Category Archives: Life on a Colorado Farm

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

A Flicker of Sunlight —- Sunday, November 8, 2020

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The cows arrived! The joy of cattle feet back on the land!

The storm clouds rolled in over-night, moving along by a wind unseen

Over in the South West part of our farm, a very faint Sundog started to appear.

Growing brighter and brighter in the cool cloudy sky.

In three days’ time, our temperature will drop too much cooler norms.

The thick clouds started filling in again…leaving not a single space of blue.

But the exciting thing of wonder (I almost missed it) came with a phone call from Cliff and Kimberly—

“Quick!  Look to the West…there is a Care Bear Rainbow  (as our daughter, Kimberly called the rainbow) dancing in the sky”.

Sure enough…There is was. Perfectly Perfect as a sign of Hope.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Before the Second Snowfall of the Year — Thursday, November 5, 2020

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(This photo was taken just before the First Snowfall of the Year)

I decided yesterday,

I needed to go into the heart of the farm,

into the heart of the Earth;

where places of wonder exist,

places where I could forget politics

and angst

and worries.

I went off and on throughout the whole day

Looking at the crisped bushes, trees, and the fallen leaves

Gathering the heart of the Earth into my heart

Enjoying the peace

(Looking for these creatures)

The shadows

Before the predicted

High winds of Fall

(I only saw a few of these)

Are due in here of Friday

Bringing with it several days of the second snowfall of the season.

The light last night was lovely.

My favorite light—looking at the world through the color Rose.

From my world to your heart,

Linda

A Wee Post about Black Canyon Animal Sanctuary — Wednesday, November 4, 2020

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I thought I might tell you a wee little bit about the Black Canyon Animal Sanctuary.  (If anyone is curious)

Debbie and David Faulkner have been involved in dog and cat rescue for over 30 years.  A quick web search will tell you that Deb had to close the rescue due to her husband developing Alzheimer’s.

The Fence Post Magazine did a wonderful article on her here

Although she is not taking in more strays—she is still helping find homes for furry friends (and still takes a dog or two—now and then. 🙂 )

She has a delightful program, she started to help senior dog/ and senior people

She calls it the Silver Whiskers Progam.

She told me it was a very expensive program to run, here I will quote her:  “It’s a very expensive program because we do a complete medical workup on each senior dog.”

“It really is an amazing program for our clients. One client walked with a walker. After 6 months she was walking the dog without one. Makes a big difference in their health and well-being to have a companion pet.”

Please take a few minutes out of your time to read about the patients, both dog, and human.  It will make your heart sing.

For those of you who love wonderful warm fuzzy stories.  This is a perfect example of wonderful warm stories in action.

For those who would like to follow her on her FaceBook page go here:  The latest true adventure is about a vet, Johnathan,  and a dog named Joker.  It’s beautiful and wonderful and delightful and just perfect.

For those who donated in Boomer’s memory.  Thank you.

And Thank YOU, Deb!

From my heart to your heart,

Linda

 

As the Sun Cracked Open the Sky —- Tuesday, November 3, 2020

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The sun just paling the sky

We drove the truck out to the field

Checked the corn shucks to see if any frost was on them

Got a load

Then it was time to open up another area

We are wanting to get done this week

Off to the Elevator

Our skyline is still pretty dazzling (I think)

Then Terry gets in-line and waits and waits. The semi’s take 40 minutes to unload, and the large grain trucks 30 minutes to unload. The wait is usually at least Three Hours.

And I bring him lunch 🙂

We are wanting to get done this week

because another big snow is due on Saturday or Sunday

So there we are.

Back to corn harvest!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

 

 

Scanning the Sky — Monday, November 2, 2020

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The Halloween Moon was amazing

Adding something just right

Brightening the sky

But the above photo is just amazing! It appeared in my email Sunday morning:


“Full moon Halloween in northern Illinois:  In the pic above, that little dot in the upper right, in the break of the clouds, is Mars. I got lucky with the timing of this one.”

 

WOW! Is right!

Thank you ever so much for that Northern Illinois Moon and Mars!  A Perfect gift in email form.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Delta High School Homecoming 2020—-Sunday, November 1, 2020

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Some of the members of the Delta Street Rodder Car Club

Were asked to escort the Homecoming Royalty

(PLEASE EXCUSE the dark photos.  Even with my best camera and flash the lighting just wasn’t good.)

First Senior Attendant

Second Senior Attendants

Junior Attendants

Sophomore Attendants

Freshman Attendant

And this…I just thought this was extra special.

Homecoming 2020

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

 

 

 

Haunting, Enthralling, Enchanting —Thursday, October 29, 2020

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Before Autumn abruptly shifted into winter

I walked the farm marveling

At the dance the flocks of birds make, swirling and dipping in the sky.

Look who is back!  The day before the big wind, I saw a Sandhill Crane in the yard!

And a Crow on the road!

Not to mention

Our amazing hawk—I call him Harry. It might be a she, so Harriett would then be her name.

DINNER!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

 

 

 

As One Season Ended —- Wednesday, October 28, 2020

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The wind  

flung the golden leaves off in flurries of snow

Causing the leaves to look like they were frozen while dancing.

From my world to your heart,

Linda

The End—Tuesday, October 27, 2020

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The end of golden leaves

The end of golden sunshine

And the beauty of

Red leaves among the green.

A huge wind came in Sunday evening

Announcing the end of fall’s warm days

All through Sunday night, it snowed

Temperatures dropped to 15*f (-9.4 c) with a wind chill of 2f (-16.6c)

Winter

Arrived.

But we are prepared.

The snow is not fated to stay.  By this time next week, we will be back in the field. (Hopefully)

Until then

Harvest has stopped.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

We are All Bits of Stardust — Monday, October 26, 2020

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I love twilight

My maternal grandmother did too.

I called her Love Grandma.

Together, she and I would go walking in the velvet time,

Between day and night.

Or sit together (comfortably) in her kitchen [without any lights]

As the day turned to brilliant colors

And the air became like velvet.

It is still a magical time for me

A special time, no matter what the season,

A sacred time between ‘what was’

and what will become

A time of true magic

When the world holds it’s breath

Then everything disappears into stars.

From my world to your heart,

Linda