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

Then in Rained–Thursday, May 7, 2015

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Dayphoto

Yep. Just after I finished posting to the blog, the heaven’s opened up and poured.

And poured

Then poured some more. Our driveway turned into a river.

The events yesterday seemed to match the weather,

our mailbox was damaged (immature Jr. High damage…easily fixed, but still)
one of our cell phones was pick up/stolen (we put a stop on the number)
A load coming from a semi to our tuck damaged the tail gate (Terry said it can be fixed)
our car developed a need to never go down the road again (sigh)
It rained off and on all night

But as the soggy, miserable, cold day wore on

we purchased a new mailbox, turned the damage into the Sheriff and the post office, and put the new mail box up. 🙂
Late, late in the day our cell phone was turned into one of the store clerks where the phone was ~~taken~~ lost–today I will have it it re-instated. Turning the ability to off to use it helped, I do believe.
The tail gate damage is on the inside of the truck, not the outside. It will be a repair, but not a obvious one
The car has an appointment to get fixed on Friday—Alan says he can do the job without too much trouble.
A beautiful basket of flowers were delivered to our house for Mother’s Day
I have about 8 humming birds now and two pair of Bullock Orioles
The Orange-banded Bumble Bees are out and about
The sun is here this morning, the little birds started chirping and singing the sun up at first light—I sang with them!

There is joy all around!

Your friend on a Western Colorado Farm,

Linda

Stopped–Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Dayphoto

Although, you can not tell it from this photo. It’s wet here again today. Very wet. So wet I can’t work in my yard, nor can Terry continue the planting process.

ALTHOUGH the corn is in the ground! Why just having the corn in the ground is a good thing; it isn’t everything to making it grow. First and foremost the soil needs to be warm, it also needs to be wet, but not sopping wet; too cold will keep the seed from sprouting. Too wet and cold the seed could rot. (Of course just these two things produce worries that wake my farmer way in the middle of the night and cause sleeplessness to appear.)

Then the pain about our type of soil…if it drys out too fast it will turn hard–too hard and the seed can’t push it’s way through the crust on the top. The top needs to be broken up and smoothed off to help the seedling along…it’s too wet to get the tractor and the Mormon Creaser in to smooth off the top of the furrow…another nighttime worry.

BUT! There is hope. The weather people say this afternoon should see some wind. Wind will be a good thing right now…it will open the skies so the sun can come through and it will start to dry out the ground.

The weather people also say we will see scattered sunshine mixed into the clouds. Sunshine in small doses will also help—-sudden, searing, hot sun will bake the soil quickly and dry it out way too fast, causing cracks to develop and the soil to turn into clods. Gradual is best.

So we wait.

I got most of my yard weeded, but those weeds, which are still growing, will probably reach my hips by the time I get back out there. At least there isn’t as many as there was a couple of days ago, so progress is being made. That fact alone makes me do a happy dance.

It’s way too bad we can’t share all this wet with California and other areas of drought. But I guess, we can’t so we trudge along and thank our blessings one by one. Gradually it will all work out.

Your friend,

Linda

A Different Kind of Rainbow–Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Posted on May 5, 2015 by Dayphoto

Kate sent me a different kind of rainbow 🙂

Here is what she said: “Here’s a rainbow spotted yesterday in my back yard… Rainbow Lorikeets, enjoying what we left on the bird feeder for them. Every time I see these lavishly coloured wild birds I realised how blessed I am to live in this country, where such beauty is an everyday thing…”

A Yardful of Rainbows

We put in a bird table in February. Until a few weeks ago, it hadn’t seen much action.

We’ve had visits from Magpies, Butcher Birds, Peewees, Willy Wagtails, Black Chinned Honeyeaters, Sunbirds and Crested Pigeons. We’ve had Plumed Whistling Ducks, Masked Plovers and two kinds of Ibis hanging around the foot of it hopefully, which generally results in me turning out with the relevant rations. The ducks even go so far as to whistle loudly outside the back door to summon me, cheeky devils. Some nights we’ve heard in the distance the screams of the increasingly rare Stone Curlews, which sound a little like a woman being murdered…

Yesterday, though, the Husband put out a handful of stale Nut & Seed Mix left over from his lunch. Then the Rainbow Lorikeets discovered it.

It’s wonderful, isn’t it? There’s a downside, though.

The noise is indescribable.

Ah, the beauty of the Land Down Under!

Your Friend,

Linda

A Race—Monday, May 4, 2015

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Dayphoto

You are all heard the old adage: ” a race against time” I am sure. We are in a race against weather. Thunderstorms and light rain are predicated for this afternoon and tomorrow. Therefore, the planting of the corn is in a rush stage. Terry is planting the last field today. First he rips open the ground, lets it dry for two hours, goes back in and plants.

But by the end of the day he will have every little seed of corn in the ground and starting to sprout. The other two fields are already planted. If the rain holds off (rain will crust the ground and make it hard —we are mostly clay here—for the little sprouts to poke their heads above the soil) Terry will then get out there and harrow off the hilled part of the rows, making soft soil for the sprouts to come up through.

Today I must go work in the corrals for a spell then I’m going to WEED MY OWN YARD! I’m so excited!

Thank you everyone for stopping by, it’s always nice to touch base with friends!

Your friend on a Western Colorado Farm,

Linda

SURPRISE! Sunday, May 3, 2015

Posted on May 3, 2015 by Dayphoto

When Terry’s Dad passed away, Misty (our youngest daughter) who was terribly fond of her Grandpa, was horribly sad at his passing. Terry’s Mother, recognized that terrible sadness so she gave to Misty, Jack’s pick-up.

Misty and Kelly drove it for awhile, then gradually it started sitting in the garage; Misty wanted to get it restored sometime in the future. (You know how futures go–futures are way down the road when you are retired. First comes jobs and babies, then school age children, and buying houses and other vehicles, then college educations for those kids.)

Now that Misty and Kelly have left and new renters are coming in Terry mentioned one afternoon to Jason, Shannon, and I that we (meaning he and I) were going to have to go down there and pull that old truck up here and park it in the shade of the barn.

Time passed.
Farm work took over, the painting of the house took over, irrigation took over…the need to pull the truck up here was sorta shoved to the background.

Every day there was something which must be done.

Then comes the day as Terry is planting the corn in the field by the house and I was mowing MY lawn, that I looked down the road by the other house and SAW the old truck making it’s way up to OUR HOUSE!

What a surprise! Quickly I headed to the field to flag Terry down, but he was planting (his back to the road, couldn’t take his eyes off or the rows would be crooked), so didn’t see me or the truck heading our way!

Finally he was at the end of the field and saw me waving to him, just then the old truck, complete with two hound dogs, was in the driveway, and headed out to the field

A large smile broke out on Terry’s face-he jumped down off the tractor and headed toward the truck. (Later he said for a second he thought it was his Dad, he could see the driver had on a cap which tricked his eyes to think “DAD”!) As a cool surprise and a little gift to Terry, Jason had got the truck running and drove it up here for Terry.

After a short ride to the canyon and back the old truck is safely parked up here, resting in the shade of the barn—-waiting patiently for that day way, way in the future.

A surprise all wrapped up in a memory!

Your Friend,

Linda

The Adventures of Boomer on Friday—Nothing Much to Do

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Dayphoto

Mom and Dad sure have been busy. So busy I haven’t got anything to do.

Sure has been boring.

I tried following Mom while planting sweet corn, but it was just WAY too hot.

Panting down the rows is well…Boring!

Sam didn’t want to do anything but lay on the outside furniture and sleep.

That’s boring.

Mom got out the brush and comb and gave me a good going over…there was a pile of fur when she was done. The sitting still was—well, boring.

But having all the fur off —Great!

Gosh…(sigh)…there is nothing fun to do. Nothing!

Huh!?

Wait!? What do I hear?

YES!!

THE FEDEX MAN! YIPPEE!

Now That was FUN!

Boomer

Planting Corn-Thursday, April 30, 2015

Posted on April 30, 2015 by Dayphoto

Terry is planting corn today. This will be a several day activity, as corn is our major crop. Still it isn’t our only crop, we also have alfalfa and pinto beans.

This is the workhorse tractor on the farm. Anyway, see all that lovely moisture coming up as he plants? The ground is perfect to start the little corn seeds sprouting and growing.

How do you like his welding table? Part of a motor, tee hee.

Anyway today I’m dancing a happy jig–I only have to go down and feed and love on the kitty down there, she doesn’t want to come live here, so the renters and I agreed she could stay in the old chicken house. She is around 7 years old or so and loves that house. I think she has had enough stress in her life…it looks like one eye is blind. Sigh! I will take her in and have my vet check her over. Hopefully everything will work out for all concerned.

The sun was amazing, it looks like we can even see the flames on the sun in this photo.

Off now to do MY STUFF!!! Mow the lawn and clean my car! Yippee YAY!

Your friend on a western Colorado Farm,

Linda

Sunshine in my World Today—Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Posted on April 29, 2015 by Dayphoto

I’m gradually, gradually, gradually making headway in my yard. As for my house–well, it’s clean and picked-up, that about it. The other house–my time waster— is starting to get there. I have the bedroom just about finished painting-I should finish tomorrow. The lawn is mowed and raked down there and all the bushes raked and pruned ready for spring.

The new renters move in on Sunday. (Ask me if I’m excited or what!) The man and woman came over yesterday to make arrangements to move in on Sunday. I can SEE THE LIGHT!

Today Terry starts planting corn. I will plant sweet corn at some point down one side of one of the fields. I had one row last year, but that was a huge field. This year some of the corn will be in front of the house, which is only 5 acres. I think I will plant two rows of sweet corn, next to the side which is next to canal—I’m looking for ease of picking.

I am so excited about the renters finally getting here, you just don’t understand how excited. The work load, of just maintaining that place, and this place, plus every day living has been over-whelming. Soon! Very Soon! I can move from maintaining into ‘getting-my-stuff-that-has-been-hanging-over-my-head’ DONE! ♬♬♬ YAY!

Joy, Joy, Joy

Your Friend,

Linda

Stillness—Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Dayphoto

I love the outdoors! Even as a child I spend hours and hours by myself playing in Surface Creek, which ran behind our my parents home. I enjoyed the freedom of riding my bike between our and my grandparent’s house. Walking through the cherry orchard, or the apple orchard looking for bird nests, or just laying in the irrigation ditches looking up at the sky, watching the clouds come and go.

Today we would say: “Becoming one with nature.” Back then I was just ‘being’.

I still love the outdoors. The energy and the feel of earth, the sky, the elements — still give me that same peace I felt as a child.

Walking home from the other house last night I thought the sun and the storm clouds and the feel of the earth of marvelous! This is our house looking from the other house.

I tried to capture, for you what I was seeing and feeling.

Beauty was everywhere.

Your friend on a Western Colorado Farm,

Linda

A Guest Post–the Rain has Stopped! —YAY!–Monday, April 27, 2015

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Dayphoto

YAY! I see little tiny streaks of blue sky and a lightening of the clouds! The rain has stopped! The wind has stopped, the snow is still coming down on Grand Mesa, which means it can still freeze here.

The Swallows are back! 🙂 That’s a good sign…warmer weather can’t be far off now. (I hope!)

Anyway, I was reading a very interesting blog post about street shopping from Uncle Spike.

I have always thought I would love to shop in all the open-air markets around the world. The fruit and vegetables have to be outstanding.

Anyway—here is his post:

East African Shopping by Uncle Spike

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

On the whole, shopping malls leave me cold. In general I have little desire to trudge my way around endless corridors of glass, dazzling white marble effect floors and endless rows of glass-fronted shops all selling the same stuff as the mall we probably visited the day before. Fair enough, for the purchase of a certain item, these places serve a purpose, but for me, shopping is a sport best served outdoors.

Here in Türkiye, outdoor markets are part and parcel of everyday life, be it out here in the rural areas, or also in some residential parts of our large cities. So when I travel, the roadside markets and entrepreneurial purveyors of foodstuffs are always of a certain fascination to me. East Africa, of course, is a case in question.

The selling of foodstuffs always seem that bit more enterprising, and banana selling seems king of them all; from two tonnes in the back on a minivan…

…to a whole roadside…

…or hanging outside the local butchers, which also sold honey too 🙂

But harping back to the blandness of modern shopping malls, how refreshing would it be to see the top names in gentlemens outfitters merchandising their pure cotton two-piece’s like this?

There’s one thing for sure when travelling in a place like Kenya, one is never faced with the dilemma of “shop closed”, or having to think what day it is… every hour of every day, there is food sold along the roadsides.

Of course, the sad truth is that for many parts of the continent, this is not always the case. The harsh reality is that terrible wars, and devastating crop failures have brought about unbelievable suffering. The even sadder fact is that some parts of the world still don’t get it, and readily moan about the unavailability of a certain model of Nike trainers, or the price of a 6-pack of Oreo’s, or a 32-oz steak, whilst members of our own species are left to starve.

Uncle Spike

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Your friend,

Linda