I Am Lord of the Gourd

Again I've gone through a major slump where I haven't written in either of my blogs for a long time. I knew that summer was going to busy but I figured I'd still have time to put in my two cents on here every once in a while. Apparently its been over a month since my last posting and I apologize to everyone out there that might be even the least interested in my little life.

I've also been slaving away in the garden in my spare time. My pumpkin is growing a little more everyday. Its been set on the vine for about 17 days now is weighs over 50 lbs. Its about 2.5 ft in diameter and about 2 ft from stem to butt end so far. I'd like to beat my 272 lb pumpkin from last year but I'm not sure the weather is going to cooperate. The nights are getting colder and the days are starting to feel like fall. I have a sinking suspicion that we are going to have an early freeze and the plants will be done for. I'm keeping my fingers crossed though. This is my first year of growing corn and I have to say I'm pretty damn excited about it all. Every stalk is standing well over 8 ft and has multiple ears to it. I'm not sure how Mace and I are going to eat it all. I wish you all lived closer and I could share it. It just makes me glad that both Mace's niece and nephew love corn on the cob and should put a big dent in our harvest. I'm even already getting beautiful ripe tomatoes and peppers. Hopefully within the next week or so I'll have some time over the weekends to start canning salsa and beets. I'll need to ship off a few cans of beets to my mom down in Cheyenne. She's just crazy for them.

Polly has gotten jealous of my bread maker and so Mace and I decided to buy her one as a belated birthday present. Not exactly sure why she needed it right away except for the fact that if we both have one we can make more cinnamon rolls, raisin bread, and french bread in one sitting. When we all get together for dinner there just isn't quite enough with the one machine. Hopefully it will arrive some time this week and I'll be able to sneak about and rap it without her knowing.

So thats about it on my home front. I'll try harder to update all this a bit more often. Love you all.

Mmmmm Pie!

So yesterday was a pretty dull day for me. Did the normal Sunday stuff. I got up early and went to church. I keep wishing they'd make a mass time later than 8 in the morning but no such luck. After mass I came home and the house was still pretty quiet so I went for a nice jog down by the river. There is just something so peaceful about running by water. There were even swans paddling around in the ponds with their little bambinos. How many people in big cities can say they have that kind of beauty and wonder near by. After my jog I was able to talk to my friend Kati online for a while. She's still having so much fun in S. Korea and I know she's getting a little sad that her first year over there is coming to a close. Who knows though she will probably go back for round two after a few short weeks of coming home to the States. We're planning on having some old time fun in Missoula together and I seriously can't wait. I'm just hoping the weather holds this nice cool temperature so I don't end up on the fire lines while she's going to be in country. The rest of my day consisted of baking Mace a coconut cream pie (with extra cool whip), doing laundry, dishes, and cleaning up around the house. While it wasn't a super exciting day I have to say it was nice to calm down before another long week of working nights. Its back to bat surveying and my circadian rhythms are going to be all messed up from working until the wee hours and sleeping what little I can during the day. Wish me luck. I'll try and get some cool pictures of the bats I capture over the next few days. They are pretty cool critters. Have a great week. Love you all and God Bless.

Happy Fathers Day

Although this holiday is particularly hard for me this year with the recent passing of my own dad in January, I did want to take a minute to wish all you fathers out there a wonderful Father's Day. You are all your kid's hero's and you don't even realize it. I certainly know that my dad was mine.

I love you Dad!

Grrr Deer!!!

Last night deer ate all the buds on my roses that were just about ready to open. I knew it was going to happen but there isn't a whole lot I can do about it. But I have to say that it really is frustrating. I get so excited to see these gorgeous flowers in full bloom (Mace and I have planted some really unique and pretty ones over the years) yet I rarely get a chance to see more than a few blooms in a season. Its just such a shame. I think this fall we need to just invest the money and refence Mace's yard so that deer can't come in. As it is the fence is only about 5 ft tall with a 4 ft gate... certainly low enough for these summer hooved pests to jump for a tasty rose bud treat. I think my roses must taste better than Polly's because her's aren't fenced in at all and the deer never pester them. So not fair. But at least I have my other flowers in bloom right now to keep me happy. Like the columbine, iris, and peony below here.

In other, somewhat related news, our veggie garden in its entirety is now planted, including our giant pumpkin plant. Its really starting to take off now that its not root bound in a pot and getting plenty of love and attention. I'm trying to decide what to name it this year. Maybe George.... don't ask me why. Last year's pumpkin was terrific and really tipped the scales at 272 lbs but I want to grow an even bigger one. We have about a months head start from last year so we should have a few more weeks of growing time as long as we stop having anymore super cold nights. I'm hoping for at least 300 lbs and no cracking. The state record is just over 500 lbs so I figure within a few years we might know enough to do the same or better. Again I plan on making some fantastic design and carving it for all the little tricker treaters to see when they come to Mace's house. Polly is also growing a pumpkin this year but unfortunately she is way behind the power curve. She couldn't get a seed to germinate until this week. I'm praying that hers catches up and she can have just as much fun with this project as we all did last year.

I'm Expanding

Ahhh so I decided I don't have enough to do. What does this mean exactly? Well I just came to the realization that I'm getting a lot of experience through work and love the woods so much that I might as well share some of my knowlege with others. I'm by no means expert on anything but I do have some good insights and thought that others in my field and related fields might appreciate having somewhere to share similar interests and meet others that are the same. So I created a new blog that talks about the wonderful world of working and playing ing the great outdoors. If you are interested go to http://montanawildlifebiologist.blogspot.com/ Feel free to check it out and leave comments or share my URL with friends that might be interested. Love you all lots.

Flowers Flowers Everywhere

*happy sigh* Though I'm not the biggest fan in the world of summer it definitely has some good points. Like all the gorgeous flowers that are starting to bloom in my garden. Mace and I share a great garden space. One end is dedicated to massive amounts of vegetable plants for us to harvest in the fall and the other half is dedicated to flowers. Mace and his mom planted a bunch of different kinds of peonies the first summer that he an I started dating and while the intent was to grow them for Polly's nursery I have reaped the joys of caring for them all and seeing the results. I have pretty much taken over the plot and expended whats in their to include tons of iris, columbine, ground covers, bleeding heart, asters, clematis, lupin, veronica, etc. I've also take over various other parts of Mace's yard for my flower growing adventures. Mace doesn't want to admit to it but he loves the flowers as much as I do and I've caught him out there looking for new blooms and putting some water to them to make sure they thrive when he thinks I'm not around. Everyday I'm able to go out and find something just opening up and reading to be cut and put in a vase. There is just something so soothing about having flowers in and out of the house. My only problem is all the town deer that seem to love to come around at night and eat all the blooms off right before they open. Thats what keeps happening to my roses year after year and I'm about ready to tell Mace to just let loose with a pellet gun on their rumps just to detour them a bit. Just so very frustrating. My rose plants look so good and have so many buds on them that I just know that in the next week or two some stupid doe is going to jump the fence and nibble them right down the ground. Oh well... tis my cross to bear. Above is some of the pictures of my peony that bloomed last year. I should have even more this year. Hope you all are having a fabulous weekend so far.

"Chickn Fried"

Summer has definitely arrived here in Trout Creek Montana. My lilac is blooming, my roses are getting some buds on them, my corn is starting to poke up out of the ground, and the pollen from all the lodgepole pine is wreaking havoc on my allergies. The entire valley has this yellowish haze floating in the sky from all the pollen being released. Even my skin was covered in a fine yellow powder when I finally came in for the evening from mowing the yard. At least is supposed to rain a bit tomorrow so maybe this junk will get knocked down a bit and I can put my contacts back in my eyes without tearing up from the crud in the air. I also somehow managed to fry myself to a crisp yesterday and am certainly feeling the affects of it today. SPF 35 my rear end!

As for me I'm still having my ups and downs. Its really hard because everyday I go out in the woods and see things that I know Dad would get a kick out of hearing about and I have no one to share these little insights with. Not in the same way anyway. Even though we didn't spend hours on the phone together or anything like that... I'd always come home and just send him a quick email telling what I was doing or passing on a good "Forester" joke that I'd heard from the timber workshop. There is this big whole in my heart and time isn't seeming to make it go away at all. I don't know if this is normal or what but I still end up crying at least once a day. Never when anyone can see me of course... thats just not my style... but often times before I sleep. I know that time is supposed to heal all wounds but I wonder how much time it really takes.

I know I know

I've been so remiss about posting things on here for the past four weeks. Seems like every evening I get home and say "I really should put something on my blog" but alas I don't feel like it in the end. So here I am on a gorgeous Friday morning (Have I mentioned that 4-10's are fabulous?) spending a few minutes to catch my faithful readers up.

The snow is finally melted off in town here. Its so nice to see grass and bare ground I really can't explain it. I went for a run this morning for the first time on bare pavement and wearing a t-shirt and shorts. Granted its still only about 40 degrees out but with the sun shining so brightly it feels a heck of a lot warmer. There is still plenty of snow up in the mountains though and we are seeing a lot of flooding in the valley bottoms and in all the creek overflows. Mace and I went antler shed hunting this past weekend and really couldn't get anywhere because the creeks that we normally can just take a few steps over in the middle of summer were running too fast and well beyond their typical banks by about 40 ft. I love seeing the water because it means an easy fire season but its pretty dangerous when I know that I'm going to have to cross a lot of those creeks some how to get into my study sites this week. And let me tell you I've slipped in a few and that water is bloody cold... gives me the shivers just sitting here thinking about it..

Mace and I are starting to get our plants sprouting and stronger for our garden. I'm always so thankful that Polly has a green house we can start all our veggies in so that we can extend our growing season a bit. I'm hoping that either this weekend or the next we'll be ready to start our giant pumpkin. I've tried to germinate a few of the seeds from the pumpkin I grew last year but unfortunately at 54 days old the ol gord wasn't mature enough to put out mature seeds. The little buggers rot and don't sprout at all. Oh well, I guess its a good thing that we have a bunch of seeds from a few pumpkin growers back east that have taken pitty on us poor short growing season Montanans. Honest to pete our garden is so much fun and it gives us something nice and relaxing to work on in the evenings after I'm done with work and he's done with his school stuff.

As for what I'm going to do with the rest of my day I don't know. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and a warm breeze is coming our way so I'm sure I'll think of something to do. Maybe I'll take Lane and Gracie (Mace's nephew and neice) for a walk to the park our a mini-picnic hike on an easy trail. Hmmm that sounds pretty good. Maybe I can even convince Mace to break away from his schoolwork for a bit to come along with us. This evening I'll head to Thompson for Good Friday Services. I can't believe that Easter is almost hear already. Time has passed very strangely for me these past few months. Hope everyone is having a great day and I'll try to do better about posting more frequently. Love you all.

Clear Blue Sky

Only working four days a week really has its advantages. I actually slept in until 7 this morning and was greeted but bright sunny skies this morning. Not even a cloud in the sky which really is a switch since it's been pretty miserable and rainy for so long. That clear blue sky is deceiving though. I decided to go for a run this morning since my ankle was feeling just fine and dandy but I just about froze my nips off. I walked out the front door in only sweatpants and a t-shirt thinking the sun and exercise would keep me warm but I was sorely mistaken. I ran about a quarter mile and found I wasn't getting any warmer really so I turned around to go get a sweatshirt only to find that the thermometer said -1. No wonder I was so cold. After retrieving my hoodie, grabbing a pair of gloves, and a sip of water I was out the door again and feeling good. Even in the cold the birds were starting to sing and the fresh snow all over the place was gorgeous.

Mace was super good to me this past Christmas and bought me a 8 gig mp3 player for when I go for walks and runs but I still have to hold on to the bloody thing. When I'm wearing gloves I feel like its going to slip out of my hand so I think I need to find one of those carrying cases for it that straps onto my arm. I'd be mad at myself if I dropped it and it ruined. Its pretty awesome though. Its a touch screen dealy that looks like the touch screen ipod (but isn't) and it has all sorts of cool functions on it. When you download a song onto it it actually downloads all the lyrics on to it too so if you feel like singing while you're listening you have the words right in front of you. I keep learning all the new gadgets and I have my complete music library on it with soooooo much room to spare so I'm downloading music like crazy... well as much as I can on a dial up connection. I'm running out of ideas for music though so if you have some cool stuff that you want to send my way feel free. Those of you that read this pretty much know my tastes and know how eclectic I am. I've actually gone through all my old cd's and riped off all that music and put on the mp3 player. So fun. Obviously I don't do anything super cool on my days off... lol.

So what am I going to do for the rest of my day? Good question. I know there is a bunch of work that needs to be done in the yard but with the new snow that fell yesterday the yard is pretty much a snow field again. I'm thinking that I'm going to search online for some yummy treat to make with the Kitchenaid for Polly and the family tonight. I already started a pot of stew for everyone but I can't eat meat on Friday's during Lent. But I thought with how cold it is outside the guys would appreciate it and it gives Polly an opportunity to just kick back tonight and relax with her family. As for me I'm trying to think of some way to zing up a can of tuna... lol. Maybe I'll just stick to a bowl of mac n cheese. Have a great day folks!

Still Sore

I woke up this morning at my usual 4:30 and even in the dark of my room I could see that my ankle was huge and even more discolored than yesterday. Fortunately however it wasn't as sore as I thought it would be (though the rest of my body was) and headed off to work as usual. I decided that rather than run the risk of slipping again on a weak ankle up in the steep terrain I'd spend the day getting some old growth stand exams done in some river/creek bottoms and take it a bit easier. I still probably ended up hiking 10 miles or so today but I wasn't fighting the amount of snow that I would have been up several thousand feet. It was a gorgeous morning and I was working in nice cedar and hemlock stands that really didn't have much snow at all because of how thick they are, but my luck didn't last. By 1 this afternoon though I'd been dumped on by another storm that swung into the area. I'm talking those monster snow flakes that look really cool when they are falling but you can see them build up on the ground after 5 minutes of watching them. I really thought that perhaps spring was going to "sprung" but the weather gods are working against me. By the time I got back to my pickup this evening it was covered by about 18 inches of fresh snow and I had to chain up yet again to get back home. This snow is just so heavy over the roads that were muddy and slick already I wasn't going to risk sliding off anywhere. But at least now I am home, showered, and in a glorious pair of nice warm DRY pjs. There is something to be said for being dry and being able to elevate a sprained ankle in the evenings... lol. Hope everyone had as interesting of a day as I did.

Only Minor Damage

I knew with the changing weather that the mountains would get me one way or another. The snow is starting to melt off and refreeze daily so conditions are not exactly ideal. When I head out in the morning everything is nice and hard and frozen, perfect to walk/snowshoe over. By about 10 though that snow has changed dramatically into a melty slushy mess. While I try to be careful no matter what because its just me out there alone, the inevitable happened and I took a misstep and ended up taking a pretty good spill down a ravine. I didn't land too terrible hard but did take a few knocks against a couple trees. Luckly I came out of it with no broken bones and only a few scrapes, bruises and a spained ankle. I was so mad at myself and am still not exactly sure how I took such a poor step so I bullied myself up and finished out the day. I do have to say though that my ankle is an interesting shade of blue right now and it took a bit of coaxing to get it out of my boot. I figure I'll take a nice hot shower and soak my ankle in a tub of epsome salts and I'll be good for go tomorrow. While I love the snow I have to say I'm ready for this sloppy stuff to be gone so I can move around more easily. Do have to say it still makes for a pretty picture in the morning.

Just some thoughts

I've been thinking alot about my dad lately. I guess thats not all that surprising since I spend a lot of my typical day alone in the middle of nowhere and what else would be occupying my thoughts at this point and time. I haven't exactly dealt with his loss and people keep telling me that its not healthy. They are probably right but I'm not exactly sure how to go about it. And in all honesty maybe just me thinking about him when I'm trapsing about in the woods is part of my own personal healing process and I just don't know it. Unfortunately a lot of my thoughts right now are focused on how he was doing this past year and those are hard things to deal with, but I keep trying to tell myself that there is so much more and much happier things to think about. I want to get back to thinking about so many days spent camping out in the woods with him, washing the car together, him supporting me at every soccer, volleball, basketball, choir, band, and extracurricular event that I was ever involved in, giving each big bear hugs, and just the time I was so blessed to have him as a dad.

As you all know I'm Catholic and my dad was a very devout one at that. This last year has really put my faith to the test and I'm somewhat confused. In one respect I'm angry that God could have taken away a person that I loved so dearly and looked up to so much. I've really tried to put those feelings aside because deep down I know its not right to feel that way. My faith has always taught me that God has a greater purpose and that for reason's beyond my comprehension He called my dad home to Him, but I keep asking that very human question of "why?". Why is it that a man that worked so hard his entire life, loved his family, put his faith into everything he ever did, and in my mind was a kind and giving person called so early? And at that why did he have to fight the battle he did beforehand? I know that these are questions that I wont necessarily find the answer to because its not my own time to understand them but it doesn't stop them from circling my mind. I keep hoping that this Lent will bring me to a better understanding and in the end bring a certain peace to my heart. I really am seeking that out. My dad found some comfort and peace during his fight with cancer through the praying the Rosary, which is something that I too have picked up again in the last year and find to be a time, every morning before heading off into the world, to meditate and contemplate my own feelings right now.

I know this a "deeper" post than I usually do but its whats on my mind these days and I figure maybe if I put it into words I might be able to move past these emotions. I know dad is probably looking down on my and telling me not to sweat the small stuff (thats a dadism) because he's in a better place now. So on that note I want to leave you with one of my favorite pictures of my dad when he was about 20 and working up in the woods outside of Missoula. This is a picture I look at a lot and reminds me how much I am like him. Love you all and God Bless.

Time flies

My dear sweet niece, Rachel, just turned 17 on Thursday! Can you believe that folks? I sure can't. I mean I know that I'm getting older all the time, as is everyone, so it shouldn't come to me as a surprise that she's broaching full (legal) adulthood but for some reason it really does. And she really has grown into a beautiful young woman to boot, though the picture definately shows more of her "I'm related to Tracy" goofy side. She's trying to make my nephew Collin giggle by the way, Im pretty sure she was successful in that endeavor. But I think thats good. I know a lot of you have pictures of me with ummmm interesting expressions on my face, and I have copies of quite a few of them myself... >>>> case in point. So what if I'm staring dreamily at a Dairy Queen sign. Don't judge me! Those were college years and Dairy Queen ice cream was outside my monetary means. If I remember right Kati and I were driving down Higgins Ave one night and saw Erin out with Campus Crusade at the walk up Dairy Queen so we stopped to pester them. Aww memories. Doesn't seem all that long ago yet I know it was at least 5 years ago now. So that brings me back to the point I was trying to make earlier. Time really does fly! And with everything that has gone on over the past year I have a greater appreciation for life and how to really live it. There is something to be said about making each day count. Hopefully I'll get back to the point where I'm able to do that.

 

Valentine's Day Fun for You

First and foremost, I want to wish you all a very Happy Valentine's Day. I know that corporate America has turned this holiday of love into a mishmash of commercial sappiness, but I have a mission for you all that will hopefully get this occasion back to its bare roots. The mission, if you choose to accept it, is to find one person that may be spending the day alone and show that person in some way that they are cared about. Maybe its just inviting them to coffee or sending them an email that says hello, the way you do it doesn't matter just as long as its a small sign of how you feel about the person and how much they mean to you. The idea behind this is so that no person on Valentines Day feels left out. Its not a big deal and you really don't have to go out of your way to do it... but trust me it will make a difference to that one person. So have fun with this and enjoy the day. Share your love with others. Love you all and God Bless.

Day is Done

My family and I laid my loving father to rest this morning in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Cheyenne. It was definitely a bitter sweet ending to a life that most definitely touched many others. It was so nice to see the many faces of friends and family offering willing shoulders to cry on if need be and more to lift a person up when they needs a bit of light in their day. It has most definitely been a hard year and I see that my dad was the model of courage and fortitude both when it comes to battling illness and hardship as well as enjoying a life well lived. I hope that one day I can follow in his footsteps with even half the class and dignity he has shown me. I have to admit I'm pretty numb at the moment and am not exactly sure what I want to say here. But I did feel like stealing away to my room for a moment and saying something on here that was much more meaningful then this is coming out. Maybe in the next day or two my thoughts will quit running rampant and I'll be able to write out something more deserving of my dad's praises and accolades. Again please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Dad is in a better place but it is we who remain that have it hard. Love you all.

Dad's Tribute

Robert A. Bennett
July 31, 1943 – January 27, 2009

Longtime Cheyenne resident and Wyoming Bureau of Land Management State Director Bob Bennett,65, was called home to the loving embrace of God on January 27 surrounded by his family at his daughter’s home in Westminster, CO.

Born second son on July 31, 1943 to parents Don and Margaret Bennett, Bob was raised in Bremerton, WA where he graduated from West High School. In the summer of 1958, Bob met his future bride of 43 years, Patricia. In 1965, he received a Bachelor of Forestry degree from the University of Montana and was also commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. After completing his degree, he married Patricia and was stationed as an armor officer with the 3rd Battalion, 35th Armor, 4th Armored Division in Bamberg, Germany where his two older daughters , Robin and Brenda, were born.

Upon separating from the active duty as a Captain, Bob worked as a forester for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources being located in both Burlington and Enumclaw, WA. After the birth of his son, Brian, he returned to the University of Montana to earn a Masters of Science Forestry degree. At this juncture, Bob dedicated himself to a lifelong career of service to his country as both an officer in the Army Reserve and as a civil service employee of the Bureau of Land Management. He served in various capacities and locations with BLM including Missoula and Miles City, MT, and then on to Cheyenne, WY where his youngest daughter Tracy was born. Bob retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve in 1992. In 2000, Bob became Associate State Director in Salt Lake City, UT and culminated his career’s journey with his present position in Cheyenne.

He enjoyed many hobbies including camping, running, swimming, reading, and spending time with family and friends. He was especially passionate about hunting whether it be birds or big game getting out for the hunt as often as he could. Bob was an involved member of St. Mary’s parish and an ardent supporter of Seton/St. Mary’s Catholic Schools, with particular interests in youth ministry and the athletic association. Additionally, he belonged to both the Knights of Columbus and Right to Life of Laramie County.

Bob committed his life to being a loving husband and caring father and grandfather. He was a steadfast friend and leader who always greeted others with a broad smile and a witty comment. As family, friends, and colleagues gather together at this time, Bob will be remembered as a sincere, gregarious, life-loving, and faithfilled person.

Bob is survived by his wife, Patricia and older brother, Richard Bennett and wife Marilyn. He is also survived by the families of his children; Robin and Carl Hart with their sons Damon and Malakai; Brenda and Mark Hancock with their daughters Rachel and Rebecca; Brian and Cadie Bennett with their son Collin, and Tracy Bennett. His extended family also includes Mary and Larry Havens, Fred and Linda Phillips, Jackie and Biff Schaffer and numerous other relatives.

Services include a rosary at 7:00 pm Tuesday, February 3 as well as a funeral liturgy presided by Ret. Bishop Joseph Hart at 10:30 am Wednesday, February 4 both at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Flowers are welcome ( send to Wiederspahn Radomsky Funeral Home). Alternative contributions to Villa Loretto Sister Servants of Christ the King, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, or the College of Forestry and Conservation via the University of Montana’s Excellence Fund are also appreciated. Donation information for these organizations is available from Wiederspahn Radomsky’s

26!!! WTF!!!

I have come to the conclusion today that I'm an "old fart". Both my 13 year old niece and my 13 year old nephew made it a point to say that I'm twice their age today with and extraordinary amount of shock and awe. When did 26 become old you ask? When I get to be twice the age of my own family members. Now I know how my siblings felt when I said the same bloody thing to them. I guess its only fair then right? No actually I'm digging being 26 even though I'm only about 12 hours into my new age its been treating me well. Can't say as I've done anything all that spectacular but I am getting to spend it with my Dad, Mom, and the whole Hancock crew. Can't say thats a bad deal at all. Just wish Mace was here to share the day with me as well. I guess since we're going to married and all there are plenty of years to make up for a couple missed birthdays on both our accounts. Anyway... hope everyone else out there is having a great day where ever you may be. Love you and miss you all.

Long Couple of Nights

It has definitely a few long nights here in Denver. Mom had to go deal with some stuff up in Cheyenne with Brain so Robin and I have been staying overnight in the hospital room with Dad. I don't think we have slept for more than about an hour over those 3 nights. The oxygen that Dad is on constantly makes him super thirsty and he somehow manages to ask for a sip of water in the middle of the night even when he is completely asleep. So one of us has jumped up and made sure he hasn't been getting too parched. And I thought I drank a lot of water over a 24hr period. Dad has been putting me to shame in that category lately *grins*. When Dad's awake we've all been cracking jokes just to get him to smile a bit and when we are successful it makes each day seem worth while. Sadly the smiles are harder to come by these days since Dad has been snoozing quite a bit. Healing from multiple surgeries over the past month takes the piss and vinegar out of a person. Our hope though is to take him back home to Brenda's within the next few days. The idea is that he will be less stressed and more comfortable there with just family taking care of him and a nurse coming every few days or so to make sure everything is alright. Hope all is going well with all of you and that you are enjoying each and every minute of your days.

The theme for today is "Foresters Rock"

So one of the new things that the hospital in CO that my dad is in has added over the past few months is a white board in each of the rooms and an accompanying marker to go with it. Now most people would probably leave this alone thinking that it was just for doctors and nurses to write details about the patients on such as goals for the day and goals for discharge. My family on the other hand has gotten crazy with this little piece of easily changeable mode of art at the end of dad's bed. Each day since it has been up on the wall I write the basics on it such as the date,who Dad's nurse and CNA are for the day, and how many reps of his PT he has to do for the day which takes up very very little of the space. SOOOOO I've gotten creative much to the amusement of dad and my siblings. Anything to put a smile on dad's face. For the past couple days its been drawings and messages related to the New Years celebration but today it was time to get creative and reflect dad's roots at UM. In big bold letters I wrote Forester's Rock and then drew a pine forest that had gone through a selection cut... stumps and all! Dad thought it was great and that just made my day. Just have to start thinking about what I'll have to draw on there tomorrow to entertain my father and distract him from the pain. I'm taking suggestions so feel free to contribute. Keep smiling and keep us in your prayers.