Sunday, November 24, 2024

What a Week!

 Life is a struggle. Especially with two black eyes and several broken fingers. It took two days before someone told Barb that I posted that video of her dancing. I will always remember the exact moment when she was told; it was Wednesday, 6:23pm, we were at the Custer Beacon with the entire family waiting for bingo to start.

Dan and Bonnie were there too, we were having a great time when Bonnie said something like; "I loved that video of you dancing on the blog.". The next few minutes are a little foggy. Barb said; "Oh no you didn't". The look she gave me would turn most men to stone, but after 38 years of marriage I am impervious to her death stare. What I am not impervious to is her left/right hook combination that left me dazed and confused as I regain consciousness laying on the barroom floor with two swollen eyes. I would show you pictures, but she would not allow them as they could be used against her in a court of law. 

What I do have a picture of is our youngest grandchild Kendall, Baby K, as I like to call her with her winnings from bingo night! Our table finally won! The odds were stacked a little better in our favor with 11 at our table this week. It was so cute. She said she was one away from bingo and when they called the exact number she needed I heard a little squeak of a "bingo" from her side of the table. I could barely hear it from a few feet away let alone 20' where the callers were seated. Mother Jessica called out a much louder "Bingo!" that everyone heard. 

The verifier came over and started calling out the numbers off of Baby K's card while she stared at the ground with guarded anticipation. When it was successfully verified a big smile came across her 10-year-old face and she was handed $87. 

The week went so fast with a mix of family activities, hunting and work. The weather turned around and we had several days in the 50's and I think we even touched 60 one day! With the weather this nice Kevin snuck in two more concrete projects. Who knows, this might have been the last of the nice weather until next April!

First up was an addition to the Pringle Fire Hall. A 14' x 42' pour. There were three of us; Kevin and I and another guy from the fire department. Here was the issue with this pour:

See that temperature in the top of that picture? 22 degrees is more than a little chilly to pour concrete, but pour we did!

Kevin had them add a chemical to the concrete which aids in the hardening process in this cold weather. I snuck inside a few times to warm up and took some pictures of the trucks...

The other pour was at Dan and Bonnie's where we put a sidewalk and sitting are on the east side of their house. The weather was in the 50's during this pour, and being so small, it was much easier. 

I had to leave after getting the concrete laid and doing a quick edging. I told Kevin I would rather have him mad at me than Barb. Looking at my two black eyes, he told me he totally understood. So off I went to our next activity for the day. 

A hayride! I had not used our wagon in several months and when I pulled it out to put the hay bales in it, I found one tire flat. I pumped it up told everyone to jump in and hoped for the best. We did a tour through our west pasture and Jim and Carmen's pasture next door. We brought refreshments, apple cider for the kids and Apple Pie Moonshine for the adults. 

We stopped by Jim and Carmen's so they could meet the gang. By that time, the tire was flat again so we webble and wobbled back home.
Speaking of moonshine, that night Barb put together a blind bourbon tasting for Shane and me of all my bourbons under 100-proof. 13 of them to be exact. Barb and Jessica numbered 13 tasters for each of us and poured a tiny bit into each one. Our goal? To try to identify each one and place them in the order of our preference before they reveal what they really were.

Here is the flaw in that approach. No one can taste 13 bourbons in a short period of time without totally blowing out your palate. By the time we got to the 8th or 9th, they all started tasting the same. 
The next night we tried it again with 5 bourbons over 100-proof with much more successful results. 

Other activates for the week included bowling and hiking. I was not able to go on either of these adventures, but fun was had by all. The hike was at the Cathedral Spires in Custer State Park. Another beautiful hike. 


The deer have been going crazy as I continue my quest for my bow buck. The rut is in full swing, and I have been seeing bucks chasing does every day. Just one short video for you this week of two bucks chasing a doe near me. You get a glimpse of the doe running by, but the majority of the video shows two bucks posturing to each other. The darker buck, which had a smaller rack, had a much bigger body than the lighter colored buck with a bigger rack. If you listen carefully, we you can hear the darker buck do what is called a snort-wheeze. A vocalization meant to intimidate other bucks. You can definitely see that the darker buck is dominant over the other one. So cool to watch in person!
On their last day here, we went to Jewel Cave National Monument for a cave tour. Something we would never consider during peak season. This cave tour was a first for several in the group. Even though we have been on this tour several times over the years, it is always interesting to see the formations and experience it with first-timers. 




After that, it was off to the airport for their 3:00 flight. We received a text at 12:30am from Jess saying that they had made it home. 

This morning, at 5am, as I am preparing to go out hunting, the house seems empty and quiet. Almost too quiet? Forrest, Somer and Lily are still here, out in their camper, but the house is empty. We had a great time with them and are so grateful for Jessica coming out.  With luck, we can make this an annual event!

73 comments:

  1. Wow....$87. this is cool and really cool for your granddaughter. I love all of this post...The activities, the chilly 22 degree temps, the hiking and all of the fun you guys had. I hope it will be an annual event for y'all. Can't wait to see that big buck you kill. Happy Sunday to you and Barb

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    1. Me neither! I have not seen it yet, but I hope there is a bigger buck out there somewhere!

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  2. It sounds like a wonderful visit, and I'm sure the kids will remember it for a long time. You got great pictures in the cave. Not always an easy thing to do in the dark.

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    1. The pictures in the cave were all Barb's doing. She has a newer phone and took much better pictures than mine.

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  3. More good times! Cool girl Kendall’s win. Looked like a fun hike and lived the deer video. I was surprised you posted that video as well 😆

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    1. Kendall was so excited when they gave her that cash, I think she is now hooked on bingo!

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  4. Take two sirloin steaks, put one over each eye and duct tape them there for three days, all will be well. Be sure to post pictures..... lol

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    1. I am more of a ribeye man myself, but I will give it a try! I am assuming you have to wrap the duct tape around your head a couple of times?

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  5. A couple more great outings with the family, and Kendal's big win! How cold does it get before concrete cannot/shouldnot be poured? I'd think it would be above 22F. It might have been warmer in the cave!

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    1. It has more to do with the daytime highs, so it has a chance to dry during the day. Fresh concrete will put off heat the first day or two so as long as you cover it with concrete blankets during the night and uncover it during the day, you should be good with below freezing temps.

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  6. Congrats to the bingo girl!! What a great visit. :)

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  7. Way to go Kendall…that’s a nice pot to win! I love the hike with all those smiles and spires. I can so relate to your feeling the house is empty when company leaves…but thank goodness for the wonderful memories you all share.

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    1. That is one hike everyone should take when they come out here for the first time!

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  8. What a great visit with your family! Yah for a bingo winner in your group. How fun to win that much money at the tender age of ten (I mean at any age it would be nice but for a child with no source of her own income (I am assuming?) that has to have been a good feeling). I hope the kiddos were not part of the Bourbon festivities...(lol, I am sure they weren´t!).

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    1. You are right, I am sure she gets some kind of allowance, but I doubt it is anywhere near that windfall!

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  9. Lovely family time. A great plan to do the same next year!

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    1. I don't know if we could pull off a repeat, but one can dream right?

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  10. Great time with family! I am finding your 2 black eyes story without pics to be a bit hard to believe, 😁
    Really cool for your granddaughter to win, grandkid time is so great.

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  11. We didn't make it to Jewel Cave when we last visited your area, but we did spend a lot of time in Custer State Park. I bet that is a great hike. It sounds like a busy week. I know when my daughter leaves (and she's only 1 or maybe 2 if her hubby comes) it's quiet, so I can imagine the quiet after kids leave too. Have a great Thanksgiving week ahead. Erika

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    1. Send me a note if you guys are planning on coming out again, I can put you on some great hikes!

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  12. I hope they are staying through Thanksgiving.
    So, Barb beat you up? lol
    Baby K wins $87 - I don't think I have ever won any money.
    Don't care much for bourbon to be honest.
    And we live near Chattanooga - about 90 miles south- and we have Ruby Falls - another cave with stalagmites and stalactites. If I spelled them correctly. It is pitch black down in the cave!
    Looks like a great visit.

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    1. Forrest and Somer are staying through Thanksgiving and into December! They did a "total darkness" segment during our cave tour, crazy how dark it is down there.

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  13. Woohoo!! A Bingo convert for sure!! Even better when you win!! Hard to believe you had two black eyes then, but I think I see them in your future!! As for the bourbon, they all taste terrible to me. Went to a tasting once ... got kicked out. I'll leave it all to you!!

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    1. Why does it not surprise me that you got kicked out of an establishment? I can only imagine what you did to receive that honor!

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    2. I didn't like the bourbon! LOLOLOL

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  14. What a week! Between Barb’s reaction to the dancing video (glad you survived!) and Kendall’s bingo win, it sounds like a blast. The concrete pour in that cold weather sounds tough, but you got it done. The bourbon tasting cracked me up—13 different ones? Yikes! The deer video was awesome too. Glad you had such a fun, busy week with the family!

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    1. Yeah, lesson learned with the bourbon tasting. I would rather do 5 with a little more in the cup than 13 with less again.

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  15. Wonderful to have family with you both and it's good you had a great time.
    The video is nice, enjoy watching the deer go past.
    Now this tale of two black eyes! Don't know for sure if you are kidding or it's real. I learnt you are a joker at sometimes as you tell a good story - so for real or not?
    Those caves are marvellous, and the rocks in the other photos, amazing.
    Take care. Yes, I did like the video of Barb dancing.

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    1. Don't tell anyone but it is not real. I need all the sympathy I can get!

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  16. Hello,
    Spending time with the family is priceless, you create many happy memories.
    Congrats to your granddaughter on her bingo win. Great photos from your hike and your spelunking. Take care, Happy Sunday, have a wonderful week ahead.

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    1. I wish the weather would cooperate for us to take a few more hikes in the coming weeks. It does not look like it is going to happen, the lows this week get down into the single digits!

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  17. I find it hard to believe Barb would have given you black eyes and broken fingers. I’m sure she wouldn’t leave any visible evidence of retribution. 🤣 Kendall must have been over the moon winning all that money. It’s always special making more family memories. Great video of the deer, must be nice to pass on those and wait for something bigger. Cheers!

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    1. You are right, Barb's inflictions are not visible. I did see one deer that I would like to get a shot at and there are 6 or so more that I would love to see next fall!

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  18. What a great time together. I've never met your family but they look a fun bunch to be around.

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  19. What a lovely time you all had together. Great memories!

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  20. So cool about Baby K! That had to be a super big deal! I hope you are jesting about the right hook! (The video was cute!) Happy Thanksgiving. Loving that family time!

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    1. Barb is left-handed so; I am just kidding about the right hook, but her left is deadly!

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  21. A great week indeed! Even with all your bruises I'm sure you enjoyed all of it :-) Great pics at the spires (love the big toad rock) and the caves. Even more fun sharing it with loved ones. Congrats Kendall! I'd be surprised if your breakfast didn't also taste like bourbon!! I miss hayrides at my ranch many years ago - always special.

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    1. Those spires are incredible! This was our first entire family hayride; we are going to need new tires before we do another one!

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  22. Oh you poor guy, my heart bleeds for you since you have two black eyes:) Nice weather you had down there, we got snow again last night. I could deer hunt out my kitchen window as they love the bird seed. Great that you had a wonderful visit with family and still have some there to keep you occupied...good luck on your bow hunt that takes some skill:)

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    1. The turkeys visit the bottom of our bird feeder every morning picking up anything the birds have dropped. The deer, however, will empty our bird bath each night when they are thirsty!

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  23. What a great family vacation you all had and provided for your guests. You sure live in a beautiful area. I bet everyone is looking forward for next year to do it again. Can't believe you taste tested 13 Bourbons and remember it lol.

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    1. Each of the shot glasses had barely anything in them. I estimated that if you poured them all together it would have been 3 shots which could be a lot depending on how quickly you drink them.

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  24. ...I wish you a Healthy and Happy Thanksgiving.

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    1. Thank you, that and friends/family will make for a great Thanksgiving!

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  25. I love the cave pictures. Looks like you're having a good time.

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    1. Caves are so interesting. I wonder how many unexplored caves there are in the world.

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  26. You do have a fine sense of humour, and you do have those wonderful pictures of hikes, be they above or below.

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    1. You know what? Now that you mention it, we have been to the highest and lowest points in South Dakota this year!

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  27. What a storyline that you started your entry with! It's got me thinking that Barb is quite strong. Kendall's excitement about her winnings just radiates off the screen! What a great hiking adventure with beautiful photos inside the cave. Impressive concrete pourings in such cold weather. I've been seeing a lot of concrete being poured throughout our village and the contractor literally throws a white substance/liquid over the sidewalks to help cure the concrete. What I don't like is that it is like graffiti on the sidewalks that lasts a long time. Do you know what that could be that they use?

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    1. Barb is a beast! Stronger than most women and some men I know.
      We added chloride to our concrete, but this is mixed when the driver arrives within the drum. I do not know what he might have been sprinkling on top of it after it is poured.

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  28. Cool vid of the action right outside your blind, hope a suitable buck comes by at the right time for you. Aren't your freezers full of fish right now!?!? The bingo girl looked so excited, and you sure got everyone out "adventuring".

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    1. We've actually been discussing our freezer issue, as you are correct, it overflowth at the moment. Some reorganizing will provide us some room, but not enough. I think a new freezer is in our future!

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  29. You can't beat time with the family. The best! Your pics reminded me of what a beautiful area you guys live in. Happy hunting and happy holidays.

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    1. You will hear no complaints from us about South Dakota, whether it be rain, snow or sun. Well, maybe a complaint about the wind, and oh yes, the hail!

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  30. Muito bem, o contacto com a natureza e o convívio com aqueles de que mais gostamos são bons motivos para nos distrairmos e socializarmos.
    Continuação de boa semana.
    Abraço de amizade.
    Juvenal Nunes

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    1. Thanks for the comment, it took me a minute to figure out how to translate it!

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  31. Man, she's violent! Sorry. Anyway, you had fun over there.

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  32. Looks like you and your family had some great times, Jim, and I do not for a second believe that Barb decked you, but it did make for a great story. Your granddaughter was one happy girl with that bingo win.

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    1. By now, you have probably guessed that this blog is 90% nonfiction, 10% fiction. It is up to you to determine which is which!

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  33. ooooh i am not looking forward to the quiet house syndrome. i know my sweet barb did not give you 2 black eyes...that is not a true story is it, i feel like i am missing something?? and barb dancing, i must look for that video. awesome family photos, i know you did not go out hunting for those 2 beautiful bucks, right?!?! it was an exciting week!!

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    1. Those two particular bucks are quite safe. The video was in last week's post, definitely worth watching. You will have to tell me, should I have received a black eye for posting it?

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    2. she is such a cutie, she is fun and the dance was awesome. i am going to plead the 5th!!

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  34. What a great whole family visit to hold you over til the next time. Love that your granddaughter was the big winner. That bacon feature in the cave is one of the best I've seen. My favorite. Happy Thanksgiving to your family!! Especially Dakota! Share turkey with her!!!

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    1. Rest assured; Dakota will get more than her fair share of turkey! If I remember correctly, they said that that bacon feature was the biggest in existence? Something like that. Regardless, it is stunning, isn't it?

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  35. Go Kendall! She sure looks delighted.
    Barb dancing video? How did I miss it? Must go find...
    You know, you were warmer than we were last week! How odd. But I am pretty sure that will soon change.
    Nice to catch up with you and all your crew, Jim. I have been so behind on my reading this week.

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    1. You definitely have to go back and check out that video!

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