Back in Texas

We will be home today. Got a late start yesterday but made it halfway to Andrews.
I hope you are aware of all the good things in your life. Have a wonderful day!

Everything is Relative

There is a famous saying: "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." At times, human beings are not satisfied with what they have. People seem to do well until, unfortunately, they experience a loss. Then, usually, they want to be better - to experience the "green grass." It's human nature to always want to be better, to have more. Isn't that what is meant by the phrase "dream big?" At times, dreaming big might be great; however, at other times one should be thankful for what one has.

Consider the story of the 85 year old grandmother taking her 5 year old grandson, Johnny, to the beach for the first time. She was so excited. She bought Johnny a brand new complete outfit for his first time at the beach: new cap, new swimsuit, new t-shirt, new shoes and a new sand bucket with a shovel.

They walked to the beach holding hands. As they got to the sand, Johnny said, "Grandma, because I can't swim I won't go near the water; so I'll just dig up the sand with my new shovel far from the sea."

However, Johnny had difficulty digging up the hard sand far from the water. Therefore, he said, "Grandma, this sand is too hard. Can I get close to the water where the sand is easier to dig?" Johnny quickly added, "But I promise I won't go in the water."

Hesitantly, the grandmother looked into Johnny's begging big eyes and said, "Okay, but promise you won't go in the water."

Johnny screamed with glee, "I promise." As he was close to the ocean he was having such a good time, digging and digging with ease in the soft sand. Unfortunately, a huge wave came on the shore and swallowed up little Johnny, taking him out to sea.

With her vigilant eyes, watching him from afar, his grandmother screamed, "Oh my God! Oh my God! Help me God!"

Just then, another huge wave thundered onto the beach from the ocean and "spit forth" little Johnny safely back on the shore.

Elated, the grandmother ran toward the boy and tightly hugged her 5 year old grandson. Wiping tears from her eyes she cried out as she looked toward the heavens, "Thank you God! Thank you so much!"

She then looked back down at her little sweet Johnny. She once again quickly looked back at the heavens and screamed, "Hey...Where's his new cap!?"

-----

Life is full of people who are not satisfied and not thankful for what they have. Many times people are constantly dwelling on what they have lost, rather than being satisfied and thankful for what they still have left. Believe me, I speak from experience.

When I was 19 and well on my way to fulfilling my life-long dream of becoming a surgeon, I walked into a convenience store which was in the process of being robbed. One of the thieves shot me in the back of my head, leaving me for dead. However, I fooled everyone. Sure, I have my disabilities and I used to constantly dwell on the many things I had lost, being negative, saying, "Before I was shot I was athletic, now I can barely walk (with a significant limp), my arm is very weak, I speak somewhat slowly, my voice is hoarse. Before I was shot I could do 500 things really well, after the shooting, I can do only 200 things well. For a long time, I was constantly dwelling on the 300 things I had lost." However, eventually I began focusing on the 200 things I could still do. It wasn't easy and it took me a long time, but refocusing one's attitude is crucial - not merely for people shot in the head, not merely for people who are sick, but for everyone. Having a more positive attitude is vital and essential.

One of my friends had a stroke. I would always try to encourage him by trying to get him to refocus on the positive. It was not easy but it was slowly working and he was improving. He still had a long way to go but he was getting there. He was always asking, "How long did it take you to walk? I hope I will be able to walk again."

I would say to him, "Everyone is different. Even though I have problems walking, my hopes and prayers are that one day you'll be able to walk." With that statement I limped out of the hospital room.

When I visited my friend the next week I immediately asked him to "tell me something good." He started by saying he had walked 60 feet with a cane in therapy, but just then his doctor (whom I knew) came in and asked how he was doing.

"Fine," replied my friend, "but I just want to be able to walk perfectly again - just like Mike." I stood there, a little shocked, but I said to myself, "He's just started on the road to recovery. He's beginning to think positive."

Another friend of mine once told me that he used to feel sorry when he would see people who needed walkers. However, I will never forget what he said after that: "I would give anything if my daughter (diagnosed with a possible brain tumor and currently needing a wheel chair) could progress to the point where she just needed a walker." He prays for that; I pray for that; and many other people are praying for that.

Again, "Be thankful for what you have, and set your goals for higher things." The world is full of many horrible things, as well as many wonderful things. Sometimes a person is constantly looking at the "horrible" things. However, my hopes are that they will be able to find the beauty in life. It's there - if you look for it!

Michael Jordan Segal, MSW

Shot in the head during a robbery, Michael Jordan Segal defied all odds by first surviving and then returning to college. He then earned two degrees with honors, married his high school sweetheart, Sharon, and became a father to their daughter Shawn. Mike is a social worker at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston and an author (currently he has two book projects he's working on: an autobiography and an anthology of his short stories - as well as very soon he will have a CD of some of his best stories available). He also is a popular inspirational speaker sharing his "recipe" for recovery, happiness, and success. For more information please visit www.InspirationByMike.com

Last day in Smith Center

Took Uncle Howard to Grand Island yesterday. His eye surgery is scheduled for Friday. I found someone to take him but he is so darned independent. Hope he doesn't try to drive himself.
I have cooked dinner nearly everyday rather than eating out. Trying to fix food Uncle Howard enjoys. He had mentioned liking butter beans and cornbread so that was dinner yesterday. I sent the leftovers home with him. He seemed to like that better than anything. He is very appreciative. He thanked us dozens of times for being here. I really hope he does move to Washington this year. His brothers want him to and they have family that will help him. He has so much 'stuff' to get rid of before he can move. Yikes. I told him about a company that will come in and sell it for him. But as he says about his brothers advice, 'I can pretty much make up my own mind'.
Well, on towards home today. Should be there by Friday evening or Saturday morning at the latest. Calvin's work is ready and he is getting calls.
It has been a good trip.

A drive through the old homesteads

When the troops went into France during the war uncle Howard and a fellow soldier, Billy Rion were in a tank together. As they went into Paris, Billy told uncle Howard to stay with the tank and he would get them a momento. Uncle Howard said people started swarming around them and he put his hand on his gun as he was frightened. Someone in the crowd that could speak English told him not to be afraid, they were just glad to see the Americans. One woman asked him to kiss her baby's head. Shortly after Billy came back with two little gold slippers (charms). They each took one and agreed whichever one had a baby first (they were both newlyweds) that the other one had to give him their slipper. Neither one had children. Uncle Howard was keeping his slipper in his safety deposit box. He told me this morning he wanted me to see it, so we went to the bank. The slipper was gone.
Afterwards we took a drive out in the country where both my parents familes homesteaded.
This is near John Marran's homestead (my fathers father).


Jay and Ruby Marran lived near here when JayL and I were born. It is only a couple of miles from the Nebraska line.






This is all that is left of Reamsville Kansas. It is between the Marrans and Tilton/Ellis homesteads. The door is left unlocked and it perfectly clean and neat inside. There is a big dining room and kitchen in back. At one time the women of the community would fix lunch one day a week during harvest and all the men would come there to eat.


Milton and Rosa Tilton bought this land. Later Milton's sister Nan came from Iowa and bought land a couple miles down the road. Later Acie and Mae(Tilton)and children lived here. Nan built a house for Milton on her land and they moved there.


This old school is across the road from the Tiltons land. Mae Tilton and her sister attended classes there. Later when Mae and Acie lived on the Tilton place her children, Nina, Ruby,Charles and Mearld attended classes there for about a year.


This is Nan Tiltons place. Acie and Mae Ellis had a baby girl that only lived 3 days. She was buried under the big cedar tree in the middle of the picture. Mae's parents (Milton and Rosa Tilton) were living here at the time.
Their oldest son, Arthur and Uncle Howard became sick with 'the fever' when uncle Howard was a baby. The doctor told Acie and Mae that to get rid of the fever they should heat bricks and put them around Arthur. They did. He died. When Uncle Howard got sick they did not use the heated bricks, but he was very sick for a long time. He said he thought that was why he had a low IQ. He is a very smart man. I don't think 'the fever' damaged his brain.


Jimmy Wall (Jenny's father) built this hotel in the late 1800s in Riverton NE. He sold feed to the homesteaders going to Wyoming. The Republican river runs on the edge of the town and had a bridge made of logs that was used by the settlers to get the livestock and themselves across the river.

Taking care of business

Yesterday was spent taking care of business. Found someone to take Uncle Howard to his out of town doctors appointments which is good. The went to a town about 30 miles from here to see what the hold up was on Great Grandfathers head stone. We ordered it last year when we visited here.
The afternoon was spent online trying to track down Uncle Howard's old army buddies. We found a couple of phone numbers that were actually still working but no one answered. He was going to try again last night.
We came back to the trailer about 7:00.
Tomorrow its to Grand Island NE to the doctor.

Smith Center Kansas

We arrived late afternoon and after getting settled in we drove to Uncle Howards. My last few consversations led me to believe he was barely able to take care of himself. So I was prepared to volunteer to help get him set up with home health care and meals on wheels etc. Well, when we went to his house (several times), his car was gone and so was he. We went back about 6:00 and there he was. He said he had been waiting for us. Yeah right.
He is doing great for 93 yrs old. Pretty much does what ever he wants.
Today after church he came by the trailer for lunch then we went sight seeing. Then after church tonight we are going out for hamburgers and ice cream. He has a doctors appt Wednesday in a town about 100 miles from here and was going to drive himself. I asked if one of his friends could take him. He informed me he didn't want an old man driving him around. He was very relieved when we volunteered to stay and drive him. So looks like we will be leaving here Thurs morning.

A number of decades ago, when my brothers, sister and I were very young our mom was having major surgery. For the time it was very serious and the doctors told her there was a good chance she would not survive. Mother was very concerned about us kids and what would happen if she left us. She talked to Uncle Howard and Aunt Louella and they agreed to take us kids for awhile and if she did not survive the surgery we were to live with them. Now understand this was a childless couple barely making a living. So the idea of raising four children must have seemed enormous. And rightfully so. I remember not wanting to go to Kansas and telling mom I could take care of everyone. I understand now why she did this. As it turned out we stayed with them six weeks. It was a hard time.
Last night I told Uncle Howard that in case none of us kids had ever told them thank you, on behalf of my sibling we wanted to say thank you. He said "well, it was fun". I said "but it was hard". He said, "yes it was hard, but we would have done whatever we had to do" and added,"you are welcome".this is one of the reasons we are staying until Thursday. Today drove out in the country to the house we stayed in and the church down the road.

Land of Oz

We decided to go through Kansas and stop by and see Uncle Howard. So here we are in the plains. We passed by the most beautiful field of big sunflowers. The sun was shining on them and it looked like gold. Really bright and shiney. I was driving and Calvin was snoozing so we didn't get a picture.
Some of the parks we stay in have activities at various times. At this park tonight at 6:30 you can get ice cream sundaes of your choice. Guess who will be first in line. I hope Dorthy shows up. I'll keep you posted.

I like TREES!!

I am really going to miss the trees. We have seen so many different kinds and all of them beautiful. I regret not getting pictures of the burned pine trees in Yellowstone. Some of them have been standing since the 1988 fires. They were so pretty . As straight as arrows and black as pitch. I seem to remember hearing that you do not tie a tree to keep the wind from blowing it. The wind needs to move, twist and turn the tree for the roots to grow strong to support a big tree. That is why the trees that grow fast cannot withstand strong winds. Sort of like people. The trials we overcome make us stronger. If it doesn't break us it makes us stronger. Sort of like the trees that don't learn to bend with the wind.













Speaking of trees- Charlie left his mark on a good many in a lot of states.
Speaking of Charlie - one day when we was in Yellowstone I was walking Charlie outside the path to one of the geysers when a young Asian lady came up and motioned she wanted to pet Charlie. I told Charlie to "sit" so she could pet him. For some reason she thought that was funny. She started laughing and saying "seet, seet". All the while waving her hands in the air. I got away as soon as I could because Charlie thought she was playing, what with all the laughing and hand waving. Pretty soon she brought one of her traveling companions who was carrying a great big camera and after a lot of sign language finally figured out they wanted a picture of Charlie. Well here we go again. "seet, seet", hands waving, me trying to stay out of the picture, Charlie jumping and having a good old time, and the camera man clicking away. Finally I got away with them standing there grinning like everything. I tried to be graceful in my exit. After all one day they may own us. Maybe if I keep Charlie I'll be ok.
Speaking of cameras - nearly every tourist had big old cannon sized cameras. Some with tripods even. And here we had our tiny little digital cameras. I carried mine undercover as much as possible. We was visiting with a couple who said he told his wife 'lets get out of here. This is embarrassing”.
Well, we are sitting in the shadow of Pikes Peak in Fountain Colorado. I'm gonna miss mountains too.

Cheyenne Wyoming

Arrived in Ceyenne late afternoon. We didn't do much today. Went to an old fort. Apparently it had just been there a couple of years and had suffered substanial losses so the government decided to close it down. As an act of good faith it was burned when the soldiers and families pulled out. Hmmm


One more picture of Wyoming with snow on the mountain tops.

This is good

"One day at a time - this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone: and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering."

Ida Scott Taylor
1820-1915, Author

Homesteaders

This morning before leaving Montana we went to a homestead museum of sorts. There were a good many buildings that were brought in and restored with original furnishing when possible. The average cabin was 12 x 12 and sometime two families lived in it. The first order of business was getting the land ready and then a dwelling. The pictures below are of a church, general store, washing machine,kitchen. These were pretty fancy for the day.









Hey check out this vintage RV. Bed, Stove, Cabinets - now what else could you ask for? Oh yeah--maybe a toilet.




There was also an old train depot with several cars. One had wood sides which is the first I have seen.


I just finished reading “Letters Of A Woman Homesteader”. The author of the letters was a widow with a small child who worked as a laundress and wanted to homestead. She eventually did get her homestead and married the man who had a ranch next to hers. While she worked her land, she took care of all the duties of her home and helped with harvests etc. The letters were written over a period of several years to a friend of hers in Denver. I have included below one of the final letters in the book.
I was surprised at the number of women homesteaders in this area. I honestly don’t know how one person can do all they had to do each day. In the letters there was not one word of complaining. Just matter of fact, this is what had to be done and I did it. And she was always so thankful for all the things around her. A lot of the women buried husbands and sometimes children and just kept keeping on. I have so much respect for their strength and courage. Maybe there wasn’t a choice. They just did what had to be done.


Dear Mrs Coney,
This is Sunday and I suppose I ought not to be writing, but I Must write to you and I may not have another chance soon.
Now this is a letter I have been wanting to write you for a long time, but could not because until now I had not actually proven all I wanted to prove. Perhaps it will not interest you, but if you see a woman who wants to homestead and is a little afraid she will starve, you can tell her what I am telling you.
I never like to theorize, and so this year I set out to prove that a woman could ranch if she wanted to. We like to grow potatoes on new ground, that is, newly cleared land on which no crop has been grown. Few weeds grow on new land, so it makes less work. So I selected my potato-patch, and the man ploughed it, although I could have done that if Clyde would have let me. I cut the potatoes, Jerrine (6 yrs old) helped, and we dropped them in the rows. Man covered them, and that ends the man’s part. By that time the garden ground was ready, so I planted the garden. I had almost an acre in vegetables. I irrigated and I cultivated it myself.
We had all the vegetables we could possibly use, and I have put in our cellar full, and this is what we have: one large bin of potatoes (more than two tons), half a ton of carrots, a large bin of beets, one of turnips, one of onions, one of parsnips and on the other side of the cellar we have more than one hundred heads of cabbage. I have experimented and found a kind of squash that can be raised here, and that the ripe ones keep well and make good pies; also that the young tender ones make splendid pickles quite equal to cucumbers. They told me when I came here I could not grow common beans, but I did. And also I raised lots of green tomatoes and preserved them. I found I could make catchup of goose berries. I made it exactly the same as I do the tomatoes and I am delighted. Goose berries were plentiful this year so I put up a great many. I milked ten cows twice a day all summer and sold enough butter to pay for a years supply of flour and gasoline. We use gasoline for our lamps. I have raised enough chickens to completely renew my flock and all we wanted to eat, and have some fryers to go into winter with. I have enough turkeys for all our birthdays and holidays.
I worked in the field. In all I have had no help but Jerrine. Many of my neighbors did better than I did, although I know many town people would doubt my doing so much, but I did it.
When I read of the hard times among the Denver poor, I feel like urging them every one to get out and file on land. I am very enthusiastic about women homesteading. It really requires less strength and labor to raise plenty to satisfy a large family than it does to go out to wash, with the added satisfaction of knowing their job will not be lost to them if they care to keep it. Any woman strong enough to go out by the day could have done every bit of the work and it would have been so much more pleasant than to work so hard in the city and then be on starvation rations in the winter. To me, homesteading is the solutions of poverty’s problems, but I realize that temperament had much to do with success in any undertaking, and persons afraid of coyotes and work and loneliness had better let ranching alone. At the same time, any woman who can stand her own company can see the beauty of the sunset, loves growing things and is willing to put in as much time at careful labor as she does over the washtub, will certainly succeed; will have independence, plenty to eat and home of her own in the end.
Here I am boring you to death. You would think I want you to homestead, wouldn’t you? But I am only thinking of the troops of tired worried women, sometimes even cold and hungry, scared to death of losing their places to work, who could have plenty to eat, who could have good fires by gathering wood, and homes of their own, if they had the courage and determination to get them.
Affectionately,
Elinore Rupert Stewart

What me worry??

What happens when someone worries?

Basically, they think of 100 reasons why something might go wrong. And all of those thoughts then struggle to become things, sometimes overriding their more constructive thoughts.

It's like a train wreck. Ain't pretty. But that's the power of worry.

Now, let's say you want something fantastic to manifest in your life. Hypothetically, let's say you want a GREAT LIFE. (I know you.)

Have you sat down yet and listed 100 reasons why it might come to you easily, fast, and harmoniously?

I think you should.

Monday, Hardin Montana. Little Big Horn Memorial

A peaceful and beautiful drive. We gradually got out of the mountainous area. It is pretty hilly here by west Texas standards. Arrived a little after lunch and shortly after went to the Little Big Horn battleground. For those that know how sappy I can get will not be surprised that visiting the monument was a tad of a downer. All the foolish killing because of who is right and who wants what. Anyway, I'm sure most of us know the story or at least Hollywoods version so I won't get into that or who was wrong or who was wronger. There was a national cemetary near the grounds for veterans of all the wars since WWI but has stopped accepting residents.
Seems when the Little Big Horn soldiers were buried, they were buried where they fell. A year or so later the remains were dug up and put in a common grave. However, there were white markers put into the ground where the soldiers were slain, and red markers where the known Indians were slain. Most of the Indian markers were removed or never placed due to some religious belief. Never was clear on that. The Crow apparently were enemies with the tribes that were involved in the battle and did not participate in killing the soldiers of this battle. Our storyteller today was a Crow Indian. He was very good at his job and I sat with tears running down my chin and people looking at me pitifully. I was patronized a good deal on the way out. You know, the poor little old emotional lady. Well, here are the pics of this little journey. We won't be doing any more battle grounds this trip.

Out of Yellowstone, Into Montana

Montana is absolutely breath takingly beautiful. The drive out of Yellowstone and into Montana was one of the best drives. A little tricky but great. Most of the pictures were taken for the pickup as there was not many places to stop. We were on edge. I was a little disappointed that I didn't get better pics. Did finally see some elk, but not in Yellowstone. They and the buffalo seem to have right of way no matter where. We spent Sunday night in a park with mountains all around us and the Yellowstone river running by the camp. We had a leisurely afternoon, catching up on housekeeping and resting. Calvin cooked out and we spent a good part of the evening sitting out side enjoying the view.Now can life get any better.

Grand Tetons and Yellowstone Park

9-10-2008 Pinedale to Jackson
Got up early and was at the Mountain Man Museum in Pinedale right after the doors opened. I wasn’t familiar with the Mountain Man era. Of course Calvin could have been a tour guide. Anyway, it seems the desire for beaver hats in the east and in Europe started a migration of men to the mountains in search of beaver pelts that lasted 20 years. Now how bizarre is that? It is astounding how one thing (in this case a change in men’s fashion) can change the lives of many. And then fashionable men decided they wanted silk hats. There went the beaver industry. Needless to say the beavers were happy. The mountain men became scouts for the millions coming to the west.
After leaving Pinedale we drove to a KOA on the Snake River near Jackson. The drive was breath taking. We stopped fairly often for pictures. There were a lot of wild life along the road. Any yes, more wild horses but didn’t have the camera out this time. The river runs on the back of the park. Charlie is a bit afraid of the rushing water. The only water he sees is in his little water bowl and an occasional tub when he goes to the groomer. Here this stuff was growling and running. We spent the afternoon checking out Jackson and getting info from the visitors center for our next few days. We went out to dinner and had a fantastic meal. I had some sort of Thai stir fry which was yummy. Grand Teton Park tomorrow and then Yellowstone.



9-11-2008 Grand TETON
Well, after a leisurely start we began the drive through Grand Teton Park. All I can say is BEAUTIFUL!!! On the drive we saw a large herd of buffalo but they were too far away to get good pictures. Then on the way home we spotted one lone buffalo down by the river. Calvin and a young couple from Idaho hiked down for the picture. I had to baby sit Charlie. Whew!! Wild horses, I’ll take my chances. Buffalo, no way. We dodged that bullet. That big boy does not look too happy. Now what was it in the hand outs about staying away from wild animals? I forget!
We also happened by an old cabin built around 1888 by a Jackson pioneer. J.Pierce Cunningham, now doesn’t that just sound like an old west personality. The roof has plants growing on it. There were post hole remains, depressions in the soil from wells and foundations of barns and out buildings. Pretty neat.






9-12-2008 Yellowstone Buffalo and waterfalls
We decided to move camp inside the park. Called the park and was able to get reservations and money refunded in Jackson. We are set up at Fishing Bridge park. Really pretty nice. Crowded but beautiful. We had lunch, napped, walked Charlie and took off for a drive. Buffalo and more buffalo. Some were grazing right around the corner from where we are parked and saw many grazing in fields. We only got about 10miles ine 1.5 hours because of all the neat things to see. Pictures are of LeHardys Rapids, mud volcano, a field of geysers including Dragons something, Upper and lower falls from Artist point. This was just in a 10 mile drive. Can’t imagine what tomorrow has in store.






9-13-2008 Geysers and more buffalo
I'll just let the pictures do the talking. What can I say. This is a magical land. Dark blue hot bubbling water sitting in a bed of orange, pools of silkly latte mud making faces, white bleached trees with steam rising around them, mounds of chemicals with steam escaping. Yes indeed, a magical land.

RAWLINS TO PINEDALE

We started our day with an early morning visitor chomping on leaves a short distance from the trailer. Then started out for Jackson. We had to stop in Rock Springs to pick up Calvins meds and had to go to three different places to find it. Anyway, that put us a little behind schedule so we stopped about 10 miles from Pinedale. We had planned on stopping in Pinedale to go to the Mountain Man Museum so it worked out ok.
We are sort of in the country, and there is so much of it. Wide, wide open spaces. Charlie and I walked for about 45 minutes and just as we got back to the trailer a storm started. Came in fast and lasted less than an hour ending with the most beautiful full rainbow I have ever seen, and shortly after, clear blue skies. The weather is amazing.
The oilfield is really booming here. We counted 16 drilling rigs in one little valley. Not much in the way of houses so a lot of the men are living in travel trailers. One man here is living in a teepee. This is his second winter here and he is very comfortable, thank you very much. :-)

We passed by a trail that the settlers used over 100 years ago. You can see big gouged lines in the earth. So strange to think it was that long ago and the marks are still so vivid. Sorta makes you pause about the way our generation is polluting and abusing our earth.