Gorgeous country! But the dinky house we lived in is worth about $80,000 right now. Houses on that street rented for thousands for a week, during horse show season. And it wasn't because they were pretty houses. My ex tells me, they would let the kids out of school back in the day, for that week. And then he would also comment on how teen pregnancy would rise. Sounds about right for Shelbyville. There's a reason we left there. Oy! Not to mention I got to see a police chase firsthand a block away, I directed them across the street where I saw the perp run, and the house was haunted. Our 2-year-old told us that they were "chanting" for us to get out. With a look I have never seen on a child or an adult before. That place was... not good. Not that everything about Shelbyville is bad. Just, most of it.

I already used the Exorcist steps, so this is the next best photo I have from Joshua Tree National Park. That rock looked precariously perched on that slope...

I’ve been to two funerals this week. Both very nice people who lived a good, long life but very different send offs. The one earlier this week in Calgary was brief and plenty of laughs. The one this morning, in a small town in Alberta, oh my goodness, it was very long and the service was chanted in both English and Ukrainian. We had to stand most of the time. The reception was a huge meal of holopchi, perishke, natchingka, nalysnyky, pork ribs, rice, pickles, vegetable, gravy….all before noon. And then more chanting. It was held in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. There was a lot of laughs as well. It was for my husband’s 93 year old aunt. Before the meal we all were given an orange, an apple and an individual kolach with a candle that we lit before the meal. Blew it out after some chanting and then took it home. It was good to see old friends and family at both.

Second time that Frank has captured a Ruffed Grouse and brought it to the house! Usually, it’s just a mouse or vole. I’m not roasting it for him.