My email seems to be working again, although the last four days were lost to cyber-space. Toby said that he sent me a "test email" on Monday, but it came back "undeliverable."
I have heard from Jesse via my Hotmail. She was taking surfing lessons and going snorkeling and loving "paradise."
In yesterday’s comments, Buck asked if we did any sledding down our driveway in the winter rather than the little red wagon of summer. I can only remember one winter that we visited the cabin up Bitter Creek. Dad did make us a sled which we spent lots of time on. I also remember that we were not prepared for playing in deep snow – no snow boots or winter clothing. I remember being very cold and wet. Getting to the cabin was difficult because the road was not maintained. Most of the cabins including ours were not winterized. The cabin was built on US Forest Service Land with a 99-year lease. The lease stipulated that the cabins would not be year around homes – they were for vacations – not permanent dwellings. Most of the cabins up Bitter Creek have now been winterized and the roads are maintained all the way to Bitter Creek Guest Ranch (about 2 miles). Still, it can be tricky getting up Bitter Creek road.
The Red River Ski area was not built until about 1960. RR had been a mining town first and a gambling town second. It did not make the turn to family resort town until the late 50’s followed by ski resort in the 60’s. Old oil derricks were used as the chairlift towersup the main mountain. The beginner slope had a rope tow and a palma lift and a ski lodge. The roads in and out of RR were tricky in the summer time, but winter travel was down right scary. In 1964 Bobcat Pass was built – it paved the way for winter visitors. Before that, winter fun was pretty much limited. There was only a handful of people who lived in RR year around. As the ski resort grew, so did the winter population. We moved to RR in 1968 (maybe it was 67) after buying the Green Mountain Lodge. Craig and I went to school in Questa. Both Mom and Dad had several side jobs besides running the lodge in order to make ends meet. Life was hard even back then. I believe it was not long after we moved there that the RR ski lodge burnt down. I remember Dad was one of the volunteer firemen. Someone gave him a little party hat to wear to protect his head from cinders. The whole bottom of the ski lodge flooded. The firemen were running around with the electricity still on – water, electricity, and fire - so many dangers and so much mercy! Making a living was tough in RR, so Dad eventually moved us back to Texas. We would spend our entire summer in RR and then go back for about a month during the busy part of the ski season. RR was dead any other time, and there was not much reason to be there.
Besides the RR Ski Area, there was also a little ski area called Powder Puff. It had a rope tow, a small chairlift, and a palma lift. Dad worked at PP during the winter so Craig, Pete, and I skied there quite a bit. I remember LBJ’s daughters coming to ski there and causing quite a stir. At night, PP had two trolley cars that carried sledders and their inner tubes/sleds up the slope. It was great nightime sledding.
The town of Red River really started growing in the early 70’s. I remember townsfolk debating the problem of building the town before the ski area was large enough to support it. Which comes first the ski area or the town. Since most of the ski area was on Forest Service Land and getting the government to okay expansion difficult, the town grew first. Condominiums went up everywhere replacing the summer cabins that the first lodge owners had built. RR had been a mining town first and a gambling town second. It did not make the turn to family resort town until the late 50’s followed by ski resort. The ski area grew as it was able to acquire more land from the FS. Water rights were also a problem in NM – water to make snow. The snow making facilities put RR on the map with advertisement that said, "It snowed last night in Red River." The oil derricks were replaced in the late 70’s. More lifts and trails were not really added until the 90’s.
When Toby and I moved back to RR in 1986, there was a town debate on re-paving the State Highway that is the Main St in RR. Parking and sidewalks were the big issue. Businesses were all in an uproar over the change that was inevitable. The town finally got the sidewalks and gutters and paved parking in place about 2000. Change often came slowly, but it does come. Some of us still do not like all the changes, but some are for the best – I guess. I still miss the quaint little town that RR was back in the late 60’s and early 70’s and the people who stood the test of time.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Chap Stick
My parents met in Red River in 1953 and married in 1955. They started building a cabin up Bitter Creek Canyon soon after. They did not have much money, but they had time and good friends. The cabin was dried-in by the time Craig and I were five and six years old, but it had no water or electricity until years later. The mountainside was fairly steep – so the cabin’s front porch was about 6 feet off of the ground. The driveway could be a booger to drive up. Mom often got a running start and just flew up the driveway with us kids bouncing off the roof of the car (no one wore seat belts back then). She was even wilder in the 55 GMC pick-up truck - Craig and I liked to see how high we would bounce in the bed of the truck. The trip down the driveway and canyon could be just as exciting. We often talked Mom into coasting down the canyon and into town without hitting her brakes in our old Rambler. Mom was great!
There were outhouses located up the mountain between us and the neighbors on either side of us – two outhouses – both two holers. Dad hauled water from town for drinking and bathing. We had a large galvanized tub that would hold both Craig and me at one time. Just like in the old days, the tub was placed in front of the fire and the kids were sent outside to play while the adults bathed. We were then brought in by twos and bathed in what was often some dirty water. Why was the water so dirty? Our backyard was a mountain and it was not called Bitter Creek for nothing.
Craig and I played all over that mountain. We had "forts" and tree houses and swings from pine trees. It was a kid’s paradise. The cabin itself was a playground. Dad would set us up in the rafters and we would swing from one to the next like monkey bars. We had a red wagon that we rode down the driveway often picking up enough speed to jump the road and land in the creek bed. Sometimes we crashed and burned before reaching the end of the driveway. My knees, elbows, and ankles were black and crusty from the rocks and dirt. We did not have hiking boots back then; we had PF Flyers or little red Keds, which were not much protection for the ankles. My hair usually had tree sap and pine needles stuck in it causing a tangled mess. But still, Mom managed to get my hair back in a ponytail. Craig always had the "tick-free" hair cut – a buzz or burr as it was called. Our standard uniform was overalls or jeans and a T-shirt, which were well worn by the end of the summer. Craig and I were like twins; we wore the same clothes.
We had a cat that would catch chipmunks. Then Craig and I would catch the cat. Dad built us a box with a screen lid so that we could shake the cat until it dropped the chipmunk in the box. Craig always got to shake the cat while my job was to snap the lid on to keep the chipmunk from escaping the box. The only time I got to shake the cat, I got so excited that I dropped the cat in the box with the chipmunk. The chipmunk didn’t make it, and Craig was irritated with me (nothing unusual there).
Not only were our legs and arms crusty, they were chapped by the dry desert air. No amount of lotion kept us soft. Our cheeks were rosy and red like Campbell soup kids. My lips were always chapped – I had a nice pencil thin mustache that was actually a chapped area on my upper lip. Mom kept smearing Chap Stick on us to no avail. But to this day, I love the smell of Chap Stick. It brings all these memories flooding back. We sold the cabin and bought a lodge (which holds its own special memories) in RR in about 1968.
This photo was taken about six years ago while we were vacationing in RR. The large windows above the stairs was the kitchen. Dad did not want to extend the porch over that window. He wanted to be able to "see the sky" while drinking his morning coffee. And that is what we did - we drank our coffee and watched the birds and chipmunks from that window.
There were outhouses located up the mountain between us and the neighbors on either side of us – two outhouses – both two holers. Dad hauled water from town for drinking and bathing. We had a large galvanized tub that would hold both Craig and me at one time. Just like in the old days, the tub was placed in front of the fire and the kids were sent outside to play while the adults bathed. We were then brought in by twos and bathed in what was often some dirty water. Why was the water so dirty? Our backyard was a mountain and it was not called Bitter Creek for nothing.
Craig and I played all over that mountain. We had "forts" and tree houses and swings from pine trees. It was a kid’s paradise. The cabin itself was a playground. Dad would set us up in the rafters and we would swing from one to the next like monkey bars. We had a red wagon that we rode down the driveway often picking up enough speed to jump the road and land in the creek bed. Sometimes we crashed and burned before reaching the end of the driveway. My knees, elbows, and ankles were black and crusty from the rocks and dirt. We did not have hiking boots back then; we had PF Flyers or little red Keds, which were not much protection for the ankles. My hair usually had tree sap and pine needles stuck in it causing a tangled mess. But still, Mom managed to get my hair back in a ponytail. Craig always had the "tick-free" hair cut – a buzz or burr as it was called. Our standard uniform was overalls or jeans and a T-shirt, which were well worn by the end of the summer. Craig and I were like twins; we wore the same clothes.
We had a cat that would catch chipmunks. Then Craig and I would catch the cat. Dad built us a box with a screen lid so that we could shake the cat until it dropped the chipmunk in the box. Craig always got to shake the cat while my job was to snap the lid on to keep the chipmunk from escaping the box. The only time I got to shake the cat, I got so excited that I dropped the cat in the box with the chipmunk. The chipmunk didn’t make it, and Craig was irritated with me (nothing unusual there).
Not only were our legs and arms crusty, they were chapped by the dry desert air. No amount of lotion kept us soft. Our cheeks were rosy and red like Campbell soup kids. My lips were always chapped – I had a nice pencil thin mustache that was actually a chapped area on my upper lip. Mom kept smearing Chap Stick on us to no avail. But to this day, I love the smell of Chap Stick. It brings all these memories flooding back. We sold the cabin and bought a lodge (which holds its own special memories) in RR in about 1968.
This photo was taken about six years ago while we were vacationing in RR. The large windows above the stairs was the kitchen. Dad did not want to extend the porch over that window. He wanted to be able to "see the sky" while drinking his morning coffee. And that is what we did - we drank our coffee and watched the birds and chipmunks from that window.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Updates
The Houdini Horse:
Toby and I worked on a different fence (new plan of attack) on Saturday. We did some research and a price check on a cattle-guard. 
We staked out the new gate. All the while, Windy was roaming free in the pasture while the other two horses remained in the penned area. On Sunday, Windy was back in the penned area with the other two horses. I guess she missed them and swam back across the pond to the penned area. We will continue to work on a new fence and a new gate to keep them in. The only thing the fence really does is keep the mail-lady out. She doesn't seem to want to get out of her vehicle to put the mail in our box. Oh well. Notice in the first photo how green it has gotten in the last several weeks since I posted this similar pic. Also, you can see the Houdini Horse far off in the left side of the photo.Hawaiian Tourists:
We heard from Jesse, Lindz and Reagan as they landed in Hawaii - so I know they are there. Other than that, I have not heard a word. I told Jesse just to drop me an email now and then, but my email is messed up right now. HughesNet decided to do some upgrading that apparently did not go as smoothly as they planned. I have not called Hughes yet, but if things do not improve soon, I guess I will have to contact them. I am not able to receive or send email except through my Hotmail account. I will just assume that the ladies are having a grand adventure until I hear otherwise. And I will call Janice to see if she has heard anything.
Sooners:
Most people know that the term Sooners came from the Oklahoma land rush. Sooners were the people who sneaked onto the land before the gun sounded and set up their property claim sooner than they were suppose to. Well, getting a seat in our church is much the same. We have some serious Sooners. I think some people come in the night before and set their Bibles in chairs claiming seats sooner than the rest of us. Although church starts at 10 AM, there is always a mad rush to get seats in the main room. If you are late, you have to set in the "overflow" rooms and watch TV monitors. Toby and I actually got to church earlier than usual (minus the bathroom hog who happens to be in Hawaii at the moment), but we still had to scurry to find seats. We ended up sitting on the back wall in a high traffic area. The Grand Girls were still able to sit (wrestle me to the ground) with us. To the amusement of everyone around us, GBN1 announced, "Booboo, you have a booger in your nose." I was worn out by the time church was over and ready for a nap, which is exactly the way Toby and I spent our Sunday afternoon. To heck with the horses and fence!
Most people know that the term Sooners came from the Oklahoma land rush. Sooners were the people who sneaked onto the land before the gun sounded and set up their property claim sooner than they were suppose to. Well, getting a seat in our church is much the same. We have some serious Sooners. I think some people come in the night before and set their Bibles in chairs claiming seats sooner than the rest of us. Although church starts at 10 AM, there is always a mad rush to get seats in the main room. If you are late, you have to set in the "overflow" rooms and watch TV monitors. Toby and I actually got to church earlier than usual (minus the bathroom hog who happens to be in Hawaii at the moment), but we still had to scurry to find seats. We ended up sitting on the back wall in a high traffic area. The Grand Girls were still able to sit (wrestle me to the ground) with us. To the amusement of everyone around us, GBN1 announced, "Booboo, you have a booger in your nose." I was worn out by the time church was over and ready for a nap, which is exactly the way Toby and I spent our Sunday afternoon. To heck with the horses and fence!
Friday, April 25, 2008
Nag Snags and other Animal Problems
Jesse called about noon to say she was in Salt Lake City - the first leg of her trip to Hawaii. All was well and she would be emailing me later. I don't know if she will blog from there since her blog is mostly photos.
I babysat the Grand Girls this morning. When I left the house at 8:30 AM, it was about 73 degrees. I stopped at the end of the driveway to let down the fence (more on that in a moment). I had Ranger the Rat Terrier with me (he entertains the girls). Normally when I get out of the car for even a minute with Ranger still inside, I remember to roll a window down or take the key with me. This time, I forgot. I heard the click of the door locks, and looked to see Ranger looking out the window at me with his paw on the door locks. I had to walk back to the house to get a key, which was really no problem other than making me a few minutes late to the GG's. About the time I arrived at the GG's, a cold front blew in sending the temps down into the 60's with the wind howling. Great, I had on capris, short-sleeves, and sandals.
The reason there is a wire up across our entryway is that the horses are still escaping their fenced in area. We have been working on our driveway with building a pipe fence and gate on our to-do list, but at the present time, there is no gate. On Wed. afternoon I looked out the window of the house to see Windy (the mare that is horsin') running across the pasture - free as a bird. She ran to the fence and the neighbor's horses. Our other two horses were still penned. Hmm, how did Windy get out? She must have waded into the pond and gone around the end of the electric fence - smart horse. I caught her and put her back. Then I watched to see if she would escape again and to see how she did it. She seemed content or not sure how she had done it the first time - so I headed back to the house. I no more than got inside when I looked out to see her enter the pond. Rather than go around the end of the electric fence, she swam the entire pond! For those of you who do not know horses, that is unusual. This time our other mare, Snoopa, saw Windy swimming and joined her in the escape. Goldie, Bo's 26 year old roping horse, couldn't stand it. He swam the pond too! That is when I put up a wire across the entry way to our property basically keeping them from wandering out onto the highway. When Toby got home, we worked on the electric fence using it to block off the area in the pond where they were swimming across. It would not keep them from finding another place to cross, but they would have to be pretty smart to do so. It seemed to work well enough. Then at art yesterday afternoon, one of the girls said, "Did you know you have a horse in your backyard?" Only Windy had found her way out. The other two nags were still in the pen. Windy is just a crazy mare these days determined to be with the neighbor's horses. It reminds me of friends who bought a horse named Luna. They thought it was short for Lunar or something nice like that. It turns out that it was short for lunatic.
We will be working on fence this weekend. We may even move "building a gate" to the top of the to-do list here. Yeha.
I babysat the Grand Girls this morning. When I left the house at 8:30 AM, it was about 73 degrees. I stopped at the end of the driveway to let down the fence (more on that in a moment). I had Ranger the Rat Terrier with me (he entertains the girls). Normally when I get out of the car for even a minute with Ranger still inside, I remember to roll a window down or take the key with me. This time, I forgot. I heard the click of the door locks, and looked to see Ranger looking out the window at me with his paw on the door locks. I had to walk back to the house to get a key, which was really no problem other than making me a few minutes late to the GG's. About the time I arrived at the GG's, a cold front blew in sending the temps down into the 60's with the wind howling. Great, I had on capris, short-sleeves, and sandals.
The reason there is a wire up across our entryway is that the horses are still escaping their fenced in area. We have been working on our driveway with building a pipe fence and gate on our to-do list, but at the present time, there is no gate. On Wed. afternoon I looked out the window of the house to see Windy (the mare that is horsin') running across the pasture - free as a bird. She ran to the fence and the neighbor's horses. Our other two horses were still penned. Hmm, how did Windy get out? She must have waded into the pond and gone around the end of the electric fence - smart horse. I caught her and put her back. Then I watched to see if she would escape again and to see how she did it. She seemed content or not sure how she had done it the first time - so I headed back to the house. I no more than got inside when I looked out to see her enter the pond. Rather than go around the end of the electric fence, she swam the entire pond! For those of you who do not know horses, that is unusual. This time our other mare, Snoopa, saw Windy swimming and joined her in the escape. Goldie, Bo's 26 year old roping horse, couldn't stand it. He swam the pond too! That is when I put up a wire across the entry way to our property basically keeping them from wandering out onto the highway. When Toby got home, we worked on the electric fence using it to block off the area in the pond where they were swimming across. It would not keep them from finding another place to cross, but they would have to be pretty smart to do so. It seemed to work well enough. Then at art yesterday afternoon, one of the girls said, "Did you know you have a horse in your backyard?" Only Windy had found her way out. The other two nags were still in the pen. Windy is just a crazy mare these days determined to be with the neighbor's horses. It reminds me of friends who bought a horse named Luna. They thought it was short for Lunar or something nice like that. It turns out that it was short for lunatic.
We will be working on fence this weekend. We may even move "building a gate" to the top of the to-do list here. Yeha.
Happy Birthday Pete
Today is my baby brothers 45th birthday. It is difficult to explain how much I love Pete and enjoy being with him, and yet how I often want to do bodily damage to him. Although there is five years difference in our ages, we were often great buddies. Yet, he was also the pesky little brother - he played that role very well. The photos were taken in 1965 at our home in Electra, TX. 
This photo is of Pete's first birthday. Mom was a stay-at-home mom back in those days. She took care of the whole neighborhood. In the photo from L to R is Mom, me, Pete, Craig and Phil Young (a neighbor kid). I wonder where Dale was that day? 
The second photo is of me, Craig and Pete in our overalls (standard uniform for us) painting our a playhouse that Dad built for us. It was a great playhouse. Notice my ponytail - Dad always insisted that my hair be pulled back away from my face. We had a ritual at night where he would cut the rubberband from my hair and massage my head. We had lots of silly little rituals like that. Another ritual was for the neighborhood kids to line up on the sidewalk and run to my dad who would pick us up and swing us around - every day when he came home from work. My parents did not take many photos back then, but Dad probably took these. He kept them in an album along with other memorabilia that he collected. He typed directly on them - pretty funny and so typical Dad. The photos certainly bring back some great memories. Have a great day Pete!
This photo is of Pete's first birthday. Mom was a stay-at-home mom back in those days. She took care of the whole neighborhood. In the photo from L to R is Mom, me, Pete, Craig and Phil Young (a neighbor kid). I wonder where Dale was that day? 
The second photo is of me, Craig and Pete in our overalls (standard uniform for us) painting our a playhouse that Dad built for us. It was a great playhouse. Notice my ponytail - Dad always insisted that my hair be pulled back away from my face. We had a ritual at night where he would cut the rubberband from my hair and massage my head. We had lots of silly little rituals like that. Another ritual was for the neighborhood kids to line up on the sidewalk and run to my dad who would pick us up and swing us around - every day when he came home from work. My parents did not take many photos back then, but Dad probably took these. He kept them in an album along with other memorabilia that he collected. He typed directly on them - pretty funny and so typical Dad. The photos certainly bring back some great memories. Have a great day Pete!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Off the fence
Okay, I'm getting off the fence and saying what I really think. Some of you may think I have lost my mind. Some of you may be uncomfortable with my views, but they are what they are until someone changes my mind.
Yesterday I read that 437 children were being put into foster care after being removed from their mothers in Eldorado. I also watched the news segment on GMA concerning the same 437 children. The news reported that the children would be placed in foster care all over the state of Texas, and would be sent to public schools. Courts were still deciding whether nursing babies would be left with their moms. Siblings would be kept together as best they could, but basically boys and girls would be separated. DNA testing was being done on all 437 children and the adults of the group to begin sorting out parentage (I bet that cost the State of Texas a good bit of money). The news also said that many of these marriages did not seem to be legal. From what I understand, the big crimes here are polygamy and child abuse – specifically because there seem to be underage girls who are pregnant.
I have a few questions that the reporters did not ask. Are all of the 437 children young girls who are in immediate danger of being abused? Out of the 437 children, how many were boys? Were the boys being abused? Out of the 437 children how many were babies, toddlers, children under the age of say 12? Was abuse suspected with these children also? If so, what kind of abuse – why is that not being reported. In other words, what is the reason that 437 children are being put in foster care? What is the immediate danger? If they live in a "compound" of which there is no escape, why doesn’t the State of Texas leave them in the "compound" with their mothers and remove the men in the group? I bet a few guards around the "compound" to protect the women and children would be a lot more cost efficient and a lot easier on the children.
I am assuming that there were no records on hand as to who was married to whom or which children belonged to which parents. So let’s say that the DNA tests prove that several kids have the same father, but different mothers? Is that a crime in the USA? ‘Cause if it is, look out world; they are coming after you next. Let’s say that it is proven that some of these women had children before they were of age. You can go into any high school in the USA and find pregnant underage girls – what are they going to do about that - start arresting teenagers, parents, boyfriends? Who protects those children? I think 17 is age of consent in Texas and with parental permission younger girls can marry. So how many of the young girls in Eldorado had parental permission to be "married." Now I know that the news said that some of the marriages were not legal, but is the State of Texas ready to start arresting all of the couples in Texas who choose to live together without a legal license? If the marriages in the Eldorado group are not really legal, is it really a crime of polygamy? Is the State of Texas going to start arresting men who sleep with multiple partners? How in the heck is the State of Texas going to prove anything? What are they really looking for? Have any of these young girls come forward to say "thank you for getting me out of that mess?"
You may be thinking, "But Lou, these girls were brainwashed." Actually the professional shrinks brought in to analyze the girls said that the girls were not brainwashed (saw that on the news, too). These are people with a different way of life and religion from the norm. Although I do not know exactly what these people believe, I personally do not believe polygamy is a good thing. But then I do not believe same sex marriages are a good thing either, but our government keeps okaying them and letting the same sex parents adopt or have children.
Of course I abhor child abuse, and if little children are being sexually abused, I hope the adults are punished. But when underage girls are having sex and getting pregnant every day in our society, why are we going after the Eldorado group. Is it that society thinks older men should not marry younger women? Can society just not grasp that maybe these girls think that is normal (no matter how much we dislike it)? What is really the crime? Is there a crime of child abuse or is society using that as a tool to destroy the Eldorado group. Does society fear what they do not understand; therefore they feel they must punish them for being different? In my eyes, the biggest crime right now is taking 437 children away from their mothers and putting them in foster care.
Yesterday I read that 437 children were being put into foster care after being removed from their mothers in Eldorado. I also watched the news segment on GMA concerning the same 437 children. The news reported that the children would be placed in foster care all over the state of Texas, and would be sent to public schools. Courts were still deciding whether nursing babies would be left with their moms. Siblings would be kept together as best they could, but basically boys and girls would be separated. DNA testing was being done on all 437 children and the adults of the group to begin sorting out parentage (I bet that cost the State of Texas a good bit of money). The news also said that many of these marriages did not seem to be legal. From what I understand, the big crimes here are polygamy and child abuse – specifically because there seem to be underage girls who are pregnant.
I have a few questions that the reporters did not ask. Are all of the 437 children young girls who are in immediate danger of being abused? Out of the 437 children, how many were boys? Were the boys being abused? Out of the 437 children how many were babies, toddlers, children under the age of say 12? Was abuse suspected with these children also? If so, what kind of abuse – why is that not being reported. In other words, what is the reason that 437 children are being put in foster care? What is the immediate danger? If they live in a "compound" of which there is no escape, why doesn’t the State of Texas leave them in the "compound" with their mothers and remove the men in the group? I bet a few guards around the "compound" to protect the women and children would be a lot more cost efficient and a lot easier on the children.
I am assuming that there were no records on hand as to who was married to whom or which children belonged to which parents. So let’s say that the DNA tests prove that several kids have the same father, but different mothers? Is that a crime in the USA? ‘Cause if it is, look out world; they are coming after you next. Let’s say that it is proven that some of these women had children before they were of age. You can go into any high school in the USA and find pregnant underage girls – what are they going to do about that - start arresting teenagers, parents, boyfriends? Who protects those children? I think 17 is age of consent in Texas and with parental permission younger girls can marry. So how many of the young girls in Eldorado had parental permission to be "married." Now I know that the news said that some of the marriages were not legal, but is the State of Texas ready to start arresting all of the couples in Texas who choose to live together without a legal license? If the marriages in the Eldorado group are not really legal, is it really a crime of polygamy? Is the State of Texas going to start arresting men who sleep with multiple partners? How in the heck is the State of Texas going to prove anything? What are they really looking for? Have any of these young girls come forward to say "thank you for getting me out of that mess?"
You may be thinking, "But Lou, these girls were brainwashed." Actually the professional shrinks brought in to analyze the girls said that the girls were not brainwashed (saw that on the news, too). These are people with a different way of life and religion from the norm. Although I do not know exactly what these people believe, I personally do not believe polygamy is a good thing. But then I do not believe same sex marriages are a good thing either, but our government keeps okaying them and letting the same sex parents adopt or have children.
Of course I abhor child abuse, and if little children are being sexually abused, I hope the adults are punished. But when underage girls are having sex and getting pregnant every day in our society, why are we going after the Eldorado group. Is it that society thinks older men should not marry younger women? Can society just not grasp that maybe these girls think that is normal (no matter how much we dislike it)? What is really the crime? Is there a crime of child abuse or is society using that as a tool to destroy the Eldorado group. Does society fear what they do not understand; therefore they feel they must punish them for being different? In my eyes, the biggest crime right now is taking 437 children away from their mothers and putting them in foster care.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Odd Topic
I'm just going to toss out the following bits and pieces. Make of it what you will:
When we first moved to OK, our neighbors to the north of our property lived on seven acres of heavily wooded land. There were several buildings on the property – none of which seemed "finished." All were made out of cinder block and seemed a bit run-down. There was a large "meeting room" in which our neighbors actually lived. Then there was a row of unfinished living quarters (individual rooms) that our neighbors used as storage space. None of the buildings could be seen from the road or from our property – the woods were that thick. From what I understood our neighbors, who were very nice people, had bought the property from some religious group who had owned the place years earlier. My preacher, who had been a local Baptist preacher back in the day when the property was owned by "a religious group," told me what he had learned about the place and the group that had built the buildings. He said that the "religious group" had been the talk of the town with everyone theorizing about what was happening on the property. The locals were suspicious that a "cult" had settled near their town. There was much fear and suspicion about the religious group that owned the property. My preacher, being the kind of man he is, decided to find out for himself what was happening. He drove to the "compound" to ask questions. It turned out the property was owned by Baptist organization that was training missionaries to live in a third-world type atmosphere – in other words it was preparing people to be Baptist missionaries. I’m sure they used the "meeting room" for just that and used the cinder block out buildings as "third world" housing. Isn’t it ironic that the local people were fearful of what they did not know and wildly speculated without knowing the truth and it turns out that the "religious group" was no different than most of the locals who are Baptist themselves.
I know of a situation where a young lady was married and had a child. Her marriage fell apart and she began living with her husband’s brother. Eventually, she had children by both men. So the kids were not only half-brothers, but also cousins. The children called their sibling’s father, "uncle." How confusing would that be! Nothing was done about this situation.
I know of other situations where children live with their grandmothers. They have the same mother (who comes and goes and sleeps with different men), but each child has a different father – some not knowing whom their father is at all. Some of these kids also have cousins who live with them that are in the same boat – all being raised under the same roof. This is considered fairly normal behavior and no kids are taken from the home.
I had a student once who told me that her boyfriend was allowed to come to her home and sleep over with her – she was underage. She eventually became pregnant (duh), but the parents seemed to think it all normal. So even though the girl was underage and pregnant and her parents had allowed it, no one was arrested or removed from the home.
When I first started teaching in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, I had a 16-year-old student who told me that she thought she might be pregnant and that the baby might be her brother’s. When I reported this, I was told to mind my own business and that I did not understand the culture and that they would deal with it. Nothing was done.
In Questa I had two students in one of my classes that were brother and sister – same age – same father – different mothers. Apparently the father had been married to the boy’s mother, but having an affair with the girl’s mother. He eventually divorced his first wife and married the girl’s mother and now both kids lived with the new couple. Everyone thought this was okay, because the first wife was not well liked.
I can’t begin to tell you of the strange things my public school students told me about the goings-on in their homes – drugs, drinking, sex, etc. Nothing is ever done about these situations. The social service people pick and choose what is "normal" or what is considered "dangerous" for a child in a home. Then there was the two-year-old girl who came to our church in Taos with her obviously retarded mother and 80 year old father. My concern for this child was so great that I went and talked to the SS workers. They told me that although they had removed several other children from the home in the past, they could do nothing about the two-year-old until abuse was proved and that there had been a threat of law suit so they had left the baby girl with her parents.
I am just amazed at what society thinks is normal. I remember a time when SS was removing children from homeschooling parents because "normal" society feared what they did not understand.
When we first moved to OK, our neighbors to the north of our property lived on seven acres of heavily wooded land. There were several buildings on the property – none of which seemed "finished." All were made out of cinder block and seemed a bit run-down. There was a large "meeting room" in which our neighbors actually lived. Then there was a row of unfinished living quarters (individual rooms) that our neighbors used as storage space. None of the buildings could be seen from the road or from our property – the woods were that thick. From what I understood our neighbors, who were very nice people, had bought the property from some religious group who had owned the place years earlier. My preacher, who had been a local Baptist preacher back in the day when the property was owned by "a religious group," told me what he had learned about the place and the group that had built the buildings. He said that the "religious group" had been the talk of the town with everyone theorizing about what was happening on the property. The locals were suspicious that a "cult" had settled near their town. There was much fear and suspicion about the religious group that owned the property. My preacher, being the kind of man he is, decided to find out for himself what was happening. He drove to the "compound" to ask questions. It turned out the property was owned by Baptist organization that was training missionaries to live in a third-world type atmosphere – in other words it was preparing people to be Baptist missionaries. I’m sure they used the "meeting room" for just that and used the cinder block out buildings as "third world" housing. Isn’t it ironic that the local people were fearful of what they did not know and wildly speculated without knowing the truth and it turns out that the "religious group" was no different than most of the locals who are Baptist themselves.
I know of a situation where a young lady was married and had a child. Her marriage fell apart and she began living with her husband’s brother. Eventually, she had children by both men. So the kids were not only half-brothers, but also cousins. The children called their sibling’s father, "uncle." How confusing would that be! Nothing was done about this situation.
I know of other situations where children live with their grandmothers. They have the same mother (who comes and goes and sleeps with different men), but each child has a different father – some not knowing whom their father is at all. Some of these kids also have cousins who live with them that are in the same boat – all being raised under the same roof. This is considered fairly normal behavior and no kids are taken from the home.
I had a student once who told me that her boyfriend was allowed to come to her home and sleep over with her – she was underage. She eventually became pregnant (duh), but the parents seemed to think it all normal. So even though the girl was underage and pregnant and her parents had allowed it, no one was arrested or removed from the home.
When I first started teaching in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, I had a 16-year-old student who told me that she thought she might be pregnant and that the baby might be her brother’s. When I reported this, I was told to mind my own business and that I did not understand the culture and that they would deal with it. Nothing was done.
In Questa I had two students in one of my classes that were brother and sister – same age – same father – different mothers. Apparently the father had been married to the boy’s mother, but having an affair with the girl’s mother. He eventually divorced his first wife and married the girl’s mother and now both kids lived with the new couple. Everyone thought this was okay, because the first wife was not well liked.
I can’t begin to tell you of the strange things my public school students told me about the goings-on in their homes – drugs, drinking, sex, etc. Nothing is ever done about these situations. The social service people pick and choose what is "normal" or what is considered "dangerous" for a child in a home. Then there was the two-year-old girl who came to our church in Taos with her obviously retarded mother and 80 year old father. My concern for this child was so great that I went and talked to the SS workers. They told me that although they had removed several other children from the home in the past, they could do nothing about the two-year-old until abuse was proved and that there had been a threat of law suit so they had left the baby girl with her parents.
I am just amazed at what society thinks is normal. I remember a time when SS was removing children from homeschooling parents because "normal" society feared what they did not understand.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
You Asked
These pictures are both in my senior yearbook. I scanned them and cropped - sorry about the quality. The second photo has a blurb on my nose. I might could find the actual photo, but it is in storage. If it were in color, the tulle that I am wearing is pink. My hair was a dirty blond. Did I have that "girl next door" look or what!? Just ask John; he knew me back-in-the-day. The summer I met John he was 18 and I was 17. He was driving jeep tours in Red River. I asked my brother about him, but I did not know John's name.
Me: You know, that jeep driver that lives near us.
Craig: There is not a jeep driver who lives near us.
Me: You know - the one who drives by all the time in that old green car!
Craig: You are so stupid. That is John and he drives by because you and Patti sunbathe in your bikinis.
A Toby Day
Toby got home around 5 PM yesterday. I had called him at work to give him the heads up that the horses were loose and we needed to work on the fence. The horses seemed content to hang with the neighbor horses across the fence, but we needed to pen them up since we do not have a gate to keep them off of the highway. My plan was simple: attach the new solar fence charger to the old fence and put the horses back in their place. Toby’s plan was a bit more complex: put up a whole new fence across the pond in a different pasture, which would mean taking down the old fence and putting it up again. Then brush-hogging a fence line through the waist deep grass, which would mean changing out the blade on the tractor for the brush-hog.
I wish I could raise one eyebrow, because then you could know my skepticism concerning his plan. Toby’s plan was not all that difficult sounding, but I know my man and nothing is as simple as he plans. I pointed out my concerns on changing out tractor appliances and moving the fence – he assured me it would be no problem. At this point, I just resigned myself to whatever happens happens. I’m just along for the adventure.
We loaded all of the fencing equipment into the truck. While he switched the blade on the tractor for the brush-hog, I took down the old fence and added it to the fencing supply in the truck. My job consisted of pulling up re-bar and rolling up the electric wire. I was finished by the time he had the brush-hog on the tractor. He had found a bolt that was missing and was working to replace it and tighten up some other bolts (it has been awhile since he last used the brush-hog). As he walked around the brush-hog he noticed that there was quite a bit of bailing twine that had wound itself onto the rear wheel of the brush-hog. He decided to cut the twine off of the wheel. My thoughts, "Hasn’t that been there for years? Why are we doing this now? The horses are still running loose." I kept my mouth shut and went to his aid. Thirty minutes later, we were still trying to get the twine unwound from the wheel. Toby shut down the tractor since this was taking longer than he assumed it would. Then he decided it would be helpful to just remove the wheel altogether. My thought: What if the wheel won’t go back on?" I kept my mouth shut. The wheel would not come off easily. Toby had to get a hammer and bang on the pin (large bolt holding the wheel on). We banged, cut, pulled and worked on the wheel for over an hour. Finally we got the twine off. Sure enough his banging on the pin caused the threads on the end to get bent and the nut (that holds everything in place) would not go back on. Toby got the file and hacksaw after the pin and eventually got the wheel all back together. I went to get in the truck and he got in the tractor, but now the tractor would not start. It seemed to be some short in the electrical system or possibly the battery, but it had just started an hour earlier with no problem. Toby worked on the wires, he beat on the starter, he jumped the tractor off with the truck – all to no avail. He asked my opinion this time. I told him we could either put the old fence back up and the new charger on it or we could get the battery out of the bulldozer and see if that was the problem. Guess which one he went with. We drove down to the bulldozer and got the battery, carried it back to the tractor, and hooked it up. The tractor started with a puff of smoke coming from the positive cable (I hope that was okay). He got in the tractor to do the brush-hogging on the new fence line. I got in the truck to carry all of the supplies. The spillway on the pond dam is dam muddy right now – just right for getting the truck stuck, but I managed to get across okay. We set the fence up along with the new charger. Zoe accidentally checked it for us - it was hot. We loaded up in the truck and started back across the pond dam with Toby driving. We almost got stuck, but I was doing some serious praying. Now it was time to play cowgirl and catch the horses. We’ve done this so many times lately that the horses are getting use to me again, and were little trouble.
After putting the equipment in the barn, it was about 8 PM. I went to fix supper, but the horses were not being appreciative of their new pasture. Toby had to go back and extend the hotwire further out into the pond (wading waist deep and putting up another pole attaching it to the hotwire). Supper was ready by the time he got home. We finished supper and were relaxing when Jesse got home around 9 PM. I’m a bit sore and stiff from all the work yesterday, but it was a job well done. Toby is always a fun date.
I wish I could raise one eyebrow, because then you could know my skepticism concerning his plan. Toby’s plan was not all that difficult sounding, but I know my man and nothing is as simple as he plans. I pointed out my concerns on changing out tractor appliances and moving the fence – he assured me it would be no problem. At this point, I just resigned myself to whatever happens happens. I’m just along for the adventure.
We loaded all of the fencing equipment into the truck. While he switched the blade on the tractor for the brush-hog, I took down the old fence and added it to the fencing supply in the truck. My job consisted of pulling up re-bar and rolling up the electric wire. I was finished by the time he had the brush-hog on the tractor. He had found a bolt that was missing and was working to replace it and tighten up some other bolts (it has been awhile since he last used the brush-hog). As he walked around the brush-hog he noticed that there was quite a bit of bailing twine that had wound itself onto the rear wheel of the brush-hog. He decided to cut the twine off of the wheel. My thoughts, "Hasn’t that been there for years? Why are we doing this now? The horses are still running loose." I kept my mouth shut and went to his aid. Thirty minutes later, we were still trying to get the twine unwound from the wheel. Toby shut down the tractor since this was taking longer than he assumed it would. Then he decided it would be helpful to just remove the wheel altogether. My thought: What if the wheel won’t go back on?" I kept my mouth shut. The wheel would not come off easily. Toby had to get a hammer and bang on the pin (large bolt holding the wheel on). We banged, cut, pulled and worked on the wheel for over an hour. Finally we got the twine off. Sure enough his banging on the pin caused the threads on the end to get bent and the nut (that holds everything in place) would not go back on. Toby got the file and hacksaw after the pin and eventually got the wheel all back together. I went to get in the truck and he got in the tractor, but now the tractor would not start. It seemed to be some short in the electrical system or possibly the battery, but it had just started an hour earlier with no problem. Toby worked on the wires, he beat on the starter, he jumped the tractor off with the truck – all to no avail. He asked my opinion this time. I told him we could either put the old fence back up and the new charger on it or we could get the battery out of the bulldozer and see if that was the problem. Guess which one he went with. We drove down to the bulldozer and got the battery, carried it back to the tractor, and hooked it up. The tractor started with a puff of smoke coming from the positive cable (I hope that was okay). He got in the tractor to do the brush-hogging on the new fence line. I got in the truck to carry all of the supplies. The spillway on the pond dam is dam muddy right now – just right for getting the truck stuck, but I managed to get across okay. We set the fence up along with the new charger. Zoe accidentally checked it for us - it was hot. We loaded up in the truck and started back across the pond dam with Toby driving. We almost got stuck, but I was doing some serious praying. Now it was time to play cowgirl and catch the horses. We’ve done this so many times lately that the horses are getting use to me again, and were little trouble.
After putting the equipment in the barn, it was about 8 PM. I went to fix supper, but the horses were not being appreciative of their new pasture. Toby had to go back and extend the hotwire further out into the pond (wading waist deep and putting up another pole attaching it to the hotwire). Supper was ready by the time he got home. We finished supper and were relaxing when Jesse got home around 9 PM. I’m a bit sore and stiff from all the work yesterday, but it was a job well done. Toby is always a fun date.
Monday, April 21, 2008
And the Rest of the Day
Lawton was not much fun. Sometimes dealing with the Toyota folks is okay, but not this time. Several times I tried to contact Toby at his office and on his cell phone to no avail. Now I know he is at work and he is busy, but it frustrates me to no end to need to get in touch and not be able to. We managed to meet up at lunch and things got better, but then I went to Wal-Mart for a major shopping day. I finally got home about 3 pm and the horses were out. With much patience, I caught one of the wild mares and led the herd back to the fenced in area. I checked the fence which seemed to be fine, but by the time I got back to the house, they were out again. And my rat terrier found some fresh horse manure to roll in. Lovely. If it were not 90 degrees outside, this might all be better, but it is pretty frustrating and hot. Why do I have horses?
I meant to tell you that the movie that Jan brought last night was a Swiss speaking movie called "Vitus" about a boy genius. We had to read subtitles. It was a good movie. I think Jesse was having a hard time reading and watching the movie at the same time. Sometimes you miss the facial expressions and such while you are reading. She seemed to be confused about what was going on and kept asking questions. When it was all over, she said, "How very...European." I think she likes to give Jan a hard time. I don't know where she gets that.
Jesse made it to work fine this morning on her motorcycle. I made her call me to "report in" when she got to work. I know what you are thinking, But, Lou, she is 25 years old." Hey, I almost made Jan call me when he road his motorcycle home last night.
I meant to tell you that the movie that Jan brought last night was a Swiss speaking movie called "Vitus" about a boy genius. We had to read subtitles. It was a good movie. I think Jesse was having a hard time reading and watching the movie at the same time. Sometimes you miss the facial expressions and such while you are reading. She seemed to be confused about what was going on and kept asking questions. When it was all over, she said, "How very...European." I think she likes to give Jan a hard time. I don't know where she gets that.
Jesse made it to work fine this morning on her motorcycle. I made her call me to "report in" when she got to work. I know what you are thinking, But, Lou, she is 25 years old." Hey, I almost made Jan call me when he road his motorcycle home last night.
Mean Streak Strikes Again
Jan rode his motorcycle to the house last night. He said he got pulled over on Old Hwy 7. He had been going 100 mph, but had slowed down to 68 before the police saw him. He said the patrolman was really nice, and they talked motorcycles. He also brought his own movie - so I did not get a chance to inflict my chick-flick. This photo was taken last year - Gary in the yellow jacket and Jan on the red bike. Both are engineers and co-workers with Jes at Halliburton.
I am headed to Lawton to get the oil changed in Jesse's car today. If you see a little white Scion zipping down the road with the radio blaring, it will be me - not Jesse. I may have to swing by Hobby Lobby, too. I had so much fun with her blog id; now I will have her car! This could be fun. Maybe I will do something that has everyone talking about "that Jesse!"
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Mean Streak
Both Friday and Saturday nights we stayed up past 11 PM – Oh my gosh! Friday night Toby and I watched "Jurassic Park 1 and 2". We had never watched those movies before. I’m not sure I want to ever see them again, but they were exciting – if you like dinosaurs. It is not easy going to sleep after being chased by Raptors and T-Rex. Saturday night Jesse had rented "August Rush." I had seen this movie at the theater back in December, but it was a sweet movie – so I stayed up with Jes to watch it. Tonight Jan (Yon) is coming over to watch movies with us. I have a good chick-flick that I think I will make he and Toby suffer through – ha! My mean streak has been showing lately.
Saturday was absolutely the best day we have had this spring. It was warm and the wind was not blowing. We went to a birthday party for Mashayla, one of my art students, and her brother. It was a big gathering of folks. They had one of those big castle/balloon things for the little kids to jump in – it was quite the hit of the day. We played volleyball – you know how I love that. While standing around visiting, a girlfriend of mine bent down to pick something up off of the ground. For some reason, I reached out and put my hand on her head – so she could not straighten back up. I only did it for a second – it was just a quick reaction – something my brothers did to me while growing up. I’m tellin’ ya; the mean streak was showing. I offered to get into the castle/balloon thing and wrestle if she wanted retribution, but she did not take me up on it. I did notice a twinkle in her eye that said she really wanted to wrestle.
Something else funny happened this weekend. I have been arguing on a blogsite over the El Dorado fiasco. I had left another rebuttal and gone back to see if anyone had argued with me. They had, but the funny thing was that I had commented under Jesse’s blog name, Skybag. I guess she had been on my computer and signed in. I did not even notice until after I used her name in a blog fight. I did go to her and confess my error – after I quit snickering.
Saturday was absolutely the best day we have had this spring. It was warm and the wind was not blowing. We went to a birthday party for Mashayla, one of my art students, and her brother. It was a big gathering of folks. They had one of those big castle/balloon things for the little kids to jump in – it was quite the hit of the day. We played volleyball – you know how I love that. While standing around visiting, a girlfriend of mine bent down to pick something up off of the ground. For some reason, I reached out and put my hand on her head – so she could not straighten back up. I only did it for a second – it was just a quick reaction – something my brothers did to me while growing up. I’m tellin’ ya; the mean streak was showing. I offered to get into the castle/balloon thing and wrestle if she wanted retribution, but she did not take me up on it. I did notice a twinkle in her eye that said she really wanted to wrestle.
Something else funny happened this weekend. I have been arguing on a blogsite over the El Dorado fiasco. I had left another rebuttal and gone back to see if anyone had argued with me. They had, but the funny thing was that I had commented under Jesse’s blog name, Skybag. I guess she had been on my computer and signed in. I did not even notice until after I used her name in a blog fight. I did go to her and confess my error – after I quit snickering.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Art Evening - Rodeo Morning
It was art all day yesterday. One of my art ladies showed up at 9:30 (class starts at 10). No problema; just let me brush my teeth. Actually, I was up and ready, matting some paintings. Eight ladies showed up for art, which is a lot for my little house. Then we all went to lunch together to celebrate a birthday. Ashley came to the "old ladies" art class, went to lunch with us, and then came back for "young ladies" art class. I think she is a glutton for punishment.
All of the art young ladies left by 5 PM and I packed up my art supplies for my demo at the Art Guild, which was in town. It had been overcast all day, but nothing notable. About the time I needed to walk out the door, the skies opened up and poured forth water as in the days of Noah. I waited for a lull in the rain, but I could not wait too long or my driveway would be impassable. As it turned out, my driveway was already muck, but being a real cowgirl, I drove right through it. At the highway, there was a car in the ditch – don’t know why, but I assume it was due to the heavy rains. The guy was okay and he got out of the ditch on his own, and I went on to town. A mile down the road, the rain quit – the highway was dry. Amazing!
The lady with the key to the Art Guild building was late, and I was early to set up my supplies. She got there about the time the rain did. Jesse showed up to help me and was a great assistant. The lady that I call "the kindergarten teacher" kept bossing Jesse around. I was glad that Jesse did not take her out – leave that to me for later.
My demo/art lesson went off okay. There were several people at the AG meeting that I had never seen before in my life. One lady, whom I did not know, brought her two, young grandsons – I thought that was odd, but what the hey. After introducing myself and talking about the Yupo paper, I started passing out the supplies with the aid of my beautiful assistant. Beforehand, I had cut some white-board to use as cheap paint pallets. When I passed them out, everyone was in awe and asking questions. I kept saying that they were for the paint and that they were just white board or what some people call abitibi or bathroom board or masonite with a white slick side, that I had bought them at the local lumber supply…they were dumbfounded. I finally figured out that they thought the boards were the Yupo paper. I never saw that coming and it threw me for a loop. Although I recovered, I had the thought, "Am I stupid or is it them?"
Who knows what everyone thought of my lesson. I think most of the people had fun and enjoyed the new paper – that was my purpose. There were those anal folks who would not have enjoyed anything no matter what I did, but then I knew that going in to this demo. Jesse and I left the AG meeting about 8:30. It had been raining all evening. I followed Jes who was in her own car. When we got to our driveway, she turned in without thinking and drove out to the muddiest, gookiest part of the driveway. She sunk her little Scion. I waited at the paved road watching her try to get unstuck with no luck. I called her cell phone to tell her to give it up, pull off her shoes, and make her way to my car, which she did – snapping photos as she went. I drove out into the pasture and we made it to the house. It was a long day.Rodeo
While posting this morning, the dogs started barking. The horses were out. Toby and Jes had already left for work, but Toby was planning on coming home – he has been a bit under the weather. So, it was left to me to walk up and down the pasture with a bucket of feed trying to catch those wild mares. I was glad when Toby showed up. We got the horses caught and penned and the fence fixed – all before 8:30. Yeha!
While posting this morning, the dogs started barking. The horses were out. Toby and Jes had already left for work, but Toby was planning on coming home – he has been a bit under the weather. So, it was left to me to walk up and down the pasture with a bucket of feed trying to catch those wild mares. I was glad when Toby showed up. We got the horses caught and penned and the fence fixed – all before 8:30. Yeha!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Art and the Ego
Today is art day. I will be teaching from 10 am to 7 pm. Besides my usual classes today, I am suppose to teach this evening at the Art Guild - you know the anal retentive artists group - I hope that goes well.
I've spent too much time reading through my blogs this morning and enjoying my coffee. Now I must get my self going. I may or may not be back later.
I've spent too much time reading through my blogs this morning and enjoying my coffee. Now I must get my self going. I may or may not be back later.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Meme
This meme is easy. You are to publish your desktop photo. Mine is Jesse in Scotland overlooking Stonehaven on our hike out to Dunnottar Castle. I bet you thought I would have Grand Girls on my desktop. Sometimes I need reminders of far away places and good times. I tag Dawn, Junk Diva, Jesse, and CoP.
Funny Kids
The insurance company sent out the next round of "proof of insurance" papers. Toby handed Jesse her motorcycle insurance, which is on our insurance for some reason. Jesse looked at it and said, "Do I have a Kawasaki?" The look on Toby’s face was priceless. Then we all burst out laughing. It was just such a "woman thing" to say. If someone held a gun to my head at this very moment, I could not tell you what kind of motorcycles Jesse and Toby own (although I may remember Kawasaki from now on). Toby has told me a gazillion times, but it is just one of those things that does not stick in my mind – kind of like algebra.
The Piper and his royals came over last night to do some fishing in the pond. Although it had been a beautiful day here in OK (one of the best so far this spring), it was a bit chilly by the time they arrived in the late afternoon. HRHTDP followed her dad down to the pond to fish, but the second little princess chose to stay with the Queen and I. We did walk down to the barn to see Toby and his chicks. The little Prince was highly entertaining with his animal sounds - the chickens say "Bach, Bach." When you ask him "what does the bear say," he answers by wrinkling his nose and giving the quietest little "grr" sound – too funny!
Speaking of funny. I babysat the Grand Girls yesterday while my DIL had her hair done. I took Ranger the Rat Terrier to entertain the girls. He does several tricks – like sit, roll over, and high-five. Actually he will do most anything for food. In fact, one of my art girls told me that she had read that if a dog is overweight chances are the owner is over weight. Wow, what was her first clue. Anyway, I wanted to make Ranger do his tricks for the girls. I put a Cheeto in GBN2’s tiny fingers, looked at Ranger and said, "Sit!" Both Ranger and GBN2 dropped to a sitting position. Jesse, who happened to be having lunch with us, and I cracked up. I guess GBN2 will do anything for a Cheeto, too.
The Piper and his royals came over last night to do some fishing in the pond. Although it had been a beautiful day here in OK (one of the best so far this spring), it was a bit chilly by the time they arrived in the late afternoon. HRHTDP followed her dad down to the pond to fish, but the second little princess chose to stay with the Queen and I. We did walk down to the barn to see Toby and his chicks. The little Prince was highly entertaining with his animal sounds - the chickens say "Bach, Bach." When you ask him "what does the bear say," he answers by wrinkling his nose and giving the quietest little "grr" sound – too funny!
Speaking of funny. I babysat the Grand Girls yesterday while my DIL had her hair done. I took Ranger the Rat Terrier to entertain the girls. He does several tricks – like sit, roll over, and high-five. Actually he will do most anything for food. In fact, one of my art girls told me that she had read that if a dog is overweight chances are the owner is over weight. Wow, what was her first clue. Anyway, I wanted to make Ranger do his tricks for the girls. I put a Cheeto in GBN2’s tiny fingers, looked at Ranger and said, "Sit!" Both Ranger and GBN2 dropped to a sitting position. Jesse, who happened to be having lunch with us, and I cracked up. I guess GBN2 will do anything for a Cheeto, too.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Okie Party
Okies will use any excuse to have a party. Lindz and her family did some yard cleaning and needed to burn a brush pile. It was the perfect excuse to have a weenie roast. The weather was cooperative – cool enough to want to be near a fire, but not cold. The wind even died down toward evening making it okay for a fire. 
Everyone brought food. The Junk Diva brought her famous homemade sweet rolls – so much for my diet. 
Everyone and their dog was there. You know you are a redneck if you bring your new lawnmower to show the neighbors.
Toby got on this ZTR and spun out, swung around, and drove through the croquet game causing everyone to scatter. He looked like he did not know what he was doing – like he was out of control, but he chased several people around and finally had to stop because he was laughing so hard. I’m telling you, the man has an ornery streak. 
The young folks had a good time – here is Kat, Lindz, Shay (Lindz’ young man), Jesse, Reagan, andZach. As the sun went down, we all moved closer to the fire. 
Here is Jes and her dad. Toby is either warming his hands, preparing to tease someone else, or doing his Bill Hearne impression. Jesse also took pictures as did the Junk Diva - maybe they will post a photo or two. A good time was had by all.
Update: Jesse did post pics.
Everyone brought food. The Junk Diva brought her famous homemade sweet rolls – so much for my diet. 
Everyone and their dog was there. You know you are a redneck if you bring your new lawnmower to show the neighbors.
Toby got on this ZTR and spun out, swung around, and drove through the croquet game causing everyone to scatter. He looked like he did not know what he was doing – like he was out of control, but he chased several people around and finally had to stop because he was laughing so hard. I’m telling you, the man has an ornery streak. 
The young folks had a good time – here is Kat, Lindz, Shay (Lindz’ young man), Jesse, Reagan, andZach. As the sun went down, we all moved closer to the fire. 
Here is Jes and her dad. Toby is either warming his hands, preparing to tease someone else, or doing his Bill Hearne impression. Jesse also took pictures as did the Junk Diva - maybe they will post a photo or two. A good time was had by all.Update: Jesse did post pics.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
No Photos Please
I spent my Friday with Mom in WF. We ran some errands, but nothing to write home about or blog about. Toby and I had a nice quiet evening at home while Jesse was off in The City with Lindz doing some shopping for their upcoming trip to Hawaii. All I can say is "Look out boys! They're too much to touch!"
This morning we were having a family conference on our bed while drinking our morning coffee. I happened to look out the window and see the neighbor's rascal dog leading my dogs off to the highway. Jesse went to the door and called and whistled for them. They turned and came running across the pasture toward the house. For whatever reason (probably to be funny) Jesse held the door open for Zoe to come inside. In Zoe's excitement, she never missed a beat and bounded up onto our bed and sat in Toby's lap. That was about a hundred pounds of dog in his lap. Jesse thought it was great fun and wanted to take pictures, but I nixed the early morning - before make-up - still in my nightgown pictures.
Today may be a work-around-the-house day. Later this afternoon, we are going to Lindz' for a weenie roast. Maybe I will take pictures there.
This morning we were having a family conference on our bed while drinking our morning coffee. I happened to look out the window and see the neighbor's rascal dog leading my dogs off to the highway. Jesse went to the door and called and whistled for them. They turned and came running across the pasture toward the house. For whatever reason (probably to be funny) Jesse held the door open for Zoe to come inside. In Zoe's excitement, she never missed a beat and bounded up onto our bed and sat in Toby's lap. That was about a hundred pounds of dog in his lap. Jesse thought it was great fun and wanted to take pictures, but I nixed the early morning - before make-up - still in my nightgown pictures.
Today may be a work-around-the-house day. Later this afternoon, we are going to Lindz' for a weenie roast. Maybe I will take pictures there.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Art Thursday
Today was busy with art - so I did not get a chance to post this morning. My driveway was so muddy from last night's rain that I worried about having art. I told my art students that they came at their own risk today. The "old ladies" got here fine, but one lady got stuck on her way out Being a farm girl, she managed to rock her truck back and forth until she got enough traction to plow her way out. In the afternoon when the "young ladies" showed up, one girl bogged down. So I sent one of the farm girls out to get her. By late afternoon, the howling winds had dried up the driveway somewhat so that everyone was able to get out without any more problems. It made for some excitement, but I could live without the 40 MPH winds.
After supper, the dogs started barking. The neighbor's dog was visiting and he seemed to be chasing something. I looked out the window in time to see that the horses were out and roaming the pasture. The neighbor's dog thought this was quite a lark. Then Zoe, the Great Dane, thought she would get in on the fun, but she has a little more discipline and came when I called her. Jesse and I put her in the house for safe keeping while we penned and fixed the fence to keep the horses in their place. They become as excited as the dogs when they think they have gotten away with something. It kind of makes for a rodeo.
You know, that was not what I was going to blog about today, but it was the highlight of the day. I was going to tell you about Dalton, one of my younger male art students. He read my blog and asked me why I never mentioned him. I probably have mentioned him, but it has been a while. Dalton is a gentle giant. I think he is about 16. He is at least 6'3" if not taller. Most boys that age would be skinny, but Dalton is a big boy - not fat, just a big boy and growing. His dream is to some day be a senator or public servant of that sort. He would like to go to the Naval Academy. Right now he is working on his Eagle Scout badge by getting a memorial to the Middle East Soldier's put in the local park. He is a really good kid. When he is at art, I tease him and pick on him because he is such a good sport laughing and giving back as well as he takes it. He is not the best artist, but he does enjoy himself, and brings lots of fun and joy to the group. There, Dalton, I mentioned you in my blog. Don't give me any flack.
After supper, the dogs started barking. The neighbor's dog was visiting and he seemed to be chasing something. I looked out the window in time to see that the horses were out and roaming the pasture. The neighbor's dog thought this was quite a lark. Then Zoe, the Great Dane, thought she would get in on the fun, but she has a little more discipline and came when I called her. Jesse and I put her in the house for safe keeping while we penned and fixed the fence to keep the horses in their place. They become as excited as the dogs when they think they have gotten away with something. It kind of makes for a rodeo.
You know, that was not what I was going to blog about today, but it was the highlight of the day. I was going to tell you about Dalton, one of my younger male art students. He read my blog and asked me why I never mentioned him. I probably have mentioned him, but it has been a while. Dalton is a gentle giant. I think he is about 16. He is at least 6'3" if not taller. Most boys that age would be skinny, but Dalton is a big boy - not fat, just a big boy and growing. His dream is to some day be a senator or public servant of that sort. He would like to go to the Naval Academy. Right now he is working on his Eagle Scout badge by getting a memorial to the Middle East Soldier's put in the local park. He is a really good kid. When he is at art, I tease him and pick on him because he is such a good sport laughing and giving back as well as he takes it. He is not the best artist, but he does enjoy himself, and brings lots of fun and joy to the group. There, Dalton, I mentioned you in my blog. Don't give me any flack.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Bling
It is a rainy dreary day. It reminds me of some of the days in Scotland, but I was in Scotland. John (from the comments) called this morning to see how I was doing - checkin' up on me. That is always nice. He and Buck both mentioned my cryptic post. I told John that sometimes I need to express my feelings, but I am not ready to air my laundry. I do have a handle on it - like Oscar the horse, I just resist turning, but I will turn. In the meantime, I went to town and had lunch with Toby, did a bit of Wal-Mart, and visited the Backdoor Bling store. Everyone needs a little bling to make them feel better. I bought these nifty reading glasses, this cool (old lady) glasses holder-thing-a-ma-jig, and the cheap earrings. I feel better already.
Best Made Plans
There are many different tracks in life – career tracks, house tracks, children tracks, church tracks, etc. Each is like a plan that you are following. Sometimes in life you feel like you are on the right track, clicking along at an appropriate speed – maybe even picking up speed. Then suddenly you come to a change of direction. It may be a brick wall or it may be a sharp turn or it may be a complete turn around. Sometimes you hit the barrier or turn and crash with lots of pain and problems. Sometimes, the slow down to make the turn or change directions is painful – like slamming on the brakes, holding on to your children, grabbing your drink – so that things and people do not go flying. It seems that I may be coming to a change of direction, and I don’t like it, and I am struggling against it. I find that I am like our old roping horse, Oscar. I don’t turn very well – a bit stiff-necked. I want to kick someone. I want to run away. I want to sling my saddle and my rider and be free. I throw my head trying to get the reins. And yet, I know that safety is with my rider. The conductor of my train knows what he is doing. That doesn’t mean that I am not still fighting change. It means I need time to make the turn.
Update:
After my walk with Dawn this morning, I think I my "change of direction" will go smoother. I'm still on the right track. I may not have been expecting that curve, but I will make it without a crash.
Update:
After my walk with Dawn this morning, I think I my "change of direction" will go smoother. I'm still on the right track. I may not have been expecting that curve, but I will make it without a crash.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Lost
Now and then I misplace something, but I rarely lose things. I still have the first earrings that I ever bought. Certainly, I am not neat-freak, and I am not "Miss Organized, " but I usually know where things are. That is a mother's job - to know where things are. Lately, I have lost three pairs of my reading glasses. Yes, I have lots laying around for when I need them, but now three are missing. Three! How could that be? Is my dog carrying them off and hiding them? Did someone come in while I was not looking and take them? I have looked in the usual places, and I have looked in the unusual places (well, not the freezer) all to no avail. It is making me crazy and cranky. If anyone has a clue where they are, please speak up. And no, they are not on my head.
Monday, April 07, 2008
The Weekend
Misunderstandings
It was really a very nice weekend with the exception of the wind. Toby and I went to WF on Friday to replace some tools needed to work on the tractor, which meant a trip to Harbor Freight - yeha! Since we needed to make a trip to the big city, we took our old lawn mower to Mom, ran some errands, and then went to Olive Garden to eat. The day was slightly ruined by a misunderstanding whether we were going or not going to Starbucks (I'll save that for some other post). Jesse called while we were in WF to say that she would buy plants for the garden. She consulted with her father on what he thought she should buy for the garden. On Saturday morning, we planted 16 tomato plants, 8 pepper plants, 6 squash hills, and some onions. We will have to plow up more garden area for the green beans, black-eyed peas, and okra. I think there might have been another misunderstanding about what to buy for the garden. Get out the tractor!
Jesse also planted a small herb garden and bought several photinia shrubs which she called by some other odd name which probably made the people at the nursery laugh. Toby and I continued to work all day, but Jesse left around noon to go to Norman with her friend, Kat. They did some shopping and went to a Renaissance Festival. Apparently there were camel and elephant rides at this festival along with the pretty odd characters that attend those festivals. She and Kat rode the camels. Look for photos on her blog at some point. Later, she asked her dad if he would buy her a camel. Personally, I have always wanted an elephant. He said no to both.
Easter Speech
My uncle sent me an email with an Easter Speech given at Ft. Benning by Ret. Lt. Gen. Hal Moore. I started to post the whole speech, but it is rather long. Let me know if anyone would like a copy of the speech or if you think I should just post it. It is, of course, very moving. It reminded me of what a wonderful man Gen. Moore is and what a hero he is.
I was also reminded of his book and movie"We Were Soldiers" and of the first time we met Gen. Moore. I have posted this before, but I will say it again. After seeing the movie back in 2002, Jesse told me that she was "in love with Hal Moore" - not Mel Gibson, but Hal Moore. I understood perfectly. Who could not love a man who was so great with his wife, his children, and his men? Who could not love the man in the movie who was brave, caring, and a real leader? Then we met Hal Moore in person at the Ia Drang Veteran's reunion in DC. Jesse had her picture made with him, and we told him about her "being in love with him." His wife, Julie, got a real kick out of that. Then later about 9 PM that same evening, we shared an elevator with him. He told us that he was going to buy his wife a bottle of wine because "she likes a glass of wine before bed each night." As he got off the elevator, he turned to us and said, "Take care of my girl (meaning Jesse)." Jesse looked at me and said, "Now I know I'm in love with Hal Moore."
At the time, it seemed humorous to me and maybe enchanting that Jesse would say such a thing. Now, I see it a little differently. As Jesse meets young men, she measures them by a pretty high standard. I am sure she is looking for someone like her father who is a godly man, a wise man, someone who is fun and adventurous. She is looking for a man is not ashamed to love his wife, his children ,and the people around him - a man who will take care of those he loves. She wants a leader who is not afraid to say what he thinks, and will stand up for what he believes and loves. She wants a man who also holds up a high standard. She is looking for a "Hal Moore."
It was really a very nice weekend with the exception of the wind. Toby and I went to WF on Friday to replace some tools needed to work on the tractor, which meant a trip to Harbor Freight - yeha! Since we needed to make a trip to the big city, we took our old lawn mower to Mom, ran some errands, and then went to Olive Garden to eat. The day was slightly ruined by a misunderstanding whether we were going or not going to Starbucks (I'll save that for some other post). Jesse called while we were in WF to say that she would buy plants for the garden. She consulted with her father on what he thought she should buy for the garden. On Saturday morning, we planted 16 tomato plants, 8 pepper plants, 6 squash hills, and some onions. We will have to plow up more garden area for the green beans, black-eyed peas, and okra. I think there might have been another misunderstanding about what to buy for the garden. Get out the tractor!
Jesse also planted a small herb garden and bought several photinia shrubs which she called by some other odd name which probably made the people at the nursery laugh. Toby and I continued to work all day, but Jesse left around noon to go to Norman with her friend, Kat. They did some shopping and went to a Renaissance Festival. Apparently there were camel and elephant rides at this festival along with the pretty odd characters that attend those festivals. She and Kat rode the camels. Look for photos on her blog at some point. Later, she asked her dad if he would buy her a camel. Personally, I have always wanted an elephant. He said no to both.
Easter Speech
My uncle sent me an email with an Easter Speech given at Ft. Benning by Ret. Lt. Gen. Hal Moore. I started to post the whole speech, but it is rather long. Let me know if anyone would like a copy of the speech or if you think I should just post it. It is, of course, very moving. It reminded me of what a wonderful man Gen. Moore is and what a hero he is.
I was also reminded of his book and movie"We Were Soldiers" and of the first time we met Gen. Moore. I have posted this before, but I will say it again. After seeing the movie back in 2002, Jesse told me that she was "in love with Hal Moore" - not Mel Gibson, but Hal Moore. I understood perfectly. Who could not love a man who was so great with his wife, his children, and his men? Who could not love the man in the movie who was brave, caring, and a real leader? Then we met Hal Moore in person at the Ia Drang Veteran's reunion in DC. Jesse had her picture made with him, and we told him about her "being in love with him." His wife, Julie, got a real kick out of that. Then later about 9 PM that same evening, we shared an elevator with him. He told us that he was going to buy his wife a bottle of wine because "she likes a glass of wine before bed each night." As he got off the elevator, he turned to us and said, "Take care of my girl (meaning Jesse)." Jesse looked at me and said, "Now I know I'm in love with Hal Moore."
At the time, it seemed humorous to me and maybe enchanting that Jesse would say such a thing. Now, I see it a little differently. As Jesse meets young men, she measures them by a pretty high standard. I am sure she is looking for someone like her father who is a godly man, a wise man, someone who is fun and adventurous. She is looking for a man is not ashamed to love his wife, his children ,and the people around him - a man who will take care of those he loves. She wants a leader who is not afraid to say what he thinks, and will stand up for what he believes and loves. She wants a man who also holds up a high standard. She is looking for a "Hal Moore."
Friday, April 04, 2008
Early Morning Calm
Do you know what I love about this picture of our pond? The pond is smooth, because the wind is not blowing. Also, it is greening up here. I took this yesterday morning. Although it was foggy and wet, it was calm. The wind did pick up and blow before noon. The temps got up to about 80. Then the wind changed and a cold front blew in. We had some pretty amazing clouds. I think Jesse is going to post cloud pics. If she does not, I will post some later. This morning I'm headed over to walk with Dawn - hope I can keep up - not with the walk but with the talk.
Update: Jesse did post the cloud photo. My pond photo shows the morning about 8 AM. The weather was cold and wet, but no wind. Jesse's photo shows the evening of the same day - about 7 PM. Don't you just love springtime in Oklahoma. I did walk with Dawn (about 2 miles) this morning. The conversation was good. The weather is cold, damp and windy.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
More Conversations
If you read yesterday's post, I told a funny story about conversations with Jesse. I edited it a bit and added a sentence to explain that these conversations are usually meant to tease me. Jesse just likes to get a rise out of me or "yank my chain." We had another funny conversation last night. From reading my posts you know what a bad speller I am, and you know that I home schooled my children - so keep that in mind as you read:
Last night as we drove to church, I was feeling of the back of my jeans to see if the worn place was well covered when Toby asked, "Are you wearing your holy jeans?" I laughed and said, "Yes I am."
Jesse: How do you spell "holy"?
Me: Well "hole" is spelled H-O-L-E, but there is also W-H-O-L-E and of course H-O-L-Y.
Jesse: Well then, how do you spell "roly" as in "roly poly"?
Me: "Roll" is spelled R-O-L-L so I would assume you spelled it R-O-L-Y or R-O-L-I-E. If you don’t drop the L, it would be "rollie" with a short O sound.
Jesse: Lindsay and I were ordering coffee the other day and I wanted a "javalanche" – you know like "java" and "avalanche." But I pronounced it like it like "java-launch-ay." Lindsay and the girl looked at me like I had lost my mind – so I added "por favor."
At this point in the conversation Toby and I were laughing at our poor little girl who had grown up in South Texas and Northern NM and pronounced everything with a Spanish-twist. Then she did us in with her next question:
Jesse: So why does it have an "E" on the end of it?
This reminds me of another story of Lindsay and Jesse that shows their different backgrounds. We were at a Mexican food restaurant in Wichita Falls back when the girls were just teen-agers. Jesse and Lindsay left to go to the ladies’ restroom. As they walked down a long hall, they had to pass the men’s room to get to the ladies’ room. Jesse said, "Hombres, that’s us!" making a joke, but Lindsay turned and went into the men’s room. Jesse nearly fell over laughing, but did manage to grab Lindsay out of the men’s room and explain that she had been joking that "hombres" were men. Lindsay did not think the joke nearly as funny as Jesse did.
Since I told a "funny" on Jesse and Lindsay, I should tell one on myself. Before church started last night during the "fellowship" time, I went to visit with Ashley’s mom. We discussed Ashley’s dive and how much I missed Ashley while she was gone. Then AM reached over and pulled at the neck of my sweatshirt and said, "Yep, you have your sweatshirt on backwards." Great, I had gone all day wearing my shirt backwards, and no one told me. I hugged AM and thanked her for telling me and went off to the ladies’ room to turn my shirt around. The good news is that the back of the shirt was cleaner than the front so I probably looked much better.
Last night as we drove to church, I was feeling of the back of my jeans to see if the worn place was well covered when Toby asked, "Are you wearing your holy jeans?" I laughed and said, "Yes I am."
Jesse: How do you spell "holy"?
Me: Well "hole" is spelled H-O-L-E, but there is also W-H-O-L-E and of course H-O-L-Y.
Jesse: Well then, how do you spell "roly" as in "roly poly"?
Me: "Roll" is spelled R-O-L-L so I would assume you spelled it R-O-L-Y or R-O-L-I-E. If you don’t drop the L, it would be "rollie" with a short O sound.
Jesse: Lindsay and I were ordering coffee the other day and I wanted a "javalanche" – you know like "java" and "avalanche." But I pronounced it like it like "java-launch-ay." Lindsay and the girl looked at me like I had lost my mind – so I added "por favor."
At this point in the conversation Toby and I were laughing at our poor little girl who had grown up in South Texas and Northern NM and pronounced everything with a Spanish-twist. Then she did us in with her next question:
Jesse: So why does it have an "E" on the end of it?
This reminds me of another story of Lindsay and Jesse that shows their different backgrounds. We were at a Mexican food restaurant in Wichita Falls back when the girls were just teen-agers. Jesse and Lindsay left to go to the ladies’ restroom. As they walked down a long hall, they had to pass the men’s room to get to the ladies’ room. Jesse said, "Hombres, that’s us!" making a joke, but Lindsay turned and went into the men’s room. Jesse nearly fell over laughing, but did manage to grab Lindsay out of the men’s room and explain that she had been joking that "hombres" were men. Lindsay did not think the joke nearly as funny as Jesse did.
Since I told a "funny" on Jesse and Lindsay, I should tell one on myself. Before church started last night during the "fellowship" time, I went to visit with Ashley’s mom. We discussed Ashley’s dive and how much I missed Ashley while she was gone. Then AM reached over and pulled at the neck of my sweatshirt and said, "Yep, you have your sweatshirt on backwards." Great, I had gone all day wearing my shirt backwards, and no one told me. I hugged AM and thanked her for telling me and went off to the ladies’ room to turn my shirt around. The good news is that the back of the shirt was cleaner than the front so I probably looked much better.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Conversations
Conversations heard yesterday in my house:
Jesse: Sally (not her real name) goes to those online dating sites. I might try Ebay.
Lindsay: You mean E Harmony?
Jesse: Maybe I’ll try that too.
If you know Jesse at all, you know she was just being outrageous - probably trying to get a rise out of me.
One to rival the Riley Line:
Jesse: Zoe (the Great Dane) went with Lindsay and me on or bike ride. She ran along in front of us until she spotted a cow in the pasture. She stopped right in front of Lindsay almost causing a wreck. You should have seen Zoe; she was upset. Her heckles were standing up.
Toby’s rant:
Toby: Did you see that Congress has called the oilmen to testify?
Me: What about?
Toby: They are questioning them about the high prices of oil and gas.
Me: I thought you said those prices were set by futures markets and not by the oil companies?
Toby: They are. Congress is showboating. Why don’t they drag those thieving bankers before Congress and make them answer some questions? Instead, they are bailing them out!
Me: You should blog it.
Jesse: Sally (not her real name) goes to those online dating sites. I might try Ebay.
Lindsay: You mean E Harmony?
Jesse: Maybe I’ll try that too.
If you know Jesse at all, you know she was just being outrageous - probably trying to get a rise out of me.
One to rival the Riley Line:
Jesse: Zoe (the Great Dane) went with Lindsay and me on or bike ride. She ran along in front of us until she spotted a cow in the pasture. She stopped right in front of Lindsay almost causing a wreck. You should have seen Zoe; she was upset. Her heckles were standing up.
Toby’s rant:
Toby: Did you see that Congress has called the oilmen to testify?
Me: What about?
Toby: They are questioning them about the high prices of oil and gas.
Me: I thought you said those prices were set by futures markets and not by the oil companies?
Toby: They are. Congress is showboating. Why don’t they drag those thieving bankers before Congress and make them answer some questions? Instead, they are bailing them out!
Me: You should blog it.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Dude
We did some more yard work yesterday evening transplanting some indoor plants to bigger pots and setting them outside for the spring and summer making more room in my tiny house. The Grand Girls came over to see the baby chicks (one of Toby’s projects). GBN1 was willing to hold one chick, which sat there in her palm very calm before it took flight, and we all scurried to catch it before the dogs did. GBN2 was content to just look. She didn’t really like it when I took her hand and made her pet the chick. She was more fascinated with the horse later when we took feed to the horses. She called both the chick and the horse, "Duh" meaning "dog," which sounds a lot like her new word "don’t." It must be nice to use one word for so many meanings. I think we should just teach her to say "dude" and make things really simple.
Speaking of chicken wings (sort of) the Piper has wounded his wing. I guess he missed Jesse’s photos of the "Okie fun" on four-wheelers to which I say "Dude!" Part of the story includes Alex who owns the four wheelers and provides the fun. Anyone, who knows Alex, should know the dangers. He reminds me much of Toby, because he can do anything, loves to tinker with motorcycles, lives a little in the danger zone, and is prone to accidents and problems. Murphy’s Law could be called "Toby’s Law or "Alex’s Law." Alex has worked with Toby a couple of times on different projects and was in complete awe that Toby could have such a "bad day." A "bad day" could be one where you start one project, but you realize you need to fix some equipment before you can do the project, but then you don’t have the needed parts to fix the equipment, so you go to town, but you have flat on the way, but you took your tools out of the truck to work on the first project, etc. And somewhere in all of that there will be a "booboo" of some sort – hopefully one that does not require a trip to the hospital. Then there is the fact that Toby’s nickname in college was "Crash." Every time he gets on a four wheeler, I just pray. The Piper mentioned sharing "male bonding" stories with Alex. It is a good thing that Toby was not there to share his "war stories" too. But I will share one:
Jesse and Bo were little. Toby rented a four-wheeler in Red River and was giving Bo rides up and down Mallet Canyon. Mom and I were watching a two year old Jesse. Toby came over and wanted to take me for a ride. "I don’t like motorcycles" I said. "This is not a motorcycle" he said. "But motorcycles are dangerous" I pointed out. "This is safe and has four wheels" he said. "But I don’t like motorcycles" I repeated. "Get on. I’ll be careful." We went about 30 yards and went up the same little hill that he and Bo had been riding up all day. Unfortunately, with my weight (which is considerably less than it is now, but much more than Bo’s was then) on the back, we did not make it up the hill. We did a "Piper" rolling down the hill. The four-wheeler missed my head by inches (lots of mercy there), but I was scraped, gouged, and bruised from head to toe. Toby did not have a scratch on him thanks to all my cushioning. Of course, he jumped up and was horrified by what had happened. But the point is that accidents do happen. And when you are out with Alex, who has lots of experience and knowledge, things can happen and do happen – it is a law.
By the way, when Jesse showed me the photos from her four-wheeling with Alex, there were photos of Alex teaching everyone to pop wheelies. I very calmly mentioned to Jesse that it was very dangerous to pop wheelies on a four-wheeler. Her words: Oh mom, Alex knows what he is doing.
Yes, that's my baby on the back of Alex's four-wheeler. All I can say is Dude!
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