Road Tripp'n...

Saturday I loaded Dad and his walker in the SUV and drove an hour South to see Marymine and two of my granddaughters at their fair's Jr Livestock Auction.

Dad and his great granddaughter Ali

I hadn't received the passes from Marymine to get Dad and I in the gate or the SUV on the grounds. There were others ahead of me being turned away because they didn't have the requisite passes. So I went with my access strategy... and we were through with no problems.  It always amazes me that if you act like you are supposed to be somewhere and exude quiet confidence, others will assume you are supposed to be there.

 

no speeding allowed in the livestock barns area

We didn't get to visit with Marymine other than brief hugs as she was very busy working the sale. 

When Lauren got in the sale ring with her steer the auctioneer said, "OMG, The girl with the Million dollar smile!"  She sold her 1,100lb steer for $4.75/lb.  Not nearly matching that smile, but it will pay the bills and boost her college fund.

 After making the rounds of old friends and gathering as many hugs as possible, I loaded Dad back up and we headed to the Steelhead Lodge for lunch on the river. 

 It was HOT, humid, and the cottonwood duff was thick and flying everywhere. The food was well worth a few  minor inconveniences.

When we finished lunch we loaded up again and I took the long way home so Dad could see some country that he hadn't seen in years.  

It was a good day...

Daniel's Home...

Daniel loved his Superheros. He was flown Home from the hospital in LA last week. He hated hospitals, he had seen the inside of too damn many of them. He just wanted to come Home.

Daniel, my friend, my next door neighbor turned seventeen on Friday, May 29th. He died Monday, June 1st, at Home with his mom & dad & sisters by his side. His heart was too big for this world alone.  He is Home with The Father. 
Peace be with you, Daniel.

Cook'n...

Dang it, I don't appear to have mellowed quite as much as I thought I had...

  

The Administrator of mom's will roared into town, to meet with lawyers & open mom's safe deposit box.  I explained to the Admin, there is no key here, so you will most likely have to have it drilled (see locksmith, see $$$). "Tisk, the bank will open it for me,"  said the Administrator. Apparently they wouldn't.

 Dad was really looking forward to having the Administrator spend a few days here fishing with him. "Tisk, my schedule is too busy for that!" said the Administrator.  Looks at me: "You aren't doing anything, bring him up and I'll take him fishing."  Dad's face fell, he wanted to fish in his home waters. So, I told the Administrator, "I'm sorry, Dad's schedule is too damn busy to accommodate you."  The Administrator did not appreciate my remark, but Dad got the sparkle back in his eyes and a shit kicker grin on his face!

As the Administrator roared out of town, I loaded up Dad and took him out to the golf course for an afternoon of BBQ and cards with his cronies. 

While Dad was at the golf course I went to my favorite local gunny shop for ammo.   Mentioned to the guys that I might be in the market for a 22 rifle for varmints and Project Appleseed, if I got a good deal on it. I now have a ten day wait for a barely used 10/22 Ruger with a good scope, and they threw in some Hot Lips mags, and a sling.

In comparing the work order quote from my auto dealer, I saved enough ordering the replacement part for the SUV and installing it myself to pay for the Ruger. In fact, I had enough left over to order a second hand copy of  "Farm Recipes and Food Secrets from the Norske Nook".  Who the heck knows, I might just learn about cook'n! 

Range notes...

In the process of getting older I have mellowed, sorta like a fine range pie...

Things that might have troubled me in the past, don't any more.

Yesterday was a good example.  The Wed. Gal Shooters invited me to the range with them. (T my regular instructor, is busy getting ready for a summer of flying, cruising & fishing with his lady in Alaska...sigh)
  
It was a beautiful day to be on the range, which was nearly empty.

Except, for a couple of the guys that are nice, and one other fellow, who trash talked about us big time to the other guys.  The other guys just ignored him, and shook their heads.  When he came down to our end of the area, he started in directly on us for stuff that had nothing to do with us.  And to inform us that He was an Executive Director of the range...  I kept my mouth shut, I'm not a member, but the other two ladies are!  Finally he drove off. (I would bet that his wife runs that show.) By this time I could see sparks coming out of Tina the Terror's ears, and a curl of smoke from the top of Boom Boom Bet's head.  After a discussion on ways to alter his attitude, we went back to shooting. 

 In the past I might have been in the middle of this,  now I just smile and let them sort it out. It will be interesting to see what happens to the Executive Director though, because not many are fool hardy enough to mess with Boom Boom Bet, and Tina the Terror...

Remember...