LEARNING TO USE DRAGON DICTATE

This world of new technology is a wonderful thing – that is, once you learn how to use it. Last fall I received a gift from my son and daughter-in-law. They know how much I love to blog, and how many hours I spend at the computer typing my blogs. So, they gifted me with the program for Dragon Dictate. I am sure that once I learn to use this program I'm going to really enjoy it.

I have seen the ads on television for this program, and they make it look ooh so simple. I am assuming that once you learn how to switch between dictation mode and command mode and which commands to use at what time I am going to  love this program and will use it to do my daily postings. 

During this learning phase, I am finding that I need to keep my keyboard really handy. Although I have learned some of the commands and how to correct errors, this is still a learning phase.

Yes, I do get terribly frustrated at times and am tempted to just forget it. However, I realize that once I get the basics down I can expand my knowledge from that point forward. 

If you will just bear with me, eventually I will figure this out. I can tell you from what I have seen so far of the program, that I am going to use it and feel like I will be able to recommend it to others.

Hang in there with me and sooner or later we will master this program.

YELLOWSTONE - GETTING READY FOR SUMMER

Snow Lingers On the Mountain

The snow is beginning to leave us.  There will still be some lingering in the higher elevations for a while and it may be mid-June before Lake Yellowstone is totally free of ice.

The first indication that summer is on the way is that the Park has officially opened for the season.  Some of the roads inside the park remain closed due to the snow - others are open for motorized traffic.  Take heart - before long all the roads will be open and the entire park will, once again, be accessible.

The arrival of the baby bison is yet another sign that summer is not far off.  Several have been seen already with many more to come in the next month.

Soon the baby elk will begin to make their appearance - though they are more difficult to see.

The bears have emerged from the dens and are on the hunt for food.

The town of West Yellowstone is beginning to show signs that summer is coming with many of the businesses that have been closed all winter  getting in new merchandise and opening their doors.

McDonalds has re-opened for the summer and there are signs that the Dairy Queen will not be far behind.

GOD'S BILLBOARD

I really do not think that much needs to be written about this billboard.  It pretty well tells the story and the truth all by itself.

God gives us all the instructions we need in His book.  Anyone can read the words - the important part is doing what the Word instructs us to do.

 Sometimes the going is easy and we tend to forget what we have read. We tend to begin depending on ourselves.  But - when the going gets rough and the world seems to be against us - we remember and reach out to Him for help. No matter how far away from Him you may have drifted - He is always there - waiting for you to come back.

I am thankful that He never gives us what we truly deserve.  I am thankful that He does not give up on us or turn away from us.

WHEN YOUR HALO SLIPS

Have you ever felt like, in the eyes of some people, your halo is slipping or has slipped?  Even though we all like to think  that we are  perfect, we know that it is not true.

All of us have had "halo slippage" at one time or another in our lives.  Sometimes the slippage is our fault.  Other times our halo get pushed off center by other people or by circumstances in our lives.  If the problem was created by something you said or did - you always have the option of correcting the problem with a sincere and heartfelt apology. It may take some time for the offended person to realize that you truly are sorry.  In that case, you just have to be patient and let your actions and words prove your case.

Other times, when the slippage is due to the actions or words of another - there is very little you can do about it.  Perhaps time will heal the situation.  Other times, you just have to "pull up your big girl panties" and let life go on.

Remember - you are not responsible for the actions or words of other people.  You are only responsible for you.

LET'S GO KILL THE DRAGON

When our family finds themselves in the middle of a crisis - we have a pity party - and we are very good at it.  You probably have never seen a pity party like the ones this family can have.  These pity parties rarely last very long.  Sooner of later someone will say "Enough.... I know where the dragon is...pick up your sword...follow me....it is time to kill this dragon."

We all have dragons in our lives.  Sometimes they come in the form of financial problems.  Sometimes they come in the form of physical injury or illness.  Sometimes they come in the form of depression or a feeling of having no self worth.

Have your pity party.  Chances are you have earned it and you deserve it.  Just be careful that the pity party does not last toooooo long.  Go ahead - feel sorry for yourself.  Shed a few tears if you need to.  Rant and rave and throw a really great temper tantrum.

Then ---- pick up your sword and go kill that dragon.  

VHS TO DVD - A UNIQUE CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR YOUR FAMILY

Last year I took a look at some of our family VHS tapes only to discover that some of the older ones were beginning to deteriorate.

Not wanting to lose family memories and moments -  I decided to transfer them all to DVD's.  Then I decided that I would burn copies of each one for each of my children and grandchildren.

With the help of my husband, I came across a program that was reasonably priced and, as it turned out, very simple to use.  The program is from a company called Honestech.Honestech  I purchased the program and found the installation to be very simple.

Over the course of the summer I burned over 300 DVD's.  Last Christmas both of my children and all four grandchildren received copies.  Now the family memories can be shared by one and all.

If you are looking for a unique Christmas gift, why not give this a try.  

I also put personalized labels on each DVD complete with a photo from the family album that went along with what was on the DVD.

It took a little time, so get started early.

SNOW IN APRIL? YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING!

Yellowstone Wolf On A Carcass

Today is Monday, April 29, 2013.  This morning we woke up to overcast skies and by 10:00 we were seeing  a snowstorm!!!! You've got to be kidding me!!!  It will be the first of May day after tomorrow and today they are forecasting 3 inches of snow for here!

Such is life when you life in West Yellowstone.  You either adjust to it or - you leave town for the winter.  A lot of our residents do leave for the winter.

The majority of the restaurants are closed now and will re-open "sometime in May!"  

On the up side,  we are seeing more and more baby bison make their appearance.  I have been told by those that are supposedly in the know, that many of the babies from last winter managed to survive the weather and that means that there will be fewer new babies this spring.  Could not prove it by me - but - that is what the "experts" say.

Hope the weather wherever you are is more pleasant than ours is here.

A FREE MEAL SUCCESS

Yesterday was the day that First Baptist Church here in West Yellowstone had their annual "You Do The Lookin'   We'll Do The Cookin'" affair.

This was our fourth year to hold this event at the church.  In past years we have served steak and baked potatoes; pulled pork and pulled chicken sandwiches with all the trimmings; and a cajun affair.  This year we had soups - bison chili, elk chili, elk vegetable barley, clam chowder, Illinois prairie chicken chowder, sweet potato chili and beef vegetable -all made by the capable hands of the congregation - both ladies and men contributed.

We also had cornbread, crackers and monkey biscuits.  Desserts ranged from lemon chess pie to chocolate caramel cheesecake, chocolate cake and lemon cake.  We had coffee, water and sweet Southern tea.

We served approximately 85 people besides the workers.

This event is held at the beginning of the season and it is geared toward the locals as well as the seasonal workers who are returning for the summer.  We also invite any and all who come to visit Yellowstone on that day.

It was a lot of work but well worth it.  Hard telling what we will serve next year.  A big thank you to all who worked so hard to make it a success.

THE BEAUTY OF THE SNOW

Living in West Yellowstone during the winter we see a lot of snow...no...I mean a LOT of snow.

It always reminds me of the of the Plan of Salvation.  When the snow first falls it is clean and white, just as we were before we sinned.  Then, with time and the interference of man, the snow becomes dirty...just as we are when we sin.  Then a fresh snowfall comes and covers all the dirty snow just as the blood of Christ covers our sins and we are once again clean.

How wonderful that once we are saved when God looks at us He sees us without sin because he is looking at us through the blood of Christ.

YOU DO THE LOOKIN' - WE'LL DO THE COOKIN'

YOU DO THE LOOKIN'  -  WE'LL DO THE COOKIN'

Yep -- that time of year is here again.  The National Park has officially opened for the summer season and the First Baptist Church of West Yellowstone is once again holding their annual "You Do The Lookin' and We'll Do The Cookin" free food affair on Saturday, April 27 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

This free meal is open to all - local residents - returning seasonal workers - visitors to the National Park. This year we will be featuring bison chili, elk chili, taco soup, vegetable soup, Illinois prairie chicken chowder, monkey biscuits, cornbread and more desserts that I can name.

If you fit into any of the above categories, local, returning worker, park visitor - or - even if you don't - plan on dropping by the church on Yellowstone Avenue from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and have dinner on us.

Spend the day enjoying our First National Park and then come by and let us feed you.

Everyone is welcome.  Hope to see you there.

A YELLOWSTONE SUMMER

A YELLOWSTONE SUMMER

Finally, and at last, summer is making an attempt to return to Yellowstone.  Last week we had a 3 inch snowfall complete with thunder.  The locals call that particular event "Thunder Snow."  It is quite unusual if you have never experienced it.

The very first baby bison of the year was seen last week by one of the residents of the Horse Butte area.  Horse Butte is located about 7 miles north of the town of West Yellowstone and is the historic birthing area for the local bison.  Many of them leave the safety of the National Park at this time of year and migrate to the Horse Butte area where they have their calves.

The residents of Horse Butte, and there are many, have no objections to the presence of the bison.  In fact, they tend to try and protect them.

Unfortunately, no one has told the bison that they have to be back inside the boundaries of the National Park no later than May 15 or they will be hazed back in.  

At any rate, we will soon be seeing lots and lots of babies.  They are amazing.  They are actually an orange color.  Many visitors to the area often ask the locals why those red dogs are following the bison! 

The National Park opened last Friday, one week ahead of schedule.  Come and visit this summer.  You will never forget your trip to our First National Park.

CUSTOMER SERVICE...A THING OF THE PAST?

Have you discovered, as I have, that in too many instances companies have removed the words "Customer Service" from their vocabulary?

Well, knitters can take heart.  If you order your yarn from an on line yarn store, I highly recommend that you check out yarnmarket.com I have been ordering yarn from this company for several years and find that they not only know the words "Customer Service", they actually practice it.

Case in point.  I had ordered yarn for two different sweaters from this company.  Several weeks after I received my order I discovered that I needed one additional skein of each yarn.  I placed a call to Yarn Market and, by the way, you get to talk to an actual live person, not a recorded message.  I explained my problem, gave them the name, color number and dye lot number of the yarns.  I explained that I needed one additional skein of each one.  The young lady I spoke with put me on hold, was gone only a few minutes, came back and announced that she had indeed found the exact dye lot I needed in each yarn.

Now, I ask you, when was the last time you talked to a customer service department that actually DELIVERED customer service?  

This company is tops.  I highly recommend that you give them a try next time you need to place an on line yarn order.