Home again Home again

Amazing that 100 degree days and the garden is still looking good

• Well it is nice to be home.  We have been gone on vacation to South Dakota where we enjoyed seeing a lot of prairies which were great but not as great as the Osage.  However they did have a few mountains in those Black Hills which were pretty spectacular and in particular Custer State Park where the Needle Rocks are and right close by was Mount Rushmore which was pretty cool.  Well the best part is we were going to Gunnison, Colorado and decided at the last minute to go more north and away from the fires.  Good choice.  

The weather broke and every day it was below 80 after the first day which was close to 88.  We camped three days and stayed in hotels 3 days.  Now for my favorite story of the week.

Preston, out 24 year old who has down syndrome, went with us backpacking to the top of the needles which is what you see in the picture above.  After about 40 to 100 yards he stopped and said, "it's too hard, it's too hard".  Being a resourceful dad I explained that at the top we would have lunch.  He turned around and led us to the top.  Now if none of you recognize this tactic it is one we used to get cattle in the pins.  Just load up some hay or feed in the pickup and the cows will follow, kinda like a carrot on a stick or a rabbit on a pole.

Short story but what do you learn in the Osage?

• Home is where the heart is and mine is in the Osage
• If you dangle a carrot on a stick (lunch at the top) you can get a cow to follow
• Pursuing a goal, striving to the top or keep going when the going gets tough is a character trait that is taught at home and not by the government (yes that is political)

Thanks for your time,

gary@thepioneerman.com