We took a small ride—going over Dallas Divide to Norwood, then onto the Gateway.
The canyons along the way were dry. But the slight rains spiffed them up some.
It was peaceful and beautiful!
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
Chapter Twelve
We were hiding in the Chico. A great big wide-spreading Chico. Being as still as a cat can be still.
WHEN SUDDENLY! Into the Chico came a porcupine!
“PAUL!!!” Hobbie hissed. “What are you doing here?”
“Saving you,” Paul replied casually.
“How, I asked?” very puzzled I might add.
“Just you watch, House Cat! I have the magic weapons of all time.” Paul snickered.
As we were talking to Paul, two of the coyotes came sniffing around our Chico.
I FROZE!
Hobbie walked over and hunkered down by me.
Paul just looked at us. Picked up his porcupine feet and walked right toward the two sniffing noses.
Turning around— BAM!
I heard the coyotes jump backward. Screaming in pain. The third coyote ran over to the two.
“What happened?” He growled. Then he stuck his nose right where the other two had had theirs!
BAM!!! YIP!! SCREAM! OW!!!! That coyote yelled. “PORCUPINE!!!! RUN!!!!
With that, all three coyotes ran off, faces and noses FULL of quills.
“You are our hero!” Hobbs said. High-fiving Paul each with a front foot.
“You sure are,” I added. “You sure are.”
“Okay, you cats, follow me to the end of the cement ditch, at which point one (or many) of the raccoons will lead you onward.
Once they get you to the equipment area, we are all pretty sure you can find your way home. After all, that is the beginning of the FARM YARD!
We all smiled big at each other and took off toward the end of the cement ditch.
Everything is bright!
Growing sweetly. Evening the weeds!
No more tremendous stress
Just the joy of moisture! Refreshing cooler temperatures
with Bright (NOT HOT) sunshine and 54*, starts to the day.
WHEW! What a relief!
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
The last set of twins is getting bigger.
They can run fast also. I felt lucky to get these shots.
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
We are all sharing a heart from my granddaughter!
Perfect! Love you, Linkin!
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
It poured, and they sat right there. Sometimes fluffing themselves up. Sometimes preening, but mostly just relaxing!
Perfect!
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
Last Thursday, Friday, and once in the late evening Saturday.
We got RAIN!!!
Lots of air-clearing, moisture-giving RAIN!
It was WONDERFUL!!!
Just Wonderful!
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
Chapter Eleven
“Okay, Hobbs. Let’s Go Home!” I firmly stated. “It’s time to be all safe and warm and snuggled up with Mom and Dad.”
Hobbie looked at me and replied. “YES!”
With that, he turned, picked up his paws and started trotting up out of the Back Forty; heading up, up, up along the trail to the top of the Going to the Back Forty hill.
“Ant Hill!” Hobbie yelled over his shoulder. “Go around. Those red ants are hard to get off you once they get on.”
I skirted widely around a HUGE mound of ants.
“Thorns!” Hobbie warned. “Prickly Pear!”
Gosh, danger every which way and where!
I jumped over a huge nest of prickly pear and landed gracefully next to Hobbie.
I was so quick and fast and silent, Hobbie jumped.
“Geez, you gave me a fright!” Hobbie exclaimed.
I just smiled a big cat smile.
“Keep on keep’n on, Friend. We got to get —–”
Suddenly, right at the turn in the road where we either go back toward the horse pasture or we go on to the Upper End, three coyotes appeared.
“COYOTES!” Hobbie and I both screamed
COYOTES!!! OH! MY! WORD!
“TLC!!! DIVE INTO THE CHICOS! QUICK!!!” Hobbie screamed.
“QUICK!”
Third cutting. We won’t do a 4th. We let everything grow tall and keep it wet so there is feed for the cows come winter.
Whew! What a relief.
Your friend on a western Colorado farm
Linda
It’s been hot here. Good for drying the hay so we can get it up and stacked
It’s been a tad hard on my flowers. But so far so good.
But gradually we are heading toward September.
Summer is my favorite time of the year, but I’ve had a hard time with all the heat.
Maybe September will see cooler weather and more moisture. It’s a hope and a prayer.
That is for sure.
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
Life on a Colorado Farm 