What a year it's been! (Since last September)

 A big year, and a big summer! 

Highs and lows. Starting with a low... which has probably been one of the main reasons I have sort of lost some momentum in the fence work, and pasture care sadly. ...We had to put mom in a home. After long conversations, meetings, and doctor visits, and hospital stays, and ER visits... she's officially been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. 

It was pretty close there in the early days of her condition just last year around this time. We (my three siblings and I) were contemplating having to take shifts staying with her in her apartment. But as it went, we were able to get her approved for all of the needed support and found a place for her to stay with the (24hr) care she needs. Thanks be to God! And thanks to my siblings who were able to make it happen! My Mom is only in her early eighties, so... relatively young for that kind of place, but with the condition, it's not a surprise we had to put her there. She is very well cared for, and I visit her weekly. 

My youngest son is a Senior this year, I can't believe it. one more year of school and the whole family will be done with any kind of school for the foreseeable future. Also, another hug highlight, and something that absolutely made my summer of 2025... 

My younger brother called me out of the blue to ask me if I was sitting down. That he had something he wanted to tell me. ...You can imagine my worried pause when I said ..."sure man, what is it?" His answer:

"Uncle Jack and Aunt Robin are coming out to visit us and see Mom." 

My Uncle Jack was a hero of mine when I was a child. He was the father figure that was closest to me while I was growing up in Montana until I was about 17 yrs old. I hadn't seen him since 1999. I WAS COMPLETLEY GOING NUTS at the idea, that HE was coming out, and that he would be a visitor in my home!! My Uncle Jack, the one and ONLY!!! A good way to describe him might be as a computer savvy, Grizzly Adams if that makes any sense. LOL He worked with computers way back in the day, and was a big time, big game hunter in his near and dear Rocky Mountains. When we visited, he would tell us stories about his tracking Big Horn sheep through the mountains, Bears, and Elk. He would track them for days. Those days with his visit and reconnecting with him were truly the highlight of my year AT LEAST.

For his privacy I am adding this photo which is similar to an actual photo of him while he was in the mountains. I'll ask him for permission to post the actual picture soon. 

So it has been quite a summer for sure!