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 Air Smells Like Falling Leaves—-Thursday, October 25, 2018

Posted on October 25, 2018 by Dayphoto

Although I love summer best, my heart leaps into my breast with flares of joy for spring and then once more for the bright lovely days of Autumn

Autumn to me is more than a dying time, or a song sorrow, or a lament to the Old Gods

Its a time of remembering—as the leaves fall down on the weary ground and the plants close up for another year

The sky seems to [also] brighten into strong colors even more so than the brilliant summer skies

The air is not full of the smell of green growing things and thirsty soil like it is in Spring

Nor is it full of the spices and floral scents of summer

But it is full of the smell of leaves turning yellow and falling, drifting toward the earth where we mere mortals tread.

From my world to your heart,

Linda

An Odd Thing was Said to Me—Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Posted on October 24, 2018 by Dayphoto

I ran into a couple at the big-box store recently…they were newly arrived in our community and struggling a wee bit to find something in the store.

Since I was picking up an item in the same aisle, the gentleman asked me for help.

Of which I gladly did.

One thing led to another, (they were very friendly souls); leading them to ask me where I lived —- thinking I must be in a sub-division or in town.

I smiled and told them my husband and I have a farm and we live out a ways from the city proper.

Then the lady shocked me totally by placing her hand on my arm her voice dripping with true sympathy…she patted my arm and expressed something to the effect she was sorry for me in my very narrow existence.

I should not have been shocked.

But I was.

For you see my existence is not narrow, nor is bleak…it’s not void of experiences or adventure or new and unusual things to see and do.

I smiled and wished them well. Going on down the aisle to finish up my purchases.

Because of each of you, I forget that the common thought people have about farmers is they are either “corporate” or people who are uneducated, uninformed and walk around with a hay stem in their mouth.

But you, each and every one of you understands that this wondrous, joyful life we have here on our farm is anything but bleak or narrow nor is it void of adventure or beauty.

Yes, the work may be hard, but it isn’t boring for us. Its just part and parcel of who we are and how we live our lives; each day marked upon our hearts.

From my world to your heart,

Linda

I Sing You a Song of the Moon—Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Posted on October 23, 2018 by Dayphoto

That beautiful wonderful Moon

Can you hear the shimmering song it sings in the sky?

So far away, yet close enough to light the earth and the sky with silver.

From my heart to your world,

Linda

Last Car Club Meeting of the Year—-Monday, October 22, 2018

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Dayphoto

Sunday was the last Car Club meeting for the year

Terry and I were late joiners to this delightful fun group of people.

Everyone is so positive; all the talk is about cars or trucks or motors or shows.

Everyone is happy for YOU. It doesn’t matter what kind of car you have, just that you like old cars and want to drive them and be with like-minded people.

The last meeting even had a wee poker run, of which we drew a very poor hand, but had a great time doing it.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

The Demands of Each Day—Sunday, October 21, 2018

Posted on October 21, 2018 by Dayphoto

There is still much to do, farm work does not stop just because it’s Autumn

It actually speeds up for this season is the accumulation of winter, spring, and summer

It’s a good time, though. It’s the time of Harvest where the demands of the day increase.

(I just bought myself a new work coat…well, actually I got TWO new work coats…looking at this one, it was time 🙂 )

The corn harvest is getting very close. We were thinking we would start Monday, but not quite yet.

The moisture content of the kernels is 15.5% —as soon as we hit 15% the combine will head into the field, the big grain truck will follow it and there we will be…

in the harvest.

These late Fall days, cool and growing short, deplete our energy, but the work nourishes us.

Winter nears—the leaves are falling like yellow flecks of light on the tired ground.

Everything and everyone is singing the song of Fall.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

The Adventures of Boomer on Friday—-Mom Has Computer Troubles

Posted on October 19, 2018 by Dayphoto

Mom’s computer broke…well it really didn’t break, nor did it die, but the nasty “Time to Update” happened—after which Mom’s computer would NOT OPEN.

So Mom called her Computer Repair guy. He was out on a call and would come by late afternoon to see what he could do.

So there was nothing to be done on the computer—-all day. Which didn’t mean Mom did nothing.

She and Dad worked on removing nails from a building they salvaged,

cleaned up around the hay stackyard, loaded out another load of hay, cooked lunch, patched a roof on the tile house…

and in general, kept really busy!

Then late, late in the day! The computer was repaired and good to go again!

Mom, Dad, and I (also Mindy and the two chickens) all danced with joy.

But more than all us…Mom was more than delighted!

Off to bed now. It’s been a long day!

Boomer

New Crop Being Grown—-Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Dayphoto

We have a new crop being tested about two miles from our farm.

Now you MUST understand it is NOT us raising these test acres of Hemp, but three of our neighbors close by.

The above is one of the test fields almost ready to harvest. Hemp looks like little furry Christmas trees, or (to my eye) Kochia weed. (I don’t know if I spelled that right)

One of the growers allowed us to go into the field and look at the plants. They are very sticky. You put your hand on the plant and it feels like fly paper (sort of) and it has a very distinctive smell.

It’s harvest time now. This is one of the combines/tractors used to harvest the hemp. (This hemp will be used to create CBD oil…although there are other uses for hemp, i.e. rope, material, and many other things. ( I am still learning about all this)

Here the combines/tractors have just entered the field to begin harvest

The tractor/combine cuts off the plant and conveyor the fluffy plant into the back of the truck. The truck is driven along side of the tractor, both pieces of equipment moving along together up and down the row until the truck bed is full.

The truck then hauls it to a metal building with a cement floor

Where it is allowed to dry for two days.

NOW after this point, I don’t know what happens. I don’t know how they remove the oil, I don’t know anything. Maybe I will get to see, and if I do I will ask permission to show you. Other than that…this is the harvesting of the new crop in town….called Hemp.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Songs of My Heart—Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Posted on October 16, 2018 by Dayphoto

There are so many things that set my heart to singing

Seeing the moon (at any time; day or night) lifts my heart –and seeing a tiny star next to the moon makes the joy even more generous

Setting up on the rocky point the sky dancing with light….wonderous

Helping put the finished ditches and the latest harvested fields to bed for the winter, all within brilliant hues of light—buoyant

A wee walk in the night where there is nothing shining but house and farm lights and the STARS!—Priceless

While out on a small walkabout

Finding a heart rock….a gift from the earth, the wind and the Universe

Brought home to grace my window…exquisite

From my world to your heart,

Linda

The Wheel of the Year Turns—Monday, October 15, 2018

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Dayphoto

Summer has ended, so has early fall

The plants are all gone…not just nipped, but finished

No more glimmering colors of brightness, no spicy and floral scents on the breeze

The air is now sharp with cold and the sky scudding with wind-blown grey clouds

The seasons have turned—

Jack Frost our visitor

Still, I am thinking there will be a few more rainbows before the snow clouds arrive. After they come I will watch for Sundogs; beautiful colors of ice in the sky!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda