Comings and Goings

If ya can't ride a horse, a huckleberry sundae will do.

That seemed to be the conclusion with Marlo yesterday.  

She came to see CB, and she asked if she could ride.

Then, the horses put on a prancing and racing show in the pasture as Marlo, her friend and several family members watched. 

Folks got to talking, like those adults always seem to do. 

Well, the talking kept up, all the way from the pasture back to the front yard. 

Then, Marlo asked again if "we could ride horses."  We decided with the wind blowing and the hot sun maybe it was best not to ride yesterday. 

Obvious disappointment when you're Marlo's age, but, by golly, when you and your friend can pretend you're driving a 4-wheeler in the shade of the front yard while enjoying huckleberry sundaes, visions of riding horses seemed to fade quickly.  

Yes, more company came a few hours after Cousin Rich waved adieu and headed on down the road. 

In this case,it was the "outlaws," or a small portion of them.  Kirsten (Thompson, of the 'outlaws') and her hubby Tom had never seen CB or the Lovestead, so that added a nice touch.

Plus, that fact that most of these folks have been a part of the extended family since 1966 made for a great time of catching up and, of course, hitting the now main topic of most conversations:  how Covid has affected everyone's lives. 

And, there were other medical issues to discuss---Kirsten's surgery after a ski accident and whether or not Heather will need surgery on her broken foot sustained a few days ago.

The front lawn has turned into our outdoor living room with a table on the deck with munchies along with an ice chest filled with cold drinks. 

As long as the weather is nice, it's a great place for discussion, even a bit reminiscent of times of old when folks sat around the dinner table talking about the issues of the day. 

The setting provides a pleasant touch of nostalgia, which is certainly one of the positive we've enjoyed during these uncertain times. 

When winter comes during the Pandemic, things will be different.  

Maybe we need to put a roof and some glass walls around that portion of the front yard, along with heater or two, to ensure that these wonderful vignettes of socially distance togetherness and good cheer can continue. 

Anywho, the company has come and gone and left us with some wonderful memories, while the front-yard tradition of gathering, eating and contemplating will carry on. 

Happy Tuesday. 

On the road again. 

Cousin Rich pulled out of his trailer pad behind the barn and headed south toward the Tri-Cities.  

"Outlaws" associated with the Thompson clan, et. al.!