Home. Again.

Traveling to Barcelona gave me a whole new reality when it comes to US traveling! Just like that - I am home!  No glitches.  Remarkably!  I heard that after out plane left Indy, many flights cancelled due to the stormy weather.  Phew.  Got into Denver and it was snowing.  Our flight was delayed as we had to be de-iced.  Mike patiently waited in Jackson, visiting with other friends picking up family.  It is always so good to be home.

Smoke seems to be improving.  He is still gimpy, but moving around better.  I think he dislocated his hip.  Vet visit next week.

We met one of the 5 Chief candidates in the airport.  Todd, from Moline, Illinois, and his wife Heather.  Our organization will get a look at them tomorrow night.

So happy it is Saturday.  A full day tomorrow to figure out what to do something with!  The sun slipped behind Munger Mountain tonight as I sat in an outside chair - wine glass in hand - my eyes closed to the brightness and my body warming to the rays.  The grass is greening, the hummingbirds are no two instead of one.  Spring is coming.  Spring is coming.....

Last Night in Indy

Black clouds cut by lightning knives from the sky and quarter sized rain drops finish off this Friday evening.  I have been darn busy here at FDIC.  Too busy to post - obviously!  Apologies for that.  The sea of firefighters is impressive.  The convention center is impressive; lined with vendors pushing their products.  A stadium filled with apparatus did not get viewed, for all the other activities.  I have been overwhelmed. 

The presentation went well this morning.  A man from Sweden, couple of guys from Aspen, one from Idaho - a total of a bit over 30.  Every class has an evaluation form for the students and we instructors are allowed to review them.  I was pleased with the reviews and nudged in a couple of suggestions for an improved presentation next year.  It is an honor and privilege to have this opportunity to be a FDIC instructor.  I am humbled.  I come home with an Instructor's name badge, a certificate, and a FDIC challenge coin....soon to be framed and posed with great pride on my wall. 

Opening session was standing room only.  I heard there were over 5K people there.  Bobby Halton gave an impassioned speech on Duty.  Bag pipes brought in the flag and played "Amazing Grace" as the names of the 2016 LODD were displayed on the big screen.  Not too many dry eyes in the room right then!  Here is a picture of the crowd.

Six degrees of separation happened too often to be believable!  Ran into some firefighters who said, "hey, we know someone who used to live in Jackson!"  Of course, you have to ask who - they work alongside Freddy!!  We laughed and laughed, making the connection!

Tonight, on the way home in the bus shuttle, a pile of guys exit, leaving one lone man who moves from the back and asks, "You're from Jackson?"  I nod.  "I applied for the Fire Marshal job out there a few years back!"  He didn't realize he was talking to the person who got that job back then!  We shook our heads in amazement, that in this throng of firefighter mass population, he and I would happen chance to meet!  Crazy!

When I travel, Jackson Hole is my identity.  I can strike up conversations with anyone!  This morning on the bus ride over I had the nicest conversation with Mr. Roper.  A black man, born and raised in Montgomery Alabama, we shared our enjoyment for morning, as the sky turned firey red on the eastern horizon.  His daddy was a cotton farmer.  He and his wife have been married 52 years.  We chatted on and on sharing life's joys.  It was a really great way to start the day.

Packed up and alarm clock set for 4am (groan), I am ready to return to Wyoming.  Sleep well, my friends - old and new. 

Our Dogs, Our Friends

Ruby, the young dog, is becoming impatient.  She wants to play again.  Smoke is putting weight on his bad leg/foot, but is still wobbly.  This is going to take awhile of healing.

I'm off tomorrow to the BIG EVENT!  Off to Indiana for the biggest firefighter event of the year!!  FDIC  Promise to post often!

Smoke Status

Friday.  Smoke is kind of walking about.  Having a bunch of Prednisone aboard, he is very food-motivated - even more than normal!!  His leg that we feared was paralyzed is now responsive to pain.  We have reason to be guardedly hopeful.

This night before dear friend Jen's birthday is one to watch for meteors.  Our plan is to get out of bed around 4am, crawl into the hot tub and look east in hopes of sky show.  The sky is always a show for me, but throwing in a meteor or two makes getting out of bed very easy!!  Happy Birthday Jen!  I hope you too enjoy meteor showers from your amazing hot tub!!

Enjoy the weekend and spring!

Update Report

This morning, at 2am, Smoke peed!  It was a big deal because it told us he is not paralyzed in his back end.  This morning, he walk-wobbled to eat his food.  His left leg still is not working right.  We are guardedly hopeful that leg will come around.  For now, we are relieved that putting Smoke down will not have to happen.

A three legged dog?  Friend Seth has had one for 16 years!  Old Griz is still alive and kicking.  Smoke is tough enough......we hope to see that leg come back.

Will keep you all posted.

Thank you for the notes of concern and love and thoughts toward Smoke's recovery.  I believe your kind energy makes a difference.

Smoke

Just the other day, I watched Ruby and Smoke playing with each other and said how nice it is they like each other so much.

Yesterday, as they chased each other around the Walton Ranch, Smoke crashed into a piece of equipment.  No one saw it happen, but he laid there kie-yahing in pain when Mike and Tom ran out of the shop nearby. 

The emergency visit to the vet found no broken bones, but Smoke has lost the feeling and use of one back leg and perhaps even worse, his entire back end.  The vet has him on prednisone in hopes the swelling will go down and we will be able to see some changes for the better.  Mike and I are not optimistic. There may be spinal column damage.

Our hearts break over this accident.  Smoke is a wonderful, kind, sincere dog.  He is not even five years old yet.  We hope for the best and prepare for the worse as this gray and rainy day ticks on. 

 

Spring Stories

The picture below, taken of the elk relaxing in a field, was after a 70 degree temperature was observed on my car thermometer.  Today it is snowing.  Seriously.

Chicks have arrived!  They were born on Monday.  On Thursday, all are still alive!!

Captain Trumbower in the News!

The members at the Hoback Fire Station have been promised a new station for a long, long time.  Promises, promises.  Former Chief Willy Watsabaugh used to say, "that station is so small, the volunteers have to use a shoe horn to get inside!"  That's not too big of a stretch!!

If you are local, remember to Vote Yes for JHF/EMS SPET so maybe someday these committed, loyal volunteers will get a new firehouse.

Click here to read the article News Today

Hibiscus

One of my traits is that when I get into something, I get into it!  Take, for example, hibiscus.  The infused tequila turned out surprisingly delicious!  So, how about strawberry hibiscus jam?  Why not?  I didn't follow any rules - why it may not set up real jam-like! - but the stuff is an amazing color and tastes just as amazing.  Go find some dried hibiscus flowers and give this a try!

Wash, hull and thinly slice two pounds of strawberries.  Throw in 3 cups of sugar and let it sit in the fridg overnight.  Take a blender (I used my Nutriblender) and buzz up 1/3 cup of dried hibiscus flowers (dry), then add 1/2 hot water to bring out the color and hydrate the tiny flower pieces.  Let them chill in the fridg too.  Next day, throw the strawberries in a sauce pan with a thinly sliced lemon (I used a Meyer lemon).  Boil until you realize you really probably should have put in the pectin!  Take a package of SureJell and mix it into the hibiscus fluid.  Stir well, add to the boiling strawberries, bring to a full boil and taste!  This is really, really good jam with a beautiful color! 

I think if I did this right - the SureJell way - it would be jammy.  Still, thick and delicious, I don't think it will go to waste! 

I am so Human!

Argh!  Today, I realized I set up the Derby Facebook name wrong.  Darn it!!  Don't go following or liking the one I sent earlier.  Please check out, follow, and SHARE this one. 

The right link to the Derby!!

To err is to be human.  To acknowledge it is to be humble.  To be humble is to improve....maybe!! 

Your Chance to Win!

The Jackson Lake Ice Off Fishing Derby is happening again this year.  To raise some money for an even better event, a local rancher kindly donated a steer, butchered and processed, to raffle off!!  Raffle tickets are $10 each, 3 for $30 or 10 for $100!!  Hah!  Check out our Facebook page at JL Ice Off Fishing Derby

If you get some and win and you are out of state, well, you'll just have to come and visit, taking or flying a cooler of meat home.  Or, you could just buy some to support the event and if you win, we could figure out a local family to donate the steer to enjoy......

Come ooonnnnnnnn!!  It's a great, annual event, celebrating the Joy of Fishing!!

Wet Weekend

There is a big spring storm on the western horizon promising to make the weekend good for a trip to Idaho Falls to go a-shopping, desk work, and hot tubbing.  I love sitting in the hot tub in the rain!!  We are just left of the A in the purple Absorka. The red below is to indicate a winter storm warning.  We just get to watch the winter storm (ie; winter storm watch is purple).

The Simple Things In Life

It doesn't really take much to make me happy.  Round ice cubes!!  How cool are these?  Inspired from the wonderful visit to our new favorite place to drink in Cody, Wyoming - the Juniper , I decided that I needed round ice cubes.  This is the first batch.  I think one will look awesome in an Old Fashioned!! 

The weekend is supposed to be wet and cold and rainy.  Joy.  Hope your spring is greening up and warming up better than this high country mountain town!! 

Find joy.  Cool down with a round ice ball!!

Beautiful, delicious, and fun!

Allow me to introduce you to a very nice drink.  Found in our local free restaurant magazine, Dishing See More Here , I was inspired by this drink's beauty and a glass decanter from Phyllis Breen (decanter on right edge of photo below).

 

 

Here's how I made this Spicy Hibiscus Margarita:

 

Giving the lovely glass vase a job, I put 3000 ml of Silver tequila in the vase (this is two bottles).  Then I added 1/4 cup of dried hibiscus flowers (found at the local whole foods grocery store in the herbs and spices section), and 2 quartered habaneros ( with seeds) and let it soak for 24 hours.  In the world of ritzy-titsy hoity toity folk, this is called infusion!

 

The next day, 24 hours later, I poured the pretty pink colored stuff through a screen, throwing away the findings.  Now, the tequila, pink and beautiful, had a display case (the vase) to proudly show off its color.

 

So, time to build a drink!!  Fill a shaker with good ice - the kind you buy from the grocery store (I am a true ice snob, did you know?).  Add to the shaker:

- 2 shots of infused tequila

- 1 shot Gran Marnier

- 1.5 shot sour mix (I make my own by juicing half lemons, half limes)

- 1.5 shot simple syrup (I make this too Simple Syrup )

 

Shake this up and chill it down!  Rim a beautiful glass (as seen above) with lime juice, edge it with sugar (I used the coarse natural sugar), and pour in this nectar of the gods!  Enjoy!! 

 

Have I said how much I like this drink?  Alden, please share with Paige.  I see this drink being a big hit at  My Favorite Bar in Cody, the Juniper

 

We'll be thinking of you, Seth & Alden, as we build these drinks up to share with Todd & Janet for dinner tonight.  We'll be eating the first steaks from the steer Mike has been feeding to get ready for butcher, T-Bone! 

 

 



Road Trip

After a long and productive week at work, I took a few hours off so Mike and I could do a road trip to Soda Springs, Idaho.  One might wonder why anyone would venture off to this non-descript, not known for much, dusty little town.  We drove up and over Tin Cup Pass, saturated with the spring melt off.  Folks are worried about water this year.  There is water everywhere and a whole bunch more in the high country.

The two lane narrow road winds and curves its way toward Soda Springs.  "No Gas for 77 Miles".  The sign holds true.  Two "towns", unworthy in my estimation to be called towns, are observed on the way.  Henry and Wayan.  Gray's Lake National Wildlife Refuge sits atop this pass in what looks like a giant caldera.  We note to research the geologic past of this area, curious how this big flat valley came to be atop this mountain.  Water pushes through culverts and seeps closer and closer to the road.  Geese wonder where to nest.  Sandhill cranes flap their long wings across the lake.  Ducks bounce happily atop the abundant water.  This place makes one want to drive up and visit during the summer to see how it will look then.  See more about the refuge here Gray's Lake Refuge

Man made benches of tailings welcome one to the tiny town.  Phosphate mining is big here and Monsanto keeps many of the 3K populous employed.  There is a diner with good food, an old hotel, a Dollar Store, a Morman insurance salesman, and a steely blue eyed lawyer in this town.  The town is known for its soda water, found by those coming across the Oregon Trail, bubbling out of the ground.  The story of the town's attraction, a spouting geyser playing copy-cat to Old Faithful, but indeed, quite predictable, as it is on a timer, and really does go off on the hour, 24 times a day!  We hang around to watch.  We were not disappointed!

 

I will say - with a bit of disappointment - the history of the town Soda Springs, ID History is more interesting that the town.  It's kind of a sad, run-down place with people living in houses that appear to be just getting by.  A couple of gas stations, two grocery stores, two Mexican restaurants, and the place within reach of Jackson (!) where one can go to get the paper work and finger printing done to get one's TSA prepass. 

 

Now you know why we ventured off to Soda Springs, Idaho!