The Journal of Madie Beartri

Journal 45

Marty, Gretchen, and Cecelia delivered a set of books on parenting to my room as soon as they heard I was going to be taking care of Casey’s baby. It was a sweet gesture, and I am thankful for their thoughtfulness. Although I am not sure if the library intended for the books to help me with my endeavor of caring for Aleece or if they actually thought I was lacking in my parenting skills. Oh well, it turns out the books have a lot of useful information. When the day started, I was sure that Lisa and I were up to the tasks, taking care of a baby as small as Aleece didn’t really take a lot of effort. Currently, she eats, sleeps and poops.

Our first day actually went really well. Lisa and I prepared a schedule of the tasks that each of us would be responsible for. Aleece seemed to be accepting the schedule well. We diapered, feed, and rocked her to sleep. It was so easy until about 2 o’clock in the morning. We changed her, fed her, and rocked her in the rocker.  She cried and cried and cried some more. Therefore, we changed her diaper and tried to feed her another bottle. The crying escalated until we had just about everyone awake that was sleeping in the admin hallway. People can get so cranky. I tried to rock her, and then I walked around the room a good hundred times. Then Lisa tried. We were almost in tears because we were sure we had broken this little baby.  Tony entered my room and asked if he could help. I almost laughed. What could he do that we haven’t already tried?  Out of frustration and a deep sense of defeat, I handed over the crying baby. Tony made a quick check to make sure she was not wet and wasn’t hungry.  Lisa and I both rolled our eyes. There was no way a man was going to be able to do what we couldn’t. Tony sat in the rocker; he unbuttoned his shirt and placed the baby’s tummy against his chest. He rocked Aleece in the rocker and sang a little song in some language I have never heard before. In a moment, she was asleep. Lisa and I looked at Tony in amazement. Where did he get these parenting skills? I don’t know but I am thankful and so is Lisa. Both of us fell onto our beds and went to sleep. I don’t know when Tony left or when he laid the baby in her cradle, but she woke Lisa and me up at around 8 o’clock this morning. She was happy again. My respect for Tony has increased to a new level.

Journal 44

I woke up this morning looking forward to my date with Joshua. I was walking toward the showers when I heard Casey crying. She was sitting in her chair holding Aleece. For a moment, I thought something was terribly wrong with the baby. Lisa was already in the room trying to comfort Casey and asking her what was wrong. I went in and asked if there was something I could do. Lisa looked a little confused herself. She shrugged her shoulders and said that Casey had been crying most of the morning. Poor Casey, I think today she was just a little overwhelmed with motherhood and raising a baby alone.  Little Aleece was fine. I think that sometimes life seems too much. Yesterday and the day before Casey appeared fine. She was happy and enjoying life. I offered to watch Aleece for a couple of days so that Casey could get away and find herself. Lisa thought it was a good idea. She said she could help with the baby too. At first, Casey didn’t want to go but we insisted. It’s somewhat funny because I was complaining about having to take care of a puppy. The puppy cries endlessly if not allowed to sleep on my bed.

I am sure a baby is a little more complex and will require a lot more responsibility and attentiveness. I have decided to name the puppy “Lost”. (It is not a dumb name for a dog) It perfectly describes her. Anyway, we helped Casey pack her things and sent her on her way. Aleece is sleeping and Lost is sleeping. Lisa has moved into my room to help during the night. Surely, the two of us can take care of a baby for a few days.

I almost forgot. I cancelled my date with Joshua. Oh well, perhaps we will go out another time.

Journal 43

Sometimes we have to make hard decisions. I overheard Matt and Hemy arguing about their living arrangements. I wasn’t trying to ease the drop, but their discussion wasn’t a quiet one.  Matt wants Hemy to move into Bear Country and Hemy wants Matt to move into Central. Hemy doesn’t want to give up her position as gang leader. I don’t blame her. I wouldn’t want to give up being a gang leader either.  I am hoping they can come to some sort of neutral ground. They are the cutest couple, and they seem so happy. At least they seemed happy before their loud discussion earlier.

I am going out on a date with Joshua. He promises this date won’t involve square dancing or roping cattle. I don’t have anything against those things, but they are not in my top ten favorite things to do.

Speaking about roping cattle, apparently Pete and Jonas are getting very good at it.  Joshua said they are a quick study. They both have stopped falling off their horses. Both boys have cut their bruise count in half.

Journal 42

I was sitting in my chair, feet propped up on the windowsill, looking out my window watching the day go by when I saw something frightening. Gretchen, Marty, and Cecelia were in the yard dressed in western clothing. They never leave the library. Ok, sometimes they leave but the library is their world. They read and do research. They’re smart and analytical.  It’s just weird. I know that trends come and go. I have noticed an increase in western clothes on Lafayette Blvd. The Spurs have become a big influence on the gangs that live in and around Bear Country. The Spurs are unique and different. I didn’t expect their influence to invade the sensibilities of the Library Trio.

Curiosity was killing me. I had to know what was going on in their minds. Perhaps a virus from the herd of cattle infected their brains. My friends obviously weren’t thinking properly. I grabbed the puppy sleeping on my rug. (Technically, it’s not my puppy; I just haven’t found it a new home yet.) Anyway, I followed the Library Trio to the edge of town, to the Spurs campsite. I almost had a heart attack. Music was playing, and people were dancing. People were Square Dancing. This just isn’t normal. People in Bear Country don’t square dance. They listen to heavy metal, rock, and rap music.

I walked around, mostly in a daze. Gretchen, Marty, and Cecilia joined a group of dancers. It wasn’t long before several other members of my gang began to dance.  The virus was obviously spreading, and it was taking over my gang.

That’s when it happened. Joshua tapped me on the shoulder and asked me to dance. I stared at him for a moment. I tried to tell him that I don’t square dance, but he wouldn’t let me say no.  Before I knew what was happening, we were Square Dancing.

Joshua invited me back tomorrow.

Journal 41

It’s been a lazy day. Bear Country is quiet. It is probably because people are still hanging out at the Spurs campsite. I was going to go myself but decided to catch up on some missing sleep. I found an abandoned puppy today when I took out the garbage. She is so scrawny. I didn’t see her mom anywhere. I am thinking that she has probably been gone a while because the puppy is nothing but skin and bones. At first, I was just going to leave her there next to the garbage. I really wasn’t in the mood to take on another responsibility. She tried to follow me as I walked away. She has the most pitiful eyes. I tried to shoo her away, but she wasn’t listening. She just kept following me. I went back into the school and that scrawny little puppy started to cry.

There is almost nothing worse than a crying puppy. I opened the back door and in she walked. In my stern voice, I said, “You can’t stay here.”  She wagged that little pitiful tail and looked at me with those pitiful eyes. It was sad. I picked her up into my arms. She smelled awful. It was bad. I couldn’t send her out in public to find a new home smelling that way, so I gave her a bath and a meal.  It would have been rude of me to send her on her way without a full stomach. She looked as if she had eaten in a while. After her tummy was full, she fell asleep on the rug next to my bed. As soon as she is awake, I am going to find her a good home.

Journal 40

Joshua and his gang were wonderful hosts. The dinner was excellent. I am so glad I am not a vegetarian because that steak I ate was heaven. I don’t even feel guilty about the cow that once was. Maybe a little guilty but not enough to want to save the next cow that might end up on my plate. The evening outdoors was also excellent. It was a perfect evening. The stars seemed so bright. Brighter than usual and the weather was gorgeous. People surrounded the campfires in groups of around twenty.

The Spurs have some very interesting stories to tell. Some of them were very funny. I like these people; they are polite, and they make me laugh. They do talk a little funny, but you get used to it. I am really hoping they stay around a while and it’s not because I find Joshua cute and that he doesn’t have a girlfriend. (For a brief moment, I thought he had a girlfriend, but it turned out to be his sister.) I actually don’t think I have a chance. I can always hope.

I want the Spurs to hang around because they add something different to this community and they have a large supply of beef. I am not sure how long they plan to stay or if they might decide to homestead here. Homestead is a funny word. The Spurs say many funny words. I find the way they talk appealing. I am not sure why. The night lasted into the early morning hours. Most people fell asleep where they were sitting. A few of them couldn’t have walked home if they wanted to.  The Spurs have a large supply of alcohol on hand. Joshua said it was for special occasions and last night was a special occasion.

 

 

Journal 39

Everyone seems to be fascinated with our new guests. Sheriff Pete, Casey, and Tony have been spending a lot of time out at the Spurs campsite. Apparently, they are learning to rope and ride. They look like they have been eating a lot of dirt. With the exception of having several new bruises they all claim to be having a good time.  Joshua stopped by to see me earlier. He wanted to thank me for my kindness, and he invited me to dinner. I will not be the only one attending. The Spurs invited several people. Joshua said we would eat well. I am thinking “steak”. I don’t remember the last time I sat down and had meat that wasn’t a fish, squirrel or rabbit.

Journal 38

Casey, Lisa, Tony, Jonas, and I walked out to the Spurs campsite to see Joshua to ask if they needed anything. Actually, curiosity was killing us.  We heard they actually had a herd of cattle. They do have a herd and it’s a very large herd.  We weren’t the only gang to come for a visit. Apparently, people have been dropping by all day.  It was an interesting visit. As soon as we reached camp, we entered the 1800’s all over again. There were cowboys and cowgirls everywhere. I don’t think I have ever seen so many guns and rifles in one place before. It was actually a little scary.  Joshua seems to be a very strong leader, and I could tell that the people in his gang respect his authority.  He was conducting business even as we talked. He invited us to look around but cautioned us to stay away from the herd.

Journal 37

Joshua and his friends were in Bear Country looking for supplies. They were just passing through. Most of the people in his gang were setting up camp on the edge of town. It’s somewhat weird. You don’t see very many people dressed in western clothes and wearing guns. They were real guns. I asked if they had had much trouble along their way. Joshua smiled and simply said “Not Much”. He changed the subject when I asked if everyone in his gang carried guns.

Journal 36

People come and go in Bear Country all the time, so I wasn’t surprised when I saw someone new.  Not surprised but interested. I found that new pair of shoes today and while I was shopping, I ran across a couple of wagons and a team of horses hooked up to each of them. The old west had come to Bear Country. Who would have thought in this day and time that cowboys still roamed the plains or at least Lafayette Blvd? People dress how they feel around here. How you dress is part of your identity, but it is a little odd and strange to see cowboy hats and boots. Curiosity was killing me, so I introduced myself. His name was Joshua. He was tall and he wore a black hat.