Small Set-back– March 16, 2014

Posted on March 16, 2014 by Dayphoto

Terry has started rolling the plowed fields

What that means is he is smashing and breaking down the plowed clumps of sod into nice soft soil. He likes to wait until we have had several freezes on the plowed fields; softening the clods so they break down into lovely crumbles. You can see the crumbles here. He’s checking something (I don’t know what) as I was taking this photo.

Big clumps of hard dirt are hard to work with, those of you who garden understand, so getting the clumps into small loose dirt is the goal.

Everything is going well in the farming department.

My woodpile is getting smaller, chunks of old wood have been sawed into burnable lengths and the the longer stuff left until next fall when we start the wood stove back up again.

All of those things are moving along nicely. The small setback is myself. In cleaning up the woodpile I stepped on a 6″ nail, stabbing it about 1 1/2″ into my foot. (Feet really aren’t very tall, I found out as I pulled the stuck nail out of my shoe and foot). The wound bled very well (was sort of a mess) so I thought everything was good.

I continued working until late in the afternoon, came in washed up, decided to soak my foot in Epsom Salts to help the healing process along-which I did for about 20 minutes. And decided that I had better go to the hospital for a Tetanus Shot.

Our Doctor only works Monday through Thursday so I knew I would be directed to the hospital anyway. Gathering up my information, putting on some soft Crocs I hobbled out to the car and drove myself to the hospital 20 minutes away. Terry was still in the field but I told him I would fix supper when I got back. But for him to not worry as Emergency Rooms are actually a very slow process to get anything taken care of.

At the hospital I checked in, showed the nurse, she showed me into a small room, had me get up on the bed, looked at my foot again and went ……….hummmmmmmmmm. And left. Back she came with cleaning things and cleaned all around my foot and said the Doctor would be in shortly to check the area. I said okay, but all I really need is a tetanus shot as I can’t remember the last time I had one….way over 10 years ago, I think.

I settled back and opened my Kindle and started reading. I sure was glad I brought it along to help pass the time.

Enter the Doctor…we chat for a bit, he sits down and looks at my foot…I told him what happened, requested a shot, and yes, it hurts, top and bottom.

To make a long story short I had to have a small surgery to open the area back up, he dug around for a spell, cleaned out a part of my shoe and rust from the nail and some specks of dirt.

That was Friday, today is Sunday…many shots, pills and pain medication later my foot is still red and swollen. I am sure it is healing as I don’t have to use a cane to walk with today, which is a blessing. I had to go back yesterday for a check -up and re-clean the area. And I’m now able to wear my own shoe on my foot, instead of Terry’s, if I need to walk anywhere.

A small set back…I’m sure.

Your friend,

Linda

Another Good Day– March 13, 2014

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Dayphoto

Late winter, which is really Spring work for us, is going good.

Terry and I worked on the big canal right by our yard…we are terrified the ditch company will come along and burn our whole house down…they haven’t been very good about controlling the fires they start these last four or five years. So now we take care of everything even remotely close to our house, barns, corrals and haystack yards.

I don’t really understand the work ethic of many people anymore…my maternal grandfather always told my brother and I: work hard, do a good job, respect the other person, and never take away a man’s (or woman’s) dignity. My Daddy always said that the customer is always right, if you want to have a good business you take care of the people who purchase from you.

Somehow, somewhere those things have slid far, far away, from how people think of others and to be truthful–customer, member/users have no respect for the store, company or business anymore either.

It’s all a shame really.

But enough of that—-as we were working away we saw the little grandchildren get off the bus and start hiking home. Our grandson ran by our lane as fast as his twelve-year-old legs could carry him—the I pad was calling I’m sure. But the two little girls trudged down our lane to hang out with us as we worked. They even helped by spraying Grandpa with water. Of course, he had to spray them back…it was a jolly good time!

Gradually, we got done with that project. In the house we went to get snacks then Terry and I loaded the girls up on the four-wheelers and took them home—THE LONG WAY! They had huge smiles when they got off.

Back home Grandpa headed out to start plowing (yes we plow–our land requires the deep plowing to bury the shredding corn stalks so the earth worms can start to work on them. We do have some acreage we don’t plow, just rip and plant.)

I’m still working on my trash woodpile. I hope to get it thoroughly sorted today so chain saw can be applied. This summer we have to do a better job of not just dumping everything into one heap and actually sorting as we go. (I hope. One can dream, I suppose. 🙂 )

Your farm friend,

Linda

A Look at the Sky — March 12, 2014

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Dayphoto

I have noticed as the seasons change the colors of the sky change with them. Winter skies are colors that consist of pale blues, the shimmery lavenders, the twenty shades of pink

The colors scream of silence, hibernation, frost and snow and the deepest quiet of winter.

Now the sunsets with blaze with colors of yellow and orange

Mixed in shades of grey and black…hinting…just hinting… of the warmth and the heat of summer.

Even the sunrise is is pinker, more robust, mixed with yellow to lend a cast of orange

Then blazes forth the day!

Your Friend,

Linda

A Big Day — March 3 2014

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Dayphoto

Yesterday was a Big day!

First was the BIG culvert pipe that was removed at the end of the farm-very rusted and crumpled and wore-out, that is for sure.-

Then the second big thing was the new culvert pipe–

All shinny black and very new looking lowered into the waiting trench.

This took most of the day. This morning, at the crack of almost light, the little children and their Mom walked the 1/4 of mile to the mailbox at the end of our land. (Terry and I watched from the warmth of our living room 🙂 )

The pipe was still uncovered and a huge hole still in the road, but with much daring and great feats of jumping the two oldest (12 and 9) jumped into the open trough, onto the wonderful big shinny pipe, and scrambled up the the other side….I’m sure they went to school dirty but happy. Mom-mom and the little Kindergartner had to walk clear around the huge hole, walk across a smaller white pipe to get to the other side, then RUN—RUN–RUN to the waiting bus down by the mailboxes.

Then last evening the little kids and their Dad stopped by to say HI. Then they were on their way through the fields to their house…Tally (the youngest) wanted to see if she could beat them to her house by running across the fields. You know what? She DID!!

Yesterday Terry started disking up the corn stalks. He worked until nine in the evening and has started the process again today.

We are not fond of large corn stalks creating little dams in the water furrows. Terry also like to have the rotting organic matter in our clay soil…lots of humus significantly influences the density of any soil and contributes to moisture and nutrient retention. We are always, always, always working to protect the land we farm.

That evening I notice a BIG storm playing over the Uncompahgre Plateau. (Un-come-pah-gray).

Today we have wind. Wind always signals Spring in our part of the world.

Your Western Colorado Farm Friend,

Linda

Returning of the Red-Wings March 10, 2014

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Dayphoto

When up and about, at the cattail area, we saw huge flocks of the returning of Red-Winged Blackbirds to their favorite nesting area on our farm. The red isn’t showing up right now, but as the weather get warmer and warmer we will be able to see the red stripe.

If you have never heard these delightful birds sing please go here.

We have small flocks now. but by the time the asparagus is popping out of the ground this area on our farm will be full of these little beauties.

The county has started digging up three large culverts that go under the road at the end of our farm today. It will take them four days, in the meantime the little grandchildren must walk down the end of our corn field to get to the bridge (Terry takes equipment into the fields on this bridge) so they can walk across the road and stand by the mailboxes.

In the way of all children everywhere they are seeing this as a great adventure…we should all be that way…not an obstacle but a new adventure.

Kelly and Misty will have to drive down the tractor road to the back of our farm, across the ‘super highway’ (grandchildren name) over to the dirt lane and into our yard to go to work for the next few days.

“COOL!” Our grandson the sixth grader responded, “Way Cool!”

Adventures are everywhere…hope you have at least one today!

Your farm friend,

Linda

Very Busy Saturday — March 9, 2014

Posted on March 9, 2014 by Dayphoto

All our days are seem to be very busy, but now that late winter is here it seems our days are getting much more active.

First thing in the morning we headed off to Loma—outside of Grand Junction to the last consignment sale of the winter (which we attend). It was stunningly packed with people and items to sell. Packed!

After waiting in line, for some time, Terry got a number and we headed off to see if there was something we just could NOT live without.

The place was packed with ‘stuff’, equipment and implements. We didn’t see anything we just Had to Have. After watching a few things sell we headed back home.

That afternoon it was time to start the creation of the water trough. There is a ditch which leaves our neighbors farm onto our farm…once water touches your farm that water is now yours and your responsibility–unless it is in the canal. (The water company has a right-of-way through all farms along the route from the reservoir to the river.)

In order to not have the irrigation water from our neighbor’s ditch wash away the good soil and create large crevasses and groves Terry has created a cement trough to a pipe. It was at the end of the pipe we were starting to get a huge mess.

Yesterday afternoon Terry and I cemented the end of the pipe and built a water trough that will protect the ground around the pipe.

I was in charge of mixing the cement (520 pounds of cement)

Terry was the cement artist.

We got done about dark. This doesn’t look like it took much work, but believe me it was.

Our oldest granddaughter and a little friend of hers walked over to see what we were doing and stayed for a time ‘helping’. Of course, when you are 9 helping means writing in the cement! 🙂 By the time we were ready for the ‘helping part’ they had wandered on home by way of the whole farm — counting baby calves and seeing if they just ‘might’ get to see one being born.

That evening Linky (our oldest granddaughter) and Tally (our youngest granddaughter) came back to spend the evening with Grammy and Grandpa…when asked if Linky and her BFF got to see a calf being born she had to reply no…BUT they did see a calf that had just been born and was getting all the yucky stuff off by the Mom. Her BFF was suitably excited about the whole process. I wonder what her parents thought…..

We took the little girls to eat at Wendy’s and then up to Uncle Evan’s so they could play with his two little dogs, two cats, one turtle and watch the fish swim in the aquarium. Then we stopped by Aunt Shannon’s to check out Tommy the Turkey and his new girl friend/wife, the hens, her three dogs and one cat. Then we headed home to watch cartoons.

Monday Terry starts more tractor work. The cows leave. -Mr. Davis and Theresa have already taken out the ones who still have to calve.- Monday they will remove all the mom’s and the new little ones, leaving us cowless until next February. I will work on the other stuff of getting a farm back up and in the production mode. I guess you could say we will begin in earnest on Monday.

Off now to do all the stuff that is hollering to me to get done!

Have a good one!

Your friend,

Linda

Closer to Real Spring March 6, 2014

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Dayphoto

A few clouds have arrived in our area, the high, way up there, WAY, WAY up in the air winds pushing the clouds from somewhere in the far west…California to Utah and then to us..to fill our sky blocking the warming rays of the sun.

When the dogs and I went for our mid-night walk the stars were out and the sky was brilliant with their sparkling beauty. I almost tripped as I walked along with my head tiled back trying to find the different constellations…there was the Big Dipper (always very easy to see) I use it as my mooring point.

Around 8 o’clock in the evening it is in the east, then after mid-night sinking under the rim of Grand Mesa in the north west.

I really can’t remember the names of any of the others anymore, although, I used to know…way back when I was in high school —centuries ago.

Today we are a cold and cloudy late winter day. A jacket wearing day. At least right now. Maybe later we will warm up…only time will tell.

Yesterday was warm enough that the dogs spent most of it panting (and smiling). Terry and I worked without jackets in the afternoon–it was that warm…if you kept moving. He is building a irrigation box…one of the ditches that enters our place has created a huge hole in the ground…the hole works, but water keeps eroding it so the hole just keeps getting bigger and bigger. A cement box will with stand the constant of water and protect the earth around the ditch. We always want to protect the land. At the same time make our work load a little easier.

I got the wood pile sorted and stacked for next year…green wood here, dry wood there, and all the sticks and weeds and leaves under the wood racked.

I have a old pile of junk wood I need to sort and cut and get it in the firewood pile so I can use it up next winter. The old pile is made up of tree limbs, rotted off fence posts, an old building we tore down…junk wood, but we don’t want to just throw in a heap and burn it sending smoke spiraling into the air…we want to utilize it as heat for the house. So I continue to sort and cut and stack.

Other than ordinary everyday things nothing much going on here.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Signs of Spring March 5, 2014

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Dayphoto

The tiny little bits of fluffy green are the alfalfa plants waking up from a long winter’s sleep.

Terry starts disking today, which means Mr. Davis will be moving his cows out — probably this week end.

The farm work has to start now so the ground will be ready for water on April 1st. The ditch company turns the water into all the canals the last week of March. Therefore, ground work MUST begin now.

The cows have gotten so use to Terry and I riding or walking out to check on them they don’t even get excited enough to move.

Come on Number 22, you need to move over! Scoot!

That is close enough! Now Scoot!! Clap, clap! Sigh!

Finally….

She turned and moseyed on into the corn field!

In two years these little cuties will be back, ready to have some little ones of their own.

As you can see, we will be fixing fence as soon as the cows leave–they are a tad hard on them.

Off now to get some outside work done.

From a western Colorado farm,

Linda

A Guest Photo from Mr. Jim Wetzel March 4, 2014

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Dayphoto

Mr. Jim Wetzel is the curator of the Delta Museum….here is a cool photo of 1906 Delta

Main Street looking south in this 1906-1907 photo / post card. Note the flag pole in the center of the Third Street intersection. It was removed in 1908. There is also a single light bulb suspended from the flag pole. Concrete sidewalks also appear in this photo, but it would be another 15-16 years before the street, itself, is paved. The relative absence of people and transportation suggests an early hour for this photo.

Someone hand-colored it, lending a unique look to an old-time photo!

Your friend,

Linda

My Favorite Cow—February 3, 2014

Posted on March 3, 2014 by Dayphoto

I have a favorite cow. She isn’t really mine, she belongs to Mr. Davis and his daughter. Still she is spending her ‘laying-in-time’ with us here on the edge of California Mesa.

(The laying-in-time for a Queen, would be confined a month prior to the birth and so remain for some 40 days after her child was born.)

Here these pampered cows are given all the fodder they can eat, wonderful vista’s to gaze upon and sparkling fresh water to drink. They will not remain here for 40 days after birth, but they do get to have the whole month of February and 9 days into March.

But I digress…my favorite cow has horns, which is never good—ever. Beautiful eyes, is always dress-to-the-nines (my Momma’s words) and is a new addition to Mr. Davis’ herd.

Yesterday, when Terry and I did our late afternoon check through the cows

We came upon this elegant beauty and her new calf.

Nope, not black! But sporting an half-white tail, just like Mom has.

I’m not sure if the calf is male or female. Of course, for us it doesn’t matter. I was just thankful she had her calf here before the herd was moved. And I got to see it! 🙂

There really are lots of small joys in every day if you keep your mind open to them. This cow and her new calf is just one of those joys from yesterday.

Your farm friend.

Linda