Steamy New Year

You know it’s cold when the normally chilly Laramie River is warmer than the air. Last night, as the sun set, steam was rising from the river. Folks, it is SO. DANG. COLD. I’ve heard our temps are in the negatives anywhere from -1 to -38 at night. Needless to say, we are ringing in a very cold New Year. Hoping it’s a steamy one. 😉

I wish you all the best in 2015. Thanks for visiting!

Cheers and seeya next year,
Leah

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Gilded Flicker

I saw two of these beautiful woodpeckers frolicking from limb to limb among the cottonwoods. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of these before. I believe it’s a Gilded Flicker but if you think differently, let me know. They were rather large in size, especially compared to the downy woodpecker that I normally see out here.

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The Jackrabbit and a Snowbank

Our resident jackrabbit hopped right into a snowbank. Silly wabbit!
This Christmas storm is continuing on today. 3 inches of snow fell last night and it is still coming down. I guess we’re up to about 10 inches of the white stuff on the ground. I’ve got head out and feed the cows in a bit. I’m betting I’ll look just as confused and bright-eyed and covered in snow like the jackrabbit in an hour or so.
Happy winter y’all!!

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Wind in the Hills

It’s been a heck of a month. Heck of a year I guess.
We had storm move in on us Christmas Eve and Patrick worked over 14 hours on Christmas Day. For me, it was a quiet and reflective day at home alone. For him, it was a stressful day of keeping the roads safe for holiday travelers.
We have about 6 inches of the fluffy stuff blanketing our ranchette and today the wind has picked up. The hills are alive with blowing snow. I am thankful to have chores done for the day, wood in the stove and warmth in my heart. I hope the holidays are treating you well.
Shine On,
Leah

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With a Little Help From My Friends

Thank you all for your kind and thoughtful comments, poems, emails, and phone calls on the loss of Matilda. You all have been so comforting to me during this difficult time. I know I couldn’t get through this without the help from my friends and family.
I wish you all a wonderful weekend. 🙂

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Tilda Tuesday: My Baby Angel

Who knew that my greatest love would be an orange and white ball of fur with bright green eyes.

Last Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, Matilda passed away peacefully in my lap. For over 17 years, she was my best friend, muse, my playmate, and the sweetest snuggle buddy a girl could ever want.

The routine parts of the day that are the hardest. I miss the morning walks down the hall to the food bowl. Seeing her perched on the bed after my shower ready to settle in and cuddle for the night.

I miss the pitter-patter of her tootsies on the floor on her way to jump in my lap.

She was my rock for almost half my life. I’m sure going to miss that tuna breath. I loved being her mommy.

Her last day was snugly and quiet. We took a stroll through the yard to smell the grass and roll in the dirt. We Skyped with a couple of our closest friends at the very end. The vet came to our home and with great compassion, he reassured me that it was time for her to cross the rainbow bridge. I laid her to rest in the backyard and tossed in a handful of dirt. Patrick came out to finish and held me close while I cried and cried.

This might be the last Tilda Tuesday, at least for a while. As I go through my pictures of her and our time together, I’m sure I’ll post some to share with you. How can I not? But that will happen after some time has passed.
Thank you all for the love you’ve shown for my girl. I have enjoyed sharing her sweetness with you and she loved being a part of this. Hug your fur babies a little extra for me.

Rest In Peace Matilda ‘Badilda’ Marie Consuella Rodriguez Yetter.
Also known as: ‘Tilda, Tilda Mae, TillyToot, Tootles, Turtle Dove, TillyTat-TillyTat, Sweet Punkin’Pie Angel of Love, Baby Girl, my Baby Angel. ♥

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