Fall has Arrived —Monday, August 18, 2014

Posted on August 18, 2014 by Dayphoto

The summer birds are leaving….gradually one group by another is flying away from our farm to locals further south.

The Robins left early, going in sometime in July. Then the Orioles emptied the the sugar feeds and left. I have not seen a Western Meadowlark for ever so long; the blackbirds swooped down into the feeders early one morning then took off in a cloud. I will have to wait until spring to see and hear them again. 🙂

It won’t be long before the Swallows fly. The last of the babies are ready to fledge any moment. I hope I can capture the ‘gathering’ as they swoop and settle on the electric wires waiting for all the other swallows to gather with them.

So far the Hummingbirds are still here. I am so glad! They bring me joy as they buzz and hum while I weed and water.

Then one day last week the owls came back….singing their night songs as they hunted for mice in the fields. The crows and raves are letting me know they are here also and they really DO like black sunflower seeds.

Fall has arrived.

The trees are starting to sport yellow mixed in among the green, the weeds are turning woody and going to seed even if they are only ankle high…they know. Time is running out.

My garden is still blooming well, the seeds have not started appearing. Which is good. I’m not ready for winter.

Today the little girls are going to have a sleep over—the schools in Delta start on Wednesday, but the schools in Craig don’t start until next Monday. There is much sadness as this leaving. So in a great burst of compassion I asked if they would like to have one best friend each to spend the night tonight. (I hope this Grammy is up to it) I will take the best friends home sometime after lunch tomorrow.

Wish me luck, it’s been a mighty long time since I’ve had sleep over’s at our house. Can you just hear it now….chattering until Mid-night…lots of giggles and whispers!

Your friend,

Linda

An Enchanted Summer–Sunday, August 17, 2014

Posted on August 17, 2014 by Dayphoto

We have had the most unusual summer…

We have had visitors from near and far,

W have raced through forests and witnessed local towns annual celebrations, watched exotic dancers with barefeet dance and veils plus swirls of skirts on extremely hot pavement at the Farmer’s Market in Grand Junction.

We’ve wept at the loss of grandchildren moving from ‘just next to us’ to a town three hours away.

We’ve been guests at our local racetrack as we watched a long-time friend and his family race to the finish line, often times in first place.

This week we are nearing the end of summer. (Summer always ends when school starts 🙂 )

The two youngest grandchildren, the two granddaughters will stay with us just before school starts for them. It is our last full week of the little tykes then their lives will begin with large brush strokes of ‘being the new kid in the classroom’ and first time (for Bladen) on the Middle School Football Team–“Go Bull Dogs”

Grandpa and I will help them collect memories of ‘life on the farm—on a fine summer day’ as much as we can.

Then on Friday they return to Craig, Colorado, and we begin again to prepare for harvest.

The pinto beans leaves are starting to turn yellow. Possibly one more irrigation then we will be done for another season with the pinto beans. Terry is working on the bean combine (I help here and there—‘come hold this bolt, or lift up on the auger’ — you know stuff like that.

And he is getting the hay swather ready to go…the pinto beans and the last cutting of hay will happen very close together. In-between there are hay customers, weeds to pull and now the house across the field, of which I need to mow, water, weed and take a paint brush to here and there.

We are very lucky, Terry and I! Family and friends have filled our days. Soon our son will be getting married and we will welcome a new member. The harvest will begin and my canning will finally be done.

In the evening we will continue to sit outside, as the evening slowly changes into dusk, then dark watching the multitude of twinkling stars. The next day we will begin again.

As each of you will do!

Your friend,

Linda

The Poetry of Life–Thursday, August 14, 2014

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Dayphoto

We received a call from our daughter in Grand Junction, Colorado and her husband asking if we would like a small break to go on a Four-Wheeler ride on Grand Mesa. (Grand Mesa is the largest flat-topped mountain in the world)

Would we!!!?

Packing a lunch, our jackets, and my camera (of course 🙂 ) we were ready to go.

It wasn’t long before they arrived pulling a trailer which would fit three four-wheelers and the extra four-wheeler in the back of his pick-up truck!

WHEEE! We were off!

Grand Mesa is a special place to me. My brother and I grew up in Eckert, Colorado. Close to the base of Grand Mesa. Many a time our parents and grandparents would ”head up the mountain’ for a day, or a couple of days and nights, or more.

Summers always included times on Grand Mesa.

Today there are many, many more people on this huge flat top mountain than when we were growing up. But having more people enjoying ‘the mesa’ brings with it other things than just crowds. It brings groups of people who band together to create trails for backwoods enthusiasts; off road vehicles, hikers, and fishermen. The winter has cross-country skiers and snow machiners testing their skills.

(Cliff and Kimberly Rezak)

We ate lunch at Trickle Park Reservoir, after which we headed back to every day life.

My goofy husband!

Joy can be sparked by the most simple of delights, don’t you agree?

A day off from the ‘every day of life’ is just so —- well, refreshing. Life isn’t about mastering everything in it…Life is an adventure. Some days you just have to experience something vastly different from the ordinary, for the ordinary to be more than just idling along.

Here is my wish for you today—I wish that each one of you can experience that feeling of the wind in your hair, music blasting on the radio, you singing along at the top of your voice–not caring if you are in tune —just feeling the music, the wind and the simple delight of being alive!

Or anything that is slightly different for your regular day. Something that lifts you right into that other place of refreshment and a feeling of great pleasure and happiness!

Your friend,

Linda

Marianne’s New York Farm—Wednesday, August 12, 2014

Posted on August 13, 2014 by Dayphoto

Terry and I were talking last evening trying to figure out how many hummingbirds we have now…it’s extremely hard to tell. Lots and lots of them that is for sure. I’m going through nine feeders a day.

So you would think I could get a good photo or two of the little flying jewels, but nope.

Another long time blog friend, Marianne, took some really good photos of the hummers at her farm in the state of New York: Northviewdairy.blogspot.com. She is a first time grandma and lucky to have the little tyke and her mom and dad right there in the wonderful, large, and roomy farmhouse. So when the parents are out at their day jobs…Marianne and Ralph get the baby ‘all to their selves’!!!!

Yesterday, Marianne captured a really fun photo post of a Momma hare and her teenaged bunny! Head over and check it out…farming in a world of rich green loveliness!

Another of your farming friends,

Linda

A Rainbow Gift from Cedaredge, Colorado, Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Dayphoto

Kagedog, My longtime blog reading friend sent me this lovely rainbow.

Here is what her email said: “Here’s a rainbow for you, Linda, just to brighten your day. I took this one a couple of years back from our deck. We don’t often see rainbows over Cedaredge. More often in the other direction over the Black Canyon. Just thought you might enjoy it.

Have a nice day!

Sue”

What a beautiful site!

Now you can also enjoy it! A gift of hope!

Your friend,

Linda

Another Guest Post—Uncle Spike from Turkey — Monday, August 11, 2014

Posted on August 11, 2014 by Dayphoto

I’m doing a very short series of wonderful posts from blogger friends…today I would really like you to go visit Uncle Spike. You will never be disappointed. Over 1,000 people have signed up to read his blog and thousands of others stop by and visit.

Uncle Spike’s spot is a unique visit to Turkey and small acreage farming in the West Taurus Mountains. Green Lizard won a contest Uncle Spike had going on…her request was a blog post about Turkey and Rain on her blog.

Rain: My Turkish Delight is most unusual and outstanding. So much so I wanted to share it with all of my friends and readers.

Here is just one photo from that post and a small peak into his farming life.

Early fall is here. The leaves on the cottonwoods are starting to lighten up changing to yellow; later on they will be gold.

My yard is doing wonderfully. Although, as you can tell, I need to get busy and repaint the house. I hope to get that done after all the grandchildren leave.

We are very busy still….no real down time yet. Terry just about has the pinto bean combine repaired and ready to go. I’m putting up produce for winter feats. Since the kids are gone we now have the house you see beyond the cornfield, to keep track of. This afternoon I will go down and water the lawn, rake and mow the edges. No matter how busy spring, summer and fall are….I love every moment.

Your friend on a farm in Western Colorado

Linda

A Guest Post Jan—She Gets It! — Sunday, August 10, 2014

Posted on August 10, 2014 by Dayphoto

Jan from The Poodle and Dog blog, featured Fuzzy and Boomer on her August 7th post!

But more than that she gave a wonderful tribute to Farmer’s. Please Click the blue line and head over to see Jan’s post, also view once more, Dodge Truck’s video Tribute to Farmers from the Super Bowl—On the 8th day, God Made a Farmer, written and read by the late Paul Harvey!

Your friend on a Colorado farm,

Linda

Step Through My Gate — Thursday, August 7, 2014

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Dayphoto

Thank you for stopping by! I always love chatting with you. Sometimes I’m a little slow getting your comments answered, but I do try to not go too long.

This August has been very busy (so far) with the two oldest grandchildren staying with us for the week. We have worked at making their days special and full of memories. We are exhausted but pleasantly so. Today their Momma comes back to pick them up. She is bringing the other little grandkid with her so we will have all the family for two days.(Well, accept for Kelly he is extremely busy with his new job.)

The coming week to we have to ourselves. That is good…we need a rest. Then the two little girls will be back for a week then school starts for all of them.

Thank you for stopping by and commenting, or pushing the like button, or signing up to follow the blog! I will be visiting with you very soon. Until then I hope you enjoy my contribution to the Teresa’s Thursday’s Good Fences and Gates. Please hop over and visit Teresa’s blog and check out all the other ‘great finds’ located there. Also, if you would like to add a cool fence or gate just post yours on your blog then link the post to Teresa’s post about Fences and Gates.

Once more, Thank you for stopping by. I’m enjoying visiting with you!

Your farm friend,

Linda

I Wish for You Rainbows–Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Posted on August 6, 2014 by Dayphoto

I, too, wish for you rainbows…

“This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

The storms that played across Delta and Delta Country were loud and stunning in their brilliance. What came after was just a amazing. Everywhere we drove we saw rainbows.

When life gets your down, or strange fears crop up, or brilliant displays of anger or fear threaten to disrupt your life…I wish you a rainbow!

Your friend,

Linda

Guest Post and a Rainbow for Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Posted on August 5, 2014 by Dayphoto

Last night our skies were black as velvet! The rain flowing down upon us creating a frosty feeling to the air. I watched the lightening and thunder play and dance along the plateau as I fell asleep only to be waked two hours later with the same flashes of brilliance right over our farm.

The lightening was huge running large and small jagged lines from cloud to earth- the thunder cracked at exactly the same moment! The effect was awe inspiring and very intimidating. After I finish posting this I must run down to the kid’s house an check everything is okay. I’m stalling—for if a tree branch has fallen it means work…and it’s way too wet to work right now. (Although Terry is out wading through mud and mud puddles and slick ditch banks to change the water—the water never stops until harvest…ever.)

The crows are back…fall is in the air here–I can even see the leaves starting to change color here.

This morning I saw a very faint rainbow…very faint but it was still nice to see.

Some time ago I posted that cows were able to take care of coyotes and tried to explain how.

Sara from My Favorite Sheep blogspot….sent me an email about cows running off a bear: It’s pretty stunning I’ve posted it below.

Off now to go see if we have any lightening damage.

Your farm friend,

Linda

Oregon cows and a black bear…don’t mess with Mama!

A couple of evenings ago, an Eastern Oregon rancher went out to check his beef herd.

He saw a very strange sight — and was able to photograph an unusual battle between

a black bear and some brave cows. The bear began to attack a cow and then the herd

came to her aid. One cow in particular got especially aggressive and head-butted the

bear right off its feet. Then, two cows sandwiched the bear between their heads. After

that, the bear decided to flee and limped back into the woods.

The blonde and white Simmental cow we know as I-12 went right for him.
She is a very good cow, a very attentive mother and about 12 years old.

She’s in her prime and knows that bears are bad news.

Little does the bear know what is coming.

She tried her best to mash him into the ground. Man, that has to have hurt the bear!

Nothing like a mad cow to give you a hard time.

There are a couple of photos where the bear is biting I-12’s leg and clawing her face,

but she is not giving up. Her stiff tail shows how agitated she is. Wayne said all the

cows were bawling, the bear was squealing and the calves were running around with

their tails in the air.

And here comes some help. This bear is about to know what real trouble is!

When you have two females pissed at you, real trouble has arrived!
A younger cow, R-55, an Angus-Cross cow, age 7, is helping her out as best she can.
It is an incredible photo to see two cows at once trying to crush the bear.
Watch That hoof land home!

I looked up the calving records of both cows who are so aggressive in these photos

and they are both good, calm cows around us, and have given us no troubles

whatsoever. I’ll have to add in my notes that they have a very distinct dislike of bears.
Man, that’s a lot of weight bearing (pun intended), down on the bear like mashing a

lump of butter! It’s a wonder the bear could even move after all the mauling he received.

We’ll be watching I-12 over the next few days to see if she needs Treatment for infection.
I don’t know how willingly she’ll come to the corrals for treatment, but she might not have

a choice. And stay away you won’t be so lucky next time!

Lucky to be able to move at all.

Finally, the bear decided to vacate the area. We thought he’d be dead for sure,
but there was no sign of him the next day.

We’ll have to keep an eye out for eagles in the trees or flocks of ravens flying up. We’re

sure he’s got some broken ribs out of the deal at the very least. Wayne couldn’t believe

his eyes when he witnessed this ruckus. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime photography event.

Amazing!