At Home in Wyoming

Spring Decorations

 

Spring bunnies basking in the glow of a strand of "egg" lights...I have no idea whether or not this is a fire hazard (probably is) but I only leave them plugged in for a little while when I am in the same room, or when I want to impress my grandson.  In other words, if you try this at home, do it at your own risk!

 

 

 

 

What??

 
This sign, plastered on the side of an old bar in Burlington, Wyoming, cracked me up.  I guess it is open...until it ain't!

 

Cowboy Ethics

Kind of a funny day today...the mountains got some snow, but nary a flake in town...This was taken out by Newton Lake.

Like most states, Wyoming has a state bird (western meadowlark), a state flower (Indian paintbrush) and a state tree (cottonwood).  But unlike most states, in fact unlike any other state...Wyoming has an official state code, sort of a code of behavior for the citizens of Wyoming, based on 10 ethics derived from the book "Code of the West" written by author James Owen.

The principles of "Cowboy Ethics" are to live courageously, to take pride in our work, finish what we start and to do what is necessary.  We are to be tough but fair, keep promises and ride for the brand.  We should talk less but say more, remember that some things aren't for sale, and to know when to draw the line. 

In a ceremony at the State Capitol this month, Governor Dave Freudenthal signed into law the "Code of the West", making it our official state code.

In a world where ethics have become relative to the situation one finds oneself in, I am proud that our state had the gumption to adopt this. 

Roy Rogers would be pleased!

 

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I made myself a strange little Shamrock tree out of styrofoam shamrocks that I found at the dollar store, threaded them with fishing string, and then hung them from lilac branches.  My husband said that I need to get a life!

I read that St. Patrick's Day began as a purely Christian holiday and became an official feast day in the 1600's.  Over the years it also became a secular sort of celebration of the culture of Ireland.

I am not Irish, but I enjoy  St. Patrick's Day because it comes toward the end of a long winter, and we need a reason to eat cake before Easter!  We get corned beef and cabbage (usually from Peter's on Main Street), and of course a cake...and then we watch the "The Quiet Man", one of our favorite old movies with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara.  It's about a boxer (John Wayne) that moves back to his homeland in Ireland, and pursues the high spirited Irish spinster (Maureen O'Hara).  Something about that movie just plain makes you happy, and it is the perfect movie to watch on St. Patrick's Day.

And with that I will finish this post with an Irish blessing...

 

May you always have walls for the winds,

A roof for the rain,

Tea beside the fire,

Laughter to cheer you,

Those you love near you,

And all your heart might desire!

 

Have yourself a HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

 

 

 

St. Patrick's Day Parade

It was 50 degrees today, perfect weather for our St. Patrick's Day parade on Main Street.  The above picture is of the bagpipers that are out of Montana, I believe, but I didn't catch their names.

A closer look at the bagpipers...

The Cody Gunfighters from the Irma.  I wished I had taken their advice to "cover your ears, darling" before they fired off that black powder gun...my ears are still ringing.  They all seemed to be having a good time, and then some!

 

This little tractor broke down in front of my house earlier in the day..I saw lots of black smoke, but they got 'er revved up in time for the parade.

So there you have it folks, Cody's version of a St. Patrick's Day parade...just in the nick of time because I watched the weather report and it looks like snow tonight...so back to winter tomorrow!
 

   

Rethinking Winter

 
This foggy view of Main Street was taken about 7:30 this morning, so I guess you can say this is what 'rush hour' looks like in Cody!  The fog has almost hidden the mountain, but you can still see the outline of it at the top of the picture...

We have had a few days of sunny and warm weather...absolutely glorious.  The birds were singing, the snow all melted and I was even able to get my car washed.

Then I got down on my hands and knees and scrubbed all the mud off of the front porch.  While I was there I noticed that the porch railings needed washed, so I filled another bucket of ammonia water and got busy.  The rug on the porch needed vacuumed, too.

The next day I started raking what the wind had blown in over the winter in my front yard.  I swept the sidewalk.  I went to look for my lawnmower, because I suddenly remembered that last fall the little pull thing broke, so figured I needed to go to Sears and order a part before summer.

The sunshine showed how dingy the windows were, so I decided to wash them all, upstairs and down.  I have swept, scrubbed and vacuumed for the last two days, and I'm pooped!

This morning I woke up and looked out the window...and saw that winter had moved back in over the night, and everything was covered in snow.  It was cold once more.  Certainly too cold to do anything outside.  I could go back to hot tea with lemon and reading my library book.

All I have done the last few weeks is whine about winter.  But this morning I had a new appreciation for it.  You know, winter ain't so bad!

A Spot of Quiet

I learned something today.  I had thought that the first church in Cody, Wyoming was the 'Poker Church', which is an Episcopal Church that was built with the money from the last hand of a poker game in which Buffalo Bill Cody was one of the players.  However, I read that the Methodist Church claims that the distinction of being the first church in Cody is theirs, because the Episcopals met in their church in 1901 while the Poker Church was being built.  I don't know which is correct, I wasn't there, but I love the architecture of the little Poker Church.

 
The Church used to be open all the time, and I have often popped in to sit for an hour or so for a little peace and quiet while I sorted stuff out with God.  Now it is unlocked during the day in the summer, but if it is winter and you ask, they graciously unlock it for you, but you had better pray quick...there is no heat!

 

I especially love to sit there in the late afternoon, when the sun streams in the beautiful stained glass windows.

Summers in Cody are really busy...and sometimes at home the telephone is ringing, the dogs are barking and someone is always wanting your attention.  When I have weeks like that, I have always been grateful that this little church doesn't mind it if someone who doesn't attend their church and is not of their denomination pops in every once in a while for a spot of quiet, to be alone with God.   
  

Welcome March!

 

With glee I ripped the month of February right off of my calendar this morning...and I welcomed myself to March.  In honor of that I got rid of all the winter stuff on my fireplace mantel, and decked it out for spring.  Admittedly, the green light bulbs are a little much (I was thinking of St. Patrick's Day) but the intent was to remind myself that we have turned the corner toward Spring.  

This is more emotional than practical, because we can (and will) still have cold and snow until June, but in my mind March 1st is the first step in the long walk toward kissing a Wyoming winter goodbye...

Welcome March!