Targhee

Lots on my To Do list today. Maggie Rose decides, or her hiney decides, I need to express her anal glands. What the what? I'm not good at this. And I'm not afraid of yuck. I worked in the hospital for five or so years back in the day. I've cleaned oozing gangrene from a dying man. It doesn't get much worse than that. God rest his soul. I've cleaned all the NG tubes you can imagine, all the stuff. Barium enemas. Worked wrecks in the middle of the night in the ER and x-ray that you can't unsee. The list goes on. This is like a tiny pup impaction of the anal gland sort. How does this happen? I give her pumpkin; her stools are well formed but not overly so. No good reason for this to happen, in my uneducated anal gland self-opinion. Too much information? Okay, I'll stop.

Out of the shower, the deed is done. My sweet Maggie Rose is prancing around happy. I'm happy too. Happy to have that behind us.

This message from a friend was delivered overnight:

"Good morning young lady -- hope you slept well. Please bring a winter coat & gloves, just in case."

I'm meeting friend for lunch. I've not seen them in a couple years though we stay in touch. I'm driving over the pass for a dental cleaning and I'd asked if they would like to meet.

Affirmative.

A coat and gloves? I'm a little nervous. What's the plan?

But first I need to pick up my check, get car tags that lapsed almost two months ago, and ask for mercy from the officer who ticketed my parked car. A $100 ticket.

Tags purchased, the sweet little gal, when I asked if there's any chance of me receiving mercy (it was, after all, my negligence ultimately causing the citation), states, "We are going to keep you here in Jackson. That citation sounds like chicken scratch to me."

Yeah, me too. Me too. She said it in such a sweet voice, much nicer than what I was thinking. But I messed up during Sedona travels. There are several other obviously invalid excuses.

I drive over to Town Hall to pay my fine but first beg for mercy and as luck would have it Town Hall was closed for the day, an employee meeting or something.

I loathe having mess hanging over my head. I like everything wrapped up nice and tidy, no stress.

I'm late getting to Idaho but get there in due time. Friend and I head to the Idaho side of the Tetons. We end up at Targhee; I've never been to Targhee. I'm purchased a ticket to the gondola, and we ride. Stress and anxiety are literally leaving my body. Reaching the top and unloading, we round the mountain and heaven begins to sing, a chorus of ten-thousand angels. Or so it seems in my wonky head. I'm viewing Tetons in reverse and the view is breathtaking. What a splendid surprise my friend provided for my viewing pleasure. I didn't have to make one decision. I simply showed up and enjoyed the ride. We make it back down the mountain for lunch. Why do we not do this more often? Good company, good conversation, and I'm given a LifeStraw water filter before I leave. Who does that, thinks of your well-being these days? My friend. My friend thinks of my well-being. All my friends think of my well-being. I'm surrounded by the best.

Next stop the dental office. Though I'm not happy Jackson dentist don't accept most insurance I want to tell you this was a blessing in disguise. The ladies and I enjoyed wonderful conversation, the hygienist cleaned my pearly whites perfectly, and my new dentist complimented my "beautiful" teeth.

Onward...

Food Shed Idaho is on my 'must visit' list. Though usually closed on Tuesdays, her door was unlocked, and I snuck in to browse. As heaven would have it, two young teachers from Texas were preparing to take a private cooking class. Texans are everywhere up here. My day couldn't get much better. They shared the owner with me for a bit and Mr. Texan made 'must have' suggestions for me. I follow FSI on Instagram, keeping up with her travels to Italy and such, and more than once I've sent my personal clients to her, as they have second homes in Idaho. Accustomed to LA and Houston, they have no idea what the little town of Victor has to offer. And FSI is a jewel, perfectly curated with foodies mouthwatering selections.

(Dear Texas, you know who you are...I've become a food snob of sorts after you turned me on to Bramasole Olive Oil. I want to try all the things. Wagyu, other olive oils, real pasta from Italy, so much more. And I've done just that lately. I've not regretted one bite.)

I'm informed when a purchase of risotto is made, not just any risotto, a complimentary cooking class is included.

First note: Do you remember my story of my first experience with risotto? The professor, half Croatian, half Italian, preparing my first risotto? Yeah, well, he did. Man was it good. Shrimp risotto. It seems he had five sisters and a mother who all loved to cook. He had no choice but to learn. From the best.

Second note: I love to cook. I've not had a cooking class since Sur La Table back in 2015. Purchasing risotto and gaining a complimentary cooking class? SCORE.

Finally, I stopped at Big Hole BBQ. Burnt ends are purchased for later. Being from the south standards are high concerning BBQ. I was not disappointed. Juicy, tender, flavored just right, I'm a happy camper tonight and will be happy tomorrow as well.

I lived today.

Y'all do that too, live. Don't just work, go home, go to bed, do the same 'ol same 'ol day after day. Don't be like me. Or don't be like former me. Work, work, work.

Live.

I'm so very grateful tonight.

I love all y'all.

D