For Mama

It's been quite a while since I last posted to this blog. Hard to believe that the year is half over already. It's been a difficult time lately because mom was so ill. We had high hopes that everything would turn out OK, but after a courageous battle with heart disease recently, mom went to a better place on Friday, May 28, 2010. She is no longer struggling or fighting...she is at peace.
For Mama

I whispered a wish to a butterfly,
and sent it up to you.
I’ll see your beautiful smile every day,
and hear your laughter, too.

Your hugs will still give us comfort,
through the warmth of the morning sun.
Robins, blue jays, and squirrels,
will remind us to always have fun.

When I smell fresh bread baking,
I will picture you in your kitchen.
You are surely busy in Heaven right now,
cooking a big batch of your fried chicken!

You have been such an inspiration,
through your courage, strength, and love.
Whenever I need to hear your voice,
I’ll listen to the soothing song of a dove.

Words cannot express how much,
we’ll miss you while you are away.
We will not say “Goodbye.”…
we will “See you again some day.”
~Diane Sanderson Mintle

A Thanksgiving Like No Other

"Whatever our individual troubles and challenges may be, it’s important to pause every now and then to appreciate all that we have, on every level. We need to literally 'count our blessings,' give thanks for them, allow ourselves to enjoy them, and relish the experience of prosperity we already have." ~Shakti Gawain

Thanksgiving is one of mom's favorite times to cook. Homemade rolls and noodles are two of her specialties everyone looks forward to when eating Thanksgiving dinner at mom and dad's.

This year has been one of mom's toughest years she has ever faced. Having had three major surgeries between the months of February and May, she was finally on her way to full recovery until recently being hit with a serious infection. She now has another long road ahead of her before she will be well again.

Anyone who has ever watched a loved one go through serious illness knows how hard it is to not be able to wave a "magic wand" and make that loved one well again. And yet, through all the difficult times of sitting by the hospital bed, pacing the halls, and sending up prayers there are special individuals waving their version of that "magic wand" to help your loved one get well. From doctors, nurses, physical therapists, cleaning staff, cooks and kitchen staff, and volunteers…everyone has their hand on that "magic wand".

Thanksgiving Day was a perfect example of everyone having their hand on the "magic wand". Volunteers and staff at the rehabilitation hospital where mom is staying, cooked a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner and provided dinning room table-side service for all patients and their families. All free of charge.

I cannot thank these people enough for helping to make Thanksgiving special this year under the difficult circumstances of having a loved one in the hospital.

Nugget's Morning Stroll

Every morning, I sit at our kitchen table eating breakfast and skimming over the local newspaper with Casper Mountain as the view out the window. I can see the back half of our acre property and traffic going by on Hwy. 220. The sun gently kisses the frosty Autumn air as the Blue Jays, Sparrows, and Doves awaken to scamper for treats at their feeders.

Robert left early again this morning for another attempt at getting his elk for the season. So, I sat alone at the kitchen table eating breakfast with "Sunday Morning" on the television. I had just fed "the boys" (Nugget and Comanche...our Golden Retrievers) before getting my own breakfast and knew that soon I'd see Nugget going for his morning stroll.

Just like clockwork, Nugget and Comanche emerged from the back porch doorway full of breakfast and began their morning routine. First doing a nose-dive on the frosty lawn, rear ends in the air, slowly inching their whole body down to roll around in the grass and stretch. Happily full from having just ate.

Then Nugget headed to the east side of the back half of our property and began his morning stroll. Sniffing all along the way gathering smells of deer and creatures who had visited in the dark of night. On a slow stroll, he eventually made his way to his starting point at the back porch. Sometimes, Comanche joins Nugget on his stroll, but this morning he was on his own. Comanche was checking out the front yard.

I noticed this morning, that even though Nugget has been in some pain lately with the effects of cooler weather on arthritis, he never limped during his stroll. He just took his time enjoying every smell as he explored his well-worn back yard trail...as he does practically every morning...while the sun warmed his aging body and bones. His version of morning meditation, in a way.

We could probably all use a little more "morning meditation" like Nugget enjoys.

Dodging Autumn

I took this photo last Fall at the family homestead cabin on Casper Mountain in Casper, Wyoming. If this old Dodge could talk, I'm sure it would have a few stories to tell. It served as my husband's father's work truck for several years. He was a skilled and valued carpenter around town. Unfortunately, I never had the pleasure of meeting my father-in-law. He passed away when Robert was a young adult. That was several years before we met.

After the passing of his father, this old Dodge served as Robert's work truck for several more years. Many hours were spent driving back and forth from Casper to the Exxon Mine near Douglas, Wyoming. In addition to providing transportation to and from work, this old Dodge made several trips up and down Casper Mountain, including a few years after Robert and I met. By that time, this old Dodge had sort of become the humorous family treasure as we hauled slash on the mountain having to hold onto the passenger door so that it wouldn't fly open.

Then there was the time Robert wanted to show me what "get-up-and-go" this old truck still had and proceeded to spin a "cookie" at the slash pile. Forgetting for a moment about hanging on to the passenger door, he darn near tossed his new wife out the door in the process. Bringing us to such laughter that tears rolled down our cheeks.

Yes, this truck holds many memories and stories. It's old, tired, and a little worn out. For the past three years, its resting place has been nestled in among the beautiful aspen trees at our cabin. It still runs, but needs some repairs. For now, it just sits there and watches the happenings at the cabin. And I'm sure the father-in-law I never met is watching, too, from behind the wheel of that old Dodge.

Trail Ride

Until Sunday, it had been 25 years or more since I had been in the saddle on a horse with the reins in my hands. In addition, Sunday's ride was only my second time riding without someone leading my horse. All total, Sunday was only the fourth or fifth time I've ever even been on a horse! With that said, horses have always been one of my favorite animals. Never having owned one myself, I still find it fairly easy to "connect" with any horse I'm around.


Our friend, Donna, was kind enough to take time out of her weekend Sunday to bring her horses...Snickers, Rowdy, and Pepper...to our property on the mountain to go for an afternoon "ride". Little did I know, that ride rated on the "advanced rider" scale of difficulty...at least in my mind, it did.


Robert rode "Rowdy". A horse that has not been "broke" for very long. He does live up to his name. Donna rode "Snickers". "Old Nag"....among a few other names....was the name Donna gave her by the end of the ride. Luckily, my horse, "Pepper", was a kind, gentle mare known as a "baby sitter" horse. "Pepper" and I got along great.


We rode through the trees, on an old logging road and game trails, and had to cross a creek three or four times. That was the least favorite task for the horses who were not used to this sort of terrain. "Rowdy" got rowdy when Robert tried to take him across the creek, "Snickers" snickered when she dumped and nearly ran over Donna...twice! I lead "Pepper" across the creek the first and second time. The third time, Robert lead "Pepper" as I rode....even though I wanted to get off. "Pepper" balked a bit, but did leap across without dumping me.


It was a beautiful day for a ride with the scents and last remaining colors of Fall in the air. Though we were all a bit sore, the ride was great fun and quite an experience. Today, however, my muscles are reminding me how neglected they are...and the heating pad, ice, and Advil are my friends.

A True Inspiration

Last Saturday, Robert and I had the pleasure of meeting and visiting with Iditarod Musher Dee Dee Jonrowe. Dee Dee was in town to speak on behalf of breast cancer awareness, inspire students and School District employees, as well as speak to local Kennel Club members.


On Saturday morning, we attended the Meet and Greet breakfast for school district employees at Central Services. We met Dee Dee and visited with her before her presentation and she was kind enough to autograph some old Iditarod Trading Cards that Robert had collected. Immediately we could sense what a wonderful, kind, and genuine person she is.

Dee Dee began her presentation with a little background and history lesson of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Woven into her presentation were photos of herself and her dog teams over the years as she shared stories of her 28 Iditarod runs. Stories of courage, determination, humor, and inspiration. She also told of her courageous battles outside of the Iditarod, which included a traumatic car accident, and her recent fight with breast cancer. By the end of the presentation the whole room had laughed, shed a few tears, and most of all been incredibly inspired by this small, yet tremendously strong woman.

Saturday afternoon, we were able to visit with Dee Dee once more and sit in on a question and answer session with the Casper Kennel Club on Casper Mountain. This was especially interesting for Robert since he raised and raced sled dogs for quite some time on the mountain before he and I met.


We follow the Iditarod every year and Dee Dee has always been one of our favorites. It was a pleasure to meet her and we will carry her inspiration with us forever.

To read more about Dee Dee and the true inspiration that she is, visit her Web site at: http://www.deedeejonrowe.com/

Free Flight

It's that time of year when Robert puts in many hours of hard labor tending to the downed and dead timber at our property on Casper Mountain. The timber, having lived a full life as a tree in the forest, now begins a new life as lumber, corral poles, or fire wood.

Sunday the four of us...Robert, myself, Nugget and Comanche...went to the mountain to get another two-cord load of firewood for an order that needed filled. About half way through filling the trailer, we took a snack and water break while enjoying "our meadow" where we were working. As we sat there, we heard a rustling in the trees, looked up and there sat a large red-tailed hawk high atop a tall pine tree. He sat there for quite some time just watching everything below him, including us.


I carry my camera everywhere I go, so quickly changed lenses and snapped a few shots of the young, beautiful bird. After a few "poses", it took to the air and swooped down close to us before soaring up above the trees once again and leaving the area. Such a beautiful sight. It made our day!

Love is in the Woods

During the 4th of July weekend this year, we took a couple day trips to the Big Horn Mountains near Arminto, Wyoming. Lots of hiking and exploring on the 4-wheeler trails filled the days of the long holiday weekend. Each night we made our way back home to the comfort of our own bed. That's the luxury of having Wyoming treasures, such as the Big Horns, close to home.

The first day trip took us through some beautiful, lightly traveled country where we could see for miles and imagine the days of the pioneers and Indians. How did they manage in such remote areas without the luxuries that we take advantage of today? Thinking back to how our ancestors had to travel, I can really appreciate the comfort of my hiking boots, the convenience of the cooler keeping our lunch and water cold, and the ability to hop on our 4-wheeler to take us places in the distance along the trail that we wouldn't normally venture to on foot.

After traveling a couple miles away from our truck on our ATV, we stopped in an open area and explored on foot for about an hour. Found some relics that a sheepherder left behind years ago, and rock chips left by Indians long before the sheepherder. As we wandered around the area, a trail through the trees came in view and we knew we wanted to discover what was up that hill.

We both got back on the ATV and headed up the hill on the trail through the trees. The trail took us up hill for two or three miles, it seemed, before reaching the top. There we found a beautiful spot filled with big trees and flat grassy areas. Lots of large, twisted, dead timber all around.

As we walked among the natural "sculpture" of trees and rocks, I happened to notice one burned out tree trunk hugging a huge lichen covered boulder. Right in the middle, at the base of the trunk, the shape of a heart caught my eye. The heart shape appeared naturally in what remained of this old, weathered tree. How many others before me also marveled at this shape of a heart? What stories could this tree tell if it could talk? What events happened around this tree while it's "heart" was still beating?

Our Trip to the Locke's Nest

For the past two Summers, we have enjoyed visiting the Big Horn Mountains for a few days. Some friends of ours have a cabin there just outside the small town of Buffalo, Wyoming. It's always fun to go visit them and the location is a spectacular place to take photos and ride the 4-wheeler trails! Here are a few shots from this year's trip on the weekend of July 24-26.

Near Hazelton Peak

Sunset by the Campfire

Sunset at Locke's Pond

A Redwinged Blackbird taking flight

Springtime in Wyoming

It's been quite a while since I shot any photos. With my mother being sick and all, I just haven't picked up my camera. That is until this past Friday on my way to work.



I've started carrying my camera everywhere I go again, now that my mom is out of the hospitals and home doing better. Last week we had 2 blizzards in 3 days. Extremely cold temps. Schools were closed for a day and a half. They started 2 hours late another day. My boss even closed the office down at 12:30 last Monday afternoon. I had already left at 10:30 due to the blizzard and my 7 mile commute.

Friday morning, the trees were full of frost, the river was steaming as the ice flowed gently down it's current. The sun was bright, the sky was extremely blue, and I just couldn't pass up the beautiful photo ops. After taking a few shots, I called into work on my cell phone and told them I was running a few minutes late because I was goofing off, taking photos of the beautiful morning. Thankfully, I have an understanding employer.