Ordinary Life!

I thank God for an ordinary life. Each day passes with the simple things to see and do. And then out of the blue, in a fleeting moment, one view can transport you to a higher level of living.

On our ride with friends in Bridger, we climbed the highest bluff to gaze out at the surrounding mountain ranges. Talk about a new perspective! And, it's a view we see often around these parts and perhaps even take for granted. The vistas are clear, the sky the deepest summer blue, the mountains snowcapped and the company sweet.

Nurse Child accompanied us on the ride the other day. She was so cute up there on one of my friend Kelly's biggest dude horses. An English riding prospect, Maui, has been jumped and dressaged and has now found his way home to Montana. No less than seventeen hands high, Addy certainly looked like a pony in his presence.

But you will be glad to know she kept up with these dude horses like she'd been doing it all along. Over rocks, ravines, rivers and wooden bridges she tromped along. We did have to work on the creek crossing a bit, but she finally conceded. There were even some cliff moments where the rocks were all around, flat and slippery and she listened as I did my best to guide her green legs through.

She jumped in and out of trailers too, as we went from one pasture to the next rounding up horses to move around and shoe.

Twas a great day in an ordinary life. I have been blessed. To be tired at the end of each day from simply living is the greatest blessing of all. King Solomon was on to something in the book of Ecclesiastes I think!

By the way, my sweet corn is most certainly going to be "knee high by the forth of July!"

Oh How He Loves You and Me...

This song just keeps ringing in my head as I read of the positive happenings with our young friend coming out of his coma after a terrible skiing accident. He is beginning to respond as they lift the drug induced coma and continue the rehab. Today is day 23 and he opened his eyes and looked around a bit yesterday. He is also squeezing his young wife's hand along with his devoted mother and father's hands as well.

Hope is being restored. Isn't that just like God?

"Oh, how he loves you and me
oh, how he loves you and me.
He gave his life,
what more could he give?
Oh, how he loves you
oh, how he loves me
oh how he loves you and me." ~~ Kurt Kaiser

Like the flower that blooms in the arid places...

Coffee with a Friend

I was up early and cooked breakfast for Nurse Child as she is working at a coffee house in Cody and needed to be there by eight.

Then it was off to coffee with my sister/friend Robin. We sure can fit a lot into an hour! She has drawn some fairly definitive lines with her kids this summer as they are beginning to grow up and push the boundaries as children will often do. She drew a line in the sand with the oldest one to aide in his maturation process! He seems to be responding well.

This is true in every aspect of our lives. Right down to the training of the dog! Hank the Cowdog is part heeler. Seems as though he thinks I need "heeling" every time I step out the door. He also thinks Addy needs some too. She is not as aggressive as I am! I chased him off with a soup ladle this morning. It was all I could grab as he was chomping on my feet! I am the only one in our house that he really takes advantage of. My horse would reflect the same "friendship."

Buck Brannaman said sometimes you need to be the parent... not always the animal's friend.

Could this also be true in our parenting? This is quite a revelation to some, sorry to say, but, not to Construction Man. He's had this concept figured out for quite sometime!! He is a great dad and not so bad at the dog training either.

"There is no such thing as a perfect parent, so just be a real one." ~~ Anonymous

Exploration

"We shall not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started--and know the place for the first time." ~~T.S. Elliot

After a busy weekend with a wedding of some from our youth group, and a benefit for a member of our church family in Red Lodge, I feel as though I have come full circle. In fact, that verbiage was used several times this weekend in response to "Where are you now?"

Full circle. Back on Rd. 8. I also keep saying, "Everything is as it should be."

Another word that keeps circling my mind is, "The new normal" and "Are you too proud to start again?"

One thing I do know about myself is that I am teachable. However, Addy reminds me much of her master in that it takes a few go-arounds and a bit of coaxing before she finally responds without hesitation. I have taught her to do this. This morning is the forth day of administering Bute for her swelling and she actually stood on the first try, knowing that it was going to be administered with or without her cooperation.

We can make this easier on ourselves to begin to trust God for His will to be done in our lives. It's for our good and His glory. I cannot trace His hand, but I do know His heart. He is good and He loves us very much. The Bible tells me so.

"To arrive where we started and to know the place for the first time." My eyes have been renewed. My heart has been bolstered by love. I am ready to know the place for the first time, even though I am sure I have been here before! I'm not too proud to start over. This just keeps getting better and better.

There's no place like home.

Weeding the Garden with Maddie

So, today was "Weed the Garden Saturday!" Lo and behold, after I had been out there for a time working away, Nurse Child showed up to help. We only had about five rows of corn left to do and she remarked,
"I don't have enough Spanish blood to continue this!"

I began to giggle and soon we were full out gafawing.

Then she allows that it's time for a "hoe down!"

"Do you think that's what they really meant in the old days, Mom?" she quips. "Let's throw the hoe down and have a party!"

We then rallied to finish the work so we could do just that... have a hoe down!

I love my girls. They keep me laughing. It's a good thing.

Sick Horse

We are going on the ninth day of Addy's illness. She went off her feed the Monday before last and ate and drank just enough to keep me stringing her along this week with some antibiotics for a bad cough. I've been leading her to fresh grass to eat instead of feeding her dusty hay. She nibbles a bit. With a bout of diarrhea, and much swelling in the throat latch and cheeks, we are off to the vet today. She is not getting any better. :(

Construction Man enjoyed his birthday and is off and running again to ND.

The Theologian is back on the plane to Tennessee tomorrow morning.

The Beautician is back to school.

Nurse Child is looking for a job and planning her fall schedule.

I am filling in the gaps and holding down the fort.

All is as it should be.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CONSTRUCTION MAN!

Today is Construction Man's fiftieth birthday. :0

What do you say about this guy? He is simply amazing. I have been blessed to be married to him for almost 29 years--over half of his life!

He is the one of the greatest fathers that ever lived. He cares so deeply for his family and everything he does is for us. He works so hard to earn a living and always has. He spends time with all of us laughing, talking, lecturing!! The girls especially love that last part. But, each one has found that ole Dad is usually right.

We have worked side by side for all these years and the Lord Himself has kept us upright, together and going strong.

You will not find a more grateful woman. I love my husband. He is certainly a gift. Not to mention how handsome...

Happy Birthday, Russ. Thank you for being you.
Here are some pictures of a very popular dude~

What is a Father?

It may be late in the day, but it is not too late to brag on my Dad a bit!

"F" is for forever. God knew exactly what He was doing when he gave me to my mom and dad. He knew that I would need just the kind of person you are, Dad, to mold me and shape me and teach me about love and sacrifice. And, you will be my dad forever. For this I am eternally grateful.

"A" is for answers. You always tried, (and still do) to answer my questions honestly and helpfully, having my best interests at heart. Thank you for taking the time to answer me, especially when I was so pesky as a youngster.

"T" is for time. You gave us kids your life. You not only provided a home, food, clothes and care, you also included evenings canoeing on Susan Lake, trips to the beach, Dairy Queen, down state to visit our families; you even came outside and helped me with my horse. You also took me to horse shows when you had to be so busy with other things. Thank you.

"H" is for home. How many homes did you build for us? How many rooms did you finish for your family? You were meticulous in your carpentry and handiwork. You are still so amazing with the details. WOW! Grandma Claire was just like that too. You are just as talented as your mom was. I am proud to be from such a great family.

"E" is for euchre! You taught us how to play one of the most fun card games in the world. I have been able to whoop up on just about anyone that challenges me to a game of euchre! And now, you are teaching me the finer points of "21"... You rock!

"R" is for rich. Dad, your life is so rich with friends and family and daily activities of four wheeling, stained glass, BBQing,and taking care of Mom. I would love to have you as my neighbor. You are so giving and able to help whenever someone needs a hand.

What more can I say? Yes, my Dad is the most amazing man alive! I adore you, Dad. I need you, I love you and I miss you. Can't wait to see you.

Happy Father's Day.

Trip Up Into Crandall

So, today as promised, we drove about two hours from our home up to our favorite camping and fishing spots. We packed a cooler of food and beer and off we went. We unpacked the food, camp chairs and gathered up wood for the fire. We ate fried chicken, (not prepared on the open fire) s'mores, and did a little fishing.

Without a bite on our worms and flies, we gathered back at the campfire to roast some cheddarwursts. YUM YUM! Just then the Beauticians boyfriend spotted a large bear coming out into the middle of the river.

"Look!" he pointed, "a black bear!"

Immediately Construction Man rose to his feet, said: "That ain't no black bear, that's a griz."

Automatically, launching into survival mode, he began to pack the cooler throwing all the food into the truck and the chairs up on the flatbed. I, not being the least bit concerned, (you could say ignorant) grabbed my camera and headed to the river where the 500 pound boar was approximately 75 yards downstream. I fired off forty or fifty shots with the Cannon Rebel ooooohing and ahhhhing away as Construction Man gruffly directed us to get our butts in the truck!

In shock, another fisherman approached with pale skin and eyes as wide as saucers. He too had to make haste to get away from the approaching bear as he was peacefully fishing the river at the very spot the bear lumbered out of the trees. Way to close for comfort!! Only about twenty minutes before, Nurse Child was fishing the same pool that the bear eventually crossed through.

As soon as we couldn't see him anymore, a strange hush fell over everyone and we quietly loaded up not knowing how close the griz was to our truck. We drove off and headed to Cooke City, MT for ice cream and espresso. Even saw a bull moose on the way out of town. Fortunately, with Construction Man's quick wit/reasoning power, nobody got eaten...today.

Thank You Lord!


It's hard to get these butterfly guys to hold still!





Index and Pilot Mountains

Great balls of fire!

Oh Glorious Summer

The days are long, the sun is high and the weeds are sooooooo happy at my house! Especially the watered ones trying to overtake my garden.

Two of the girls are home for a time and we are glad to have 'em. The Beautician comes and goes at will. Wild and free is that one!

Construction Man just returned for a return trip to ND. They will load up more equipment and head out early Monday morning.

We plan to go fishing tomorrow up in Sunlight at our favorite spots, picnic and head back for home later on. Should be a great day.

All is as well as it should be.

Addy is glad to be back in her stall with me not pestering her!! Probably not. Buck says horses don't really think like that. I have so much to learn. And so much less to take personally.

Tell your family you love them. I know I sure do love all mine.

Riding with Buck!

Well I am back... actually got home on Monday afternoon, I look up and it's Wednesday. Of course the best part about riding with Buck was coming home to all three of my daughters and my lovely husband, all here in one place. Even if it was for only a few hours before one of them was off and running again.

The weekend was amazing. Stupendous. Fascinating. Informational. Laughable. Humbling. Confidence building. Eye opening.

Let's start at amazing.
I was amazed that we arrived right on time Friday morning. Class started at nine a.m.. We unloaded, saddled up and began to warm up our horses. Into the arena came Buck leading his rose gray quarter horse mare on which he had only about forty rides. Nobody said a word. It was just like he was one of the twenty five already in the arena. He proceeded to warm up his horse and soon everyone was gathered around him watching his every move. After a time, he began to speak.

Stupendous: causing great astonishment especially because of great size or height; tremendous, prodigious, monumental, monstrous. (Webster's definition)
I was thrown into astonishment at the height of my nervous tension and inability to relax and get anything from my horse in the first few hours of the first day. Can we say green horse and nervous rider equal poor hands, timing and thought process. One of the first things he asked us to do was a very small, tight serpentine. Buck said this would exorcize any and all demons lurking about in us and our horses. This was truly monumental by the last day when Addy and Diane were "serpentining" all over that arena!

Fascinating.
The amount of knowledge that man possesses is fascinating to me. Mind you he graduated in 1979. So did I. He has ridden for 40 years. So have I. Ray Hunt and Tommy Dorance must have been far better than my teachers over the years! Just saying... But perhaps it was his ability to convey the information in the hopes that we, the students, would soon apply it to wisdom. Can I just say I learned more in four days than I did in two years in the equestrian program at our local college?!

Informational.
Though his videos were pricey, I did purchase a Mecate. Buck calls it a Mecarte. That's ok-- he's Buck Brannaman, he can call it anything he wants! I learned how to ride with the Mecate, lead and tie up the horse with it as well. Very useful on the trail.

Laughable.
Trying to articulate asking questions was strangely humorous. Which leads us straight into humbling.

Humbling.
I certainly found out that I am not the "horse trainer" that I thought I was! This is a positive thing though... I can be taught. I am teachable! Yeah! I'm not a 'know-it-all'.

Confidence building.
One valuable tool he put into our tool boxes was the stop. No matter what state of mind that horse is in I can safely stop her anytime, anywhere! Thanks Buck for being concerned with our safety.

Eye opening.
Since I sold all of my horses (got out of the horse business) several years ago, I forgot how easily it is to make riding, training and horsing around the center of my universe. IT'S NOT! My eyes were opened to the maturing that has taken place in me over the years, and the ability to prioritize and recognize what's really important and what can be discarded. Also, I have more patience than I've ever had before! This is shocking!

Addy is better for the weekend. Diane is better for the weekend. We bonded. We formed a trust between a horse and her woman! I love that little gal. She really came through and gave her all to please me.

Learning and stretching at the age of fifty. Who'd a thunk it! I thank God for my health and ability to be able to go and do such physical activities. And for Construction Man and his support in all of this horse stuff. I have been blessed.



We watched the Ranch Roping class each day after we were done with our class. This a pict of Buck on his roping horse.

Off to Thermopolis

A few picts of the construction. It's coming along!!








Hank the Cow Dog now...

Hank the Cow Dog then...

so cute!!

See you when I get back from the Buck Brannaman clinic. I'll take lots of pictures and let you know how it all goes.

Chop! Chop!

Worked yesterday, today and tomorrow. For those of you who work everyday of the week and sometimes weekends, I salute you! I must just be a whiner...

But, I do love my job and the folks I work with. Just so much on my mind and so much to do at home with the renovations, the yard, the horse and upcoming events.

My girls will all be home for Construction Man's fiftieth birthday!! Now the $1.98 question is will Construction Man be home for his birthday?

Nurse Child hit SeaTac this morning. Her fiance picked her up and they are safe at his mom's house in Oregon. She will arrive here with her big sister's help around the 12th or 13th of the month. We can't wait to see her, hug her and hear the amazing stories and view the photos of Israel.

I better get. Company just walked through the door!

Sunday Songs

"Well I woke up Sunday morning with no way to hold my head that didn't hurt.
And the beer I had for breakfast wasn't bad, so I had one more for dessert;
then I fumbled in my closet, through my clothes, and found my cleanest dirty shirt.
Then I washed my face and combed my hair, and stumbled down the stairs to meet the day.

I smoked my mind the night before with cigarettes and songs I'd been pickin'
But I lit my first and watched a small kid playing with a can he was kickin';
Then I walked across the street and caught the Sunday smell of someone fryin' chicken.
And Lord, it took me back to something that I'd lost somewhere, somehow along the way.

On a Sunday morning sidewalk, I'm wishing Lord that I was stoned;
cause there's something in a Sunday makes a body feel alone.
And there's nothing short a'dying, that's half as lonesome as the sound
of a sleeping city sidewalk and Sunday morning coming down."
~~Kris Kristofferson (As sung by Johnny Cash)

This song really takes me back to being a little girl and reminds me of my Uncle Earl whom has since passed away. He was a very handsome man who played a mean game of poker, euchre, and loved to drink beer, cook, and was a potato farmer in Michigan.

The imagery of the lyrics are genius. And when Johnny Cash sings this song it'll bring tears to my eyes every time.

The Sunday smell of someone frying chicken... that is exactly what Sunday smells like. My mother would get us all ready and send us off to St Mary's with my dad each Sunday. She stayed behind to take a bath, clean the house, start the laundry and get Sunday dinner on. Nobody ever tried harder than those two! Oh my, how loved were we! And do you know something? I never knew just how much I was/am loved until I had children of my own. So much work to see to it that the children were clean, fed, clothed, entertained, loved... Imagine God, our Father in Heaven, loving us all with such a perfect love.

Of such things I do not understand... His perfect love. But the way Cash sings Sunday Morning Coming Down, of this loneliness, I do understand. Somedays almost too much to bear. Then I think of how much my parents, my husband and my children love me, and realize they were sent by God to do such a wonderful act. Then... I am humbled and grateful.

Thank you for loving me, Lord. I love you too.

A Day in The LIfe...

Really? It's Saturday and I have the flu... I guess I needed to slow down enough to sleep, (after the ibuprofen) make a list, and listen to Construction Man hammering and sawing away in the new kitchen.

The walls and roof are up and the new front door and window over the sink are in. He and my nephews are so amazing. Working so hard to finish before he leaves for ND.

Loaded up Addy and headed to the other Whitlock's yesterday to ride with Sam and Graicen. She went into the trailer after a little practice and rode right out with the other horses just like a big girl! The kids made fun of her size... she might be small, but she is gorgeous and she is mine!! We did giggle at how many times I had to trot to keep up... too funny!

I worked three days this week, with three more to come next week. Then it's the weekend to go to the Buck Brannaman clinic. I am stoked about going. Addy and I are ready to learn!

Oh my goodness... I better get practicing swinging a rope!

If you haven't seen "Buck" the documentary, you better get crackin'!