Moose Fight                                                                        Walt Farmer
                                                                Gros Ventre Jct., JH, Wyo  4/99

Walt's LOCAL/PERSONAL INFORMATION(I'm almost as interesting as your average chisler.)  Does this constitute a BLOG?

Walt's Homepage

4/24/08 - I went back on the air after 18 yrs. since my last show, today at noon helping with a Latin/African/So. American music program at KHOL.  Fun, a few hiccups, but come next week I'll be doing it regular on T/Th & another guy, Walker White, doing it M/W/F.  Even though I've resigned from the board after 7 yrs. of work, as soon as we can get past a few technical issues, I hope to start doing the international program I did w/some popularity, back at Trinity Univ. in San Antonio before we moved to Wyoming.  Plenty of snow still here, & it's coming down tonight.  Winter keeps hanging in.  I've also started a new webpage for a group of friends.  We all get together for lunch each week on Wed., & I've posted several pages of pics from the group at our restaurants & of members.  It's the Deaf As A Post Lunch Bunch, or DAAPLB.  The link if anyone's interested, in on my homepage.  Well, no jury duty last Monday, no pneumonia, arm healing, back to cardiac rehab tomorrow.  If only I could spend a couple of weeks devoted to cleaning up my office.

3/30/08 - KHOL will be on the air this Friday, 4/4/08 @ 5pm.  Tune in.  Fractured my elbow the other day so we didn't get out of town to Vegas either, but I'll be there anyway when we throw the switch.  Hope the snow melts here eventually.  Long winter this year.

3/12/08 - Been awhile since my last "blog," so what's new?  Well, winter's kinda come & gone.  Heavy snowfall, 4 planes have run off the runway at the airport including a jetliner, Obama won caucus for Wyo, and, life goes on.  I had another heart attack in Jan., 2 days before we were to leave for Hawai`i for 2 wks.  Spent a week in SLC getting the chest worked over, which however, was a lot better than the last time I did this.  Cardiac rehab now, while working with others to get the radio station on the air.  KHOL, 89.1 FM, Jackson Hole Community Radio, will hopefully go on the air on April 4, tune in.  www.jhcr.org  Short trip planned at end of this month to make up for not getting to Hawai`i.  Maybe next year.

Snow will melt eventually.  I'm waiting for some indication of spring, sunny, clear skies, warmer, to feel better, although incrementally in the interim.  Hey George, McCain says HE'LL get Osama, why not you instead, it was your job & you're running out of time, thank goodness.  Lost another Wyoming soldier in Iraq this past week.  George's stupidity goes on and on, but he dances on the steps of the White House while waiting for McCain to show up to congratulate, the same McCain he trashed and humiliated in the 2000 campaign.  And, McCain has kissed up to him ever since.  I want to give McCain the respect he's due, but it's very hard.  Re 10/07 comments, I heard from my POW friend's wife this afternoon, after he'd sent 3 more emails that were B.S., who said she's been trying to get him to also check his stuff before he resends it.  Good effort, but apparently not too successful.  We've all got friends like that right?  I've got some real good ones too & believe me, it's very good to have those.

Well, got past this latest health scare, Nov. was almost my last post.  Hopefully another before too long.  Good night all...

11/14/07 - CBS News reports on reports that 125 former veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, mostly Iraq of course, are committing suicide every WEEK!!!  That's 5-6,000 per year!!!  Since the beginning of the war in Iraq, there have been a bit over 3,000 killed in combat actions, at least those that have been reported.  But, while in Iraq and since returning to their homes in the states, it's 5-6,000 suicides a year!!!  Paying attention to another cost to your stupid war George and Dick et al???  The money, about 1.5 trillion $ now, not really the $800B allocated.  The lost equipment, the injured soldiers, the bad and getting worse military and VA healthcare system under this administration's ineptitude if not outright criminal negligence, AND THE LIVES of soldiers serving their country that don't deserve to die for such a stupid president.  And those radio hosts, congresspersons and senators, and all those others that continue to defend and support this inordinate stupidity.  Come on America, if you're truly patriotic, get rid of these people and bring our fellow Americans home from Iraq.

One more reminder, where the fuck is Osama George?  Incompetence extraordinaire while you continue to castigate the loyal opposition.

10/07 - I"ve got a friend who's a former POW from Vietnam, who sends me emails extolling right-wing philosophies and propaganda and the hideous world we'll live in if Hillary is elected. I know another person, a local, who sends me occasional emails & sent one recently about the words "under god" in the pledge. Please quit it people. While the pledge email was forwarded, unintelligently, from others that had no doubt forwarded it to their "friends" unintelligently, it had some info that was correct and other that was not. Can't people check snopes or truthorfiction, before forwarding stupid emails? Apparently not. I guess if you're a U.S. citizen but happen to be Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, agnostic, or whatever, you're required to say "under god" during the pledge or you're not a good American & should leave to wherever you came from. I, came from Jacksonville, but guess I'd better go back there. No idea where I'd need to go after that, but leaving America is apparently mandatory under the rules these people have determined. My former POW friend, thinks the world will collapse if a Democrat, or anyone other than the Republican persuasion, is elected next time. Under god help us. There's just no logic with these folks. So, STOP SENDING ME THESE DUMB EMAILS, as if I can't make up my own mind who to vote for anyway. It's pretty easy to see who got us into this awful national/international situation we're in. I just pity all the other folks getting these ridiculous emails, and blindly forwarding them to their "friends" and so on, as if they're gospel, but don't have time to check their veracity in the first place. Per my below 8/07 item, maybe I should make sure Foster is on both their email lists.

And quit telling me on your answering machines out the to just hang up when I finish my message or press one for more options. Damn it, I think I've figured that out by now.

Speaking of "god help us," it was mentioned on the Ken Burns' documentary The War, that soldiers in WWII in some forgotten battle of a certain ferocity, made that exclamation. Another soldier nearby responded, "And god, come yourself. Don't send Jesus. This ain't no place for children."

8/07 - No, Foster Friess on a horse doesn't make it any more right than me on a horse either. It was only a few weeks ago & a few thousand letters to the editor, that we did the "peace" or "protest" march here to Cheney's front gate. The intolerance and defense of this administration's policies and killing of Americans under the guise of fighting terror (not terrorism?), is appalling. And for people like Friess, to say he wants civility, and then at the same time, denigrate those who marched, is just plain dishonest. Mr. Schloss wants to communicate with those opposed to the administration, but as the Teton Co. Republican Party chairman, a party that I'm a member of, and despite the fact that he's a neighbor of mine, he's not even in the phone book. An acquaintance of mine, Brad Mead, doesn't even get the irony of the effigy being pulled over. And for those who might wonder, I never characterized myself as a "war veteran," but am a Vietnam Conflict era veteran. 3800 and counting, and these people continue to defend the Cheney/Bush administration. As I've often said, Mullah Omar isn't in Iraq, Ayman al-Zawahiri isn't in Iraq, and fuckin' Osama bin Laden was never in Iraq. But, more keep dying due to Bush's feeble-mindedness and Cheney's probable criminality in Iraq. Yes, I can ride a horse too Mr. Friess, but I don't defend stupidity. And to the person that called himself a Navy Seal who sent me a threatening letter, I doubt you're a Navy Seal at all. Navy Seals aren't cowards, but you didn't put a return address on your letter. Do I smell a coward there? Does that count as civility Mr. Friess?

Elsewhere, doing a few star parties at the end of the summer, working to get the radio station ready for early 2008, and engaging misc. other activities. Several friends are sick, have cancer, are in the hospital, or have come out recently. Hope JH doesn't have something bad in the water here, all I can do is wish them well to recovery.

The foxes have left, or the kits at least. Mom still passes through the yard from time to time & visits with us on the deck. Her coat is much smoother and shinier now that the nursing is done. She really looks great. Lunar eclipse, the Tour de France is over, and just lots of misc. stuff to do. Hope everyone else is doing well.

While riding with a friend down near the Snake River on the day the above picture was taken, I wondered how many Indians or trappers or cowboys or whatever, had some day long ago, wandered the same spot. I wondered once when visiting the cemetery at Normandy, if someone might have died on the very spot I was standing at any given moment. It's just strange to think about those things, but while we looked for elk, saw a bison & a moose along the trail, I just kept thinking that this particular day, was a very nice day.

5/07 - This will be my rant and the beginning of my end of service with Jackson's American Legion Post 43.  What a bunch of pussies for veterans at this Legion post.  I'll explain.......I joined the American Legion in 1998 & have been a member now for 9 yrs.  Mainly, I think I joined to get to know some of the old-timers as they were pretty interesting people, WWII vets, etc.  It's been less than enjoyable however & I've come to the opinion, while some can be OK people, some are just jerks.

When I was a relatively new member, I didn't say anything at first, figuring someone else would immediately step up, when a leader of the post at 4 different meetings, threatened the life of the President and Vice-President of the United States.  When NO ONE said anything to him, I invited this person out to lunch, paid for the lunch, & TOLD HIM TO STOP, or on the next occasion I would call the Secret Service & life as he knew it would be over.  Just because you're a Republican & he hated the Dem administration of the time, doesn't mean it's OK for a Legion officer to make such threats, out loud, at a Legion meeting.  Rest of the post members: wimps.

Since then, I put forward the idea of our "Wall of Honor" to place photos and bios of our members in the post where fellow local citizens would see members in uniform when visiting the building & know what their neighbors did to serve their country.  I drew up a ceremony where when the photo is placed on the wall, the member is congratulated for his service by the rest of the post.

I put forward the idea to have a post uniform for anyone who could no longer wear their military uniform at ceremonies, in parades, at funerals, etc.  Then, I acquired the shirts/ties/sweaters/gloves, and we have gotten numerous compliments for how well we look.  I even took it upon myself to make sure they get cleaned after each use & return them to the clothing room.

I put foward the idea of having a box by the flagpole that would display who an individual was when the flag was lowered to half-staff, so that passing citizenry would understand why it had been lowered.  I am the only one that has ever posted notices in the box so that people would indeed know for whom the flag had been lowered.  Others have lowered the flag, but haven't posted any notice in honor of the person for whom it was lowered, in the box.

You'd think I'd have some influence in the post, when it was decided that we would sell the magnetic stickers that say, "We Support Our Troops," and I moved at a meeting that we should take some of the sales of those mag stickers, and actually allot some of the money to do something that would support our troops, such as send funds to a Marine family organization at Walter Reed so they could subsidize families who wanted to be with their soldier relative while they were recuperating from wounds suffered in Iraq or Afghanistan.  But NO, the post voted against that and decided that all the funds would go to our work on the project to restore our historical building.  No money to "support" the troops.  I had been one of only 3 in the post to be on the building restoration committee, and when the vote came in, I resigned.  The person in charge of this then had the gall to say to me that if I was put off by their decision, that I should go out and DO SOMETHING for the troops.  Rather than ki(ck)ss his ass, I did.  I got together with a friend who isn't even a veteran, and he offered to subsidize an annual dinner for the numerous veterans that come here each winter at the holiday season, at a local resort, if I would set it up, organize it, and make it happen as long as this administration is in office & Cheney continues to come here over the holidays, through 2008.  Each year, over 125 military (radar operators, flight crew for AF2, Navy cookstaff, etc.), come here in support of the VP's annual trip.  The event grew to include over 100 Secret Service agents as well as local active duty and Guard soldiers from this area, that went to serve in Afghanistan and Iraq, and their families.  The person who challenged me has been to one of the three events, as the dinner also includes anyone from the community who would like to attend and thank these people for their service to our country, although they have to pay for their dinner.  Of the members of the Legion post, only about 3 or 4 others have bothered to come to it at all.

I have brought on numerous occasion, older vets, disabled vets, in my car, to meetings at the post they would no longer have been able to attend.  On sevearl occasions when I couldn't do it, did someone else offer to do it for me?  NO.

I donated a large TV and other equipment to assist with social nights at the post that the members wanted, but which so far, has never been used in the 3 or 4 yrs. that it's been there.

I paid for, established and maintain, the post's website.  If there's a picture taken at any event, or any information posted on the site, I do it.  Everyone says they like it, but no one else even provides any information to put on it.

Annually since I joined the post, I have personally bought and given to the post, a POW/MIA flag to fly on the flagpole and the ones inside used in ceremonies..

When a career officer of the post and hard-core Republican party member, attended a political rally of WY U.S. Representative Barbara Cubin at the local airport, she ridiculed and belittled the service of Sen. John Kerry who was running against Pres. Bush in the coming presidential election.  Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted in applause at this denigration of an honorable veteran who had honestly and honorably received medals for heroism in Vietnam.  This member of our post was there, and applauded as well.  When I challenged him about this, he admitted it & I asked him why he didn't stop Ms. Cubin and chastise her for verbally disgracing a fellow veteran.  Oh, he agreed with her comments.  I then verbally reprimanded him, despite my respect for his service to our country, and of course, HE took offense.  What kind of veterans am I associating with in this Legion post?  Rhetorically, some pretty less than honorable ones.

I am the post historian and when I took over the position, how much historical information or artifacts had been collected?  None.  I have been diligent since, but, most likely, who cares?  When the local media wants to know what's going in veterans issues or local events, who do they call?  Me.

After such as the above, you'd think I'd have a little influence with the members of the post.  When it was discovered that two large, 70 yr. old trees, planted by the people that built the Legion building, were leaning, concern went out that they were a threat to the building & our insurance.  Several people were called in to assess the matter & indicated they needed to be removed.  When I questioned this, no one seemed to care.  I called on the community to contact the post in an effort to save these trees, with little success.  I got the most qualified individual in the state, to assess the situation, a certified arborist for the state, and he filed papers that said they were leaning, but not sufficient to be a threat, & indeed at about 40 ft., were straightened out.  I contacted the insurance co. who told me they were not an issue.  But, the post voted over my motions and protest and apparent total lack of influence, to destroy them

Over the years we decided we wanted to replace our aging ceremonial rifles (M1903s) with new weapons, probably M1 Garands or M16s.  Several people in the post, said they would attempt to get this accomplished, but, never did for whatever reason.  I decided to try on my own, not as an appointed committee, and accomplished the effort in less than two months.  While it took several more months to actually accomplish the paperwork, etc., to get the rifles in hand, I did it, when no one else would or could.  I even got the military to allow us to keep one of the old weapons as a souvenir firearm as we had been using it for 60 yrs.

In 2006 in a Memorial Day parade, I chose to stand with some other friends and protest the war in Iraq.  I held a sign that said we had lost over 2500 Americans in this war (this stupid, stupid war - the Iraq part).  Vice-President Cheney has a home in Jackson & I had hoped he'd be at the parade as he and Lynn had the year before.  He wasn't.  However, one member of the post who was in the color guard for the parade, came up to me after his participation was over, and physically attacked me for holding up this sign, which he didn't even know what it said.  He'd only seem me as he walked by & didn't think I had a right as an American or as a veteran, to engage in protest.  Later after some time without any comment, I invited him and paid for lunch, provided my logic, and he chose to apologize for his actions.  He had attacked me for doing something that we both served to honor & protect, an amendment to the Constitution that provides for free speech.  This was a fellow veteran and a fellow member of my Legion post.  We're friends again now and all is well, but, why did this have to happen at all?

It was my idea to place a box at the front of the post so that any local merchant or person, could leave their dirty or tattered flags for proper and respectful disposal by our post on Flag Day.  Annually I send out a notice to the newspaper to remind people around the Memorial Day & Old West Days weekend, that this is the time to put up fresh flags for the summer season.  Then, the flags disappear from the basement where they are kept upon retrieval from the box, but I've never been told of or asked to partcipate in, a flag destruction ceremony that would be conducted by our post.  We used to do these annually, publicly, but this hasn't happened since the box went up.  I wonder where those flags have gone?

The post asked me to contact local businesses if they fly their flag and it's especially tattered, etc., to ask them to change it out, or to take it down at night if it's not properly lighted.  No one else does this, but if they see a flag not being flown properly, do they call the business or owner?  I guess not, because they usually call me to have me call them.  I also assisted the Teton Co. Library with construction of and the dedication ceremony for, their flagpole.

It was my idea and then responsibility, to accomplish a video & paper inventory of the post's assets.  At some time and effort, I did this.

When a photograph of a veteran, member of the post, historical event, other ceremony gets taken at the post, who takes it, stores it for posterity, posts it on the website, etc.  No one else, me.

When the post decided to erect a monument at the corner of Cache and Gill Sts., I was on the committee and coordinated the collection of materials for the time capsule, photographed the event, arranged the flyover and acquired the panoramic picture on the monument.

I raised approx. $15,000. in the last year of construction for the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. as the Western Wyoming fundraising rep for the Memorial.  And, I personally placed on the WWII Memorial register, names of a number of WWII vets locally for them or their families, to honor them for their service.

It was my idea, with three other people not in the Legion post, to honor 7 military crewmembers and one Secret Service employee, that died in a crash of a C-130 supporting a visit to Jackson by then President Clinton in 1996, by organizing a 10-yr. commemoration event in 2006.

After all this, you'd think that I'd have a little influence at the post.  Recently I discussed with some other members, that notices from the Governor to lower the flag to half-staff on certain occasions like for the death of a state official, or the students killed in the massacre at Virginia Tech, or other reasons, seemed to have greater weight than when a veteran, a soldier is killed in Iraq, Afghanistan, or anywhere else in the world in defense of freedom.  So, I proposed that we should lower our flag at the post to half-staff, and leave it there until the end of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.  When a specific person is to be recognized or honored, we'd still put their information in the display box next to the flag.  After some discussion, the post, with about 20 members present, voted 8-2 against lowering the flag.  Don't get me wrong, I mean no disrespect to any of the students/faculty killed at VT.  I just don't understand why at a Legion post, we can be ordered to lower our flag for them, while 3200 Americans have been killed in this war, and the VT people rate more respect than our veterans, and the members of the Legion post thought to do so on an extended basis, would lessen the meaning of the flag being flown at half-staff???  I guess I've never done anything at this post to have any cachet whatsoever, and maybe, neither have the veterans that gave their lives.  Think Bush cares?  Hell, he barely served in the Guard himself & is a disgrace as a Decider-in-Chief.  What arrogance and hubris to take us into this war in Iraq in the first place, and America (re)elected this guy.  (He really wasn't elected the first time if anyone remembers.)

Frankly, I just don't respect most of these people, and fellow veterans, very much any more at all.  I'll maintain my membership, and hope to participate in the annual Memorial Day or Veterans Day ceremonies, but I'm done with working for/with this post & trying to do things to honor veterans and their service.  It seems most of the ones I know, won't stand up for what is right, or stand up against what is wrong.  But that's my perspective and apparently, I'm wrong.  So, I guess they won't be missing my attendance and participation very much.  Fine.  Done.

4/28/07 -  It's been a few months, so what's new?  Just got back from a trip to San Antonio and another to a radio conference in New Orleans. Well, we're starting up again for Jackson Hole Community Radio (JHCR) & I just posted a completely new website this past weekend.  Check it out.  We should be on the air by March of 2008.  Upcoming trips to Pocatello, Salt Lake and hopefully Honolulu and Lahaina early in 2008.  Gas prices climbing again though.

Bush is still screwed up & refusing to acknowledge that his policies have failed & continue to do so.  Cheney came and went yesterday/today at the airport after the controversial commencement speech at BYU.

Mrs. Fox just moved in some new kits under the observatory again & we're very happy about it, we just won't know how many this year for a little while yet.  Over the last 6 yrs., she's had as few as 3 and as many as 10.  With new neighbors in the last 2 yrs., she hardly showed up at all last year.  They're quite a treat as long as she doesn't move them.  Staining the deck today & she came over about 15 ft. away & proceeded to take a nap next to the house.  Can't believe all the websites that consider them a nuisance!  She'd eat out of our hands if we tried to.  The nighttime howling can be a bit annoying however, but it usually doesn't last long.

Here's a couple more pics of papa fox & mama w/several kits this season...

Snow's gone, summer's starting, star parties planned at the high school here and in Driggs, w/classroom work too.  It's good to have the teachers want us to help them foster astronomy & our pleasure to do so.  Got some pictures this past week of Louie the Library Llama on the town square and meeting with Sheriff Zimmer.  Can the summer reading program at the library be far ahead?

12/21/06 - Political cartoon kinda says it all. And by the way, we've now lost as many or more Americans fighting the war on terrorism in Iraq, that were lost on 9/11. And this dufus, despite all the recommendations not to, is going to send MORE to die for his stupidity. And, it's amazing how many veterans actually support getting more of our own killed by this president and my vice-presidential neighbor.

3/13/06
    As you may be aware, I am no longer the House Manager at the Grand Teton Music Festival. Crappy deal, but at least the Executive Director had to leave shortly after.

8/15/05
    Dear Pres. Bush & V-P Cheney: There are over 1800 (2300) dead Americans from Iraq now.  There were no terrorists there before the war, but they are there now.  When was the last time you captured someone like OSAMA, Mullah Omar, Ayman al-Zawahiri, etc.  Energy bill for your buds, gas prices through the roof for the rest of us.  Good long vacations though.  Get off your ass & do something right.

    That pond down below?  Took it out.
    For those of us who think the U.S. was misled into the Iraq War & that our current leadership is woefully corrupt in its policies, here's a bumper sticker I have a small quantity of if you'd like to get one...let me know.

Festival has started and what's it going to be like without Eiji next year. Big mistake they're making, but who do you make understand. Very frustrating to myself and a lot of other patrons/board/staff/locals. Otherwise, the weather is wonderful & all moves along regardless. While my astronomy column moved some time ago to the Planet, it's moved even further & is being translated & published in La Palabra. We'll see if that translates into Hispanic star gazers.

Did a bit of cowboy poetry for the library and summer students there. Here's a pic.

Guess I drew a crowd, kinda fun even though none of the kids had ever heard any cowboy poetry & only a couple were even interested.

4th of July event coming up & have a tour of the Shane sites for the American bureau chief out of LA for the Asahi Shimbun newspaper. Otherwise, it's a bit slow for now although it sure doesn't seem that way. Hope your summer is going well.

We went to Alaska for two weeks after the season ended.  Met brother Malcolm & wife Debbie after a few days on our own in Anchorage.  Visited Aleyeska, Cook Inlet, Denali area, and more.  Went to Seward to board the Carnival Spirit & proceeded to visit Valdez, several glaciers, Juneau, did a whale watching excursion, Skagway & the White Pass & Yukon Route tourist train.  Heavy winds forced the ship to not stop at Ketchikan so we just wandered in the inland passage until we got to Vancouver.  Spent two days there wandering about, attending ceremonies for Sept. 11th, seeing the sights and the music.

I went to Kansas City two weeks ago to attend the reunion of my Dad's shipmates from the aircraft carrier USS Salamaua from WWII.  Good group of guys.  Got lots of stories about the ship & what they went through in the Pacific at Leyte Gulf, a kamikaze that went through 7 decks, the typhoon that destroyed the air unit on the ship & a lot of the ship itself & their time in Tokyo Bay when the treaty was signed.  While there, I got to visit the Black Baseball Hall of Fame, the Jazz Museum & the WWI Memorial as well as a few jazz clubs.

Kay & I are going to Salt Lake in a week or so for a library conference in our new Toyota Sienna minivan.  Had the Aerostar for 12 yrs. & sold it in about an hour.  Maybe I can get a few pictures up shortly to accompany this note as I've also gotten a new webhost for my site.  It can hold a lot more, but doesn't necessarily download any faster if there are a lot of photos on a page.

Already had several snows but it's not sticking in the valley as yet.  It is in Yellowstone.  Scott & I flew over it earlier in the week from the Bechler Region to Old Faithful to Norris Geyser Basin to Mammoth, over the Grand Canyon & back via the west side of the Tetons.  Lots of pictures from that flight too & a pretty good layer of snow up north.  Want to fly over the Sunlight Basin & get shots of the Beartooth Pass before the snow gets heavy.  Well, all for now...

The foxes left rather early this year, but had 5 kits before they left.  We went out and cleaned up under the floor, smelly stuff including a dessicated weasel.  Then we filled in all the space underneath & went our way.  Then, two weeks later, I noticed one had returned & dug out 2 more entrances again, but doubt they'll re-den.  And, we went to Jellystone last weekend & got this shot of a grizzly on the Rockefeller Parkway.  Enjoy the views...

Well, the season is coming around again.  Have foxes under the observatory again, probably with new pups.  Big planetary alignment in 2 nights, but, can't disturb the foxes.  Trying to arrange a military flyover for Old West Days this year, but don't know if it'll fly or not.  Mailouts out for new ushers for the coming Festival season, looks like a good one.  Have a Dutch film documentary crew coming in mid June to film a program about 100 yrs. of western films, at some of the Shane sites.  It's always something.  Snow's melted from the valley floor, but nights are still in the upper 20s.  Doing the program at Jenny Lake Lodge this summer from June through Sept. on Wednesday nights.  People still aren't buying the History film book.  Wish I could get them to understand how much information is on a cdrom, more so than in a book, that if it were all in a book, would cost them several hundred dollars.  I'm a man ahead of his time in archiving historical info.  Well, here's a male fox pic for your enjoyment.  More next time.

I've also written a piece about WY film history for the JH Magazine for their summer edition & have to get out shortly a services update for the local resorts about film, astronomy, cowboy poetry, etc.  Lots to stay busy at.  We went to the CES Celebrity Wild West Night last night & here are a few pics...

Fun night & I ended up dealing 21 for an hour at the gambling tables.

Got a local friend in Afghanistan in Delta Force to email with.  This kind of war is an interesting time in U.S. history.  Bush stopped by here after the Olympics & stayed within a rock's throw of the house, but no, I didn't.  Cheney comes & goes a lot & I think he's spent more time here than being a V-P.  I'll presume he works & isn't just vacationing.

Well, have to run & make my Oscar picks & see if I can win the local contest again.  Any inside suggestions will be appreciated.

Farmer Observatory, 8x10 rolloff dome, for 8" SCT. Estab. 1993, Jackson, Wyo., w/pond & observatory

                View out living room window to NNW...

Moose loose on the property with airport in background, facing NE from house...

Facing NW on the Elk Refuge from the feed truck...

Facing NE from the house as Cheney's motorcade goes into airport.  AF2 in background.

---

Sample of Walt's cowboy poetry, at least that's what it appears to be...

"The Ballad of Lonesome Jack"

For good cause his name was "Lonesome" Jack,
a name he wore like a badge.
He was ugly as sin, & twice as thin,
and his best friend was a skunk he named Madge.

    Now his problem wasn't his temper,
    as quick as it was classic.
    You stayed far away, & prayed for a rainy day,
    you see Jack was extremely......aromatic.

Why, his horse smelt better'n him,
hadn't seen a tub in 10 year.
The girls at the sportin' house, all required him to get deloused,
but his breath would still drive 'em to tears.

    We'd fight to ride point on the cattle drives,
    hopin' that Jack would ride flank.
    Ridin' drag in the dust
    was a definite plus,
    this guy could get really rank.

At night round the campfire, Jack loveddddd Cookie's beans.
I think you all know what's comin'.
The sounds and the smells, through the holes in his jeans,
kept us awake with the buzzin' & hummin'.

    Once we dunked Jack in a lake,
    then we scrubbed & we scraped,
    but we really shouldn't have tried.
    The wrong time in May or it just wasn't our day,
    thousands of fish up & died!

Years later I saw Jack in Cheyenne,
he looked clean shaven & neat.
A lady on his arm, he was.....oo oozin' the charm,
why he even had socks on his feet.

    He'd become a man of dis-stinkshun,
    he wore toilet water with a scent.
    It was lilacs I think, & it drove me to drink,
    to see Jack becomin' a gent.

I was stunned & amazed,
a bit in a daze,
he was a pig in gentlemen's clothes.
But fragrant he oughta be,
he'd just won the lottery &
came out smellin' like a rose.

Marshal Farmer, June 1995 
Photo Ron Sprouse