To all those grand parents who get to spend regular time with their grandchildren, I envy you. I have two grandchildren who live about 40 minutes from my ranch and I see them every month or so when their dad brings them out. My daughter-in-law hasn't been to my house in over a year nor have I been invited to theirs.
I get notified when there is a theatrical production or a recital and we go and see them perform. When they aren't tied up over the weekend with birthday parties, rehearsals, camping trips or visits with their grandmother and grandfather in Minneapolis, my son will bring them out for a few hours with me.
My son says that the reason the kids can't spend more time with me is because I can't take care of myself let alone care for them. I know he's right, but it hurts. My daughter-in-law has not lifted one finger to help, but that isn't anything new.
The Buffalo Roundup was this morning, and all the guests checked out before breakfast! By two o'clock this afternoon, the city will return to the natives and tourists will be gone for another year. Things will slow down, and we will again have a social life with friends -- we have all been so busy with our own businesses this summer that we have had little time to visit. It'll be fun to get caught up.
This afternoon Tim and I are going for a ride through the hills. We'll make the circle through Wyoming and the edge of the Black Hills town through Spearfish Canyon into Rapid City and back to Custer. It's a pretty derived this time a year and a day is perfect for it. I'll check in later. Have a fun day.