Lions & tigers & bears

Sunday was a beautiful day so I decided to finish my outdoor painting project.  I bravely climbed the ladder and crawled onto the roof...trying to remain positive.  Almost immediately  the spiders were crawling next to me and bees were swarming about my head.  Oddly enough, my internal voice was singing "ladders and spiders and bees, oh my!"  Couldn't get that song out of my head.  I hurried through my chores and retreated indoors!

Ready for the Rocking Chair

I have been making a few self observations recently.  All of which either suggest that I am getting old, boring or both:  1)  I felt relief at spending my entire Sunday indoors with a good book because it was raining outside;  2) I have the nightly TV listings bookmarked on my computer and check them each morning as I plan my evening;  3) I greet my fish first thing in the morning and talk to it occasionally;  and 4) I am super excited that the new TV season is finally here....It must be time to get a LIFE or retire!

Entertainment

I was able to spend several days with my 2 yr old nephew and 3 yr old niece.  I discovered it takes a great deal of energy to keep up with two toddlers.  I forgot how to "properly push" the swings; splash in the bathtub; play dress up and hunt for bugs....some things must not be like riding a bicycle.   I did have the opportunity to catch up on the latest movies--Snow White, Shrek 3 and Peter Pan.  Entertaining the first time around, not so much the second and the third.  At least cereal is still a good breakfast choice and ice cream is good anytime! 

Small town resourcefullness

When I left Cheyenne this morning, my gas gauge told me I had approximately 75 miles until I needed a fill.  I programmed the GPS and headed out of town, anticipating a gas station within the first 20 miles.  Unfortunately, it was a bit late when the sign on the interstate read "next services 65 miles".   But my GPS signaled a turn ahead in 12 miles.  I trusted that I would be travelling a different route and just kept going.  The back roads of Wyoming are dotted with small towns and many little taverns; however there is a shortage of gas stations.  I began to panic as I continued with the "low fuel" light blinking.   I pulled into a little roadside café/market whose gas pumps were covered with a big sign advertising the specials of the day.  The lady inside was helpful enough to tell me to take the next right into the small town of LeGrange (4 more miles) where there were roadside pumps which required a credit card.  I held my breath as I coasted into town, noticing a roadside ATM and two lone gas pumps.  What a relief, or so it seemed.  Apparently they were turned off for the holiday weekend.  I tried both sides, my anxiety at an all time high.  I saw a sign pointing to the business district, so I headed that direction.  The market/café was open for business.  I asked the pleasant lady inside just how far it might be to the next gas station since the local pumps were not working.  Patty offered to call the folks who owned the pumps to inquire about the possibility of getting them fixed.  No answer, she left a pleasant message about a "lady who was traveling through".  Next she called the local elevator and then another woman who used to have extra gasoline in her garage.  No luck.  By now I am starting to imagine spending the 90 degree day in the car awaiting the return of pump owners.  Patty tried one more local call and politely explained my plight to the voice on the other end of the line.  When she hung up the phone she provided me with directions to a farm just outside of town and advised me to stop at the third house on the gravel road, saying they were expecting me.  I knocked twice to no avail when a large farm truck pulled into the drive.  A pleasant gentleman introduced himself and made small talk.  He walked toward a gas pump and said he would unlock it and get me on my way.   As I handed over a twenty and thanked him profusely, he reminded me to do a favor for someone else some day.  I gratefully agreed without hesitation!  Lesson Learned.....