Those 70ish Girls

Well, the road trip gang is off and running again. They liked Crazy Horse so much they decided to visit Mt. Rushmore. Thankfully, as long as they can pull together enough money to eat and put gas in the van coach, they are good to go because they got to stay at Grandpa Sanderson’s Nemo cabin. Lucky just loves it there. He gets to swim in the creek and chase chipmunks. Everybody is at the cabin now getting ready to head to Mt. Rushmore.

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Murdo Girl: I’m glad I didn’t listen to myself when I said I was sick of the Black Hills and wanted to go to the Corn Palace. I guess when you’ve seen Bob Hope once there’s really no point in going back to see him again. Besides…everyone seems to be having fun and we haven’t gotten into any trouble since Yram interviewed Crazy Horse.

Lav: Yeah…I can’t believe he went back to Murdo and said we were all crazier than any horse he had ever seen. What kind of mother would call their kid Crazy anyway?

Don’t worry Crazy Mom…I forgave you many moons ago

MG: Well, I just hope Yram lays off the Presidents. She wears people out.

Sherri the photographic drawer comes in the cabin kitchen, pours herself a gigantic cup of coffee and sits down at the table with Lav and MG.

Sherri: I don’t think I’ll go to Mt. Rushmore. I think I’ll stay around here and relax. Hey…aren’t you going to make your Grandpa’s fried cornmeal mush again MG? I love that stuff.

Lav: Jeez Sherri, we have had cornmeal mush for every meal since we’ve been here. Can’t we have something that doesn’t have the word mush in it? I’ve been kind of hungry for corn on the cobb. Corn dogs sound good too.

The Queen comes in: I’m so excited today. I get to meet four more Presidents. I have outlasted eleven so far. Now I get to knock out four more in one day. Now then, Who has the pounds to gas up the van coach. We were running on perfumes yesterday.

TC enters: Don’t you mean fumes Queen E? Boy, do I ever have a pounding headache.

Queen E: No I don’t mean fumes. I poured all of my Channel #5 perfume in the gas tank. The van ran like a charm bracelet.

TC: Well no wonder I have a massive headache. I’m allergic to Channel #5. That’s just crazy. Since I’m the Tattler Cowboy, I’m going to have to tell someone as soon as I get to feeling better. You go have your picture drawn all you want Queen E. I’m staying here.

I’m telling….We made corncakes…We made coffee…It’s my birthday…I’m seven

Sherri: You better make sure Kodak Kadoka is going Queen E. I’m staying here. I’m tired of drawing colorless rocks. I need some purple or periwinkle in my life. I know, I’ll draw pictures of sunrises and sunsets.

Hi Sherri…Hi Cowboy…Hey Lucky…those aren’t chipmunks.

Kodak enters: Oh no you won’t Sherri…that’s my gig and you know it. There has to be some benefits to having a name like Kodak Kadoka. Besides, my mother told me there was a sunrise and a sunset on the day I was born.

Lav: Is Bob Hope really at the Corn Palace? I bet I could get some corn nuts there. I like the ranch flavored corn nuts.

MG: My right eye is starting to twitch. You all have no idea how a mind is supposed to work do you? Every day is a new day to you. I take that back…about fifteen minutes into it, it’s usually pretty cobb..led up. See now you have me cracklin corn!! I’m going to the woods to pick up acorns!

The Goods…The Woods…somebody who has had enough cake…More coffee??

AC: (She’s been there the whole time, but with her dark glasses on, it’s hard to tell if she’s awake unless she says something.) So are we going to see the Presidents or not? MG, exactly what are my responsibilities at a venue like Mt. Rushmore? I hate to sound corny, but I have never been clear about my new job responsibilities as an Aggressive Cowboy? I feel like I’m flying blind and I might wreck my airplane.

Yram: AC, Murdo Girl just made up Aggressive Cowboy because she had to have Cowboy in your name and she thought AC sounded cool. You can probably take those sunglasses off now. You’ll probably see a cornucopia of things you haven’t really seen before.

AC: Even though being able to see comes in handy when you’re flying an airplane. I can’t Yram. Your frizzy, cornstalk, yellow hair is too hard on my eyes.

DM and Pico come running in the back porch door…You are not going to believe who we just saw up on the hill over there across the road. All heads are turned. All voices are muted. All ears of corn, (just kidding), all ears are strained. (Pico and DM saunter over to the coffee pot and frown at the empty coffee pot. They say nothing…not one word. Finally, they both sit down at the table with a glass of warm tea. (There is no refrigerator in Grandpa’s cabin.)

Everybody seated at the table:  Well? Well? Well? Well? Well?

DM: We saw the silhouette of a bunch of cowboys and Indians. They must still be fighting over who owns the Black Hills. Where are you going Yram?

Yram: I’m going over there to interview them. This could be my lucky break. Just think…Crack up reporter from Gun Barrel City, where our motto is, “We shoot straight,” gets exclusive interview with Geronimo and Wild Bill Hickock., or is it Chief Jerome and Billy the Kid? Come on Sherri. You can draw them.

Sherri: Ah, no. I think I will let everybody draw their own conclusions.

This can’t end well.

I’m Ellie…My favorite thing to eat is cotton candy. I love the taste of cotton candy melting in my mouth. On the other hand, I hate Cracker Jacks. I like caramel corn and peanuts separately, but not together. When I tell people that, they say it’s nonsense. If they keep bugging me, then I tell them I don’t like very many foods mixed together. I usually eat what’s on my plate one thing at a time.

You might be wondering what started me on this train of thought. They’re setting up a carnival in Murdo on a vacant lot south of Highway 16. I only get to eat cotton candy when I go to carnivals, but carnivals take money, and I don’t have very much of that right now. I spent what I had saved rather foolishly. I bought a fake ponytail. I had to get a fake one, because my mom made me get my hair cut too short and I can’t get it into a ponytail like I used to. She said she wanted the beauty operator to give me a permanent, but I finally cried hard enough that she decided we would wait a while and see how it goes. She said she made me get my hair cut because it’s too hard to corner me to wash my hair and put all those pink curlers in it. What makes her the maddest is that I don’t always remember to brush my hair and I go around looking like a rag muffin six days out of seven.

Our moms did the same thing…no more pony tails

I’m thinking about all of this while I’m walking over to Miss Pearl and Miss Grace’s apartments above Sanderson’s Store. I’m trying to think of what I can do for them besides walk Pearl the dog. I get some money for that, but it would take too many times walking to earn enough carnival money in time. Bucky Anderson told me they already have the Ferris wheel and the Freak Stand up. He can’t wait either. He is really outstanding at shooting the moving yellow ducks with a pop gun. I’m pretty sure the guy that runs the duck shooting hates to see Bucky coming because he wins too many teddy bears and the guy has to keep all the spaces full of teddy bears. He can’t be making any money at all on Bucky.

I’m here now, wish me luck.

“Hi Miss Pearl, I see you heard me coming. May I ask you something?”

“Why do you always ask me if you can ask me something Essie? Why don’t you just say, Hello Miss Pearl, and then ask the question. Now, what is your question?”

I realized right then that I should have thought it through. How can I ask her my question now, when she’s pretty likely to be in an irritated way. Oh well, it’s too late now.

“I need to earn some real money fast. There is a carnival in town.”

“I don’t hear a question, Essie. Are you going to make me stand here all day, while you get to the question?”

“Is there something I can do to earn $5.00 off of you.?”

“Finally…Go ahead and take Pearl the dog for a walk and I will meet with Grace and have an answer for you when you return.”

Well, I’m on my way home now with my $5.00. I earned it too. I had to lick S & H Green Stamps and put them in little books. Miss Pearl and Miss Grace want to trade them for some Finger-hut blankets and a set of TV trays. They had more stamps than I could even believe.

Now I only have two more things to worry about. I feel kind of sick from all that glue. Cotton candy doesn’t even sound good right now. If I don’t feel better by the time they get the bullet ride set up, then I just as well forget even going.

The other thing I have to deal with is they paid me in pennies they’d been saving. I sure hope they don’t have long lines for the carnival stuff, because you can about imagine how embarrassed I will be standing there counting out pennies for every ride plus cotton candy, if I feel right by then.

carnival people..girl with pony tail and cotton candy…carnival people

All that and I don’t even have a stupid pony tail that looks decent. I swear people are just trying to ruin my life!

Only half of this story is a rerun.

I’ve talked with some of my family and friends, and they all say they remember very little of their childhood.  One day, the little Murdo Girl, will be happy she had this opportunity to write about the many things she experienced as she was growing up in Murdo. Her children and grandchildren will know what life in Murdo was like during this time in history. It’s been said that God gives us memories so that we might have roses in December. This little girl will have dozens of bouquets, thanks to the good people of Murdo, South Dakota.  

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The last time I was in California, I stayed with our Aunt Vava, and Uncle Bob Bowers. One day, Billy came and got me. He said he was going to take me to dinner, but we had to stop by his house first. Billy is going to college, and he lives in a house with a bunch of other guys. Bob Brewer, Earl Rada, Jim Judd, and Denny Dominicak, are some I know. Everyone except Bob Brewer is from Murdo. They kind of come and go, so I don’t think all of them live there now. Anyway, I hadn’t seen the house they rent before, so I looked around a little. In the front window, they have a pyramid made out of beer cans. That’s about it, for decorations. I was talking to Bob, and I absent-mindlessly (I like that word) ran my finger across the furniture. When I started to write my name in the dust, Bob said, “Is there a problem?”

Next, I walked into my brother and Earl’s room. Billy came in and said, “I want you to clean the house before we go to dinner.”

I said,”Are you kidding? It would take me two hours to find your bed underneath all the stuff piled on it.” Earl’s was just as bad. He gave me his, you’re really just a bratty little sister, look. “Besides,” I said. “It’s way past dinnertime and I’m hungry.” Then he got his, I’m the boss of you, smile on his face. “In California, dinner is supper,” he said.

I did his stupid pile of dishes, and hung up some clothes. Finally, we got in his car to go eat. He said, “How do you feel about the Golden Arches?” It sounded pretty nice to me. The next thing I knew, we were at McDonalds. Murdo doesn’t have McDonalds, so I didn’t know what to expect. I loved it!! I think Billy knew I would.

I should have remembered people in California call dinner lunch, and supper dinner.

Once, My cousin Valerie and I stayed with my Aunt Margarete, and Uncle Bill Turner. They have a swimming pool in the backyard, so Valerie and I loved it there. On the first day, we swam all morning. I came in the house for a minute, and I smelled something really good cooking. Aunt Margarete said we were having spaghetti for dinner. Around noon, she called us inside to eat. I looked at my plate, and there was a cold minced ham sandwich on it. I don’t like sandwiches much, and I hate minced ham. I said, “I thought we were having spaghetti for dinner.” She said, “We are.” That was the first time I’d heard anybody call their supper dinner, and to me, lunch is a snack.

My Uncle showed us how to eat cheese. You’re supposed to roll it around in your mouth, and kind of mush it up. Then you close your eyes so you can get the full flavor all over inside your mouth. I was with him right up to the part where you clean your palate. Since I didn’t know what that meant, I swallowed the mushed up cheese with almost a whole glass of milk. I only like that kind of cheese a little better than minced ham. It was the kind of experience you only have once.

We also got to go with Walt Disney’s brother, Roy to the premier of a new movie called Moon Spinners, with Haley Mills. We had to dress up and everything, but it was worth it.

I’ve been thinking about lunch, dinner, and supper. I think when I’m back in California, I will say, “Aunt Margarete…what’s for noon dinner? That should be pretty easy to understand. I don’t know what I’m going to do to get my big meal at noon dinner though. Maybe I could say, “Aunt Margarete…can I have my supper for noon dinner? Or, can I have my lunch for supper?” No…then I wouldn’t get a big meal because I didn’t say anything about dinner.

Then I’ll say, “Can I have leftovers for supper? Because I don’t like sandwiches… and I’ll have my desert for my afternoon snack, and maybe some popcorn before I go to bed.”

I hope I don’t get all mixed up when I go back to Murdo.

Aunt Elna Miller, Grandma Sanderson and Mom. They all talk like me.

Valerie Leckey Halla, Elna Miller

1) My Cousin Valerie and Aunt Elna Miller at the 1880 Town.

2) Stephanie, Mark, Valerie, Mary, Greg, and Andrea

1) Valerie, Aunt Elna, Andrea, Uncle Jerry    2) Aunt Irma and Valerie

I should have named this…Valerie gets around

Anyway, this is my life story so far. In December, I will be twelve.

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I hope you enjoy this rerun. I’m working on a project and time got away from me.

The year is 1961. Its the summer before the little Murdo Girl starts the fourth grade. Her brother Billy is working in California for the summer, but he will be back in the fall to begin his Senior year of high school.

The little Murdo Girl is straddled on a barrel that hangs between two trees on the lot between her Grandparent’s house and her Aunt and Uncle’s home where her cousin Mark lives. It’s early morning and while she’s waiting for the neighborhood kids to get there, she’s thinking about all the things they will do today. School just got out yesterday and this is the first day of summer vacation. Her thoughts are interrupted by the sound of a car pulling into her Grandpa’s driveway. The car doesn’t look like any car she’s seen before. It reminds her of her Uncle’s Jeep, but it’s a sparkly gray color and the tires are a lot different.

While she’s watching, a woman and a little girl get out of the Jeep- like car. The woman is walking toward the house. The little girl is walking toward Murdo Girl. It appears that the girls are about the same age.

MG is the first to speak: Hi…Did you and your Mom come to visit Grandpa and Grandma Sanderson?

The other little girl: Yes, my Mom just wanted to drop off a few things, but then we’re going swimming. What’s your name?

MG: My name is Mary, but people call me MG. What’s yours?

Other girl: My name is Yram. I don’t live here. I live in Texas. Mom used to live here and she thought it would be good for me if we came for a visit. Are you all by yourself here?

MG: Yeah, but I’m just waiting for all the kids to get here so we can play. I hope we play tag first.

Yram: Don’t you mean hashtag? You must tweet.

MG looking somewhat bewildered: No..We play tag. You know, one person is it. They hide their eyes and count backwards while everyone else runs and hides. When the time is up, the “it” kid looks for everyone else. When”it” finds another kid, and gets close enough to hit them, that kid is “it” and it starts over. It’s really fun!

I don’t hit I pat

I don’t hit I pat

They Hit

I pat…..I pat…..I sorta pat……She hits

MG: I’m going to walk across the street to Suzanne and Cynthia’s house. They probably slept late or they have to do some chores first.

Mark, Suanne, Stephanie

We hit…We pat the pony…We used to hit, but we don’t anymore

Yram: Why don’t you just text them? I don’t want to stay here alone, and I don’t want to go inside. Mom said they just have a black and white TV and no Internet.

MG: You talk kind of funny. Is that because you live in Texas? Grandpa Sanderson has lots of nets, so I’m sure he has an internet.  I don’t go near a textbook in the summer, and I only read books when it’s raining, or when it’s dark and I have to go inside. Rats, I forgot to bring my dress-up clothes.

Yram: RATS? DID YOU SEE A RAT? Why are you going to dress up?

MG: What? What’s wrong with you? You’re talking like you’re crazy. Are you plumb loco? I’ll see you later. MG starts to walk across the street.

Yram: Wait MG. I don’t want to stay here by myself, but if I’m going to stay outside, I have to put on sunscreen so I don’t get skin cancer. Do you know what time it is? I left my cell in the car and it’s locked. You shouldn’t call people crazy, that could hurt my ego and I’ll have to have therapy when I grow up.

MG: I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m trying really hard to understand your Texas language, but you are really a nervous Gertie Yram. If I waited for you to do all that, I would never get to play today. Guess you don’t want to hear about the rubber guns. They only hurt if someone accidentally hits you in the face. Besides that, I thought you said you were going to the swimming dam. We’re all going tomorrow with Pink Sandy. Maybe you can come and bring your internet and catch some minnows. As far as a cell goes, you’d have to do something pretty bad to get thrown in a cell here, and if you did, you wouldn’t have to worry too much about what time it is. And another thing, I think you are trying to bluff me, because there is no such thing as a locked car door, and you can’t catch cancer from the sun so you don’t have to put a screen over yourself.

Yram: I think I will go inside and lay down, because I really hope I’m sleeping. Yes, that’s it! I’m asleep and there is no such place as Murdo, where kids run and hit each other and think it’s fun. They have Rats and stay outside without wearing sunscreen. They sit on a barrel hanging from the trees without any supervision. I was cursed at just because I said I was going to the pool. Yes… I’ll lay down and wait to wake up from this nightmare. Bye MG. If I ever see you again, don’t talk to me.

MG: Frankly Yram. I don’t give a hoot!

You should see the other guy

(This is a rerun, but it made me laugh, so here we go again.)

I promised a party and I always keep my promises, so let’s have some fun!

What: A Good Time in Murdo

When: Wednesday

Where: In the Harold Thune Auditorium on the Jerald Applebee floor

WELCOME TO MURDO

Every Murdoite from the youngest to the oldest is chocked full of excitement about the upcoming blowout at the Harold Thune Auditorium. Mr. Applebee has been cleaning his floor all week and boy does it shine! Good work Coach. Mr. Palmer has changed out all the light bulbs in the crow’s nest, so everyone should be able to toot their horns and beat those drums with amazing accuracy. There’s nothing better than a band that can see.

 

GET OFF MY FLOOR I JUST CLEANED IT

 

I’m bringing homemade popcorn

I’m Murdo Girl and Billy’s Mom and I’m proud as punch

There will be so many children’s activities, the little ones will run Mom and Dad absolutely ragged. To name a few, there’ll be piggy back rides, on the backs of the basketball team, bobbing for lemons in a tub full of free water donated by Murdo Wall Drug, and lemons from Sanderson’s store.  We’ll have pin the tail on the Coyote, and the Queen has offered to be in charge of the pony rides in the parking lot.

We know that the little darlings can get away from you sometimes, so Deputy Fife has set up a “Nip it in the Bud” stand where you can go and holler for your kid on the megaphone. He will also be lurking around incognito. That way if he spots trouble brewing, he can nip it in the bud. Murdo Girl will be assisting him when needed.

For adult entertainment, there will be a twist off. This is for men and women under 40. The older people should not participate. It’s hard on your core to twist like that. For the geriatric crowd, there will be a place reserved in the SW corner of the auditorium where you are welcome to dance the tango if you’d like. Hopefully, it will be one of your good days. A single plastic rose will be provided for as long as the supply lasts. Some like to hold a flower in their teeth when they dance. One rose per couple please. Unless you can twist and tango to patriotic music, you’ll have to wait until the glee club is finished and the band starts to play.

                                                     40 and above only please

                                                              Under 40 welcome

I borrowed these photos from Judy Dykstra Brown’s blog, Lifelessons. I’ll give them back Judy.

We are committed to using every square inch of space in the auditorium. As previously mentioned, The girls glee club will be on the stage. They will be singing a series of patriotic songs. You won’t be able to see their performance because the curtain will be closed. We decided that we wanted the singing to be subtle and kind of drifting in the air. Having the curtains closed will promote the atmosphere we’re shooting for.

Speaking of shooting..When the glee club takes a break, there will be a shoot the basketball contest. You have to shoot from the free throw line. Five out of five baskets will get you a prize. It will most likely be a lemon meringue pie from Mack’s Cafe. Four out of five gets you a box of Millionaire candy from The Murdo Wall Drug Store. Ever since all the Wall Drug signs were moved to direct the tourists to Murdo, the store has become pretty flush and they wish to share their wealth.

 In the girl’s locker room, Madame Queen will be telling your fortunes. She recently obtained a Certificate in Fortune Telling from the School of Mediums in New Underwood. I’ve heard she’s extremely accurate. She will tell you anything you want to know without even asking any questions. Consult Madame Queen on love, marriage, wills, and power’s of attorney. She will succeed where others have failed. She will even review your blood work if you want her to. Your reading will be private and confidential. A line will be formed at the top of the stairs, by the back door. If we have to, we’ll even rope off an area so people don’t try to cut in.

The mega talented Photographic drawer, Sherri Miller will be in the boy’s locker room where for a nominal fee, she will draw your photograph. If you’d like, you can contact her early and show her what colors you’ll be wearing. That way, she can pick up the pencil that most closely matches your outfit, at the Gambles Store on the way over.

Has the Queen seen how you drew her Sherri?

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A few housekeeping matters

A: Just to avoid confusion, males and females will be allowed in both locker rooms for this event.

B: Parking will be tight, so walk if you’re able. Some of you live real close.

Now…Have yourself a ball!!

Hi! This is Yram Sicnarf. I’m filling in for Murdo Girl for a few days. She’s resting. You probably don’t realize this, but I’m quite a bit younger than Murdo Girl. I reside in Texas near Gun Barrel City, where our motto is, “We Shoot Straight.” I’m a traveling crack-up reporter.

I just got to Rapid City. I’m going to the Crazy Horse Monument this morning. I snagged an interview with Crazy Horse, himself. This interview was hard to get, but it will put another feather in my cap, and an arrow in my quill.

The Crazy Horse Monument is far away from the Harold Thune auditorium and the Jerrald Applebee floor, so how much trouble can I get into, right? Can you see Crazy Horse putting a restraining order on me? I don’t even like to ride horses.

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We are back at the Crazy Horse Monument where Yram Sicnarf will soon be interviewing Crazy Horse. You know how when the politicians speak, they always have a bunch of people standing behind them? It makes for a good camera shot, so Sherri and Kodak are going to shoot and record the whole thing.

Yram: Good morning all! We are waiting for Crazy Horse to arrive. He is a busy man you know and he travels everywhere on his crazy horse. Oh there he is! I’ll try to get his attention. “YEOEOEOEOEYO!!” I think he heard me.

Yram: Hello Mr. Crazy Horse…Pleased to make your acquaintance. I have read your dossier, so I know everything there is to know about you. Are you new in town?

Crazy Horse: I’ve been through here a couple of times many winters ago. I remember it was cold.

Yram: It says here you are a leader. That’s pretty vague. In what kind of work are you a leader?

Crazy Horse: Well, I’m retired now, but I used to put colorful paint all over my face, then go and scare the Cavalry. It was fun, but it didn’t pay much.

Yram:  If you’re retired, why haven’t you completed your statue…arthritis?

Crazy Horse: Something like that. What is there to do around here?

Yram: Well Mr. Crazy Horse. Do you mind if I call you Crazy? Have you been to Custer State Park?

Crazy Horse: You’re joking, right?

Yram: Not a park person?

Crazy Horse: A very great vision is needed, and the man who has it must follow it as the eagle seeks the deepest blue of the sky.

Yram: Just the other day, I was talking to my girlfriend and I said that same thing. I can really relate. Where are you going from here?

Crazy Horse: I’m going to Murdo. Have you ever been there?

Yram: Yes…but not within 300 yards. They don’t want me close to the football games.

Crazy Horse: I can relate.

Yram: So would you mind having your picture taken with me Mr. Horse?

Crazy Horse: That’s my horse’s name. You can call me Crazy. I don’t like having my picture taken.

I thought that was one of my better interviews, and being the tenacious crack up reporter I am, I managed to get that picture.

So the sun sets on another western South Dakota day. I wonder what foolhardy thing tomorrow will bring? How about Mt. Rushmore? That would keep her busy for a while. 

Mr. President Washington, is it true you have wooden teeth? Are they hard to floss?

I think I’ll just muse a little bit tonight. I’ve been in Tyler with Kip all day, and now it’s almost eight o’clock and my brain isn’t working with me here.

Has anyone ever said to you…”You are wearing me out?” Needy people can wear you out. Troubled kids can wear you out, demanding employers can be added to the list. I discovered something about myself today. I wear myself out. It’s not that easy keeping up with me and all the things I want to do, while avoiding the things I have to do, like wash clothes and clean house.

It hit me hard today. I walked into this outpatient heart clinic where Kip was scheduled for a treadmill test and a nuclear heart scan that we were told would take 2-3 hours. The clinic has a huge waiting area. I struggled to a chair with my purse, Yeti cup, my book, my hotspot, (which didn’t work in there), my tablet and a power cord. It was all futile, because I couldn’t get service of any kind in the building. I had to sit there without being able to accomplish anything.

First, I ate the peanut butter crackers that we brought for Kip’s snack. They told him not to eat until after the test, but in the middle of everything, he could have a light snack. Thankfully, there was a Dollar General close to the clinic, so I could get more crackers before he came out for his snack.

Then I decided to read my book. The one I wrote. I started it last night and I’m almost finished. I discovered that I have some questions for the author. I wrote them down so I wouldn’t forget to ask her to clear some things up for me. Maybe by the time I get to the end, all of my questions will be answered.. I sure hope so.

Kip actually finished up early. He passed the stress test with flying colors, but has to wait for the doctor to get with him on the heart scan. Don’t be alarmed, the doc is mainly trying to rule things out. I have my own diagnosis, but I won’t offer it unless I’m asked, which won’t happen.

Anyway, I had noticed a GW store as we came into town, and when Kip said he wanted to wash his pickup, I asked him to drop me off, and when he was finished, come back and get me. The place was huge and I didn’t have enough time, but I did manage to spend $1.79 plus tax. I have no place to put another thing in this house, but these are both little. I really need my daughter-in-law. Amy, to come and organize my house and me. That’s what she does in her spare time when she isn’t being a nurse and taking care of two active boys, and my son. I know she will make me get rid of things. I have never before been a collector, but I’m afraid I’m now pretty close to becoming a hoarder.

I almost had a garage sale last week, but Kip said it was too hot and he was right.

It’s almost nine o’clock now and I haven’t got my second wind, so I guess I’m going to have to go with this. I know I will regret it in the morning.

Here’s the definition.

Wearing me out

Don’t worry Phantom and Cowboy fans. There’s more to their story.

So, as the sun sets on another beautiful western South Dakota evening, the Road Gang is spending the night at Grandpa Sanderson’s Nemo cabin. Tomorrow, they will play in the creek.

Oh no, I forgot to stop and pick up Deb. Do you know how to get to Nemo Deb?

The next afternoon right after supper, I was in my room reading a book when Pearl yelled for me to answer the door. I walked out of my room and into the hallway. I could see the person standing outside the kitchen door. It was Warren and I could tell right away something was really wrong.

“Come on in, Warren,” I said. He looked like I must have looked the night my grandma brought me ice chips to suck on. I had wanted my mom to be the only one to bring me ice chips when I felt sick all over. I wanted my mom to be the only one who knew what I needed.

“What is wrong Warren?” I shoved him into Pearl’s kitchen and shut the door behind us. I didn’t know if I should badger him, or give him a few minutes to settle down. I decided to badger him.

“Come on, Warren, I couldn’t wait for you to get home, but something bad has happened, hasn’t it? Please tell me, Warren. You’re scaring me!”

Warren walked over and sat at the kitchen table, so I did too. I was familiar with what I saw when I looked at his face. Not because I had seen him like that…I hadn’t. I had seen the same expression in the mirror. Not since the months after my parents died, had I seen such a tortured expression. Only this time, it was on my best friend.

“Warren,” I pleaded, “You have to tell me what has happened.” My mind was going crazy. I was afraid to hear his answer. I was afraid for him. He looked at me and shook his head as if he could read my mind. I took a deep breath and waited.

I had to do something, so I got up and poured him a glass of cold water. It wasn’t ice chips, but it was my way of trying to help him feel better. I could barely hear Warren when he spoke.

“Nobody died, Hope, and nobody is sick. Well, that isn’t exactly true, I guess. Nothing is ever going to be the same, and there’s nothing I can do about it. I had to get out of my house, and away from my mom and dad. I’m sure they’ll figure out I came here.”

“I saw your mom yesterday,” I said. “She didn’t act like herself. Does that have anything to do with what has you so upset?”

**********************************************

I don’t have a new post for you tonight, so I decided to give you another excerpt from my new book, “Connie’s Story.” I have continued to tweak it this past week. I haven’t changed the story, just added a comma or changed Mom to mom, or mom to Mom. The last change I made was 10:00 o’clock to ten o’clock. I know some of you won’t benefit from my tweaks, because you already have the first edition. Hopefully, your book will be worth a lot of money once I become famous. The only thing I couldn’t fix was the spacing between words. I decided it looked better with the inside and outside even, but in order to do that, they have to add extra spaces. The issue would have been somewhat resolved if I had used smaller print, but I couldn’t change that after it was published. I will “justify” this paragraph so you will know what I mean when you write your tell all. You can learn from my experience…if you want to.

The book is on Amazon. You can find it under, Connie’s Story, or Mary Francis McNinch. It’s on sale until August 1st. Then it will be bumped up to $12.00 or I will have to pay Amazon.

Next on the agenda will be a daily blog about our trip beginning August 7th when we head for Wyoming for Kip’s high school reunion. Until then I will continue to travel with the multi-talented on the road gang. We seem to be increasing in numbers. We’re all hoping Jerry will be back with us soon.

So, as the sun sets on another beautiful South Dakota evening, everybody is still in Kadoka. Well, everybody but AC, MG, the Cowboy, and the Phantom Wrangler. I think the plan is to go visit Crazy Horse next. Did you know his name literally means, his horse is crazy?

Awe…look at the ever helpful on the road gang.

Crazy Horse: Oh yeah! My head itches. Can you scratch my back too?

Lav and the Queen are getting those pesky flies off Crazy Horse’s nose.

We’re reading

If these URL’s don’t work, cut and paste them onto your browser…

http://www.jibjab.com/view/Uce8U_8lRrGu32e7papPlQ

http://www.jibjab.com/view/BIX4kfrOR9KHhtzEXwt95w

http://www.jibjab.com/view/Mcw45tNSSbis7VBp74ZReA

http://www.jibjab.com/view/QHI5g8qlQkOQmqNGYYJMmA

http://www.jibjab.com/view/Xr0sXHEoSImm_SbM_X3b4w

I’m pretty sure I didn’t get everybody, so I’ll catch ya later…Might be pushing it, but The road gang said they wanted to kick up their heels and have some fun. Coffee and cake after the dance…

So the sun sets on another beautiful South Dakota evening. The Phantom Wrangler didn’t show…

I was talking with a friend the other day, and she said, “Do you ever feel like you’re invisible?  You talk, but no one hears or sees you. You notice when you tell someone something important they don’t comment, but a few minutes later, they tell you what you just told them.”

This feeling she had of being invisible resulted from several things happening in a short period of time. The repairman didn’t hear a word she said, the dog wouldn’t come when she called him. The doctor said she had a cold… right after she told him she came to see him because her right knee hurt.

He said, “Well everyone else I’ve seen today has a cold, so go home and drink plenty of liquids. Your knee will just have to run it’s course.”

I remember asking my son to come and sit down with me, because I needed to talk to him about something he had or hadn’t done. I really prepared for this talk. My voice was full of care and concern, even though I threw in a few dire predictions if he continued to do or not do what he was supposed to.

He looked me straight in the eye and nodded when I completed a point I needed to make. He did not interrupt me at all.

When I rested my case…I mean finished my “talking points,” I asked him if he had any questions.

He said, “Yeah, Mom, is my blue shirt clean?”

I felt invisible.

I think the “road gang” is sort of invisible, which in their case is a good thing. They mess up at every pit stop, and virtually go unnoticed until maybe one person has a problem with something they do…Like the one pepperoni pizza they made with just one piece of pepperoni. I wonder what they would’ve gotten if they had wanted a Supreme Pizza…

It wasn’t really fair for the owner to throw them out of the 1880 town because they tried to participate in a town function that, through no fault of theirs, was ruined by a person who tried to pass himself off as a man of the cloth. Up until then, they were invisible to everyone.

Well, now they’re in Kadoka, SD. They were getting something to eat at the Aw Shucks Cafe last time we heard from them. Wonder where they laid their little heads down to sleep last night.

Did you know Kadoka means “hole in the wall” in Lakota? even the road gang won’t be able to find stuff to do here.

Some of us went to the Badlands Night Sky Workshop. Queen E. brought the whole family…and the balcony. It was spectacular. When it was over we all sang Kumbaya!

Stephanie and Sissy Spielberg brought cake. Hey that guy looks like the Cowboy in disguise…Sherri brought her sweet daughter. “Mom please don’t make me eat more cake!!  Sherri: Nope! We’ll just sing a verse of Kumbaya and say baya!

This must have been right after lunch. Just look at how swollen the Queen’s feet are? Too much rodeo, car racing, and bus driving must have given her gout. Nice of the school lady to keep her company.

Look! TC and the wrecker guy are at someplace called the tower station. Did they have a little fender bender?

Lucky: I told DM I would hold down the porta potty while he watched the stars. See the new T Shirt my mom bought me in Mexico!

Hey! can you prairie dogs play?

The Phantom Wrangler turns to look at the truck and horse trailer that just went by on the road. He adds to the six words he’s said since we all met him. “It’s time I call in the law.”

***************************

So, as the sun sets on another beautiful South Dakota Evening. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how this all plays out.

Uh Oh…This isn’t me this is my evil twin. She went back to the ranch to rest up and eat something besides cake…and pizza.