elk
When someone reaches a landmark birthday, like the big 7-5, I guess it’s up to them what kind of a celebration they want to have. Some people want a big celebration, while others like my brother-in-law, LJ Cook, didn’t want a lot of pomp and circumstance or even gifts. His daughter Susan Griffith says that for her dad, that makes sense, because she can imagine he has everything he’s ever wanted at this point, which is where we all hope to be someday. Susan doesn’t think her wants will ever end, but I’m sure they will.
Over the years, LJ, like most peopke his age, has accumulated many life stories to pass on to his kids. It is a 
parent’s job to teach their kids about values, life, relationships, and family history. LJ is getting very good at that. He still has many stories his girls, Machelle Moore and Susan Griffith have never heard before. Of course, after 75 years of life, some of them are pretty “colorful” and maybe not fir publication. Susan has noticed that the older version of her dad seems to have lost his “filter.”
Many people, as they get older, tell people exactly what they think. Something most of us would like to do at times, but he is to the point where if they are doing something he doesn’t like, they simply need to be told about it. He’ll tell anyone exactly what they need to know, in no uncertain terms. Of course, people aren’t always open to that one. He likely tells my sister-in-law, Debbie Cook things she wishes he wouldn’t either, but then I think most men do that, especially as they get older.
LJ and Debbie have enjoyed camping for many years and have taken many trips. They especially love the Big Horn Mountains, near their home. Debbie tells me that once when they were camped at their favorite spot, they were watching the elk all afternoon. Debbie told LJ that it looked like the elk were getting closer and closer. They were in the airstream camper, and the elk couldn’t figure out where the shininess was coming from. Of course, it was the siding on the camper The elk just kept getting closer and closer. It was such a cool thing, and even when it was dark, they could still see the elk moving around. Those are the kind of days you just treasure forever. Today is LJ’s 75th birthday. Happy 75th birthday LJ!! Here’s to many more. Have a great day!! We love you!!
I asked my brother-in-law, LJ Cook’s daughter, Susan Griffith to tell me what he has been up to lately, and she said that one thing her dad is really good at is gardening. That came as a surprise to me. I guess I just never thought he was the gardening type. Nevertheless, people do surprise you sometimes. LJ is especially proud of his tomato plants, cucumbers, zucchini, and asparagus. He has his garden set up, using technology, to water itself, which takes care on one step. Still, there is a lot more that goes into getting a great garden. The soil has to be the right mix, and that isn’t easy. And then there are the weeds. Pulling weeds is the pits, but somehow, LJ’s garden never has weeds. Susan and I don’t seem to have that knack. I guess it is a talent that only certain people have.
When LJ retired, he wanted to set up his garage into kind of a man cave. It can be a necessity when a couple 
spends all day together, no matter how long they’ve been married. LJ likes to go out to the garage and do his own thing. His wife, Debbie makes quilts and such, but his kind of crafts won’t really work in the house. He can build things, weld, and fix anything that’s broken. I suppose people would call him a jack of all trades. That also makes him very handy to have around when things break down. LJ got his wood splitter running well again this year. His son-in-law, Steve Moore, rebuilt the piston, and got all the lines squared away. Now, it runs great and LJ, Steve, and my brother-in-law, Ron Schulenberg, with his son Tucker, have been splitting wood for the coming winter.
LJ and Debbie love to spend much of the summer months in the Big Horn Mountains. It’s cooler there, and because he grew up in the area, LJ knows the Big Horns like the back of his hand. His own family did a lot of camping up there during his childhood. These days the next generations of Cooks are camping in the Big Horn Mountains. One of the family favorite camping spots has a herd of elk that graze the hillside every day. The elk are far enough away, that they can’t see the campers, but with binoculars the campers can see them very well. Mornings and evenings are the elk can be heard bugling…a sound that everyone loves to listen to. Their 
daughter, Machelle Moore, and her family go camping with them often, but Susan and her family can’t always go. This year they did get to go and everyone, including my brother-in-law, Ron and his family were excited to see a moose walk right through their camp. Moose don’t usually like the interruption of their stroll, so everyone kept their distance, and kept the dogs away too. It was something new and different in camping. Today is LJ’s birthday. Happy birthday LJ!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
When you are a part of an outdoorsy family, things like hiking, horseback riding, camping, and hunting are second nature. The funny thing is that growing up, my niece, Susan Griffith really didn’t seem that type to me. In fact, Susan grew up being a city girl, not a country girl. All that changed when she and her husband, Josh moved to the country, outside of Powell, Wyoming. Since then, Susan has thrived on every aspect of the country life. Together they ride horses, go camping as much as they possibly can, go fishing, and hiking. Susan has told me that if they could, she and Josh would live in the mountains, but of course, that wouldn’t really work well for their girls, because kids need to be in school, with their friends, and their activities. So, I guess that living in the mountains will have to come after their girls are grown up and living on their own.
Susan and Josh are great parents. They are raising their girls to be strong, capable young ladies. Of course, they encourage the girly things, but they have also shown them the other side of things. They go hunting, and have taught their older daughter, Jala to hunt too. Kaytlyn’s turn will come when she gets a bit older. Going hunting has helped to fill their freezer with meat, and saves money on the food budget. So far this year, both Josh and Jala have shot their elk, but Susan has yet to get hers. With that in mind, this weekend is going to be a birthday hunting weekend, and I hope Susan has a successful hunt.
Susan has felt like she is living a dream life ever since she and Josh met. She and Josh are so happy with the life they have built together. Josh has helped Susan expand her horizons so much. Some of the things she was 
skeptical about, like 4 wheelers, are no longer an issue for her. She is confident and capable, and she loves horseback riding, which they started to help her get over her fear of 4 wheeling. I guess it was just something about being out there with no car around you for protection, which makes sense to me, since I’m not a motorcycle/4 wheeler fan myself. Susan has, in many ways, become a completely different person since she met Josh. She is feeling blessed, and loving every minute of it. Today is Susan’s birthday. Happy birthday Susan! Have a great day and a great hunt!! We love you!!
