June 16, 2014 A Fantastic Weekend

Paintbrush growing near the garden

Friday 6/13.  A full moon on Friday the 13th must mean good luck.  We had a soft and steady rain all day which is just what we needed.  I obviously looked at the date wrong for the next such event.  My dyslexia most likely kicked in and I thought it was 2409 instead of 2049. . .  Either way, I probably won't be around to see it anyway.

It was a perfect day to clean house.  I figured that since we will be having three different groups of guests soon, it was time to dust.  Especially since we have begun naming the dust bunnies.

I also baked a huge batch of our favorite oatmeal/chocolate chip cookies.  Started a new book.  Caught up on reading magazines.

A good day, and we ended it by watching The Time Traveler's Wife.  Excellent movie!

Saturday 6/14.  It was 44, clear and windy this morning.  It seems as though May and June have reversed themselves weatherwise.  It was so dry and warm in May, and now June is cold and a bit more wet.

JB finished using up the little that was left in the sprayer on our driveway and got it cleaned up to return to Larry on Monday.

The girls gave us three eggs today.  Our high for the day was 67 but with a chilly, strong breeze.

Received an email from our Westy neighbors saying they will be arriving this evening and would like to come to visit tomorrow afternoon.  RJ, Mike and a friend will be up for breakfast tomorrow, so it will be a fun and busy day.

Sunday 6/15.  It was 45 and mostly cloudy this morning, with thunder storms in the forecast for tomorrow.

We served eggs, hash browns and bacon for breakfast, but they weren't nearly as good as the conversation and seeing Mike again.  I swear he has grown another six inches and has to be at least 6' 3"!  He is only 15, but looks 20.  Before they left, they helped us get the tipi out and down to the poles.

After they were gone, JB took down all the poles except for the tripod, so everyone could see exactly how it is built.  I put together a few Native American items to give to the children (from Austria), some trade beads, and arrowhead each and a rattlesnake rattle.  Then I got into in my buckskin dress and trade wool leggings, along with some trade bead necklaces.  30 years old and it still fits!

Our guests arrived at about 2:00 pm and, by their reaction, I am so glad I decided to wear the dress.  With the help of Mr. "Westy", we got the poles back up and bound together.  Then he and JB tied the skin to the lift pole and put it in place.  Well, something was drastically wrong!  The skin was about four feet above the ground, so we had obviously brought out the 12' tipi instead of the 18'.  Everyone (except JB) had a good laugh and helped us get the correct one.  It was finally up and the children helped us lace it together.  They were all in awe of the whole erecting procedure and final product.

After some cookies, we all hiked to the south ridge and up to the peak to enjoy the views.  It was certainly a very successful visit and great fun for everyone.  The ladies had told us how cold they had been during the previous night, so after dinner I drove Miss Kitty down to their camp with our two elk hides.  I think they will keep warm now.  And tomorrow they will all walk down to see RJ's cabin.

It really was a great day, and we just basked in the glow for the evening.  The temperature fell into the 40's by bedtime, so I put a fire in the wood stove before we called it a day.

JB is going Down There tomorrow to get diesel for the tractor and a few grocery items I forgot.  

Monday 6/16.  It is 40 and mostly cloudy this morning.  Can't believe that my Aunt Nene and her friends will be here tomorrow!  Lots to do today. . .

Thought for the day: If "Someone says: "That's impossible."  You should understand it as: According to my very limited experience and narrow understanding of reality, that's very unlikely.  Paul Buchheit, creator and lead developer of Gmail.