Trouble in Paradise?

Rumours are swirling; the ranch might be in serious trouble - a million $ lawsuit lost and some kids in trouble - as in charged with murder. If it weren't for people like Botsy telling Philip; I'd probably discount this info but ...

I think back over the many years Philip's parents came here and the friendships they made ... hopefully it will go on. Who knew when Philip insisted we come here for a week - with 2 teenagers in tow ... the ranch and the people I met would become special to me?

I still remember how aghast I was my 1st arrival - everything seemed, old, dirty, dusty ... took forever to get hot water. Everyone seemed to know everyone and we knew nobody, It wasn't until the 2nd day that MC (Mary Carol) Chandor introduced herself and commented on what lovely girls Kim and Laura were. She invited us to ride with her group. Pretty much from then on, she had my unending gratitude. 30 years later, we're still part of each other's ranch family...we're the China Wall Gang.

Enjoyed Taylor's party ... prime rib for dinner, no one was riding so we had coffee on the ranch house porch. Think I was again asleep by 9:30 and fought the last 30 mins to stay awake. Life's exhausting in paradise.

So far perfect weather; some clouds and distant thunder in the evening.

Breakfast - I sooooo don't need the WSJ or Times Digest awaiting us at the breakfast table - now that I'm the lone voice of reasonableness ... i.e. democrat. Where is Pam when you need her - she's always faster on the uptake than I am. She'd do a quick retort and I'd do my bobble-head doll routine. Eye rolling doesn't seem to be effective.

Split in two groups for riding. Michael, MJ, Steb & Phil went up towards Saw Mill - in truth they followed the "Whoops, Missed Sawmill Again Trail." Should have stayed right and they went left. Been there; done that ... almost every year. The rest of us headed out towards Timothy Meadow and just meandered around ... saw more and more flowers; which normally you just don't see in August.

Clouds came in this afternoon; showers predicted with rain tomorrow. Don't think we've ever been rained out before.

Philip brings my morning coffee