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 Boomer on Friday—Midnight Walk

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Dayphoto

“You up, Boomie?” Mom asked me as she walked into the Living room. Normally I sleep on the back porch. I like the back porch, but when the wind blows I always come in and sleep by the wood stove. Fuzzy didn’t like to sleep by the wood stove ever, said it made him way too hot. Sometimes I have to have the heat…my fur is rather thin.

Anyway, Mom came by and asked if I was ready to go for a walk, “We can see the Moon, Boomer. I haven’t seen the moon for a long time.”

“Walk?!? Sure! Let’s Go!” I jumped up and beat Mom outside. She took way too long putting on her coat and gloves and hat.

“Come on, MOM!! LET’S GO!” I waited for her with a huge smile on my face!

Off we went, Mom and I walked through the corrals, opening the gate was easier there. We scared about 6 cows who were sleeping close to the loafing shed; they didn’t jump up, but they sure were startled. Mom and I haven’t been walking late at night, because the weather has been so bad.

Off we headed toward the new pipe, that’s not far, maybe a ¼ of a mile…up we went, me sniffing around to see what and who has been moving around in the cows. (Not many critters, Momma cows are really serious about not letting strange animals come in where they are living.)

Mom kept stopping off and on trying to get a good photo of the moon. After a while she gave up and we walked back. By that time the air was calm and I was warmed up so I stayed on my big soft comfy bed on the porch.

“You can come sleep by the fire if you want too, Boom” Mom invited. But I just looked at her and settled down. ‘No Thanks, Mom. I’m fine right here.’

Goodnight everyone,

Boomer.

Finishing the Winter Chores–Thursday, March 5, 2015

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Dayphoto

Terry and I are finishing work on the other house…it’s been a process, but we are almost done.

Yesterday Terry had to crawl under the house to work on some stuff under there. Before he even could begin he had to dig out a tunnel. Together, we finally got a pathway over to the old duct work; he dug and I hauled. Gradually we made a tunnel big enough to get from here to there and everywhere so the work that needs to be done under there can be done.

Today we will finish hanging the sheetrock in the kitchen. Then we will continue work on the conversion of a unused room into a very nice usable room–a possible extra bedroom.

While working on all this I kept hearing a very unusual bird song…

Finally I saw the lone little bird calling to me—

It was a Towhee! I (personally) have never seen a Towhee. I don’t know if this one was blown off course or if we have them all the time. It sure was a friendly little feathered bird.

He/she would hop close to where I was walking, then fly a short distance away from me. I didn’t see another or even a small flock, just this one.

Sure made my work go fast…

Your friend,

Linda

In One Day’s Time—Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Dayphoto

Yesterday we woke-up to a yard looking like this, only without the shadows or the clip of blue sky.

By early morning it started raining and raining. For a short time a mist would hover over the land, then the clouds would open again.

By evening, when I went to get the nights firewood the lawn looked like this…my boots squished across the sodden expanse.

Later in the evening as I readied for bed I could see lightening flashing in the west. Could we have turned the corner from winter to spring thunder storms? Possibly, only time will tell.

Your friend,

Linda

A Grandpa Bunny Moment—Monday, March 2, 2015

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Dayphoto

It’s raining here…big sploshes of water. Then it turns into a fine mist, but still wet. Not satisfied with the mist the raindrops return.

Our snow is rapidly melting, becoming ragged and tattered. Mud is appearing, plus the food for the cows—no more nosing around in the snow to find fodder. It’s there, just waiting to be munched upon.

When I was bringing in the wood, for the woodstove yesterday a tiny break in the clouds offered up a patch of blue sky and enough sun to cast blue shadows on the lawn.

It was a Grandpa Bunny moment! Grandpa Bunny was my most favorite story in the Little Golden Books. (I have three copies,)

Grandpa Bunny teaches all the other bunnies how to decorate nature. Grandpa Bunny loves each and every season–one of my favorite parts is when Grandpa Bunny shows the little bunnies how to paint shadows on the snow.

Walking along with my load of wood I realized I saw a perfect Grandpa Bunny moment

As they say: “Priceless”.

Your Friend,

Linda

The First Day of March–Sunday, March 1, 2015

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Dayphoto

We’ve finally made it to the first day of March. That, in and of itself, is a true joy for me.

This has been the sun for two weeks or more. Sometimes the clouds part; showing little patches of blue. Blue sky, it sparks such hope.

We have a pair of Canada Geese living with the cows in the corn field. I love having them here. I mentally send them peace and safety…they must have decided to stay for a spell before heading up north.

I have also seen flocks of Western Meadowlarks (YAY, they are Back!) And huge flocks of blackbirds, some smaller flocks of red-winged black birds, but I have not seen any blue birds yet. Soon I hope.

My favorite cow is here again this year. She is dressed to the nines in stylish back and white…see her white tail. 🙂 It always makes me smile when I see her. She is getting older, so I wonder if she will be back next year. Only time will tell.

March 1st….what a nice date to see on the calendar…in 31 days we will be at April. WHOO HOOO!

Your friend,

Linda

The Adventures of Boomer on Friday—Calf Check

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Dayphoto

In a small break in the weather, meaning no snow and a melt of sorts, (But no sun) Mom, Dad and I loaded up on the four-wheelers and headed out to check the cows and calves.

If you look where the big white arrow is pointing you will see a tiny calf. Mom has her baby all snuggled up and warm against here body.

See the brand new baby trying to get up. Mom just gave birth here.

All the cows are really tame, we can drive through them (slowly) and they never spook. I ride all the time, because just seeing me trotting alongside WOULD spook them. Mom says I have to stay right next to her.

This one is hidden behind the equipment at the equipment storage area.

Mr. Davis and his daughter check them twice a day, sometimes three times a day always, always making sure the moms and babies are doing okay. If there is one that is having trouble Mr. Davis and Theresa load them up and take them back to their really nice barn on the ranch.

For us, Mom, Dad and Myself, Boomer the Beagle,—we go out on the off-times to makes sure all is well. Just this morning we heard the coyotes moving around in the cows, never a good thing.

So far all is right with our world.

Boomer

As February Leaves—Thursday, February 26, 2015

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Dayphoto

Winter is still with us….flinging flakes of very wet snow here and there in a willy-nilly sort of pattern.

Wind with very icy fingers stab and pull at you and every other living thing.

I do believe winter is throwing a huge fit, because you know…really we all know …that the time has come for Winter to leave. It doesn’t matter how ugly and how hard winter demands for us to pay attention Winter IS in charge. Stamping its blue and icy foot..the earth is tilting ever so slowly.

The sun moving toward the warm point of spring and then summer, casts brilliant colors, which fiercely sends warning sounds, for winter to calm down. Enough is enough.

The weather people are saying winter is still very preoccupied trying to keep a foothold on our part of the world–this bitter, cold tantrum will weaken and strengthen over several more days, then the middle (Wednesday) of the first week in March, the sun and the earth will send warmth and comfort back to the land with temperatures rising into the 50’s for several days. Perfect for drying up snow and mud.

So go ahead and throw a fit, make it a good one, for soon you, Old Man Winter, will be banished to other parts and the gentle cherub of Spring will dance it’s way into our hearts and souls.

Go Ahead, spend yourself out —soon you stay in your room and cry huge hiccuping sobs until you are spent and need to rest to recover. We will just wait you out.

Your friend,

Linda

February Ends with a Bang–Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Dayphoto

The weatherman says these snow storms are going to stay in here for a good solid week. With snow levels increasing to 18″ or more in some places. We have 8″ right now.The nice thing about this late snow is it won’t last…the warmth will return and the winds from the west will arrive. Until then we hunker down.

Your friend,

Linda

Winter Returned—Monday, February 23, 2015

Posted on February 23, 2015 by Dayphoto

It started snowing hard yesterday afternoon flinging the snow into the night and on to the morning, where it is still snowing today. Big soft wet flakes of pristine whiteness.

Of course there are more babies out there…we counted three, just hours old, but up and following the Mom. That is in the bunch close to the house. The older calf is somewhere else, I haven’t seen it this morning.

Winter has returned here. Storm warnings are until tomorrow with 18″ on Cerro Summit. Water should be good this year. 🙂

Your friend on a Western Colorado Farm,

Linda

One–February 22, 2015

Posted on February 22, 2015 by Dayphoto

There is a new little critter on the farm! I don’t know if its a male or female, but to me it doesn’t matter. We saw this darling little calf yesterday.

Since we are in the middle of a arctic blast, cold winds and snow flurries (it will leave out of here by Tuesday) there will probably be several more.

Your friend on a Western Colorado Farm,

Linda