It is always interesting to have company. Yesterday Marilyn and Richard came to visit us here at the ranch. When they arrived at 2:30, we sat around the fire for almost three hours catching up. We talked about the work at the ranch and we talked about our children and grandchildren. The election did not even come up, we were so busy discussing our own lives and families. And they approved the bunkhouse.
For the first time in ages, Marilyn asked me about my loss of speaking, all those years ago. She asked about it because she was not hearing many errors in my speech, which is nice to hear although it may not be true. And we discussed their place in Colorado, with it's supply of clean water just bubbling up from the ground winter and summer, year after year. Interesting place that we will visit one day soon.
Then we went up the hill for dinner, which was easy: cold beef tenderloin, rice and broccoli. and we talked some more. One topic was company and how we thrive and survive with so much company. My answer is that Ken just disappears for a while to be alone and I never fuss, so have no stress dealing with company. In fact, I actually enjoy having company.
It wasn't until they were leaving to drive down to the ranch house for the night that I asked for a prediction on the election. And they proved accurate. In the morning, they came back up the hill for breakfast and by 10:30 they were gone, back to Houston. It was a whirlwind visit but a pleasant one.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
November 5, 2012. Harper, Texas. The Bunk House.
The bunk house is almost ready. Bit by bit since our arrival, we have adding bits and pieces to make it live able. Like everything else, it has taken us a long time to get to this stage. It is a good thing we started early. All we lack now are two rugs.
Last week we bought towels. And I made up the beds, which is not an easy thing to do with bunk beds. Now each bed, all eight of them, have sheets and a pillow plus a blanket and a fleece throw, folder on the bottom of the bed in case the weather turns cool. Abigail suggested another covering in addition to the blanket, so now, there it is. There is toilet paper in the bathroom along with rugs and a trash container. All the lights work.
Today, Ken and I bought six chairs and one small sturdy table. It was our intention to bring a table from the lake, but I was never happy with that table as it is too big and is a bit unstable, and our list today was to visit Thrift stores to buy chairs. Instead we visited Moore's furniture store and bought six new sturdy chairs and one small non tippie drop leaf table. Back at the ranch, Ken and I unloaded the furniture from the truck and set them all up. Now except for the rugs, the bunk house is ready to be used. We are pleased.
Last week we bought towels. And I made up the beds, which is not an easy thing to do with bunk beds. Now each bed, all eight of them, have sheets and a pillow plus a blanket and a fleece throw, folder on the bottom of the bed in case the weather turns cool. Abigail suggested another covering in addition to the blanket, so now, there it is. There is toilet paper in the bathroom along with rugs and a trash container. All the lights work.
Today, Ken and I bought six chairs and one small sturdy table. It was our intention to bring a table from the lake, but I was never happy with that table as it is too big and is a bit unstable, and our list today was to visit Thrift stores to buy chairs. Instead we visited Moore's furniture store and bought six new sturdy chairs and one small non tippie drop leaf table. Back at the ranch, Ken and I unloaded the furniture from the truck and set them all up. Now except for the rugs, the bunk house is ready to be used. We are pleased.
November 6, 2012. Harper, Texas. Company.
We spent all afternoon and evening with our good friends Marilyn and Richard and we did not discuss the election. To be totally truthful, right at the end of the evening, just before they left to go down to the ranch house, I asked both Richard and Marilyn for a prediction about the income of the Senate and the Presidential winner. One thing we all agreed on was that the campaign took too long. We wanted it over.
Ken and I like to play the game of how long we can go after election day, without knowing who had won. One year we were in Nova Scotia and went three days. We don't always do what most folks do and watch the television coverage. Tomorrow, eventually, someone will tell us. But in the meantime, we will sleep peacefully, knowing that tomorrow, the sky will not fall no matter who wins. Life will go on. We will survive!!
Ken and I like to play the game of how long we can go after election day, without knowing who had won. One year we were in Nova Scotia and went three days. We don't always do what most folks do and watch the television coverage. Tomorrow, eventually, someone will tell us. But in the meantime, we will sleep peacefully, knowing that tomorrow, the sky will not fall no matter who wins. Life will go on. We will survive!!
Sunday, November 4, 2012
November 4, 2012. Harper, Texas. Ken Barby.
Yesterday was the funeral of my brother in law, Ken Barby. It is difficult to believe that within four months my sister Carol and my brother in law Ken have both died and now will be side by side in the cemetery in Williamsford, Ontario.
Ken Barby was a good man. He loved God, his family, the Salvation Army and hockey, not always in that order. He was quiet and unassuming but always dependable. He loved maps and was good with them. They visited us in Maryland many times so their route from their home to our home was well known except that every time they came they drove a different route, always a new one. Once the map was in his mind it was there forever.
He played second baritone in both Salvation Army bands in Hamilton and Owen Sound. He was asked to play first baritone but refused. He was happy to play that minor part. Of course, for years he was the band librarian, an unsung but necessary task, which was typical of Ken. Never bragging, but always just doing his duty.
Carol and Ken were generous with our boys, inviting them to their cottage when they were young. David was invited by Ken to spend the summers at the cottage, after Ken retired from the Bell. David reports that Uncle Ken always treated him as a person, bot as an awkward teen. High praise indeed.
I miss Carol and Ken and always will.
Ken Barby was a good man. He loved God, his family, the Salvation Army and hockey, not always in that order. He was quiet and unassuming but always dependable. He loved maps and was good with them. They visited us in Maryland many times so their route from their home to our home was well known except that every time they came they drove a different route, always a new one. Once the map was in his mind it was there forever.
He played second baritone in both Salvation Army bands in Hamilton and Owen Sound. He was asked to play first baritone but refused. He was happy to play that minor part. Of course, for years he was the band librarian, an unsung but necessary task, which was typical of Ken. Never bragging, but always just doing his duty.
Carol and Ken were generous with our boys, inviting them to their cottage when they were young. David was invited by Ken to spend the summers at the cottage, after Ken retired from the Bell. David reports that Uncle Ken always treated him as a person, bot as an awkward teen. High praise indeed.
I miss Carol and Ken and always will.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
November 2, 2012. Harper, Texas. Plugs.
A year ago we decided to bring rental trailers to the ranch so some relatives and friends could stay at the ranch for our 55th celebration, which will be held in October, 2013. It was son David's suggestion and it has been well received. Ken and I thought it unfeasible, but after meeting with Lisa at the trailer dealer, it can be done, and now it will be done. The trailers are ordered.
Again last year, we met with the electrician. In order to plug in 14 trailers, we needed more electricity, so Pat has been working to get it done, requiring a new pole and underground electrical lines snaking around the front lawn. Today, Ken and I met with Pat to position the trailers on the ranch, so he can finally install the outlets for the trailer plugs. He convinced us to first install the trailers so he will know exactly where to install the outlets. The three of us placed all these trailers around the front of the ranch. They can all fit. When the trailers arrive and are put in place, he will come and install the plugs. It makes sense but it certainly makes me anxious.
The trailer place will deliver the trailers two at a time, four a day. Pat is fearful that the driver might not be able to back the trailer into a tight spot that we selected. He has promised that as soon as the first four arrive, he will come and install the plugs. Truth be told, he is right. The trailers will be leased for a week, starting October 9, 2013, so the trailers must arrive beginning on the Friday or Saturday. It is my anxiety that is the problem. I like all items on the checklist put into the completed category, and here I am agreeing to wait until the last moment for the electrical outlets. His way is better, probably, but it does make me nervous.
Again last year, we met with the electrician. In order to plug in 14 trailers, we needed more electricity, so Pat has been working to get it done, requiring a new pole and underground electrical lines snaking around the front lawn. Today, Ken and I met with Pat to position the trailers on the ranch, so he can finally install the outlets for the trailer plugs. He convinced us to first install the trailers so he will know exactly where to install the outlets. The three of us placed all these trailers around the front of the ranch. They can all fit. When the trailers arrive and are put in place, he will come and install the plugs. It makes sense but it certainly makes me anxious.
The trailer place will deliver the trailers two at a time, four a day. Pat is fearful that the driver might not be able to back the trailer into a tight spot that we selected. He has promised that as soon as the first four arrive, he will come and install the plugs. Truth be told, he is right. The trailers will be leased for a week, starting October 9, 2013, so the trailers must arrive beginning on the Friday or Saturday. It is my anxiety that is the problem. I like all items on the checklist put into the completed category, and here I am agreeing to wait until the last moment for the electrical outlets. His way is better, probably, but it does make me nervous.
November 3, 2012. Harper, Texas. Steven Frayne
Steven Frayne does incredible magic. My friend Doreen sent me a You Tube clip showing three of his tricks. I was astonished. Several months ago, Ken and spotted Steven on TV while we were surfing the channels. On that show he was showing his tricks to people on the street. It was wonderful, but we did not know his name and actually only watched for five minutes.
This morning I watched the You Tube tricks again and also looked up more about him on Google. Now I know that he is an English magician who goes by the name of Dynamo. He is 28 years old. Under the category that something good comes out of everything, when Steven was 11, he was diagnosed with Crones Disease and spent six months in the hospital with several surgeries. His uncle taught him some magic tricks, just to pass the time and the rest his history. He has been learning and perfecting his craft ever since.
He is well worth watching. A new show of his called Magician Impossible is just out in October. The things he does is clearly impossible...but he does them. And it is such fun watching.
This morning I watched the You Tube tricks again and also looked up more about him on Google. Now I know that he is an English magician who goes by the name of Dynamo. He is 28 years old. Under the category that something good comes out of everything, when Steven was 11, he was diagnosed with Crones Disease and spent six months in the hospital with several surgeries. His uncle taught him some magic tricks, just to pass the time and the rest his history. He has been learning and perfecting his craft ever since.
He is well worth watching. A new show of his called Magician Impossible is just out in October. The things he does is clearly impossible...but he does them. And it is such fun watching.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
November 1, 2012. Harper, Texas. Vote.
Today we voted. It was an unusual way to vote. It was the first for us, and we liked it. When we obtained our Texas drivers license, we also registered to vote, as Texas was now our primary residence. Junction is the County seat for Kimble county. At dinner last evening, Joyce told us about early voting. It was news to us. I knew about absentee ballots but never the system that for two weeks prior to day of election, a person could go into the court house and vote. No waiting in lines. Just walk in and vote, so we did.
After getting our inspection in Harper for the truck and having breakfast at the Longhorn Cafe while we waited for the truck, Ken and I drove to Junction. Sure enough, in the court house, we were registered on their lists, showed our drivers license, then voted in a tiny room adjacent to the clerk's office. They had only two machines and six cubicles to fill in the ballot with a pen. One young man was at one machine, so Ken used the electronic voting while I used the old fashioned way, except after I was finished, I put the paper into a machine that recorded my vote...and then said thank you. It was all very civilized.
There is something about voting that makes you feel righteous. When you combine it with driving a truck with a new inspection sticker it made both of us feel positively angelic!! I am sure it will not last.
After getting our inspection in Harper for the truck and having breakfast at the Longhorn Cafe while we waited for the truck, Ken and I drove to Junction. Sure enough, in the court house, we were registered on their lists, showed our drivers license, then voted in a tiny room adjacent to the clerk's office. They had only two machines and six cubicles to fill in the ballot with a pen. One young man was at one machine, so Ken used the electronic voting while I used the old fashioned way, except after I was finished, I put the paper into a machine that recorded my vote...and then said thank you. It was all very civilized.
There is something about voting that makes you feel righteous. When you combine it with driving a truck with a new inspection sticker it made both of us feel positively angelic!! I am sure it will not last.
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