montemover

Pics: Monte and Toad at the Daveys in Nebraska; Me and my 2 best friends in High School; the old High School building.

I’m leaving the idyllic, pastoral setting here in Scottsbluff and headed for the open road next Wednesday. Monte and the toad have both had a check-up motor-wise. And I’m making a stop in Cheyenne, WY at Jolley Roger’s to have some coach work done before heading on to Oregon. Toby and I have both had thorough check-ups with our respective doctors and are good for another year – GUARANTEED! Toby had quite a significant personality change a few weeks ago so we went to Alliance to se Doctors Jim and Tom Furman (my first and second? cousins). It seems Toby is of the breed and age where “cognitive dysfunction” can and apparently has, set in. (Known as Alzheimer’s disease in humans). Fortunately, there is good medicine available for dogs (as opposed to humans) which is quite good at addressing the problem. Toby’s been on the meds for 4 days and I’m already seeing a difference for the better. So we’ll do what we can while on the road and when we get to Oregon we’ll find a good vet for Toby and I suppose I should reconnoiter the area for a good GP for me. Oh the things you never think of when younger!!!! Such is life!

The Daveys, Donna and Chuck, have been super, super friends to allow me to stay these 3 months at their place. Although they didn’t get to take their expected trip due to unexpected health problems I’ve enjoyed helping out with the horses – especially scooping horse manure with Donna this past week – and have loved watching Chablie, the new little (or not so little any more) filly as she’s explored her world, and watching Donna work with her. I am impressed at what a gentle, sweet, yet spirited filly she is and how well she works for Donna without giving up any of her individuality. Donna is so good with her horses; I am truly impressed!!

These past two weeks I attended my 50th High School Class Reunion. What a blast! It was fun seeing people I haven’t seen in 50 years, and getting together with my old friends, touring the High School (now the Middle School) which was celebrating it’s 100th birthday, and partying hearty! Funny how well preserved the women were (I recognized most of them) and how drastically the men had changed (I didn’t recognize any of them). All of the surviving “Elites”, as we called ourselves in High School, were there and we had a great time. Geez, can you believe some of things we did 50 years ago and all the things we’ve lived through since then! I can’t!

Tuesday, I’m headed to Alliance for my Aunt Flo’s 96th Birthday Party. All of the first cousins and some of the second cousins will be there so it will be quite a reunion. I’m looking forward to celebrating Aunt Flo’s 96 years and still going strong with all the cousins. What a fun bunch they are. This will be a good party! Then back that night to Scottsbluff so I can get an early start Wednesday morning for Cheyenne.

So, dear folks, the next time I write I’ll have been on the road and probably back in Oregon exploring my new lot. Until then – Happy Trails! Kris

I posted a blog on August 18, and I previewed it etc., all seemed well. But when I went to check it today. It wasn’t there, so this is the one I thought I posted plus some info added and changed.

This has been a busy couple of months here in Scottsbluff. I am parked at Donna and Chuck Davey’s just outside of Scottsbluff and fully expected to do some housesitting while they traveled to exotic places like the Amazon or Africa. However plans quickly changed when Donna was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery a 3 weeks ago and then another surgery a week later. She is recovering very well and quickly from the surgeries and we are hopeful that they got all the cancer. She starts chemo on the 15th for 4 weeks and then follows that with radiation. While she and her family were busy with doctors, hospitals, etc. I tended to the horses and kept the home fires burning while generally staying out of everyone’s way as much as possible. Donna’s daughter was here for a week during this time. It surel does screw up their travel plans, bummer.

I then went to visit cousin Gene and discovered he not only had back surgery a few months ago, but just the first of July he had a hip replacement surgery. He’s doing very well and recovering at home very nicely. He’s adapted his living style and surroundings so that he coudl get around and get done the things he needed to get done by using a walker. (Shortly after writing this he moved to a cane and now is appliance free.)

Gee, it seems when you get to my age you’re either replacing or repairing various parts of the old body. Modern medicine is wonderful, now if we could just make it more affordable maybe I’d be tempted to get my old knee replaced that I injured while skiing over 30 years ago and is now coming back to haunt me.

I’m still subbing at the college for the ESL and ABE/GED departments. I will finish up there the end of September. It’s been fun teaching again and especially fun to see some of my old students as well as the great staff at the ABE/ESL department.

I’m getting a severe case of hitch itch and eager to see my lot in Sutherlin, OR. I’ll be heading to Oregon from Scottsbluff. I rather plan to make a beeline for Sutherlin, however, I’ll be doing it by taking the byways at least part of the way and seeing some new country. I don’t expect to stop along the way for much sightseeing. I really want to see my lot and get settled into the community (find my place there among the good folks) before setting out again for places unknown. I haven’t decided yet where I’ll spend the winter. Sure is nice to have lots of options.

Toby loves it here at the Davey’s. He can run free and thinks their pastures are his personal playgrounds. He’s such a sweetie and great companion. He’s learning to stay clear of Chablie, the 3 month old filly, since she thinks he’s a playmate (or predator, I don’t know which) and likes to chase and kick and rear at him and Brandie (Davey’s short-haired pointer). A horse guy came by the other day that Donna knows well and he got to looking at Chablie’s mama’s papers and the daddy’s papers and he was blown away stating that the filly was worth $8,000 to $10,000. Not bad for a surprise package. She is a beauty and very high spirited. Donna’s doing a great job of gentling her and teaching her some manners.

Well, I’m making my lists getting ready to get Monte and me ready to travel so we can be leaving the end of the month. There are more adventures to be had. Love ya all. Kris