Visiting John

I ran up to Cheyenne this evening.  My brother, John, is back in the hospital.  His heart again.  Anyway, I had one of those "OMG" moments while driving north on I-25, just south of the Wyoming, Colorado border.  The countryside is rather barren.  Mostly gentle rolling hills covered with prairie grass.  No trees, no houses, no people, nothing, just grass, wind and blue skies.  Sometimes you will see antelope and a few cattle, mostly white face herefords.  This evening, just as the sun was setting, I saw something I had only dreamt about.  You would think it would be an everyday thing.  Growing up in Wyoming,you would think this event would not surprise me. But it did.  It was very common in the western plains before the white man moved in.  It was a herd of buffalo grazing for their evening meal.  I had seen paintings, even movies of this event.  But, for the 1st time in my life, there it was.  A large herd of buffalo,  They are a majestic animal.
Please pray for John.

The Mayor's doing well

Here's Chris, the mayor (on the right), and some Sunshine residents enjoying an evening.  His by-pass was very successful.  He went home two days after the surgery.  He must have been felling good enough to start telling stories.....so I believe they kicked him out.  We're happy all went well.

The Mayor

I received news yesterday that Sunshine's mayor, Chris was taken to the hospital and had quadruple by-pass surgery.  He is much loved.  The surgery went well and he should be going home in the next few days.  As the mayor, Chris has, for years, hosted an informal Friday Afternoon Club at his humble little cottage.  Neighbors just stop in every Friday for stories, comradery  and, maybe just a little booze.  Chris loves to make others feel at home, so much so that, after taking him to the hospital the group of them (20 to 30) returned to Chris' and continued the FAC.

Walkie Talkies

The fire may have taken away our houses but it didn't take away our neighborhood.  Almost every morning a group of women can be found walking along County Road 83.  Some days the group is relatively small, others days, very large (especially if some of the husbands join).  The topics of conversation can vary, and yes, they do talk politics.  They call themselves the "Walkie Talkies" and for a good reason.  Once the conversation starts, it doesn't stop.  Join in?..... not if you're a man.  I have first hand knowledge, I tried once.

After three and a half years, it's time to rebuild.

Losing Danny

After a bout with cancer, Sunshine lost it's long time neighbor and friend, Danny Williams.  Danny was a gentle sole, loved by almost every one he touched.  Some time ago I posted a picture of his mine tunnel/beer cellar.  Danny was a major player in the home brewing community.  We will miss him.

A little lost

I know I haven't spent much time on my blog. I've been over on Facebook, wasting time. I've been a little lost since the fire. I was in a state of shock, losing everything but keeping the things most important to me; my family and my pets. Nobody died, just a neighborhood. I haven't talked much about this to anybody. My family says I need counseling. It's post traumatic stress syndrome. I've become very quiet, not having much to say about anything. I could probably type for hours on the subject, but not tonight. Tonight is for Milo. Milo was born in the mountains on a cold February day. He's a mountain boy. Always has been. He likes running wild through the woods; chasing rabbits, foxes, and yes, bears. He's not afraid of the dark, just the low rumble of thunder during a thunderstorm. He would always find me and stay close during a storm. On a short drive up the hill to Steve and Dee's house, he would run behind my car, trying to stay with me. He would help me raise the flag at the school house. He would lick my face with that big wet tongue and look at me, eye to eye, as if he understood everything I was talking to him about. My brother-in-law lived next door to us, well, kind of for mountain living. That is where Milo's Mom (Shilo) and his sister (Cheyenne) live. When we would leave him at home alone, he would bark and howl; scratch at the door until it splintered. Finally, we started leaving him with his mom and sister. He seemed to enjoy the family living, at least until I came home. Then he couldn't get up to me fast enough. Fortunately, my brother-in-law did not lose his house in the fire. We tried keeping Milo with us in town but it didn't work out well for him. He needed to run free in his forest. We talked to my brother-in-law and his wife. They agree that he needed to stay up in Sunshine, so they kind of adopted him. I get visitation rights anytime I want them. For a while I would bring him into town on weekends. He would not leave me. He was always just behind me, on my right side. When I would take him home, he would jump out of the car and run over to his mom. I quit spending time with Milo almost a year ago. I know it's best for him. He's happy now. I just really, really miss him.