Monday April 30 2007

Joe and Dogs Waiting for a Ride

Can't believe its the last day of April. Another month - well two actually - and the year will be half over. We're having about 4 or 5 days in a row at 70 degrees, then by the weekend the forecast is for possible rain/snow. Its still been very dry here. We just get clouds and wind. When we got that last skiff of snow it was gone and dry in a few days. It's pretty windy.

Its getting time to be working in the yard, although still early to plant anything. I want to transplant/move a lot of things this year. I think my beautiful crab apple tree is dead, that long cold spell must have killed it. It bloomed so beautifully last spring, but I don't see any buds so far. I'll just leave it sit there. I don't know why but the cats have scratched on the bark ever since I got it. That would be enough to kill it. I've looked for something suitable to wrap the bark with and the stores here don't have such a thing.

Today I saw the first bluebird here, and it seemed to be looking for a place to nest. I also saw the hawk on its nest down in the tree on the ditch. I thought they had abandoned it, but no they are there. Also there were bluebells, buttercups and phlox, the first wildflowers to bloom in spring. The aspens up in Muddy Canyon have a tinge of green, just leafing out this morning. But the cottonwoods in back are just dropping their catkins, and the leaf buds only barely unfurling. The fields are beginning to look more green. Rain would be good.

Betty and Nancy arrive tomorrow afternoon. I'm sure looking forward to our time together. Today I'll finish up housecleaning and get the windows washed inside. The faucet outside isn't turned on yet because of the freezing nights, so I won't wash them outside. That doesn't really make me unhappy. Anyway Betty wanted to see the big imprint of a bird that flew into the kitchen window - a feathered silhouette complete with eye and beak that shines in the sunrise. Its rather sad, but the bird must have been alright as I never found a body.

Lois called this morning and said the small weekly group of our artists is getting together at her house tomorrow with lunch at the Senior Center, but I told her I'd have to take a rain check.

I finally got the WAOW master level structure document finished through our committee comments and sent it off to ask Kendra to proofread it, just because she is very astute with written things. If it's got problems she will see it and if it will get past her without a lot of changes or even if she finds things that need correcting, that will be a lot better for when it goes out to the whole board. I want it to be as close to finished as possible.

Joe is walking our ditch this morning, between our front gate and the headgate over on the hill at Norm's. I'm to pick him up there at 10:30. He will make sure as he walks that the ditch is clean, taking out any brush that will stop the flow and overflow the bank causing a washout. He and the dogs should be properly worn out when they get back home. Its a good day for a walk.

Saturday April 29 2007

Studio Sunflowers

12"x12" pastel on suede matboard

Lynn Thomas

This sunflower still life was done from life when we had the Mixed Media meeting here last month. Its a vase of silk flowers Debbie made and gave me, and that's just what it turned out looking like - fake flowers, so I tried to give them more life and over worked it a little. It was a good exercise with the pastels. It's being framed now.

Finally finished the ironing, so Joe has levis with a crease to go to town in. I seldom iron. I hate it more than anything. Cleaned the silverware today. Also got the cat poo in the shed cleaned up. I think they are going outside more....a little more. I have seen all five cats and that always makes me feel better that they are doing o.k. - and have escaped the coyotes and hawks.

We just got some irrigation water in the ditch today. Joe has started with his daily irrigating. It will be slow at first until the water gets spread out some. It sinks right in the ground at first. Many people have had water on their fields for some weeks now, and the river is so low and the ditch so dry its taken a long time for the water to get here to us. Our ditch is about 9 miles long from the headgate on the East Fork River.

Bobbi is having to stay in the corral and eat hay because of her chronic founder. She can't have wet green grass. She has been doing fairly well for quite a while now. Nube doesn't go very far away from her. Joe will feed her there every day.

Beverly called this morning. They made it to Disney World o.k. It was 9 a.m. in Florida but only 7 here so not being a morning person it was pretty early. She, Brent and Clayton left Vegas at 11 p.m. and had a four hour flight. That made it about 5 or 6 a.m. when they got there. There they are staying in the Yellowstone Lodge Hotel and she says its wonderful. They went right to their room and slept for a while then walked around some easy part of Disney World for the rest of the day. Tomorrow they are going through - is it Universal Studios. Anyway she said it is 55 square miles. A bus takes them everywhere from the hotel. I told her to tell Taz that Mom loves him, especially the spinning. After D.W. they are spending some time at a nice hotel right on the beach. They are also going to Kennedy Space Center and other touristy things. I'll keep you posted of any adventures. She said so far they hadn't seen alligators.

Saturday April 28 2007

Nube at Sunset

Bobbi Sox


SPRING

Quietly at first
The mountain sings
All living things
Join the noisy chorus
And so must I

~

Lynn Thomas
Mudy Creek
About 1980

Friday April 27 2007

Antelope on Glacial Moraine

Its a really nice day out, but the wind keeps blowing. I couldn't believe when I checked the weather page that at least until Wednesday every day should be about 70 degrees and either partly sunny or partly cloudy - I never could figure out what the difference was between those two descriptions. I have the studio window open, the first day for that. The horses really seem to be enjoying the days, and are shedding their winter coats.

Today has been a laundry house cleaning ironing day. Also baking day. I throw my too-ripe bananas in the freezer and had enough accumulated to make 5 loaves of banana nut bread, so did that this afternoon. I can freeze the loaves to take out as needed. Its a big help to have something ready at a minute's notice. Dinner will be grilled salmon and baked potatoes.

All of a sudden I realized that there's now only about three more days until my company gets here. How did that happen so fast? This morning I finished the 3rd draft of one of my big WAOW jobs and hope that's about the end of that one. It's been sent off for another round of comments and we'll see how that goes. Joe's still mechanicking (spellcheck says it's mechanic king, and that's also correct) on his tractors. At the moment he's checking gates or fixing fences and got the truck down in the far end of the field.

Kay called and has set up an appointment in about a month for some of us artists to show one of the local bank presidents a display of our paintings, hoping that the bank might buy them for displaying. They want essentially local artists' Western and Wildlife artwork. More opportunity knocking.

This is the day that Beverly, Brent and Clayton are taking off for Florida and Disney World for 10 days. They leave at 11 p.m. tonight. James and Kathy should be pretty far down the road toward Atlanta to visit their family for a month. I wish them all safe and very fun trips. It is also the day that Debby, Curtis and Tayler are going on the ATV camping trip I was going to join them on before I got sick. I hope you guys have a great weekend too. I feel sorry to be missing that. NOW the Dr. says I am fine to drive.

Thursday April 26 2007

Recycled

Today Joe and I went to town. He had a doctor appointment to see about changing some of his medicine. We left about 9 a.m. Stopped at a couple of the automotive places for him to get parts and oil. Then drove out to my framers where I left off four small pieces of artwork to be framed. The are to be done in time to take them to the WAA Convention. I picked up the finished drawing Judy gave me of Buster, and it really turned out nice.

Walked the dogs and went to the clinic, where it was the usual waiting and seeing the doctor scenario. Dr. Boyle also told me a little more about my emergency room visit and said it was o.k. for me to drive now, but to be aware if I started having any symptoms of pain or nausea. I would sure hate to be somewhere alone and far away if I conked out again though. I learned today that all the churches had me on their prayer lists as soon as it happened, and I didn't even know it until now.

We met James and Kathy for lunch at the Patio. Joe and I had the special Taco salads. They are leaving tomorrow for a month's visit back to see their family in Georgia. Down to Falers for a few groceries and back home. Got the groceries put away and fixed us French dip sandwiches for dinner. I had gotten some really nice strawberries and we had them for dessert. Strawberries have been wonderful this year.

Then I felt like I had enough time to finish a travel story I started about a year ago. I got all of it finished o.k. but couldn't remember how I came home, or if I did anything special on the way back. Just too long ago. I tried looking up my receipts and couldn't find a thing that way, so just ended it with what I did remember. I think I know but I'm not sure. Maybe it will come back to me. I should have finished it when I started it.

This morning I had to take the polish off my expensive manicure I had it so chipped up. Broke one nail down to the quick. It hasn't even been a week. So much for that.

A very large helicopter went over the house tonight just after dark. I wonder what that was about. I'll ask Sandra and she will probably know - they run the airport FBO. I never heard of FBO until I knew Sandra. It means Fixed Base Operator, something like that, and they work in General Aviation which means a place for private planes to land as opposed to commercial airliners or the military. Kind of neat actually. That's where my friend Melita caters meals for wealthy people who own private jets.

Wednesday April 25 2007

Phil and Virginia's Birdhouses

Today was the most relaxing day I've had in a really long time. I straightened up the studio a little and was able to catch up on a little reading. First off I read Judi's pbwiki about her interviews with people who worked with the Skinner Brothers Wilderness School. I'm really enjoying the stories.

This evening I took an ATV ride around the field and the dogs went along. They were glad to be out taking a run. When we got alongside the creek there were geese and ducks and in went the dogs, even though I was yelling at them not to chase the birds. It was a black bog mud hole and they were covered with mud. I figured I'd better hose them off or they couldn't come in the house for the night. Sounds like a simple solution, right? Well I hooked the hose onto the faucet by the back door and no water has been turned on there yet since winter. So I took the hose in through the back door and carefully hooked it to the utility sink faucet, screwed it on tight, turned and turned, yep it was on. Turned on some hot and cold so it would be warm on the dogs.

It was about 45 degrees, so not your usual outside dog bathing weather. Got them all sprayed off one at a time. Went back inside and half the utility room was flooded and water spraying nearly to the ceiling. The wood louvered door on the furnace was all wet. And water sprayed up and down the walls. I got towels and started mopping the whole mess up. At least I got the floor good and clean in the process. The dogs are still pretty wet tonight but they will be fine.I saw a great blog tonight about Antarctica, and am sending the link out by email. The guy had beautiful photos.

Tomorrow we're going to town for a doctor appointment for Joe. I'll get a few groceries and take some artwork to the framer. My gift drawing of Buster by Judy is framed and ready to pick up too. I'm anxious to see that.

Tuesday April 24 2007

Mechanic King

THE MIMIC

Essay by Lynn Thomas

Most people don't stop to notice how good a mimic the starling is. He's an ugly, scraggly blackbird, looking much like something left over from the age of the dinosaurs. Starlings are rude intruders in our environment taking over the habitat of our native species. Some of them live inside our sheds and barn in the summer, finding entrance through any tiny opening. They fly into the chimney and plug that up as well. Once there they make a huge mess building and maintaining their nest.

Starlings can very cleverly mimic a large variety of sounds, especially other birds. I've heard them sound like crying hawks, the mewing cat, the soft whistle of the bluebirds and the nearby swallows. Imagine my surprise one day when I heard the song of a faraway coyote and realized the resident nesting starling was making this sound from the top of the power pole that sits in the middle of the yard.

In the intervening time, I've come to admire this one quality of starlings and not be surprised when his ventriloquism copies other unusual sounds. However, I think you can understand my amazement on a recent morning about sunrise when I realized the starling was up on the power pole ringing like the telephone in the nearby shop, which he can frequently hear. I guess from now on when he caws like a crow or chups like his blackbird cousins it won't be nearly as exciting as that time he tricked me into running across the yard from the garden to answer the phone. I wonder if he thought this was a good joke? I thought I heard something that sounded like "ha ha ha ha".

Monday April 23 2007

Sparky and Raven on top of old drift

Drift in Front Corral

Big Kahuna Death Throes

Compare to March 11

This morning I took a few more pictures of our snow drifts for the record. You can compare Big Kahuna in its death throes to last March 11 photos on the blog. I'm surprised how long the remnants of the drifts are lasting.

It rained last night instead of snowing. Went outside for a bit this morning before the wind came up, loved that it is getting nicer. The meadowlarks are singing. Ominous looking dark clouds are hanging around all the edges though, some settling on the hill tops. It looks like its snowing up there. The amount of moisture we get, or don't get, is always such a huge concern here. It all hinges on how much rain falls and how much the grass grows to feed the cattle. When I first came here it rained a lot and the green was something to see. Hay up to your armpits some years. I used to irrigate then, and you could get lost out there. The dogs were definitely lost.

Joe worked on his tractor today. This afternoon we got thunder and some small hail a couple of times.

Debbie called me this morning so we got to visit. Also Kevin called from The Gallup Poll asking how I rated all the different phases of my hospital stay from 1 to 5. It was a very good hospital. He was in Nebraska though, not in Idaho.

I would have been leaving on my vacation trip today. But instead Betty and Nancy will be here on the 1st so that will be a nice alternative. I'm making up a list of things we can do while they are here. Then another thing to look forward to, will be the WAA convention the next weekend in Riverton. The Wyoming Bureau of Land Management and the Wyoming Honor Farm will host a wild horse adoption the same weekend in Riverton. Maybe we can also check out the auction. I promise not to raise my hand or scratch my nose.

Just sent out an email notice for SCAG meeting on May 24th here at our house and will get some invitation cards made up to mail to everyone. We'll have some goodies and coffee and "hobnob", and get the group business taken care of. Unless it changes, I will stay president and all the other officers keep their current positions for another year. That is a lot easier than changing. I am looking forward to seeing everyone again!!

Sunday April 22 2007

Wind Rivers from Near Pole Creek

It's trying to snow. When I went out to feed the cats it was lightly sprinkling rain. This evening clouds and snow are settling down over the hills. I love the way it looks, like a watercolor painting. There's not much to say today but I did get a few photos sized to show you. I had wanted to use a certain poem but can't find it. I wrote a haiku about bluebirds and can't find it anywhere, even in my paper files. I know I turned it in to writers group but sometimes I would do that and not keep myself a copy ...just because it was easier.

I'm pooped tonight. Got the waownow letter mostly written, a monthly board report to the members. We are writing in a master member level plus the other changes, and not sure we need as much detail as I gave it. I like lots of detail, but its too much for most people. And also wrote up two more months of WAOW volunteers of the month. .......and defrosted my freezer. and paid bills/balanced the checkbook Glad that's done.

Got to go empty the dishwasher and get the dinner dishes in there. We had lobster for dinner. Guess we have it every 4 years maybe. I put the potatoes in the oven to bake and only turned it half on, i.e. there are two knobs so no heat. Hope I'm not going to do that very often. So last minute I stuck one in the microwave.

I got a prospectus from the state for Wyoming portrait artists to do 5 paintings of historic governor's portraits for $10,000 apiece. One artist will get the whole job. I think they will hang in the State Capitol I would be really stupid not to try for it. I'll keep you posted and see if I get some ambition to do it. I'll have to get together some examples of my portraits and submit them.

Saturday April 21 2007

Ice on Silver Creek

We've had some snow showers today, starting to snow again now. Its pretty gloomy out. Every once in a while the sun tries to break through. At least the grass is getting green. Maybe there will be enough for the cattle when they are turned out onto the desert.

Have seen most of my cats again lately. They are looking good. Missing from the bunch was the mother cat Rascal again. So I worry about her.

Betty called. Its our usual day to visit long distance on her minutes. She said its been cold down in Mesquite. All of nearly 75 degrees, with a wind chill of 74. Her, Nancy and Amigo's plans are coming together for their visit here. We agreed she should bring her down coat. She reserved a large SUV so Amigo would have plenty of room, he weighs about 120 pounds, but then she realized he couldn't see out the windows while he was laying down like he does in her Honda. So if he wants to see out he will have to sit up. I thought for a minute she was going to have to pick another kind of van so he would be comfortable while he was sightseeing. (Just teasing you, Betty.) They will come from Caliente to Nephi the first day. Amigo loves to come here now. We socialize all the dogs into a pack, according to The Dog Whisperer theories. She and I are the alpha females, .....aren't we??

I'm spending most of my time working on my volunteer jobs at the computer. Good thing I enjoy it. Today I got all the names and addresses of the people who are supporting the new conference and arts center into a table. Then paid the bills on line before they get overdue.

Also I registered for our State Wyoming Artists' Association Convention, which will be the weekend of May 11. Several of us from here will go over Friday morning more or less together. We all look forward to WAA. The whole day is about gone, and I don't know how the time goes by so fast. Sorry not to have anything more interesting to write about. Can't think of what I want to fix for dinner - I hate that.

Abandoned - Sage Green

Friday April 20, 2007

Doc's New Calf

It was a pretty morning. I got a nice phone call from a dear friend and we had a good visit. Fixed Joe an early lunch. Took the dogs. Drove in to town today about 11:45 to get my manicure and pedicure. Had a sandwich and cup of tea for my lunch as I drove. I loved having it done, especially the pedicure. This was my second one in my life, except of course I've always done my own. At least I got home this time without ruining any of the nails. It took almost 3 hours for both. It didn't leave much time for anything else. When I came out it was pretty overcast and looked like it was snowing in the mountains. Afterwards took the dogs for a walk up the walking path next to the Rendezvous Pointe. I got some groceries, not as many as usual, and drove home.

There are more antelope drifting back this way all the time. Didn't see as many deer on the road so they must be about through with their migration. Those red tailed hawks are definitely building a nest in the big tree by our irrigation ditch and staking out the territory there. Saw curlews this morning and there are juncos in the yard. The cats are trying to stalk them, but they are too smart to be cat food.

Made an easy dinner in about 10 minutes by bringing home some of Faler's macaroni and cheese, with deli hot dogs and leftover fresh green beans, salad and rolls. It worked good for me because I'm just kind of pooped. Stayed up late last night working on one of my WAOW jobs, and tweaked it again this morning. I'll be curious to see how it goes when the committee scrutinizes it and then it goes to the board.

Betty wrote that she, Nancy and Amigo (Rottweiler) will be here for a visit for about 5 days at the end of the month. I can't wait to see them. They are coming here because I can't travel down to Mesquite for a while after my Hollywood Episode. We'll have a good celebration for our 50^th high school reunion year. No telling what plans will evolve, but we might get some more ATVs and ride around the country some.

Got a new book in the mail today that I heard was good by Elizabeth Gilbert – "Eat Pray Love". Joe's shirts the girls ordered for him for Christmas came last mail day too. So Merry Christmas in April.

Red Beauty

Thursday April 19 2007

Taking Garbage Barrels to the Dump -

Joe Sweeping Snow and Ice off the Truck

Butte in Fog

On todays date in 1938 Howard Hughes set the around-the-world speed record in an airplane filled with ping-pong balls to make sure it would float if it went down in the ocean.

Not much happening here, except its snowing. Last night we had a raging blizzard. At least I'm finally learning to punch save more often and didn't loose the WAOW membership level document I was in the midst of working on when the power bleeped off. The wind blew so hard yesterday afternoon again that it blew some of our siding off. Then we had to go out with the ladder to (hopefully) hook it back on. Joe on the ladder and me holding it. He's got it duck taped on for now.The dogs would go out for about 60 seconds, wouldn't go off the porch and were plastered with snow. Of course they shook it all off inside the house. I found out later on the weather site that the wind was blowing over 50 mph. So it looks like we're back into winter this morning. I doubt it will stick for long. I took a photo of the antelope in the snow out the window at dawn this morning, but it didn't turn out - wish you could have seen it.

A few days ago I threw some poppy seeds out in the yard where I thought they might come up looking pretty around the wagon and this moisture will help them get started. If the birds haven't gotten the seed already. By the looks of it I don't think we're ready for any gardening yet, tho' getting the moisture is wonderful. I feel sorry for the new little calves, but it could be much much worse. Even after all these years I'm always amazed at the speed in which the snow squalls blow over and then its sunny again, over and over.

I'm still spending most of my time on my volunteering for all my groups. A lot of time lately has gone into writing up a structure for membership levels in the Women Artists of the West bylaws. And the newsletter deadline is tomorrow, and I have a couple of things that are supposed to be ready for that. Charm and I are in charge of gathering all the info for a master address list for contacts in support of the Sublette County Community Conference and Fine Arts Center. I'm glad to be involved in that project because I've always wanted to have a nice place like that locally.

Yesterday afternoon Joe loaded the garbage barrels into his truck with the front end loader of the tractor. Thank you very much - I didn't have to help lift them in. And he took them to the dump at Pinedale today. This is the regular day for his blood work (and it was very good). So he had lunch in town. I like to get my housecleaning done while he's gone so he won't be sitting in the middle of it while I'm working. Think I'll have stew from the pot roast with pie crust on top of it for dinner.

We're seeing lots of new birds now, doves, geese, cranes, rs flickers, robins, bluebirds, different hawks. A red tailed hawk has been roosting in the tree on the ditch and yesterday I saw he has a mate now. There were two of them. I love it when a "v" of geese flies over honking. I'm pretty sure I saw a peregrine falcon yesterday, and the osprey are back on several of the big nests. Charm saw swans on Boulder Lake. The cranes were really boistrous out in the snow this morning.

I'm looking forward to going in tomorrow and getting a manicure and pedicure. It was one of the things I promised myself when I was sitting in the hospital. It will be the second one I've had in my life.

Ladder in New Snow

Wednesday April 18 2007

A Thousand Miles from Nowhere?

They ask me why I live way out here,

so distant from the "real world".

Here, I live in harmony with my daily affairs

together with the mountain,

raging wind music,

sage and cedar.

My heart at peace, loving even the fierce cold.

They've never seen the golden eagle sit on the front gate

or the killdeer bring tiny babies foraging in the yard

feigning injury to the dogs.

Or the herd of antelope that runs down the lane

like a school of fish in front of the truck.

Our horses stand grazing near the house- fat and frisky.

I'm amazed at the wildflowers, which struggle to blossom,

at the cataract cascading through granite

during spring runoff,

at the Milky Way in a clear velvet midnight.

My words of truth are written with a sunbeam.

Here the knowledge of the universe shines

from each creature's eyes.

The earth gives birth, nourishes, and takes back to itself.

Each new dawn is a miracle.

On the peak I can sit in a peach colored cloud

hoping to grow beyond greed and selfishness,

to perceive truth.

The full moon rising is my symbol for wholeness.

This is my home, my refuge.

I tell them,

"This is the real world".

Lynn Thomas - Muddy Creek

Tuesday April 17 2007

Lois

Ruth

Judi

Kay

Today was one of the most fun times I've had for a while. Mixed Media met at the Rendezvous Pointe Senior Center to have a work meeting. The purpose was to finish up artwork for the Wyoming Artists' Association Annual Convention to be held in Riverton the weekend of May 11, 12, and 13. It's usually one of our favorite times and always a good time had by all getting together with artist friends from all over the state. We've all got our room reservations, and dues and choices for workshops in to the officers. On that Friday we will more or less caravan over together. We may come this direction and go down the Lander Cutoff of the Oregon Trail past our place and paint on the way that morning.

So our meeting today it seemed we all did something worthwhile I got more acquainted with our new member Angela and really enjoyed visiting with her. I worked on finishing up some of the pastels I have started. We went and had lunch at the Chinese restaurant and it seemed extra delicious today. They have learned to put us in some distant corner apart from the rest of the customers, because we have been know to become quite boisterous. Charm stopped by to say hi, but she had yoga and piano lessons today. Sandy was there too and was taking the tai chi class and a lot of other ladies we know were playing bridge. We ate all the free frozen yogurt from the ice cream machine we wanted.

The dogs went along and needed about three walks and had some leftover lo-mien. I didn't have any other errands, and the drive was enjoyable. One thing I noticed was what a dirty haze there was in the air this morning - not our crisp clear air from a few years back. It was a nice spring day but the radio said snow showers tomorrow.

Paintings of the Mathis Barn

Heading for Greener Pastures

Old Mathis Barn

Well I'll be darned. I went and looked up these old paintings, and no wonder I thought the barn was smaller than I remember!! The whole dang big ol' barn is gone except for the small room to the right with the tin roof. And it perturbs me I don't know when that happened or that I didn't get more photos of it before it disappeared. Compare these to the photos I took the other day below. Anyway these are a couple of paintings I did of the place maybe 15 or 20 years ago. The top one is large about 22x28", and the other probably is a 9x12" and done as a plein air or quick draw piece.

That's what happens with old places. A neat old bunch of buildings will be there for 100 years and then the next time you go by they are gone.

Monday April 16 2007

Raven and The Cool Cat

Sparky received a pair of Doggles in the mail the other day. He has an eye disease, German Shepherd Pannes? that he takes medicine twice a day for. He also has to have thyroid medicine. Anyway the vet said he should not go outside in the sunlight during the day. I don’t see how that’s going to work for such an outdoor dog. So Sandra found these Doggles on line and I ordered them. After we got them and tried them on, I realized that if I turned him loose outside he’s going to loose them out in the sagebrush and barb wire somewhere. He doesn't like them one bit so far and tries to paw them off. When I tried putting a dog coat on him in the cold, snowy or wet weather, he trashed that in one outing. It’s full of patches. So I took a picture of him with the Doggles. It also shows how green the grass is in the back yard already. Notice Raven has the same look as when she was posing as The Snuggle Dog. They do love to pose and hold still as statues until I say o.k. Then are so pleased with themselves. I kept telling Raven that I wanted Sparky's picture, but she insisted on being in it too.

Warmer today, almost 60◦ in the afternoon and breezy. This morning it looked like it would rain. I doubt we get any. Very windy and spitting at the windows by evening. The east coast is much more wintry than we are at present.

Joe is working on his Massey Ferguson tractor today. I was able to get him an obscure phone number from the internet this morning for a place that sells John Deere parts in Denver. I'm still not used to this on line phenomenon and all the things you can do so am always quite amazed at how it all works. I've got a pot roast in the oven for dinner and will have to clean the house this afternoon.

Today was our April WAOW on line board meeting. This one was easier with less to it than we’ve had in the past. We receive the agenda, then discuss and vote on the issues. I also got a call from Jo about a job she wants Charm and I to do gathering a list of supporters and their contact info for the Arts and Conference Center, which I agreed to do.

Tomorrow is the monthly Mixed Media art group meeting. We will meet at the Rendezvous Pointe art room and have lunch there. I plan to go and will take my pastels again. I always enjoy seeing all the artist friends so much. We have a good time together.

While I was in the hospital and Charm was here staying with the dogs, Dan and Vivian brought the buckskin framed in pine limbs for the next National Search and Rescue Commander portrait I do every year. I think they meet in June so it needs to be finished very soon. Perhaps I will do another series of photos of its progress.

Sunday April 15 2007

My Granddogs Frankie and Oscar

Last night Beverly told me that they had to put Oscar to sleep yesterday. He was a wonderful dog and they had him and his brother Frankie since they were puppies. They have all lost a dear sweet member of their family. I think he was 17. I'll find out for sure. There is always such a hole in your life when you loose an old friend.

It's about time I said thank you everyone for all the calls and cards and emails you have sent since I got whisked to Idaho Falls. Also for the help everyone gave us. It seemed like everything was taken care of and attended to, just like magic. It was a wonderful feeling of care, concern and friendship from our whole community, our medical caregivers and all our friends and realtives. Hope you know how much I love every one of you.

I got into the blog finally and it was the just installed different firewall which was stopping me from logging in. It was doing the same thing on the on line banking. I could go to the first page but not sign in. So I set the firewall lower and don't know if that's o.k. or not. It says normal when I click on it. It felt good to have figured it out myself.

Quiet here so far today. Looks like it will be a nice day although I believe the weather report says a storm will go over today. Made some biscuits and ham for breakfast. I feel rested and better today. I will try to make myself take a small walk this morning.

Saturday April 14 2007

Joe Working on His John Deere B

I have missed several days blogging so will try to catch up today. Computer also went to the clinic for several days. And now I haven’t been able to sign in and post for two days. Grrrr. Aha!! Finally fixed it and it was the newly installed firewall. More learning here I can see.

It’s a really lovely morning here and there’s that tinge of turning to green on the hills. Joe’s out servicing his tractors. I fixed him buttermilk pancakes for breakfast. I’m just not feeling the greatest yet, but did sleep good for more hours than usual last night. I know some are going to ask, so no, I’m not feeling as good as before going to the hospital. I am a little off balance, and I keep having a small headache that I take some Tylenol for. My memory doesn’t seem so good either.

I’m way behind on everything, haven’t even read all last week’s mail yet – sitting in a tall stack by my elbow. Too many things to do and lots of email to get through. The blog has been left to molder for most of a week. Today I will write the journal and put in some new photos. I am not able to answer all the emails I have there are so many right now, but I will eventually get through them.

O.k. I’m going to read the snail mail now.

Friday April 13 2007

Fremont Lake is Still Frozen

Got us some breakfast. Still had some proofreading and trying to cut down the size of my “speech”. Showered and got ready to go to town. It is cold and breezy, below freezing this morning.

Deer in Spring Coats at Fremont Butte

Took the dogs with me and drove in to the court house. The old brick courthouse has been recently remodeled and looked neat and clean. Today is our meeting with the county commissioners to see if they approve our proposal for a Community Conference and Arts Center. There are three commissioners, all very nice men of our area, and our county clerk who all sat at the table at the front of the room.

We were scheduled from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Jim told us we were right after the airport board asked for their money. So hoped they didn’t get it all before we got our chance. Jo and others began arriving soon after me. We had asked for quite a few people to come and support us. We sat in the hall until they called us in and visited. We started our time 15 minutes late. The room was fairly full of supporters. John began with our presentation and Jo went after him. They talked about having completed the first phase of our “Feasibility Study, Community Conference and Arts Center” and said we were ready to start on the second phase which will include architects drawings, trying to secure property and more travel to centers in other areas to learn how they operate, and so forth. A few in the audience gave good comments, the commissioners each gave their opinions about the idea and our time was up. The commissioners said we had only half an hour. I didn’t have the chance to read what I had written, and was just happy as a clam about that actually. After checking with Jo, I left a copy of my write-up with each commissioner – for better or worse.

My impression was that they were much more positive about the proposal than I thought they would be, but some others felt they were just passing the buck and that’s the way these things work. In any case, we are going on to the next phase and will meet soon to actually ask for some more money to continue the next part of the study and get the drawings done. It sounds like we could break ground in a year if it all goes well. Read about the meeting:

http://www.sublette.com/examiner/v7n4/v7n4s2.htm

All the friends drove over to the Stockmen’s for lunch and I let the dogs out for a minute there. Enjoyed Friday’s clam chowder and the nice visit with everyone, there were eight of us.

New Clinic in Progress

Finally.....The Diagnosis

After lunch I drove up to the clinic to see if I could ask the doctor about my EEG results. Well, she was gone on vacation, and they had told me yesterday that she was leaving but it got way to hectic for her to call me late in the day. After some waiting Dr. K. who took care of me in the emergency room came out with the test results and we went to a room where he told me after looking at the EEG and seeing that some activity had been going on in the frontal lobes of my brain during the test, that they thought it was a neural migraine and not the viral diagnosis they first thought. After he explained it, I asked some questions – like whether if it happened again should, or could, I just lay there until I got better. He said no, to call the ambulance and they would have to monitor me until it was over. Then I asked whether I could drive down to Nevada for my vacation by about the 20th and he didn’t like the thought of me driving on a trip alone for at least several more months until we see how I do. He said it was quite different for this to happen and have me laying out in the yard as opposed to while I was driving on the freeway through Salt Lake City or the middle of Utah.

So no visit to Betty’s for the 50 year reunion and no ATV camping trip with the family. Betty said she and Nancy would come on up here about the end of the month and we’d spend some time together anyway. Maybe I can rent a couple more ATVs and the three of us can ride together around our area.

Museum of the Mountain Man

Took the dogs for a walk near the Museum of the Mountain Man where it is open and quiet and then drove up the hill and looked at Fremont Lake which was still frozen and did some photography while I thought about this turn of events. Got gas and started home, since I had gotten groceries yesterday didn’t even need to go to the store.

Wow Look at Those Tires!

By the time I got to the Boulder Store I was feeling like I hadn’t had enough for lunch and ice cream was sounding really good. No cones yet, but woila! they had a carton of Schwan’s butter pecan ice cram and so I bought it. Took a side road and took some pictures down by the East Fork, and then further toward home turned out south past the old Mathis place deciding that I wanted to see the new bridge across the East Fork I had heard they put in. Found that yes there is a nice one lane bridge there, but the road still leaves a lot to be desired. I had a plastic spoon in the glove compartment, so sat there and ate butter pecan ice cream and did some thinking – looking at the river.

East Fork River Valley

Mathis Barn

Skulls and Antlers

Barn Showing Tin Roof

New Bridge on the East Fork

The dogs and I walked there and I took some pictures. The wind was so cold it wasn’t pleasant to be out and my coat wasn’t warm enough. So we went back to the old place nearby where Phil and Virginia lived for some years before he died last year. I have always wanted to take more pictures of that old barn. It really has deteriorated since I was last there years ago, and for some reason seems much smaller than I thought it was. I'll have to investigate that and find out what happened. I had done a couple of paintings of it years ago. Lots of junk, old vehicles and trash around but there is one of the most exquisite views of the mountains - and in every other direction - with the river nearby.

View of Temple Peak from Near the Mathis Barn

Got home about 4:30 p.m. and decided to have frozen pizza…….which I nearly burned up. I blame that on the stove going weirder all the time. First it doesn’t get hot enough and then it wants to burn stuff. I never know where to set the temperature knob, but will keep a thermometer in there all the time from now on. The front burner switch is also gone out. I’ve already said that the self cleaning part of the oven doesn’t work any more so that in itself is reason enough to get a new stove, right? It’s about 20 years old and I’ve used it pretty hard.

Tonight after dinner I worked on downloading the photos I’ve taken lately, and had nearly 200. It’s always fun to see what I got. Went to bed earlier than usual which is a good thing.

Thursday April 12 2007

Was in town most of the day, we both had haircut appointments. What are chances of that happening on the same day again? Joe’s was at 11 a.m. Then we went to lunch at the Rendezvous Pointe (senior center). The menu was Salisbury steak. We sat with our friend Sandy. She goes to Tai Chi and teaches a fiber class on Thursdays. After that we had time to go get groceries before my haircut, so shopped at Faler’s.

Went to the clinic to see about the EEG report. Dr. Boyle was giving a physical. They got the EEG back today and she said via another Dr. she had some theories. Don't know what that means, except they didn't say right off that it was a great test and nothing wrong. I'm not really worried, but would like to get the verdict. The Dr. was supposed to call after we got home but haven't heard from her. Guess by this late time she will call tomorrow and I won't be here!!

Then Joe left me at Under Wraps at 2:00 for Kaidi to cut my hair and he went to visit Tom the saddle maker. Boy was my hair long because I had cancelled my appointment in February. I always love to visit with Kaidi. She got me looking civilized again. Then Joe needed a sediment bowl filter from the parts place but they didn't have that in the right size so he said he would build his own. Got the computer back this afternoon, the new software is in – Office 2007, FrontPage and a genealogy program. He went through and “addressed” all my issues on my list and he said it all seemed to be working fine. At least now my email has spellchecker. This is as far as I've gotten. I fixed us an easy dinner of a piece of ham with creamed peas and potatoes.

I have to go back to Pinedale again tomorrow morning for the 2nd county commissioners meeting for the new Community Fine Arts Center. It is looking promising, but we have to convince them to go on to the next stage and give more $$$$$$ for studies and travel to various other centers to check out how they work and are managed. This will be a state of the art facility and serve the entire county for meeting space. Since I haven't had the computer I haven't been able to type up my speech, but I have some good handwritten notes and I want it to have some good impact. I sat up until nearly 1 a.m. trying to write up what I wanted to say.

I'm wondering if this could be the permanent home for WAOW. WAOW came here for shows for many years and everyone liked it here. They were usually here during The Green River Rendezvous.

Wednesday April 11 2007

After breakfast spiffed up the house and baked some Hello Dolly cookie bars. Since there is no computer I've been reading "Betty Zane", a book by Zane Grey about one of his ancestors. In the afternoon we had a meeting here at my house for about 3 hours with one of the county commissioners (a neighbor/rancher, very nice man - he seems to be in favor of the center) and the head of the Pinedale Fine Arts Council who is spearheading the whole proposal. She is very awesome in her knowledge and thinking, as are most of the members on our committee. I've never bothered learning much about politics so I'm learning a bunch. There are 3 commissioners and we’re not sure if we’re all on the same page for approval of the project. So we have to really show a large community support tomorrow. Will have lunch with friends.

“Hey! Thursday, April 5th at 5 a.m.!! That is the number I picked!! What did I win!!”

Judy wrote and said she guessed the right date for when my SUV came out of the garage, so sorry all the rest of you, she’s the winner. I can’t think of anything for a prize, since no one else entered the lottery there is no monetary award. (Anyway I don't think that car has ever seen 5 a.m.)

Tuesday April 10 2007

Spring Snow Squall Muddy Canyon

This afternoon it was 20◦ with wind and snow. Another big house burned down in Pinedale in the wind.

I caught up most of the emails today since it was quiet. I finished a big job that had been on my list for about a year, and that was filing into categories all the reference scrap - don't ask - it's an artist thing - which I'd collected and saved from the art magazines and such. It took most of a day and I'm glad to have it finished.

The Water Gauge
~

The picture of the car in the East Fork river is interesting, anyway I've always been fascinated by it. It apparently was placed there in the "olden days" to help stabilize the bank where there is a sort of dam and push the water into an irrigation ditch located there. I have never been able to tell what year and model this car is, but doesn’t it look like the 50’s? This is where everyone in the area checks the water level of the river. We watch how high the river gets up on the bumper or up to the headlights. Up to the headlights is flood stage. So you can see for the spring of the year we’re not even having any spring runoff this year. I heard the herons will get most of the fish when the water is low like this because they don’t have any place to hide. I stopped and took this and some others of the river last time I drove by.

Monday April 9 2007

Charm and I Paint at Rendezvous Pointe

Took my computer in to our local computer guy in Pinedale this morning and had him install the new software and check over the whole thing to see if its working the way it should. I've had a lot of issues and errors since I got it. Maybe its just quirky. I don't know if he will let me sit and watch or not. I'd like to learn what I could while he does it. I really don't have much errands to use the time.

Today will be my first day out alone driving and such since I got sick, although I'll be with Charm all afternoon. I thought I'd stop by the clinic and see if they have my EEG results yet. Do the squeeking wheel thing, but never got up there. Just as well because they didn't get it yet. I feel pretty good today. As I scraped the last of the adhesive off my arm, my head seems to be feeling more back to normal. I found band aids and spot band aids here and there for several days. One of my friends said a while back they felt something on their butt and thought they had some kind of growth when they felt it it the shower. Afraid of what it was she asked her husband to check it out. It was a band aid where she had gotten a shot days earlier.

I had lunch with Judi and Rollie at the Rendezvous Point Senior Center. I always love a chance to see my friend Judi. Sue had wonderful beef stroganoff and homemade croissants. Then in the afternoon Charm and I got together to paint in the art room after she got the beauty treatment. I took my pastels. The weather report didn't sound good so we will stay inside rather than set up outside. Then we went together to have dinner at the Chinese restaurant before going to a meeting .

Kay The Windshield Doctor

While Charm and I were painting, Judi came in and said that Kay the Windshield Doctor was out in the parking lot fixing someone’s windshield. I said I had been trying to get together with her for over a year now to fix the nicks in mine, so ran out to catch her. And she did get the windshield all fixed up. I think I had five more or less small nicks that she took care of. That was quite painless for me not to have to make an appointment and meeting her somewhere, or for her not to have to come to the house. Sometimes things ARE easy.

Kay not only repairs windshields, she takes wagon train trips into the mountains along the Oregon Trail in the summer. http://www.wagonsacrosswyoming.com/

The meeting is for the committee working on the (hopefully) new Pinedale Fine Arts Center. It's not until 7 p.m. so I hope I don't turn into a pumpkin before I get home tonight. All of our local artists, The Fine Arts Council and others are excited about this wonderful prospect. They are asking the artists for input on what we want the building to be as well. So I'll let you know how its going when I next "blog". (I may not have the computer back for a day or so.) Later this week we have an appointment in the morning to meet with the County Commissioners who will approve the funding and other aspects of the plan.

Joe stayed home. So did the dogs. He took a Chess Pie to Norm and Jep to thank them for coming over to check on the dogs and all last weekend. I made an extra one for them last night. He was all set with leftovers for lunch and dinner.

Well.......here I go unplugging the life support from the tower!! And hope I can get it all back together when I bring it back.

Sunday April 8 2007

GLORY GLORY

Happy Easter Everyone, I hope for peace in the world.

We've had typical spring weather, overcast, snow coming down hard, sunny and back to partly cloudy with wind. Joe finished picking up the rest of his lawn raking piles and hauled them away. I worked on my photo files for a while. Preparation for working on painting photos for my web page.

James and Kathy came over to share Easter dinner with us. It was very nice to see them again. This was a test for me to see how I did with a full day's activities, and it went just fine. They got here about 4 p.m. and we were more or less ready. I made artichoke dip with crackers, rib roast with au jus, stuffed baked potatoes, peas, cousin Iris' baked onions, Heavenly Frozen Fruit Salad and easy rolls with Chess Pie for dessert. Everything I made was simple and uncomplicated. Kathy and James brought ice tea and a wonderful mixed vegetable casserole that I will try making. We really enjoyed the visit and got many of Sublette County's problems solved if not the world's. They are delightful to be with.

Tomorrow is another full day and I'm looking forward to it.

Saturday April 7 2007

Evening Walk With the Dogs

We had a spitting of snow last night. Very overcast this morning. Reached about 45 and turned sunny and breezy in the afternoon. It's been a pretty quiet day. Got housework done fine. We got our yard raked, all the part with grass which is about 2/3 of the yard. I did a bit more raking today. Joe did the biggest part of it. The area that's left is mostly dirt. I'll spiff up the rest of it when the snowdrifts get out of the way.

Took a short walk with the dogs again this evening and got the photo for today.Doing o.k., not 100%, but better. My head doesn't feel quite right - just a bit more woozy than usual. I don't like having to think so hard to remember yesterday. It will probably go away in a week or so, just like the flu does....if its what the Dr. says. I hope this never happens again, or does no permanent damage....... like I need all the brain cells I got. No word yet on the EEG. I guess if it showed something serious they would be more prompt. Can't believe its been a week now. The good thing is that this should take care of my deductibles for this year, don't you think?

Joe really was good taking care of me. He was pretty worried. Not a good way for a family visit from my daughters either.

"To some degree we all lose the box of opportunity we were given in our youth. Through ignorance, foolishness, obligation, or miscalculation, we veer away and lose our direction. Sometimes a shock is required to bring us back to our path. Even when the path disappoints or peters out, it is the path. Sometimes I think those who get the shocks are the most blessed." Robert Genn Newsletter