In this warm, dry winter we are grateful and encouraged any time we get any rain, because some of it might make its way east to the Colorado mountains where snow is so sorely needed to provide next summer's water supply for farmers. Even clear over here in Las Vegas, the Colorado River supplies our drinking water.

I am going back to my home in Colorado earlier than ever this year, and cling to the superstitious belief that by being there and wishing really hard, snowy weather will come.

The casinos give away little gifts all the time - cheap cooking pans, lap robes, picture frames, dishes. Sometimes they have something we can really use, like door mats, and today Mr. Troutbend brought home a microwave popcorn popper and good-sized jar of popcorn. Because of last year's drought, the price of popcorn just about doubled, so this is no small thing. Sometimes it's hard to find the kernels in a package in the supermarkets these days because most people buy the kind with the butter and seasoning in the bag, but I like to apply my own flavorings.

We went through a lot of popcorn last summer feeding our goose friend, Quackers. As I watched my supply dwindle, it was as if I was counting off the days before Quackers had to leave us. Our local supermarket had run out of popcorn (due to high demand ahead of the price increase). Then, some cabin renters showed up with part of a large container of popcorn, and I made her give it to me. Now we are friends for life because she has a balance in the Friendship Bank.



The Friendship Bank is a form of Pay it Forward. Any time you say or think "I owe you one," that's the friendship bank, and it's not always about money.

The ground squirrels also enjoyed eating Quackers' lunch.