Billings, Montana

The old town looks the same as I step down from the train and their to meet me is my momma and my poppa....no such luck.  Passenger trains stopped running through Billings many years ago and as for momma and poppa, they too have been gone for a while.  Many things have changed here, some for the better, some not.  Of course Billings population has increased by probably 40,000 or more since I left in 1962.  The farm where I stacked hay and milked cows has been turned into houses.  The road where cows grazed and my horse and I kept watch is now 56th St. West and a proposed middle school is about to take shape.  The 3 room school that I attended from 3rd grade to 8th grade is now a photography studio. 
One of my best friends died this year and my brother and sister-in-law are thinking about moving into a retirement center.  Where does that leave me?  Well, it sure has got me thinking.  My eyes are going along with my hearing.  If my ass was not attached to my body, I would forget it.  I'm tired 3/4 of the time.  I did feel alive as I drove here from Arizona though.  Officer Gonzalez, who practices law enforcement in New Mexico, was so impressed by my organizational skills and travel plans that he wished me well and didn't even issue a warning.  I did slow down and that was a good thing because Officer Gonzalez passed me again, lights flashing, on his way to something pressing. 
Jerry and Bobby have welcomed me with open arms and I'm so grateful that I have such wonderful relatives.  I will be with them for most of my visit except for 3 days at my other sister-in-law's home and a day or two with friends.  My plan is to leave here on the 23rd and spend until August 20th with Michelle, Rob, Alexis and Keegan in Richland and Sandpoint, Idaho. 
Getting on toward bedtime now so good night, good luck and may the Good Lord take a liken to you. 

Finally a connection

Sometimes the old people I hang with are so skeptical of technology they don't even own a computer much less have a wifi connection.  I can appreciate that someday I'll be old too.  In confession I must admit that the kids and grandkids are way ahead of me in the tech department. 
It has been a good trip so far.  No excitement to speak of but the truck ran fine, my one eye works well enough to keep me in the right lane of traffic and I'm trying hard to stick to my smoothie diet in the morning.  I ate fruit, carrots and half sandwich before coming to McDonalds to use the computer.  Smart don't you think. 
Tonight is comedy night at the casino.  Kelly and I are taking another couple to dinner there as payback for the great BBQ they had for us at their house on Saturday night.  Riding in the car with Kelly driving will be my excitement and hopefully it will not end in tragedy rather than laughter.  She so strongly believes that she is 40 instead of 87 and drives accordingly.  Reflexes of a 87 year old however.  If you are reading this before 5:00 tonight it would be a good time to fall on your knees in prayer for us and anyone on the road she decides to cuss out because they aren't driving fast enough.  Oh, Lord, I want to go to heaven, I just don't wanna go now. 
If survival is in the future, we are playing cards on Tuesday then drinks and tacos in the bar afterwards.  Thursday is cards for some and golf for others then meeting at the Lion's Den for burgers that they marinate in red wine.  There goes the diet again.  Hopefully after this week and the new wears off of me being here, Kelly can just go do what she does and I can browse the town and find some adventures of my own.  Mostly like to go to antique stores and pawn shops in search of treasures. 
Probably be a few days before I post again but look in the obits if you don't read anything by the weekend.  Just kidding, I'll be fine.  She has lived 87 years as a maniac driver and the locals probably know her and stay out of her way. 

Making a list, checkin'

As the song goes..Judy is about to leave the building.  Or Kookie, Minoot, or gramoo depending on who may be viewing this post. Each name has a story behind it but I'll only bore you with one.
It will be fun to visit all those folks who have nicknamed me over the years.  Only one sad one, minoot was given to me by Sandi Burns who past away just about 2 weeks ago in Billings.  Sandi was a live of the party kind of gal and didn't let grass grow under her feet.  On the move all the time.  She would get impatient with me when I would reply, "just a minoot" when she wanted to get going.  I will miss that girl.
I'm practicing writing this on the laptop keyboard since I don't plan to take the other one with me.  It does take some getting use to.  The mouse is going with me, I dislike very much the pad for moving the arrow.  Maybe I'll practice that too as I travel. 
Talked to my friend in Show Low yesterday and she has a bridge party scheduled for Friday and a dinner party for Saturday night.  Vacation is starting on a very fun note. 
Asking for your prayers as I one eye it through Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon.  My right eye works but only at half mast.  Trying to think of something funny to say about it but it just ain't funny. 
Good bye, good luck and may the good Lord take a liken to you until we meet again. 

Loafing and Loving it

This is going to sound crazy but joy is a good word on these hot, hot days.  There is no guilt in refusing an invitation, cancelling an appointment or loafing away the 12 hours I'm not sleeping. You're right, I don't sleep 12 hours but on a normal day I probably loaf for 3 or 4. 
Not sure why I'm blogging today except it falls under the category of loafing.  Exercising this morning gives me the excuse to do nothing the rest of the day.  Should I feel guilt because some of you reading this actually have work to do and children to care for.  No!  Someday you will be able to loaf and hopefully experience no guilt. 
Which thoughtfully reminds me that God rested on the 7th day after creating the universe.  Please, all my dear friends, take time to breath and enjoy rest after a hard days night.  You might even want to kill a little time reading my blogs.  It will give me encouragement to continue. 
When I leave on my vacation I plan to blog my travels.  If I can figure our how to post photos I will. Guess I already know how.  This is just one of the many beautiful places I will visit. 

Letters, phone calls and a warm touch

These are the things, on a 112 degree day, that find their way to the computer and maybe a reader or two.
Receiving a letter is a good thing.  If we give it some thought before ripping it open quickly hoping this is not an illusion, we remember when life was more calm.
For me, herding cows on the gravel road leading to town on Saturday for groceries.  Laying under the cottonwood tree waiting for the different species of cows to munch their way and thus disturb my day dreams.  My horse, Lucky, contented as I now rousts to action.  He and I turn them  around, ride to their next destination and begin our time of reflection all over again.  Lucky eats and I watch the clouds go by and make up stories of the characters I see artfully created by God.  Peace in abundance.
The 21st century has so many gadgets. It is amazing and mind boggling how it keeps us connected to people, places and things.  Most of it is totally unnecessary and a waste of time, unlike what I'm doing right now of course.
When a letter is received.  Please refer to sentence number 2 above.  The writer has taken time to think of just you to communicate his or her thoughts.
A phone call sends my heart soring because I hear the voice of someone I care about caring about me.  So many memories of being together come flooding back as I visualize the caller. 
A loving touch of a hand that wasn't planned or carried out because of feelings of obligation. 
Yes, I yearn for the days of yesteryears.  They won't return but I can keep them alive by writing a letter, making a phone call or touching a hand. 

Bad News

Two friends left to join the Lord within the last few days.  MaryAnn Rude (Swan) on June 7th and Sandi Weber (Burns).  Just read Sandi's orbit today via the internet and the Billings Gazette. 
How did it happen!  We were kids just yesterday.  We laughed and drove wildly around town "burning the point".  We snuck into bars and picked up boys and made out.  We had firm bodies and wide bright eyes and our whole world ahead of us.  Time, time and time; how fast it travels.  Those bucket lists that we started hearing about from Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman should never be for old people.  Young people, if you are reading this take heed.  Don't use your money to buy more stuff, use it to enjoy.  Put some in savings and support some of those less fortunate but take time for you and the ones you love.  It doesn't take a lot of money to go to the park, swimming in the lake and a game of catch or Frisbee.  You daddy, mommies, aunts and uncles can even have a tea party with the little ones.  Mostly though love God and each other as though it is the last day of the rest of your life. 

That's what friends are for

What a shock!  Judy, long time friend, called last evening with news that our mutual friend passed away at 8:00am June 7th.  I had spent the day cleaning as I remembered my sister-in-law, Lisha's birthday.  That's a whole other blog; Lisha taught me the virtues of cleaning.  I smiled and actually laughed out loud a couple of times.
That "good time feeling" left me suddenly when I heard the news that MaryAnn had died.  MaryAnn was diagnosed with cancer I think about 5 years ago.  At that time her husband, Denny was told it was fast growing and could take her is 4 years.  Because I know people who have been told that and have been in remission for 10, I didn't take that as the gospel.  MaryAnn lived in Bellingham, Washington so couldn't see her regularly.  I traveled to Bellingham 3 years ago and had a delightful time with her and Denny.  She had slowed down some but her fun personality and her good looks were very much intact.  Last year I met with MaryAnn, Denny, Judy and Don in Billings.  We went to dinner and had a great visit.  Again, she was tired but not what I would have thought to be life threatening.  Her diagnosis did come to pass and I lost a wonderful friend of 53 years.  I pray there will be joy at her funeral as people recall her loyalty and positive attitude in all things.
As the old saying goes, "the only thing certain in life is death and taxes"  None of us will live on this earth forever.  My prayer is that I take the time to recognize friends often and tell them how much they mean to me.