07/21/2025
We had some very special guests this weekend. Archie and his family. Archie listened so well to us as he held perfectly still for our skittish alpacas so they would become brave enough to come close to him. It was a challenge in patience and trust. And he rose to the occasion. He got a kick out of our Homer, the pot belly too. Then, Archie couldn't resist covering himself in alpaca mash to make him even more desirable to the alpacas. It worked like a charm. I suspect he may grow up to be an animal whisperer. What an absolutely delightful time we had with everyone.
This family is special as we have memories that go back further than anyone other than my own family. Patty Mercer is a childhood friend without match. Our family moved around almost yearly until I hit 4th grade. The longest spell was in Great Falls, MT. We lived in the same neighborhood, ran and rode the bus to school, went on a gazillion field trips, scared each other half to death with ghost stories and spent our formative years together. In our gallivanting I once fell on the RR tracks and a rock lodged in my leg. Patty carried me all the way home to my parents and a doctors visit. There is no truer friend than this and doesn't she still look as healthy and strong as she was 56 plus years ago. Thank you my dear friend 💞🫂🌈.
