Ahhhh, nothing like sitting around a good campfire. Some folks were going home and going to bed for the night, but they're missing the best treat of all. Fire calms the soul. That's a nice fire pit you have there. Do you ever cook out here over the fire? Yawn...if I fall asleep, just leave me here for a little nap...so peaceful and quiet...reminds me of all the campfires along the banks of the Ohio River when I was a kid. Judy gary & jill johnston wrote: > 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.)