fur side inside-skin side outside

It is an inside out day-two shirts-two hats, a string of clothes all over the house and lots of boots of all colors, sizes and kinds. Were not gonna weaken and we'll get through it. At last, a nap-a good nap. Hurrah! Haloween brought snow and fog, and Sweet Sally weathered out-don't blame her as the construction is tricky even in the sunshine. I again canceled my appointments and dug in for the day. Caught up on correspondence and that is all-can't turn my back on the partner today unless he is sleeping. I am fortunate to have the bestest friends in the whole world and the prettiest sheep and llamas and the smartest dogs and the oldest cat. God Bless America.

new tricks

Each day presents new tricks- but we have had some splended days. Friday went so well, my partner was really good while we got the sheep sorted and sent to town. He stayed outside and nearby and acted interested for awhile. Guy and Hollis were super, even after I surprised them with great big juicy kisses for helping with the horses. Guy allowed as-not to worry-I've been kissed by lots worse-he really made me giggle. One thing I do know-when I need help with livestock I have the best help with livestock in the country-and I am blessed! The horses being gone gave me a chance to turn mama llama and Mary out into the corral-for which they were gleeful. I am hoping that the baby will form a bond with the triplets, but for now she knows that they are children of a lesser God. They are short and have no necks and are covered with short curly stuff-they can't run and kick and jump near as high and they cry for their mother all the time. Mary did eat rolled corn out of my hand-she nuzzeled my fingers oh so gently and I touched her neck oh so gently. DOn't know when I have enjoyed a little one as much as I enjoy her-and her mother is so kind and sweet-absolutely amazing animals. Sunday brought a visit with friend Steve, for whom I am ever thankful. He was recharged from his trip and always a great story teller-he brought dinner that will do for the rest of the week. He is a hero! Rasty did some new tricks while Steve was here, but saved the best for this morning when he put a paper napkin on top of his hot cake, poured syrip on top and began to eat. Another new thing is rearranging the furniture-raiding the drawers has diminished. He has begun to interact with the television-I seldom have it on now when he is up but he doesn't understand that the action is not happening in the living room-only on the television. I am continually amazed by the many ways in which this disease manifests itself-even more frightened and horrified at what it does to a brain. The biggest saving grace is-the smile is still there-one has to look for it and pull it out sometimes, but it is there. That is the blessing.

my jeans

Never have I considered myself fussy-you can drink from my coffee cup, steal my pocket knife and gloves and even pee on the bathroom floor-but stay out of my jeans! Last night I left my jeans on the shower rod to dry and this morning my mate was in my jeans-and a pair of his as well. That has happened before, so when I go to bed I hide my pair that I take off. 5:30 in the morning there he was-getting into my jeans and I came untrained. By 7 I got him out of both pairs and back to bed, for about 15 minutes and I successfully hid the jeans. He retaliated by not going outside to help with anything and said "no" to every and any thing I asked him. I don't blame him. There was a day when I wished he would get into my jeans, and I can still remember it. MY how things change.

Guy came and got the horses in the 15 minutes that his dad was down-I am glad they are gone, and it wasn't noticed at all. It was a "Sally day"-hurrah-except for the construction that took 45 minutes longer for her to get here, and 45 minutes longer for me to get home. I had to run from errand to errand but it was a joy and I had lunch with an old girlfriend whose husband has Alzheimer's and Parkinson's as well-her life is really hard and getting harder by the day. We shopped and got her a lock for her door as he ran to Kmart at 5 a.m. two mornings ago-the manager called her to come and get him and she didn't know yet that he had escaped. He still drives but frequently gets lost.

Dode came for a great visit-he is so happy and it is wonderful to see. I am thankful he has found a partner-and such a nice one with a nice family. Father Apel also came to visit from Colorado-one of the truly most fine people that has hit the planet. He is between jobs and resting-much needed rest. Left us to visit Lydia Harris at Diversion Dam. She too is a Jewel. All in all we had a great day, but my partner never improved his mood and refused to help with the sheep tonight. When I get back into the house he had eaten half the box of hamburger helper sauce out of the envelope and was wearing the other half on his shirt and jeans (yes-his jeans).

TOmorrow is the sheep sale and Guy will take some of my "expendables" to the sale for me-I'll cut down on the oddfellows and go for a lamb crop instead with year. Don't look for much of a sale at Riverton, but I do have some nice lambs and some very, very big wethers-we'll see.

Mild seas

Beautiful days, topped by smiles and sunshine-what more is there to want? Cool mornings with ice on the water buckets have proven that it is late fall, snow is on the mountaintops and the dogs are furry. The horses, however aren't hairing up so maybe winter won't bring terrible cold. The triplets and the cria are doing so well-tomorrow the horses will be in the pasture and I can let them out into the corral for the day, putting them in the barn at night. I can hardly wait to see them run and play. Thursday is my "free day" with no plans other than the accountant in RIverton. Friday I'm taking some of the expendable sheep to the sale barn to cut down on the flock somewhat but I have over 900 bales of hay so things are looking good. No front ramp yet-got to check with the ramp builder and get another one perhaps. The weekend brought good visits from old friends and brightened the spirits here. I feel like we can handle life again-love the locks on the doors as I sleep much better now-a great security blanket. SO far-this week is a piece of cake! THanks, Creator!

that other season

Fast now it is becoming winter. The leaves have flown off the trees on the river, taking all the color with them. I have locks on the outside doors now so my partner can't sneak outside at night-that is good. Made me rest much better last night. He hasn't noticed yet, and even the installation went unnoticed-except he used it as his last chance to escape. Yesterday morning he managed to put his legs into his shirt sleeves-came out with the cuffs buttoned around his ankles holding the collar up to his waist. I don't think I could do that, but he was having difficulty walking very fast. He is very calm today, even with a rain/snow storm raging outside. I am thankful. First born child came yesterday evening for about 2 hours-he enjoyed it and I did too. I took a nap-a much needed nap. I am trying to be happy today, but I get so lonesome for my dad-the one who I could really really visit with-my cousin called and he has actually no one but a sister. He is working on developing a social life and has joined Rotary in Medford. We talk about lonesome together sometimes-he is a good man and probably was too good for any woman. He is a gentle sort, we must become closer in our later years. We can comisserate.

match made in Heaven

Today it really happened. This tiny little angel walked in my door and stood toe to toe to my husband and started up a conversation that didn't quit! Our helper is great! TIny, white haired, full of fire and just right for the job. They got along great, and he was pleased. SHe kept him occupied and busy, even though the weather was cold and windy. I went to Lander and got errands done, leisurely and pleasantly and came home just in time to open the gate for the sheep. Promised to be here next Wednesday and I think she really will be. Bless her, she has a son 41 who is skitzo-has to stay on meds or he hears voices. SHe says she will have him till one of them dies. And here she is helping me....he has a day job at community entrty services but she has him the rest of the time.

Hope friend Steve is traveling okay and not in too much weather. Lynda is coming out Saturday to visit-I am going to tribal court tomorrow to try to help a friend. Hope it turns out okay-kind of scary. Wish they had asked me sooner but they came over tonight-kind of sticking my nose where it doesn't belong, but they are in the right so I should try it.

THe leaves are mostly gone now, but it has been splendid-the cria is growing so fast. Found some great Llama facts on the net-will study more soon. Judy says she will come Friday at 5 for a few hours-a nap might be in store then-we'll see.


Each night when I put my partner to bed we say the Lords Prayer together-he is so good at the AMEN. SO-AMEN!

When will we.............

Seems like so much time is spent waiting for things to happen-got all the hay stacked but what the kids are going to put in the barn-but now we have to wait for that for a few days for the kids to get out of school again. Too wet on Sunday morning-no kids on Sunday afternoon. I'm looking ofrward to the ramp and deck on the south side of the house-no builder yet-just came to measure and disappeared. NOw-with what I can make happen the story isn't much better- neeed to get our fence finished and the barn cleaned out and the garden fixed up for next spring. Yes, there will be a next spring. Okay, okay-we'll report again tomorrow perhaps with some progress.

THe neighborhood was struck with tragedy with the loss of Pete, Mary dad, Cinnamon's dad, Mary's Grandad-perhaps Cinnamon's grandad-loved by all and a llama for all seasons. THe wild dogs got to him, and in spite of brave efforts to distract them, they were killers. Such a sad story and such a tragic waste. Our barn was somber upon hearing the news, and Mary twitched her nose as Cinnamon hummed. THey blinked back tears. He bravely defended his family, as Cinnamon had done when faced with similar circumstances with the pit bulls. He taught her well and gave his life for his family. Llama are becoming high on my list of loves. I'm trying to find some info on the net about them-all I have found so far are people trying to sell something- Cinnamon and Mary are delightful, very polite and mannered with Mary becoming more curious every day. SHe lets me touch her now-but not with anyone else around. She gave Rasty the once over today-nut sure about him at all but he seemed to enjoy seeing her. He rarely goes to the barn with me anymore, but enjoyed it today.

We are loosing ground fast there-his walk is no longer the shuffle but more of a kind of short step falling forward motion-seems like just in the last week. He has trouble getting to the bathroom in time, and almost always heads outside to go in the day time. He still wants to go home at night, but seems to not mind as much when I suggest we stay here for the night. He rarely mentions anyone by name anymore, and hasn't asked where his mother is this week. He is not as cranky and hasn't picked up any pieces of wood to use and hasn't thrown anything-I'm hoping the violence and cranky was directly related to the copenhagen withdrawl, in which case I completely understand. Every time I quit smoking I became a danger to myself or other people. Every other night he sleeps only a short time, gets up and wanders around and goes back to bed. TOnight is one of those nights, but last night was a good night. I'm giving him 9 drops twice a day now-quit the noon drops when he became less angry. Tried to get him to oil leather for me today, but he couldn't concentrate enough to do it-a few weeks ago he would work hard to get his boots oiled. It will be helpful when the home health people come as they will be better at evaluating him weekly. He still is happy to see company and tries hard to rise to the occasion-for that I am so thankful-and for the fact that we still have company on occasion. THey are my lifeline. I have three lifelines, the telephone, company, and the library. Soon I'll add ebay-very very soon. I'm working on my new line of earrings and will do a giant listing. GOnna be fun! Enough now- to bed for a few minutes.