Cloudy in the West

 That was the name of one of Elmer Kelton's books.  Mr. Kelton wrote of a simpler time, and while my two favorite books he wrote were The Day the Cowboys Quit and The Time it Never Rained, I enjoyed all of his books--and there were many.  This post isn't about Elmer Kelton, or his books, but when I went out to feed Rio and Jenny Sunday night, I noted the teasing clouds that are common in West Texas.  It doesn't mean rain.

 Yep, I am back in Texas for a few days, unexpectedly, but grateful for the opportunity.  This is my first trip home since I was here Christmas.  Things just kept going wrong in May and early June when I intended to come, but sometimes, things have a way of righting themselves and demanding that nothing else matters.  Dad is not doing well right now, and Sis had to be out of town for a couple of days.  I am here to tote and fetch, feed my boy, and drink coffee with Dad in the mornings.

I cleaned out Rio's water trough Sunday morning, so he was pretty happy when he came in for supper and saw my handiwork.  I sneaked down tonight after supper to give him an extra handful of feed when I decided I needed a short break and exercise.  He'll be watching for me in the morning, waiting at the gate when I go out. Some things, you just never get tired of.