My Life in Dog Years

Tarah's blog has inspired me to write about a book I just finished by Gary Paulsen, "My Life in Dog Years". (by the way, Tarah, I try to comment on your blog but have no luck. I'll keep trying. I'm sure its something I'm doing wrong. ) But anyway, this book made me think about dogs and all the ones I've had through the years. The first dog I remember in my young life was Teddy (a pomeranian) with fur the same reddish color as my hair. Teddy was so pretty and looked just like a teddy bear. I wish I could remember as much detail as Gary does in his book. But we had many dogs in between but the one I remember was one my siblings and I all loved that a townperson shot and said he was in his sheep. I just remember what a shock it was that someone would shoot our dog. Sparkie was a full blooded poodle that a friend gave to me. My first personal dog. Sparkie was very spoiled and the only dog my mother ever allowed in the house. We were on vacation and she ran off and we never could find her again. Definately the smartest and closest I have ever been to any dog was Bo. He was a Sheltie and very fond of me and I of him. We really had a bond. I related with Gary Paulsen when he said there was a vocabulary of words that his dog understood. Bo knew certain words and responded certain ways to them so that I knew without a doubt that he understood. He loved to play ball and would retrieve and catch a frisbee in the air. I'll never forget the first time he had a seizure. I thought he had rabies or something. But I learned that he was okay but just had these small seizures every once in a while. There were many dogs in between until there was Auzzie. She was a gift to Scott from the boys for Father's day. She was only with us for a couple of years but she was a sweet, sweet dog and a very hard worker. She never went through the usual puppy-troubles. She always was sober and serious about her work...and did she every love to work. She loved to go with Scott wherever he went and gathered whatever it was that needed to be gathered. A special talent she had was to grab the reigns of the horse and lead it around. It was so funny to see the horses follow her around and she was just so proud to do it. Its hard to realize that we have had so many dogs in our life. Some of them were around for many years but most of them were just here for a short duration. I don't know if we just didn't take good care of them or if our lifestyle is just dangerous...but, many just disappeared, were hit by cars, or died of old age. That's my life in dog years!

Time Sharing

Today I had a whole list of things I needed Scott to help me do, but he had a whole list of things he needed me to help him do. Its called cooperation. We spent the day together first doing his things and then doing some of mine. It was a great day! We went to the UBIA bull sale and then delivered the bulls to the feedlot. I even backed the trailer (twice). A little crooked, but hey I did it! Then we came home and cleaned out the chicken pen and fed Jed's calves and dug up some sprinklers, and hauled off all the tree branches I trimmed yesterday, fixed supper and settled in for an evening together. I love days like this. They are so fulfilling!

Great Times

I've had a great amount of time today to just reflect. I know its dangerous when I think too much...but, it was all good. I have so many blessings and reasons to praise God for his many tender mercies. We had the opportunity to have Jed & Nanci and family live with us for a month while they remodeled their house. Trevor and Jed did all the work themselves and so we all tried to pitch in here and there in whatever ways we could. It is not finished, but they are back in it and when it is finished it will be nice and a place they can be proud of. I am very grateful for two things: 1. that Heavenly Father gave children to people when they are young and 2. that it is natural for all of use to want our own homes. But, there is a third thing I learned. It is that we can do hard things and actually be quite happy doing it. It was rewarding to have another female in the house to talk to and collaborate with and I loved time with little Drew. He and I became quite close. He would even cry when I went out the door. I sure do love my Grandkids, but I am so glad they have good parents who love them and care for them. Dan & Tarah came last weekend and we enjoyed the other half of our grandkids. Each one has a special place in our hearts.

This week I will be preparing temporally and spiritually for one of Heavenly Father's servants and his wife to stay with us. Hopefully we can make their stay with us comfortable and peaceful and that we can all be edified by their visit and our Stake Conference. I can't believe its March already. I love spring!!!

Christmas 2012 UPdates

We actually sent out Christmas Cards this year. We haven't done that for years! I directed some of you to visit us on our blog, but then realized that I don't update it too often and there is probably nothing here that is very interesting to anyone. So I will try to think up some things to write about. We are experiencing WINTER! Yuk! But,then, with the exception of Keith and Mom and Dad, you probably are all having winter too. I'm sorry! It seems like a quote from one of Lewis Carrol's books that "it is continually winter, and never Christmas!" But, Christmas is coming and I love this time of year with the exception of the cold.

We have just come through our busy time of the year with the round-ups, deer hunts, and canning season over we can snuggle in for our long winter's naps and start some indoor projects. It has been a great summer with family get-togethers, gardening, crop harvesting, grandkid visits, a trip to Colorado, and running together in our Stake monthly 5k's. We are still running one 5k a month and this Saturday will be our 9th one. (Our goal is to actually try to train for running more than just once a month.)

We hope everyone who may per chance read this will have a Merry Christmas and know that we love you all so very much and wish you all the best. We are looking forward to this summer and having everyone come to the ranch for our family reunion. P.S. Please comment so that I know you have been here.

Behind Our Backs

Riding for the Brand

About 5 plus years ago I told Scott that I was retiring from riding with him anymore. I told him if I wanted to help I would either walk or drive a 4-wheeler, but that I felt my chances of getting hurt on a horse were getting greater and that I didn't want the risk. This weekend he begged, pleaded, and sobbed that he needed me! Well, how can you turn your precious companion of almost 35 years down when he needs you that bad. (yeah right) Well, anyway he promised me his sweet Nellie, an easy ride, beautiful scenery and a little adventure. And he didn't fail me on any of these, except maybe the easy part, when we came to a trail that went straight down steep canyon. I really have to say that other than that it was a wonderful, adventurous, beautiful, enjoyable day. I am always seeking some adventure somewhere. I am not really ready to be as old as I sometimes act and seem. Sooooooo.....yes, I may do it again!

Peaches, homecoming & soccer

Hooray for the harvest! It has been a year of plenty. We have harvested fruit off of almost every tree in the orchard and our garden has yielded reasonably well. I hope that doesn't mean it will be famine from now on. There are still peaches on the trees at the ranch and we are going to get them tomorrow and do still more peaches. The apples on our tree in our yard are at the sweet, crisp stage where you just want to pick and eat one right off the tree.

This last week has been homecoming at North Sevier and I have made a fool out of myself again this year as I (along with all the faculty & staff) participated in a silly lip sync. Sometimes its just like I never left high school and I'm stuck in the realm for another year after year. But, my "Sweet Reads Club" put together a float for the parade and showed up to do it. They did a great job and I look forward to this year celebrating books with them.

We went to the BYU football game and then to Heber to stay with Dan & Tarah. We had a great time and especially to go see Caden's soccer game on SAturday morning. We loved it! Thanks Caden