Everybody is Fine

I discovered it was a scorcher of a day when I went to the corrals to empty the garbage around 2:00. I hadn't really noticed. Thayne came by on his ATV, clad in his irrigation boots and he said they were really hot. Extremes for him. He has been having to do 4 layers and his earmuff hat to cut the barley and the alfalfa in the dead of night. I did go start the swamp cooler then and we have been comfy. The birds are clearing out. I haven't seen a Grackle for awhile. The Goldfinches are thinning out as are the Grosbeaks. It is either the weather or they take their cue from the Geese. A woodpecker visited and the camera was inside. It was drab so I don't feel terrible about it. Most of the large contingent of Geese took off at dusk. Maybe they had enough of the heat. More will come. The Sandhill Cranes are squawking a lot. They don't usually leave until late October.

"O.K, I've got you where I want you-say "uncle."

The doggies were full of it this morning and played and played. They really are funny. Buddy is a game little guy. He is digging for something. I fill in the holes when he isn't looking.

Decided to SMS on Skype with Jeanne for awhile today. I have been keeping that to a minimum-almost rude. Two strategies to keep it short now: either change the topic to me (TRY to) or be really positive-there is no drama in "happy." Within a few sentences I get a signoff. Cool.

Burning up the road to the Vet's-again

Honey is a hunter and a scavenger true to her European Wolf heritage. There is  high quality food in the girl's bowl 24/7 and I cook dinner for them! "Please Dad, I'd rather do it myself," is her motto. Yesterday noonish, she barfed-outdoors but with two dogs you don't want barf  lying around. It was a nearly recognizable critter and I saw a pellet of D-Con in there. Later on she had a small bunny she was eating-had hunted. I took that away and traded some left over pork for it.  This morning she barfed and I will spare you the details. Then she seemed lethargic about noon. I decided I had to know what was going on and what I should watch for. Gunda said we had four options: X-Ray would show obstructions, an emetic up her kazoo would help her pass anything. She told me what to look for with the D-Con and she showed no signs of that being a problem but it can take a few days, or we could open her up.  I opted for watchful waiting. Brought her home and fed her, adding a tablespoon of olive oil to her food. She seems fine tonight. I probably just hit the panic button. I love my babies!

I also asked Gunda to watch Buddy run-he performed as expected-when he gets up to speed the right rear wheel retracts.  She reviewed his X-Rays and the area at the base of his tailbone is separated probably from injury. She said it can be painful but it should heal in time. He is the darling of the clinic. Honey does pretty well too. They all want to touch her.

KFC cooked dinner tonight. They sure are proud of their food but we don't go there very often and I was already plotting on the olive oil.

Quiet evening at home except for Honey who was on the warpath about some critter out there. The CD's I ordered from Amazon arrived-cheapies and all French songs. Street music, accordions, etc. Nicole liked the music I sent and it got me thinking about the Quebecois in Florida so I added some and put them in a playlist called French Fries. Pretty schmaltzy stuff but a pleasant background to a quiet evening at home. I need to make my John Prince Reservations in two days. That is almost panic-making. The end of summer is coming and 92 days from now I will be in Florida-God willing.

Not much happening

The dogs were up early-we were outside at quarter past 5:00. Way too early. It was misting, overcast, downright cool and clammy. This meant a 3 layer day in clothes which led to a toasty feeling that led to 3 good naps. I had no trouble convincing the other critters that this was a good plan. I shed some water and blood pressure points as a result. Buddy so enjoys a snuggle that he cries. He is getting "bouncy" like terriers are supposed to be. Three on a bed isn't working too well-they get to horsing around and playing and then Honey gets excited and wants to run. She is bedding down on the floor next to me so I can give her pats. I am yawning and ready for another nap. Catch you on the rebound.

Two Trip Day

a unique wedding cake

Son of my friend Delores, Greg, wed his girlfriend , Kinsy, in Las Vegas a few months ago and the reception was held at her parent's place yesterday. It was so great. Under a canopy of 100 year old cottonwood trees, the homestead is old and charming. Gardens line the driveways, encompass mom Wendy's art studios, shade the carpentry shop and venerable barn and horses. Dogs and kids, and grannies and young folks had the most wonderful food-most of it homegrown and homecooked. I have known Ray to speak to for 30 years. He is one of the kindest of this earth and has developed an idyllic spot to raise his family.

Deep fried turkey(s), ham, veggies...well, look at the webalbum and all will be revealed:
http://picasaweb.google.com/sroberts.wyoming/LittleHouseOnThePrairieWeddingReceptionKinsyAndGreg#

The trip to the party which was six miles on other side of Riverton, (you know you are in Wyoming when the directions say "turn on the dirt road and...) was the second of the day. I had to go to the Vet's to pick up some meds and they close at 11:00 on Saturday. The party started at 2:00. The first time for the two hounds being left. It sounded like buddy was trying to run up the door as I left, and the blinds were in tough shape from the big dog trying the same trick.   I was gone for 5 hours and the reunion was joyous-all around. I probably could have taken them- there were plenty of dogs. Would Honey have behaved courteously? An open question.

It was so nice to be in a pleasant spot meeting up with old friends for such a happy occasion.

I was tired last evening, the chill was coming on and I found a nice old flannel shirt to put on. It felt so comfy. Dozed in the chair with Buddy in the crook of my arm.

Wild Day

One of the organizing principles of my retirement years is minimal stress. I used to thrive on it until it started to kill me. The morning went according to plan: updating the maps on my Tom Tom GPS:
 a   l-o-n-g download. I had made an appointment to have Buddy's progress monitored and I wanted to get a puffy spot looked at and see why he goes gimpy on the run.  That appointment was for 2:00. I had made my shopping list and was going to make this my weekly run.  The Vet is pleased as I am about his healing progress. Then he feels the lump and says "hernia" needs to be fixed today or tomorrow. I asked if Buddy was well enough to be neutered since he was going to be sedated anyway. Glen said sure and "he won't even know they are gone." So what was to be a routine visit turned into surgery. I did go marketing and to K-Mart big men's section to buy some slacks and a short-sleeved shirt with a collar. I have a wedding reception to attend on Saturday. My dressier shirts have migrated to Florida. Jackpot: my size khakis, and slacks, had a number marked down to $5.99. Gadzooks! I bought several pair. When they rang up they rang as $2.99! The clerk said it was right.  Wally World had packages of cheese slices on sale for $1.25- almost half price. Since that is the modus operandi to get meds in the Buddy unit, I stocked up on those.

I picked Buddy up- still sedated. We got home and I carried him on to the bed. He came-to later and was a pathetic little guy. Unhappy and confused. Took him out  and he paused on the way. He missed them alright! He gave me a look. I may never get over it and Glen is a big fat liar!  I had some leftover Rimadyl and a whole series of Cephalexin so I am making the little guy as comfy as possible. Neat stitchery on the hernia. Glen said he was probably kicked and that sent me into a state. I had to bring Honey in early tonight. She assessed the situation and since we have a wounded warrior she was on Alpha Bitch Warp. Would not stop warning off the coyotes, and neighbor dogs. It was like stereo barking- surround sound.

This morning it was 40 degrees at 6:30 a.m.and a jacket morning for coffee on the deck. A flock of about 100 geese has been resting in the pasture for a couple of days. They are not disturbed by Thayne's irrigating or even Honey's forays after coyotes. Thayne loves to watch them too. They know they are safe, have a little water to splash in and lots of growing green grass to munch. That sight is the opposite of stress. Hope to see it again in the morning.

Snow Geese

Though blurry ( I had to crank up the digital zoom to about 60X) this is at least evidence of a family of snow geese that has been in residence this summer down by the river. The babies are typical immature colored. Snow Geese also have a dark-colored "morph" which had me confused a little. They are snow geese but dark. I am pretty sure these are just the offspring though. There were many more in the spring-a huge flock. Stunning in flight. Nice to have these in the neighborhood.

I got some chores done yesterday. Progress feels good. Fill up that dumpster! I also messed with iPods. Somehow I have gotten my music collection a little messed up. Some songs on my playlists have disappeared from the music library. Disheartening because I have begged, borrowed and stolen from sources no longer available to me: Matt's collection. Jason's collection, Harold Post's collection. I wish I knew what I did so I could undo it. I added an Audiobooks reader. I like to listen to books when driving long distances. There are lots of freebies in that department too. Bestsellers are no bargain.

Honey and Buddy make me laugh out loud when they play. She is so careful of him-no squeaks. They are very inventive: tug of war, chase, gnaw your face off, "I have a useless piece of crap and I'll bet you wish you had it," "chew on different ends of the same stick," to name a few. The dog language is pretty complete. Buddy rolls over when he has had enough. Then he gets kisses.

Wild Salmon on the menu yesterday. Buddy likes it, a no sale for Honey. I'll cook with the girl in mind today.

It is starting to feel autumnal here. The major growth period is over-ripening is happening. The grass is hardening off. Cool nights are turning to chilly nights. Three on the bed last night and I was glad for the snuggles.

Under New Management

Buddy's buddy

Anybody wanting to mess with Buddy will have to go through a) a ninety pound Pyr who takes "guard dog" seriously and/or b) a (weight withheld) O.F. who packs lead (not just in his ass). Buddy's winning ways have made a devotee out of the Honey girl.  They play well together, explore, hang out, and just be dogs which they are allowed to do here. I'll take Buddy to the vet sometime soon for a followup. His right rear quadrant doesn't work quite right yet and there is puffy spot in his left rear joint. He is done with his antibiotics and is much more lively than he has been.

I am feeling better. I have little doubt that I had West Nile Fever. Only one percent of those who get it get the encephalitis/meningitis kind.  All the symptons I had are on the list except for a rash which does not  always occur. I still play out a little quicker than usual but that is what the bed is for.

Nicole and Andre called on Skype. They panned their computer camera around the marina. I quacked at the ducks and they quacked back. Funny.They are having a great summer. Good weather and wind for sailing. Nicole's birthday was the 31st of July and she had several celebrations. I sent a Smilebox and she liked the music so well that she wants it. The music is locked up by Smilebox but I found some that might work. By the way, Amazon has some real treats for music downloads and good prices. iTunes is not the only game in town.

Since Verizon is not going to provide the WiFi tethering option on the Android 2.2 upgrade ( they are so C.S.) I downloaded a cheapie tethering option from Handango. Didn't work. So I went to trusty old June Fabrics for pda.net which they have for Android now. Works like a champ. AND they have reduced their prices. What Verizon doesn't know, won't hurt them...much.

The weather here is to my liking-though the weather bureau says it is scorching some days, I don't know it unless I leave the oasis. It gets down to 50 degrees at night. In the morning cool I employed the rake today. Honey is a girl who likes to have her own and she hauls in everything from big sticks, to petrified cow patties (could be worse!), to her toys, to interesting food wrappers. I despair of getting her to pick up her toys.

Manu and Charlene's Pyr's can cross the river now. I have always regarded the lower 40 as their territory. Honey is not so sure. It was fascinating to watch those dogs work yesterday. As they guard sheep, they are serious and the coyotes were taking off in every direction. No question of playing. Nobody died.

I don't seem to find the time to read in Florida so this has been catch-up time. Twenty-five books so far. Great summer!