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 Next Day

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Dayphoto

Well, yesterday was yesterday. We are still having winter weather. All of the apricot tree fruit that was in bloom stage froze. I don’t expect many apricots this summer, but there just might be some, one never knows until later on.

I have decided that if most of my stuff dies I will start over—it is a good way to try out new and different plants without ripping up the ones already there. I have a hard time doing so, so this will just help me out.

If they do recover then I stay with what I have. 🙂

As Momma said…’time will tell’.

It’s still cold and snowing off and on, another fast moving storm came in early this morning.

I hope it snowing where we can use the water! Snow in the Gunnison Mountain ranges!

The water came…in the midst of all the nasty wind and blowing snow… I didn’t take a photo of it until yesterday when everything calmed down.

You can see the moisture from the storm has really greened up the banks. Then having the canal water all the time will help make everything along the edges grow quickly. Grass doesn’t seem to mind cool to colder weather.

Terry will call the ditch rider early tomorrow morning (way before 7) and see if the head gate can be opened so we can begin.

Neither rain or sleet or snow will stop us once we flush the ditches and set the rows!

It’s all rather exciting. Snow in the mountains, water for the rest of us.

Well, off to do some things …like mopping the floor. Pretty mundane, but necessary!

Here is a photo of

Delta’s Main Street, looking south, in 1893. The Delta House is far right; the Delta Area Chamber is center (Delta County Bank in this photo). Note that Main Street was lined with trees, (Cottonwood Trees), even way back then. Those trees have been removed and we have shorter growing trees now.

Linda

Wednesday, April 10, 2013 My Poor Gardens

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Dayphoto

What can I say—

January arrived last night in April…

We woke up at the crack of dawn to this…..and, of course, not complete with out wind chill.

Really sad. I don’t remember this ever happening in all of my married years…

Everything is frozen and turning black as the sun rises.

Sigh,

Linda

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Dayphoto

We had RAIN!!! last night! Not lots, but enough the tractors can’t get into the fields.

We also had wind…lots and lots of wind. My house is covered in mud…dirt, wind, rain…makes for a sort of adobe house. 🙂

(Dirt in the air)

Now it is cold…39* with a very sharp wind.

I am hoping lots of snow is being dumped on the two reservoirs-Taylor and Blue Mesa! 🙂

This tiny bit of rain we have here is nice…although, it isn’t even a inch into the ground it is moisture. The trees, grasses and other things have a nice shiny look to them. Even the corral poles look washed off.

Tonight it’s supposed to get extremely cold, just as the sun dog said would happen, then we gradually start warming back up.

I should say that this is rather typical for spring…two or three steps forward and then one giant step back. By Mother’s Day we should be settling down real nice.

Linda

Monday, April 8, 2013

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Dayphoto

We finished up the gated pipe this morning. Terry talked to our ditch rider at 6:30 a.m. and he said they are flushing the Ironstone Canal (that is ours) tomorrow morning. By Thursday we should have water.

Of course a huge winter storm is supposed to come in here by mid-night tonight. We have high wind warning starting at noon today. The storm is fast moving, very cold and wet with lots of rain and snow for two days and nights. Anyone with fruit trees in bloom have been warned to start the wind machines and/or the smudge pots.

My family made a living in the orchard world up in Eckert. Anytime I hear freeze warnings I always think about the stress that produced for my parents and my maternal grandparents.

Our Apricot trees are blooming, but some of the blooms are already into the fruit stage so they will survive, the other blooms that aren’t are okay by me. We don’t make our living on these trees and the summer fruit can be a mess.

Local Weather Alert

Winter Storm Warning for Central Gunnison And Uncompahgre River Basin, CO (we are the Uncompahgre River Basin)

… WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM MDT TUESDAY…WITH FREEZE WARNING UNTIL 9 AM WEDNESDAY

* TIMING… RAIN WILL CHANGE OVER TO SNOW LATE TONIGHT AS TEMPERATURES PLUMMET TO BELOW FREEZING.

* SNOW ACCUMULATION… 4 TO 8 INCHES OF SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE. SNOW AMOUNTS WILL BE EXTREMELY VARIABLE FROM LOCATION TO LOCATION. EVEN SO… AREAS THAT ARE LIKELY TO RECEIVE HIGHER AMOUNTS OF SNOW INCLUDE MONTROSE AND CERRO SUMMIT AND MUCH OF THE UPPER GUNNISON VALLEY.

* SNOW LEVEL… LOWERING TO THE VALLEY FLOORS BY LATE TONIGHT.

* WINDS… BECOMING NORTHWEST TO NORTH AT 15 TO 40 MPH.

* VISIBILITY… LOWERING TO LESS THAN 1 MILE AT TIMES IN MODERATE SNOW.

* IMPACTS… HIGHWAYS WILL BECOME WET AND SLIPPERY WITH SLUSHY ACCUMULATIONS POSSIBLE. LOCAL AREAS… LIKE CERRO SUMMIT… WILL BECOME SNOW PACKED.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

In spite of all this the water will still come on. Terry is getting ready to pack the rows so if we get rain and snow it won’t hurt the ground (cause it to turn into a huge clay mess so we have to start all over) so when the head gate is unlocked we can begin.

Well, my break is over, I’ve enjoyed sharing it with you, but I must get back to work the spring storm is putting a huge rush on things.

(Although, snow in the Gunnison Mountains will be lovely for when it melts it means more water — hopefully).

Linda

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Dayphoto

The water fights have begun…not with the farmers but the subdivision people and the ditch company. I am so thankful I am not a ditch rider (although, there was a time I would have enjoyed being a ditch rider.)

So many people don’t understand what ‘priority rights’ mean—nor do they want too. They also don’t understand that the water levels are way, way, way below normal in Taylor and Blue Mesa Reservoir. Drinking water and farm water comes first.

Sort of sad really.

The water is still three miles from us. It will be that way until sometime next week. There are so many canals, laterals, and ditches that have to be cleaned and flushed before the water gets to us — we are close to last on our mesa before the water heads into the river.

Since the water is not as close as we thought we have been able to slow down the pace some and get caught up. A nice little gift of time.

Terry is calling Monday to see when they think the water will get here. Once it’s here and the head gate is unlocked (and locked back at 50%) we will hit the ground running.

Nothing like the life of a cat, is there?

Linda

The Adventures of Fuzzy and Boomer on Friday — Setting Up Pipe

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Dayphoto

Boy have we ever been busy!

Sure feels good!

I LOVE BEING BUSY!!

(Although, it really drains Fuzzy, but Mom is good and lets Fuzzy ride with her all the time. Sometimes I can’t STAND the thought of riding so I run along so I can take a detour or two. 🙂 )

Fuzzy is really good about keeping strangers out of the yard…his nose still works really, really good, but sometimes he can’t hear real well, and sometimes he can’t see real well. I always, always, always make sure Fuzzy knows what is happening, then when he is with Mom I go off and see whatever I can see.

Yesterday Dad made the big ditches, the ditches that bring the water to the fields, the other day Fuzzy and I helped Mom clean out the waste ditches…the ditches that take the water off the farm back to canal.

It was HOT! WHEW! We were both panting up a storm, but a storm never came!

Then Mom, Dad, Fuzz and I all had to work on getting the gated pipe set so the water could start… we just got started and news came that the water was three miles away so Dad stopped and started marking out the field.

These are the rows that the water will flow down to water the seeds, which turn into plants that turn into crops. Once he finishes marking everything out today, then we will all go back to connecting the gated pipe.

See Dad’s rows? They are really straight. A farmer HAS TO MAKE STRAIGHT rows because if he doesn’t all the other farmers make fun of him. Straight rows are really important if you can see them from the road…I think you understand why. 🙂

Then the water should be here anytime …I can hardly wait!

Once the head gate is opened we all GET TO START IRRIGATING!!!

Mom, Fuzzy and I love to irrigate! Dad says it’s a necessary evil and leaves it like that. Once the water starts there is no stopping the water until it is time for harvest—day in and day out, seven days a week, twice a day and if water gets short, every few hours even when we are supposed to be sleeping—from now on…until the corn is ready to start drying down. (That’s why Dad gets tired of it—it never stops.)

The Apricots are blooming! Mom calls them Bee Food…Fuzzy and I call them –YIPPEE Mom is going for a walk to look at the apricot trees!

🙂

A storm played over the canyons last evening.

Mom, Fuzzy and I saw a sun dog this morning…that means colder weather is heading in for a few days. That’s okay…we sure have been hot! It’s been so hot Fuzzy hasn’t even been sleeping in the dog house until sometime closer to morning.

Fuzzy says a little cool down won’t hurt us.

Well, off to work! Everyone enjoy today! Like Danny Kaye said “Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint on it you can.” Fuzzy and I sure are going to try!

(With Mom and Dad)

Boomer

Wednesday April 4, 2013

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Dayphoto

Terry and I spent the morning cleaning out the waste ditches yesterday. Then as I continued getting the rest of the ditches cleaned he came along with the 4240 and the blade making the ditch that carry the water from our field to the farm just below us.

All of our water comes from another farm(s) to us. After we use it then it goes on to the next farm then to the river and onto California.

I was asked how we siphon out of a pipe under ground. We don’t. The transmission pipe/ditch is just that….a huge ditch that brings the water onto our place. Our head gate is on our place but some peoples’ head gates are a mile or so above their place. The head gate is the beginning of the transmission pipe.

We are putting as much as we can under ground so the water stays weed free, seed free–safe from the sun. We still have sections of transmission ditches that are open (pipe is extremely expensive). We use siphon tubes out of smaller ditches, either made of dirt or cement. Then we use gated pipe for the rest of the place. Lots of ways to get water into the fields.

I also was asked if we practice crop rotation…YES we do! 🙂 We were green before green was cool!

Anyway, we always plant corn after pintos, sometimes alfalfa, but alfalfa is a five-year crop so once it is in the field it stays five years until it is old (showing signs of weeds). We plant pintos after corn or maybe alfalfa…always always working toward good soil maintenance. After all healthy soil is the most critical way of having healthy plants.

So moving on so you aren’t bored we heard the water was at Pea Green last night. That is 5 miles from us. Today we will finish the ditches, fix the gated pipe and then mark out the fields. We want to be ready for the water as soon as the head gate is unlocked!

Spring work is here!

Linda

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Dayphoto

The trees are showing signs of waking up…we are moving forward even though we must still have a fire in the early morning.

Water is in the early canals and heading our way…I always find it exciting to see the water rushing toward us as the canal opens. For the rest of the season my heart sings as I heard the water rushing, rushing onward bringing life to water starved land.

Maybe today our water will get here, maybe not, but when it does I will let all of you know.

Linda

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Dayphoto

Terry finished ripping the old pinto bean ground. Old pinto bean ground doesn’t have to disked, plowed, rolled, and leveled, it only has to be ripped and rolled and then marked.

(He is using the ripper here.)

Terry will finish rolling it today, then he (and I) will continue work on the transmission ditch. This our main ditch from the head gate to our whole farm —it is where we are laying pipe so the work load can shrink. Just like moving everything to your computer the upfront work is hard, but after that everything is a breeze.

Putting the main ditch in pipe, underground will help with the loss of water from evaporation the slew of weeds that love having an unlimited supply of water, and HIP HIP HOORAY keeping the trash out of the rest of the ditches.

Oh, there will still be some trash, because THE WIND DOTH BLOW IN OUR PART OF COLORADO, but it will shrink considerably!

We’ve been having storms playing along the edges of the Uncompahgre Plateau and over the canyons, sure makes for exciting sky photos!

Happy Spring Tuesday!

Linda

Monday, April 1, 2013

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Dayphoto

Yesterday was ever so delightful! I hope yours was also.

Today we woke up to wind, which means it will blow all day and possibly blow in a storm. More than likely it will blow in a cold front, but that is okay, we are still doing ground work, nothing is planted yet, and no water.

ALTHOUGH!!!!!

The Uncompahgre Valley Water Users higher ups have decided that they WILL start the irrigation water today!

No April Fool’s either!

It will get to us by Friday or next Monday at the latest.

50% of normal. I would NOT want to be a ditch rider this year you can bet we are going to hear of water fights and uncivilized behavior when it comes to the water for the farms. All ready the subdivision people are complaining that they won’t have water (they do, they can use city water).

As I understand it, If we were over on the eastern slope around Sterling and Pueblo it wouldn’t be the subdivision people complaining, it would be the farmers also. The cities have all rights to the water FIRST.

But I’m not going there. The whole ‘water thing’ is just so emotional and frightening that I can’t really get my mind around it.

Terry and I will do what we have to do and be grateful that we have what we have. One never really knows what the rest of the growing season will bring, it could be normal.