Second Cutting—Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Dayphoto

After studying the weather apps…(we look at four) Thursday Terry said. I’m going to do it!

As soon as he got in, from cutting the hay, big black clouds blew in.

“NO!” We both thought. “PLEASE NO!”

Lucky I had my fallen star still in my pocket–we were saving it for a rainy day. Today was a perfect time to use it.

It must have worked; the rain never fell, the sun came out, and even the wind showed up– drying the alfalfa into nice rich (dry) hay.

This morning the dew was perfect for baling. We are on our way. Second cutting of hay is going to turn out just right. We have customers waiting…even a man as far away as Lake City, Colorado, is waiting for this batch. This man has 28 horses and only wants straight alfalfa hay to get his herd through the long cold winters up there. He comes in with a semi-and loads up.

Our other customers ( horses, cows, sheep and goats) have been calling. It will be nice to fill their orders. It is also much appreciated to know we have such loyal and steady customers.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Paradise—Monday, July 27, 2015

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Dayphoto

Despite the heat

The sun spreading warmth

Like warmed honey….

There is always magic

In a place

called

~~paradise~~

home.

Your friend,

Linda

Some Things Just Make Me Happy—Sunday, July 26, 2015

Posted on July 26, 2015 by Dayphoto

That fun little star shaped balloon

And a grandson who wanted to paint the trim on the upstairs window!

Your friend,

Linda

Catch a Falling Star — Thursday, July 23, 2015

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Dayphoto

After Terry cut the alfalfa and I stopped painting for the day–meaning after supper, we went out and worked in the pinto bean field.WE FINISHED!!! The pinto beans are free and clear (for a spell)

There will be weeds appearing again, but for Terry and I— we are done. The pinto beans are starting to shoot the feelers. These little vines will grab onto to each other and cause the rows to grow shut.

The sun had set and we were heading back home, when I noticed something flashing and twinkling in the late evening sky.

Drifting down, down, down we saw it land gently in the upper part of the pinto bean field. Hopeing it would NOT get away I hurried to the upper end of the pinto bean field, to see a helium balloon shaped like a star resting among the pinto bean rows.

A fun little gift from the heavens!

I nestled the star on the four-wheeler, laying a large rock on it’s string, tucked my weeding knife securing under the bars and brought the falling star home.

Your friend on a Western Colorado farm,

Linda

Ella had it Right—Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Dayphoto

Blue Skies, nothing but, blue skies…(Ella Fitzgerald)

The rains have gone, soon to be replaced with triple digit heat.

I’m painting on the this side of the house today.

Yesterday and the day before was up here! One thing about it, I could see for miles. Although, I tried NOT to look down.

In the evening Terry, Boomer and I weed the pinto bean field. It’s not toooo huge, only 20 acres. We work at it morning and evening. Once the beans shoot the feelers and the rows grow shut we won’t be able to weed anymore. Weeding is terribly important…if you get too much trash in the pinto beans the elevator docks you for the cleaning of the beans.

We take a break; sipping iced tea outside, in the cool of the shade. Resting a spell and listening the bees hum as they gather pollen.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

A Soft Morning–Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Dayphoto

It rained during the night, leaving the earth moist and damp with a faint chill of autumn in the air.

Fall is just an illusion, for tomorrow the heat of summer returns, gradually bringing with it triple digit weather—perfect for cutting the alfalfa to make into hay.

But today …. today Terry is cultivating the pinto beans and I am getting closer to finishing painting. (I have the top of the house done and part of the north side. All that is left is the large area of east side and a section of the front/north porch.)

A very ordinary day! But the sheer ordinariness is comforting in and of itself.

Your friend,

Linda

A Space to Fill Forever—Monday, July 20, 2015

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Dayphoto

On Sunday the work slows down to just the things which must be done

We changed the water in the pinto bean field (that is our house and barns in the distance)

And changed the water in the smallest corn field. (Grand Mesa is in the background) Flowing

That is all.

I walked through my yard, watering the pots and deadheading some of the flowers.

It was like walking through a cloud of perfume, in some places. The low hum of the bees filled the air along with the chirps of the birds.

The peace was strong enough to fill forever.

I am blessed beyond measure.

Your friend,

Linda

Up on the Roof Top—Sunday, July 19, 2015

Posted on July 19, 2015 by Dayphoto

The west side of the house is done!!!

YAY!

And the south side was finished last night after supper. Terry had to come help on a couple of scary (for me spots).

Now all that is left is 3/4 of the east side (with a very scary part surrounded by the metal roof…I don’t know if I can do all threes sides of that upstairs jut-out! I just don’t know. I can do the east part, by hanging out the window…the two sides will require I am in a safety harness. That alone has me trembling in my flip-flops.

Then there is the north side of the house…sigh!

Double sigh!

It is the tallest part of the house and the steepest. Terry doesn’t even like working up there. The scaffolding will work on part of it….I just have to get my head around the whole process before I can tackle the front of the house.

Today I’m taking the day off. My painting arm is exhausted so is my back and my knees. One day off will do me good. 🙂 Besides we always take of Sunday…a day of rest.

One nice thing is it hasn’t been hot. Lovely cloud cover most days, OR the day starts out sunny then the rain clouds come in cooling everything down.

Sure has been nice…roof tops are HOT and so are blinding white houses.

As Red Skelton used to say as he closed off his show: “May God Bless [Good Night]”

Your friend,

Linda

The Open Heart of my Life—Thursday, July 16, 2015

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Dayphoto

First light—-one would think that the air is silent but it isn’t, not at all.

The are birds calling, water rushing in the canal–

10:00 a.m. There is a rich green smell of the alfalfa field as the day heat up.

The birds and the insects are full voice, by this time, and the air dances with life.

Clouds scuttled over the top of us, causing the sun to highlight Hay Stack Mountain way at the end of Roubioux Canyon. When Terry and I were young the old-timers would tell that Hay Stack Mountain was scared to the Ute Indians. And (if) you were to climb to the top there you would see many Indian artifacts. Neither Terry nor I have ever been on Hay Stack Mountian. The road is closed to motorized vehicles, one must either walk or ride a horse.

Coming home (from a magnificent meal with our daughter and son-in-law who live in Grand Junction, Colorado) we drove in a rainstorm complete with a rainbow.

Colorado rainstorms can be abrupt and vigorous—the wind blows in black clouds– then they break dropping water in a rush.

Quickly the storm moved toward the north and the east…leaving us with a sky full of vivid color.

Your friend

Linda

Nothing New or Different—Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Dayphoto

Everyday, every four hours the water is checked and possibly changed.

I’m still painting on the house…most of the west side is done, I’m working on the eves. I have part of the south side, but still need to CLIMB up on the roof to do the next level…after than I have the east side (You are looking at the east side) and the north side.