Friday September 12 2008

Melita hanging laundry at Round Hill.

Judy thought the pillowcases looked like a

big pair of bloomers, and I can remember thinking

the same thing when I first saw the photo.

I like that the aspen trunks look as pink as the sheets.

Got a slow start this morning. Put a new color ink cartridge into the printer/scanner getting ready to start scanning Maryann's photos. I got a couple of the "videos" in the mail I ordered from Amazon.com, except they are DVDs and they sent me two of Mark Twain. It's all going to have to be sent back. I don't know if they made the mistake or me, sure thought I said videos.

Took the dogs along for the ride and left for Pinedale about noon. Had a taco for lunch at the Mexican restaurant. Then up to the clinic to get the pump off. Walked the dogs near the museum - it's quiet there. I'd taken the recycling and got that unloaded. Then out to Ruth's to try mats and frames on the four paintings. I sure hope the framing helps the artwork, like it often does. They aren't very strong pieces. Ruth has a good way of getting the right combinations on the paintings. I didn't get them photographed before framing, so will show them to you with the frames on - after I get them back. Next went grocery shopping, didn't need so much this time. Forgot to go back and pick up my prescription, there was such a line when I went past the drug store the first time. Got home about six and put a pizza in the oven while I put the food away. Was sure tired and went to bed after dinner. More like a nap since I'm up again and watching Sling Blade. There was nothing too exciting going on today to write about. It was a nice day, a little cool and breezy. There's a skiff of snow on our end of the mountains that came when we had the rain.

Thursday September 11 2008

A couple pictures of the color at sunset after the rains we had yesterday. I love when it does this. It's always almost startling to see it, and there are many variations of light and shadow through the seasons. Boy Duene sure got a couple of good photos yesterday and posted on her blog - especially loved the one with the horses and Wind Rivers in the background. Check out hers.

Well, I didn't go to town today as I should have to get the pump taken off. Fifteen minutes before time for the luncheon, I was still sitting here in my pjs and was very tired and sleepy, so I fixed some lunch here and laid back down for a nap. Was probably best not to drive that way as well. I'll go in tomorrow. I'll take four small new paintings to be framed, a small but positive accomplishment. If I can stick to it I will try to get some of the commissions done in the next several weeks.

The picture of the gate shows the new top pole in place. You can see it is smaller than usual, but luckily for getting it up he didn't bring the heavy one home. The purpose is to stabilize the upright posts. To do this he had to lift the pole with the tractor bucket and get up the ladder to fasten it to the posts. Thankfully I was gone on Tuesday when he did this and I didn't have to watch. But by gosh he does it!!

Here are some pictures of Joe's work and chores. I wish he wouldn't do these things anymore but he does them anyway. On the roof he is at least tied to a rope that is fastened to the fence on the other side of the house, so he has some safety from falling off. He is putting the new pipe cap on the furnace vent pipe. Hopefully that will keep some moisture out of a tiny line in the furnace that gets condensation and freezes up in really cold weather. That keeps the furnace from coming on on the coldest nights - so not a good thing to happen. He has a light bulb burning next to the little tube to keep it from freezing now. And the cap will also help.

Wednesday September 10 2008

Horses at Old Tibbals Ranch

Near Bargerville

The Rainbow Near Boulder

Rainbow Over Hittle Ranch Buildings

Horses - Rainbow

Late writing today, just not in the mood I guess, but feeling o.k. Actually I finished up three small paintings that I had started, two pastels and an oil, and did another new pastel of trees and snow. If I think they are finished I can take them to town tomorrow and go the the frame shop to get frames on them.

Yesterday was a lot the same - going to Jackson to Chemo. And a lot of glitches to make it a little interesting. Left to meet the shuttle about 8 a.m. Hurried right along (i.e. driving too fast to get there) and picked up Joe's furnace pipe cap from the shop in Pinedale. Then drove to Stanley Junction. Well.... Al was waiting for me with the shuttle at the Pinedale clinic, so I drove an extra 12 miles or so for nothing. I waited 30 minutes and then told the girls in the store that I was going to drive myself and if the shuttle showed up to tell him I'd gone ahead to make my appointment at 11. Just as I was starting up the suv Al drove up and wasn't too happy with another glitch in his schedule, but my card said Daniel at 9:20. We did have a nice drive up and I enjoy visiting with him. He lost his old horse recently so that was sad. He said he was going hunting tomorrow to get the Hoppity Wapiti. We had a long wait this time in the canyon for the pipeline construction, I bet almost 30 minutes.

Got to the hospital and the port wouldn't draw blood again so Judy got it from my arm just fine. She put something (forget the name of it) into the port to dissolve any clot that might be interfering with the drawing out. That had to sit for 30 minutes before the treatment began. The drip in still works fine thank goodness.

A lady from Marbleton sat next to me, and several other people who are regulars filled the other chairs and talked with them. Had lunch and for the first time it was not good. I ordered the beef stew and before it was delicious, but all I got this time was a big bowl of gravy. So picked out some tiny few vegetables and sent the rest back. I thought I should order a sandwich or something but didn't want to take advantage by getting two lunches, although I know it would have been fine. I took a long nap under the warm blankets in the afternoon. I took the laptop but the battery wasn't charged up so hauled it for nothing. I saw Dr. Meno for a few minutes and he checked me over.

Seems like now that the shuttle is going, they are more concerned with getting me finished in less time than when I drive myself, but still it was after four before we left. Got back to Pinedale and it was nearly dinnertime and I was hungry so I went to the drive in and got a cheeseburger and a chocolate milk shake. Got a little sprinkle of rain, as had several times since morning. The most beautiful, brilliant rainbow came out and I stopped a number of times to get the photos. It lasted from just out of Pinedale nearly until I got home. I got landscapes, buildings, cows, horses antelope and the trailer and tent "town" of hunters that is sitting on the Irish Canyon road all with the rainbows behind them. There was a double and a faint triple rainbows so rainbows everywhere. It was a blessing for sure. It was about 7 when I got home, but I did enjoy doing the photography. An older couple had stopped and asked if I needed help finding anything, they had seen me stopping a couple of times, and they were from Jackson and had their truck loaded up for hunting, I told them I was just taking pictures and they gave me the thumbs up.

Last night we got some rain and I loved listening to it on the roof. Today we started off with very gray clouds which got darker and darker. We had some good rain showers through the day. There was a beautiful sunset this evening, all golden, so tomorrow may be more clear. Fall is definitely in the air, and touches of yellow leaves are starting on some of the trees. This is a little later than it often is so Betty, maybe you will see some good fall color when you get here.

Next Tuesday I go for a CT scan. I might drive myself and take that loop road down Fall Creek Road up at Jackson just for sightseeing after the scan. I've never seen it - it goes from Wilson to the Snake River Canyon. Don't expect any fall trees yet though. Judy says after the scan, sending it off and talking to Dr. Ward they will tell me if I will have another treatment in two weeks. Dr. Ward doesn't come again until the 29th and I have an appointment to see him then. He will tell me if my treatments will go on. I suppose they will.

Today I've felt o.k. a little nauseous so am taking pills for that. Have been having to take them more often last several times. I had a sound nap in the afternoon. We had waffles, sausage and oranges for dinner. I wanted tacos, but had no fresh lettuce. Since it was late yesterday I didn't grocery shop, and will be going into Pinedale to the clinic to get the pump off tomorrow afternoon. There is a luncheon and public conversation at the Rendezvous Point about the Community and Arts Center and I will go to that and then get some groceries. Maybe to the frame shop. Have been watching videos still, no TV yet, so may go in to the Dish Network store and remind them they are supposed to come and check out the receiver. They also do Verizon so will find out about my phone getting messages for "John". I might need a new number. It will be another long day.

I called Betty after dinner and we talked about the dates for her trip up here. She was going to leave here about the 28th, but if I go back to Mesquite with her, and need to see the doctor on the 29th, we need to make an adjustment. She could go to the doctor appointment in Jackson with me and we can head over Teton Pass and down toward Logan and Salt Lake - hit I-15 somewhere. We would stay overnight before we got to Salt Lake and maybe she could see a friend of hers that morning that she planned to see. We will work it out.

Tuesday September 9 2008

The New Haircut

(Should I buy a hat?)

Looks like a good day, clouds to the west though. Today I go to Jackson for chemo again. This is the last treatment in this cycle. Next I will get another CT scan to see how the tumors are doing. Then there will be a doctor visit when Dr. Ward comes from Salt Lake next time. I won't know what's next until I see him, but perhaps a break. I'll meet the shuttle at Daniel at 9:20 a.m. I'll pick up the furnace vent cover Joe ordered in town on the way. Let you know how the day goes later or tomorrow.

So..... I sat and took a bunch of photos of myself so I could show you the new haircut. Figured if I took a bunch, the law of averages ought to allow one good one, however none were very good, but then it was kind of late at night and who looks good then. So I thought I would just show you the hair, maybe one other. There's lots of bare pink in there.

Gina put more photos on her blog yesterday of their trail ride - good ones showing Nube and the fire. So be sure to check them out.

Monday September 8 2008

The New Gate

See our Brand That Craig put on it

The Rafter M- House on Muddy

Woke up before 7 and immediately thought of the Health Fair. So called their number and a recording said we could come and just stand in line without a reservation. I told Joe we should go if he didn't want to go alone tomorrow morning. We got into our town clothes and hit the road and barely got there before 8:30 - the last time for appointments. Amazingly there was only one person ahead of us. Other years we have stood in VERY long lines. They got my blood on the second try and Joe's must have gone o.k. too. So..... very glad to have that taken care of. They serve a continental breakfast. Lots of it was already gone, but we had some cereal and a muffin with some fruit and coffee and juice. It was fine. Walked the dogs, gave them a piece of string cheese from breakfast, and right back home. The whole thing took three hours, and I have the rest of the day just as I normally would if I'd gotten up at my usual late hour.

We had a nice ride to town and back. The mountains were totally socked in with clouds nearly to the valley floor. It looked like rain, but of course it won't. By the time we got home the sun was shining and you can tell the kind of day it is from the gate photo. First thing I looked this morning it was 20 degrees. Now at noon it's about 50 Ianthe shade, the sun is warm, the wind is chilly. It might make the 70 they were predicting on the radio. Photographed the new gate and took a small walk. I plan to go out and water some of the shrubs and pick up that pile of raspberry bush trimmings to burn them. I have a small inkling to run the weed eater a little, but will see about that.

Joe's going up to Irish Canyon to get a pole to put across the top of the gate. Hmmm. It will set on top of the two tall posts to keep them from leaning inward. Well.... Later..... I was going out of the house with my coat to go up to Irish Canyon to check on Joe - like was he stuck or hurt - when I saw him pull up to the gate. A long time to get one pole.

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Judy Meyer - Wildlife Artist

Here's a photo of my friend Judy. She has just had an article about herself published in the Greeley newspaper!! Congratulations Judy! It looks great and I learned a few things I didn't know too. Love the picture of her working. You can read the whole article at the link below - its right at the top of the page - YES, I KNOW..... she's a prestigious feature.

Greeley Tribune.com Online news Greeley Colorado
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Sunday September 7 2008

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THANK YOU, SCHARF'S

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Placing the New Gate

Hanging Up The Gate

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Getting it Straight

Craig Drilling the Post

We’ve sure got a beautiful day here, not so cool. Joe’s painting all his wood trim. He was out working on that all morning. I had a slow start and then gradually did some things ahead for the dinner.

Bonnie and Craig brought the new gate over about 4 p.m. this evening and even put it up for us. Joe helped and I took a few pictures. I thought it would be a bigger job than that, but it only took them about an hour. I'll take one from the other side to show you how it looks tomorrow. We had invited them to dinner. We had T-bones, salad, corn on the cob etc. I made a blackberry pie, they are so easy. Everything seemed to turn out pretty good. It's so frustrating not to be able to taste whether food is "right" or not. I just have to keep trying to make it the way I always have and hope it's o.k. Had a nice time being with Craig and Bonnie and getting to hear stories and visit.

I have made a big boo boo! I never called ahead for an appointment for Joe and I to go to the Blood Screening. It's a very economical way to get your annual tests. They had it 3 days last week and are having it again on Monday and Tuesday morning, and I did nothing about it and no appointment at least for in the morning. You have to go fasting. Don't know whether to just go in there and stand in the line. On Tuesday morning I'm supposed to go to Jackson but would have time to go early and get the blood drawn there, and ick get it drawn again in Jackson. Then Joe would have to go alone on Tuesday. Maybe this year I should just get the appointment for Joe. Decisions. Well I'll just call tomorrow and see what happens and that will be IT. I have to stop this procrastinating about everything that needs to be done.

Check Gina's blog - today they rode up into country where the New Fork Fire burned - very interesting photos. And that's Nube taking Bob on a trail ride.

This is a note from Beverly today. I also put it under the plaque photo on the Willie Hand Cart Historic Site entry so it will be with that entry:

"Oh my gosh!!! Did you see the Willie Handcart plaque of the mass grave. That's the great, great, great, greatgrandfather, Thomas Girdlestone! I didn't know he was in that grave. I knew he died on South Pass in the snow storm. His wife, Mary (I think), died at the Green River crossing and she is buried there. When we were in Nauvoo I showed you their names. Its so exciting to see that."

Saturday September 6 2008

Sparky Runs - He's almost 13

Raven Girl - Sweet and Happy

This was the day of the Sublette Co. Artist Guild meeting, but I didn't go. I hope they have a good time over at Jonita's. They were going to the Box R, which I love, but the cook quit. Didn't get up until 9:30. That makes the day pretty short. I do feel some better today though, thankfully.

It's a little warmer this morning, some clouds but more sun, and still a cool breeze. I'm keeping the sweatshirt on. I got a shower and styled my hair - that consists of some gel and rubbing my head with my fingers. On Thursday Lynn just sort of brushed her hands over it in a swift motion and it looked great. I'll have to get that move down.

I decided to get the last several days on the blog caught up so have done that. Joe's watching college football and other sports. Betty called me earlier today than usual - at least I thought it was early - no..... it was 11 a.m. We had our usual good visit. She has the free minutes so she calls me. Sure wish my cell phone would work out here. Maybe someday. Just not much else to write about at the moment. It's pretty quiet - or would be without the football game going.

Oh, .... one quite unpleasant thing - you may not want to know - as in "am I sharing too much?" I was drinking some water and thought I got a crumb. Went to get it from between my lips and at first I thought it was a fly but it was a SPIDER! Argggg. I just can't quit thinking about it. Guess it was trapped in the glass. Just glad I didn't swallow it - but then I never would have known, would I?

I'm going to take a short walk with the dogs and see if I can photograph a buck antelope out in the field. He's beautiful. Guess I should order that better camera soon. Tonight will be scalloped potatoes and ham with banana squash.

Scroll on down for the new photos I added tonight for the Willie's Hand Cart Memorial Site with the other South Pass Photo Essays. I wanted it in order or would have put it along with today.