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

In the Crisp, Chilled Morning Air—-Tuesday, September, 29, 2020

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As the mist left the land

Boomer and I took squirrel food and birdseed over to the equipment area

To feed the little critters

For life ‘on the land’ can be a tad harsh in the winter.

After spreading out the treats we (Boomer and I) waited. First, the little chipmunk to show up.

While the chipmunk ran home to deposit the great find.  Natures’ vacuum cleaner arrived!  🙂

Leaving nothing behind

Nothing.

I couldn’t put any more out for two reasons: I had not brought enough. And if I came out to scatter more— the birds wouldn’t come back.

Instead, I would get a repeat of the squirrel.  🙂

Darn it.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Caught on a Night Cam —- Monday, September, 28, 2020

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I put out a camera by the canal

Alongside the road,

To see if we still have deer on the place

Yep.  I think so. 🙂

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

The Last of Summer Goes—-Sunday, September 27, 2020

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In the cooler part of the late Summer/early Autumn day, the last load of hay went up to the North Fork to help feed 2,000 sheep.

 

Now we only have the corn to harvest.

But that will be on a true autumn day.  Late October, or November. Or even on a winter day in December.  Only time will tell.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Working Off the Farm for the Farm, —- Thursday, September 24, 2020

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We spent yesterday hauling dirt from the settling pond a mile away, back onto our farm to use next winter.

The smell of dirt, filled our nostrils from start to finish 🙂

We had an audience

They LOVE watching FARM TV.

From 8 in the morning until the setting of the sun; back and forth we went.

Although the work was revitalizing, in a comforting sort of way…it was also very exhausting — lurking right there under the current level of necessary energy.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

There in the Daily Murmur of the Land, Wednesday, September 23, 2020

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These times we live in are so

scary, really.

I tried to think of a different word;

only scary seemed to burst out of my mind and stay there.

I have given up listening to the news

Reading hate-filled anything

Watching any type of National Sports.

I do so, to keep my mind sane, although,

We keep on working, and I am putting up food as always.

Storms clouds are not just building, they have arrived.

My Dad said I liked to look at the world through rose-colored glasses.

I think he was right. For I bury myself in the daily murmur of the farm.

From my world to your heart,

Linda

 

Our Farm is More Than Just a Farm — Tuesday, September 22, 2020

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Our farm is more than a piece of ground meant for growing crops

It’s home to so many animals

Besides

Mindy,

Boomer,

Terry, and

I.

It’s a place of Sanctuary

Where all sorts call home.

Where growing up is a good thing

Although, we do have those

Scary predators

living among us—

We have a jumble of plants

Which are truly weeds,

Although, lovely in a prickly way.

No matter what, our farm, is a place, where joy whispers on the breeze and in our hearts.

From my world to your heart,

Linda

Into the Forest —- Monday, September 21, 2020

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Into the forest, we went.

Leaving our farm around 7:45 a.m.

Our daughter, Kimberly, and son-in-law, Cliff, bringing their chain saw, truck, and willing helping hands

We cut and loaded

Only dead standing Aspen.

It took until close to noon,

But we got all the rest of the firewood we will need for the winter.

Two pick-up beds full = one complete cord!

Okay, winter!  I’m [reluctantly] ready!

So are Terry, Boomer, and Mindy…plus the two hens! (I will winterize their coop next.)

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, Sunday, September 20, 2020

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Shhhhhh

Don’t make a sound

There!

In the middle of the Back Forty and

And all the green growing things.

At the top of the day!

The silent stalkers hunting

Shhhhhhhhhh

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

 

 

 

 

We were Entranced—Thursday, September 17, 2020

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(Smoke is back. Sigh)

As you all know, I dread winter! The snow, the flurries, being trapped inside—the whole cold thing.

But, as much as I dread winter, it is coming.

With winter and the need for heat in mind; off we went to the Uncompahgre Plateau to start cutting firewood.

Even with that huge load–we don’t have enough to make it through winter. 

On the way to the ‘special wood cutting place,’ we saw a Pronghorn

Stopping the pickup and sitting still we watched

Thoroughly entranced.

What a treat!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

 

Summer is Coming to an End — Wednesday, September 16, 2020

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Everything is starting to wind down now.

The farmer’s around, who grown onions are now harvesting, the sweet corn harvest is over, and the big ranchers are chopping ensilage/silage, plus the pinto beans and soybean harvest is underway.

The air is different, washing the world in a golden misty light

The morning mist is chilly; the air still.  Although, it does burn off quickly;

Coats required for a spell.

True Summer is now fading like a dream.

I keep putting out food for my cute little creatures—

Not daily, but every once in a while…

I don’t want them to become dependent, but I do want them to go into winter fat!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda