CINDY & DAVE’S LAST DAY AT THE SILVERADO RANCH

 

SUNSET AT THE McNEAL RANCH

I didn't hear any creaking or grinding first thing this morning when I woke up so didn't reach for the WD-40.  The body bounced back from yesterday's 5 hours at Belle's better than the brain thought it would.  Yay  to the body for a change.

 

First thing I must do to-night is set something straight that I wrongly blogged about last night.  I made one of my classic 'assumptions' when I stated that, "Dave was away scouting another possible paying job in the area."  That, in fact was a wrong!!  Cindy & Dave are true Samaritans in that they travel from place to place helping people.  Dave is a retired contractor, carries his own tools, & is able to able to help folks with his skills wherever they go.  They do not take on jobs based on money.  Like Cindy said, they go wherever they are needed.  No agenda & no reservations.  They travel where they feel they are being led & that is how they came to Belles.   So, my apologies guys for getting that wrong.  The towns of Borrego Springs & Truth or Consequences have also had to deal with my, ahem....... inaccuracies!!

THIS LITTLE FELLOW KEPT A CLOSE EYE ON ME WHILE CLEANING UP THEIR AREA TO-DAY

It was CINDY & DAVE’S  last day at the Silverado ranch & they rolled out this afternoon heading up into the Wilcox area on another good will mission.  Had it not been for these two people staying at Belle's this past week I don't know where we would be with things right now.  Dave was able to repair a number of items at the ranch & Cindy worked endless hours on clean-up & ground maintenance.  She is the human version of the Energizer Bunny.  A rake in one hand & a camera in the other & there was no stopping her.  It was truly a pleasure working with her Wednesday as we flittered here & there in our own little work projects occasionally crossing paths to lift something or help a resting donkey:)) 

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It was their last day at the Silverado Ranch & I didn't see much of them all day until it came time for them to leave.  I'm not much at good-byes & I actually try to avoid them if I can.  I have blogged about that before but it may bear repeating.  I'm fine with my feelings on a keyboard but when it comes face to face with someone over an emotional issue like good-byes I turn into a wet noodle.  I try to remain nonchalant but inside me locked away are the real feelings.  Same thing happens to me when we leave a place or an area.  It's a sad time for me & quite often it is the same way with saying good-bye to people.  I didn't know Cindy & Dave real well but just the few days working on the ranch & all the emotional issues we were all dealing with this past week created a special bond that I will always remember.  Cindy & I chatted briefly over a wrought iron fence with the usual take cares & see ya's.  I put my rake down & walked around the other side of the house to get my camera because I have a habit of saying good-bye with my camera.  I have many photos of people waving their departures.  It wasn't long when I heard the truck start up & the big fifth wheel slowly edged out of it's spot & came down the lane.  Dave was driving & Cindy was busy snapping pics out of the window.  A big left turn onto the highway & with a wave they were gone.   Thanks guys for all the hard work, help, & concern for Belle.  The ranch fell very quiet after you left & you folks will be missed.  All the best.

 

CINDY & DAVE  ROLL OUT OF THE SILVERADO RANCH

Worked away cleaning up things in the front yard for another half hour & just didn't feel like doing any more so put the tools back in the car.  Belle was busy trying to move some stuff when I went in to say goodbye.  Belle doesn't let her wheelchair deter her .  She is one of those people who doesn't like to ask for help & will move mountains just to be able to move mountains.  She is getting things ready for her cousin who is taking the stagecoach out from Kentucky soon. 

THIS BIG MARE KEPT TRYING TO EAT MY SHOVEL

When I arrived at the Silverado this morning I went in to see how Belle was doing & we ended up having quite a chat again.  She told me about her first encounter with a rattlesnake on the ranch, & how she decided on the name Belle Starr & the kinship she still feels to this day with the original Belle Starr.  Said the only difference between the two of them was that the other Belle was a better shot with a gun than she was.  Told me how she first carried a gun when she first came to her Arizona ranch because strangers would come in & she never knew who they were or what they wanted.  Said she had to actually pull that gun 4 or 5 times too & smilingly said with a chuckle. "and that included cocking the hammer!!"  Talked about the death of a favorite horse when it was run through a barbed wire fence by the border patrol chasing some Mexican folks.  Belle is known in these parts as a Heroine by the Mexican people & she has run afoul of the law a few times trying to treat them humanely when she finds them hungry & thirsty on her property.  Belle talked of many other things too & it was one of those times when I wished I would have had a tape recorder running on the table to accurately record what she was telling me.  We have a lot of laughs in these little chats each day & I can already tell this lady has had an impact on my life that is beyond my understanding. 

BELLE SHOWS ME WHAT CINDY MADE FOR HER BEFORE LEAVING

Belle has some long time RVing friends coming over from California in a few days & I'm hoping we can all have us a sit down & figure out a plan for some volunteer help on the ranch for Belle.  It's been a bit of a challenge so far.

To-morrow morning it will just be me feeding & watering the many, many, critters but I'm looking forward to it.  All's I have to do is remember where Belle's ranch is....................:))

GROANER'S CORNER:))  Q. What's the biggest advantage of going back to school as a retiree? A. If you cut classes, no one calls your parents.

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The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now....AL.