Cousins

When I was growing up, Grandma & Grandpa Cloyd would come and visit us every so often. Quite a few times they would bring my cousins, Jennifer and James with, which was the best thing that could happen to us kids in the early 90s. Jennifer & James were about the coolest people we had ever met. They were from Arkansas, and had a cool accent. They did cool 'rebellious' things, and never ever got caught. They were a little older than Scott and I, so they were always a little bit smarter, a little bit stronger, and a lot more cool. They knew the coolest card games, and how to cheat at them. Sometimes James would go by 'Jimmy-Dean' or 'James Dean,' which sounded even better. Maybe his middle name is Dean, I don't remember. But James would strut around acting and singing like THE James Dean, and even though we had no idea who James Dean was, we thought that was cool too.

When I was about 6, Grandma & Grandpa and Jennifer & James came to visit. Jennifer and I were out exploring the old buildings and fields at our house. For some reason, wherever we lived, there were countless septic tanks, cisterns, underground grain bins and stuff like that around. Well, Jennifer hopped on the lid of one of these septic tanks, the lid slid off, and Jennifer fell in. Somehow while falling, she had grabbed the side of the opening, and was dangling down inside the septic tank above the water, or whatever gross looking gunk was down there.

As a side note, I remember 'storing' life fish in these tanks at one point in my childhood. I guess to keep them so we could catch them later? I have no idea. I never remember re-catching them. Poor fish.

Anyway, Jennifer said, "Sheena, run get Ann!" (James and Jennifer always called my mother 'Ann' instead of 'Annee,' which added to their coolness.) This was my five minutes of fame. I was the hero. I ran with my little 6-year-old legs up the hill to our house, maybe an eighth of a mile. Breathlessly, I reported: "Jennifer fell in the -" Who knows what I called it. I'm sure I didn't know what it was back then. Anyway, mom ran down the hill, I'm sure with kids and grandparents following not far behind. She grabbed Jennifer's arms and pulled her out. She was still as calm as a cucumber, and  when mom tells this story, she always says, "And after all that, her glasses were still on! They hadn't even fallen off!"

A few years down the road, we moved to the wild western part of the state. When Jennifer & James came to visit, the best thing to do was make rafts and play in the ponds on the ranch. We spend hours...DAYS out there, building rafts, catching mud guppies, having moss wars, swimming and more.  I'm sure I learned more about flotation then than I ever did in a classroom.

One summer, all of us went on vacation. We would drive a fifth wheel camper, which was never accessible until all of the bikes, sail boards, and rafts had been removed from the inside. Once they were, we loved spending time on the water. One day, Jennifer and I had this great idea to paddle across the lake. We were probably 11 and 15, but it was a large lake. We tied the sail board and raft together, and off we went. As we got to the other side, I was exhausted, and then the wind picked up. We started back, as the wind blew us further and further down the lake, instead of across. I feel for Jennifer, because I remember being no help, and she had to paddle through the wind, towing me behind. Mom and Grandma and Grandpa were on the shore, watching us come back, and since mom and Grandma never ever worried - oh wait, that's not right. Grandma and mom were worried sick, and contemplating if there were roads far enough down the lake to go and pick us up. Somehow, though, Jennifer managed to paddle us back within a few hundred yards of our campsite. Hopefully Jennifer didn't mind too much, maybe she was paying me back for saving her from the septic tank.

The Expressions of Penelope

I apparently forgot to actually post this one - cute pictures from when P was a tiny baby. All of these expression pictures reminded me of those posters/T-shirts/whatever that have cat or something with lots of different expressions.

Mischevious

Happy

Interested

Upset

Unsure

Quizzical

Sad

Befuddled

Entertained

Redneck Well on Wheels

One day while Penelope and I were visiting my mom and dad, mom went into town to work and left the carseat in the 'ol green truck so I could take it if I wanted to go anywhere. I was told the truck had been on empty for quite a while, but should make it to the other side of the ranch where dad might have some gasoline.

Well, mom's 'ol truck is not just any 'ol truck. It is green. Not forest green or racing green, but that awful green color that the Forest Service thought was a great color for all of their vehicles in the 90s. This 'ol truck is mom's well. Sort of. It is more of a well on wheels. You see, there is no well or rural water line to the house, so every so often, mom takes the green truck to Edgemont, fills the tank with water, and returns home to dump the water in the cistern next to the house. In Edgemont this is considered normal. Wells are deep and sometimes have foul tasting water. 

Mom's Redneck Well on Wheels
*notice the white parking lines-front page news in Edgemont has been
these newly painted parking spaces, and Edgemontonians are learning how to park.

So on this particular day, I decided to venture out with Penelope in the green truck. Without a backseat, I put the carseat in the passenger seat. Penelope thought it was pretty cool to be able to see in three directions. I started the truck, and it roared to life. I shouted to Penelope that everything was fine, but then realized she probably couldn't hear me anyway. The truck had one of those manual gear shifters that had you doing acrobats in the cab just to put it into reverse. The truck actually runs great, it's just hard to shake the feeling that you are in a helicopter and should have an emergency parachute strapped to your back.

One of the great things about ranches are the gates that you constantly need to open and shut. As we pulled up the the first one, I tried to set the brake but realized it didn't work. I suppose there was some 'trick' no one had told me about, like, "press the brake, turn on the radio, and touch your left ear all at the same time," or something. Anyway, it did take some time and finesse to get the truck to stay in one place while I opened and shut gates.

We didn't run out of gas, so dad looked around at several red gas tanks and found one that was partially full. Unfortunately the spout part of the gas tank was missing. So dad again looked around for what he called an "Indian credit card," and siphoned the gas out with a long tube.

The green truck did all right that day, but I was certainly glad we didn't have to drive the 14 hours back home in it.

Afterthought: I am just now remembering another old rickety truck from my childhood. This truck was yellow, and we called it 'Old Yeller.' Anyway, we had this truck forever, when it was time to say goodbye to it, mom wanted a picture. She put the three of us kids into the bed and got set to take the picture, when suddenly, the bed of the truck burst into flames! 

Park City

This past week we have been in Park City, Utah, where Wayne attended a conference and Penelope and I enjoyed the fall.

We enjoyed lunch at the quaint Blue Boar Inn.

 The Shoe Tree in Park City (shoes hanging)

 A ghost we saw in our hotel. It is getting close to halloween.

 Playing in the leaves.

We took a walk along this trail that had lots of scarecrows set up along the way. 

We found "Pippy 'scared' Stocking," so took a picture since we call P 'Pippy' sometimes.

Then we went to see Gary & Marsha and their adorable 4 month old twins. Penelope loved them, and just gave them hugs and kisses the whole time.

Headed home finally - one last picture on the salt flats.

Visiting South Dakota

 Here are the rest of the pictures from our trip to South Dakota. 

 Helping Grandpa feed the buffalo calves

Getting a hug from Grandpa, but not too happy about it. 

 Helping Grandpa feed.

Jack, the horse, decided the bird feeder was his personal snack.

P wasn't so sure about Grandma's burros.

 Chilling with Grandma

 Helping Grandma at the newspaper office.

 Playing in the Edgemont Park

Things get serious when the tongue comes out.

 See what I mean?

One last visit to Scott & Rachel's. Scott and Aleah above.

Penelope and Bradley had fun playing.

 And pretending they were sleeping.

Edgemont is still a very small town. Things I heard: (mom don't print this in the paper!!)

-Someone I don't know stopped me on the sidewalk, "Oh, is this Penelope?" 

-Me: "I'm Annee Cassens' daughter." Other person: "Oh! You're Penelope's mom!"

-"I haven't ever seen you around town before...." 

And a final parting shot:

Yes, very exciting, I know. But, this is how I spent 1/3 of my childhood. Waiting for a train to pass at this very railroad crossing. What great memories!!

F in Government

We once knew this cool, hip couple that we hung out with a lot. Now they have become old fogies.

Mrs. Old Fogie now sorts her vitamins into those containers that have a compartment for each day of the week. Yep, she is getting on in years.

Anyway, a conversation we heard:

Mrs. Old Fogie looks at her son and suddenly says, "Why is there an F in Government?!"

Mr. Old Fogie (who heard "Why is there an effing Government?") says: "Dear! Well we have to have a government!"

At this point I have no idea what is going on, wondering if someone spelled government with an F in it. But Mrs. Old Fogie clarifies. She was asking her son why he had an F grade in Government. She is still sane and well, at least for a few more years.

The New Rockin' Rapid Crew

When Wayne & I lived in Rapid City, we were part of the o-so-exclusive 'Rockin' Rapid' club. Some of the things the Rockin' Rapid crew would do: disc golfing, rook, boating, camping, Diet Coke (yes, Diet Coke is something you 'do'), hunting, Sunday night pancake suppers, Spearfish Canyon every fall, hiking Harney Peak, and eating lots and lots of Dougla-burgers.

The new Rockin' Rapid Crew consists of tending a younger generation. We spent time with cousins Bradley & Aleah.

 Bradley loved getting his photo taken. The girls didn't as much. I think the cool kids call it 'photo-bombing' now-a-days.

 All three ready to go!

 Trying to get a pic of all three together:

 Epic Fail. And......drumroll please..................DOUGLABURGER FEAST!!

 Lovin' with Lana:

 Penelope & Mericio

 Penelope & Penelope. The look so much alike too!

 And last but not least, the Barsch kiddos!

Parting shot....Trace Overby's awesome pimped out car! It is a limited edition v8!