambling chit. Some Native American folks joined me at my table and we visited a little. Then I went on a gambling roller coaster. My machine seemed to respond better if I changed my bets. I got down to $3.25 (it was a penny machine) then hit it big and got up to $5.15. I cashed out and fled the temptation. I blew my my wad and added $2.00 at the new restaurant at Bailey's Truck Stop. They have a two day Club Sandwich there-it takes you two days to eat it. I got it to go and one quarter of it was enough for dinner. A no cooking day almost- I nuked some burger for the hounds.

If you click on the picture you can see the Little Wind is a little more than full in my backyard. There are flood warnings. As I sit atop a hill, I have no real concerns though there have been times past when we had to go around the long way to get out of here.

My Wyoming Retirement Update Newsletter came today-no cost of living adjustment this year, about 10 new staff members and a new head and an in-house Chief Investment Officer. It was very slick and rosy. But I am so cynical after the last 8 years (and having watched the Ohio crooked shenanigans with their Workmen's Comp funds-it changed the state government from Republicans forever, to Democrat in one election cycle) that my B.S. detector went off. I am going to watch these guys like a hawk. A billion dollars represents a huge tempation.

I was smart enough to guard my principal but the meltdown has cost me about $500 per month in growth. I can't afford a hit on my pension. If I could get Alan Greenspan and George Bush in the same room I would squeeze their nuts until they passed out.