Thursday May 21 2009

Lander Cutoff, south of the ranch

near Blutcher Creek and Sweetwater Gap

Antelope with Rainbow

Our first night back at the ranch. Joe unloaded the car, handed it all to me and I started putting it away. Whatever we're missing we will get at the other house and bring it out, or buy another one. A list has been started. After taking the Corelle set of dishes to the new house and leaving Joe's mom and dad's china here, there are no cereal/soup bowls - will need some of those for sure. The dogs don't have small eating dishes for the leftovers, just their dry food dishes. Joe took his only flashlight in to Pinedale and there is no flashlight here, we needed a few new ones anyway. The list will go on.

Of course we didn't bring any TV. Yet. He's already saying he's going to bring his back here. Asked if I could hook it up o.k. And if not, we'll ask for help. It can only go one way, ..... RIGHT? Was glad to see the computer start right up when I plugged the power strip in - I had left all the plugs in place in it. It took off like it had just been turned off yesterday. Guess "it" probably doesn't know if it was yesterday or six months ago, like a little blip in the power.

That is an interesting thought, because driving by the mailbox - saw cows and it took me a minute to figure out what the black blobs in the sagebrush were. But at the gate, I felt like the computer, it seemed like I'd just last driven through it yesterday. Joe came early in the day with the dogs, and they came running down the lane to greet me. They seem very glad to be home. Raven is missing her bed, which I left in Pinedale.

At the moment I'm cleaning the top oven on the stove while blogging. How's that for multi-tasking? And will do the bottom one after the top one's done. Couldn't really believe that I'd left them that dirty, but there was the mess lurking when I opened the oven doors. A lot of things around the house seem to have a kind of streaky sticky film, but not much dust or cobwebs. Finishes look like moisture gathered and ran down vertical surfaces. I've started a list of what has to be done, and will just go at it a room at a time or so.

One of the living room windows has cracked badly, looking just like pits in your windshield turn into a crack all the way across the glass. There was a very small ding in that pane caused by taking the screen out. It's a side window on the very large living room picture window - wouldn't you know. I've called the glass company and the man will come in the morning to give us an estimate on repairing it.

Have looked a number of times but not seen the cats. I thought there was some canned cat food left here but must have given it all to Twila when I took the other cats to her. I've been curious whether little Smokey would come to me if I enticed her with some salmon or chicken. So that's on the list.

The grass in the yard is green and growing and what plants are here seem to be coming back fine. The willow I planted as a tiny twig has sprouted up about shoulder high! Joe said he watered the trees when he was here the other day.

Well, talking about the water system, it seems mainly o.k. but a lot of dirt bits coming out of the faucets. That should clear up soon. The kitchen faucet may need to be replaced. It has a very bad leak, perhaps some water got left in there too, (like the toilet standpipe which had broken) although I don't know how - the water was all drained. It's been dripping into the cabinet underneath. Joe's been working on it but the cold water there is turned off. I have to use the utility room sink.

Sounded like Joe slept good last night; each time I went by he was snoring away. I did too, (sleep good, not snore of course) and instead of watching TV would read a book to drowse off and every time on waking would read. I slept pretty good and feel rested. Certainly it helps to be active all day long before getting to bed.

So ..... lots to be done in the coming days. Didn't plan to bring my TV and hope it helps me to not be distracted from accomplishing some artwork. Just about everything (but the hated colored pencils) was taken to the Pinedale house. So in the near future all that will need to be brought back. Or most of it.

Lunch was fun with Charm yesterday. So good to see her again. We went to the Chinese restaurant and had egg drop soup - the large bowl is SOOOO gigantic, we could eat but about half of it. I brought mine home, and think both Joe and I can have a small bowl for lunch.

The post office situation is all fixed. I still have to arrange the double duty utilities, especially the phone which I didn't get all they promised when the Pinedale phone began service. Should have done that long ago - I procrastinate. I know I know. It's on the list. Must tell the garbage company we won't be there for a while, etc. etc.

I see Nanny has joined my followers list. Welcome Nanny!! Hope to see you soon. Well, I'm not sure but perhaps joining the follower's list notifies you with an email when I update with a blog post. And perhaps at their photo you can go to their blog. We'll have to figure all that out.

So better get busy, lots to do. Looks like a warm sunny day out, but I can here that wind blowing.

Al Franken, said, "When you encounter seemingly good advice that contradicts other seemingly good advice, ignore them both."

About our Sage Grouse - http://www.sublette.com/examiner/v9n9/v9n9s1.htm