Dear Armstrong Cousins, I had a great time!!! I promise not to sing next year, It apparently sent all of you running. I guess that you are all gone home to bed so I guess that is where I'll go. Cousin Grace in Sanford, Florida

LOL, yep, my momma used to call me her little shadow and she was about as tall as Cousin Marilyn. I'm only 4 foot 9 and a half inches tall so I have to be a shadow at midday :-) Yes, all five of my daughters are pestering Fount now. Emily's got her acoustic guitar and Ashley has her electric and they're trying to get him to wake up and do a Weird Al Yankovich song with them. Alicia is sticking crab legs up his nose. You'd think one of the littlest ones would be doing that, but noooooo, it's the 17 year old. Anastasia is reading The Lorax (Dr. Seuss) to him and Zoe is beating on him, "Fountie, UP, Fountie, UP!" Is he really sleeping through all this? He must have had a lot more CC and Diet Dew than I thought! Judy Vicki Showers wrote: > Good grief, your not tap dancing to "me and my shadow" are you?!?! Judy, > is that your kids picking on poor Fount again?? He does look rather funny > with those crab leg shells sticking out of his ears tho!! Good thing he is > such a nice guy!? Hey, make room for me on the table--holy cow, its tipping. > Is everyone ok?? At least we missed falling on Fount. Vicki NW Iowa > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Judy Harris" <harris@localline.com> > To: <ARMSTRONG-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2003 9:15 PM > Subject: Re: [ARMSTRONG-L] Party > > > Marilyn, ya can't go to bed yet! We still owe them a song and dance from > the > > last party! Clear off a table, folks! Quit laughing! Yes I know Cousin > > Marilyn is about a foot taller than I am. Ready, Marilyn? > > > > "Me and my shadow...." > > > > Hey! Those crab shells are supposed to be Fount's bed! Quit throwing > them! > > > > Judy :) > > > > "Marilyn R. Otterson" wrote: > > > > > Oh, I think it's time for this old Armstrong girl to give up and go to > > > bed...it's bedtime on the east coast. I had a great time at the party > and > > > still have some of your letters to read tomorrow. I hope that you west > > > coast folks have fun for the rest of your evening. As for me, I am > leaving > > > all the maple treats out on the table for you....just come on in and > help > > > yourselves. The coffee pot is on, coffee made with maple sap. You are > > > going to love it! And, of course, nothing but real cream to go in it. > > > > > > I decided that with all John's crab we don't need lobster, too, so I let > > > them go. I let them race, first, but then headed them east to the > ocean. > > > Hope they make it. I will save all that butter for another day. > > > > > > Help yourself to some New Hampshire cheddar cheese, too, and put some on > a > > > piece of my homemade bread. That should give you the stamina to make it > > > over to Doreen's in Scotland (if she has not forgotten us) for more > dessert > > > and maybe directions down to the Armstrong country on the Borders. > > > > > > Have fun and let me know what I missed! > > > > > > Cheers, > > > Cousin Sleepy Marilyn > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: "Judy Harris" <harris@localline.com> > > > To: <ARMSTRONG-L@rootsweb.com> > > > Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2003 9:54 PM > > > Subject: Re: [ARMSTRONG-L] Party > > > > > > > Hey Pat, I can bring big extension ladders and we can finish that roof > in > > > no > > > > time. DH (that stands for dastardly husband) left them all here when > he > > > moved in > > > > with his young girlfriend. And I'll bring nail guns too. Just keep > them > > > away > > > > from me if I get a bit tipsy...they're really not meant to be used on > > > > people...even if he deserves it.... > > > > > > > > Judy > > > > > > > > PTatom@aol.com wrote: > > > > > > > > > Havn't had some much fun since the last party. Oh the food, I > think > > > I ate > > > > > enough for a year. Bye the way does someone need another pair of > pliers? > > > Have > > > > > extras. > > > > > You put bleach on the fire ant bites. My husband was to treat the > > > yard > > > > > again . Sorry about that. I think we need to all pitch in and help > John > > > D > > > > > finish the roof. I sure we can do it. Here we come . Ooops don't > hide > > > the > > > > > ladder we just want to help. Okay okay party . > > > > > > > > > >

Marilyn, ya can't go to bed yet! We still owe them a song and dance from the last party! Clear off a table, folks! Quit laughing! Yes I know Cousin Marilyn is about a foot taller than I am. Ready, Marilyn? "Me and my shadow...." Hey! Those crab shells are supposed to be Fount's bed! Quit throwing them! Judy :) "Marilyn R. Otterson" wrote: > Oh, I think it's time for this old Armstrong girl to give up and go to > bed...it's bedtime on the east coast. I had a great time at the party and > still have some of your letters to read tomorrow. I hope that you west > coast folks have fun for the rest of your evening. As for me, I am leaving > all the maple treats out on the table for you....just come on in and help > yourselves. The coffee pot is on, coffee made with maple sap. You are > going to love it! And, of course, nothing but real cream to go in it. > > I decided that with all John's crab we don't need lobster, too, so I let > them go. I let them race, first, but then headed them east to the ocean. > Hope they make it. I will save all that butter for another day. > > Help yourself to some New Hampshire cheddar cheese, too, and put some on a > piece of my homemade bread. That should give you the stamina to make it > over to Doreen's in Scotland (if she has not forgotten us) for more dessert > and maybe directions down to the Armstrong country on the Borders. > > Have fun and let me know what I missed! > > Cheers, > Cousin Sleepy Marilyn > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Judy Harris" <harris@localline.com> > To: <ARMSTRONG-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2003 9:54 PM > Subject: Re: [ARMSTRONG-L] Party > > > Hey Pat, I can bring big extension ladders and we can finish that roof in > no > > time. DH (that stands for dastardly husband) left them all here when he > moved in > > with his young girlfriend. And I'll bring nail guns too. Just keep them > away > > from me if I get a bit tipsy...they're really not meant to be used on > > people...even if he deserves it.... > > > > Judy > > > > PTatom@aol.com wrote: > > > > > Havn't had some much fun since the last party. Oh the food, I think > I ate > > > enough for a year. Bye the way does someone need another pair of pliers? > Have > > > extras. > > > You put bleach on the fire ant bites. My husband was to treat the > yard > > > again . Sorry about that. I think we need to all pitch in and help John > D > > > finish the roof. I sure we can do it. Here we come . Ooops don't hide > the > > > ladder we just want to help. Okay okay party . > > > >

Doreen, Am I the only one who showed up? I'm hearing a lot of good night's on this side of the pond. Have you much information on the Armstrong tartan and clan history? Just last weekend, I bought a book about Scots' tartans. I think ours is one of the more attractive ones. My husband's family are Johnstons, also of the Border area. Do you have/wear a kilt? I had directions for wrapping one a few years ago. It looked like there's more to it than one might first expect. I'd like to know about the hairy hoocheedinger and the purse-like thingamabob. (Please forgive my precise vocabulary. I was taught to express myself succinctly. Truly, I am not trying to show anyone up. I would never do such a thing. Ask anyone.) Now, to the REALLY interesting topic: FOOD! I've forgotten what that Scottish delicacy is called that is, I think, stuffed sheep's stomach. Can you tell me a little about that- its history, how its seasoned, how it tastes? It's quite a curiousity to me. Your raspberry trifle sounds luscious, but can it be made without soaking? Also, can it be LIT? I just happened to wonder about that. GOOD GRIEF! WHAT WAS THAT?!? It looked kind of like a chicken just went zooming across the sky. No, not flying. ZOOMING! Almost as if it were somehow propelled! Alright, Jacquie! Where are you? And who is that up on the Armstrong castle wall?!? It looks like two women...and they seem to be.... No, it couldn't be. It DOES look like they're tap dancing!?! Could it be? Marilyn? Judy? When did you get here? And who's that up there with them? Oh, my. I'd have never guessed that Fount could've found his way out of that pile of crab shells and made it to Scotland. He's got binoculars... and he's shouting something.... something about wool bikinis.... Those are SHEEP, Fount! Somebody get him down off there before he hurts himself! That reminds me of an old Burl Ives song, one line of which was: "The moon is high and so am I. The stars are out and so will I be pretty soon." Good thing there's no full moon out tonight. Well, I think I'll head up to the bed chamber, light a fire, and begin planning. How can I use this knowledge to my best advantage.... Hmmmm. Doreen, I'll help you clean up. I'm experienced in that department. You see, while I was visiting Edie in Tasmania.... It's been a terrific party! Thanks to all! Jill

Gosh, I knew that I should not have sung. Y'all reacted the same as my family. You have all disappeared. Come back.....I promise that I wont sing again. Grace

It's my bedtime y'all ---party pooper --I know. The tree frogs aren't singing tonight, nor is the bullfrog croacking across the pond to his sweetie - it's too cool outside, and they are waiting for next week when we will have our warm weather back. If you had come to party at my previous home you would have had to wear your snow skis and Eskimo parkas - Michigan got all the snow and ice that John D. DIDN't and now two of the Great Lakes are frozen over. The natives are grousing and pouty, and I don't dare say how nice the weather is heah. (I'm checking out my Southern drawl) no offense no offense After you folks leave Arkansas, bring your fiddle and let's do that chicken dance - I'll bet Fount is the only one who remembers...and John D. :)) Thanks for all the good food - and don't forget to share your recipes (if you haven't) 10:00 EST Mary

Hey Pat, I can bring big extension ladders and we can finish that roof in no time. DH (that stands for dastardly husband) left them all here when he moved in with his young girlfriend. And I'll bring nail guns too. Just keep them away from me if I get a bit tipsy...they're really not meant to be used on people...even if he deserves it.... Judy PTatom@aol.com wrote: > Havn't had some much fun since the last party. Oh the food, I think I ate > enough for a year. Bye the way does someone need another pair of pliers? Have > extras. > You put bleach on the fire ant bites. My husband was to treat the yard > again . Sorry about that. I think we need to all pitch in and help John D > finish the roof. I sure we can do it. Here we come . Ooops don't hide the > ladder we just want to help. Okay okay party .

Oh the death of my poor children Oh the death that they did die Some got drunk and some got drowned Some got choked on Chicken Pie. Did y'all enjoy the old folk song that I learned as a child in Kentucky? I think that my family is coming for me with the men in white coats. Help!!! We didn't have Chicken Pie at the party, did we? Grace

Unsubscribe Phyllis Murphy Home Interiors & Gifts Accessory Specialist IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME.

Judy, You mean there are still girl scout cookies that I haven't bought? I thought I had bought all the Girl scout cookies and Boy scout popcorn in front of Walmart's. Fount ----- Original Message ----- From: "Judy Harris" <harris@localline.com> To: <ARMSTRONG-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2003 9:34 PM Subject: [ARMSTRONG-L] Party Table dancin' > Okay folks, now you've done it. Almost three year old Zoe finally got > the message that you don't dance on tables and now we all walk in and > she sees the tables full of adults dancing. Make room for another one. > > Awwwwww, look at Anastasia and Cousin Fount! She sure has grown since > the last party, hasn't she? But she still remembers digging Fount out > of the crab shells. Ain't that cute..."Don't worry, Fount. I'm 7 now. > I can dig a lot faster." She'll take care of ya, but first she's gotta > sell Girl Scout cookies to all the cousins. Anybody for a box of Thin > Mints? I don't seem to have eaten enough of them myself because I'm not > getting any thinner. ;-) > > Judy > >

Havn't had some much fun since the last party. Oh the food, I think I ate enough for a year. Bye the way does someone need another pair of pliers? Have extras. You put bleach on the fire ant bites. My husband was to treat the yard again . Sorry about that. I think we need to all pitch in and help John D finish the roof. I sure we can do it. Here we come . Ooops don't hide the ladder we just want to help. Okay okay party .

Cousin Vicki, I think I'll drag myself to bed and dream of the bikinis! Fount ----- Original Message ----- From: "Vicki Showers" <walleye1@netins.net> To: <ARMSTRONG-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2003 8:51 PM Subject: [ARMSTRONG-L] I'M BAAACCCCKKKKK!!! > So nice here today was enjoying it. 72 degrees, however Iowa being Iowa Monday severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, and by Thursday highs in the 30's and snow. Always a reality check here!!!! O.K. now on to the party, fresh walleye and hashbrowns here, but I'm scooting on to Founts and getting a LARGE helping of crab, any lobster??? Of course melted butter and all of the stuff thats bad for you. I guess I'll leave Duane home so he isn't tempted by the food, and no way am I taking him near those BIKINIS!!! Who's ready to dance, you will have to forgive my jogging sweats, they are just so comfortable. Vicki NW Iowa >

YES< We could jump on the riverboat and party all the way down to New Orleans!!!!! Fount ----- Original Message ----- From: "Judy Harris" <harris@localline.com> To: <ARMSTRONG-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2003 9:05 PM Subject: Re: [ARMSTRONG-L] Par-tee, par-tee, Alma's place > Timeout! Riverboat horn?!?!?! Somebody hop out there and see if my Capt. > John Armstrong is running that thing. Fount! John D.! Come quick! Grab > him and don't let him go till he tells ya who his Ma and Pa were. Hurry, > he's getting awaaaaaaayy! > > Judy in Indiana > > gary & jill johnston wrote: > > Anyway, as miraculous as it may sound, I think I hear a blast from that > > > river boat's horn. We'd better hurry. I can hardly wait. I've never seen > > the big M-I-Dbl before. What? You don't know what the M-I-Dbl is? You > > know... M -I -Dbl- S- I- Dbl- S- I -Dbl -P -I. Yeah, I figured you knew. > > > > It's getting dark. I hear elk blowing their horns, too. They are SO > > talented! It's just astounding to me that cloven hoofed critters could > > play bugles! Nature is so wondrous! > > > > Well, let's board the boat! ('Scuse me, I'll be right back. Edie's fruit, > > you know).... > > > > Jill >

Well, Pattie, I'll move over and make room for you on the table. I need to take a rest and sample some more of this good Bar-b-que. a few more rum and cokes wouldn't hurt either. But i'll be back on the table before long. I'm also ready to start singing (altho my family would not call it singing). I have some wonderful songs that I am just dying to perform. But I sure don't want to run everyone off. That's what happens when I sing at home, everyone in my family decides that they have to be somewhere on an errand of some kind. I just don't understand it. My dancing ability exactly matches my singing ability. I sure wish that I knew how to use this new digital camera we have, I think that it would be great to send pictures. I am sure that all of you could use a good laugh. Grace

Okay folks, now you've done it. Almost three year old Zoe finally got the message that you don't dance on tables and now we all walk in and she sees the tables full of adults dancing. Make room for another one. Awwwwww, look at Anastasia and Cousin Fount! She sure has grown since the last party, hasn't she? But she still remembers digging Fount out of the crab shells. Ain't that cute..."Don't worry, Fount. I'm 7 now. I can dig a lot faster." She'll take care of ya, but first she's gotta sell Girl Scout cookies to all the cousins. Anybody for a box of Thin Mints? I don't seem to have eaten enough of them myself because I'm not getting any thinner. ;-) Judy

http://www.ancestry.com/share/research/main.htm What is the Research Registry? The Research Registry contains more than 360,000 Research Profiles from thousands of other researchers around the world, some which may be researching the same ancestry lines that you are. Once you find out who else is researching the same surname(s) that you are, you can contact them via e-mail. You can also create and modify your own Research Profile to be submitted to the Research Registry. Pray for peace, Debbie

John D, Now, you tell me I can't bbq king crabs.! Well, I've bbqed most everything else from goats to frogs. Anyway, here I am again, in a corner going to sleep in a pile of crab legs, sucked out crawfish heads and rib bones. I must have had a good time as my bass is still around my neck!!!! And, who was the Lass dancing on the table when it turned over and she was burried in my pile of shells and bones? What a party! Fount ----- Original Message ----- From: "John D. Armstrong" <ana@mtaonline.net> To: <ARMSTRONG-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2003 6:32 PM Subject: Re: [ARMSTRONG-L] Par-tee, par-tee: Fount's place > Fount, > you don't barbeque crab... you boil them... get out your biggest stock > pot and fill the bottom with about a gallon of cheap beer, bring it to > a boil, then drop the crab in.. Melt some butter... when the crab > turn from brown to red, they are done... I shoulda brought some crab > shell crackers, but pliers work good... hope you got a few pair of > pliers in your shop to use... Maybe some kind sould could raid a KMart > and get a few extra pair.. we'll need em..! > > I dived into WHAT kind of salad... and I promised my wife I wouldn't > do any thing to embarrass her at this party!!! Just goes to show you > that you can take the Sailor out of the Sea, but you can't take the > party out of the Sailor...! > > No I'm sorry I don't know any Jeanie Mykland or Steve... We've only > lived here in Wasilla for 3 yrs now... Before that we lived in Homer... > the Hamlet by the Sea... or if you read the stuff TomBodett wrote, it > was "The End of The Road"...! now there if I didn't know their name, I > knew them by the name of their Boat..! > > Sincerely > John D > Snowless in Alaska > > > > gary & jill johnston wrote: > > >Fount, > >I heard the music even before I saw the yard full of smoke! I hope John D > >doesn't get a whiff of that Alaska King Crab burning. Pee-eew! Good thing > >he sent a lot, huh? Most people don't actually bar b que crab, do they?? > > > >Oh, well. John probably didn't notice- I see him dancing that hornpipe on > >your table saw! Wait... what's that crashing? Oh my gosh... that must've > >hurt! Get the medics! > > > >John, John! Are you okay?... Cancel the medics!!! John just dived into > >Shirley's apple chicken salad! I heard it was good... but that does seem > >a bit extreme.... I think I'll have mine on a plate, please, right next > >to that big ol' crab. > > > >Yum! Armstrong's really know good food! > >Gotta run; time's a wastin'- > >Jill > >BTW, John, did you know my friend Jeanie Mykland and her friend Steve in > >Wasilla? > >__________________ > > > >"Gypsy gold does not chink and glitter. It gleams in the sun and neighs > >in the dark." Gypsy saying > > > > > > > > > >

Good grief, your not tap dancing to "me and my shadow" are you?!?! Judy, is that your kids picking on poor Fount again?? He does look rather funny with those crab leg shells sticking out of his ears tho!! Good thing he is such a nice guy!? Hey, make room for me on the table--holy cow, its tipping. Is everyone ok?? At least we missed falling on Fount. Vicki NW Iowa ----- Original Message ----- From: "Judy Harris" <harris@localline.com> To: <ARMSTRONG-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2003 9:15 PM Subject: Re: [ARMSTRONG-L] Party > Marilyn, ya can't go to bed yet! We still owe them a song and dance from the > last party! Clear off a table, folks! Quit laughing! Yes I know Cousin > Marilyn is about a foot taller than I am. Ready, Marilyn? > > "Me and my shadow...." > > Hey! Those crab shells are supposed to be Fount's bed! Quit throwing them! > > Judy :) > > "Marilyn R. Otterson" wrote: > > > Oh, I think it's time for this old Armstrong girl to give up and go to > > bed...it's bedtime on the east coast. I had a great time at the party and > > still have some of your letters to read tomorrow. I hope that you west > > coast folks have fun for the rest of your evening. As for me, I am leaving > > all the maple treats out on the table for you....just come on in and help > > yourselves. The coffee pot is on, coffee made with maple sap. You are > > going to love it! And, of course, nothing but real cream to go in it. > > > > I decided that with all John's crab we don't need lobster, too, so I let > > them go. I let them race, first, but then headed them east to the ocean. > > Hope they make it. I will save all that butter for another day. > > > > Help yourself to some New Hampshire cheddar cheese, too, and put some on a > > piece of my homemade bread. That should give you the stamina to make it > > over to Doreen's in Scotland (if she has not forgotten us) for more dessert > > and maybe directions down to the Armstrong country on the Borders. > > > > Have fun and let me know what I missed! > > > > Cheers, > > Cousin Sleepy Marilyn > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Judy Harris" <harris@localline.com> > > To: <ARMSTRONG-L@rootsweb.com> > > Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2003 9:54 PM > > Subject: Re: [ARMSTRONG-L] Party > > > > > Hey Pat, I can bring big extension ladders and we can finish that roof in > > no > > > time. DH (that stands for dastardly husband) left them all here when he > > moved in > > > with his young girlfriend. And I'll bring nail guns too. Just keep them > > away > > > from me if I get a bit tipsy...they're really not meant to be used on > > > people...even if he deserves it.... > > > > > > Judy > > > > > > PTatom@aol.com wrote: > > > > > > > Havn't had some much fun since the last party. Oh the food, I think > > I ate > > > > enough for a year. Bye the way does someone need another pair of pliers? > > Have > > > > extras. > > > > You put bleach on the fire ant bites. My husband was to treat the > > yard > > > > again . Sorry about that. I think we need to all pitch in and help John > > D > > > > finish the roof. I sure we can do it. Here we come . Ooops don't hide > > the > > > > ladder we just want to help. Okay okay party . > > > > > > >

Hey, I've got five or six pairs of pliers handy. (I'm the tool gal.) I'll bring them along and stop by K-Mart for more. The KMart nearest us is going out of business so everything's about 75 percent off. Might pick up a new squeaky clean garbage can while I'm there and mix up a Hairy Buffalo. Take a new garbage can, fill it about half full of Hawaiian Punch drink mix--mixed real strong, and add the contents of your liquor cabinet. Haven't had one of those since college...many moons ago. Judy "John D. Armstrong" wrote: > Fount, > you don't barbeque crab... you boil them... get out your biggest stock > pot and fill the bottom with about a gallon of cheap beer, bring it to > a boil, then drop the crab in.. Melt some butter... when the crab > turn from brown to red, they are done... I shoulda brought some crab > shell crackers, but pliers work good... hope you got a few pair of > pliers in your shop to use... Maybe some kind sould could raid a KMart > and get a few extra pair.. we'll need em..! > > I dived into WHAT kind of salad... and I promised my wife I wouldn't > do any thing to embarrass her at this party!!! Just goes to show you > that you can take the Sailor out of the Sea, but you can't take the > party out of the Sailor...! > > No I'm sorry I don't know any Jeanie Mykland or Steve... We've only > lived here in Wasilla for 3 yrs now... Before that we lived in Homer... > the Hamlet by the Sea... or if you read the stuff TomBodett wrote, it > was "The End of The Road"...! now there if I didn't know their name, I > knew them by the name of their Boat..! > > Sincerely > John D > Snowless in Alaska > > gary & jill johnston wrote: > > >Fount, > >I heard the music even before I saw the yard full of smoke! I hope John D > >doesn't get a whiff of that Alaska King Crab burning. Pee-eew! Good thing > >he sent a lot, huh? Most people don't actually bar b que crab, do they?? > > > >Oh, well. John probably didn't notice- I see him dancing that hornpipe on > >your table saw! Wait... what's that crashing? Oh my gosh... that must've > >hurt! Get the medics! > > > >John, John! Are you okay?... Cancel the medics!!! John just dived into > >Shirley's apple chicken salad! I heard it was good... but that does seem > >a bit extreme.... I think I'll have mine on a plate, please, right next > >to that big ol' crab. > > > >Yum! Armstrong's really know good food! > >Gotta run; time's a wastin'- > >Jill > >BTW, John, did you know my friend Jeanie Mykland and her friend Steve in > >Wasilla? > >__________________ > > > >"Gypsy gold does not chink and glitter. It gleams in the sun and neighs > >in the dark." Gypsy saying > > > > > > > >

Hey! Welcome, all! I'm glad you've come! Before we get settled in, I'm wondering who visited Mount St. Helens Nat. Volcanic Monument interpretive centers? You are lucky because it's more beautiful now than it would've been a couple of weeks ago. We had no snow, even in the mountains, until just recently! Who visited Powell's bookstore? Isn't it just too amazing?!? No place quite like it. I'm glad you could see it for yourselves! Bob, what treasures did you find? Well, come on out to the barn. Chuck, I've got a container for your stogie, if it's lit. Shelley, be ready to lift your long skirt and be tolerant of a bit of mud that's bound to get on your dressy boots- this isn't a dressy kind of farm, and I'd hate to see you ruin your outfit. Scooter, our young bay quarter horse, has been gelded for a couple of weeks now- one of our sons says he's a eunuch!- and he's shedding, but I think you'll enjoy how friendly this colt is. We bred him and are pretty proud of the results. His are cutting bloodlines. That means he's bred to have an inborn interest in and sense about cows. It also means he's very athletic. Watching a good cutting horse is like watching poetry of motion. They are flat amazing. Those who want to ride, come on down to the arena with me! Vickie has first dibs. Jackie, are you in? First, we'll talk a bit about how horses communicate and their prey mind set. Then we'll just moveTia different ways so you'll gain confidence before you climb aboard. When you're comfortable from the ground, I'll give you some pointers about in-saddle communication and you can try it out. You'll enjoy it. Promise! We'll sit around the edges of the fire pit after you've got a plateful of that Marshallese fried chicken, your choice of salads, and sweet cold well water or icy raspberry tea or whatever you brung. Oh, I also have the fixin's for raspberry mochas! Go on and dish up! Be sure to save room for the steamed clams and oysters! They're real gut busters! One's never enough!! Barb, I'd like it if we could sit side by each so I can help soothe your soul with a few comfort hugs- if that sounds helpful. Edie and Marilyn, I've saved you places on the west side of the fire; it's least smoky. But we have plenty of room for everyone. The Michael Martin Murphy, Ian Tyson, and Don Edwards CDs will be playing in the background. There's limited room on the deck for some dancing. Sorry, no tables, Grace. As we watch the sparks spiral into the clear, star-studded sky, we'll have a good time eating, sharing family, and telling the kind of lies that are best told around a blazing campfire. We'll never forget this night. I'm so tickled you came! Jill (PS- I had email problems, so this is very late.)