Buffalo Gal

Thursdays are the days the "Boys" are here.   That means the Middle Son and His Son (our youngest grandson).   Every Thursday afternoon means that the two of them will come to the Buffalo Bluff for most of the afternoon.

There are important things to do here on Thursday afternoons.  (1) Oil changes on car or cars. Sometimes the oldest grandson comes in his own car—-an aging one that needs oil changes just like the newer ones do.   (2)  Programs on ESPN to be watched and discussed, as in the NFL draft which was occurring about a week ago.  Since there is not any Cable or Direct TV at the home place in Fargo, "the Boys" arrive when Big Stuff is happening in the world of sports (we have ESPN stations on our direct TV package.)    (3) Direct TV cartoons must be watched also.  This is for the  11- year old grandson’s attention….much better cartoons on Direct TV according to him.   (3) Basement Basketball to be played.  Again for the 11- year old but occasionally he talks his Dad into playing a game with him.  The basket in the basement is a full -sized one but it is hung much lower than a regulation basket so it is a cinch for younger and smaller children to be able to "dunk" the ball.  The balls are also not regulation baske balls but varieties of Nerf balls, K-Mart balls, small beach balls, et. al.  The clang and twang of the basket rim is a familar sound around here because from 1976 until 1987 when the last son graduated from high school, that basketball hoop has seen much action over the years.  It has also seen and heard many loud arguments among 3 boys who are now grown up and have families of their own.  It has also seen some really bad crashes, like when one of the friends of the aforementioned sons made the wrong move while playing Basement Basketball and crashed headfirst into a cast iron supporting pole near the basket.  Thankfull yy did not knock himself silly and he has not suffered any permanent brain damage because he is working as a farm-loan banker in one of the local banks and still seems to make good decisions inspite of a near-severe head injury in our basement many years ago.   Another bad crash left a huge hole in the brand new sheet-rock in about 1977.  An over- charging Boy put his foot right  through the wall and it took many years before we had it repaired….it would probably happen again, so we waited til all 3 were "out of the nest" top finally have it fixed.        (4.)  Four Wheelers to be ridden:   This does not last long for the 11- year old boy but for the 45-year old boy, the rides are long and arduous.  He usually drives east, to the Becker County line to visit one of his favorite spots he has discovered while rambling around on the Four Wheeler. It is an old pioneer cemetery surrounded by huge old cottonwood trees.  All the gravestones are very old and some are not even able to be read anymore for all the lichens and moss that has covered them over many years.  But this son has decided that this will be his burial place whenever his time is up.  He loves that lonely pioneer cemetery as only a true country -bred boy can love lonely places in far-away spots in a county.  I have visited in once with him and I love it also….the peace and serenity there is unbelievable.  The only sound one hears is the soft sound of the wind blowing through the old cottonwoods….no other sounds at all.  Maybe a meadowlark in the warm season or other bird songs but nothing human to disturb that peaceful, solitary place.  It is a marvelous final resting place for one who appreciates the solitude of the country.    (5) Last but not least:  there are conversations to be had in "Grandpa’s Living Room" at the west end of the pole building.  There, on the dirt floor, in front of the opened doors (big garage door that is very high and very wide) is the "barn living room".  It has comfortable , slightly-used lawn chairs and other sundry chairs collected from various places, it has a radio plugged in somewhere in the barn set at a loud level so one can hear radio programs from anywhere in the barn or near- vicinity of the barn, and it has lots of fresh air due to the open doors when conversations are at their height.  All the participants have to do, is sit in a chair, lean back far enough so you can cross one leg on top of the other, put your arms and hands behind your neck and lean back and talk about many subjects for long periods of time while gazing out the open doors at the view to the West which is as spectacular as all the other views on the high up Buffalo Bluff.  Sometimes the sunset is observed from this "living room".

Menwhile, back at the ranch (house),  Grandma and Grandson are discussing a "little lunch" . This tradition started many years ago when the pre-school grandson would say "Grandma, do you think we should have a snack?"  Then it was crackers or cookies and juice.  Now sometimes it is a vanilla malt or a big dish of ice cream with toppings on it.  It can still be cheese and crackers and juice also.  Sometimes Grandma warms up the breakfast coffee for her drink.  The last time "he Boys"were out for the NFL draft days, they brought pizzas and Mountain Dew and stayed for supper and a long time after supper….so as not to miss who the Vikings would pick up for next seasons play actiion.

Thursdays are welcome days for the "Old Folks At Home".  I do not know who enjoys it more—"the Boys" or the "Old Folks" !!!!!