Summer therapy

We tried to make the best of a bad situation yesterday. As a result, we're on the mend. With Casey and Rambo finally side by side again, the family moved on. Bill went back to work. Willie finished a feature story for his paper. I got back to watering my gardens, and Annie looked forward to attending a Mariners' game in Seattle last night, which they won, by the way.

Thanks so much to everyone and their poignant thoughts expressed about this situation that happened all too soon after Rambo's loss. It's a bizarre, inexplicable chain of events, but we still cling to the notion expressed by several friends and family. Casey missed Rambo, and now they're together in horse Heaven along with a wise old horseman named Harold who's happily caring for them.

The day got better as Willie and I took a trip to Hope, had a good lunch at the Hope Hotel and enjoyed talking to a few friends. Then, we drove on to the Pantry in Clark Fork and picked up some fresh bread and pieces of pecan pie.

Back at home, Willie relaxed while I worked at various projects, including pulling some young beets and their greens for dinner. My neighbor Geneva Meserve told me they're mighty good if steamed and then smothered in salt, pepper and butter. I agree. The beets joined some tasty barbecued chicken breasts (basted in Stubbs Moppin' sauce, of course) and tri-tip steaks. Bill had his usual touch at the grill, and the meat was mouth-wateringly delicious.

I also picked strawberries yesterday, but they went in the freezer in favor of those pieces of pecan pie and ice cream, which got downed during the Mariners' game. Annie sent Willie a phone picture from her perch at the stadium, and Willie retaliated with a phone photo from his perch on the Lovestead couch. Annie said her perch was better. The brotherly-sisterly banter was refreshing after the previous day's events.

It's a new day today, but the fields do seem pretty empty with that lone and lonely Lily out there grazing, wondering where her two buddies went. This emptiness will surely ache for all of us for some time, but life moves on, and that's precisely what we'll be doing. Soon, we'll be taking Lily back and forth to Barbara and Laurie's for horse show preparation. We may talk to my sisters about bringing one of their horses over to keep her company.

Events like this seem so cruel, but they're all part of the grand scheme for us who always must be reminded that we're not in control. They also remind us never to take anyone or anything for granted. A lesson that needs lots of reminders during this life.

I do not take any of the people who've called or have sent such kind, heartfelt thoughts for granted, and I thank you all once more. Your words have sustained us through a tough time, and they are deeply appreciated.