Unhappy Hermit Encounters Inordinate Amount of Knuckleheads

Looking North at an island in the Clark's Fork

On Labor Day, my husband, his father and brother went out to build some fence. I was planning on getting a few things done here. I brought dinner out to the hills - eight miles away. I ate with them, but left soon after. Once home, I had half a hundred things that I needed to do. I thought that it would be nice to have the place to myself. Not counting all the pets that I’m entertaining.

Well, it seemed that everyone who could afford gas decided to drop by. Half of the hunters in the county came in the driveway, which excited the dogs. Then I’d have to stop whatever the heck it was I was doing. Go out, wrangle the dogs and answer questions regarding elk, deer and birds.

Next, a pickup with Wyoming plates pulled in. The driver was looking for my husband. He never introduced himself, but said that he was interested in the cat. I told him that our cat was not for sale - but my father-in-law’s might be. Then I gave him directions to Hollenbeck Draw. While this was going on, our bulk dealer pulled in with his fuel truck. The guys looking for the cat left. I visited with Dave for a while, got the bill (you don’t want to know), and directed him to the sweet corn patch.

Okay, what was I doing? Another hunter drove in. Another hunter called on the phone. Another pickup pulled in the yard. I was close to screaming. Then I noticed that it was friends from Billings. Who didn’t come empty handed. They brought peaches, pears, tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. We went into the kitchen and I put coffee on. Side tracked again, but at least it was enjoyable. No one else showed up while my company was there, but as soon as they left it started all over again. I was able to post some photos to flickr - since I don’t have to sit at the computer waiting while the dialup does its slow trick.

The duo from Wyoming drove in again. Not only did he not find the guys, he asked someone else for directions and went on a wild goose chase. I was more than disgusted by then. After giving him the same exact clear directions that I had given him the first time, I said, “You never told me who you were.” When he told me that they had been on the place looking at the cat, I had to hold my temper. I will never understand people that think it’s okay to drive around on someone’s place. Would he have let me drive around his place? I asked him if he had heard about the cat from John at Powell Equipment. He said, “No, I was talking to the guy who sold it to you.” I told him that the D4 is not for sale. He didn’t seem to care, and took off again. Eight miles down the road he found the Baron and told him that he was interested in the cat. The Baron laughed. I give up. . . With a table full of fruits and vegetables I needed to get busy. I put the cukes in a brine.

This morning I made pickles.

Dutch Lunch Chips

Then I brought dinner out to the fencing crew of two. After eating, Lucky and I walked around. I took some photos. I heard that familiar buzz and called Lucky to me. She had startled the snake. She came right to me. I was glad that I didn’t have the pup with me. I didn’t have a stick, a shovel or a rock handy. But I did have the Optio. This was a small rattler, under a flat rock. It was an extremely angry thing. We left it alone.

Cropped Snake

As we walked back down, I noticed a white pickup parked just off the road. Not far from where I encountered the rattlesnake two weeks ago. I didn’t see anyone - that’s odd. There was a trio fishing by the bridge, but they had their vehicle near them. My pickup was further down the road. We continued down when I spotted the oblivious couple. Hmmmm. . . interesting place for some afternoon delight.

9 Responses to “Unhappy Hermit Encounters Inordinate Amount of Knuckleheads”

  1. Jim - PRS Says:

    For someone who lives in the middle of nowhere, you get a helluva lot more visitors than we do. And, yours come bearing arms.

    Oh, and the only place that someone could drive around on my place would be to park in the driveway.

    Cultural diversity, big time, what?

  2. Bonita Says:

    I enjoyed this post - so much variety…and you had to drive 8 miles to deliver lunch - now that’s something I have to think about.

  3. L Says:

    this was a really cool post

    the hunters sound really annoying, though.

    and it looks like fun to make pickles! I’ve never tried it myself, but I have made my own soap

  4. Robert Says:

    Sounds like opening day of deer season back home. Clueless folks shouldn’t be allowed to carry firearms.

    Funny you should mention pickles … I made a bunch about two weeks ago. Almost ready to eat. Damn I love pickles!

  5. Sanityelludesme Says:

    Mmmmm, pickles look good.
    I guess I shouldn’t ask about huntin’ on your land then? ;)

    The last bit…hmmm, I hope it was not your land. LOL

    You do have more visitors than even lil ol’ me in the middle of town!

  6. Bitterroot Says:

    Sounds like a laborious Labor Day!

  7. Mr. H.K. Says:

    Pass the pickles… Won’t you, Doll?

    Mr. H.K.
    Postcards from Hell’s
    Kitchen

    And I Quote Blog

  8. CJ Says:

    Thanks for the comment on my site. My wife and her family are from Montana. We’ve gone up there almost each summer since we’ve been married. I love it there and hope to retire there from the military.

    cj
    www.soldiersperspective.us

  9. big mike Says:

    Have you considered advertising your CAT on the new montana.craigslist.org page ;-) ;-)

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