In my previous post, I talked about my cousin, Gary, the trials he has before him and the fundraiser that was held on Saturday.
First of all, my painting sold! I was so afraid that I would end up, at the end of the night, carrying my painting back to my car because it hadn’t sold. Shortly after it all started, I took a look and it was at $25. Yay!!! My aunt (Gary’s mom) had the final bid of $50. I was so happy that she got it.
Dee and Ruth, Gary’s mom and dad, spent their lives and raised their children on the farm that my grandpa farmsteaded in the 1920/30s. My grandpa worked very hard, even working in the coal mines in Utah during the winter so he could buy more land. When the time came, he sold parts of his farm to his two sons.
The time has come for my uncle to now retire and they have a bid on a home only a few miles from my house. The farm is about 200 miles away so this is quite a move for them. The majority of their children live in the Boise area so I’m excited to have them live nearby. My aunt was purchasing the painting for her new home so I think I’ll make her a matching one as a house warming gift.
Now, back to the fundraiser. It was held in a church hall and the place was packed. I have no idea how many people were there. More than 200 I would guess. They had several silent auctions, over 50 things. Some were products from business, gift baskets, a Harley jacket, 3 quilts, and many more things.
They were also selling raffle tickets for many, many, many raffle items. They began calling names at 7:00 and didn’t stop until after 9:00. My sis won a 50 lb. sack of spuds. Yes, it’s Idaho. They are huge spuds; better than what you can get in the grocery store!
They also had a separate raffle for three different items—2 guns and $500. That raffle alone probably raised over $10,000! It was just amazing the outpouring of love for Gary!!!
They placed memory jars on each table with some paper and pens and asked everyone to share a memory. I’ll tell you the story that I shared, okay?
Our family was lucky enough to spend several weeks each summer on my grandpa’s farm. We would go at different times. My older brother usually stayed most of the summer and the girls would spend several weeks one or two at a time. We would spend part of the time at my grandpa’s house (my uncle Ray Vern just lived across the driveway) and then part of the time at my uncle Dee’s house down the road a couple of miles. Both uncles had children around our ages that we could play with!
When I was about twelve years old, I was staying at my Uncle Dee’s house. He had a really mean bull that kept escaping from his pen. He escaped one afternoon and got his foot stuck in the cattle guard down the street. My uncle wouldn’t let me go down to help out because he was afraid that the bull my hurt me once they got his foot loose. After they got him loose, Dee decided to put a ring in his nose, with a chain attached, so when he touched the electric fence, he wouldn’t try to get out.
Dee and the boys got him rounded up in the pen and were getting ready to put the ring in his nose and the rest of us took a seat on top of the fence. Well, that bull got loose and came charging right in my direction. (It seemed that way to me anyway.) I didn’t stop running until I got across the street and up the hill to the house! To top it off, I kept having nightmares that the bull would come into the house, scruffing his way up the stairs, moving everything out of his way to find me in bed!!! That’s pretty tough on a 12 year old!!!
I hope I was able to entertain you with my story. I’m sure it will entertain Gary when he reads it one day on the hard journey he has before him! I know that he will get better. I feel it in my heart!
Blessings,
Christine
But when I saw this beautiful couple dancing that’s the song that came to mind. It was rolling around in my head the whole time I was making this card!
3. My favorite tradition is that on leap years a woman can propose marriage to a man and if he refuses the proposal he has to give her a silk gown and a kiss. I almost did this one year when I had been in a relationship with a great guy! Heck, I would have at least gotten a silk dress!!!
I just found it this evening and love it!!!
(godafoss falls, iceland)
I think I’m liking these snow photos because I’ve been dying to take a drive in the mountains but just haven’t had a chance!
This one is called “The Milky Way over Idaho.” I had to put an Idaho photo in there don’t ya’ know! Oops, I sound like I’m from North Dakota!
This guy in the Yosemite valley scares me to death!!!
Some of these photos I’ve seen around the internet before.
(yellowstone)
Be sure to check it out on 
But go earlier in the day than I did. I’m going to be up half the night!!!
