Kate's Story

Hey All!! Those of you who don't regularly check Ann's Redacted Recipes, CHECK IT! Along with a good meat recipe, Kate has provided an emotion wrenching and inspiring story of her kidney transplant saga. READ IT!

Fishing in San Francisco Bay...

Brian & I went fishing on Saturday, July 12, 2008 in San Francisco Bay with a boatload of our frineds. I cought the only Leopard Shark on the boat and Brian & everyone else caught Halibut. It was a blast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brian & I at the Dock.

Brian & one of his Halibuts with the Golden Gate in the background.

Me and my Leopard Shark.

Sometimes Life Is Just A Bowl of Cherries

And too beautiful not to photograph! This is from an upcoming post on Redacted Recipes, based on recipe MA gave me in May.

Brook's Rooster Attack.....

Brook had to write a descriptive essay in 7th grade & I ran across it a few minutes ago while cleaning out "My Documents". I thought someone might get a chuckle from it....Brook Williams
9/11/07
Period 7-8

Rooster Attack

It was a hot summer morning on the "Jones Ranch". The sun was peeking over the Coast Range. Hank the biggest, meanest, toughest rooster was coming out of the coop. I walked outside, the sun was rising higher and higher beating down on my head. My cheeks tickled from the slight but almost non-existent breeze. Hank was rushing his hens out of the coop now. I rushed past my barking dogs in their little pen. The weeds crunching under my weight. I jogged along the dusty dirt driveway toward the barn. I ran my hand along the prickly alfalfa. I entered the big white barn. The paint wearing off from years of existence. I walked on the smooth hard gray cement floor looking up at the weary, draping cobwebs. I walked over to the grains and grabbed 3 buckets off a shelf inside the barn and filled them. One with dog food, another with chicken scratch, and the last with oats for Dudley, our goat. I turned away from the grain bins and walked to the hay and noticed none of the bales were open. Suddenly I felt a brush on my leg. I reached for the machete. "Oh, Hi Myra" (our barn cat). She jumped up on the hay and rubbed against me. I stroked her long tabby coat and set her down. I grabbed the machete and sliced open the bale of hay, and grabbed three flakes. With the 3 flakes in my hands I put the buckets around my arms and walked outside into…Hank, our Rooster! He was waiting for me! My hands were full. I couldn't defend myself. He was mad! For what? I didn't know. All I knew was he was mad. No! He was furious! His eyes were raging with anger driven by insanity. His black, hollow eyes were fixed on me. He wasn't going to stop till he drew blood. My blood! His sharp deadly spurs and his short but sharp beak were ready to cut through my skin like a sharp knife. I was running out of time. I had to think fast. I made my decision. I dropped the hay and 2 of the buckets, leaving me with 1 bucket. My only weapon. He charged and flew at me. I swung my bucket and nailed him in the left wing. He landed on the ground hard. I ran! Unfortunately, he recovered quickly and ran after me. I rounded the garage and stopped thinking I was safe. I was wrong! He leaped at me. I screamed! He slit the back of my head! I kicked him and he flew like a soccer ball. I ran the rest of the way to the house. I felt the back of my head. It hurt bad. I ran into the kitchen. My hair drenched in blood dripping down my back, soaking my shirt. "OH MY GOSH!" my mom said entering the room and seeing the blood drizzling onto the floor. "I herd you scream" she said. I turned to face her. “The stupid rooster attacked me!" I said. I'm not sure, but I think she actually laughed at me. "Well, we'll have LoryAne feed this time, but next time you should go out earlier." She said. So I learned to get out of there earlier from now on so I don't get attacked again. I also learned not to mess with the Rooster, and I think he also learned not to mess with me! Next time, I will be ready for anything that insane, blood thirsty, aggressive, fowl can dish out! I will out smart that stupid, ugly rooster and he'll be sorry he ever messed with me!

Our Family Summer Vacation....

We just returned from our family vacation in Mono County California near Bridgeport. We spent 10 days dry camping with my parents, Brian's parents, Brian's step brother and his boys and about 20 of our closest friends. Unbelievable scenery! Truly God's country! We had a great time! I just wanted to share a few pictures. Hope they don't bore you too much.....

My Mom & Dad's trailer with Mt. Emma in the background.

Our trailer

The screened kitchen/gathering area.

The horses in their makeshift corral. (You should ask my Mom about the corrals....it's a hillarious story!)
My Mother-in-law Chris with Brook & LoryAne on horseback.

Again....after cresting the ridge. (I just thought that this was a neat photo)

My Mom & Brook on horseback.

A few pics of the girls together...

On the flats above camp.

On a day trip to Reno Nevada Cabela's store.

My Mom, Mother-in-law Chris & the Girls shortly after arriving to camp.

A neat photo of a Doe and fawn (still with spots).

My Dad & my Father-in-law.

My Mom with her wine glass.

Emma Lake.....at the top of Mt. Emma.

Fish in Emma Lake.

My Father-in-law Craig's fish...(the big one of the trip. approx. 4#)

Brian playing his guitar around the heater....(we could not have a fire unfortunately)

Brian in front of our trailer.

My dog Cort on our bed. He wouldn't get off!

This is just a good photo of the scenery behind the Rodeo.

This Shouldn't Be Too Hard

Found In a Cook Book

MA found this in a cook book. We think it is a birthday picture of Cecile which was sent to us when we were living on Osprey.

And who is this?