Ready to Pop!
Exciting things are happening in our little corner of this big blue ball we all occupy. It’s been a tough go this year but I can finally see a little light at the end of this dark tunnel. And one to certainly not overlook is the fact that sunflowers are popping up earlier than usual. I bet throwing sunflower seed to the chickens may have encouraged this crop along but still, I’m seeing them growing wildly along the gravel roads too.
Happy Saturday my friends!
Wind River
I photographed a cancer awareness event on Wind River Indian Reservation last week. This event featured GE’s Mammovan, a mobile mammography unit that offers breast cancer screenings.
Cancer information classes were held and encouraging advice was given to the attendees. They also set up time for cancer survivors to tell us about their fight. It was tough hearing stories of great pain and struggle. These men and women were so brave to get up and tell them.
We were however, able to share laughs to lighten the mood at times. These ladies were a hoot!
In the evenings, we watched in awe and were even asked to join in the Native American healing and spiritual dances.
I was honored to document this event. It was eye-opening and at times, heartbreaking.
You can read an article of the event and about cancer risk statistics among Native Americans HERE.
Bugs and Rattles
Summer is upon us. The bugs are out.
And so are the buzztails.
I shot and killed my first rattlesnake yesterday at the chicken food bowls. This was a first for me. Patrick usually kills them but I was by myself this time. I am very thankful for my neighbor who came over to chop off his head and pinch the rattle off for me as a souvenir. Never ever thought I would say this but now that I’ve gone from city girl to country girl, I will forever carry a gun when I go out to do chores. Gotta keep the chickens, ducks, goats, and myself safe out here in the wild west!
But with the ugly comes the beauty that is Wyoming.
I’m so glad the critters and I are are safe and sound and can go back to enjoying the wild flowers and green grass. That is until the next slithering reptile comes and interrupts a perfectly fine morning.
Be safe and well my friends!
Fluffy Clouds and a Yellow Finch
TGIF.
Have a great weekend my friends! Go out and make great memories. xoxo
a Trail of Indian Paintbrush
After the branding, the drive through the hills was a lovely one. The sun was out and the wind had settled down.
Indian Paintbrush, the Wyoming state flower, lined our path.
We saw so many patches of the wild state flower among the mustard weed, wild iris, and sagebrush. It was a lovely sight and a pleasant aroma.
Back in the Saddle
We were delighted to have time in our hectic schedule to make it to a branding this year. We got the invite and jumped in the Ranger for the half hour trek through the hills to the neighbors corrals.
It started out overcast, cold and windy. The cowboys set out across the pasture with me in tow. In an atv of course. I have quickly learned that if I want to shoot, it’s best I don’t mount a horse and try to do both at the same time. I’m not the best multi-tasker.
It’s a good thing I had the atv because I had to pick up a little sickly calf along the way. He just couldn’t make the trail. We treated him and he’ll be fine in no time. Just a touch of an upset tummy.
A few little ones got out of the sorting pen so a couple guys had to rope them back in.
The clouds parted by mid-morning and it warmed up nicely.
While the babies mothered up after getting their hides burned, we all enjoyed a nice meal with old friends and made new friends. Brandings are not just about the calves, but about neighbors, friendship, and laughter after a busy calving season. It also means now they all go out to new pasture for the summer and graze until their hearts (and bellies) are content. Ahh… the circle of life.
Uprooted Magnolia 
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