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

Silence—March 29, 2016

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Dayphoto

Easter was ever so lovely.

Jolyne and Evan did an amazing job with the meal, the egg hunt and the celebration of our son-in-law, Cliff’s (he and Kimberly live in Grand Junction) birthday!

Then sadly the time came

When everyone loaded up and headed back home…the little family to Craig, Colorado. Jason’s dad, Paul, back to Alamosa, Colorado..everyone else scattering back to their homes and lives.

Then it was just us again. Back to the everyday of Terry’s and my lives.

It’s okay.

The sound our our life is not blank or a void. It is made up of tiny noises: the tractor in field (Terry is leveling now), the clothes washer cleaning all the bedding, the tiny sounds of far away cars and trucks, as I hang-out my laundry on the clothes line, the cats meowing at my feet begging for food, a cold wind flapping the towels on the line, Boomer’s feet padding into the kitchen then out the back door, bacon sizzling on the stove. Everyday sounds the bring me peace and contentment.

“Thank you,” I mentally pray to God. “Thank-you for everything and so much.”

From my heart to your world,

Linda

Building Gates—Monday, March 28, 2016

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Dayphoto

Early, early Terry, Boomer, and I were at one of the cement ditches putting in new gates for the coming year. The old ones were broken and/or crumbling so they needed replace.

The shadows were long, ever so long, and the air brisk and chilly when we went out.

By the time we finished the shadows had shorted to almost represent solar noon.

Still… we are done now. Set for another year.

A good feeling. Water should start around the second week or the third week of April. (for us)

The water is already in the canals heading our way. I guess I could say this another way…we will start water on our place the second or third week of April.

The ditches are now ready! Which is a very good thing!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

HAPPY EASTER Everyone! —- Sunday, March 27, 2016

Posted on March 27, 2016 by Dayphoto

(A Facebook gif)

I hope you have a lovely Easter Sunday! And if you don’t celebrate Easter I still hope you have a most wonder day!

From the Joy of my Heart to the Joy of your Heart!

Love,

Linda

Sunshine Here Today—March 24, 2016

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Dayphoto

The snow is gone! Well, almost! And the wind has moved on leaving behind a cold front. But WITH the cold front is blue skies and big white puffy clouds, and SUNSHINE!

Beautiful, beautiful sunshine!

Please forgive my whining yesterday. I really do try to see the positives in my world and try very hard to limit the negatives…although, I don’t always make it. Oh. well…moving on.

Randy from San Antonio, Texas sent me a very cool photo of the Delta County Fair around 1940. How much fun this is to ‘step back in time’!

Anyway, to borrow from another blogging friend, Marlene—Herself, I end this short post

from My heart to your heart!

Linda

Post Script…I’ve off to enjoy the sunshine! Love you!

Winter Returns—March 23, 2016

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Dayphoto

What more can I say! How discouraging (although pretty). The temps will be dropping to 24* tonight and for the next several nights.

It’s still snowing…coming in sideways with a stiff wind. It’s supposed to slow down and turn into those big fluffy flakes so loved in December, January and February.

Oh, well…nothing to do about the apricots. They are done again this year. There is a saying among the orchard people: “If you plant apricots, plan on only getting a crop ever five or so years.” It sure seems to hold true.

All farming has stopped and will stay stopped until after we pass mud season (again.)

Still…warmer weather will get here and stay soon, April is just around the corner.

Love,

Linda

Weather and Moon Lore—Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Dayphoto

(This is an old photo, but I love the fox and the corn and the full moon, so decided to use it for today’s post.)

Today is March’s Full Moon beginning phase…I love the full moon! Anyway, this is called the Worm Moon in the Northern Hemisphere. The earth is beginning to warm, the ground to thaw and the earthworm casts to appear. Once this happens the Robins return to brighten our days. (Although I’ve seen robins for a bit now.)

In the far north this moon is called the Crow Moon–the cawing signals the end of winter and in the eastern part of the north is the Sap Moon marking the time of tapping maple trees.

There is also old farm lore that says if the 21st of the start of the four-seasons…(yesterday was the 21st of Spring) will tell what the next three months will bring; hot, dry, windy or cold. We had beautiful weather yesterday…the morning was clear and bright and warm, by the afternoon the wind came up…a warm wind. Then the clouds started flinging themselves over us.

The wind blew off and on all night (although it was a warm wind) and is still gusting heavily; although it’s still warm it is cooling down.

Terry is rolling the plowed fields (still) it takes many acres of rolling before he can start leveling.

Maybe you know some more interesting rural (country) lore. If you do, would you please share. I rather enjoy collecting them.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

A Time of Contentment—Monday, March 21, 2016

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Dayphoto

Yesterday was the first day of Spring. The first day that the daylight hours are longer than the night time hours.

My beloved Maternal Grandmother…used to say that when spring time starts the world lies in a balance between dark and light.

(Terry is rolling down the plowed fields today)

Call me strange, but I swear I can feel the earth shifting and stirring beneath my feet as the air changes.The change hums in my blood, the blood of the plants and the animals. Bringing contentment and joy.I just achieved my 9th year of blogging on Sunday. 9 years of being friends with you.

Thank you everyone!

Happy Spring!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Plowing—It’s the Only Way to Go—Sunday, March 20, 2016

Posted on March 20, 2016 by Dayphoto

Terry started plowing the old corn fields

Burying the old stalks, leaves, left over cobs, and cow manure….oh yes! And the MILK DUDS…back into the ground to mellow out and decompose.

I must say I am Tickled to Death about the Milk Duds, Beef Jerky and other assorted ‘chews’ NOT readily available for Boomer.

Although, he still goes out and tries to find them, they are now in the rich soil doing wonders for the earth worms and not Boomer’s tummy!

YAY!

He gained three pounds during this February…now he is on a diet. One I’ve imposed and one the plowed earth took away. Three pounds is huge on a 35 pound Beagle!

I finished all but one big spot of work last night in the sunset. Which, by the way, was stunning.

Have a good one, my friends!

Linda

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH! —- Thursday, March 17, 2016

Posted on March 17, 2016 by Dayphoto

This local rock art says: “Little bitty turtle, says Thank-you to all big helpers on big horse and little horse for knowledge on back up of computer.” 🙂 (I now have a game plan and can proceed! You have been most accommodating in helping me! Thank you so Much! —See the mountain lion on the rock? That’s me…I now know the way! tee hee)

Today is Saint Patrick’s Day!! March 17th! On this day everyone, is always a little bit Irish! But for real understanding of the most popular Catholic Saint go here.

Terry finished rolling the old pinto bean ground. Today we take a break.

Yesterday, was uphill from sunup to sun down.

I finished raking the whole yard, all the of the farm yard buildings and the corrals. Then in the afternoon Terry and I worked on tearing down and cutting up an old building, which was crumbling. We were concerned that a huge storm would finish it off. This meant moving all the stuff in the building, then the laborious process of dismantling and sawing up the wood. The old barn wood we saved, but other than that we started making fire starter wood.

Today….we are tired. Very. So today we rest, sorta…I have that tedious thing to do call grocery shopping and Terry is working with a guy to do some back hoe stuff.

With much love,

Linda

A Request for Help—-Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Dayphoto

Last year’s corn fields are all disked, setting mellow waiting for the proper time for Terry to start plowing them up. (The old corn fields are plowed up, turning the soil into the earth allowing the stalks and leaves to compost)

This is one of the pastures thoroughly fertilized by the cows. A very good thing!

But now I have a Request for Help from You, if you would be so kind as to give me some advice. I want to back up my computer to an external hard drive. Not to a company…although, I do have Carbonite. They are very good. VERY GOOD. But the expense of keeping them connected is starting to wear on my pocket book.

SO I took myself down to Wal-Mart to see what was available for a good back-up system and instantly became terribly over-whelmed. The helpers in there really don’t know anything except to sell me the most expensive or the cheapest one available. They talked me into system, which I can’t really figure out how to use…got some stuff on it and can’t get it off…in general I just don’t like it. (It’s called Passport)

I’m thinking about just using ScanDisk memory sticks. I would like to usethe memory sticks AND something else.

What I was wondering….would you give me some advice on what to purchase to back up my system? If you don’t want to leave it the comments, please email me. coloradofarmlife@gmail.com . Of course, if you leave it in the comments everyone will benefit.

So…anyway….I thank you for your time and for your information.