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 True Harvest of My Life—-Sunday, November 6, 2016

Posted on November 6, 2016 by Dayphoto

“The true harvest of my life is intangible—a little star dust caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched.”–Henry David Thoreau

Our days have been a sanctuary…cool nights, warm days…a tad on the dry side

Walking through the falling leaves is a true simple joy….the crushed leaves scent the air, an intoxicating mix mingling with the smell of the corn as it rushes into the hopper then into the waiting grain truck. We are so dry the warm air seems to fling me up like a kite

Then late Friday night…while we were just getting home from the Elevator (8:00 p.m–we were four trucks from the last load. A long-long day) The clouds started rolling in.

(This is the sunset while waiting in line)

Then late, late in the evening a storm played along the Plateau. I took my camera into the dark and dull night. Hoping against hope I just MIGHT get to capture a lightning strike.

I stood in last year’s bean field standing in the dead pinto bean vines; Boomer somewhere close by and Min-Min cat washing her paws next to me…the storm sweeping across the plateau with a dark curtain of rain coming toward our farm, when I actually got a lightening bolt.

Small though it was.

From my world to your heart

Linda

Our Time with SPIDER WOMAN—-Thursday, November 3, 2016

Posted on November 3, 2016 by Dayphoto

Tally and I had lots of stuff to do the day she stayed with us.

She willingly went right along with Terry or I, or even both of us.

But mostly Grandpa was busy. So mostly it was Tally and Grammy!

When Grandpa was waiting in line, and a little girl got too restless, Grammy came and got her and we went to THE CORN MAZE!

Before we ever started Tally asked the lady if there were going to be people who jumped out and tried to scare us…or bloody anythings out there.

“No” the lady replied. Just some fun searching and looking and coming out at the end.

“Okay, we can go then, Grammy!”

So off we went!

There were vignettes

And a alarming clown.

But we made it clear through with Tally leading the way.

Afterwards we got to go on a hayride, win a pumpkin and then go home in time to eat supper and become

SPIDER WOMAN…Complete with a ugly nasty spider (which would have scared me) riding on her back!

Happy Halloween it was…for me and for her!

Love,

Linda

Through the Calls of the Wild Geese—-Wednesday, November 2016

Posted on November 2, 2016 by Dayphoto

The geese are here…winging their way back to us! Their shouted hellos add to the cacophony of the combine and the rumble of the grain truckI am actually comforted by all the activity, although (at different points) I find I hold my breath trying to hear the geese through the noise. When I do so; I also feel the pounding of my heart.

Listening, listening, for that odd sound, which means something isn’t right. Then there it is— a mess of a tire.

It slows harvest down. A small diversion

A quick ride into farm yard— get a tire and back out we all go. Boomer included.

Then everything is good to go again.

I sometimes think young people believe {we} old folks are a separate form of life.

That’s alright, someday they will be old and will understand…just going about every day’s business —together—is the sunbeam of growing old.

As for myself, I couldn’t ask for more.

From my world to your heart,

Linda

More on the Corn Harvest—-Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Posted on November 1, 2016 by Dayphoto

We had Tally, for the Sunday and part of Monday (YAY). I’ll post more about Tally’s and my adventures tomorrow.

One of the things she wanted to do was ‘Go with Grandpa to the Elevator’. Terry left early…7:30 in the morning…he was 11th in line. The Elevator opens at 6:00 a.m. There were trucks there starting at 4:30 a.m. The days are long during harvest. The wait is longer.

It was too early for Tally to ride down…I let her sleep in…but around 10 I took her down to be with Grandpa for a spell.

This is the line at 10 o’clock in the morning. Terry is number 9 in the line. And more coming in.

Part of the problem is the amount of time it takes to unload the semi’s. And Hour per semi. There are lots and lots of semis. Not so much the large grain trucks like we have. But there are some.

So Tally waited with Grandpa. Then when he went back down in the afternoon we went back with him.
You see she wanted to be there when they dumped the truck. She wanted to see how they did it.

Tally and Grandpa! It’s nice she still likes to do the things we do. Even if it means waiting and waiting and waiting.

The other two are more interested in FRIENDS! Which is as it should be.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Back in the Day——Monday, October 31, 2016

Posted on October 31, 2016 by Dayphoto

I’ve been going through ‘stuff’. I’m a terrible pack rat when it comes to something called –History. I have a very hard time disposing of it. So therefore, I have lots of “stuff’.

And, of course every photo and every slip of paper floods my memory with all those experiences years and years ago.

This is me on my mare, Ginger and my brother on his horse Pal.

This is my little filly–TyLee. Ginger is her mom.

This Ginger and I, with a friend, Mary Hill, holding TyLee. Don’t you love the pants stuck in the books look?

And here is one for the memory books–

The girls I grew up with. Our Mothers and Dad were the best of friends. I’m the one with most of the dress showing.

Jamie Pinkerton is in the front–she has beautiful black hair, Judy Perkins is standing next to Jamie in front of me, Judy is still just as beautiful today and she was back then. Then Judy’s sister, but my sister–of– my heart, Dixie, is behind Jamie and next to me. Dixie is no longer with us. I miss her every day.

I really don’t know who the baby is, I wish I did.

Well…now THAT was trip down memory lane.

Love you,

Linda

A Wee Little Game—-Sunday, October 30, 2016

Posted on October 30, 2016 by Dayphoto

Our sunrise Saturday morning was stunning! I just had to share it with you.

And for something a little fun….can you find the cat! That’s me in the shadow on the corn!

If you can please leave a comment!

Hugs and Love

Linda

The Adventures of Boomer on Friday—Mom Says—-Friday, October 28, 2016

Posted on October 28, 2016 by Dayphoto

Mom says she will be back with Sherlock Boomer Next week, Mom says she is way behind.

Mom is really behind.

We had to go clean up all the syphon tubes and get the farm put to bed so the combine can get to the ends of the fields.

There are lots of ditches

And lots of syphon tubes, and dams and ditch cleaners to be picked up.

It took mom and I two full days, but we made it!

So now the combine can make it through without any problems!

Mom says she will be back on track with the story soon!

Boomer

While the Internet Was Down—-October 27, 2016

Posted on October 27, 2016 by Dayphoto

Although this would have happened, with or without the internet, one of the things Terry and I worked on, was the removal of the last old barn on our place.

First things first was to clean out the old barn, then to start breaking up the and removing the cement. We both used a sledgehammer to break up the cement, then we loaded the chunks into the loader whereby it was hauled to a landfill.

Then it was time to remove the roof and the rest of the walls

Terry used the tractor and loader to push the whole thing over

Almost down

After which we had to clean up the mess. I’m trying to save all the old barn wood, since there seems to be people out there who like to create with it. This barn was built in 1920.
Terry and I have had a great time finding ‘artifacts’ to admire and [possibly keep or give away or sell or….] ..like the tin and the nails for the tin…..I know we are easily entertained.

Just one wall left to remove, when this photo was taken. Now we working on rebuilding a the wall and roof, for the other building…straighten up the inside of the building, before we lay the footers, for the foundation of the new shed.

It was a huge process, but one we rather enjoyed.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Makes My Farmers’ Heart Glad—-Wednesday, October 25, 2016

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Dayphoto

Yesterday, Monday, we started the 2016 Corn Harvest!

It’s early this year! Wonderfully so!

Before Halloween even! With blue skies and nice weather! Sure is a nice feeling.

Last year, we were not able to harvest in 2015.

Elevator-2

Nope, it was in January before we could even begin!

Before-Dawn So far we are way, way, way ahead of last year’s harvest!

2016 is an amazing year…we harvested corn in January and now again in October!

Not many years can boast two corn harvests in one year!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

I AM BACK! THANKFULLY! —- Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Posted on October 25, 2016 by Dayphoto

After twelve very long days I finally have internet again! I am so thankful I wanted to cry. I know that is silly, but it’s true!

I’ve miss all of you. Near and far. It was like being flung out into Siberia, or the North Pole!

Anyway, the internet is back! Tomorrow I will bring you up to speed on what we have been doing for twelve days and I will be catching up with each of you!

Love,

Linda