Robin,
   I read an article about Standing Rock and other Rez up in the Dakotas. 
They are saying that there are dead cattle that are coving the area, and the 
Pres has declared the area a disaster area.  Many of the NA's have moved in 
with friends and family that are living on the Rez due to lack of 
availability to propane, broken water pipes etc.  It wasn't a very pretty 
picture from what the article said.  I do hate to inform you of this 
considering that you haven't head from your friend for so long. They were 
also mentioning that the bison that were for the movie "Running with Wolves" 
had contracted some disease, and had been quarinteened to a given area.  Due 
to the tremendous amounts of snowfall many of the head had been able to walk 
over the drifts and out of the area, which will cause other cattle and bison 
in the area, to contact the disease.  They were saying that due to the 
elements, it was impossable to try and round tham up, and they only hoped for 
the best.  This winter has been so very had for so many.  I feel badly for 
thsoe who are not fortunate enough to have a warm place to live or the money 
to be able to cover the heat.
   Mike's Mom got her surgery postponed until Fri, and as of yet, I haven't 
heard from her, or Mike about the outcome.  No days they get them up on their 
feet shortly after surgery, and release them form the hospital within days. 
Actually it was nice that she had the time to look up old freinds and enjoy 
some time with them before having the surgery.  I called her Wed night, but 
she and her friend were probably out since it was the last night she could 
enjoy before the surgery.
   You take care, and thanks for the good wishes on the new job....so far so 
good .
                                        Patti
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