The fires still rage on and on and on
Evacuations are in place for all living in the path of the fires
In the meantime, our skies are so full of smoke it’s hard to see to the end of our farm.
Rain would be a huge blessing! For everyone—the forest, the animals who live in the forest, the people and animals who live in the canyons, and everyone fighting the fires.
“Hope is the only bee that makes honey without flowers” — Robert Green Ingersoll
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
(This is a Rio Grande Cottonwood—in our yard. It was planted here when Terry’s father was about 5 years old. He said the tree was a sapling at the time. Today, this tree is listed on the National Tree Registry. Every three to five years, someone comes out and measures our big, beautiful tree. Terry’s Dad was born in 1921. In 1926, this tree came to live here. It is at least 100 years old. 🙂 ) Click the blue line to learn more.
“Biologists say that trees are social beings; they can count, learn, and remember. They nurse sick neighbors, warn each other of danger by sending electrical signals across a fungal network known as the ‘wood wide web’, and for reasons unknown, keep the ancient stumps of long felled companions alive for centuries by feeding them a sugar solution through their roots.”
I love trees! I’m sure you do too.
From my world to your heart,
Linda
I promised you I would tell you about SQUIRRELS!
Oh!
And it’s HOT! Here!
I do mean HOT!
It’s so HOT I absolutely HATE going outside!
But Mom makes me. (Sigh)
To be fair, I do have to go outside to do my business (you understand), but to go Irrigate, hang out with Mom while she works in the yard. I HATE IT!
It was while I was trying to find a cool spot in the shade that I remembered Mom feeds the SQUIRRELS and the BIRDS!!!
I dragged myself over to the feeding station. Started sniffing around, looking to see if there were any treats fit for a dog — when
SQUIRREL!!
He jumped right out of the woodpile, scampered over to the feeding station, and ran right into ME!
We, both) just stood there stunned.
Squirrel backed up…started to run off when I said “Hi!”
He just stopped and stared at me. “Hi,” he replied. “Gosh, you are a dog. I’m talking to a dog.” He puzzled.
“Yeppers, I’m a dog. My name is Boo Berry Betty Brown! And yours?”
“Stanley, Son of Stanley, Son, son, of Stanley, son, son, son of Stanley….”
“Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! I get it! You are Stanley, Stanley, Stanley, Stanley! Brown! You also have the last name of Brown, you know…you live here with Mom and Dad. Mom feeds you, you are Mom’s squirrel, so that makes you a Brown also.” I smiled.
“Wow! I never knew I had a last name— Stanley, Stanley, Stanley Brown!” Stanley SMILED big at me.
“What are you doing here, by the feeder?” Stanley asked as he stuffed his mouth full.
“Looking for shade. And maybe a treat or two. I only see sunflower seed shells, so no real treats here. And you?”
“I was coming down the big willow tree, and thought maybe I would zip over here and get a snack to take with me to my home. It’s a really nice hole in the ground under Mom’s old storage shed/ancient grain bin.”
“Oh, yes! THAT IS WHERE I’ve smelled your smell before! I’ve wondered about you and just what you were.”
“Well, now you know! I’m a SQUIRREL!”
“Friends?” I put up my left front paw (I’m a lefty) and he put up his paw and we touched!
“Heck, why not! FRIENDS!” We yelled together
(These were taken the day the fires started. They’ve been going for several days now.)
There are fires all around us! Scary fires. Most of the smaller ones are out, but
The big ones (on the Black Canyon and over by Gateway, and close to Paradox) are still roaring on.
It’s all so terribly sad.
Word of the day: Isoliophilia: a strong preference or love for solitude. where one enjoys being alone, associated with introspection, peace, or personal space.
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
Meanwhile— in between meeting up with Carolyn and Wayne and coming back to the farm
The alflafa
was ready to cut
Thanks to hot (HOT), dry, windy weather, the hay was ready to bale in the early morning light.
Back from Ouray, we started stacking it.
I put the ad out on Facebook Marketplace —and the first bales have left for new homes.
Word of the day—Pluviophile (n): a person who finds calm, happiness, and peace of mind in the rain.
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
The last day we met Wayne and Carolyn in Ouray, Colorado
Terry & Linda Brown – Carolyn & Wayne Maxwell – Lunch at the Goldbelt Bar & Grill – Ouray, CO 6-30-2025
for lunch, then
We spent a couple of hours dipping in the Ouray Hot Springs Pool.
Then it was home again for us. They traveled on to Durango, Colorado, then to Cortez, Colorado, and gradually back to their home in Arizona.
Word of the day: Dendrophile: a person who loves trees and forests.
Your friend on a Western Colorado farm,
Linda
One thing Wayne had always wanted to do (as an adult) was to go to Marble, Colorado
(Click on the blue to learn more)
So off we went!
Touring the old factory site, going up to the Mine Entrance
And eating at the famous BBQ spot. It wasn’t too busy that day, we only had a 30 minute wait.
Marble! A fun place to visit. An interesting place to learn about. And Good Company!
Perfect!
Word of the day: Kawaakari (n): The gleam of last light on a river’s surface at dusk; the glow of a river in the darkness. Origins Japanese
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
Terry’s Sister and Brother-in-law came for a very short visit.
Since their time wasn’t very long with us (just a few days) ….and the heat was over-the-top hot
We (all) decided day trip(s) would be a fun thing to do.
Off we went to the Colorado National Monument—
We enjoyed ourselves very much! It was also interesting because Wayne’s grandparents had a fruit orchard at the base of the Monument, connecting to the National Land.
Memories really are special!
Word of the day: Deamflum (n) — the dreamy and calm-like state experienced while listening to a natural waterfall.
Your friend on a Western Colorado farm,
Linda
Well, It is good things are a go after all those beginning chapters.
Now I have a cat, TLC, and he has me.
He likes to rub against my body when he comes in from outside. I really don’t know what to make of all that, so I just stand there with a dumb look on my face.
I have a DAD and MOM!
And I get to go and do stuff!!!
I’m not very good at going to BIG things with Mom and Dad, but I’m getting better at it.
People like to stop and pet me, and I like for them to do so. But they have to be the ones to stop. I’m not going to run out there and jump on their leg.
Riding in the car or the pick-up is disconcerting—I keep thinking I’m going to wind up at someone else’s kennel.
But I never do.
I’m gradually getting the hang of riding. No, putting my head out the window—that is terrifying.
But I do like to sniff around once I get out.
Well, anyway, we’ve made it all the way to Now- and now I get to tell you about SQUIRREL! Or maybe SQUIRRELS!!
Read on to Chapter 9 to learn about SQUIRRELS!
KNEE HIGH BY THE FOURTH OF JULY!!!
Yep! That’s me in the middle! Corn and I are the same height! 5’5″ tall! 🙂
Word of the day: Petrichor (n): The pleasant smell of earth after the first rain.
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
Life on a Colorado Farm 