Friday February 29 2008

Winter Scene

HAPPY LEAP YEAR DAY.

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Another rather boring day. Seems like not much to write about. Beverly called and that was nice to get to talk to her for a while. She says it's about 76 degrees in Vegas and I hear the trees are budding. The fields in back of Betty's in Mesquite are turning green. So maybe that will influence us to stay a little warmer..... just so the roads will be good for traveling. Gina called too, and invited me to ride along with her to Vegas when she goes down for family time in a week or so. But I think I better stick to my chemo treatment schedule and wait until there is a break from that. Later Nancy, my artist friend in Nebraska called and we visited for a while. So it was a good day for phone calls.

Today I finished a painting I've had started for a while and am happy with it. I'll get it photographed to show you soon. Got the frame fitted to it. Sure hope I keep at finishing up the things I have started now. For several days now I've been looking for the reference photos for all the pieces I have half done, and couldn't find them. FINALLY this afternoon found them stuck in a briefcase and tucked in between a couple of painting boxes. When I went to the Tuesday art group they weren't where I thought they were, so couldn't work on those pieces.

Made a crock pot of cabbage rolls for dinner. And there's enough leftover so Joe would have something to heat up for his dinner tomorrow. I'm going to town and will stay overnight coming home Sunday, but it's partly a surprise so I'll write about it in a couple of days, and miss blogging tomorrow. Hope the weather will cooperate, as it looks like a chance of snow and wind anyway.

Thursday February 28 2008

Mt. Airy

The hill in the background is where the tower sits for our through-the-air telephone, and where the repairmen go to work on it when our phone goes out - as well as our equipment in the shop. It is on the western edge of Pinedale and about 45 miles from the house to the tower approximately. If you click on the photo you can see the towers. I think the other towers are for TV and KPIN radio station, perhaps cell phones. Thought you might be interested to see how far away our phone signal comes from. Took this at Gina's house.

Not much news. We both had a relaxing day. It was sunny and warm again, maybe up to about 34 in the shade and no wind. The snow depth is going down, and there is more bare ground showing, not a lot, but its happening. The dogs want to be out most of the day now, and stay out longer at night too. They are enjoying the milder weather. When they are in, they are staying right beside me and especially Raven wants attention.

Joe's hearing aides are working good. He keeps asking me "what's that noise" when appliances are running or something.

Last night I had that pain in my neck and shoulder from the chemo again. Had not had it for some time. So I'm still suspecting that the dose may have been changed. I'm glad to feel it because apparently means the Gemcitabine is working on killing the cancer cells.

Did some housework and laundry and had a short nap this afternoon, also read for a while. The book is "Pushing My Shadow" by Betty Trout, a diary of a young woman who hitchiked and biked around Europe at beginning of WWII, staying in hostels and sleeping in barns. Betty Trout later was a teacher at Gina's one room log cabin school in the '40's. I took a short walk with the dogs down the road and was able to walk on dirt for about 3/4 of the way I suppose. Made hot potato salad for Joe for dinner, its one of his favorites.

Debbie called so got to talk to her for a while.

My email hasn't been working so well again lately. But after fooling with it for a while I was finally able to download the last few pictures I'd taken into the PC. That hasn't been working for a while and not sure it will next time either.

Wednesday February 27 2008

Irish Creek, Winter Silence

14x17 watercolor/pastel

by Lynn Thomas

Joe went to town this morning to get his hearing aides, so we're sure hoping that they will help him hear. He said I didn't need to go with him, and I guess if we have questions later we can call the audiologist.

Gina called and we visited for a while. She said Dell had been standing in front of my chair to get her massage, and the cat was asking where I was this morning. I'm kind of resting up today after so much activity. Getting the laundry caught up, and need to get suitcase unpacked etc. A nap sounds good too.

It's another really lovely sunny morning, and the dogs have found some bare grass to lay on instead of the snow. The piles of snow are settling down a lot and some dirt showing through on the plowed road. In the afternoon it clouded up.

Later..... Joe's back and we are celebrating. In a normal voice I asked him if they work and he said yes. No repeating 3 or 5 times. ..... The hearing aides work!!!!!!!!! He has the TV down so low I can hardly hear it. Yippeeeee!!!!!!!!! He said they echo in his head a little but she told him he will get used to it.

My violet suffered while I was gone, so trimmed it up and fed and watered it. It perked right up again.

Awwww........... I just went to check Gina's blog and you have to go there and see it. How Cute!

Tuesday February 26 2008

Winter Moon

Woke up to a glorious sunny blue sky day. It got up to about freezing. It looks good on the weather report for the next week anyway, maybe something coming in on Saturday, but again it might not amount to much. Packed up my stuff and loaded it in the car. It was time to go home, and hope the weather and wind stays nice for a while.

Can't say how much I appreciate Gina and Bob taking me into their home for so long. I had the greatest time, and this week was so good for me, as you can probably tell by the blogging.

Gina and I got ready and went down to the pool to swim again about 9 a.m. this morning, but can you believe this..... they had it closed to repair tile that had fallen off the leisure pool. The pool has been open about 3 weeks! So I called Kay to see if they were having the Tuesday painting group, and yes, they were having it at Lois' so went on over there to do artwork for a while and worked on the team and wagon pastel. Sure enjoyed seeing the gals again. We went to lunch at the Rendezvous Pointe, and have to say this is one time I was disappointed in the meal (hot dogs and sauerkraut with macarroni salad). Well, there was one other time when I bragged on it and took my company there and it was awful, right Judy?

We talked about the concern of the weather or wind before or the day of my chemo appointment - if I'd get there or have to reschedule or cancel, and I asked for help from everyone. It's always been a worry. Maybe if a storm is predicted and its a convenient time for one or the other I could come into Pinedale the day before and stay overnight and then go on to Jackson in the morning. A shorter trip, and don't care if the weather is bad after the appointment. March is often a nasty windy month and by April it should be much improved.

After painting went to the store and brought us home a t-bone that was on sale and popped a couple of baked potatoes in the oven while I put the groceries away. Joe insisted on putting the car in the garage, even though I suggested we park it in the yard so it doesn't end up on the wrong side of Big Kahuna.

The dogs and I were so glad to see each other again. Joe said they had been looking for me ever since Gina and I came out the other day.

For the day after the chemo treatment I felt pretty good all day and feel fine tonight. I had that bit of nausea and usual headache last night and did take pain pills. I'm wondering if they up'ed the strength of the chemo cocktail after the doctor evaluated things again and will ask next time. Now need to wind down and relax for getting to sleep. So better go for now. That's about all that happened today anyway.

Oh, Sandra called and we visited for a while. She said a United Airlines plane slid off the runway yesterday when it landed in Jackson and crashed and an engine caught on fire. The people had to come down the slides to get out, and probably most didn't get their luggage until today. You seldom ever hear of plane crashes in Wyoming.

Monday February 25 2008

Ready for Anything

Chickadees

Cat and Kizzy

Kizzy and Cat

Today we got ready and drove on up to Jackson for my doctor appointment in the chemo department. Gina saw a cow and calf moose just down the road, and then we saw Jerry's buffalo and counted them as wildlife. Most of the road was clear and wet, then snow packed just through Bondurant and the canyon. We had good driving. It was snowing lightly through the Hoback and in Jackson. Someone told us they had 8" night before last and 3" more yesterday. Up there it got to 38 degrees! So anything on the road was melting off.

Although a beautiful drive, I didn't take any pictures today, it was so much like the other days that we've gone. The snow was yet deeper, the fences more covered, and the berms along the road were higher than last week.

Gina took her recycled glass up to their recycling center - Pinedale doesn't take glass - so that was our first stop. We left in time to walk through a couple of the nice art galleries (Trailside and Legacy).When we got to Trailside, I called Virginia and invited her to come to the Bunnery and have lunch with us, and she met us there about 11:45. Trailside is moving to a new building a couple of blocks away and they were bustling around in there. As usual I had a few favorite paintings and sculptures, and it's always great to get inspired being around such good art.

We went on over to the Bunnery. Its a bakery that has at least breakfast and lunch, good sandwiches and soup. I ordered the chicken quesadilla, and although dessert always looks so good, didn't have it this time. I always love to see Virginia and get to catch up with her news and how they are doing. Calvin is doing about the same, she says, and her sister had some back surgery a couple of weeks ago. She would like to go down to Mesquite or somewhere to get out of the winter weather for a while.

Over to the hospital and got there just a little early. There were more Pinedale people there again this time and we visited with them while we waited. Had an especially nice talk with Jerry whose wife was there to see the doctor too. It was his buffalo we saw, and he is also an artist.

The appointment with Dr. Ward, the Huntsman doctor, was at 1 p.m. Last week's scans either don't show OR the radiologist didn't mention the pancreatic tumor. I asked twice if it hand changed and he said twice "They don't mention it", so I left it at that assuming they couldn't see it, not to be confused with it's not there, or never looked for it. Maybe just shrunk. But the spots on the liver are larger this time than last - that was in SLC. However..... Dr. Ward seemed very influenced in his opinion by the fact that the C-19-whatever tumor markers were below normal and was basing his recommendations on that. He also gave, what seemed was the conservative time of a year to live. That's quite a bit better than the 6 weeks they gave in Salt Lake. And who knows, we could keep that up for a while. Like I say, he seemed optimistic. He said I should have two more months of chemo, so am not done for now, and then have the scans again with another doctor appointment and see what things look like at that time. So I the first treatment of month 4 was today, two more and then will have the next week off and then another month of chemo. i.e. there are 5 more chemo treatments, then the scans. He said the pain I've had across the top of my abdomen since the surgery is pleurisy, which I thought was in your lungs. But he said all your organs have a lining and that lining can become inflamed. That does feel like it could be right in this case. It has very gradually gotten better anyway, sometimes flaring up more again. Dr. Ward said they don't like to do anything about this as long as the person can stand the pain. Not sure what the cure would be in that case.

The schedule for chemo treatments will be:

Today Feb. 25

Tuesday March 4

Tuesday (probably) March 11

Off March 18

Tuesday March 25

Tuesday April 1

Tuesday April 8

Scans, maybe the 8th? And another doctor appointment to evaluate.

Perhaps Between March 12 and March 24 or so I can go down to Vegas to see the family and friends. That sounds like a possible plan. And maybe sister Gloria and I can get together there, if she can get away then, or me fly to her house at Tucson. This is tentative, but a good thing to think about.

Soon the chemo drip finished and we were out of there! I had driven up to Jackson and Gina drove back. The nurses always say that someone else should drive home. I do get more or less a little out of it afterwards - that improves each time.

Back in Pinedale we went to the store for a few things and stopped by the post office. We had smorgasbord (leftovers) for dinner and I made a really easy blackberry pie with prepared pie crusts. It was another good day.

Called Joe a little while ago and told him what the doctor had said. And that I would come home tomorrow. I know I'm going to be apprehensive about getting to each treatment appointment from there again. March is often nasty, especially the wind. But have been here at Gina and Bob's for over a week, and the weather has been good enough that I sure could have been at home just fine so far - even though to look at the weather reports it doesn't always sound that good. Gina has offered for me to come and stay overnight the day before my appointments if it looked like the weather might be bad, so that is an option. Also Kay has said to come to her house too.

We may go swimming again in the morning, and to the store before going home. It may be the day after tomorrow before I get back to the blog again.

Sunday February 24 2008

Road to the Upper Green

Corrals in the Snow

The Place

Road

Cora in the Winter

Gina says it looks just like it did when she was a kid.

Woke up to light snow and a prediction for 4 to 6 inches and wind up to 20 mph - an advisory until 11 p.m. However the sun is trying to shine. It's not very cold. Like Gina says, we sure need the moisture for the country. The old border collie Dell isn't moving around much this morning, and Bob says that means a storm is coming. She is a wonderful dog. You can tell by watching her what a special dog she is, having been one of the best ever cow dogs in her younger years. She's still very dignified and has such an aire about her, even in her old age. She knows she is good.

Today Gina asked if I wanted to go up the Green River to have lunch at The Place. And I said "SURE". It was snowing at the time and not much visibility, but never amounted to much especially here in town. It was disappointing in a way - with clouds down near the ground - not to see the peaks, but the day had its own beauty, a really lovely drive. This is an area where there are lots of homes and cabins. On the way we saw Sagebrush Downs, above Cora, where they are having the snowmobile races this weekend. There were a lot of vehicles there. It took about 30 minutes or so to get to The Place. We ordered patty melts and tea.

Dale and Lynn

One of our neighbors was there visiting with another gal and we had a really nice time visiting with him. Funny thing was we drove all the way up there and he lives right next door to Gina. We got a picture of each us with him, and the one Gina took is the best. We're laughing because the first photo was of he and I looking like American Gothic or something, and Gina said we HAD to smile. So that cracked us up. The one of Dale and her is on her camera so I don't know if she's putting it on her blog or not. (click on horseback41.on the upper right) Dale bought our lunch which was very nice of him. The drive home was just as lovely as coming up and that's when we got the most photos.

Today I used a different program that you can just click to size a photo for the web, and wondered if it would be any quicker, but just as good. So let me know if you find it any different, or if it doesn't work as well. Probably the difference is going to be that it won't show up as big when you click on the photo.

After we got back I worked a little more on the new pastel, and I'm afraid the figure is much too tall. I hate it when that happens. Then I got frustrated with the grid on just where the first horse should be, so I quit for a while. Tomorrow we're going to Jackson for my Dr. appointment. I'm trying to make a list of the questions to ask him, but know I will forget things.

We have been seeing some doves here at Gina's, and Dale told us today that they are ring necked doves, the same kind I saw at the ranch last spring. Why they stay here in the winter and don't migrate, we don't know. They aren't native to here and probably have to depend on bird feeders.

Saturday February 23 2008

Madelaine's House up on the Ridgetop - Click It

Gina and Madelaine

Potluck Lunch

Showered, then did my laundry this morning. Had a big washer load of darks, and a small bit of whites. Pretty early this morning Gina and I did some artwork, she with water soluble oils and me with the pastels. She talked me into doing one of a team and feed wagon with Bob driving and I think I got a fair start on it.

We called up Madelaine and asked if she would be around this afternoon. She said yes to come about 12:30 and have lunch. You might remember a year ago last spring that I mentioned Stan had a terrible horseback accident, broke his neck and was paralyzed. I'd given a few reports on his progress from time to time. A few month's ago Stan passed away, so Madelaine is alone in the new house now. Their son may come and live at home at some point. And a foreman and his family will soon be living in their old home place right at the ranch.

On the way over we stopped by the frame shop again for Gina to pick up the painting she took there the other day, and it looks very nice finished with the frame on it. We went on to Madelaine's to where they have built a wonderful new home high on a hill overlooking their family ranch. The new road is two miles in from their mailbox, she said, and has quite wonderful views and "exposure" going across and up the ridges to the top of the mesa - i.e. there are quite some drop offs and it's very snow packed and a little icy in spots. We had a grand tour of the new house. She is still in the process of getting decorating and furnishings done, and the downstairs is being finished. It's all going to be wonderful when its done. There are lots of big windows looking out over the three mountain ranges, the views are incredible from there. The three of us just visited and caught up since the last time we'd been together. We took some soup I had brought from our freezer at home yesterday, and she made salad, and served us rolls and some cream puffs. I haven't had a cream puff for 20 years or more. Soon we said it was time to go, and we said good bye with wishes for taking care and staying well.

Gina put a few pictures of what we're up to, including a few more of me if you want to check it out.

Called Joe and he's doing alright. The Swiss steak turned out o.k. he said. And his tooth is feeling better. I sure got sleepy this afternoon. Today was another splendid day, warm, calm and sunny. There are some clouds over the mountains, and predictions are for a storm again as there have been all week, none of which materialized.

Debbie and her family have gone to Reno this weekend where Tayler will be going to school this fall, and Beverly and her family are going back down to Phoenix to pick up their repaired truck - remember someone tried to steal it out of the hotel parking lot while they slept, and totally trashed it.

Tonight we went out to dinner at the Stockman's and I like the idea of anyone not having to do any work. The place was packed, and they are having the Calcutta there for the snow machine races this weekend. It got pretty loud in there. There are people from 9 states and 3 provinces in Canada to compete. Saw some neighbors and got to visit with them and meet some of their out of town relatives.

Friday February 22 2008

Slide - No I didn't try it.

This is the Current Lane

It makes an oval.

Submarine for Kids to Play On.

They say it cost $250,000, hard to believe.

Gina went in it and down it's little slide, not me.

It sits in a shallow but pretty large play pool which

gradually slopes down to 3 1/2 feet deep,

That is as deep as this whole pool is.

Hot Tub on right, Lois is waving at us. Aren't her little footprints cute?

Another full and fun day. One degree when we went out to the car this morning, but sunny and calm again. By afternoon more thawing and melting. At 9 we went to swim at the pools. We went in the leisure pool which is much warmer than the lap pools. Several of our other friends were there too, so fun to see them again. I haven't been swimming for a long time and knew to be careful not to overdo it the first time. The whole experience was fun and unique. I had never been in a current like that. It has very strong jets. Even the best lap swimmers will only stay in the same spot if the current is full blast. I had trouble even walking against it steadily. So part of the time I just swam with it. Lois met us there, Wanda goes there a lot and we saw her, and later Kay came with her daughter and grandson. There were only a few other people the whole time we were there, but as we left they were getting ready to have baby or toddler swimming lessons. THAT made the dressing room hectic. I was in swimming or walking about 30 minutes and that was plenty, then tried the hot spa. It also has jets, kind of like getting a massage. I really started pooping out by the time we went in to shower and change, more of a blood sugar "thing" than too much acitivity. We came home and ate an early lunch.

Soon we drove out to the ranch to pick up a couple of things and see Joe. We stopped at the post office and got the mail. It was a nice drive, saw lots of deer along the way. The road in was good, but the piles of snow around the place and in the yard were just awesome. We've never experienced that before, since we never cleared the road, and the piles and berms are even bigger this time.

Joe had an infected tooth, and had to go to town yesterday and get some medicine for it. That's just what he needs. I forgot to ask if he had an appointment to get the tooth fixed, but will next time I talk to him. Quick like, I made him a roaster of swiss steak and put it in the oven. That should last him several days. I asked several times if there was anything he wanted me to do, but he said he didn't. After a couple of hours we came on back to town. Stopped at the store for a little shopping. I had brought the bills and paid them online, then made sure all the checks were entered into the checkbook - more than you would think were not. We're both tired tonight, and I'm ready for bed again.

Old Store Near Boulder - Pastel Sketch

Colors perhaps a little stronger than they really are.

Thursday February 21 2008

Gina and Pat

Me and Nube

Gina Feeding With Kizzy (a few days ago)

Gina With Her Mare Toots

We checked out the eclipse last night, at first there were clouds, but Gina saw part of it later after I went to bed. Guess I should have gotten up, but I didn't. Today started off about 0 degrees, then we had a clear, sunny and warm afternoon. More thawing on the streets, but it didn't ever get above freezing.

Another busy day. After scraping the frost off the windshield we were out of here before 9 a.m. and dropped my SUV off at the Express Auto Care for servicing. Gina drove us down to the Retirement Center and we saw Pat before our Mixed Media Meeting started, then over to haul in and set up our art supplies at Rendezvous Pointe. I'd say about a dozen of the members showed up, and we had non stop visiting while we all painted. All the artists accomplished a lot today, and it was enjoyable to see everyone and the artwork they did.

We had lunch there - salad, beef or chicken enchaladas, chips and garnishes, and fruit salad. Some of us, me included, had vanilla frozen NON FAT yogurt. Back to the art room for an afternoon session of creating. I took a photo of my pastel to show you, but it turned out too fuzzy, so I'll photograph it in better light in the morning and put it in tomorrow. We picked up my vehicle and came on back to Gina's. We both looked at our email and Gina fed the horses. Then made us a spaghetti dinner. Bob had flown doing the air quality testing again, so he enjoyed his day too.

I've finished two books since I've been here and about halfway through another one. Right now am reading Teton Tales by Paul Petzoldt, and have finished Hope Rising and The Butterfly and the Diving Bell. Soon will be ready for bed, am all relaxed and sleepy. In the morning we're supposed to meet Lois and Melita by 9 a.m. at the aquatic center to swim.

Wednesday Febraury 20 2008

Field at the Ranch Last Week

This morning was spent looking at the email. While the computer was slow it wouldn't even open most messages so I hadn't read anything for 2 or 3 days. Then got more photos on the blog. Now I want to take some pictures around Pinedale so you can expeience some of that.

Showered and got ready to "go to town". Took a box to be mailed. The post office parking lot was jam packed, but oddly there was hardly anyone in the building. I didn't have to wait in any line. Next went on down to the Patio where Joe wanted to have lunch. He got there a few minutes after I did and had been over visiting with Tom at the saddle shop. He looks like he's doing just fine on his own. We both ordered the chicken fried steak, and there's always plenty left over for the dogs to have lunch out of the white box too. They sure seemed glad to see me.

We went down and fed and walked the dogs by Joe's beauty shop, and then sat on the porch on a bench in the sun for about 45 minutes. He seems to be agreeable to whatever I will need to do after seeing what the Huntsman doctor says next Monday, and we both agreed that unless I didn't need any more chemo treatments for a while that I should not come home yet. He went in for his haircut and I went and shopped for him and got a few things for us at Gina's too. After he was done he drove down to the store and I gave him his groceries and some instructions about cooking a few of the things I'd gotten for him. Then they went on home.

I drove up to the clinic to give them a set of my recent medical records for my files. That is the first time I've been in the new clinic and it looks very big. Then went through the car wash. Boy was the SUV filthy. I was glad the wash worked better than it has lately. I hardly wanted to pay for a car wash when it left such a film and streaks, but it did a good job this time. After getting back here I wiped up the dust inside the car a little and used some window wipes on some of the windows and brushed out some of the gravel and dog hair. Put the very few groceries away. Have put the dog and cat outside. Gina has bridge today so in a little while I'll get some tacos ready for our dinner.

Tomorrow is the Mixed Media meeting and lunch at Rendezvous Pointe, so Gina and I are looking forward to that, and I will get to see a lot of the friends.

Tuesday February 19 2008

Snake River

North Bondurant

Let's see! We did a lot of things today. Not sure I can even remember it all. I've gone out a few times with Gina to feed the horses and love on Nube. She gets plenty of treats from her new mom.

Uninstalled that mouse software, thinking it might be the cause of the laptop running slow, and it is much better now. The laptop recognizes the mouse, so don't even need any software. (Not sure I want you to know, but I had the mouse upside down, so the arrow was moving backwards..... Now, I thought there was something terribly wrong or maybe I had bought a left hand mouse..... That took me a while to figure out..... actually not until Gina said the cord comes out the top!!)

Called the Boulder PO and asked Debbie if she would separate my mail and I will drive down once in a while to get it, she said they would. We got ready and went to town. Dropped by the lawyer's office, Stopped to make an appointment for an oil change for my car and getting it all serviced on Thursday. We went to the new multi-million dollar Aquatic Center to take a tour of the facility. Boy is it fancy, with two huge pools and spa, moving current, a climbing wall and a walking track on the 2nd floor, LOTS of other stuff. I did pack my swimming suit so we might go there to swim one day.

We had lunch with Judi at Rendezvous Pointe. They are leaving in the morning to go to Arizona and other places south to see their family and be gone for a month or so. She is certainly relieved not to worry about winter and shoveling their driveway for a while. It will probably be close to spring when they get back. Was glad to see Judi before they left. Rollie won a certificate for an ice cream cone at Rock Rabbit by answering a question on the radio, and gave it to me. So one of these days I'll go have a treat. Saw other friends there at lunch time too. I took a bunch of Joe's change - from when he empties his pockets after going to town - to the bank and turned it in for cash - got $115 in real money back.

Some people might think this is weird, and maybe even the funeral director did, but this afternoon I got an appointment to go visit with Curt about plans for my funeral. It wasn't upsetting or anything, just like doing business. Gina went with me, and asked some really good questions that I would never have thought of. Joe and our girls and I will visit a little bit about all the information and I'll probably get it paid for now so everything will be pre-arranged. And it will be set up in the paperwork for any possibilities that might happen, including being in Vegas, Salt Lake or wherever. Judi had researched and found out lots of information about death and dying. She asked a lot of people, the coroner, a lawyer, a doctor, an EMT, Curt, probably more, and used all her information to put on a seminar and panel disucssion titled ___I'll find out____. So we had the benefit ahead of time of all her work, do's and don't's etc.

We stopped by the P.O. where we saw Sue for a few minutes and came back "home" for a little while and then went back at 4 p.m. Gina went to see her friend Pat in the nursing wing again and I went in for my haircut appointment. I like the way the stylist cut my hair, and it is pretty short just the way I like it, but will be easy to take care of. We considered a spiky look, but didn't quite do that..... yet! What do you think? She is in the retirement center and only charged me $12. We went to the store and got Pat some mouthwash and took it to her. Back "home" and I called Debbie to tell her how everything was going and that I'd been to the funeral parlor and what we found out.

We had hor d'oveures - smoked oysters and crackers. Told Gina I thought this extra activity was good for me, though I am tired this evening. Tomorrow I'll have lunch with Joe, and see if he would like for me to grocery shop for him.

Today it got very warm with no wind to speak of. There were lots of puddles in the streets and melting snow and ice. Hard to think on a day like today that spring isn't here, but we know better. I feel unsure thinking that now I could drive in at home, but know its not going to stay that way. I was very tempted to go home for a while today, but went with the plan that we had for today. There was another beautiful sunset on the mountains. We've seen some colorful sunsets in the west the last several days. Talked to Joe again after dinner.

Monday September 18 2008

Road to Jackson

Don't Know The Name of this Mtn.

Where the Bighorns Roam

The wind seemed to blow pretty hard all night since I could hear it each time I woke up. I didn't know if it was drifting snow on the roads or not. Got up in time to see Bob before he went to work. He went again to plow at the airport. It dawned a nice day and was much warmer.

Gina and I visited a while and after pills, OJ and Activia, I got ready to go to Jackson. Charm was driving today and we had a good weather day. One good thing is that from Gina's it's a lot closer to Jackson, so its a shorter trip. Scenery as beautiful as ever, deeper snow, and the rivers 85% open or more. Charm and I had a good visit on the way and I had to start drinking the Berry Smoothie barium contrast at 10 a.m for the scans. We got up there about 45 minutes early and went into Staples where I bought one of the cheapest mice for the laptop and some batteries for my camera. The mouse is almost identical to the one that's on my PC.

Then on over to the hospital. We saw another Pinedale friend getting her treatment and talked to her. We were a little early, but I was soon in the chair getting an IV into my arm which they would use to put in the "contrast" for the CT scan. They couldn't use the port because the contrast they inject could ruin the port, and I said I sure didn't want that to happen. However she took blood when it wasn't necessary this time. The CT technician came right on time, just as I was finishing the last of the drink. Charm waited. The scan took maybe 10 minutes, was able to just keep my clothes and shoes on. She told me the machine takes between 50 and 75 pictures per second, and perhaps 3500 views or something like that. It was quickly over with, and back to oncology to pick up Charm.

We went to KMart and got a few things. Then went to lunch at the Virginian - althought I ordered breakfast. The food was pretty good and since I could only eat lightly early this morning, was hungry. Charm gave her a call and we stopped by Kathy's new studio south of Jackson for a tour. It was great to see Kathy again. She is such a nice person. She is having wonderful success with her art. We are all so glad for her, as she has worked very hard to get where she is. Love her artwork too, and she had lots displayed that we were able to see. She is an inspiration. They are building a new home there and Kathy's new studio is beautiful.

Back on the road "home" with a stop at the Hoback Market for a rest stop. Seemed funny not to have to grocery shop.

Gina's family had gotten back from a trip hill climbing with their snowmachines, and had picked up Kizzy, their dog that Gina and Bob have been babysitting. Gina had run down to Big Piney for a prescription today. She popped a BBQ seasoned chicken in the oven with some dressing, and we had some more pie.

Called Joe again, and he said he is doing fine there. We made a date to have lunch together when he comes in for a haircut on Wednesday. His hearing aides could be here then, but she hasn't called him yet. I hooked up the mouse, and although Gina said don't, I installed the software and the laptop started running even slower, so didn't accomplish much answering email or blogging.

More of Gina's day from her journal - this happened while we were gone to Jackson: "Went for a walk. A Mexican (who seemed not to know much English) ran off the road and buried his pickup. I walked home, got the car and went out and pulled him out! He was sure I couldn't...but it worked. Got him streightened out with the world, and told him I'd hit him hard. It worked." Her description was a lot more fun than this and we just laughed over a guy getting pulled out by a little old gray haired lady.

If you want to check out Gina's blog, where she has posted a couple pictures of me too, it is in the list on the upper right - horseback41 is the address - you can click on that link. She has a very interesting blog and great photos. She also described how Kizzy and the cat have been having a love affair. It's been pretty hilarious and entertaining to watch them.

Sunday February 17 2008

Walk with the Dogs After Frosty Last Plowed

Sorry - for those of you who look at the blog - that I have missed a couple days of my journaling. Seems like we've stayed busy enough that I haven't had time or maybe motivation to write.

Gina and Bob get up early each morning and he usually goes to the airport to plow snow from the runway. Also he and Jim are flying with some air quality people and they are testing the air over and around the oilfields for ozone and other stuff. That's my simple description. I slept in a little since not sleeping a lot the night before, but am getting a lot of reading and resting and thinking done.

I worked more on the digital photos, and haven't gotten through all of them with basic editing yet. When I do, will choose a few to post. The laptop seems to be working too slow as well, and that has been frustrating.

We went out to Ruth's at the framing shop. Gina had a painting to be framed and I took Ruth some gold leafing supplies that I needed to get out of my cupboards, and picked up a frame of mine for an almost finished painting. Then we went to see Pat who is in the nursing wing at the retirement center and had a nice visit with her. Later Gina worked in the silver shop on a special project she is doing and I made an easy apple pie. Called Joe and he said everything is going fine. Showered and got my hair washed, that felt good even though I was almost to tired to do it.

Saturday February 16 2008

Not quite as high as the suv, but close.

Doing well today here at Gina's. They have made me feel very comfortable and at home. The house is really charming and homey. Worried a lot in the night, and read until I fell asleep. Called Joe and things are o.k. at home. Also talked to Charm. We visited this morning, went to the store and this afternoon Gina has gone to move cattle and vaccinate at Bob's son's ranch. She will be back about 4 p.m. I'm babysitting the dogs and kitty - they are all very quiet at the moment - and catching up the blog. Looked at the email. I'm on Gina's laptop, but brought mine and am going to get it set up. I'm sure it will work fine by just plugging it in. And Gina has wireless here, so we'll see how that works. - will learn something new. I just wanted to get the blog done before I got involved in trying to get mine set up because several of you are asking what's been going on.

I have a lot of photos on the card I haven't been able to download onto the "big" computer, and will be able to do that with the laptop. I'll show some new pictures. I even brought the external hard drive along, and can spend some time writing on the book.

This morning it was snowing when I woke up, then the wind started to blow and drift the snow. Now its clear and sunny, not too cold.

In a while I'm going to get meatloaf dinner ready and that will give me something to do. I've made a list of things I want to accomplish in town while I'm here, things that need to be arranged or settled and have been on my mind. The oil in the car needs to be changed.

Thursday there is a Mixed Media art group meeting at the senior center that I said I would go to. Yesterday's blog pretty much was most of what has happened. I'll write the news as it happens.

Remember Gina is the one who adopted Nube. For a while she was out on their ranch in the pasture, but she is here in their corral right now. I can look out the window and watch her. There is another horse with her so she has company. I don't know how she likes being a city horse, but she is looking good.

I brought along a few errand type of things to do here in town, since I haven't been into town for three months, except just to go to Jackson. I also brought my pastels and may be able to work some with those and get some artwork done.

About 10:30 the wind did come up enough to be moving the snow, and by night is still blowing, so probably a good thing I am not home. I may not be able to go back at all until spring.

Here are a few things I thought I'd mention:

PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT send me any packages. Joe will have a hard time hauling them in on the snowmachine and I will not get them.

Even regular mail I may not get for quite a while.

It will be best to email me rather than phone for now. I will try to respond better than I have been in the last few months.Thanks a lot.

~J~ will you send me your email address again, I can't find it right now and have been meaning to write or phone and have been procrastinating, sorry, I'm bad about that.

Friday February 15 2008

This is from one wind storm. The Road was Plowed the day before.

Funny how fast things can change in your life sometimes.

I mentioned that Bill the snow plow driver had called last night and asked if we wanted him to come in and open up our road so we could get our vehicles out. I didn't say yes until I talked to Joe, and then early this morning tried to call the cell phone number that Bill left to ask him to come and plow us out but couldn't really contact him.

Pretty soon about mid-morning we saw the big plow coming in Richie Road and continuing on into our place. It took a while for him to get to the house - as you could tell with the spotting scope he was having trouble punching through some of the drifts.

Bill is an artist with that machine, knowing where each part of it is within inches. Never touched the gate or power pole. He did a wonderful job.This is a gigantic machine with three different plows or blades on it and it was really pushing a huge amount of snow. It took a while but he got clear in to the garage door through the yard with it and cleared out the yard and the road, made three passes to get the lane pushed back. We visited with Bill and stood and then watched the process. The supervisor Butch had told Bill to come in and get our road open. We are VERY thankful to them for helping us that way. He had also talked to Frosty and Frosty said to come on in here. It looked like Frosty snowmachined up to the feedground to feed the elk. His road up there looks terrible through the spotting scope too and he will have a job opening it again.

Well..... Joe and I had been talking since yesterday about whether I should leave home and stay somewhere else for a while, where - is the question. He is sure the road is finished and won't be able to be cleared if the wind blows any more, and that is sure going happen especially during March. He is feeling very responsible, concerned and worried right now. He wants me to snowmachine like we always have, but I kept trying to tell him that is a really stupid idea, especially if I got stuck even though its not a long distance - not sure how my stamina would be walking home through the snow. I couldn't get the machine unstuck, I couldn't get it started with the pull start, I might not even be able to get through the snow and over the berms they have plowed along the road.

Dear friend Gina had read yesterday's blog and immediately offered this morning for me to come and stay with her, and after a little thought I called and took her up on that offer. She said yes, to come ahead to her house. I don't know what the plan is going to be for now except I should be out and with neither of us concerned about any complications at this point.

So after some lunch I began to get things in the house ready to be gone, prepared Joe a meatloaf dinner, and got enough packed to be gone about a month or so. Even to Vegas if it works out that way. It is going to be a hard time for both of us. Joe is staying there with the dogs. He took his truck out to the mailbox like every other year and snowmachined back in. He got stuck out there and had to get the machine out and I think he realized after all that I shouldn't do that plan.

It was a gorgeous day today. Warm and sunny. After you get out of our valley the pavement was dry all the way to town. I was loaded up and ready to leave about 4 p.m. and drove into Pinedale. It was a gorgeous drive and when I got to the highway between Boulder and Pinedale looking west was the most beautiful hazy blue and white view of the hills above the New Fork. I wish I had stopped for a few photos of it. To the east the Wind Rivers were piled with new snow and beginning to show the evening colors of sunset.

Gina had gone to bridge in Big Piney and hadn't even had a chance to tell Bob that I was coming. He was just getting home when I had pulled into their yard. I asked him if he'd talked to Gina and he said no. I said I'd come to live with them, and he was rather astounded, but quite good natured about it. Later Gina and I went down and got some take out from the Chinese restaurant for dinner.

So I'll be here for a little while. Like I said, will have to make a plan. Monday I have to go to Jackson for the CT scans. The oncology nurse had been calling this afternoon saying that Drs. Jones and Mulvihill in Salt Lake still wanted to see me. Why they waited all week since two weeks ago until late Friday afternoon to tell me this I don't know. But I said that I wouldn't go to Salt Lake now until spring, and she said she would try to see if the Huntsman doctor, Dr. Ward, who I was already scheduled to see me in Jackson a week from Monday could do the followup as planned. I know hardly any of them realize what it has been like just to get to Jackson weekly and probably didn't understand the intensity of my replies on the phone. I was pretty mad. Anyway in the beginning they told me my treatment would take four months, and if that is so I have one more month to go. It might change after we see what the scans say. I would like to finish treatment at Jackson where they are connected with the Huntsman, but now may have to think about going to stay with the kids in Vegas. So lots to think about and decide what to do? It was hard to leave home, and to leave Joe alone too. I told him as long as the road was o.k. I could come back during the day and help him.

I took some photos of the plow working on our road and of my car sitting next to the berm - which is as high as the car. When I get my laptop going (soon) I will download those pictures and put a few on the blog.

Thursday February 14 2008

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

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Just a short report. Everything is fine here.

Are we snowed/blowed in right now.!! We had a terrible wind last night and it seemed like a hurricane blew until morning. Snow plastered the studio windows. But one good thing is how great it will scour off the dirty windows outside when it blows that way. Glad this house is sturdy. At least none of the siding came off this time.

Its hard to know how much snow fell, but you couldn't see from the back door to the shop for the snow blowing horizontally. Every once in a while when I got up I would try to check pinedaleonline weather to see how hard the wind was blowing, but Pinedale kept reporting calm or 6 mph. People I talked to in town today said that it didn't blow there. It was coming from the north, which direction catches the storm doors and tries to tear them off the house, so I couldn't let the dogs go out. Joe finally got them out for a few minutes and I hoped that would hold them until morning.

The county snow plow driver has offered to come in again and clear our road out. He said Mayo's road was really packed in hard too when they worked there today. (I wondered if Phyllis got to her teaching job in Farson today.) So I will call him back in the morning and tell him to come, then Frosty can do it again after that. Now Joe is being concerned about me getting out for my appointments, worried that this kind of weather will keep up. And we have more snow than we have for years. He thinks its so bad we need to give up trying to keep the road open and start snowmachining again. And I don't think that's a good idea. If it gets difficult I might try to go stay with someone in town for a while. Today was really nice here, but roads were closed all over the area. The plows are having a hard time getting them open. Check http://www.pinedaleonline.com/ to read that story.

Joe was supposed to go for a haircut today, but we called and cancelled that this morning. He will have to get another appointment. I painted a little while today. Trying to get that same old commission finished. It wouldn't take long if I'd stick to it. Other than that, no news that I know of. My cold is slowly getting better. Had a few phone calls so got to visit.

Cute note from Charm - she went to town today - and hauled her groceries in 10 miles on the snowmachine sled:.... No mail today. Roads were closed between here and Rock Springs. Terrible winds along the I-80 corridor between Rock Springs and Salt Lake. The produce truck couldn't get to P-dale, so, yes, they had no bananas at Ridley's.

Wednesday February 13 2008

The Shining Mountains

Portrait of Joanne

24x18 Oil

by Lynn Thomas

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The Gift (from Charlie)
By Lynn Thomas
Boulder WY
February ll, l999

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I wish I’d known ya, Charlie
Somehow it seems like I do
I wish I could stand by your easel
And watch you drawing so true

The Injuns and horses which flowed from your brush
Those scenes of the past in my heart
The West that you knew would vanish
You captured for us in your art

The stories you wove with your colors
Keep alive what’s left of the West
Thanks for sharing the past with the future
You were there and you rode with the best

Wild adventures you showed us in paint
Of tangles with grizzlies and wolves
Those broncs and the wrecks that they caused
We still hear the sound of their hooves

Free roaming wildlife and hunters
The pictures of jerk lines and mules
The cowboys and cattle and rustlers
Who settled disputes with no rules

Scenes of chuckwagons and campfires
Make me feel like I’ve been there awhile
To watch your hands carve a sculpture
As you tell a tall tale with a smile

We see your sunsets and moonrises
Like echoes of rainbows viewed from afar
The breezes still carry your camp smoke
When we sleep out under the stars

Your pen tells us tall tales to treasure
Of buffalo hunts on the plains
Coyotes and northers and sundogs
Glaciers and soft summer rains

I look over your shoulder, dear Charlie
At the genius that time has revealed
We’re thankful you showed us those stories
Time otherwise would have concealed

There’s a bunch of us gratefully travel
Those rocky trails which you blazed
To round up the images you left behind
In places your good ponies grazed

As you ride Monte through Cowboy Heaven
In a place which you helped create
We hope you know we’re beholden
That you went ahead to open the gate

Charlie, we follow your spirit
As artists we are the ones
Who travel your path and are proud
To be called your daughters and sons

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(This is a poem about Charles M. Russell, cowboy artist, who has been an inspiration to me. You may have seen it before, But I haven't put it on the blog yet, so am using it today.)

Tuesday February 12 2008

Cattle on the Road to Boulder

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIANA

Up by 9 a.m. Had a good rest and Oh, the cold is so much better this morning. I'm just so glad I got that cough syrup because when they asked the doctor at chemo yesterday about what to take, or did I need a prescription or another chest x-ray, he said no just to stay really hydrated - the syrup just settled the whole thing right down - sore throat much improved, getting lots up off the chest if that's not too much to share.

Frosty was back here again early this morning plowing two big snowcatchers over in Norms field on the other side of the fence, and cleared out the lane again, so I didn't get any pictures of what the drift waves looked like. I'd say they were 18" high. It was the pattern and formation that was awesome.

Two new books came in yesterday's mail. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, and Teton Tales by Paul Petzoldt. He founded the National Outdoor Leadership School here in our region and was in the mountains all during the time I was running the lodge. We saw lots of their kids during those times. I read an excerpt of one of the chapters and really liked his story. It was very well written, so will enjoy this book too. Anyway The Diving Bell is by Jean-dominique Bauby, a Frenchman who had a stroke in his 40's and could only blink his left eyelid. They worked out an alphabet code and he wrote this small book with his speech therapist. I thought it might be an inspiration. They have made a movie of his story. I'm already half way through the book and like it pretty well.

Have done the two days's blog, got some laundry done and folded and straightened the kitchen. Joe's been busy with his "housework" because he knows I don't have such a good day after chemo. He's emptied the dishwasher and vacuumed so I'm thankful for everything he does to help. However, am happy to report I have had essentially no symptoms from the treatment this time and am feeling better every day. I still wish I hadn't had that setback with the collapsed lung, but now that its in the past it doesn't seem so bad.

The day is glorious, at noon its about 34 degrees and very bright and sunny out. Joe has a living room window cracked for a little fresh air - as well as the wood stove gets it too warm in here when the temperature comes up. The snow is visibly settling down pretty quickly in this warm weather. The dogs are happy to be staying outside right now. Yesterday the rivers and streams were much more open again, and that was surprising. It's pretty early for that. But the snow is deeper again at Bondurant and through the canyon, over the fences in many places this time.

In the mail yesterday two sweatshirts arrived that my cousin Maryanne gifted to me, one black berber fleece pullover, which I'm wearing this morning, and a purple heavyweight with a wolf on the front. They are both perfect and thank you Maryanne. Also arrived were the three sweat pants from Eddie Bauer so I should be set for warm soft cozies to dress in.

We were surprised and sad to hear a woman from Daniel died last Thursday when she left her stranded vehicle and attempted to walk to her residence a short distance away during the severe winter snowstorm. Apparently her car got stuck and she was walking two tenths of a mile to her house. She was found the next day only 50 feet from the building.

Monday February 11 2008

Winter Fire

14x17 Watercolor/Pastel

By Lynn Thomas

Today I met Deanne again at Stanley Junction and she drove us to Jackson. She also had an eye doctor appointment, and brought along George and Darliss. They all live down Big Piney way. He had an appointment with the doctor at Chemo. My cold seemed worse and my throat was so sore, but through the day seemed to gradually improve.

The drive out of here had very poor visibility again. But the road was good and I could see the edges so just drove slow and did fine. Joe told me the fish and game guys were coming up to the feedground again today, so to watch out for them on the road. About at the curve on Wheeler Hill I crested the hill and there was one of the F&G trucks run off the road into the ditch and boy was he stuck. Another truck was getting ready to pull him out. I slowed way down and the second truck moved over so I could get past. I wasn't sure that truck would be able to pull the stuck one out. Snow was about halfway up the door. There was another young man at the top of the next hill so someone coming wouldn't plow into them unseen. But a few miles further on I passed Frosty coming with his big tractor and plow and I knew he could get them out. By the time I got to the pavement – out of our little valley – it lightened up a whole lot and soon was seeing patches of blue sky and some sunlight on the distant hills. It was going to be a good day. Road was snowpacked all the way to Boulder. Then the wind started blowing, and it was really moving the drifts across the road. I went on through town and all the way past the Cora turnoff the wind was just howling. When I got a few more miles to Stanley Junction the flag was hanging limp. Deanne arrived in a few minutes and we had no more wind. Roads were about the same as other days we have gone – nearly dry to the Rim then snowpacked and ice, but "good".

The chemo treatment went very well, and would sound just about like most of the other days, so I won't do a lot of detail on that. About the best information I got on this day was my nurse Carol, who was asking me all those weekly questions about how I'm doing – at "how's your energy level" - and I again complained about not having much ambition, wanting to fall asleep in the chair, that I wanted to feel inspiration to paint, etc., she said "Well chemo makes you tired". And that was the first time it really had been put into words.

So I guess that's just the way that is going to be unless I can make a bigger effort at some self discipline to get more done. I feel like I just go to chemo, and then spend the rest of the week getting over it before I go again. If you do anything creative, or have a hobby you know you have to have the energy, inspiration and ambition to do it, otherwise it's the easiest thing to just put it off day after day.

Because my drip cocktail was slow in arriving, the others went on down to the Virginian for lunch, and I ordered a patty melt for lunch there at the hospital and ate while the IV was going. I didn't do any of the things on my list this time – getting records or visiting the accounting department, but I can do that next time. On next Monday I am scheduled to have the CT scans at about 11 a.m. and Charm is going to drive me then. I'm so glad I can do this here and not have to go to Salt Lake for the scans and dr. visits. Thank you Thank you. I've been dreading that trip ever since I got out of the hospital. Although they handed me "the drink" when I left the hospital at Salt Lake with all the orders to come back Feb. 22, they gave me two more bottles today and the instructions to drink them on the drive up.

The drip was finished up just about the time Deanne and the others got back from lunch. George had to stay overnight for another treatment tomorrow, and the rest of us went to Staples where I got needed white copy paper, the Dollar Store next door, and then to Kmart where we shopped. I got two kinds of cough medicine and a few other drug store items, and had time to go check out the sweat pants. I found a cardinal color pair of sweats, a gray sweatshirt cardigan, and a nice layer look gray pullover sweater, all at 60% clearance over the already cheap prices. Deanne bought us Dove chocolate bars and we were all happy campers.

On to the Hoback Market, where we got our groceries and gassed up Deanne's car. I like that little market. Since it's small, it's so much easier than walking around Albertsons' huge aisles or even Falers, no wait in line and can still get everything on the list. They have nice fresh produce. Deanne talked me into getting a fresh pineapple and told me how to prepare it. I think I've only bought one or two of them in my life.

The day was still beautiful back through the canyon and with only the smallest evidence of wind, driving was good. I took a Benadryl for my cold and was a little drowsy. We got back to Stanley's, unloaded my booty, and went our separate ways.

Soon I ran into wind moving the snow again, but not a bother until I arrived at our gate. Frosty had cleared the road really great the day before, but here there were pretty high "waves" of snow all the way in our lane. A short stretch of bare ground and then a drift, one after another. I've never seen anything quite like this configuration before this, as it usually fills in and big drifts are further apart, but then the plowing is a first for us. I thought I could get stuck, but the suv just plowed right through them, it was actually kind of fun. Dogs ran out to meet me. BTW I saw the huge hole the stuck F&G left. I hope I never get in that predicament.

We unloaded all the shopping bags and Joe got the vehicles put away. First thing I took some of the cough syrup, which I have been out of for some time at home, and began to feel better quickly. Wish I'd taken it as soon as I bought it earlier in the afternoon but didn't think of it. Got groceries put away, warmed up leftovers and cleaned up the kitchen. I was very tired and soon was in bed. Charm called to see how the day went and I visited with her in bed for a while.