Sixty-six and Blessed
This was the big birthday weekend and what a weekend it was! Guy, Janet, and Hollis took me to dinner in lovely downtown Pavillion, WY (population 126). In Wyoming when someone suggests you drive 30 plus miles to a restaurant, you don't quibble, you go. The Roost was a gem of a choice. A New Orleans refugee, Ginny, is now operating it. I knew Jim Rutter who was one of the early owners but it has morphed into something pretty special since then. The Saturday night special was prime rib and we all went for it. We live in beef country but I was unprepared for the hugeness of it. I ate all I could and still had enough to be a hero to the dogs. The culinary accoutrements were exceptional: Baked potatoes rolled in seasoned salt with a sauce more delectable than plain sour cream; baked beans, a pretty good salad with blue cheese dressing, Texas toast, and Bananas Foster Cheese cake-made right there. Their wonderful gifts: a bucket of Janet's oatmeal raisin cookies and a Harry and David's box of homegrown veggies. I can vouch for the broccoli being exceptional so far.
We had interesting conversation. Guy is a student of old west stories- ala Jeremiah Johnson and others who were so damn tough it is hard to imagine. Hollis who is a trapper in the winter time almost lives the life. Janet had cooked wave after wave of sourdough pancakes on this very day for an annual pancake fest they have. The woman is never at rest. Tough as nails with tender hearts. I am lucky with my friends.
Sunday was a cooler day than anticipated. Delores hosted a garage picnic and she had worked all day. Brats with chili and cheese, onions and relish, home-made potato salad ( zowie!) baked beans, a huge banana pudding compote, and a birthday cake that nobody had room for. Ruby had just flown home from a weekend at Priest lake near Spokane with her family. Dessie, her mom (age 89) came with a bottle of wine, Greg and Kinsey and Cade, and dogs Arnie and Edgar who played with my dogs. Big old Honey and Edgar the chihuahua were as cute as can be and Arnie the Yorkie is game for anything. Honey got a little sharp when Arnie made a beeline for me. I don't know if it was jealousy or protectiveness but after a time-out all played harmoniously.
Hearing of the early days of Svilar's restaurant was a treat. Ruby washed dishes and missed out on the big tips but her aunt Sophie bought her a Mustang when she went to college. Dessie said the old ladies who made the famous sarma (cabbage rolls) made 7000 a week. The home made ravioli, about 4000. And of course the place is a steakhouse still going strong and under family ownership today. Ruby is head of Wyoming PBS and is on the national board, Delores had her summer with Cade in West Virginia, so we had lots to gab about. Dessie told a naughty story. Don kept trying to rant about Obama but nobody bit.
Rich, Audrey, Matt, Jason and Lori, all heard from: a splendid birthday weekend. If it could have been any better I can't imagine how.
We had interesting conversation. Guy is a student of old west stories- ala Jeremiah Johnson and others who were so damn tough it is hard to imagine. Hollis who is a trapper in the winter time almost lives the life. Janet had cooked wave after wave of sourdough pancakes on this very day for an annual pancake fest they have. The woman is never at rest. Tough as nails with tender hearts. I am lucky with my friends.
Sunday was a cooler day than anticipated. Delores hosted a garage picnic and she had worked all day. Brats with chili and cheese, onions and relish, home-made potato salad ( zowie!) baked beans, a huge banana pudding compote, and a birthday cake that nobody had room for. Ruby had just flown home from a weekend at Priest lake near Spokane with her family. Dessie, her mom (age 89) came with a bottle of wine, Greg and Kinsey and Cade, and dogs Arnie and Edgar who played with my dogs. Big old Honey and Edgar the chihuahua were as cute as can be and Arnie the Yorkie is game for anything. Honey got a little sharp when Arnie made a beeline for me. I don't know if it was jealousy or protectiveness but after a time-out all played harmoniously.
Hearing of the early days of Svilar's restaurant was a treat. Ruby washed dishes and missed out on the big tips but her aunt Sophie bought her a Mustang when she went to college. Dessie said the old ladies who made the famous sarma (cabbage rolls) made 7000 a week. The home made ravioli, about 4000. And of course the place is a steakhouse still going strong and under family ownership today. Ruby is head of Wyoming PBS and is on the national board, Delores had her summer with Cade in West Virginia, so we had lots to gab about. Dessie told a naughty story. Don kept trying to rant about Obama but nobody bit.
Rich, Audrey, Matt, Jason and Lori, all heard from: a splendid birthday weekend. If it could have been any better I can't imagine how.
posted by Stephen's Pictures | 8:40 AM
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