Kept the Sabbath

In between taking naps, we didn't do much around here today. The past couple of days I have had to head for the bed before I fell down several times. Very tired. Buddy likes this schedule and I imagine it is helping his hind leg heal. I put together a couple of decent meals. French toast for brunch. The hounds liked it. It is a rare treat so I did too. Sweet and sour pork ribs for dinner. I fetched theirs out before the sweet and sour part went on and they liked that too. Sleep. Eat. Repeat.

Better than expected

Still feeling a little punky, I didn't expect much of Friday but it was good. The wildlife cooperated in providing a little variety

A Canada Goose and a Killdeer (I think- the neckband has me confused- click it and tell me what you think). I got a blurry shot of Snow geese down by the river. The 20X lens does have its limits. I'll try for a good one.

The squirrels came out to play-scavenging seeds under the birdfeeders. A young one slid off the metal roof of the house screaming all the way. Honey went to try to catch it but was not successful.

Pigeons nobody seems to like but they are very beautiful birds. I was glad to see a pair.

Honey was a little out of sorts yesterday. I think it is sinking in that Buddy is here to stay. Still, they played, went on a safari and hung out together. Buddy likes to sit right close to her and she gets up to move. He steals a snuggle sometimes. He is dividing his time between us-not quite so dependent on me and that is a good thing. I think Buddy "has a history" with beds. He has come calling at bedtime but when helped up on the bed-he freezes-stays put. I fixed a step for him and he has gone there on his own but when discovered, he acts very guilty. I think he will get over it.

I had to go to town-was flat out of some things. I waited until 6:00 p.m. so the dogs wouldn't boil in the car though the day was cool. I drove by Halls to see if, by chance, all had not departed for Jackson. I was in luck. They got to meet Buddy. Greg and Kinsy's dog, Arnie, was there. Honey was VERY protective of Buddy. She had to go back to the van. Buddy and Arnie played. Didn't stay long-went to Wal-mart. I should be good for several days.

It was after 10:00 when we returned and I was very tired. Got stung three times by mosquitoes between the car and the house. I followed cuz Donna's advice and slapped some vinegar on the bites and it seemed to help. Hit the sack early.

Dis n' Dat

Buddy continues to heal and with meds, vitamins (E and doggy vitamins) good grub: Italian sausage, hamburger steak, and oven-fried chicken, he is making good progress. The tummy looks full but he is a morning cheese junkie. "Where's my cheese?" He is a good addition. He gives the girl something to do, plays with her, and explores with her. She likes him and shows off for him. She went off chasing a coyote with her siren running this evening. Buddy was in hot pursuit. Turned out the coyote was three coyotes. Buddy got a lesson in retreating with dignity. Then the coyotes howled at us and we howled back: tenor, baritone and bass.

The Canadian geese are already heading south stopping at their favorite place: our pasture. Thayne wonders if the winter will be early. I love seeing them and their presence means the hummingbird feeder is getting a little more action. When it is done this time it is done for the season. Kind of a dud this year.

Let's see: Talked with Delores today. She is back from West Virginia sounding refreshed and filled with hilly-billy tales. She got a lot done, enjoyed most of her company, and is glad to be back at work. Gives structure to her life she says. She will be off to Jackson for a fabulous wedding this weekend: Kara Calvert and some slimeball from Washington, D.C. (He is probably very nice). My Casper blogger/bird-brain friends are going too. Her son's wedding reception will be the 14th. We will all be together then- old friends.

Rich and Val went to Denver last weekend for a family visit and group birthday:Alicia's common-law husband, Sean, and another celebration for Rich.

They are going great guns on the temporary bridge. Two cranes are there and trucks coming from both ends. We are hoping it will wash out in the spring.

I know what Sooz is getting her sister Kerry for her birthday. (It has batteries so I was consulted) It is a very nice present. Sooz will be coming from Everett, WA to Casper before long to assist her mom's (our) old friend Jackie with knee operations. Jackie is caregiver for her sister who lives next door to her so Sooz will enable all this to take place.

Jason got four lobsters, scuba diving in the "short season." Only two people died this year. The lure of free lobster brings out the out of shape and rank amateurs in Florida.

I think I was bitten by a bad mosquito. I felt kind of crummy yesterday. My lymph glands in my arms are swollen today. I am hopeful I will be one of the lucky ones and that will be all I know of West Nile (if that is what it is)  and will be forever immune.

Jeanne, in Georgia, had a heart stress test yesterday in spite of her angiogram being A-OK. This is to find out why she has a sharp pain if she hurries up an incline (sounds to me like the insurance company is bucking the original tests which came because her brother had a heart attack). After a lot of back and forthing on Skype instant messaging I suggested she either slow down on inclines or avoid them altogether. Not very nice of me. Though the trustees today pronounced Medicare in good shape and Social Security in the black until 2037, I do think some folks are a little free with my money.

Like Woody Woodpecker says...

Ho Toro!

Uhoh, there is going to be trouble. I hear trash talking.

Oh yeah! Mine are the biggest!

Oh Hah!

Okay, Okay, I was just kidding.

Somewhere Under the Rainbow

While I was out taking pictures of the rainbow tonight, I got a message from Sue: "Take pictures of the rainbow!" Amazingly, I was too close to take one of the whole arc and my camera has about as wide a field as you can find. It was a double rainbow. Thanks to the bridge being out I was able to stand in the road and shoot. Then the sunset made for pretty skies. I think I won't blab on-just enjoy the view.

Partners in Crime

Buddy is teaching Honey to be friendlier. Honey is teaching him to hunt. Honey knocks me out when she hunts mice on the hill. Until you have seen 90 pounds of dog bounding and pouncing on a two ounce mouse, you don't know how amusing murder can be. This evening the coyotes tuned up and Buddy started to howl, then Honey. Made me laugh out loud. In these pictures they were quite a way down the pasture before I called them back. (They came!) Honey stops and waits. Buddy is still a little stove up. I was glad he wanted the exercise but I don't want him to overdo. He is still on a lot of medication.

The doggies had me up at 6:30. The power went out and that always gets Honey excited. It got me excited too-no coffee! Daryne was down. I got a full head of water in the ditch now that the pastures are largely empty. Some of the cows went to the mountains for the summer. I was cleaning ditches and Honey was helping-in and out of the water and grabbing sticks out of clogged spots. There will be an even bigger head when they start irrigating the pasture below the house. I am pleased to get the place soaked up. With all of the trees soaking up the sub-moisture, I can't water enough out of the well. A Cottonwood tree can transpire 200 gallons of moisture on a hot day. After the ground gets soaked up keeping it topped up is no problem.

The squirrels are getting bolder. They ran across the roof and got in the Russian Olives around the deck. Got the doggies all intrigued.

I am nearly finished with the Maugham biography. What an interesting life. I'll have to let it settle a bit before I review it. Downloaded nine of his novels ($1.99). Of Human Bondage, (with Lawrence Harvey in the movie) and The Razor's Edge (most recently acted by Bill Murray in what I think was his finest performance) are probably his most recognizable works to us. Without spoiling too much I can tell you how my book turns out: he dies.

Gonna be Buddies

Buddy continues to mend. Honey can't wait for him to play. It is a little early though and at the first sign of "owie" Buddy thinks it is time to take a hike. Honey knows how to be gentle with little dogs but she is anxious to play. She isn't getting enough playtime from me because of the skeeters. They are fewer today. I was able to enjoy coffee on the deck and we played this morning. One more day and I will fog again. They became bothersome this evening. I have enough antibodies or whatever floating in my system that the bites now sting.

Buddy is not in need of people socialization. He ran right up to Thayne today and tried to climb his pantleg (in a good way).

Kristi took the little kids down to the bridge. She talked to the workers and September 8 is the completion date. Governor Dave's generous offer to pay the FEMA 25% match from state funds headed off a whole lot of mess and delay. The county and the tribes can't get into a fight about that. It probably set the project forward by 6 months. Kristi has four trips a day on that road when school is in session so she is anxious to get the bridge open. Thayne and I agree this has been the best summer ever so far. Buddy ran right up to the ATV and started making friends with the little kids. This tended to settle Honey down. A new model for her. Kristi said "Angel Buster" sent me a new dog because he knew I needed a snuggler. A sweet sentiment that made my eyes moist. I do miss that little rascal terribly. But the path to a new dog could have been easier for Buddy-he didn't have to nearly die.

Honey, full of hell. She has deconstructed her outdoor dog bed. She is ready to romp.