Tree of Happiness

The Dansies disclosed to us that the dead tree in their yard had been that way for two years. Bro. Dansie wouldn't cut it down because he was hoping that it would "come back." Alas, it didn't.

Anyone that knows Steve knows that a dead tree in a friend's yard is an unacceptable situation and a terrible temptation. So, when the Dansies left town and asked us to tend their horses and tomatoes, we also tended their tree.

Wyoming

You Know you're not in California anymore when drive-through bars are fairly common.

You know you're not in California anymore when the guests bring their horses to a birthday party instead of their poodles.

You know you are no longer in California when cattle have the right of way.

Finally, you can be absolutely certain that you are no longer in California when you can take a picture like this any time you want.

Deer Abatement

Efforts to increase the likelihood of tree-survival on our property have not all been in vain. Placing Irish Spring hand soap around our most delicious trees seems to repel deer. A year of data collection should give us sufficient information to determine cause and effect.

In the meantime, while working in the garden, Steven found a hastily scrawled note next to the soap. It read, "Wut: No shampu and condishuneer?" The casual spelling and poor punctuation eliminate the neighbors as the authors. The only other clues as to the writer's identity were some hoof prints. I guess the source of the message will always remain a mystery.

My Newest Bubsie

We met Hazle (Hazie) for the first time on July 2, 2008. Upon seeing her, my first words were, "She's beautiful!" That is not to say that Harriett and Henri are somehow inferior, it's just that I like the way Hazie looks too. Here is another photo of her just after her bath:




You gotta admit. Bauers have great genetics.

Lessons to be Learned from Trees

Besides putting in sod and distributing one third of a million pounds of rocks around the yard, Steven planted 75 trees and 20 lilac bushes so far this year. Consequently, we have learned a lot about the care of growing stuff. Here is what we learned:

1. Quaking Aspen are not called "deer snacks for nothing.

2. Irish Spring hand soap may or may not repel a hungry deer.

3. Guests are not shy about asking why the bars of soap amongst the trees.









4. When it's dead, it's dead and no amount of praying will bring it back.

5. Backing over a tree is a bad thing.

6. So is letting Leslie give you directions for backing up.

7. No amount of praying will bring it back.

I'm sure that in the future there will be other lessons to learn about tree care which I may or may not own up to.

Steve and Roberto Gato

This one is for Blaine who has been refuting my claim that Steven had been over doing it when he should have been getting his rest. This is definitely Steve Bauer working his little fingers to the bone (notice the leather gloves) scooping up rocks (132 cubic yards or 171.6 tons to be exact) and gently dumping them in the desired areas so that he can shovel them around and around and around to my satisfaction. What a guy! Such undying dedication to domestic harmony! A man doing too much, as usual.

Stay tuned. My next entry will be all about tree care. You'll love it.

Pictures of Independence Day with Bess and Micah's Family

Unfortunately, my flash was not working. Otherwise, there would be a whole lot more pictures posted.


The first is of Grandpa, Micah, and Henri watching the parade.

These are Harriett, a Shriner, and a fire engine.

This shot is of Harriett's new tooth as of July 3, 2008. She insisted that I take this picture.

These are Steven (aka Grandpa; left, wearing the burp cloth) and Hazel (aka Hazie; right, wearing the hat) on the shore of Yellowstone Lake.

Here you see the Bauers, Jr. standing in front of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center (BBHC), being blinded by the sun.

Finally, here is Micah holding Henri as Henri pets what might be one of the Dansie horses. We'll never know for sure because my stupid flash wouldn't work. The biggest bummer is that it was the only picture that turned out of our visit to the Dansie Farm. The kids got to ride a grand champion fox-trotter named Mark. Steven and I don't think we will ever be able to top that one. Does this mean that the kids will be disappointed from now on when they visit?