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.)