A Most Overworked Being—Sunday, June 11, 2017

Posted on June 11, 2017 by Dayphoto

For two afternoons, Evan came and helped plant the pinto beans. Terry was still taking it slow (He is still taking it slow, but not as slow).

But after that Terry began to feel house bound…I don’t know how, he was sitting out there watching Evan and I. He said he wants to feel the tractor under him, to feel the wind fanning the air, watching the soil and the implement working, to smell the fragrance of the plants and the soil.

So promising me he would NOT lift anything, Evan and I hooked up the Mormon Creaser and the Marker Bar on one tractor.

Then we hooked up the fertilizer tank on the other tractor.

Two tractors ready to go. All he has to do is sit there and drive.

Whatever he needs now I can do.

The haystacks are shrinking. I’ve been loading out two to three sometimes four customers a day. So we are making it.

“Please be careful, Terry!” I pled with him.

He just smiled at me and said: “To quote our neighbor, Darrel —‘Farming makes me happy’!” With that he carefully climbed into the tractor and was off.

So while he is out there enjoying himself (with a huge smile–like the sun breaking forth into that golden light we all so love, I might add) I am saying prayers to his guardian angel….a most overworked being.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Something Waiting—-Thursday, June 8, 2017

Posted on June 8, 2017 by Dayphoto

The farmer, in the field to our side, is getting his bean ground ready. It is so very dry our whole farm filled up with dust and dust and more dust.

Still—even in the smothering dust I could feel a storm coming in. The air shifted from solid and stale to racing clouds.

Black bottomed clouds holding the promise of moisture!

Still the dirt hung thick and heavy, as the sun started to submerge itself, with the western skyline.

The wind flung particles of dirt into cracks and crevices in a very obtrusive manner, filling my hair and ears—not to mention what it did to the house.

Suddenly a massive roll of thunder followed quickly by a immense flash of light and rain filled the sky.

It didn’t last long…that rain. Moving itself quickly on toward town and other parts of our area. But long enough to clear the air…leaving behind fresh and cool dirt free air.

Plus…a smidge of a rainbow, just as the sun sunk behind a bank of clouds.

A sign of hope!

Every day we are seeing improvement! I am sure…more than sure…I am positive it is because of your prayers, good thoughts and wishes.

Of which Terry and I are eternally grateful!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

The Feeling of a Mountain—Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Dayphoto

Today I am counting my blessings:

The first cutting of hay has been cut, dried, baled and stacked.

(And at the time of this writing, several loads of have been sold–loaded up and gone to new homes)

The biggest blessing is the fact Terry had to have an emergency appendix operation Sunday morning—shortly before noon, but is doing much better today.

Thankfully Saturday night we had turned the water back into the canal so I haven’t had to worry with changing and setting of the water.

Our children, near and far, came to see their Dad and to help us while Terry was in the hospital— it made the loading of the sold hay go ever so much easier, than if I had to do it by myself.

They have all gone home now, but the several days Terry was in the hospital I was there with him. That left the kids to pick up our slack plus do their own work also.

What a huge relief!

In the midst of all this, I found another small heart!

It might be a mountain right now, but I know ————— somehow we will get the cultivation of the corn done and we will get the pinto beans planted.

I can do the irrigation…that isn’t even an concern.

The others things will sort themselves out as we proceed forward.

It will just take us (Terry and I) to take it one step at a time…that is really the only way to walk up, across and down and mountain.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

From Aurora, Illinois—-Sunday, June 4, 2017

Posted on June 4, 2017 by Dayphoto

Hi Linda.

This was tonight at my son Jack’s baseball practice. Very slight double is visible, but was more so to the eye.

Aurora, Illinois

Hope all is well.

Joe Cooper

Gosh! Thank you so much! And my readers thank you also!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

The Earth Gave Me a Heart—-Thursday, June 1, 2017

Posted on June 1, 2017 by Dayphoto

While building fence…

Shannon’s cat, Willow, decided he wanted to come with us. But no, Willow (he is a Norwegian Forrest Cat) it’s too far up there, too dangerous for a kitty…you have to stay home.

We saw several water snakes, but that was all.

Some of the Yucca was blooming…

They bloom so rarely that it’s an amazing site

The San Juan Peaks were impressive

A fox zipped in front of us…heading —somewhere

And I found a heart!

Just sitting there waiting to be noticed!

Picking it up, after giving thanks, I brought it home to grace my heart shaped tree stump!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

For Romeo — Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Posted on May 31, 2017 by Dayphoto

Sunday we built fence. Opening up a new pasture for that heart of a horse, Romeo.

Building along the base of Coyote Hill. The day was hot and heavy—causing our skin to burst into stinging sweat.

Black Beauty and Boomer helping us…although, Boomer wandered off most of the time; Beauty stay right with Shannon. Never far away.

Up and over, down and around, past the little creek, the bugs making our skin dance with impact of their tiny biting mouths.

Finally we made it! Steam coming off our skin like vaporous ghosts the pasture was fenced in…ready for that amazing horse; we all seem to love.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

888,246 Ceramic Poppies—-Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Posted on May 30, 2017 by Dayphoto

These are all photos taken from the internet.

I just read the book: The Story of the Tower of London, by Tracy Borman; the joint Chief Curator of the Historic Royal Palaces (who has written many great books)

In this book she talked about the 888,246 ceramic poppies filling the moat surrounding the the Tower of London. Each poppy represents the fallen military in England.

The tribute is so stunning (and heart breaking) I wanted each of you to see it.

Someday I would love to travel to England, but until there, there is the INTERNET!

Love,

Linda

With Humble Heart I Thank you—-Memorial Day—-Monday, May 29, 2017

Posted on May 29, 2017 by Dayphoto

My Grandfather, William Hobson Thomas, was a giant of a man, in my life.

He lied and joined the army at the age of 16—

Granddad would tell the story that when he came to the killing fields he was a juvenile soldier, just an ordinary guy, and that night he was assigned to guard duty. The night was dark and he was young and afraid. All along the path he was guarding he would see something glowing in the trees, sometimes the lights would flash causing something to glow on the ground. As the day gradually faded the night, he saw it was bones. Bones from those who had died and were placed in the trees or under the bushes to protect them some, bones glowing in the dark.

It was the Christmas season which encouraged Will Thomas to become a cook. He said it was cold and the snow was coming, the trenches were deep, with water and frozen to their feet. The night was silent with big white flakes floating down through the sky to land silently on the ground. The guys were lonesome and homesick; missing the folks back home, when one of the men started singing Silent Night, pretty soon others were joining in until there were many voices singing (quietly) carols to the Lord.

When they ran out of songs, in the dead of the night, with snow flakes piling up all around them, they heard off in the distance in German, the same carols.

Willy knew from that moment on he did NOT want to shoot another human being; they were just like him, cherishing the same types of things he cherished. As soon as possible he asked for the position of cook, it wouldn’t keep him from having to fight, but it would help keep him from having to fight as much!

He never stopped being proud of being an American. Years and Years later

He (and Uncle Henry) would dress up in their uniforms to help lead the Memorial Day Parade as Veterans of Foreign Wars…Granddad often carried the flag.

He carried the Flag way into his old age…having to ride in a car to do so.

To this day, Memorial Day and Veterans Day mean so very much to me. I can’t see our Flag with out tears blurring my eyes–turning the colors of red, white and blue into fractured slabs and streaks of color.

At the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier when TAPS rings out across a silent cemetery pinwheels of sound fill my ears causing my heart to wobble.

To those of you—who are reading this…I Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

For those who have given the ultimate sacrifice…my heart breaks and heals all at the same time.

Very humbly,

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

A Smile Bringer/From a Friend—Sunday, May 28, 2017

Posted on May 28, 2017 by Dayphoto

I saw my first rainbow as well yesterday. It was a smile bringer.

This bow started out as a complete single and brilliant one. Then clouds obscured one half. Then I saw the double one. So very nice. John North

I agree..it is a Smile Bringer!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

The Waning Moon—Thursday, May 25, 2017

Posted on May 25, 2017 by Dayphoto

Last night was a beautiful night, full of stars and a slender sickle of moon; rising slowly; leaving behind the curve of the earth

Gradually lifting itself from behind the trees and the glow of the earth’s atmosphere.

Terry was working so Boomer, Mindy and I walked early.

I like to rest on one of Terry’s farm implements, for a spell. Away from the moon shadows cast by trees, leaves, buildings—there I lean soaking up the silver light of the moon.

On quiet nights my mind fancies the Old Ones walk the land… sometimes I think I can see and feel them, other times there is nothing there; only the wind stirring the leaves of the growing crops.

Oh well…so it is.

From my world to your heart,

Linda