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.