Tuesday, December 30, 2008

*****Otter Potter & Augie*****



Otter is very concerned about Augie's recovery.He is Gladys'
dog in law and lives with Jane and Augie in Colorado when he
is not on Otter Creek.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Junior and Jane Compare Notes


Its been awhile since Junior and Jane have
caught up with each other.

*****Augie Recovering From Surgery*****


Jane and Augie Lopez drove up from Colorado on Saturday.
Augie had foot surgery and is recuperating nicely in Gladys'
living room. Its been less than a week since Augie had his foot
operated on.

Jane says, "His foot looks like someone took a chainsaw to it.
The doctor said that it is healing up well."

Three Generations at Gladys' Table



From left to right:

Sandy Thomas,
daughter: Cory
mother: Penny Capra, Gladys' niece

Sandy and her husband Thane live on the place on Otter Creek.
They are next door to her folks, Penny and Junior Capra.

Cory lives in Billings and works as a Dialysis Nurse.

^^^^^^OPEN HOUSE AT GLADYS'^^^^^



It was a splendid time at Gladys' on Sunday.

Family and friends gathered from near and far. The
table was groaning with the feast that Dick had prepared.
Jane and Augie brought grapes, watermelon and fruit.
Eric and Bobbie Myers brought Eric's mother Fran.
Fran Myers brought a plate of cookies and an array
of homemade jams and jellies. Peggy and Ted brought a tray
of home made candy.

Brad had 3 bowls of the seafood bisque.

Cory Thomas was staying with her folks, Thane and Sandy.

Sam Lei stayed home due to a sore throat.
Jim Lei was feeling poorly so he and Jeanette
sent their regards.

Gladys had a wonderful time.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

***SUNDAY ***OPEN HOUSE ***AT GLADYS' ***


There will be an Open House at Gladys'
tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 pm. Its a chance
for family to see each other. Ted and Penny,
Junior and Penny will be coming. Brad will be
returning to Colorado on Tuesday. Sam Lei
will be coming, so will Sandy and Thane.

Jane and Augie are driving up from Colorado
today and expect to arrive about 6:00 pm.
They will pick up Dick and Gladys and head
down to Ted and Peggy's for soup.

Gladys is excited to see Jane and Auggie.
She's been looking for them since before
Christmas.

Dick has been busy making smoked oyster roll,
he has plans for seafood bisque, and there
are a host of other goodies planned.

Friday, December 26, 2008

THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN

Junior, his son Brad, Ted and his son Clark and
Jordon arrived on Gladys' doorstep today. The driveway
was full of pick ups.

Clark and his son Jordon were searching for the
bobcat that has been spotted around the place.

Gladys sure enjoys having her kitchen full of strapping
fellows. Brad is up from Colorado for the holidays
and made sure that he caught up with all of Gladys' news.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Christmas Day at Gladys' with Family





Grandma,

It was great to be here Christmas day, like we used to be. You probably don't realize how many great memories that were made when we were all together as a family. I can't believe we always just missed Santa Clause as he was going out the back door as we came in the front, after coming back from looking for him.

Libby and Jordan were looking for Santa on the way up this morning..but it was daylight so we could not see him.

We love you!

Clark, Pam, Libby and Jordan

Christmas Day at Gladys' with Family


Peggy made Cinnamon Rolls and the family gathered:

CHRISTMAS DAY 2008 WITH GLADYS & DICK

Gladys is all dressed and waiting for her family to arrive.
Dick has prepared 3 pots of his wonderful coffee. Folks
around here say he makes the best coffee on Otter Creek.
The house is aglow with lights and the Christmas Spirit.

Its a sunny day, the temperature is 1 degree F.

"We're having lots of company. Sandy and Thane are coming up.
Penny and Junior are sure to arrive. I think Eric and Bobbie
have gone to Billings to see that daughter of hers. I think
Erics Mom is still out here. We want to see her. Sometime
I want to find Paul Reveres Ride by Longfellow.

Listen my children and you shall...

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Christmas



*****Christmas Eve At Fletcher Ranch*****

There are three inches of snow on the ground at the homeplace.
There are several plump male pheasants hanging close to gobble up the
corn as soon as Dick throws it out on the driveway. The bunnies
are looking fat and sassy. The bobcat stills lurks.

Gladys and Dick are readying for the gathering at Ted's this afternoon.
Dick has made his Texas Caviar. They are happy and content. Glad to hear
from all their friends and family at this time of year. There
is nothing really that they need, nor want except for news of friends.
They are glad to know that family and friends
are safe and sound.

This morning a box of Belgian Chocolate Delicate Squares arrived
from new friends in Washington. What a thoughtful gesture. It
just made the day that much more special. Gladys really perked up when
she heard from the Postal Carrier that a package that looked like
candy was due to arrive at the mail box at 11:00am.

Dick and Gladys recieved a Christmas Card from Lorna and Spencer Antoniak
in Colorado. Lorna is Kay Martini's daughter. Kay was like a special daughter
to Gladys and one of Dick's best friends. Kay is missed but somehow hearing from
Lorna makes the day much brighter.

"Lorna is so much like her mother", says Dick.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

5 GENERATIONS


Pictured from left to right,
bottom row: Missy Carroll - great great grandaughter
Gladys Fletcher (Birthday Queen)
Ted Fletcher - Gladys' oldest son
second row: Wayne Fletcher - Ted's oldest son
Derek Caroll - Mandy's son & Wayne's grandson
top row: Mandy Fletcher Carroll: Wayne's daughter,
Ted's granddaughter and Gladys' great grandaughter.
This photo was taken at Gladys' 100th Birthday Party
in Ashland, on Saturday, October 18th by June Persons.

Gladys' Great Great Grandchildren


This Christmas card arrived today.
Derek and Missy are Gladys' great great grandchildren.
They live in Utah with their parents, Mandy and Mark Carroll.

Ethan and Gladys Play Cards


Ethan VanLaarhoven plays cards with Gladys.
Ethan is an exceptional student and athelete.
He lives in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
He is the son of Paul VanLaarhoven.
Paul is one of the hunters who has been coming
and spending a great deal of time with
the Fletchers every year.

ITS BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE CHRISTMAS

"Oh Goody," Gladys exclaims as she walks into the living
room this morning.
Dick has been busy putting up Christmas lights, decorating the
mantle with the Christmas village and swags of white reflect the
lights. The Cross is lit up above the antique mantle clock.

"Its just beautiful, oh look at the candles on the hearth,
they are lit up so pretty. I remember when I found them at
a garage sale." Gladys walks thru the living room looking
carefully at each display that Dick has worked so hard to
put up.

There is a Christmas tree lit up on the living room window,
and another on the coffee table.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Miss Jozzy Rose Comes Bearing Cookies



Day before yesterday Miss Jozzy Rose visited. She had been
busy in the kitchen frosting Christmas cookies with her
mother, Ann Di Simone. Miss Jozzy was hoping to trade cookies
for candy.

Jozzy is pictured at Gladys' 100th Birthday Party sitting on Ann's
lap next to Gladys and her father, Nate looks on.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Washington Hunters Find New Friends and Success in Otter



These two friends from Washington stopped in and got acquainted. They were both a little surprised to find that the place that they'd stopped was at the home of a 100
year old. They were given the pamplet on Gladys' life history which they took home to
share with their families. One of their daughters took the pamphlet to school to share with her class. The daughter follows the blog. We are staying in contact and look forward to getting to meet their families.

New Friends - Joe, Josh & Wayne



Here are pictures of the twins (Joe and Josh) and their
grandfather. As you can see they are avid hunters. We
very much enjoyed their stay at the ranch.

NEW AND OLD FRIENDS IN 2008 -


These three young men came from Washington and Idaho to help celebrate Gladys'
100th Birthday. They brought along two beautiful bouquets, which were a hit.
Most important, was their arrival and thoughtfulness. They have been coming and
staying at the ranch for 9 years.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Busy Day At 5 Below Zero

Its warmed up at Gladys'.
This morning it was 22 below,
yesterday morning it was 32 below zero.
Her cold water pipes have been frozen for the last two days.

Dick went down to the Amish Settlement in Forsyth
to pick up Eddie Bornetregger.
Eddie and his wife, Suzie, are good friends of Dick and Gladys.
It took Dick and Eddie less than half an hour to cut a hole
in the floor. They had to saw thru three layers of flooring.
The water pipes lay on the ground. Dick put a ceramic
heater in the hole and in short order the pipes were thawed
and the cold water was back to flowing.

Gladys had a hair appointment today in Ashland at
DJ's. She had her hair washed, permed and set.
Nothing will stop Gladys when it comes to going to the hair dresser.

Now Gladys is ready for the holidays. Dick can start putting up
Christmas decorations.

Dick has been assigned the task of writing up the history of
St. Labre's fror the next edition of the Echoing Foot Steps,
a book on the early history of Powder River County. When St Labre
was founded one hundred and twenty four years ago, there were not
any schools in Broadus. Families boarded their children during
the school year at St Labre.

We stopped by the Administration Office at St Labre to visit
with the Director, Curtis Yarlott and Sue Shipman, Executive
Secretary. Mr Yarlott gave Dick two reference publications:
"A Portrait of St Labre Indian Mission thru One Hundred Years
1884 - 1984" and "The Sacred Circle - The Chapel at St Labre
Indian School". Dick has good material to begin his research with.

Gladys was ready to head home and watched the sunset as Dick
headed down Otter Creek. It was 1 degree outside when she up
the front step to the door.

Friday, December 12, 2008

2008 Holiday Greetings From Eastern Montana



Dear Family and Friends,

If there is any truth in the saying "wealth is not measured by your
monetary value, but by your family and friends," then we are certainly wealthy.
2008 has been filled with both, and we are very fortunate. Not only did we have our groups who come every year but also made the acquaintance of twins, their grandfather and two young men from Washington. Our list of great people contacts just keep growing and we enjoy it.

We did have some horrific storms during July, which left a need to redo the roof on buildings from the 75 mile an hour winds, hail and lightning. Trees were blown over and just a real mess. Had not seen a storm like that for several years.

October, what-a-month, it was the 100th birthday party in Ashland. What a group of people that came, close to 225-250 to join in the festivity. We had guests from
Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Washington, Wyoming, Wisconsin, South Dakota, and of course Montana. We appreciate each and every one of you that made the journey to share the day with us and those who were not able to attend, but sent cards and gifts makes all of you have a special place in our hearts and lives, thank you.

We wish that each and everyone of you have a "Blessed Holiday Season" with all of your families. Please keep in touch, and stay safe. Keep warm and know that we are
thinking of you all, and all wish the best in 2009.

Gladys and Dick

Monday, December 8, 2008

Ted Returns from the NFR - National Finals Rodeo

Ted Fletcher is sitting at Gladys' kitchen table playing
cards and filling us in on the news from Vegas. He left
Wednesday with his wife Peggy and grandson, Jordon to head
to Las Vegas for the NFR. It was Jordon's first time going
to The Rodeo of Rodeos.

Ted and Peggy stayed at The South Pointe Hotel. It is a brand new
hotel, luxurious. They were in a suite, way high up with a gorgeous
view. There were flat screen tvs in every room, even in the bathroom.
"The shower was glass on all sides. It was a big son of a ...
You could even watch TV from the shower."

Gladys' Grandson, Clark Fletcher, is the Sales Manager for Montana Silversmiths.
He goes every year with his staff. Montana Silversmiths are one of the
major sponsors. Every night after the Rodeo Ted said theres an awards
ceremony at the hotel to award the winners of the evenings events. Montana
Silversmiths supplies the belt buckles that are given to the cowboys
and cowgirls.

Ted loved going to the NFR. He loves rodeo, especially bull and bronc riding.
He did a little bit of team roping when he was younger but he never
rodeo'd. "Got bucked off a few times but it was not intentional,"said Ted.

Peggy won $400 and Ted came back even. They enjoyed the gambling, the sights
and went to New York, New York for lunch with Jordon and Clark.
"Coffee was $3-$4 bucks a cup, ice tea was $4 bucks a glass, darn expensive
if you ask me. I just had a burger and fries. Lunch for 4 was $90 bucks,"
Ted reports. Clark and Jordon rode the roller coaster.

Well, Ted won at cards. Gladys is headed in for her bath. Its a grey day
at the homeplace.