Water Truck
I’ve been backing up and organizing image files and I found this one that I don’t think I’ve ever shared. This was back in 2012 during a hot and very dry summer. It was actually the summer of the Arapahoe Fire. We were still living on the ranch in the hills and we had our own water truck for fighting wildfires. We decided to crank the old girl up and drive her around while we checked on cattle, just to keep her running. We thankfully never had to use it to put out fire but we did fill up a small reservoir or two for the cows to drink from.
Always seek out the seed of triumph in every adversity. -Og Mandino
Nepal.
Baltimore.
May you both heal and find peace. I just don’t know what else to say.
Cowboy Up!
We’re getting saddled up for branding season.
Patrick caught Gray and led him out of the meadow and up to the barn and corral.
Unfortunately the young Bay horse isn’t invited. He’s not even half-broke so he gets to stay in the meadow. His time will come but for now, Patrick can only focus on one horse. He ran and bucked up and down the fence line the rest of the evening. He’s fine now, but the first couple of hours he was full of anxiety.
In the evenings, Patrick saddles Gray up and encourages patience and obedience while running circles. He took a spin around the meadow with him the other day and he did surprisingly well for not being ridden all winter.
Tighten the cinch and git yer spurs on…here we go!
Owl Watching 2015: Three of a Kind
I started off the work week with owls so I thought I would end it with this…Momma owl and her THREE owlets! I finally got them all in one shot! I hope I’m not driving you crazy with these but I just had to share. Hope it makes you smile. 🙂
Have a great weekend!
a Splash with Nature
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. -John Muir
I enjoy my daily walks through the meadows and by the river. It’s a celebration of Earth and it’s a good way to clear the mind and focus on being grateful.
Yesterday I observed puddle after puddle that collected during the rainfall last week and weekend. This will help our grass to grow and the rivers to flow. I did NOT resist the temptation of splashing around in this ankle high puddle like I used to do in my younger days. I’ve often said that rain puddles are like magnets to kids (and kids at heart). 🙂
Happy Earth Day, my friends. xoxo
Owl Watching 2015: Update
I’ve counted three owlets lately. It’s hard to tell in the photos but I’ve seen them with my own eyes and binoculars. I thought one was a goner but it turns out it was just asleep.
Momma is pretty protective and sits on them a lot.
They are getting bolder. This one stood out on the edge for a while.
I know you only see two here but I know I’ve counted three. I don’t know how far back that cave goes but momma has found a very safe place to raise her young. I love those bright eyes!
A Pop of Spring Green
I love how the deer gracefully tiptoe into my path some days.
Notice the buds and green grass. The rain is helping us make progress towards springtime beauty. Ahhhh. 🙂
Snowdrops
The morning haze rolled off the mountains and down onto us yesterday. It rained, snowed, drizzled, rained, sleeted, and snowed all day long. At one point it felt like the wind was blowing from all directions because the rain came down in a cross-cross pattern. The snow didn’t stick and on this damp and chilly morning, we are so grateful for this springtime moisture.
PS: Only two more cows left to calve. Yay!
River Crossing
Do not go where the path may lead,
go instead where there is no path
and leave a trail.
–Ralph Waldo Emerson
Traffic Jam
Say what you will about my choice to leave city life for the country. Even though I miss bits of living in a big city, I’ll take this traffic jam over road rage and exhaust fumes any day.
I love my early morning commute.
Happy Monday everyone!
Another Proud Momma
We had a little snow blow through here yesterday. Along with checking cattle several times a day, I’ve also been checking the nest in the bluffs where my folks and I witnessed a horned owl and her owlet for the first time last year. Lo and behold, she’s back. I count two baby owls in this shot but there could be as many as 6 in a clutch. There was only the one last year. Needless to say, I’m pretty excited to see them. Let Owl Watching 2015 commence! 🙂
Have a Good Friday everyone. Be well.
Since We Last Spoke…
…I only have five more to go. Calving has been a bit challenging but overall we are well. Busy, but well. Happy and healthy. And sometimes on a sunny afternoon, we are very lazy.
Proud mommas keep their calves close.
When I ride through the meadow to check on everyone, the good mothers locate their babies for me.
And sweet kisses occur frequently.
Now don’t get too excited. There are days that don’t go as well as one would hope. Some of these cows seem to think that having their calf across the river is a good idea. Sure, she’s looking for privacy to give birth. But when she’s ready to join the herd, walking across the river isn’t as easy for her calf as she thinks. Like Patrick says, “they just want to baptize them right off the bat!”
Ugh.
I wait for P to get home from work so we can cross the river in the 4-wheeler to spook them out of the bluffs and catch the calf (by his tail). Then we load the little booger up and drive him back across with mom following us while breathing heavy and humming.
Then there are times when the cow crosses the river with her older calf and hides him in a canyon. So the big, bad coyote (Patrick) scares him up and out of there and we “encourage” them to cross back and join the herd.
I’m on the edge of my seat right about now.
I. hate. this. part.
Can I look now?
Deep sigh.
It’s so scary to watch them cross. Patrick is in the process of fencing off the river but that takes time and money, both of which are scarce around here. But we are hoping to have it done before next calving season.
The weather has been splendid and I have felt like I’ve been in a National Geographic documentary these past couple of weeks.
On that note, the turkey’s are back!
Uprooted Magnolia 
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