esrosedotblog

PARTY BOY FOUR

We had a 'last minute' invitation to visit and old friend and his lover today and we took them up on it.

We have been out of touch for a while and this was a great opportunity to see his new place and inspect the partner of three years.

That long out of touch.

The place is a horse ranch in the high desert and the event was a holiday party from noon until sundown.

We had a great time. All three of us! Franklin came too.

There were ten horses, about six dogs (other guests and the neighbors'), and about twenty people.

We had a great time. I think that I already said that.

We were analyzing it on the way home. What makes this one good and some of the others not good.

Well, start at the top with the fact that we want old friends to be happy and so we behave better than usual. That is my part.

The other part is the setting. It is lovely. Settled on a hill (only hundreds of yards from the bad fire that they had there) you can see out over the valley. Typical California desert hills. Meaning that they are just gorgeous in the afternoon sun.

Then the crowd which, we decided, were real people. All kinds.

I used to work with a man who used the term 'regular guy' as in 'he's a regular guy'. Meaning, I think, no airs or pretensions. Just there. Available.

That is what these people were.

We knew no one and were completely engaged and comfortable.

Of course, they are friends of my friend, so uhhh, well, they are only one step away from being my friends.

The guys have a great house which they restored from being a dilapidated shack unlived in for four years which is a desert eternity. Things go bad fast.

Now, the ground is all cleared on the lower level for paddocks and exercise yards. The house overlooks this scene with a wide veranda. Beautiful.

Franklin had a great time too.

He has seen horses but never close up. He was OK with it. He spent a long time watching one in the nearest holding pen. He barked once.

And there were chickens!! Some running loose. You know that a chicken can take a dog down if it wants to. There was no trouble. Franklin was just curious and wary.

The best thing for him were the people. This was a good rehearsal for our party coming in January. He was a social success. I would see people petting him and appreciating him the way that we do.

I found some really interesting people to talk to. The kind of people who it is OK to be silent with.

And we stayed four hours! Unknown. Never. What a surprise.

Chalk this one up to as a social success for me as well as Franklin.

One more to go New Year's Eve.