A Doctor Seuss World—Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Dayphoto

I always think of Autumn/Fall as a Doctor Seuss World… Not only could he tell the most wonderful stories his art work took us into fanciful worlds of color and delight.

I always feel we have a rare opportunity to actually step INTO the world of Doctor Seuss when the brilliant colors surround us in October! Suess

The days are so incredibly brilliant; so full of charm and warmth.

We are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel on the inside of the house, by the end of this week (knock on wood) those things we’ve been working on (moving a door, painting, a few other things) should be done.

If the weather holds we have fences to fix: there are some broken boards —cows like to jump fences, if the other side looks yummy. and electric wire to string before the range cows arrive( sometime after the corn is harvested).

And the furnace—the ever looming furnace problem. I always feel so sorry for Aunt Benita. This was her home…it had been she and Harry’s home all their married life. Up until Harry died they had a coal furnace, then after Harry passed she needed something that didn’t require so much work. Enter the con-artist– he sold her a HUGE office complex unit that was to blow UP to heat the building. But this man created all sorts of boxes and giant pipe to try to force the UP air DOWN into the existing duct work. Therefore, it never worked. Ever. The poor Dear could never get warm. Eventually she moved in with her brother. Then we purchased the house.

Then the kids moved into the house and brought with them a Woodsman wood stove, which they used the whole time they were there, which is why we never knew there was a problem with the furnace. (Benita never told any of us that the furnace didn’t seem to work.)

While we were working at the house, Terry got to looking at the furnace (he used to be a plumber years and years ago) and realized there was a huge problem. He brought out a friend who is a master plumber and then we knew.

So now we have a furnace problem to figure out. The wood stove is still there so we can heat the house while we work, and the kids have heat when they come back each month — but we really want to get the furnace corrected—therefore the next huge project looming on the horizon.

Well, I must be off to finish up my painting.

Your friend,

Linda

The Stopping of Wings—Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Posted on October 14, 2014 by Dayphoto

Onefly sent me two photos!

They are amazingly ‘cool’ because he was actually able to snap the photos fast enough to have the wings stopped. I’ve tried and tried and tried and all I ever get is a blur.

Really neat photos, don’t you think?

It froze last night. Our first heavy frost of the year. Now I have a whole set of ‘other jobs’ to do in the yard. They will have to wait as we are still at the other house. Hopefully by the end of this week we will have everything inside done. All that will be left is the furnace. That is going to be a HUGE job…of course it is either under the house or in the attic. We are looking at a high efficiency (propane) furnace to replace the one that is there.

Our daughter and the two granddaughters are coming this weekend. YAY!!! Grandpa and I can hardly wait!

Anyway, we are getting closer…those words are always nice to say.

Your friend,

Linda

A Step Back in Time-The Year 1919-Monday, October 13, 2014

Posted on October 13, 2014 by Dayphoto

Saturday Terry and I went to the Delta County Historical Society and Museum’s 50th Year Celebration. After touring the Museum, talking to new and old friends, we visited the antique booths and the Classic Car Show. The last car we saw was the highlight of the whole Car Show for Terry and I–

Garrey Benis (now passed) found this still running and in very good condition in a barn at an estate sale in Nebraska. He brought it home and he and his wife started going to car shows.

His wife still takes the car to local shows (she lives at Cory, Colorado) driving this darling car by herself all the way from there to here or where ever she is going. She says she gets to going about 35-40 m.p.h. (YAY, Mrs. BENIS!!! You go, Girl!)

Although, she doesn’t do ALL the mechanic work on the car (her son helps) she does do all the driving.

Just incase you might think that is nothing (why we all drive cars) ….look at this–THREE PEDALS and a Brake…that’s it! That’s all you get, folks! She explained how you do it, but I forget. Anyway…what a hoot! I just love her independence, lack of fear, and desire to share with those around her really neat car!

Your friend,

Linda

THEY ARE BACK! — Sunday, October 12, 2014

Posted on October 12, 2014 by Dayphoto

Winter is fasting coming upon us!

The Sandhill Cranes have returned!

I couldn’t get all of the Sandhill Cranes in the photo; they were scattered here there and everywhere in the disked corn field. But they are back. And they beat the Canada Geese.

I’m sure it won’t be long now before our skies have the sounds of geese talking to each other as they wing their way from the North.

It’s nice we have winter birds. They help brighten the long winter days.

It’s storming here right now. The wind is blowing, tossing the corn here and there, rain is splattering on the windows. I started a fire in the woodstove. The house was decidedly cold.

Later on today I will need to gather my fire making things, kenneling, starter sticks, smaller logs and then the large logs that keep the flame going. I will have to go down to the other house and do the same thing there. We are making headway at that house, but there is at least another week to go.

Also Terry found out that the furnace system needs to completely be replace. “(If it isn’t one thing,” my Momma used to say,”it’s another!’) That means a possiblya new furnace and new duct work. SIGH!

My theory is: to do one job it always takes at least five other jobs so you can get the original job completed.

Gradually we will make it…one step at a time.

Your friend,

Linda

Sundog and a Holding Pen Fence—Thursday, October 10, 2014

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Dayphoto

We saw a sundog the other day…three days from the sighting of a sundog colder weather is coming. Friday we should have colder weather…yep. I looked on the weather channel and Friday we will be in the 60’s.

For my fence today I’m showing you Mr. Davis’ holding corral. He uses this when he loads out the cows.

It’s all metal and hand welded. I think its really pretty neat!

Well, head on over to Teresa’s place and link up your fences or gates. If you don’t want to do that check out what the others have linked!

You friend,

Linda

Fun Photos from Friends—Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Dayphoto

The following photos are from OneFly…they are taken in the White Sands area of White Sands New Mexico north of Alamogordo and south of Carrizozo.

The mountain range in the far distance is the White Sands Missile Range. Just look at these unusual and dramatic cravings on this huge rock!

Rock Art is found all over the world. These are Petroglyphs —information carved into the rock… Signs-on-Rock-2 Pictographs are painted on rocks. I think there is another type but I can’t think of it’s name right now.

It’s always mystery what they were saying…but I think I see a horse and either a deer or a mountain sheep. 🙂

Your friend,

Linda

Rabbit’s Foot Grass (Polypogon Monspeliensis)–Invasive Species–Tuesday, October, 7, 2014

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Dayphoto

Although Tuesday is usually the day I post all the wonderful photo gifts from you, my friends, today I shall continue yesterday’s post with the answer to my mystery weed.

Unable to to find a ‘for certain and sure answer’ I decided to chop out part of the plant and take it over to our neighbor who is an expert weed master. Paul and his son have a very successful spraying business.

Grabbing my trusty shovel, hopping onto the four-wheeler I drove down to the Priority Ditch and chopped out a large section of the plant—roots and all. Then I drove on over to our neighbor and politely asked for help in identifying this unusual grass.

“Goodness!” he exclaimed. “I didn’t know we had that invasive weed here. We’ve had information on this plant for a couple of years now, but haven’t seen it so far!”

Turns out this is a nasty invasive weed, sometimes planted as an ornamental in people’s yards. It’s hardy to Zone 3.

Needless to say that plant has been chopped out and dumped into the burn barrel!!!

Thank you everyone for your help! Because of the alarm bells that rang out loud and clear from you everyone in our neighborhood will be on the lookout for this exotic plant. Shovels and buckets and burn barrels will be Rabbitfoot Grasses new friend.

Tomorrow I will showcase my photo gifts,but for today I bring you this weed update. 🙂

Your friend on a Western Colorado farm

Linda

A Question —Monday, October 6, 2014

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Dayphoto

We have a new grass growing on the one of the cement ditches. I have never seen it before (or at least I don’t think I have).

Does anyone know what it might be called? It sure is a ~~purdy~~ pretty thing.

Your Friend,

Linda

A Rainbow Sky—Sunday, October 5, 2014

Posted on October 5, 2014 by Dayphoto

When the storms started to leave our area the sun was underway to waking up the world on the opposite side of us. The clouds had become ragged and sparse in the West allowing the sun to break free and shine wonderfully upon the land. The East still held the massively dark storm clouds, although they were moving on toward the mountains and the people who lived and worked and played among them.

I was upstairs putting my daily paperwork into a pile and getting ready to turn off the computer when I saw a very faint rainbow filling the east and southern part of our sky! (Close to Olathe)

What a joy I thought to myself! Gazing out the window I watched it fade to nothing. Turning off the computer I headed downstairs.

Wait!!! What do I see around the Eckert, Cedaredge area?

WOW! I grabbed my camera and headed out the front door to stand on the top step

What an amazing splash of color!

It was filling the whole basin with brilliant light! You can even see some little puffs of clouds captured within the prism ray of sunlight!

I stayed an watched until it faded. What a pleasure to be able to experience the wonder of sunlight on droplets of water!

Today is Sunday. Today we stop and rest, only doing those things that are necessary. Tomorrow we will be back to working on the other house and picking back-up the dropped tasks of the week. The fields are starting to dry enough the dogs and I will be able to go out and start gathering in the siphon tubes, the plastic dams, and the metal tin dams. The corn is still green, but if the storms stay away it will continue to dry down taking all the moisture out of the stalks, leaves, and the little seeds. Once it is dry enough we will begin the last harvest (for us) of the season.

Your friend on a Western Colorado Farm,

Linda