DINNER AT CHICKY'S

Why is it that Guiness and Brewer (Steve's dogs) get more pictures than the humans? Well, they are soooo cute! Anyway, Chicky had us over to her house for a awesome beef stew and a good time was had by all.

The little things

Today is cleaning day, but the little things that Jenny used to do, like hide from the vacuum cleaner, are making it a tougher day then I would like. So I am working at many things, just trying to keep busy. In the process, I came across a piece of paper I jotted notes on, during our last trip to Ireland. I thought I'd share.

Early on we saw a roadsign that read "Traffic Calming". Jorge's translation to this was, "It means, slow your ass down."

Another common road side was: "Back of Beyond" (Dead end)

I don't remember where we saw this, but it is an Irish expression: "There is no use in keening when the funeral has moved off. (Ni hoan maith a bheith ag caonineadh nuaira imionn an tsochraid.)" It means, don't be late.

ORBITUARY: GENEVIEVE RAMIREZ

Genevieve was born in rural Montana on a ranch near Augusta in the early Summer of 1996. The daughter of a champion tracker, she lived up to her father's reputation by utilizing her acute sense of smell during her entire life. We chose her over her sister, a lemon bassett. We often wondered how it would have been if we had brought them both home.
Smart dog, but sutbborn and obstinate at times when her nose would take control. "Geneveevee" or "Jenny-wenie" were some of her nicknames, but almost always it would be "Jenny". Good dog, loyal and loving, who should have been a lap dog, all 65 pounds of her at her peak. She learned quickly early in life from our golden retriever Teddy Bear, having to undergo 2 surgeries for swallowing rocks, which she did not chew like Teddy did.
Well traveled dog, living in three states during her short life. Florida was too hot for this Rocky Mountain pup, we could tell. Out trips to Montana during the last 2 years stressed her, as she would never lay down in the car. But after catching up on her sleep for several hours she would be ready to enjoy the mountain air and chase the deer that would dare come near the house. The last time we were in Montana 2 weeks ago, her energy was gone and she did not even see the deer approach within a few feet of her.
We will miss you Jenny, your funny howl and your big ears. We will look for you at night when it's time for your big biscuit. We will miss your gentle greeting when we come home. You enriched our lives, individually and as a family. Your memory will always be with us. JIR

Genevieve

Our beloved Jenny: June 1996 to October 17, 2007

We will miss you.

"And it can be that in a world so full and busy

The loss of one creature makes a void in any heart

So wide and deep that nothing

But the width and depth of eternity can fill it up." - Charles Dickens

LOVE BIRDS

Not the winged kind this time. The fresh mountain air and inspiring view gives us strength and determination. Many a world problem we have readily solved while sitting in the hot tub. Life's tribulations seem insignificant when we hold each other, when we profess the never-too-frequent "love you". Our life together has been full, replete with acomplishments, but most importantly with love. A legacy of family togetherness and love we have passed on, and will continue to convey to our children. Whatever else life has in store for us we'll face, holding on to each other as we say: "I love you". JIR

QOV #3

The back of the quilt.
This is one of the two quilting stitches I did, free form feathers.

This is the other, standard stippling.

The front of the quilt of war, for a soldier with ties to Montana. There are still more to make, I guess this is just my patriotic duty in all this. I always need to let our troops know they are not fighting this war alone. The whole country is at war, no matter how we feel about it, we are. So, I'll always keep supporting our troops until they all come home.

TRIBUTE TO GENEVIEVE

She is old and tired. A bad heart, failing joints. She still loves her favorite couch, but we have to carry her up to it. She still fakes having to pee, so she can get biscuits as reward. Of course, we fall for it on purpose anymore, because she is old and tired, and does not have long to live. She is our Genevieve, Christina's dog, our stepchild. Our funny dog, who has made us laugh, and made us run after her many times when her acute sense of smell overpowered all of our commands. Her time left with with us is short, so we honor her for having been part of our family and our lives. JIR

BIRDS OF FALL...AND WINTER

Pine Siskin on the edge after drinking water

The fearless bandit, the Chickadee, constantly in motion,

but steady in his resolve to gather as many black

oil sunflower seeds as it can

The red-breasted nuthatch, and his cousin with

the white breast, chirp as they move about
the rough-surfaced trunks and branches as if these

were made of smooth plastic

We never cease to be amazed by our sturdy winged friends who manage to stay in this frigid winter country, rather than head south like many of their fellow birds. Maybe it's the long flight, or the risks along the way. I think it may be that they are comfortable and content in this pristine environment, that offers them all they need to make it through.

OCTOBER IN MONTANA

We arrived at our mountain hideaway as the stormy cold front greeted us with the chill that makes for frosty mornings and wilted plants. Canadian gueese flying south, a sure sign of natural transition.The rain turns to a blanket of snow above 4,000 feet. Jackets and sweaters come out of dark closets after their summer slumber.

Lively roses now adorn our kitchen, the plants being covered with insulating mulch, protecting them from those deadly frigid days and nights still to come.

The furnace churns as the arctic air penetrates every crack, and defeats the most eficient insulation. The hot tub is filled and conforting, the AC is off.

Fall in Montana, a short season to be enjoyed and appreciated. Winter will soon follow, amazing us with its own uniqueness and awe-inspiring moments.

SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHT-SARA AND CHRIS WED IN HELENA, MT

We enjoyed the sharing of friendship and love of the gang that stayed
at our home in MT during the Labor Day weekend- Lindsay, Christina,
Nate, Don, Peter, George and Danny

Like father...like son

What's on your mind Linds...mischievous look

The cutest couple of the bunch

Beautiful girl

Danny reads the unforgetable poem he wrote to his best friends

Sara and Chris exchange vows