Big Night Out

Rich called on Wednesday-on his way to Jackson, WY and environs for his job. He said he would be back through on Thursday. He called from up there-he had never been to Thayne and Star Valley (little Switzerland) and was impressed by the sights. I told him to be sure and stop at the Cheese Factory. As it turned out we were able to get together for dinner. I thought to introduce him to the delights the Roost but then remembered I had town chores and precious little gas in the van. So I said the Casino. I was there plenty early as he had called from Dubois. Good thing because the place was packed and I got the pager for the dining room 30 minutes in advance and settled down to big time gambling. I started with $3.00 got up to $6.50 and then back to $3.00. But I had the heady experience of being wealthy for a few minutes. My pager went off and I was just sitting down when Rich showed up. We had a nice visit. He and Val really seem to be a team and have good times. His daughters are being cool to each right now. Cousins are getting along fine-Susie gets up at 5:30 every morning to go care for her friend up the street with terminal breast cancer and goes again at 5:30 at night.



It is really kind of sad to see such famous trenchermen as Rich and me becoming pikers in our dotage. We ordered prime rib and both ended up making a care package for the dogs who were delighted. More evidence of Rich and OCD: he has become a sequential eater: all the potato, all the veggies, then the meat. I'm not sure when that started but I used to feed him when he was little and we had sit-down dinners at our house so it is not lifelong behavior.



He complimented me: said I didn't look like I gained weight this summer. In fact I am wearing pants that are a full size smaller-two inches less around the middle. But that has always been the story of my weight fluctuations. Anyway more inches to go hopefully and the dose of beef was enjoyed and I think needed.



Richie brought me some cheese from Star Valley and told me not to cut it until I got home. I never did mind him at all.