FRIENDLINESS!!!! ----- just gotta tell you.

Monday we were in North Platte for my check up with my surgeon.  As we stood at the counter waiting to get an appointment there was a man at the next gal --- getting his appointment.  I (we) paid no attention to him ---- none of our business what his appointment was.......   And I had to pay attention to my date this coming July.

When we got outside -- this man came over to us and apologized for not saying HI to us.........he had recognized us and felt bad that he hadn't acknowledged us.     He put out his hand and introduced himself --- "Daniel Cox".   Well, we know some Cox in Valentine area and so I asked if he was related to Bobbi Cox.    No, different family.      This man was from Mullen Nebraska.    We have NEVER been to Mullen and unless I look at a Nebr. map I only know that it is southwest of us.    And now after looking at the map ------ I see that it is an hour south of Valentine and then 1/2 hour west.

All we could figure out was that he recognized us from visits to Valentine.   I told him we weren't ranchers --- just ma and pa........   Then I told him I was related to Dwight Logterman and he knew Dwight. 

ANYWAY ---- It really hit us......so friendly --- apologizing to us for not saying HI !!!    People in this area are just so friendly and always have time for each other.   It seems like the rest of the world is just on overload and rushing around........   We all need to slow down and say HI more often to those we recognize.

And as for my checkup ----- the doc. is very pleased with everything.   New bone growth again.  I told him I did have an issue by my knee.   So he kind of pinched the area and I straightened my leg for him.   OH YEAH!   He really made it "ripple".    Yes it's those screws that are too long.   I have no pain when it does that ripple ---- it just feels nasty.     So we are going to see what 3 months brings and if it's really bugging me --- the screws will come out.    It's an outpatient thing....."takes longer to get you sleepy and on the bed than it does to take the screws out........ and you can walk on it right away".     I was good with that.

Beautiful day today --- yesterday it drizzled the whole day and was cold and windy.  What a turn around.   I am going to get out right now and take a walk!!  This afternoon I have a little gal - Lilly - coming over so we can have some fun together.

Love to All,
Barb

THE ROADS after the blizzard of April 13 --- Friday the 13th !!!!

OH BOY!!! The roads are a mess.   Well, the Lakeview / Crookston road is fine....but some of the other ones...... nasty!!!!   We did get out for my therapy session this morning but it was an "adventure".    We have our driveway -- full of ruts and getting muddy!! and then we have that mile east to the intersection of the Lakeview road.   We got like within a 1/4 of a mile and there was a car stuck right in the middle of the road and NO way around it.   The banks along that mile are up to 8 feet (at least) high.

 The stuck car was a bit further --- down the hill.......

This is going to the west of our driveway.   It took them a long time to get through that big drift.  There were two machines working together. 

We did get them to go down our driveway (NO that picture is not of our driveway)------ we could already get out because our neighbor Don had plowed us out with his tractor.   But Gary talked with the plow driver and told him (after he had asked if there was any place to turn around)...to just go on down to the barn and he could turn around there.   Maybe --- next winter --- we will have better luck with getting them to do our drive ---but I'm not holding my breath!!!!

It's just amazing what an amount of snow we received --- from 14 to 20 inches.  And then all that wind.   We have more snow predicted for this weekend but I think it's only a couple of inches. 

But back to this morning.     We had to back up the hill --- quite the feat in itself ........!!! and then go around the 4 miles -- past the school.  That road was a mess also and now Dan T. said it was worse than ours.     So anyway --- we  got to town ...took the pup (Skip) to the vet and me to therapy.....and then out for a late breakfast.    Good ole' Bunkhouse has the best breakfast............     Then we came back toward home and checked if the car was out.     Yes, it was sitting at the end of the road.   The trip in was bad --- so much snow left from the plow job and then more snow during the night had blown in.........and now it was thawing.   If this video works it will give you a taste of the bumpy road.....   and that was yesterday.....today was MUCH MUCH worse.   The road on this video looks pretty decent.......deceiving.....it's not that way today!!!  

This afternoon I was sitting in my easy chair --- figuring on going to JDC ---- supper would be early.....and Dan Tinant stopped in.  He asked "are you going to JDC'   Yes.....     He had just come that way and he said that if we stayed on top of the snow/ice that was left from all the coming and going -- we'd be OK --- but if we dropped off--into the rut --- we were gonna be stuck.    "But feel free to call me if you need to be pulled out".  Typical Dan!!!    He wouldn't even bad mouth us...."stupid people!!! after I told them......."  

We decided it wasn't worth it.   We had previously thought that with only one kid - Sage - we'd have his full attention --- No distractions...  Oh Well --- another time.  

So I guess with the extra time this evening I should do my exercises again.  I'm still working on getting rid of the "penguin walk".....  it is getting better but not completely gone yet. I have an appointment with the surgeon on Monday...... I have a few questions about things.   It's hard to explain but it's like the muscles on the inside of my leg by my knee have to go over marbles......ripple ripple ripple.....it's a real weird feeling.   It doesn't really hurt -- but he had said the two screws there were really too long and might have to come out. He'd like them to stay for a year .....but......  So I am wondering if they are the cause of the weird ripple.

Toby still limps  but he does use his leg and leaves prints in the mud when he gets to go for a walk.    He has accepted his crate as his new home and during the blizzard he stayed tucked inside.  Gary wrapped a tarp around it so the snow couldn't blow in too badly.

Well that's about it.  We are thankful for the moisture -- it will make for a lovely spring when the grasses in the pastures are green.....and the wild flowers come out.  We know Spring is out there --- just wish it would hurry up and get here!!!

Love to all

Gary and Barb

New pictures -- gives a better idea

Here are a couple of better pictures.....Gary and Skip  -- give you an idea of the size of the drifts. This is at noon on Saturday.

Hard enough to walk on top of the drifts.  And as I look out the window....the wind is still blowing across this drift -- making it even bigger.  Back to working on my quilt.....no reason to go out into the cold!!!

Barb and Gary

Blizzard of April 13-14, 2018

YES -- that (this) is quite the blizzard.  We have snow drifts on our yard that have not been seen before.   Thursday was a beautiful day and we could be in shirt sleeves.....sitting on the deck enjoying the sun shine!!  Friday at noon the blizzard got a slow start -- but by 3:30 it was nasty!!!  By evening it was hard to see Grandpas house!!

We wanted to put a 2nd layer of plastic (greenhouse type plastic) in our greenhouse.  Gary says " nice day to work in the greenhouse --- it will be nice and pleasant in there".  Well, yes it was and we got a lot done .....but after he had gone out to the big barn for something he came back and said "let's get out of here, it just got about 10 times worse."   We had to walk into the wind and it was wet snow -- so by the time we got back to the trailer we were wet!!!   A person couldn't survive in something like that for long at all especially if not dressed properly -- which I wasn't!!

The wind blew all night long and  in the morning we woke up to look out at some huge drifts.  Pictures never do things justice ......But with the nose of the truck in there -- you do get an idea.

 These are lilac bushes next to Grandpas house so this isn't a solid drift but  I'm afraid the lilacs might have some broken branches when this snow finally gives way.

 

In the back portion of this picture you see a big drift.   That one has to be at least 6 feet deep.  When Clayton and Sawyer were out for a visit -- they went through there to go into the corrals -- driving the Honda and the Mitsubishi.  Good thing this storm came the week after they were here.  If they had been here this week ---- we wouldn't have gotten them back to McCook to catch the train!!! .....or if we did -- we wouldn't have gotten back home!!!

The wind is still blowing and it's still snowing.   We know the snow plow won't be seen for a few days.....perhaps by Monday or Tuesday if we're lucky.   That means we won't get out to church tomorrow.....cabin fever will be setting in.  I'll have to come up with a good project for Gary.   He pulled a face when I said we could clean cupboards. 

Guess we'll enjoy spring all the more when it finally comes to stay!!!

We are thankful that we still have electricity --- the lights have blinked a couple of times but so far we are warm and comfy!

God Bless!!

Gary and Barb

Spring Break.....Holly, Clayton and Sawyer come for a visit

We took a road trip down to McCook on Friday ---took Toby along in his box on the back of the truck......  and picked up our visitors --- the train was actually early this time. 

We've been having fun outside when the weather is good and fun inside when the weather is nasty......and yes we have had both!!

 We made our usual Sunday evening meal of pizza......  the boys did a great job and it tasted really good!

 Clayton had to try out Toby's box.  It fit him pretty good but we decided he didn't have to sleep in it unless he acted up.  Would be a COLD night out!!!  Poor Toby...we can close it off pretty good and one night Gary found him snuggled up under the quilt we threw in there.

 The boys gathered all my blankets and made a fort over top the bunk beds.  Great fun!

I got Holly to clean the DUST off my bedroom and living room fan.  Wow do they look nice!!!  Thanks Holly!!  I think I would be in big trouble if someone found me on that step ladder!!

We went to see Don and Jeannie's new twin lambs.  Cute Cute!

 Sawyer learned how to drive the Honda and went for lots and lots of rides.

 OOPS!!   Got stuck in the snow.  Mom and Clayton went to the rescue ----- but it finally took getting Grandpa with the other 4 wheeler to pull him out.

Clayton graduated to the Mitsubishi..... what fun to learn to drive a shift.  He took everyone for a ride. 

The boys also took down our inner layer of plastic that we had in the greenhouse.   It made for a much cooler greenhouse ---- but it was the wrong type of plastic so it fell apart.  We have the new stuff----- but that will probably be my job to help with putting that up.   They boys were out there with power drills and just having a ball!!

We've played lots of Dominos and Rummikub and Spoons.  Sawyer didn't care for the Spoons game --- he concentrated so much on getting the 4 cards that he never saw the spoons disappear.

Gary even had time to work on the hay rake......he is - right now - putting the two pieces together........(You might have to go back a couple of blogs to see the rake when it was delivered).  Skip is trying to help but is basically a pain in the butt.

Today I have therapy so we will be going to Valentine for the afternoon.  I will do my exercises and I think Holly and the boys will go to the sale barn --- to watch --- not to buy --- keep your hands down Holly!!   And then on Friday afternoon we will head back down to McCook.  We have a motel with a pool so the boys can show off their swimming skills.  I suppose Toby will be going along again.  Skip gets to stay home alone with the chickens. 

Love having company!
Gary and Barb

Needed repairs keep Gary busy and that makes him happy

Here is the line up at "Gary's repair shop".

A creep feeder, a feed grinder and a hay rake.......  One finished - the grinder .....one almost finished - the creep feeder and the other....well that hay rake will be a big job.  Dwight said there is a consignment auction on April  16 ...that they want it done for.....it will go up for sale. 

As you can see the rake is in two parts.....so Gary will have to weld it back together.   Gary is very glad for this work.  He enjoys a challenge and likes to stay busy.  This winter -- and my broken hip -- were making for some cabin fever for him.   So I am also glad for this repair line up!!

Skip looks like a grown dog on this picture.

But he is still just a pup!!!  A lucky pup I might add.  He came out of the Parvo with seemingly no problems.  He's the same pup he was before he got so sick.   He is laying in front of the trailer wondering what in the world poor Toby did to get in jail!

Toby lives in the box on the right side of the picture......  the whole deck has been enclosed with two gates.  Toby only gets out for potty calls and maybe a short time to enjoy a smattering of freedom.   He can see out the front and back and they can be closed up if it rains.   There is NO JUMPING allowed!!!   And Toby loves to jump and run and play.    Right now he is enduring a "cone" ---- the incision looks so good -- but dogs love to lick wounds and that too is a NO NO!!  I don't have a picture right now of his "outfit"......one of Gary's old shirts .....his back legs put into the long sleeves for protection.  But somehow one leg got out during the night  -- so the cone was put on.

There --- I got a picture of his "outfit".

Toby does put weight on his "bad" leg.....we are encouraged ---- but what a job. 

This is the week of Easter --- the joy of Easter Morning.  We will be telling the crucifixion part of the story at JDC and Release Time this week.  And then we hope to go back to JDC on Sunday evening to tell the Good News of the Resurrection. 

We pick up Holly and the boys in McCook on Saturday early, early morning.....3:00 a.m.   IF the train is on time.

I continue to heal ---- my muscles still need a bit of strengthening but it's coming ........ sometimes I lose my cane.  It's never far away --- but that tells you that I do move around without it at times.  I just don't like my penguin waddle......!!

May you be blessed as we remember Jesus' great sacrifice and his love for each one of us.

Toby ......and Skip

First of all,  we got Skip home from the vet on Wed. of this week.  He somehow got Parvo.  Serious stuff.......fatal many times.  I took him in on Wed. the 14th and he was put on IV....and the vets remark was "I'll do my best to save him".  He had to be there for 3 days, but he spent a week at the vet in Valentine....partly because we took Toby to Rapid City for his surgery on Monday the 19th.   Rather than strapping Don and Jeannie with a possible still sick puppy.....we left him with the vet.    He seems to be totally back to normal.  Loves to follow Gary around and would LOVE to get at Toby.   Toby, however, has to be kept quiet.

We headed for Rapid City on Sunday afternoon to beat the bad weather that was predicted.   So Toby spent the night in the parking lot of our motel.

We did some shopping......    That evening we got a call from the vet at Dakota Hills Veterinary that Toby's surgery went good, and we should call the following morning after 10:00 and she would know if Toby could go home that day (Wednesday).

We picked Toby up at 1:00 and headed for home.  We made the necessary stops for Toby......

.....lifting him down was Gary's job.  Toby must NOT jump or run.....but he can use the leg.  From my point of view Toby's recovery time is longer than mine ....but I can certainly sympathize with him.   He also has some metal on his leg....his is a plate and a screw....mine are pins and screws.  He doesn't really seem to care what happened to me!!   He is wondering what the heck he did that has earned him  this stay in this box.

This is Toby's new home for many weeks to come.  He stays in the plywood box that has screens on both ends.  Then we added 2 gates on our deck and fully enclosed it.  Toby can go out of the box -- IF he behaves and does no jumping.  He has gave us some indications that he doesn't want to obey that rule.   So we have to be real careful with watching him. He'll be able to be out and lay on the deck too.

Poor Toby --- it's going to be a long haul.  Right now we have a few concerns for him.....he hasn't pooped since we got home. But the vet didn't seem too concerned .......  Anyway, we are rather home bound for now but this too shall come to an end.   It was our choice -- so we will make it work.

Holly, Clayton and Sawyer will be here --- coming by train on the 30th...  So Skip will have some boys to play with him for a week.  Sure he will like that --- and they will too. 

We'll try to keep you posted.....

Gary and Barb