She'll Laugh With You, But She'd Rather Laugh AT You!

Kate is the youngest of the bunch. She's always been a free spirit - traveled Europe when she graduated from high school and never afraid to try something new. She was the only one of us still at home when dad died. I was so glad she was there for mom. She seems to make the best of just about any situation - always finding the good in people. She has a beautiful daughter Anna who is lucky enough to have Kate's great imagination.

Kate was the Pastor (yes, even though she's an Atheist) for my brother's second wedding to his first (and only) wife. She NEVER wears t-shirts with writing on them but bought herself this nice drag racing shirt special for my brother's wedding.

Kate recently met David - he loves her. When our family gets together, David often has to go off by himself because he's not too fond of the noise. So I wonder, how on earth does he live with Kate. Of the entire family, she's the loudest! She has this laugh you can hear from hundreds of feet away. To Kate, just about EVERYTHING is funny - nothing or anybody is sacred. The three of us girls seem to have this slight abnormality about us - we tend to laugh at other people's misfortunes - well, only if they don't get hurt too bad. But Kate's the worst of the bunch. If you fall down, trip, fart in public - any embarrassing situation - she's your worst nightmare. Not only will she laugh at the time, but will laugh about it for years to come.

We have these girls weekends once a year. Kate's always the center of our girls weekends - they just wouldn't be the same without her! EVERYONE loves Kate (well, except for a few cranky old farts at work who are annoyed by her guffaws). And as you can see from the picture below, she's the purdiest of the bunch... This was our girls weekend in Joseph, Or. - man we had FUN!

Kate is also the family rabble rouser. Never wanting to follow the rules. She got thrown in jail in Lewiston during her college years for driving without a license. She had too many speeding tickets! The picture below is a PERFECT example of her failure to follow rules. This last summer during our girls weekend, we rafted the Payette River. The cute little guide told us there was only ONE rule. NEVER take your hand off the T of your paddle. DANGEROUS! You can hit someone in the head with your paddle if you don't keep your hand on the T AT ALL TIMES. See Linda's hand next to Kate's - properly holding the T. There's Kate, sittin' with her hand OFF the T - just like she always does - going' by her own rules -even though I continued to point out she was in violation of the only friggin' rule we had on the trip.
And finally, after pointing out her violation for the fifth time - this is what I get.
Yep, that's Kate, she's the naughty one...

Believe It Or Not, She's What I'd Call The Most Sophisticated Of The Bunch...

Other than mom that is. Linda is, and always has been, her own person. In her younger years, she had a rather rebellious side. Always out doing something she shouldn't be doing, but wanted to. She could go to a kegger out in the freakin' boonies - 30 miles from town and somehow, dad would drive up and haul her home. We never did figure out how he found her in such remote places! She may as well have been wearing a neon sign that said "Hey, I'm doin' something I'm not supposed to be here - come and get me!" And, unfortunately for her, dad always did.
Linda and I had our rough times when we were growing up. Then when we became adults, we became best friends. Then we had some tough times again - maybe we're too much alike. But we've now accepted eachother as individuals and I think the world of her.

Linda has two beautiful daughters, Lisa and Andrea. They too are their own special people, as individual as can be - but truly special. I couldn't love them more if they were my own... Then Harry met Sally - I mean Linda met Bob. I love Bob. He hauled her up onto 40 acres just out of town to a little shack with no power and no running water - I was jealous! Somehow, however, every time I saw Linda, she was showered, her clothes and earrings matched her outfit, and she just looked like she had stepped out of a magazine - I guess I'd have to say she has really awesome hygiene!

This is her bird Grace - she's mean.

Yet Linda is always willing to be adventurous and have fun whenever the opportunity arises! What a dork! She's still one of my best buddies and I love and miss her since she moved to Portland.

You da' bomb!!!!

The Original Hillbilly...

This is my older sibling Steve, he's the original hillbilly. In fact, they don't come any more hillbilly than him. This is his best outfit. He wears this top hat only on special occasions - his special occasions include performing a wedding (WHAT???? I'll explain this later), at hunting camp, or on a cruise (yes, he wore this on our cruise). It's scary how much he looks like dad.He was my mentor growing up. He taught me how to tell time, how to fish, how to hunt, and how to cuss with the best of them! We spent many days growing up walking up the creek from out little cabin on Alder Creek in search of grouse or laying on our stomachs in the middle of a hay field popping ground squirrels. He always had time for me.

Steve has a wonderful wife Marlette who he's married twice. She's a saint. She's also the life of the party whenever she's around. Nothing is out of bounds! They have two wonderful kids Billy (named after his grampa Pogue) and Sarah. Steve is such a loving father.About 15 years ago, Steve and some of his friends from Horseshoe Bend started the Church of the Great Outdoors. They are all spiritual people who believe that God created this wonderful earth and in order to honor God, they spend Sundays outdoors - doing what they love most. So, he performed the marriage ceremony for my son Jake and his wife Heather. It was awesome.

When I went through chemo, he shaved his head the same day I had to shave mine. What more can I say about that?

He's definately one of a kind! He calls me at least once a week just to tell me he loves me. I love him more than I can ever say.

They Say the Nut Never Falls Far From the Tree...

Over the next few weeks, I'm going to tell the story of my family - one by one - and I have pictures of all of you! Naturally, I'll start with the matriarch of the bunch, but by the time I'm done, hopefully I'll have a new grandson to add at the end! I hope you enjoy my thoughts...

Mom is one of a kind. She married dad while he was finishing college. His schooling to be a Game Warden, meant he spent a lot of time in the toolies - which meant mom spent a lot of time in the toolies. In fact, for a short time when my brother was young she lived in a tent.

Mom was the strength of the family. Dad, being a good Game Warden, spent a lot of nights away from home. While he was gone catching the bad guys, mom was home raising the good guys. Yea, I think we all turned out pretty well... Thanks mom.

Dad's death was hard but mom was always so composed. Always a lady, always gracious, always classy.

Now that she's older, she is something else! She's energetic, loves to travel, always willing to try something new (except bungie jumping or parachuting). She's taken us places we never would have seen had it not been for her.

While I can't really see it, everyone says we look alike. I guess we do both have dreadlocks. I only hope to be a beautiful as she is someday!

Mom, you've taught us well. Thanks for everything!

Sigh...

Well, Adam went out to check on his birds when he got home from school yesterday. The little quail was sitting on the nest, all cozy, sleeping with her head tucked neatly up near her wing. He wanted to see how many eggs she was sitting on (she's such a good mommy!) and gave her a little jab. Bummer, she's in full rigger - laying just the way she was sitting on the eggs when the big fat chicken evidently came into the hen house and plopped her fat ass right on top of her. Smothered - dead. So now, the cute little mommy sits on top of the trash in the can, all cozy, sleeping with her head tucked neatly up near her wing. Sigh...

Never Put All Yer Eggs In One Baskit...

The chickins and quail have all started layin' eggs. Elmer fixed 'em up a right nice hen house with 6 nests fer layin' eggs. Unfortunately, they only like one nest. They do however, take turns. Not sure who started this mess but we have one nest with a hole mess 'a eggs in it. The chickin (bein' the biggist) likes to sit on all of 'em. She won't leave til it's time to eat, then she'll run fast as the dickens out to eat, and while she's doin' that, the quail will run in and lay an egg and take over the mutherly duties. The chickin however, don't like that one little bit so she sits right on top of that quail, sittin' on top of them eggs.

If you look at the VERY bottom of the picture, you can see the little quail all squished up right under the chickens wing.

At the bottom of the picture here, you can see the quail a little better (the white bands on her head) - they continue doing this. I suppose someday, the quail will smother... Stupid birds.

Home Security System...

We've installed a new security system - and it didn't cost that much! In fact, you could have one too.

I went to a second-hand store and bought a pair of men's used size 14-16 work boots and placed them on our front porch - along with a copy of Guns & Ammo Magazine.

I put a few giant dog dishes next to the boots and magazines.

Then just to be extra cautious, I left a note on door that reads: Hey Bubba, Big Jim, Duke and Slim, I went for more ammunition. Back in an hour. Don't mess with the pit bulls--they attacked the mailman this morning and messed him up real bad. I don't think Killer took part in it but it was hard to tell from all the blood.

Anyway, I locked all four of 'em in the house. Better wait outside.

"Cooter"

Words of Wisdom

When asked for her beauty tips, Audrey Hepburn wrote:



"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, look for the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone... "


If you ever need a helping hand,
you will find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands;
one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.

Life...

She stepped in line, just ahead of me. I'm sure she was not much older than I. However, I could tell she was tired and had obviously had a very rough life. Her eyes looked sad. She was small and thin, wearing clothes that were a bit too big. She set a diet pop and pack of cigarettes on the counter. Her voice was as soft as a whisper. Although I stood close behind her, I couldn't make out what she said.

After a few moments, she slowly walked out of the store - leaving the pop and cigarettes on the counter. Even her walk was tired.

I was going to see Jacki in the hospital and had a $5.00 lottery ticket I was going to cash so that I wouldn't have to use my debit card to buy her a coffee from the little shop in the hospital. I like to take her a special treat when I go.

"Didn't she have enough money?" I asked.

Rather disugusted, the clerk said back, "Her credit card is maxed out." It was obvious this frail woman - not much older than I, was a frequent customer.

I cashed in my lottery ticket and thought about paying for the woman's items. No, then I'd have to use my debit card. I paused for a moment, then walked out to my truck. I got in and backed out.

I pulled back into the parking lot and walked inside the store. "I'd like to buy the items that woman just left." Again acting disgusted, the clerk took my money and handed me the pop and cigarettes.

I started watching for the frail woman - not much older than I. She was slowly crossing the street so I pulled over and rolled down my window. "Here's your things." I said. Her sad eyes looked at me in a way I will never forget. She smiled - as best she could, and in her quiet voice she said "Thank you."

I was ashamed I had even considered driving away without paying for the items for this obviously sad and lonely woman - not much older than I. I hope she knows that I cared about her and even though I don't know her, she now has a place in my heart...

Dear Jacki...

My sweet daughter is on bedrest in the hospital at 29 weeks pregnant. While it would be easy to be depressed, she remains happy and positive. I've added her blog - Blog of the Bedridden Bitch - to my links. You are an inspiration and the joy of my life!

My Sister is Gettin' Married!

And here's the happy couple - ain't they purdy??

Dear, sweet, Lisa and Andrea - I'm SO sorry - but I have to post this picture too.