Ranch Friday May 9 
Ascending Mists - String Lake StudyToday's photo is of a painting that has a long history. I started it as a plein aire pencil sketch while I sat on the lake shore. It was kind of difficult for some reason and sat in a drawer unfinished for ten or fifteen years before I finally worked to make a painting of it - mainly because it was on watercolor paper and I've never considered myself much of a water colorist. It's totally different looking than it was there the day I sketched it - lots of artist's license. It sold quickly after it was done.
The darn pump they took off Wednesday keeps beeping - sitting on the counter. I think I'll have to figure out how to get the battery out, but don't want to mess with the thing.
Yesterday it snowed all day long, but was warm enough that it melted in between the squalls. It was a gloomy day. It snowed more in the night. So we got some good moisture out of the storm.
Charm is seeing trumpeter swans on Boulder Lake. Perhaps they will nest there and raise some babies. There have been up to ten or so jack rabbits "playing" in and around the yard at the same time lately. They are so cute and fascinating to watch. Most of the time they are just eating, but they have all kinds of antics. They make me laugh just to watch them. We have more antelope coming back into our fields too, so have been able to see them nearby. Yesterday a couple of bucks were just outside the gate in the snow. The meadow larks are sure singing loud enough to hear them inside the house. They must like the rain. Saw some of the cats playing too.
Betty and Nancy will be on their way here, starting this morning and getting to Nephi UT and come the rest of the way tomorrow. Betty has rented a van and will pick Nancy up in Caliente where her sister lives. They are friends I've known since high school. Nancy and Bud live in Oregon, Betty in Mesquite. I'm eager to see them. Today and tomorrow I'll be spiffing things up to the degree I feel like doing it. As always, a good thing to have company once in a while to get things cleaned up. Most of the clutter has been downsized in the studio so far.
Today I'm recording all three of the Indiana Jones movies, not sure how much I'll watch now so can look at them later. Have a manicure and pedicure nearly finished, working in stages on that too. That always feels great. My pointy canine tooth on the right side just broke off in half yesterday, the bad side out - inside smooth, so at least not rough against my tongue. No dentist there on Friday or the weekend.
