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 Fuzzy and Boomer on Friday — Fall Work

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Dayphoto

Well, let’s see….first off Boomer and I helped Mom clean the chicken house. Boomer really doesn’t help; he just bounces around in the house while I am looking for mice. If I see mice, I grab them up and snap them. Mom says I’m a very good mouser.

(Although, I don’t see as well anymore, but don’t tell Mom, I don’t want her to not let me come in to the hen house with her and hunt mice. I talked to Boomer about my ‘little problem’ and he said he would watch me and try to do what I do.)

Anyway, there was only one mouse; Mom said the two snakes that had been living in the chicken house have done a good job. She dreads this winter when the mice will run all over the place again.

Mom washed out and cleaned all of the live traps because they now have to take the place of the hibernating snakes.

Then we got on the four-wheeler and headed up to where Dad is re-building fence….remember that huge fire we had last spring? Actually two huge fires? Well, the main fence that runs along the west of the place still hasn’t been fixed. Long story.

The damaged fences on the top of our place Dad has decided we better remove. He says we won’t have cows anymore so he is taking down the fences that have huge fire damaged wire. The range cows won’t have to be fenced out of the fields because they come in the winter and run the whole place anyway.

Lots of work, but necessary, you can’t have a cow or calf walk on a burned and down fence, get tangled in the barbed-wire and go down, get cut up, and hurt.

No, sir!

So we are all helping Dad.

I sit by the four-wheeler lots, unless Mom moves somewhere then I go with her. Boomer runs around, gets the news then comes back and tells me what’s happening out there.

We work until sunset.

The corn is drying down well.

Before supper Shannon comes over and we take a walk with all of her dogs. We like walking with ‘the pack’.

Hank even comes with us!

OH! YES! The old tree that was burn last year by our second huge fire the next day…IT IS COMING BACK! Mom was so happy she petted that tree!

Lots of our farm neighbors have told us how they miss that tree…well maybe it will be back stronger than ever.

Mom said we will just have to wait and see!

(That’s the fixed fence the ditch company burned and have now RE-BUILT!)

Fuzzy

Water—-The Lifeblood of Life

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Dayphoto

We received notice yesterday by the Ditch Company that the irrigation water is to be shut off early this year and (depending on the snow levels over winter) to start later next year.

Although, we have turned our water off, there are those who have planted winter wheat and also those who have just cut their hay and will need to water the alfalfa field one more time before going into winter.

“Due to drought conditions and the heavy usage of stored water this summer, the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association –UVWUA- will be shutting the Gunnison Tunnel off two and a half weeks early this year. The shut-off date will be October 15th. This decision has been made to conserve Taylor Reservoir water for next year. Growers planting winter grains should plan accordingly. Pending the type of winter we have this year, there is a possibility water will be turned on later than normal next spring. For questions or comments call the UVWUA.”

You are looking upon our head gate for the irrigation water to our place. Our share of this canal (the Ironstone) is taken out at this point. It goes back in at the end of our farm.

We were watching the Rural Farm News (yes, we do things like that) and the report on there was this drought is the largest drought in years, and years, and years, encompassing most of the United States clear into Canada.

As much as I dislike snow and ice and the dark and cold of winter….I’m sure there isn’t a person out there that doesn’t want a lot of moisture this winter.

Finger crossed and toes crossed for moisture for drought stricken regions everywhere!!!!

Linda

Fall Maintenance Work

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Dayphoto

Terry and I spent yesterday switching out the broken gated pipes for new pipes,

putting in new seals in the pipes that needed them.

He also decided that he wanted to not replace the four broken pipe but extend the dirt ditch further into the field.

If he likes this he might (MIGHT) turn the whole ditch into a cement ditch…heavy on the might. The cost will be high, but the work load (after the ditch is made) lots easier.

Fall Maintenance work just makes spring work that much easier!

Linda

Saturday in Aspen

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Dayphoto

Saturday, our grandson had a soccer game in Aspen, Colorado. Our oldest granddaughter also had a soccer game, but hers was in Orchard City, Colorado, then to stretch everything just a tad bit more, our son-in-law had to work…he is the Assistant Principal at our local High School…he had to be at the high school because of volley ball games there all day.

SOOOOO enter the grandparents….we opted to take Blade to Aspen, we hadn’t been there in years and years and besides we wanted a day with Bladen. He is ten now and often times we don’t have him by himself, we get the girls by their selves, but rarely Bladen.

On the way up we stopped at the Crystal River to show him where some hot water enters the river.

Over the years people have created a fun little dam which allows for ‘dipping’ , he was delighted.

What a soccer field!!! In Aspen you are on top of Rocky Mountains.

Here is a quick shot through a very dirty windshield of some of ski slopes!

Linda

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Posted on September 16, 2012 by Dayphoto

Once more we have been lucky to have family come visit.

Terry’s sister, Carolyn and her husband, Wayne came in a stayed a couple of nights. We took them to Grand Mesa for the day and to my father’s lake.

(Since Tallen, was with us, she had to show Uncle Wayne and Aunt Carolyn the teeter-totter)

Fall is everywhere up there!

The day was perfect…bright blue skies, golden trees, and lovely sunshine.

Linda

The Adventures of Fuzzy and Boomer on Friday — Dogs

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Dayphoto

I like to think I have a good opinion of dogs, actually I think I am an expert on dogs.

(Boomie, lets go! Come on it’s time to go!)

For what it is worth I think I’ll pass it on to you.

(HURRY, BOOMIE!)

There are lots of breeds of dogs, lots! But the best breed for you is one that you like…sometimes it’s a this or a that, and sometimes it’s a mutt. It really doesn’t matter…it isn’t color, it isn’t size, it isn’t how much or how little you spend for the dog…its that you like the dog.

(COME ON! Boo–mie!)

Male or female…you must like the dog!

That is the most important thing in deciding. Opinions vary on what good dogs are –night watchman, herding dog, guarding dog, best friend, hunting companion, and so forth. A family dog comes down to three things…calm disposition, eagerness to be with you, and the dog wants to listen to you.

(We will wait for you, just run, Boomie! RUN FAST!)

Just like people dogs have personalities…pick the one that has the personality you like.

Once you get your dog, realize your dog is your friend for life….don’t just throw us into the back yard and never talk to us again, or randomly bring a dog dish with food and water out to us and hurry back in because we might ‘get you dirty’-or some such thing.

Don’t get a dog because you can afford to pay $7,000.00 and then never even look to see if the dog is cold, hungry or lonesome.

(Your are just about here! COME ON!)

Please don’t.

We dogs LOVE being with you, having lots of pets, being hugged on and hugging you back!

If you get a dog, please teach your children to have respect for dogs. Pulling ears, tails, and feet can get a child snapped at, don’t get in front of the dog and pant at him/her and not expect the dog to respond back to the teasing with a sharp bite —more than likely to the face.

You teach us dogs that you love us and we will be your guardian angels for as long as our bodies hold out.

(Oh, good! You made it!)

Each of us dogs has a unique personality, our own quirks, habits, strengths, and weaknesses. We are living animals that respond to your environment and we do not see the world like you do. It’s up to the human to work at understanding us, just like we desire to understand you!

Oh, yes, and having a dog in not a cheap hobby to get rid of by dumping us off somewhere when you are tired of us. We need to be with you for life. And it takes money to have us…food, water, grooming, sometimes vet bills, but I promise you we will return the love to you 100 times over.

(I’m always glad when you get back on time!)

We dogs improve with use…the more you play with us, pet us, and take us with you, the better we get. Just like you we need stimulation, discipline, and a sense of purpose!

If you decide you don’t want your dog anymore, please don’t dump your dog. Find your dog a home, there are lots of good homes out there that want to spend it with dog. Please find that home first…the world is cruel to a dumped dog.

(Hey, Boomie! LOOK! SNAKE! COOL! Fuzzy)

Fuzzy and I were lucky…we found Mom and Dad, but like I said we were lucky.

Life is short….spend it with a good dog!

Boomer

And The Rain, Rain, Came Down, Down Down

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Dayphoto

Lovely, thirst quenching rain. Although, Fuzzy panicked and ran into the corn field with all the thunder and the lightening. It took me about an hour to get him to come out. Boomer stayed with him the whole time. Both dogs were wet, and muddy and soaked. They got to sleep on the back porch until they both decided it was way too hot for them and went outside around two this morning.

It is still cloudy here, although not raining. Everything looks so happy and clean outside. Rain is a blessing. It’ s just hard to have it rain during harvest.

(And YES, we do have weeds….)

Whenever it rains I always think of that wonderful little song from Disney—

Linda

Winnie The Pooh And The Blustery Day:

The rain rain rain came down down down
In rushing, rising riv’lets,
‘Til the river crept out of it’s bed
And crept right into Piglet’s!
Poor Piglet, he was frightened,
With quite a rightful fright.
And so, in desperation
A message he did write.
He placed it in a bottle
And it floated out of sight.

And the rain rain rain came down down down
So Piglet started bailing.
He was unaware, atop his chair,
While bailing he was sailing!

And the rain rain rain came down down down
And the flood rose up up upper.
Pooh, too, was caught and so he thought,
“I must rescue my supper!”
Ten honey pots he rescued,
Enough to see him through,
But as he sopped up his supper,
The river sopped up Pooh!
And the water twirled and tossed him
In a honey pot canoe!
The rain rain rain came down down down…