A Remote Western Christmas

Christmas here is a community deal. The Christmas party is a big event during the month of December. Santa visits, the stores stay open late (and serve food and beverage to entice shoppers), the Visitor's center throws a wine and cheese party (with beautiful cocktail shrimp!), the County Commissioners hold hands with local kids as they throw the light switch on the Christmas Tree at the County courthouse, and locals mingle on the streets as the Christmas parade comes through.

The air is filled with excitement as lit trucks, horse drawn wagons, walking teams and even goats with chicken riders march down the Pine Street. This year was extra special for us, as the temperatures were above 0, and it snowed lightly! We also got a treat as both kids were in the parade- one on the 4H float, and the other with the Wrestling Club.

At home, the quiet spread around us like the heavenly white blanket outside. As we approached the house, nearly all that was visible through the snow and darkness was the lit Christmas tree in the amazing place we call home. We wouldn't trade this Remote Western Christmas for anything in the world.

Oh Snap!

A cold spell has recently hit the US. Here, at 7400 feet elevation, we didn't get missed.

Don't you love digital evidence? It doesn't tell the time, nor the wind chill, nor if the sun was shining... and each of these factors does play in how cold it "feels". Regardless, understand that -12 feels COLD. Your nose hairs stick together, as do your eyelashes. You can't breathe too deeply without coughing. Your outdoor animals look like they're crusted in ice, but you've still got to remind your Remote Western children to bring a coat to school.

It's too cold to snow, though the snow that's already here isn't melting.

I worked cows with a friend one day, when the weather was this cold. Regardless of the temperatures, ranch chores must be done. As luck would have it, I fell in the (I believe, anyway) only non frozen solid stream and froze the lower half of my pants solid. We're talking about crunchy, flick-ice-off-with-your-cow-poker-stick, pants-can't-move-or-they-break solid kind of freeze. The upper portions steamed off some in the sun, but please believe me when I say "I FROZE MY @$$ OFF!!!" We worked cows some more, bringing in the heifers for vaccinations, getting them in the chutes and vaccinating them. It's a lot physical, hard, dirty work, but great when the sun is shining and the wind isn't blowing! (Helps if a person is also dry.)

The kids took the school bus out to the ranch, where we loaded up and drove off to hunt the elusive Christmas Tree! Success! We found one that would make Charlie Brown proud. Our settling was most likely spurred by the fact that the sun went down and all three of us had had enough of being cold (Remote Western Children didn't bring their snow boots, one was missing a coat, and neither had gloves. When will they learn???)

Another beautiful day in paradise.

Sabbatical over, I'm baaaaack!

Ever find yourself suddenly realizing that you're not nearly as funny or clever as you once thought you were? Did you then decide, with a heavy dose of humility to go crawl into a corner and assess the situation for a while? Maybe it's just me.

But thanks to the gentle goading of friends (love you Ken!), I'm back on line with my western wit and wisdom. For whatever that's worth. I'm happy to be back, and will keep whomever wants to know in the know on the "goings on" in our Remote Western Town.

Remote computer failure

So... when your computer dies, and you live an hour and a half away from the closest Staples, what do you do? Panic. Cry. Get angry. Talk to your townsfolk. It's sort of like the five stages of grief- complete with the anger, bargaining and acceptance... except I'm grieving the loss of something that was never alive to begin with.

After a month of back and forth visits from the local computer guy, I'm still without computer services with the exception of the unauthorized laptop. (Breakin' the law, breakin' the law...) Here's hoping I'm back up and running again soon because I have great horseback ride pictures to post (exquisite country!), as well as weather updates (we can finally plant our flowers now!), and fire season info. Wish me luck in getting back pronto.

Remote Western Dogs versus Remote Western Skunks

Skunks 1, Dogs 0

Here is our beloved border collie, shown with our beloved Frito-Bandito. This is her typical disposition, looks, smell, etc.

She came bounding in last night... and the stench hit me about a half a second later. Ugh! 

Being the sound scientific mind I am, I did a little bit of research. The nasty part of skunk smell is causes by compounds called "thiols". Thiols can be readily broken down by a process called "oxidation", where oxygen is added to the molecule and the molecule is changed. Stink is gone, dog can once again venture inside.

More research revealed that others have had luck with hydrogen peroxide (an oxidizer) combined with baking soda, a dash of Dawn to lather up, and a cap full of chlorox. This sounds reasonable to me, especially since I have these things on hand. So it's off to the outdoor bath with my concotion and my stinky dog. The sucker blows like a shaken beer, and the oxidizing process is going along smoothly. Dog is beginning to smell like dog, and I am pleased with my keen intellect.

She was so mad, she would barely make eye contact. And when she did, it was only to give 

me hateful, dog stink-eye looks. She also decided that rolling in horse poop would make her feel better, but hey... I would take horsepoop smell over skunk any day.

She eventually dried and forgave me. She even smells much better, though her face still stinks (I didn't want this chemistry near her eyes, so the nose and eye area were spared the bubbly wrath). She won't be allowed into the house until the rest of the stink is completely gone.

So this story is finished except for one small thing... the oxidizing. I sort of forgot that oxidizers and bleach... well... oxidize and bleach! My tri color border is now more of a four color border with her new frosted tips! Now it's time for her to freshen up that breath, lose some fur off that big booty and go out on the town in her swanky, hip new doggie "do"!  

One Stinking Line???

Ok, we're remote. I get that. What boggles my mind is that with one single misplaced dig spot, one little "uh-oh", and the ENTIRE area is without long distance, internet and cellular phone services for hours! For those of us without television, we're really disconnected!

But, it comes with the territory, and when these things happen (which they do with alarming frequency!), we remember to be grateful when the internet comes back up, and our link to the outside world is restored.

(Photo by Dawn Ballou, Pinedale Online)

April Showers bring... April snowstorms?

It's the 29th of April, and we could sure use some springtime around these parts. These hellacious wind storms with snow wreck havoc on the newborn calves, and cause general hate and discontent to those of us without livestock. 

The wind was screaming most of the night and morning. It sounded and felt as if the roof would come off in one piece. By late morning, the wind had mostly died down, but a little bit of evidence was left blown and stuck to the side of the house and garage doors. Note the snow blown into the corners and frozen in place. Late April in Western Wyoming...

It's CALVING SEASON!

It's time for babies! Lots and lots of babies!  

The calves are a'comin', and it's the busy season around these parts. First year heifers and seasoned cows alike need someone watching over to ensure the offspring are healthy deliveries. Mud and blood and cowpies come with the territory this time of year, and I wish all my ranching friends a fruitful calf season!

(Pictures to be posted soon! Once the wind stops blowing and the snow stops coming in sideways, I can go out to the ranches and grab some shots!)

Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act

My goal is not to be political with this blog, but I must mention the HR 980 currently before Congress. This bill proposes 24 million acres as newly designated wilderness with very strict conditions set for human use. 

While we adamantly advocate responsible land use, this bill would have serious consequences for our Remote Western Town, and the recreation and tourism therein. 

Our townfolk have really mobilized around this issue more than any other I've seen in recent times.  Time will tell how this issue plays out.  Keep informed!

The wind...

Since our wind swept landscape provides no nutritional genesis for vegetation taller than grass, and since our grass is still dormant and tiny- how do we tell the wind is blowing?
It could be the howling, screaming sounds of the home as the ferocious force tries to blow it down. It could be the cacophony of the wind chimes as they spin and tangle with the energy in motion...

Or it could be the sideways icicles.

Economic Hard Times for A Remote Western Town

Because of our remoteness, we do get the privileged of being insulated from the volatility of the world economic issues... but not for ever. Eventually, like fashion and ideology, economics impact us, too.
This morning's tearful call reminded me of this reality. Where jobs were once so plentiful, restaurants in town had difficulty finding help, and when they did- they paid top dollar. Today? Today, dozens of people apply for the single job at the gym. Out of work attorneys apply as warehouse managers. Times are frightening for us here, where heating costs are crippling in the winter, and commuting to other areas is nearly impossible.
My friend lost his job today and is leaving town. I doubt we'll see him again. He worked for a company that services the natural gas drilling industry, and with the falling gas and oil prices, many rigs are laying down. At nearly 60 years old, he's got a tough ordeal ahead of him and I wish him Godspeed on his search for employment.
While we typically don't dwell on the hard times, I do feel it necessary to mention how the current global financial situation is impacting all of us. We don't drive flashy cars here, but car care is expensive in an area where everything comes in from four or more hours away. Our homes aren't large or showy, but real estate has been higher than all but one area of our state. Tourist areas can be that way. Heating, repairs and maintenance are also much costlier compared to other areas, and food prices are very high.
So, while my husband now works four days a week out of state, four of my close friends are dealing with unemployment in their lives and my salary has just been cut by 10%, I know we will overcome this. We always do.

Remote Western Roads and Snow

Not only do we get a fair share of snowWe get wind.

Sometimes, it's a lot of wind. When the wind and the snow happen within a short time frame, we get trouble.(This is my road... I didn't get any further on it at this point.)

Sometimes, it's a LOT of trouble.

(This is where my plow truck got stuck. Luckily, neighbors and I could pull it out. My hand is near the top of the drift.)
(And this is the blader-tractor pulling my SUV out.)

But, when the winds stop,

And the sun crests the mountains And the plows come, (County plow!)(Mom plowing a way to the school bus!)

Paradise is reborn.

Thank you!

A hearty THANK YOU to everyone who asked "where have you been?" and "why isn't your blog updated?".
To be honest, I wasn't sure anyone was really interested. A few zealous friends had "over-clicked" the ad buttons, and my account was suspended. I wasn't getting any comments to posts, and only a couple of followers to the site. So thank you to those who cared enough to ask for new updates. I commit to you that I will keep our Remote Western Town accessable to all of our out of town friends and loved ones.

Happy New Year!

May you keep your employment
May your home not foreclose
May you find life enjoyment
As your portfolio grows

May your bodies be fit
And your brains become wise
Will you not care a bit
‘Bout the width of your thighs

May your days fill with laughter
And your nights fill with peace
Might you find what you’re after
Can your mind be at ease

May you be filled with love
To thine own self be true
All of the things above
Are my new year wish for you