It Pays To Be Kind To The Elderly

CONTEST: Identify these Celebrities (not" A-list" but pretty famous) for a beverage or your choice when we next meet. They were causing a bit of a stir in the Holiday Inn, Riverton. Hint: they are two of four.

With gladness in their hearts, Rich and Val drove up here after church. I suggested the Holiday Inn because they have a very good brunch. We enjoyed the showy "omelets to your specs," mini waffles with strawberries and whipped cream, roast beef, smothered pork chops, fresh fruit, sausage, bacon, vegetables, etc. etc. Good food, and good service, tables with linens, nice ambience. I like this place for special occasions. Like My Birthday..

Then I took them to the Wind River Casino for their first visit. Rich pronounced himself impressed. Rich and Val started cautiously on the penny slot machines. The dharma of their coming to buy me a birthday brunch, took over. Rich made the cost of breakfast and $50. Valerie cashed in for $305. We had a good time. Complimentary soft drinks-help yourself, very clean and sweet smelling place, very nice decor and solicitous helpers at every turn. It seemed pretty busy. I had to laugh-there were a lot of retired school administrators there. The Blackjack and Poker tables were getting a pretty good workout. The place attracts a wide variety of types and people don't seem to mind driving 150 miles from Green River or Casper.

Jason and Lori sent me iphone pictures of their new bird "Sonny Conner," a Sun Conure). Lori decided Bebo, the bird that adopted them was lonesome so they got him a friend. He is reputed to be a sweet bird and somewhat of a character. I'll look forward to meeting them both.

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.

Smoking! Gambling! Wild Sex!

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

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

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

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

I'm Not Saying it is Hot...

I'm not saying it is hot around here but Guy's birthday cake melted between the store and his house. He turned "the double nickel," got his free Senior lunch at the Casino, and irrigated like a trouper. His party which was unannounced even to me, took place in two stages. The "starvin' Marvins" ate on time: Janet and her folks and me. Hollis and Guy came in for the second shift. Not knowing the occasion I had to rely on the phone camera for some crappy pictures. Nice people and good food, good conversation, cool beverages, make for a good time. We had one. Janet had been to Rapid City with her mom for her checkup and to see her brother. Janet's mom is a cancer survivor and is doing well. They had a good time and had tales to tell. I showed them my Motorola Q and Guy showed me his Radiation Meter. I tested the phone. Pretty interesting stuff.

They took their cows to a summer pasture above Lysite and Guy is hoping to cash in on the biofuel/corn demand and planted NEW fields in corn. As they haven't been used for this before, it has been grueling getting the plowing, planting, watering, and so forth done. Hollis ate well but the boy is slender and suntanned. Their new home is certainly liveable-very,very, nice, but progress on that has taken a back seat to the income producing
labor. I am glad they are so young and tough. (a co-worker at Janet's office told her she was "tougher than woodpecker lips.") They spent the last winter in a travel trailer, with an outhouse, while they and their contractor worked on their log house. They spent select nights with Janet's folks to shower, and do laundry-mom loved it. Time to feed and see her kids. I really respect these people (in addition to liking them a whole bunch). They have patience and perseverance and good humor. Guy says, "I'll tell ya' this farming is not for sissies."