Grammy Come Quick — Sunday, June 22, 2014

Posted on June 22, 2014 by Dayphoto

“Hello”

Hi, Grammy! Can you come down here quick?

Why, Tally? Is there a problem?

Yes, Grammy! We have a hurt Hummingbird. Momma wants you to come help.

Okay! I’ll be right there.

Grabbing a hummingbird feeder (one never really knows what to expect), loading the dogs up in the pick-up truck, I drove down to the Kid’s house—forgetting the camera. (How could I do THAT! I never go anywhere without the camera, but I did it this time!)

HURRY, GRAMMY! Momma has it on the back porch of the old house…run, Grammy, RUN.

Honey, I can’t run I need to carry the Hummingbird Feeder.

Okay, Grammy, I’ll walk with you, but can you walk FAST?

Yes, I’ll walk fast!

*************************************************************************************

Once there I found an almost dead little hummingbird. A youngster, not long out of the nest, maybe a teenager. Misty said she found the little bird collapsed in the old house, panting and chirping, the chirping had stopped by the time I arrived. It was just laying there eyes closed, beak closed, breathing very hard and fast.

Goodness, what to do.

We decided that the little thing must have flown into the old house through an open door by accident. Once inside panic set in and the little bird couldn’t figure out how to get back out.

Operating under that assumption I was thinking how much the little birds eat and how often. Gently, gently, gently I picked-up the tiny flying jewel and dipped it’s little beak into the hummingbird feeder.

Nothing.

We waited awhile. In which Misty remembered the camera, which I didn’t have, so she took a photo with her cell phone. The light is not good and we were both very concerned about the bird, but I think if you look closely you can see the little beak is open.

I dipped the tiny beak into the sugar water once more, waited and then once more.

Gradually, the little one could bring all it’s feathers back against it’s body, then open it’s eyes. I continued to hold it in the open palm of my hand–the breathing slowed to regular breathing instead of extreme panic breathing.

I could feel it’s body stop shuddering and a gathering of energy..swoosh…it was gone!

Yay! We all three expressed triumph, approval, and encouragement to the youngster!

(Of course, we don’t know what the hummingbird thought, but I’ll bet this little one was just as jubilant as we were!)

As we were starting to leave Tally pointed and exclaimed….Look there is a hummingbird nest right there! Misty climbed up to see if it was an empty nest…no, she said…peaking carefully inside (from a very safe distance)…I see three tiny, tiny, tiny eggs!

With that knowledge we hung the hummingbird feeder I had brought with me close by.

We saved the Hummie, didn’t we Grammy?

We did! Tally-two, we did! It’s a really nice feeling isn’t it?

It is, Grammy, it really is.

A true story with a happy ending!

Your joyful friend,

Linda

It’s Good Fences Thursday— June 19, 2014

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Dayphoto

(The white roses in my yard are beautiful right now)

I know this is weird, but I like cemeteries. I love the feeling of peace and calm that prevails. If our town would have ever hired a woman as a caretaker for the cemetery I would have liked to be that person.

I like cemeteries so much I do research for people interested in getting a photo of a headstone in their family. I also help find people who have lost the knowledge they have an empty plot in a local cemetery.

My children have grown up waling around with me looking for this headstone or that. They have also grown up reading the headstones…some are very sad.

Delta is a fairly young town —established in 1883, so our stones only go back that far.

Every month I go to the two in our town, refreshing the the faded silks flowers I placed upon the many graves of family.

On my last visit I realized that the corner fences would work perfectly for The Run*A*Round Ranch’s Good Fences and Gates Thursday.

I felt that these corner fences do a nice job of keeping people off the grass and corralling the stone…:) Just a joke…please don’t send hate email!

If you would like to visit Theresa and her many blogging friends and there fences (and gates) head over here. While you are there post a fence or two of your own! Good fences always make good neighbors; in this case neighbors from around the globe!

Your friend,

Linda

A Gift to Me From Kate, and Now to You —- Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Dayphoto

Here is the point of the Cactus Hill…a rocky point on the south west side of our farm. This is the Back Forty—Those two trees, a dark green and a grey green make the boundary of the south side of that part of the Farm. That dark wasteland is the west side. When we had cows they loved this part of the farm second best…first best was the Upper End.

The cactus are just starting to bloom up there…a peach colored,

And hot pink right now. The yellow ones are a bit later.

The grass at the Upper End –also at the south end of the farm—is thick and full…

Sure makes me miss cows.–That’s Terry coming back from checking on a drain ditch.

Anyway after a night of horrendous 55 m.p.h. winds we woke to a beautiful morning and only 20 m.p.h. wind.

I’ll take it! It’s cooler but nice!

Then when I came upstairs to read my emails I found I had a gift from Kate Chiconi

A double rainbow all the way from, Dorrigo, New South Wales, Australia!

It’s so nice to have a rainbow after wild storms! Even if this one didn’t appear out my window, it did appear as a gift to me from a friend way around the world!

Thank you, Kate, for giving us this wonderful sign of Friendship and Hope and Beauty!

Your farm friend,

Linda

P.S. Don’t forget, if you have something you would like to share—story, photo, rainbows, animals, or birds. I’m always interested in what you send me. If you don’t mind I would love to share them with all of those who have subscribed to my blog.

Time Long Ago —- Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Dayphoto

This is our sky…full of dirt and wind and wind and dirt and dirt and wind…oh, yes I said that.

Here is the Roubidoux just the other day

Here is the Roubidoux now and yesterday. I think all of Utah has come in on the 40 m.p.h. gusts we have been having.

But enough of that! I wanted to relay to you a story told to me by a long-time blog follower- Mr. John North.

Here is what he had to say:

Speaking of long ago— you are so good in relaying history of your area and your family too, I am going to start a bit of that myself. Not a blog, but just “personally” to you.

My maternal great Grampa,Charlie, an original settler west of the White Mud River in Saskatchewan ( early 1900’s) told the following story to my father when he was a relatively young man and around the time my dad married his wife, Grampa Charlie’s daughter.

He was a rancher and at the time of the story I am about to relate, he was a widower.

One day he was out inspecting his cattle. (The pastures in Sask. are measured in Sections, they were that large. My cousins still do that. ) He was an excellent horseman till nearly the age of 90 and sat tall in the saddle, dad would tell.

Well, it so happens that Charlie needed to dismount and walk nearer some of his cattle. So intent was he on looking after the Mums that he failed to notice that a big bull walked between he and his mount. (I wish I could remember his horse’s name, but I can’t.) He heard the bull sound off and turned around to see him pawing the prairie. He could do nothing to save himself, running was a waste of breath. So he locked eyes. The bull charged him.

Great Grampa Charlie was pretty fearless as the one tonner closed in. At the last second he sidestepped the big fella. But back in that time the bulls had their horns. As he rushed on by with Charlie doing some quick footwork, he swung his head and hooked Grampa, laying open his stomach.

There was a grievous wound, as you can imagine. Being far “out there”, there was no possibility of medical help.

Period.

He held himself together, and somehow made it to his horse who hadn’t drifted too far. He finally got up in the saddle and rode slowly back to his house. It was not easy and it was not a short ride. The distance is lost on me and I can’t ask my dad because he has passed on. But by and by he made it home and slid off. He got into the house and came out with a needle and thread. He then found an old plank which he laid on a flat area. Then he laid on the plank, tucking his innards back in. As best he could he stitched himself back together.

I know there are other details, now forever lost, but Dad said that he returned to the house, recuperated and went back to work. Not sure how long it took but he was up and doing and didn’t look back.

This happened while he was an older man, I forget what age, and he went on to live many more years. It all seems incredible, but he did what he had to do.

I guess it was episodes like that that made him the man that he was, Dad loved the ‘ol guy and the the feeling was mutual. He was strong and he was kindly. He had grit and he had cattle savvy. And it seems he was a “Doctor” as well.
Your friend,
John

What’s a little wind and dirt in the air compared to this?

At some point in this week the wind will leave and the dirt will settle down upon the land adding new soil to the old. The clouds will reappear and the sun will rise and set with outstanding colors. Just like Mr. North’s Grampa we really need to do whatever it takes to ‘get ‘er done’, then move on.

Thank you, Mr. North for sharing with all of us this feat of ‘just making it through the day’!

Than you, Dear Readers for sharing your photos of rainbows, and birds and fun stories. I’m always interested in what you send me. If you don’t mind I would love to share them with all of those who have subscribed to my blog. Life is full of wonder every where we live.

Your friend,

Linda

I Flew to the Moon —-June 16, 2014

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Dayphoto

Remember back in March when I posted the fact that I love the Wind? Well, I still do. BUT….I am getting a tad tired of it.

We are having lots of wind! Usually it starts slowing down in the late afternoon; stopping by nightfall. But not last night…the wind blew all day yesterday…not the fun, playful kite flying winds, or the gentle soap bubble blowing breezes, but the kind that slams doors shut in the house, lifts curtains to flap and snap in the bedrooms. We are to have (yet) another day of such nonsense and then another day with 40 m.p.h. gusts lifting anything that is not nailed down up into the air and then dropped somewhere not close by.

Still the wind didn’t stop the moon light from bursting forth from behind the leaves…shining brilliant silver light upon the night-scaped land. It ruffled the dogs’ fur…making them look like little rag-a-muffins as we walked along.

During the day the wind caused the clouds to shift and scuttle across the brilliant shining sky.

So far we are not too cold, although a nasty cold front is due in here on Wednesday. If it doesn’t stall we will start to warm back up on Thursday. One day of potential snow in the mountains.

A baby water snake slithered out on the gravel to warm up…soaking the heat from the soil into his/her scales. This little snake didn’t stay long, the wind ruffled even it’s little scales.

Then suddenly, I was lifted up into the air, flung wildly into the heavens!

The view was stunning!

The wind shifted the clouds here and there…causing sun-rays to stream through the gathering mass of condensed water vapor floating in our atmosphere, lighting up the Uncompahgre Plateau and the canyon just below our mesa…the Roubidoux.!

It was so beautiful I am sure the stars even sung!

There is much joy in every day, isn’t there.

Your friend,

Linda

A Quick Stop —Sunday, June 15, 2014

Posted on June 15, 2014 by Dayphoto

The nice thing about summer is the fact people are traveling…and sometimes that means they are traveling ‘through’ where we live.

My brother, Dan (this is from last year)

And his pretty wife, Cloudy were also in the area, but could not stop by this time. They usually come over sometime in August so I’m thinking we will get to see them at that time.

Terry’s sister, Carolyn, and her husband, Wayne where traveling back from Arizona when they called and said—“We are coming through”,

Then the “Side Trips” blog folks posted about this really nice trip they were on and I realized THEY WERE GOING TO BE PASSING THROUGH!!!

I quickly emailed them and invited them to stop and have supper with us on their way back home. They took me up on the invitation!!! YIPPEE! It is great fun to meet people in person after years of reading and commenting on each other’s blogs!

We had hot dogs and hamburgers and all sorts of picnic food, ate outside and the wind blew us away. Even blew my salad right off my plate. Shish!

But everyone was was kind and gracious. ate the food, sat in the kitchen while I put stuff together, chatted together outside – passing the time quickly. Suddenly it was all over, everyone back on the road to home.

The wind…it hung around until today turning colder on Saturday; bringing in another cold front for our area. It’s actually cold enough we had to turn up the heat just to take the chill off the house. A strong cold front with heavy gusting wind is predicted until Wednesday when it will finally push itself out of here and we will start to warm back up.

I guess in the scheme of things, five days of gusty winds of 30 m.p.h, or more, is really just a quick stop. This time next week we will have the heat and warmth of late Spring.

Your friend on a farm in Delta, Colorado

Linda

Good Fences — Thursday, June 12, 2014

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Dayphoto

A five-strand barbed wire fence with cedar posts. And Little Tally making mud pies for supper.

Priceless!

For more fun fences and gates head on over to The Run*A*Round Ranch.

Then stop by here again on Friday. Friday is the 13th and it comes complete with the FULL MOON!

Your Friend,

Linda

Footprints in the Sands of Time —-June 11, 2014

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Dayphoto

Sunday our oldest granddaughter left for camp for the week. Bladen was supposed to go but he is on the down-hillside of recovery of pneumonia.

Their Mom and Dad needed to go to Craig, Colorado. Bladen and Tally thought it would be fun if they came to stay with Grammy and Grandpa (instead of huge long boring ride to Craig).

Blade is twelve. He was lots of help. Although, I wouldn’t let him do lots (still recovering, I would remind him) he could do some things for short spells.

Which meant that the 6-year-old had to give it try to also.

🙂

They stayed with us until last night. We had lots of fun, even going to play miniature golf one night after all the work was done and the last set of water in place. It was ‘way dark’ when we finally drove home. Another ‘cool’ thing.

Several years ago I had a wonderful friend, who has since passed, tell me once: “You know, the footprints on the sands of time are really made with work shoes.” I had forgotten all about her saying this until I ran across the quote last night, while reading just before bed.

Those footprints start young, don’t they? They start young and they stay with you (or your children or your grandchildren) all the rest of life.

When it is you and your children it is a necessity that your children learn to work, to process information, to be a ‘big help’. But with your grandchildren you are giving them a gift…but on the same hand they are giving you one right back.

There is nothing better than working with children who really appreciate what you do and want to be part of it.

The footprints might be on the sands of time, but in reality they are created in the soul.

Your friend in life,

Linda

A Gift in the Sky —June 10, 2014

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Dayphoto

After a rambunctious day of wind and potential rain the other day. The wind started dying down and the clouds parted to let the sun shine through. In so doing so it shot sunbeams through the remaining raindrops to allow a rainbow to shine through.

Rainbows are the hope of the world, the hope of everyone’s life, the hope of something nice coming down the road to make the day just a little bit better.

Sending each of you hope today!

Your Friend,

Linda

Little Acts Create Giants— Monday, June 9, 2014

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Dayphoto

We live on the farm Terry’s Grandfather created…Misty and her family live on the other part of our farm which was started by Terry’s Great Grandfather on his Mother’s side. (We purchased the farm from the estate many, many moons ago.)

Meta and B.J. Brown

The first photo shows the roses that Meta planted way, way, before my time. Those same roses must be 95 years old now. They are sweet smelling and every so short lived. I adore them.

Meta planted them on the side of the Tile House…the house you see behind them. We call it the Tile House because the whole little house is made from tiles.

When the Tile House was created this farm, the one we live on, was a farm and a Dairy. It was the only Dairy for the town of Delta.
In the Tile House Meta, and daughters, Benita, and Sally washed up the many, many milk bottles and cream bottles, which were filled with rich, lovely whole milk and delivered early in the morning or late in the evening twice a day.

Also, in the Tile House a milk cooler and a cap and bottler shared space with the cleaning tubs. Out in the barn, B.J., and sons, Jack (Terry’s Dad), and Kenneth milked, fed the cows. Then hauled the milk into the Tile House. (Remember this was all done by hand.)

In the the Tile House the milk was first filtered, then poured into the cooler, next into the separator for cream, and skimmed milk. then capped and bottled. The whole milk was just filtered and cooled and capped and bottled.

The wagons were loaded and off the boys would go delivering milk to the residents of Delta. Once in town they would leave the milk and pick up the empty bottles —Benita said some of those bottles were nasty, nasty, nasty…others were washed and cleaned– sometimes with little thank you notes inside. The cash for the milk products was always attached to a little envelope waiting with the empty bottles. Benita said, “It was rare that people didn’t pay and Father had to make the trip to town to visit with those who owed.”

Left to right—as I think I know them: Sally and her husband Bud, the tall son of Sally and Bud in the back, right in front of the tall son is (I think) Meta, then B.J. with his arms around Terry. Next to B.J. is Terry’s Dad, Jack, and another son of Sally and Bud. Right next to Terry is his best -friend and brother Roger and on the other side is his adored little sister, Carolyn.

The house they are standing in front of is the house we live in today. It also looks pretty much the same. 🙂

Of the years that I have lived here we have had the special gifts of older people telling us that they remember when Mr. Brown delivered their milk to them, or how Mr. Brown and his sons would willingly give you a free lift to town on the milk wagon so you could get groceries then taking you back home.

Benita told us that when Father found out about a little family who lost their Dad in a horse and wagon accident and couldn’t afford to have milk…he would drop off a bottle or two as a little surprise. Never asking for money…just saying: “Oh, I had extra today. If I didn’t let you have it I would have to pour it out.”

I always think of these little stories when I go into the Tile House, or even just glance at it out of the corner of my eye. It really is the little acts we perform every day that eventually creates giants.

A farmer’s wife on a farm in Delta, Colorado

Linda