If you’re a teen-age boy or anyone I guess who likes big trucks and car stuff then you’ll know what it means to lift a truck (as opposed to the way Superman does it). After a couple of weeks of tax preparation at my computer my back was bothering me. Having had two back surgeries because of sciatica I am very nervous when I have any issues with my back or hip. It’s the sitting that causes problems. A lot of times I’d rather be standing.  I said something about needing one of those fancy desks that rise when you push a button. Here’s my husband’s solution.

Hey, it works! I’m standing right now and I have a bar stool chair if I do want to sit.

Yesterday I went to a class sponsored by the Small Business Development Center. I am going to another tonight on Web Marketing. They offer a variety of classes and also have counseling services for business issues. I found out that there is even someone who will help me get Quickbooks cleaned up! I am so glad to have found this resource. I only hope that they aren’t wiped out by the state’s financial mess.

I spent the last two days at the ASI Convention in Reno. I caught a ride with a couple of friends who also raise sheep. (See Flying Mule Blog in my links). I didn’t take too many photos and I can’t believe that I didn’t take a photo of the best part of the trip. That was the Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning sessions presented by Ranch Management Consultants. Dave Pratt is a gifted speaker (who happens to be my brother) and teaches a business school for ranchers. His classes and 6-day school are very intense, but so valuable. Every time I hear him speak I “get it” a little better.

I had my new video camera with me and found my self wandering in the nearly empty casino filming, but I didn’t take anything worth showing to anyone else. I did take a few still photos.

These are some magnificent Merino and Merino x Rambouillet rams, the only sheep in sight at the convention. The ranch also displayed some fine Merino fleeces. I wish that I could harvest a 20 lb fleece!

I should modify the title of this post. This is the view to my left and behind me. The view to the right is SOMEBODY sitting in the recliner with a cat on his lap waiting for football.

This morning our non-landscaped front yard seems like a wildlife sanctuary. I’m taking photos from the comfort of my house through the windows. Those are female pheasants.

We support the fattest quail!

And behind me:

I didn’t see the whole Rose Bowl Parade, but these were my favorite entries of what I did see. That’s a Brahma-cross steer he’s riding. The rider looks like a kid on that big guy.

This was such a beautiful float honoring wild horses.

Amazing.

This is one method to knock all the dead needles and debris out of the tree! This was yesterday. Now I have lights and garland up. I don’t know about ornaments this year.

Look at what my friend, Jackie, made for me.

She got Rusty’s markings just right!