South Dakota is our new home state-are we traitors?

Yes, we changed our drivers licenses and mailing address to a state that has their local baseball team known as the Pheasants.  Sounds kinda wimpy when you're used to the Tigers and the Lions.  But here in South Dakota the cowboy mystic is still almost as huge as in Texas and its best to giggle in private.

We're adjusting.  The Black Hills is in the eastern edge of mountain time zone.  Which means the sun shines before the roasters crow around 5 :00.  My eyes are on the same schedule and if you know me, I don't do well with less sleep since I like to stay up late.  Ron solves this problem by sleeping on the job at the museum when its slow.  I can't.  Heavy sigh!

Another thing the siren from the very close fire department always blasts at 3 minutes before 7:00, 12:00 and 6:00.  Why can't they correct their mistake?  Don't they know it should let loose exactly on the hour?   They can't be that dumb.  Should I tell them?

Also trying to adjust to the crazy weather here in the northern plains.  Some weeks the storms are projected every-I said-every day.  Temps of 80 or 90 is fine but those black clouds come in fast with heavy down pours almost drowning the proverbial cats and dogs and sometimes pelts them with hail.  Then-get this-the sun comes out and says oooops-sorry.

Have to admit they have beautiful trails and parks here along the Spearfish creek which in Michigan we would call a river and in Texas today called a miracle.  Elroy likes his walks.  First we have to go to the hatchery above to scarf up the spilled fish food.  And then into the park where he's looking for strangers to give him more petting.  Kinda like going to the singles bars for humans except he sometimes gets his drinks from mud puddles

Can you believe I've started walking on these trails for 4 miles several times a week with "the" girls who I think used to be Army drill instructors.  Now I'm accustomed to a leisurely stroll with Elroy stopping at various trees to water and brown piles to smell.  But its changed.  The thoughts of the Batan death march (slight exaggeration when temps and humidity are high) go through my mind and some of my body parts are starting to talk to me 24 hours a day.  So far the results are only increased hunger and aching bug bite and salve-encrusted legs.  Got to go and try to stretch out that cramp again.  But first want to show you some scenery.