About Dayphoto

My name is Linda Brown. I live on a farm on the western slope of Colorado, in the high mountain desert. I’ve lived here all my life, hailing back four generations on my father’s side. Today I blog about our farm, the everyday activities that keep the farm going. I also write about my thoughts and dreams and goals. On Friday’s I always write about TLC Cai-Cai. Our sweet kitty who helps keep the farm safe. And Boo Berry Betty, a breeder dog learning to be a Farm Dog! The lovely thing about blogging it opens the world up for all of us to reach out and meet people from many different cultures and different ways of life. You can find me every day (but Saturday) at https://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/ Your Friend on a Western Colorado Farm, Linda Brown

The Adventures of TLC Cai-Cai on Friday—-Farm Life Series 6, Other Big Equipment, Friday, September 3, 2021

Posted on September 3, 2021 by Dayphoto

“TLC Cai-Cai, what are you doing?” Mom said as I jumped up to grab her foot.

Just Playing, I said.

Mom reached down a picked me up. “Oh, good, Sweet Little Kitty. I’ve been thinking I had better tell you about some other BIG noisy and dangerous pieces of equipment Dad has on the farm. Equipment you need to stay far, far away from.”

There is the swather— this is the thing Dad uses to cut down all the standing alfalfa, to let it dry turning into hay.

STAY away…it will swath you right up, then there won’t be a TLC Cai-Cai anymore!” Mom admonished.

Mom put me on her shoulder and walked over to the outside chairs and sat down.

“Then there is the combine.

The combine will move through the corn and chop down all the corn stalks, separate the corn cobs from the stalks, then shell the corn from the cobs, flinging the stalks, and cobs out onto the ground and the corn kernels into the hoper in the back.

If you were to get in the way of the combine, you would come out just like those tiny pieces of corn cobs and stalks, so you MUST stay out the cornfield during harvest.”

Mom started scratching my head, my ears, hum puuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

“Then the big truck will come through the yard, taking all the corn kernels to town.”

Purrrrrr, hummm, purrrr

“So, TLC Cai-Cai, when anything like this is going on, you have to RUN to the House! And stay IN the HOUSE where Dad and I know you are safe.”

I looked at Mom. Then I looked around and realized I WANT DOWN.

So I squirmed off Moms’ lap and headed over to the water tub—that fountain is intriguing!

Bye Mom, Gota Go!

TLC Cai-Cai

Singing a Song —Thursday, September 2, 2021

Posted on September 2, 2021 by Dayphoto

Although, these two photos were taken a day or so ago; joy is in the air, here.

We are having a momentary break in farming!

It’s raining!

Yes, there are still hay bales in the second field (30 bales).

But this lovely shower of air-cleaning rain is just perfect for the soul! (and everything and everyone else 🙂 )

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Time Going Swiftly — Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Posted on September 1, 2021 by Dayphoto

It wasn’t so long ago, the spray plane would pass over our farm on its daily routine

We think we know where Mindy is…she has left us to go to another neighbor. He is a person who really likes cats and seems to have a few of them. (Which is nice, because our area gets lots of cats who have been thrown away.)

(See all the birds sitting on the tassels?)

But we saw her (or a cat that looks like her) in his arms, getting lots of pets.

I guess she didn’t like the idea of TLC Cai-Cai; choosing to go live with the man who doesn’t have a TLC Cai-Cai.

Of course, I’m not sure it’s her, but I hope so. For her sake.

We are in a massive rush to finish up the second field of alfalfa.

Terry is out baling now, then this afternoon we will haul it in

They are telling us a very large monsoonal storm is due

Heavy enough rain that the 1-70 Corridor through Glenwood Spring Canyon will probably be closed again.

Anyway, time is flying by—

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

The Smoke Fills the Sky; Whispers Sadness in our Hearts — Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Posted on August 31, 2021 by Dayphoto

The smoke is back, low-hanging and thick

As I turned and straighten bales, I thought to myself

How the low-hanging smoke closes in on the earth

Making the farm feel silent

Reminding each of us, how fragile we really are.

The sun turns red; the sky orange and yellow

Creating a restless foreboding…a sense of doom.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

I Don’t Care if it is August —Autumn has Arrived, Monday, August 30, 2021

Posted on August 30, 2021 by Dayphoto

The sky, the air, the light

Has all changed.

Terry says it feels like the middle of September now

I agree with him.

Autumn/Fall is early this year.

Maybe it (Autumn) will linger on longer than normal,

Allowing those of us who are very fond of this time of year,

(See the spider in her web…waiting, waiting…shudder)

To enjoy its perfection.

From my world to your heart,

Linda

The Internet was Down All Day Yesterday — Sunday, August 29, 2021

Posted on August 29, 2021 by Dayphoto

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes….Including you.” –Anne Lamott

Our internet service was down yesterday until late, late in the day.
Thankfully it is back now.

Although, it isn’t as important as heat, water, and electricity…it is important. 🙂

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

The Adventures of TLC Cai-Cai on Friday—-Farm Life Series 5, Tractors, Friday, August 27, 2021

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Dayphoto

“Farms, any farms, well, all Farms have Tractors”, Mom picked me up and sat me down on her lap. I was trying to hide because Dad had just started one of his tractors and was heading out of the farmyard. “You are right to run fast away from big noisy machines, of which tractors are one.”

Mom and I sat down in one of the outside chairs, me on Mom’s lap, and Mom’s hand petting me.

“You see, TLC Cai-Cai, Tractors are how all the groundwork gets done. Tractors are the ‘heavy-lifter’s of the farm, they pull implements to make the soil on the farm in a very lovely soft loamy state so Dad can then plant the fields. The tractors even pull the planter which does the planting.

Then there is the water, tractors use special pieces of equipment which make the ditches and help keep the ditches clean so the water can flow onto the farm, and down the rows, the tractor created right after the crop was planted.

There are other BIG pieces of equipment on the farm, like the swather and the combine, but I will save that for another time. For right now just know that there are many tractors on the farm, and each one has its own special job to do.” Mom said softly to me all the while petting my head, my ears, my back, my sides, my…………smile purr. Humm.

“I am so proud of you for being very careful around all the tractors and the big noisy things like cars and trucks, for Dad and I want you with us for years and years and years.” Mom whispered—“years.”

I really am not sure all of what Mom was saying, I was purring very, very loud, while Mom talked softly to me and petted me. I kept on purring until I think I must have fallen asleep.