This site will look much better in a browser that supports web standards, but it is accessible to any browser or Internet device.

Hi Ultrafans. I am sitting out on my front porch about 7 o’clockish writing this post.  This is one of those moments when I can really appreciate the portability of my mac laptop. Now just a couple of days ago, I could not have envisioned being able to even step outside without hordes of mosquitoes descending on me, looking for a likely place to land on my exposed ( or even unexposed) skin and feast upon my delicious type A-Negative blood, let alone actually sit and enjoy this lovely summer eveing. I have, of course, used the obligatory insect repellent, but since I have only been bitten about 5 times in the space of ½ hour, I must conclude that the city must have made good on their promise to pest-control spray for these potential West-Nile disease carriers in my several day absence. At least I fervently hope so, for as anyone who has ever been here in the summertime can attest, there is no more mosquito-ridden place on earth than Carlin, NV.
Last weekend was a good one; our recent Law School graduate, Johnny made a quick visit, mostly, as it turned out, to provide the mosquitoes with an exotic feast and to beat me at each and every game we attempted to play. Maybe, also, to get a small break from his daily schedule of daily spending 6 hours or so studying for the Idaho Bar Exam. Anyway, whatever the reason, it was a very fun weekend, though I spent a portion of it making pizza and taco salad. I was happy Johnny could see how much I am enjoying the beautiful waterfall that he and Jimbo created for me several summers ago.

My Beautiful Waterfall

This weekend was the all-American excuse for barbecues and playing with matches: The 4th of July. Oh, and I believe we also celebrate the founding of our great nation. Last year, a bunch of us picnicked and camped out in Cherry Creek near the Lear Ranch; this year would be a repeat, minus the camping part and, come to think of it, minus the family members from Idaho. I drove to Ruby Valley on Friday afternoon to spend a little time with UltraDad and to be closer to the next day’s festivities.
On Saturday, I prepared and packed up my food contributions and we caravanned with Pat to the Lear Ranch, and eventually to the Barbecue site where we found several tables set up, a barbecue grill ready to go and some family and Lear friends and neighbors socializing. In addition to Murphy and Rowdy, there were also approximately 15-20 dogs. In the center of the shady area near the creek where we assembled was a large pile of semi-fresh cow manure, which several of the dogs, most notably Piper and Annie (the 2 Great Pyrenees) and Murphy managed to come in close contact with. Murphy had it all over his collar, neck and chest. Rowdy’s was limited to most of one front paw. Baby Wynn enjoyed pounding the huge mound with a stick.

Poopy dog. I think this one is Annie

The food was varied and delicious. In addition to grilled hot dogs and burgers, Kathy Lear’s neighbor Diane has some BBQ chicken, and there was all manner of chips, salads and desserts, notably Courtney’s berry pie. The only (literal) damper on the occasion were the frequent thunderstorms and accompanying rain, which sent several of us (the sissies like me anyway) scurrying to vehicles for shelter and jacket retrieval.
I felt sorry for Bill Lear’s young wife Courtney, who was in the middle of a horrid, cough-producing cold, but was glad she came in spite of it, as I hadn’t seen her for a while and really enjoy talking to her. Her 2 ½ year old son, Wynn was adorable and talking a blue streak, and his Grandma Kathy Lear decided to give Courtney a break and take Wynn along on rock-hunting expedition she and UltraDad were planning. I say expedition, because it kept growing and ended up including me, Diane, and her friend from CA, Vern before it was done; also, about 8 dogs. I think everyone found some sort of rock/obsidian that showed definite evidence of manipulation. Everyone, that is but Wynn and me. I presented several possibilities to Kathy as we walked along, but always got the same answer, “It’s a very nice rock, but it’s just a rock.” Wynn and I stopped to rest on a rock outcropping, and he was delighted by our pinecone throwing game, especially laughing when he hit me with a cone and I pretended it hurt. When we finally got back to the pickup, however, we were missing Diane and two dogs; Vern’s little black dog, Buck and one of Kathy Lear’s minpins: Holly. We drove back to the camp to find Diane and Buck had walked back, unable to locate the pickup, but Holly was nowhere to be found. Later UltraDad and Kathy drove back and found her after tramping the mountain. When all was said and done, it was after 11 PM when Ultradad, and I got back to his place in Ruby Valley. Murphy and Rowdy STILL had to have baths, since they sleep with me!
Anyway, all in all, a very fun time. Now, looking forward to vacationing with the Ultra’s in Portland and a wedding in Boise! No promises, but perhaps I’ll keep you posted☺

UltraMom

Hiking up the mountain; Grandma, Wynn and Piper

A Nice Variety of Dogs

Wynn, trying to get his point across

A lovely view

Different colored blooms on the same cactus?