Thursday, December 15/2011

Hogan on the dash with the snowmen - keeping watch on his world outside

The sun is shining this morning and there is not a cloud in the sky!!  Woo Hoo!!  The rain seems to have run its course so hopefully the sun can dry the ground and we can start getting back outside and to the hiking trails.
I can't believe that there are only 10 days until Christmas.  Time flies down here.  I didn't put up the Christmas tree yet and likely won't.  I have strung lights on three trees outside ( I have the scratches to prove it) and I think that is good enough.  I have a few decorations in the bus and my red poinsettia is sitting rather regally on the table.  The two snowmen are on the front dash (much to Hogan's displeasure as now he has to share the space!!) and I have a little Xmas tree in the bathroom (much to John's displeasure as now he has to share the space!!).  So - now that I have upset the two boys I am living with, my work is done!!
The birds are back and busy at the feeders and my day has begun.
We drove into town today, it was time to go in and say hello to all the people we have come to know in this quaint little town.  Of course our first stop had to be to see Erika at the Bar Seven.  She looked great and we soon were caught up on all the news.  OMG and hasn't there been news!!  Tommy, the owner of the restaurant almost died in June with a stomach lesion that hemorrhaged and he was hauled to the hospital not once but twice with minimal blood pressure.  Two endoscopic procedures and 26 units of blood later, he was home then found out he had only 17% kidney function.  With drugs and diet, he is back up to 32% and is hoping for even better results as he continues his recovery from the summer.
The summer was hot and according to Erika the business was slow.  Hours were cut but no one lost their jobs which is a very good thing in today's economy down here.  Dee, one of the local girls we met was in motorcycle accident and broke her back and her eye socket this past summer but is doing well and is up and walking with her back brace on.  Cloud is working for the local taxi company taking folks to and from the Phoenix airport and loving it.  Mike (who lost his wife a year and a half ago) has remarried and is happy so does not really hang out with the crowd in the bar anymore - so happy for him!!
Jana and Brenda wandered in so we touched base with them and said hello to several others during the evening.  We ate supper then it was time to leave as we had one more stop before leaving town and heading beach to the bus.  We had to stop at the Rancher Bar to see Dena.  Her and her husband Bill have become good friends as well so it was a must to stop and see her.  We caught up on her gossip then it was time to head out with the promise of "see you soon".  They are off on Sunday so perhaps they will come see us!!
We were home by nine so had time to watch a bit of TV and read before it was lights out.