Life leads us right where we are supposed to go!!
This blog has been a great way to practise other blog opportunities.....ladies and gentlemen, my first International Association of Fire Chiefs' publication!! Ta dah!!
Read My Piece!
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Monday, November 25, 2019
Barn Quilt, Step 2
Once the boards are primed, one must translate the quilt square to the giant board. Happily, the sunflower quilt square is 8"x 8" and the board is 8' x 8'. This makes the process a bit easier although I drew one line the wrong direction and made one square 2" too big. Easily fixed. Although it is hard to see, if you look close, you will see the giant sunflower pattern!
Today's mission is to pick the paint colors. All help on board over Thanksgiving!! We will start with the light colors and work to the dark. Three coats for all colors. It's going to be the biggest sunflower in all of Star Valley!!
I'm already scheming the next barn quilt!!
Today's mission is to pick the paint colors. All help on board over Thanksgiving!! We will start with the light colors and work to the dark. Three coats for all colors. It's going to be the biggest sunflower in all of Star Valley!!
I'm already scheming the next barn quilt!!
Saturday, November 23, 2019
Time For Loved Ones
Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday which should be celebrated often through the year! Mike made his holiday visit a few weeks early this year, spending time with his family. A drive to Pennsylvania made it possible to reconnect with his Dad's sister, Anna Mae, and the rest of that side of the family. The picture below shows that reunion with Michael in full-pontificating mode!
We all look forward to the week ahead. A few days less work. A reason to gather, cook and share great food, and pause. Pause to give thanks.
Someone the other day said a phrase which I am still thinking about. "The tyranny of living in the United States," and he went on to note we don't spend our days worrying about getting bombed by our neighbors, we don't worry about famine and disease. We suffer from the tyranny of many wonderful things to have and to do and never enough time to do them!
This year, take stock in these real facts. Make sure you have your priorities in the right order. Remember, each day YOU make your life what it is; yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Things and people will make an impact, no doubt. But it is up to you to weave these things into the fabric that drapes your very being.
We live in an amazing time. A phone can direct you to an address. How cool is that?! A link can answer any question you might have about any thing. Take just five minutes, sit, and be with all these blessings. It's an amazing life!
Family Visiting.
We all look forward to the week ahead. A few days less work. A reason to gather, cook and share great food, and pause. Pause to give thanks.
Someone the other day said a phrase which I am still thinking about. "The tyranny of living in the United States," and he went on to note we don't spend our days worrying about getting bombed by our neighbors, we don't worry about famine and disease. We suffer from the tyranny of many wonderful things to have and to do and never enough time to do them!
This year, take stock in these real facts. Make sure you have your priorities in the right order. Remember, each day YOU make your life what it is; yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Things and people will make an impact, no doubt. But it is up to you to weave these things into the fabric that drapes your very being.
We live in an amazing time. A phone can direct you to an address. How cool is that?! A link can answer any question you might have about any thing. Take just five minutes, sit, and be with all these blessings. It's an amazing life!
Family Visiting.
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Superstition
Was it because I wore that old brown sweater with the zipper in the back? Or that I didn't take my binoculars? Maybe because our mule Dinah was along.....
Finally got my elk today! Thanks to the good grace of my boss who covered for me this morning, Mike and I were able to hunt on the very last day of my long-season tag. I put a big sneak on this herd. This fat, young elk will be a bonus for some empty shelves in our freezer.
It was a great hunt, the mules did wonderfully, my guide was in a good mood, and I landed back at work by 1pm!! A fire AND an elk within 24 hours. Life is good. Life is good!
Finally got my elk today! Thanks to the good grace of my boss who covered for me this morning, Mike and I were able to hunt on the very last day of my long-season tag. I put a big sneak on this herd. This fat, young elk will be a bonus for some empty shelves in our freezer.
It was a great hunt, the mules did wonderfully, my guide was in a good mood, and I landed back at work by 1pm!! A fire AND an elk within 24 hours. Life is good. Life is good!
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Goodbye Rusty Parrot
The Rusty Parrot. An icon of Jackson Hole. For years, the only 5 start inn in Wyoming. Built of sturdy logs, shiny and strong, the fire won the battle. Jackson loses this iconic hotel, tucked in the corner of the town, a get away for many travelers. I'm sure they all remember their visit; the helpful staff, the delicious food created in the small but ambitious kitchen, the wall of wonderful wines to choose, the soft bed linens, the quiet restful nights. Here is how it looked before last night's late night fire. Pre Fire Rusty Parrot
My heart aches for this loss. The family built their place of business in 1990. Their lives are woven into the fabric of this address. They watch the night through, wrought with loss and uncertain of what will come next.
A neighbor businessman stops by to see the destruction. His eyes fill with tears when I grab his arm, saying there is only one address that would be an even more terrible loss, his famous Blue Lion Restaurant. We stand, embraced in Miller Park, tears welling up in our eyes, reminding each other that no lives were lost. No lives were lost. Fire marks those who are forever branded by its sear.
Here is one of the many news reports. I have been quoted saying the word "shit". At first, I was aghast and then I thought about it. Shit happens. It is really shitty this happened. Mom says shit is not a swear word. I hope our community will understand my use of this word to describe, well, this shitty fire.
One Of Many News Articles
My heart aches for this loss. The family built their place of business in 1990. Their lives are woven into the fabric of this address. They watch the night through, wrought with loss and uncertain of what will come next.
A neighbor businessman stops by to see the destruction. His eyes fill with tears when I grab his arm, saying there is only one address that would be an even more terrible loss, his famous Blue Lion Restaurant. We stand, embraced in Miller Park, tears welling up in our eyes, reminding each other that no lives were lost. No lives were lost. Fire marks those who are forever branded by its sear.
Here is one of the many news reports. I have been quoted saying the word "shit". At first, I was aghast and then I thought about it. Shit happens. It is really shitty this happened. Mom says shit is not a swear word. I hope our community will understand my use of this word to describe, well, this shitty fire.
One Of Many News Articles
Friday, November 15, 2019
Casper, Wyoming
The drive to Casper Wyoming from Jackson is 287 miles. The prettiest part is on the west side of the mountains. After one pulls up and over Togowotee Pass, the landscape flattens out and stretches for miles and miles. A break in Dubois and Shoshoni gives one pause, a chance to stretch legs, and look over the shelves in the convenience stores wishing there was food that wasn't chuck full of salt and/or fat. I picked up a piece of jerky and ready the ingredients. 370 calories. 270 in fat. Pass.
After the 3pm meeting, networking and drinks ensued. I learned more at the bar and at dinner than I did at the meetings!! An early morning meeting with our radio supplier and back on the road. Here are some pictures from the west side of the mountains, leaving and coming home. The feathers are from our two wildland fires this year. Each found at each fire. Redtail hawks.
After the 3pm meeting, networking and drinks ensued. I learned more at the bar and at dinner than I did at the meetings!! An early morning meeting with our radio supplier and back on the road. Here are some pictures from the west side of the mountains, leaving and coming home. The feathers are from our two wildland fires this year. Each found at each fire. Redtail hawks.
Monday, November 11, 2019
Barn Quilt, Step 1
And so, history accounts, Donna Sue Groves wanted to honor her mother Maxine, by having a painted quilt hung on her barn in Adams County, Ohio. One presumes Maxine was a quilter, but so far I have nothing that actually says so.
Anyway, Donna worked the idea for awhile and it blossomed into a community event rather than just one barn quilt. She spawned the idea of a Quilt Trail through the countryside where travelers could drive a "trail" and see all the barn quilts. There are now over 7000 quilts in the US and Canada registered as a result of Donna's idea sprouted in 2001.
Our Freedom place is in what is called "Star Valley". This long and wide valley sits between two mountain ranges and runs north/south.
Mike saw the ad in the local paper. The Star Valley Quilters Guild have decided to join up on this nation-wide activity and are conducting a Quilt Block Contest. There are prizes for winners! First prize is $1500, second $1000 and third at $750. Quilt block must be installed by July 1, 2020. Although our address is in Freedom, Idaho (one mile from the Wyoming line), I received verbal confirmation that our Barn Block will be considered.
Our winter project; building a barn quilt to honor Mom, maker of many many quilts. As sunflowers have been an every-year planting at our place, and one of my favorite quilts Mom has made is a sunflower quilt, it has been determined this will be our barn quilt pattern. The pattern will be translated from inches to feet, drawn and painted on two boards which will combine to make one giant 8' by 8' square for the side of our shop next to the road.
Not that anyone here is competitive...but.....I'm thinking we will need to build a pullout along the road and a stand of some sort telling about this barn quilt and the awesome woman it will honor! Perhaps some sunflower plantings below the quilt....? Looking for ideas here!!
And so we begin. Step one. Mike bought the 3/4" sign boards. Two 4'x8' pieces of board. I found some very good primer and went to work. The front, backs, and sides have now received three coats of primer.
My task is to figure out how to take an 8" pattern and turn it into an 8 foot pattern. Mike has to figure out how to get the 8'x8' block hung on the north side of the shed!! This will be an adventure, for sure!!
Take a look at some other barn quilts at Barn Quilts
Anyway, Donna worked the idea for awhile and it blossomed into a community event rather than just one barn quilt. She spawned the idea of a Quilt Trail through the countryside where travelers could drive a "trail" and see all the barn quilts. There are now over 7000 quilts in the US and Canada registered as a result of Donna's idea sprouted in 2001.
Our Freedom place is in what is called "Star Valley". This long and wide valley sits between two mountain ranges and runs north/south.
Mike saw the ad in the local paper. The Star Valley Quilters Guild have decided to join up on this nation-wide activity and are conducting a Quilt Block Contest. There are prizes for winners! First prize is $1500, second $1000 and third at $750. Quilt block must be installed by July 1, 2020. Although our address is in Freedom, Idaho (one mile from the Wyoming line), I received verbal confirmation that our Barn Block will be considered.
Our winter project; building a barn quilt to honor Mom, maker of many many quilts. As sunflowers have been an every-year planting at our place, and one of my favorite quilts Mom has made is a sunflower quilt, it has been determined this will be our barn quilt pattern. The pattern will be translated from inches to feet, drawn and painted on two boards which will combine to make one giant 8' by 8' square for the side of our shop next to the road.
Not that anyone here is competitive...but.....I'm thinking we will need to build a pullout along the road and a stand of some sort telling about this barn quilt and the awesome woman it will honor! Perhaps some sunflower plantings below the quilt....? Looking for ideas here!!
And so we begin. Step one. Mike bought the 3/4" sign boards. Two 4'x8' pieces of board. I found some very good primer and went to work. The front, backs, and sides have now received three coats of primer.
My task is to figure out how to take an 8" pattern and turn it into an 8 foot pattern. Mike has to figure out how to get the 8'x8' block hung on the north side of the shed!! This will be an adventure, for sure!!
Take a look at some other barn quilts at Barn Quilts
Sunday, November 10, 2019
Sunday
The sky was filled with blazing pink clouds, edged with wintery gray. I probably should have arrived a bit earlier. Up the hill, a bull elk bugled. Then another on a nearby ridge answered. It is exciting to start your hunt out with elk bugling. I loaded the rifle, grabbed the shooting sticks, heaved on my heavy pack (ever knife I own plus a bunch of other stuff - you never know what you might need), and started walking up the hill.
Although it seems less successful, I really like to hunt afoot. Carefully placing each step, looking forward, looking sideways. Today, I walked up on four deer at about 150 yards. They were clueless of my presence.
The deer would be all I see. Tracks. Lots of tracks in the snow. Elk tracks. Big dog tracks. I don't think those were from any other dog than a wolf. I trudged up to the saddle; always a destination in mind. The sun had crested the ridge. The grasses, brown and golden and moving in the morning breeze. The forest, quiet. I checked my phone. No service. 8:39. I sat, drank water, and took these pictures.
This year, hunting feels like hunting.
Although it seems less successful, I really like to hunt afoot. Carefully placing each step, looking forward, looking sideways. Today, I walked up on four deer at about 150 yards. They were clueless of my presence.
The deer would be all I see. Tracks. Lots of tracks in the snow. Elk tracks. Big dog tracks. I don't think those were from any other dog than a wolf. I trudged up to the saddle; always a destination in mind. The sun had crested the ridge. The grasses, brown and golden and moving in the morning breeze. The forest, quiet. I checked my phone. No service. 8:39. I sat, drank water, and took these pictures.
This year, hunting feels like hunting.
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Lists
DONE -
- Monday work until Officers' Meeting, home by 2100 hours
- Tuesday 0530 Mike to airport, work, go to Alpine/Freedom, come back to Jackson, vote, visit friend in ICU that night
- Wednesday work until 1900 hours; meet Mentor Mary for lunch
- Thursday, work, go to Ready, Set Go presentation; home by 2100 hours
- Friday, all day in Womentum presentations; give Bee Talk at lunch in front of about 100 women (nail it!), join Station 2/6 for Banquet at Mill Iron Ranch. Eat big T-bone steak
- Saturday, on duty. Go to 0703 residential alarm. Get help from caretaker (who has nice bird dog). No fire, panel reset. Groceries in town, clean dog poop out of yard (at least 10 pounds of poop!), clean house, make bread-cook butternut-chicken on the grill-frost pumpkin bread and cupcakes made in the morning. Write blog cause people are tired of looking at the same post day after day after day!
TO DO -
- Go hunt in the morning
- Go to Freedom. Relax.
I continue to work toward sourdough perfection. This one is nice! You can almost hear that crust crunch in your mouth as the butter drips down your chin!
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