Surprise visitors, a trip to Billings, rain, thunderstorms. Plus our Memorial Day weekend weather forecast was typical–rain–at least it wasn’t snow!
Geri and Larry left Arizona in late April and have been traveling, visiting places and friends. They are headed to South Dakota spending the summer near a daughter and her family. We were excited to hear they would be coming through Montana! They arrived before lunch on Monday and we spent the day on the deck enjoying the sunshine, dive bombing hummingbirds and our other colorful birds. In the early evening we enjoyed a fantastic dinner–grilled tri-tip, twice backed potatoes and a salad.
Tuesday Geri and I took a 2 mile walk and in the early afternoon we took a drive up the Boulder. When we spot a bear we usually announce it with a lot of expression and volume–BEAR!!! We are driving along and Larry just matter of fact states, “well, there’s a bear.” The rest of us in the truck with some volume say, WHERE! The bear was eating ants from a stump, a healthy, handsome guy. Exciting!


Geri and Larry left early Wednesday morning and so did we–appointments in Billings. We were going to be gone all day long and then some. The temps in Billings would be too warm for Emmi to go with us. On a whim I called our friend Kathy and thankfully she was able to come up and spend the day with our girl.
The Cowboy dropped me at the hair salon and headed downtown to the medical district for his first appointment where he received a clean bill of health. Back to the salon to retrieve me, next stop was Costco and a quick lunch of Costco hot dogs. We haven’t been to Costco for a big grocery run in about a month–this one about broke the bank! With a stop at Dairy Queen for blizzards we headed back to the medical center where the Cowboy saw the dermatologist getting yet another clean bill of health–he’s on a roll!! A stop at Walmart to pickup groceries and we headed home to a happy to see us Emmi. Kathy told us Emmi would sleep in her bed for a while then come to the corner of the living room rug, look at Kathy and just howl. I had told Kathy about the boiled chicken treats in the refrigerator–once Kathy gave her chicken Emmi decided it might be OK if Kathy spent the day with her!

I’ve been trying to walk at least 2 miles every other day and do yoga the other days. The Cowboy has been doing yoga–working on the RV, crawling underneath it, almost standing on his head to install new ceiling panels–he has been getting his exercise! We are now on a deadline–we have an ATV trip planned and will need that RV!
Saturday evening friends Ken and Lesley plus Lonn joined us for yet another great dinner–the tri tip and twice backed potatoes were such a hit earlier in the week that I just repeated it. I did make homemade ice cream for dessert–coffee almond butter ice cream–delicious!!
The forecast for Memorial Day weekend was rain, rain, rain. We’ve had just enough rain to make it muddy, then the sun pops out, then it rains again. Typical for Memorial Day and as I said above, at least it wasn’t snow which also isn’t uncommon.
On this Memorial Day we thank the men and women who have given their lives to protect this country.
This photo was taken several years ago by John Novotny, a long time member of our community. This is the beautiful cemetery in our little community where a Memorial Day service is held each year.