Oreo the Cat in Utah

Oreo the Cat in Utah

This afternoon, Oreo, the Cat, decided to come watch the four of us in the living room. Yesterday, he was stalking a ground squirrel. So, of course, we stared back. ;-)

I don't usually do sunrise, but I happened to catch this one. I was awake, thinking about the press release to write for my new novel, "Christmas at the Homeplace," that will be available at Amazon.com by or on October 25, 2013.

Just before sunrise, looking east, from the deck:

It was another very good day!  ;-)

Oreo and Snow in Utah

Oreo and Snow in Utah

Two important events yesterday (Tuesday, I think)... I got a photo of Oreo in the daylight!

Oreo is a feral tom cat that 'adopted' Larry and Annette... the cat is nice to have around, to keep the population of ground squirrels (a bit of nuisance) under control. After some consideration, they borrowed a 'cat trap' - made a visit to the vet (now an 'it' and properly medicated). After a few days of 'thinking about it' - the cat Oreo seems to have decided to stay around. They have a protected 'house' for him on the porch, when he chooses to use it. They provide a little food, twice a day, and some water. He seems to have learned the routine. But, he is still VERY cautious. This one time is still, after nearly a full week, the only time I've seen him out in the open.

Late yesterday afternoon, here at over 7,000 feet on the side of the mountain... we had a nice snow flurry... for maybe twenty minutes. It was still about 42, so no sticking! Kinda' fun, that way! ;-)

We had a quite day, today! ;-)

Benefit Concert last Saturday Night with Mary Kaye and Mike Moutoux

Benefit Concert last Saturday Night 

with Mary Kaye and Mike Moutoux

We were privileged to attend the Benefit Concert at the Bicknell, Wayne County, Utah, Community Center including performance by the fine Western entertainers Mary Kaye and Mike Moutoux.

Mike led off the evening with Cowboy Poems and Western Music that were both entertaining and inspirational. We were not able to attend Mike's Entrada Institute performance earlier in the year, and it was a real pleasure to both meet him and enjoy his performance.

The benefit was for West Taylor, a local horse trainer, and good neighbor to the folks out here. It had been seven weeks since his face collided with that of one of the horses he was working with. Doctors performed miracles with this face, as you can see, but they also ran up some very big bills, thus this benefit concert and some other efforts.

The featured performer was Mary Kaye. She is an award winning Western Musician, Song Writer, and Story Teller. We saw her perform at the Entrada Institute last year... I did this article on her then.
[Be sure to click on her name, above, to see her newest album, "The Dawn and The Dusk," and a neat list of her awards, as well.]

Since we saw her, she has performed in 15 states and Canada this year. It was a real privilege to get to see her in this intimate, benefit, community building setting. She is a friend of the Taylor family.

Here we are, watching her perform. Mike Moutoux took this photo and kindly shared it with us.

During her set, Mary Kaye had her two daughters, who were with her on this trip (they live about an hour and half away, in Manti), to sing a song with her. Excellent music!  ;-)

Mary Kaye's husband and manager, Brad, was there, as well, but he stays in the background. ;-)

After the concert, I got a photo when Nancy and Annette were talking to the girls, congratulating them on their fine performance.

Before and after the performances, as meal, they held a silent auction of many donated items.

Among us we ended up with a western painting, a couple pieces of jewelry and a copy of Mary Kaye's latest CD... all proceeds went to the Benefit totals.

I most pleasant evening. Great entertainment. Good food. Many new friends.  ;-)

Scarecrow Week in Wayne County, Utah

Scarecrow Week in Wayne County, Utah

Annette and Larry are having fun this week participating in and promoting Scarecrow Week at the businesses and homes around Wayne County. It is a new program this year, and seems to be gathering momentum in this fun, rural community. Teasdale and Torrey are near the center of Wayne County, of course, just west of Capital Reef National Park.

At a lunch program, today, the wore their "scarecrow" outfits and won a prize... not a whole lot of contestants... but have to start somewhere!

Here is Annette before they left:

You can see her "roller derby" socks, in this one!

This afternoon, we drove around the center part of the county, including the Visitor Center area of the park, looking for more scarecrows. Annette had done this on Saturday, but wanted to photograph some of the news ones, as well. Here she is looking at a "five parter" out on a rural intersection.

Following are just a few she took earlier:

See more at her Facebook page.

Here was a photo I took at the Visitor's Center at the Park, leaves are still changing... lots of pretty yellows...

I took this "Halloween" photo before we left, in our back yard. The neighbor put up the Halloween weather vane on the steel post the quarry owner next door put out to emphasis that his property line comes to here... within a few feet of our back decks...

It was a very nice day!  ;-)

Arrion's Birthday Celebration Day, a little early

Arrion's Birthday Celebration Day, a little early

You may have seen this on Facebook, earlier, today. Lots of folks did. Thanks!  ;-)

Came home and had birthday cake and presents. Half white cake, half chocolate.

With Kaylee, Happy Birthday!

Ben and Bill had the cameras, today. Texas football playing Kansas State tonight, as I'm doing this.

From last night, Alex really likes to play the Game of Life. Arrion won (I got her off to a winning start, while she was putting Kaylee to bed...) ;-)

We had watched Kaylee's dance recital DVD earlier. Then, on more than one occasion, she danced for us, in different costumes. The music was off the iPad, through the TV stereo. She is very improvisational!  Fun!  ;-)

This is her "Bumblebee" costume from the recital.

Later, Alex and Kaylee danced together. Neat! Also, great photo of west wall, new paint, and new photos on the wall.

It was/is another great day!  ;-)

Arrival in Austin

Arrival in Austin

I didn't even have the luggage in the house, and Kaylee was taking movies on the iPad and showing Grandma... her favorite music, and all. Note the new wall cover... and, the couch is now on the left wall, as you walk in from the front door.

Here is an Oops photo of Alex... I just took one... Sorry. He is showing me his Scout badges, and I didn't take a second... I was paying attention to his stories! He was full of information about school and his activities.

Actually, this is in on Ben and Arrion's new king-sized bed, as well. Nice re-do's in the house.

The new chair in the living room being demonstrated by Arrion. Note the new blue walls and the white curtain on the doors. Much more open and bright in the living room, now. Neat! More to follow,  I assume.

It was another great day to be alive!  ;-)

Nancy's Birthday in Hollister

Nancy's Birthday in Hollister

Thanks to Allison for this photo of us at Bob Evans where the three of us went for mid-afternoon meal, as is our preference.

Stopped at Country Mart on the way home and and Allison and I picked up a beautiful cake for Nancy.

Isn't that a pretty cake? With 4 candles - she blew them all out at once.

As you may have seen on Facebook, the cake was clearly marked "White Layer Cake," two different places. When we cut into it, it was a beautiful CHOCOLATE cake!! Delicious, but not quite what we were expecting.

Notice in each photo Nancy has no glasses. She had cataract surgery on July 1 and 22, right and left, and is 'patiently' awaiting final healing while still fighting some allergy issues. But, now she is far-sighted - after a life-time of being near-sighted. She will still get new glasses when healing is finished, of course. For now, she uses reading glasses, effectively. But, can watch TV ok without, and ride around in the car with dark glasses. Interesting.

Here she is with some of her presents... can you guess what she asked for? By name? Plus more on her Kindle...  ;-)

She got phone calls from Annette and Arrion... with Alex and Kaylee, as well.

Very happy Birthday! ;-)