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

Quick Trip— Sunday, December 7, 2014

Posted on December 7, 2014 by Dayphoto

Friday night…no wait!!! Early Saturday morning –3:30—neither Terry nor I could sleep…worrying about getting the corn in…the brakes went out of the grain truck…everything was wet from the rain…just stuff. The kind of thing that bothers you at night but doesn’t in the daytime.

Around 4 o’clock Terry said: “Let’s get up and go to Craig and watch Blade’s basketball tournament.”

“Sounds good to me. If we leave here at 4:30 we should make it to the gym by 7:30. Blade plays at 8:00—won’t he be surprised when we walk in?”

So we did.

The drive was beautiful..randomly we could see the moon, but mostly it was cloudy, traffic was light (not many people up at that time of day), the deer, elk and antelope stayed somewhere safe for them and for us. Right at 7:30 a.m. sharp we walked into the gym…there he was! Lined up with the team…he saw us! A smile and a tiny wave let us know! Around 7:55 the rest of the family came through the ticket booth … huge smiles all around…it was a great surprise. We enjoyed this so much.

In-between Blade’s games we went up to see their Christmas decorations and to then to see the pigs, Linky is ‘sharing’ with their neighbor. (They are his pigs, but this very lonesome for the farm little girl, was asked by Mr. Chapman if she would like to help him gentle down and take care of his latest pigs). Every day she trudges up the hill to the pig barn and plays with the three little pigs–I forget their names. When she gets tired of them she then walks along and pets and brushes down all the other pigs in this very clean and friendly pig barn. There is no smell in this set up because of how the pigs are fed and taken care of…they have their own pellet stove for the winter and nice fans for the summer. These are special pigs raised only for showing…all the little pigs are sold only to those places that want show pigs. It’s a great life for a pig!

Then back we went to watch the basketball hustle. Bladen is a good basketball player! it was ever so much fun.

The only sad part in the whole day was Tally lost her backpack—hopefully someone found it and will return it to the school or to Kelly or Misty. One can always hope, I suppose.

We were heading back home right after the games, but the kids asked us to stay for a bite to eat and a short visit. We did…it was nice.

We made it back home just as the sun was going down around 4:30 or so. It was a very fast trip but a very nice trip.

Now we prepare for another week of harvest (we hope) only two more fields to go. It sure would be nice to be done before Christmas!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm

Linda

The Adventures of Boomer on Friday—Priceless

Posted on December 5, 2014 by Dayphoto

A HAY CUSTOMER IS HERE!!! DAD!!! YOU HAVE A HAY CUSTOMER!!! BARK! BARK! BAY! HOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWL!!!

Hi, Ya, Sam! Been catching any mice lately?

Your fur is getting messed up Monkey? A bit windy out here for those of you with long fur!

Oh…look here is Mom.

What’ up, Mom! What cha go’na do?

“Are you up to putting the farm to bed, Boomer? Come on…we will go on out and get started, Dad will come up when he is done helping loading hay.”

To-bed-2 Mom reached down and picked me up and sat me down behind her on the four-wheeler. (Mom has to pick me up and put me places ever since I blew my knee out. My knee is healed now, but neither she nor I want it to get hurt again—so she always picks me up and puts me behind her—or sits me in the back of the pick-up or on the pick-up seat.)

“WAIT!!!!” Monkey yelled…..”I WANT TO GO!”

“No, Monkey—git! It’s too far up there! SCRAM!”” Finally Monkey ran back to the yard. Wait-1

Up we went to gather all the siphon tubes and stack them so the cows won’t stomp on them and destroy them. Cows are like that ya know…if it’s interesting they like to walk on it to see what it will do. Cracked siphon tubes in hooves is not a good thing, nor is it something Mom and Dad want to deal with either.

It was hot work…even if the sky acted like it wanted to rain, we all worked up a sweat…Mom even took her coat off…I’m glad I didn’t have a coat like thing on, I was already hot!

Up one field, down another we went, picking up dams and tubes and straightening up anything that might get in the way of the corn combine…then I SAW IT!!!

HALOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Looks like the coyotes got a Big Bird…sniff, sniff..snuff…

“Boomer what you got there?” Mom asked, as she walked up the last of the dirt ditch.

“Oh, sometimes nature is so cruel…my, that was a big bird, I wonder what kind it was.”

Dad arrived about that time—“Coyotes! They’ve gotten very brave again…I saw evidence along the equipment area yesterday.”

Yeah, Dad….Mom and I can hear them when we walk at night. Mom and I think they are hanging out down around the other house. They wouldn’t be at that house if Hank still lived there, but since he doesn’t they aren’t afraid!

And we see scat everywhere…coyote poop! I sometimes stop and pee on it. Makes me feel…GOOD!!! Tee hee.

“Coyotes…never a good thing. You stay close by, Boomie, even if it’s daylight you don’t need to be scaring up some coyotes in their den” Mom admonished me.

Not to worry Mom. Since Fuzzy isn’t here I try to stay within eye-sight of you…I know you don’t have anyone to protect you now. I can still get the news, but I’m the only dog now, so I know you need me to take care of you.

‘Come on, Boom, let’s go.

We got done faster with Dad’s help. A nice little ride on the four-wheeler will cool you down.

Then we need to go check all the water traps for the mice…the mice seem to be rather bad this year also.” Mom lifted me up, started the engine and off we took right behind Dad.

Wind in your ears and cool air on your fur………………priceless!

Boomer

Sail Along Silver Moon– Thursday, December 4, 2014

Posted on December 4, 2014 by Dayphoto

The moon is rising late in the day,

It’s not a completely full moon yet, but it’s getting there.

By six in the evening it’s dark here, but the moonlight casts beautiful silver light illuminating the corn field. Boomer and I don’t even have to use a light to drive back home from the combine. 🙂 A gift from nature.

I got these photos on Monday. I was hoping on Tuesday I could get better ones since the moon would be fuller by then. Of course high thin clouds started drifting in–by three in the afternoon the high thin clouds had turned in to thicker heavier clouds that promised rain or snow. CROSSED FINGERS —-go away moisture…go away…we are just getting good and started —hiss, hiss!!!

Anyway, I was glad I got a photo of the moon on Tuesday!

Your friend,

Linda

A Small Set Back—Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Dayphoto

The first thing we had a small set back…the starter failed. (Well, not the first thing, the first thing –just before light–Terry took the corn down to the elevator. Arriving back around 11 a.m. was the first time he could get back into the field!)

That is what happens when you use old equipment, although Terry does keep them in good working order you just never know when some part is going to break. The kids laugh because we have a ‘herd’ of combines. That ‘herd’ comes in handy every now and again! 🙂 🙂

Boomer and I went out to help him…(it’s one reason he keeps other combines around…for parts). My stead…just incase he needed me to pull start him. Usually I go out on the four-wheeler, but with something broken down you just never know. The loader is also a good place to carry parts and chains (if you have to pull, say—a combine.)

Then an hour later…every system was go! The second load of the day left at 1:30 for the elevator. Gradually, gradually this corn is GOING to turn into a paycheck!

Keep on smiling…two more weeks to go!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm in the middle of corn harvest,

Linda

Underway–Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Posted on December 2, 2014 by Dayphoto

Thank you so much! All your magic thoughts and your crossed fingers (and toes) and prayers have worked!

We are underway! The corn measured 14.6% with the first load and 13% with the second load! YAY!

The line wasn’t too bad; thirteen trucks when he showed up the first time and only 6 the second time. When he called this morning there were 8; it’s good to be close to the front of the line when you first drive in. Very good!

It only takes two hours to load the truck, but four hours to unload. 🙂

This time of year this type of corn is all used for animal feed, although it is the same corn that can be used to make cornbread or breading for corndogs. Our elevator is strictly for animal feed—dairy cows, chickens, sheep, beef cattle and hogs. Although, there are different mixes that go into feeding each type of animal.

The sweet corn…the kind that you buy in can (tins) is harvested from July until the first of September. This corn—sweet corn is also the corn that is eaten fresh right off the cob.

For us, our corn harvest is our main crop of the year…we have the most land tied up in the production of this crop. Corn prices are dismal this year, so next year Terry is thinking of raising more pinto beans and less corn. If he does that the Pinto Beans will become our major crop. (if he continues to farm…every year he says he is done, every spring the itch to get out on the land drives him back. Every year I wonder if it is going to be the last year…the reality is I really don’t think he can give up the farming—but we will see.)

For this year, and for now, the corn harvest has truly begun!

Thank you so much for your support!

Your friend,

Linda

Once More–Cross your Fingers and Your Toes–Monday, December 1, 2014

Posted on December 1, 2014 by Dayphoto

Daily we check the corn…riding out on the four-wheelers to get samples from all the fields. Samples on the ends, samples in the middle…then THERE IT WAS…the moisture content said…”Give it a go!” So we did!

Down the rows he went

Opening the driest field

Filling the truck with red/gold corn

Because it was the Thanksgiving holiday and the Elevator was good enough to stop and let everyone have a break….we parked the truck under the car port

Where Monkey-the -cat spent lots of her time checking to see WHY the grain truck was close to the house and not out by the barn.

Silly cat!

Gradually the sun started to set filling our skies with a purple haze

It was stunningly beautiful,

Unusual and gorgeous all rolled into a swiftly darkening day

Terry left for the Elevator at 5 this morning…when he called he was 13th in line and more arriving. It’s 9:00 a.m. right now and he still isn’t home. He will be lucky to be here at noon.

Keep your fingers and toes crossed, send prayers and magic thoughts, please that this load passes and we are out-on-the-land until all the corn is in!

Your friend,

Linda

The Sounds in the Sky—Sunday, November 30, 2014

Posted on November 30, 2014 by Dayphoto

Even as I write this the sky is loud with the sounds of the Sandhill Cranes (above) on the east of us and the Canadian Geese on the west of us! Both species group together in great numbers, filling the air with distinctive cries...the Sandhill Cranes have a rolling sound

the Canada Geese sound close to their calls but more honking in tone.

The Sandhill Cranes are staying in the field just above ours, but across the canal…there are hordes of them. I wish I could have gotten a good photo, but it just wasn’t possible. When I’m outside and both species are flying the sky is full of sounds.

The Canada Geese seem to be on the Buttermilk Creek…spending the night (it really isn’t safe down there—coyotes and big cats and other types of predators also live around the Buttermilk. But so do Mr. Davis’ cows and calves. The geese flock close to the cows, then in the morning rise up and head toward Delta and Confluence lake and the two rivers that converge there—The Gunnison and the Uncompaghre.

I’m sure thankful for the birds; makes the dreary days a little bit brighter. We also have fun little hordes of brown birds, of which the Junco seems to be a part …then the big hunting birds…Owls and hawks, ravens and crows. The birds of winter—there are more, but for today I share with you the Geese and the Cranes.

Your friend on a Western Colorado Farm,

Linda

The Adventures of Boomer on Friday—Wonder Goo!

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Dayphoto

Sometimes I just don’t get hoomans! No I don’t.

If you find sometime good….something so wonderfully, incredibly good, something so delightful you just have to bay….HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!

And then roll in it!

You always get a disgusted look—they actually (your humans) actually grab their noses and sometimes they even have to go herk.

I mean…come on! Smells like this don’t come along all the time, they are a great find…a wonderful gift from the world of nature.

I just don’t get it.

Miss Tilly from Punkin’s Patch—sent me an email telling me she found some great stuff.

WOW! Cool, Miss Tilly…go ahead and roll in it…roll really, really good! Spread it alllllllllllll over you… start first with a really good sniff at the stuff…then with your neck—kinda scrape all the Wonder Goo onto your neck—try to get all four sides of your neck, you won’t be able to but try anyway.

By the time you get the Wonder Goo on your neck a sorta daze will permeate your brain and it won’t matter if your Mom is yelling at you to stop….this is what you are aiming for…the permeating of your brain and the ability to ignore your mom.

Then as soon as you notice your Mom’s voice is far, far, farrrrrr away —get up and lay down on your back. Make sure you lay your back flat down on the Wonder Goo and then squiggle and squirm all over it it…ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Boy that will feel good! Just keep on squiggling until you are pretty sure you have every drop of Wonder Goo all over you and in your fur.

NOW! You will have the Wonder Goo with you wherever you go!

Once you get done with this you can go and do whatever you want to do, since Wonder Goo is now a part of you! I usually go show Mom!

Miss Tilly asked me if Mom would get mad…mine doesn’t I typed back to her, although, she does hack around a lot and usually makes me walk home with her.

Okay, Miss Tilly typed back. I’ll print this off so I can have it to study. Sometimes I don’t get the computer like I want, because Mom gets it first.

I always walk with Mom anyway so the walk home part is a cinch, Miss Tilly typed back to me.

I’ll let you know how it goes, was her parting line.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=

Hey, Boomer? Are you there?

Say’n Hi! Miss Tilly! How’s is going back there on your sheep farm?

Ahhhhhhhhhhh, Boomer?

Yeah?

I found some Wonder Goo….

COOOOOOL!

“I thought you said I wouldn’t get in trouble for rolling in gross stuff!”

Oh! Sorry, Miss Tilly….sorry. I just thought the bath would be worth ROLLING IN WONDER GOO!!!!

Boomer!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone—Thursday, November 26, 2014

Posted on November 27, 2014 by Dayphoto

Wishing each and everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. For those who do not celebrate the American Thanksgiving, I wish for you a day of Thanks for the blessings and gift of another day, another year, another joy.

Your Friend on a Western Colorado Farm,

Linda

The Clouds have Left–Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Dayphoto

Oh the joy of a sunny sky! Albeit a weak wintery sunny sky, but still storm and cloudless!

I’ll take it! The temperature is even a small bit warmer! I dance for joy!

Today Boomer and I will walk right after lunch and enjoy the high point of the warmth of the day…we will walk down all the corn fields and over toward the hay field. Which reminds me, today I really need to take the four-wheeler out and gather up all the siphon tubes….sunshine and warmer temps flood my soul!

I also need to finish up all my Thanksgiving baking…now THAT is going to be a chore, because the out-of-doors is calling to me!