There is Always One — January 30, 2014

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Dayphoto

I don’t care if you are working with cats, dogs, rabbits, sheep, pigs, goats, horses or cows…there is ALWAYS ONE! That has to live outside the box…

Yesterday Mr. Davis and his daughter were helping our neighbor move his cows from Mr. Love’s place to two miles down to My-Way Cattle Company’s corn field.

You can’t tell it here, but one of the cows jumped into our field giving Mr. Davis and his daughter a merry chase up and down the fence line. Terry went down to help and to see if our electric fence was still working (it was). Seems the errant cow had also taken them on a merry chase just below our place…running happily through the swamp on Gennis’s land. Once they got her back into the quickly moving herd she marched along very nicely, until she got our cornfield…HOP she was back over the fence galloping into the middle, standing there snorting frozen breath while they got the fence open and got into the field with her.

Then across the field she went, down to the end of the fence line by Misty’s house, back up the fence —by this time Mr. Davis, his daughter, two dogs, and Terry were all starting to squeeze her into the canal whereby the up gate could be opened.

NO! Not this girl, no sireee! DOWN THE CANAL she ran, ducked UNDER the bridge, kept on galloping to the end, and pushed herself under the fence to the other side coming out on our lane. Two more dogs arrived from Mr. Love’s end of the herd, I was on the lane…she turned so fast dust and sparks flew off her hooves. Within seconds she was hidden well in the middle of the herd heading north, right where she was supposed to be.

There is always one!

It’s acting like snow here, if we will get some I don’t know. But all around us the mountains are socked in giving me hope for fuller reservoirs this summer!!

Your farm friend,

Linda

Winter Work January 29, 2014

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Dayphoto

Terry started covering the rest of the transmission ditch. Terry’s been putting in transmission pipe for some time — a transmission ditch is just that a ditch that takes the water from point a to point b or c or d or whatever. We do Not irrigate out of a transmission ditch. A transmission ditch is just a mini-canal.

With water always an issue, and getting worse in the southwest part of the United States, we are always trying to think of ways to help the water stretch further. (We are in the abnormally dry area). An open dirt transmission ditch has lots of problems—water is lost through evaporation (the sun beats down and takes up water into the air), the ground itself has to absorb the water until it get full enough of the water (turns to mud) for the water to move fast enough toward the take out point to get enough to start the siphon tubes or to fill the gated pipes, and then there are the weeds. Weed seed just naturally flows toward soil in water, when the water is stopped from that transmission ditch, the weed seed stops with the water; delightfully growing and growing taking up even more water as the season progresses.

So yesterday Terry began the closing in the ditch, shifting the ground so the deep frost will start to dry out, and gathering the weeds in a pile so the cows can munch through them. Even if we get snow the snow will blow on over toward the canal now and not land in the ditch causing us to have to wait even longer before we can begin.

Once the ground is frost free (or Terry gets tired of waiting) the backhoe will come in and dig the last link to connect all the transmission lines together. Then Terry and I will start laying the pipe; then covering up the pipe. Once done we will be ready for the new year to begin.

This weekend is the second consignment sale for the winter. We’ve decided not to take anything up to it, but wait for the first week in March for the third consignment sale. Every day we moving closer and closer to the beginning of another season of farm work.

Once that happens I know that we have advanced into spring!

Your friend on a Western Colorado farm,

Linda

P.S. Cully if you are reading this, your email doesn’t work. I’ve tried to answer your comment two times and the mail comes back undelivered. Please know that I really appreciate you taking the time to read and to stop by and comment. I’m sorry if you aren’t able to get my replies. I do try to reply to everyone who leaves me a comment. 😦

The Golden Corral for Cows — January 28, 2014

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Dayphoto

Right at noon the cows arrived for a lovely feast.

Mr. Davis has been bringing cows to our place for 45 years now. Until three years ago his cows shared with our cows. Now they have the whole place to themselves. Unlimited food and water, not as big as the Uncompaghre Plateau, but good sized enough they can wander here and there and everywhere.

It took them the better part of the afternoon into the evening to mosey on up to the Back Forty where the water is…the first food bar (one of the corn fields) held them until around 4 in the afternoon, then they started moving into the yummy alfalfa field until it was too dark for me to see anymore.

This morning they came walking up from the Back Forty to start another day of grazing. (Part of the Back Forty was in that ugly fire we had two years ago.) The cows like sleeping there, lots of nice brush, warm hillsides and drinking water.

In about two weeks (maybe sooner) we will start to see little ones popping up all over. We will wake in the morning to see them scampering about, or have the gift of watching one being born. The thing to remember about these cows as they are wild cows, raised on the Plateau, use to protecting themselves from wild dogs, coyotes, mountain lions, Lynx and other predators. Meaning that the dogs and I can’t just trot out there to check on things like they know us as friends. We have to take our time, let them get use to us, let chicken-hearted Boomer get use to them, then we can walk freely about.

Off now to take Boomer and Fuzzy to the groomer. SHHHHHHHHHHHHH don’t let Fuzzy know, I won’t be able to get him in the car.

Your farm friend with COWS AGAIN!!! YAY!

Linda

Yesterday January 27, 2014

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Dayphoto

The rancher that brings up about 80 head of spring’n heifers called yesterday and said he would be here either today or by the Friday. He has all but 20 of the young girls gathered and ready to string up here anytime now; was the farm still available?

Yes it is!

First thing Sunday morning the fences were walked and the panels hooked up. We panel off certain areas of the farm…like the hay stacks, the equipment area, and the corrals. The rest we have fenced, therefore it is just a matter of checking the fences, and making sure the electric fencer is working.

DONE!

I’m looking forward to see the cows and then the new little babies!

Your Western Colorado Farm Friend

Linda

The Fox Returns January 26, 2014

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Dayphoto

Well, I know for sure we have a fox in the yard. He tried to be a fox in the hen house, or even the poultry house last night. Stuff like that makes me really mad.

Although, I have Night guard lights surrounding the poultry area, he was sitting by the wood pile. Hollering at me…more than likely hollering at the poultry! Now I have to very diligent because once a fox finds out you have yummy food, just for the taking, they will show up day or night.

One time I was out raking by the hen house, the hens were pecking around close to me, we were all talking and having a good time getting the yard cleaned up— when a Mother Fox zoomed in, grabbed a hen right next to me and ran off down the lane. I gave chase, but the fox is many, many, many times faster than I. I’m sure the hen was great food for her den full of kits!

Anyway, I turned all the outside lights on and ran out the door faster than Boomer and Fuzzy with my flashlight yelling at it to “GIT!” Of course, that worked for the moment.

Like I said I have to really be on the look out during the day (which means keeping the dogs outside) then putting the poultry up early, before dusk really. I’m hoping I can keep everyone safe until the fox starts to find much easier prey.

The sky was a blaze of pink last night. Stunning really! I stood outside a long time and took too many photos. I truly enjoyed standing in a color so pink that everything around it took on the same shade.

Your friend on a Western Colorado Farm,

Linda

Hauling Junk January 23, 2014

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Dayphoto

Yesterday we started on the clean up of the equipment area. The first to go is the old grain head, plus a bunch of other stuff that we piled into the back of the pick up.

Terry did all the work, I just drove the tractor to and fro. There are just somethings I draw the line at–things that could smash something, wreck something, in general get me yelled at and make me feel doubly bad.

It works out perfectly this way.

Then early this morning, while the ground was still frozen, we hauled the scrap up to Montrose, Colorado.

Those huge machines up there are always rather exciting to see. This machine picked up the extremely large grain head like it was a piece of paper.

Done! The only green spot in the whole pile.

Now we start loading up stuff for the consignment sales. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but the time has come.

The setting sun was wonder last night. We have not been having any clouds for days, but a few blew in allowing the dying rays to bring warm colors to the winter sky.

You Farm Friend,

Linda

Skunks and Winter Birds January 21, 2014

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Dayphoto

Well, the skunks are awake. We’ve been warm enough that the skunks have come out of their semi-hibernation. One o’clock in the wee morning, really nighttime, our farm was inundated with skunk perfume.

Gag!

Terry thought the dogs must have stirred one up; not our dogs as they were sleeping inside.

I got worried about the poultry so the dogs and I headed out to see if everyone was fast asleep and safe! They were. I have Night Guard lights on the house, but one never knows what a hungry critter will risk.

The poultry house is extremely safe, locked door, cement floors, wooden walls — still I like to make sure those things that are in our keeping are secure.

They were.

The smell was horrid…lasted until morning when the air shifted as the day warmed up.

That evening, when I was gathering firewood for the night, a string of birds (I couldn’t tell if they were Canada Geese or the Sandhill Cranes) lifted up from a field about a mile from us….very swiftly they flew closer and closer to our farm, forming their v, on their way to some other corn field for the night.

These birds sure do make winter bearable. I love watching them as the stream across the frozen heavens, calling loudly to one another—gather up, gather up, we are heading over there, come fly with us….come fly.

The sounds fade as they get further away. I then load my wood and head back to the house. The winter shades of pink, lavender and shadowy blue fading into dusk.

Your farm friend,

Linda

Memories January 20, 2014

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Dayphoto

Although, my brother and I grew up on an orchard in Eckert, Colorado, our father owned and operated a gas station in Delta. He ran this gas station until I was fourteen then he sold the business but continued on with the orchard.

That’s Daddy, Lester Allen Doyle, standing on the bumper of his cousin’s cattle truck. John Doyle and Bill Hamilton (both cousin’s) owned and operated a cattle trucking business.

At this time Sinclair and all other gas stations were full-service gas stations—meaning they would wash your windshields, check the air in the tires, check all the fluids in your car and fill the gas for you. No woman’s gloved hand ever touched a gas pump nozzle; not when I was a child!

The best thing I remember about those times were getting up with Daddy before he left for work….he always got up at 4:30 in the morning, then he left for work around 5:15 to have the station opened and ready for business at 6 a.m.

We lived in Eckert, but the gas station was in Delta…the county seat and the largest town in our county.

Often times Daddy never got home until 8 p.m., closing the doors to the station around 7. If I didn’t get up in the morning I just wouldn’t have seen him until Sunday. Sunday every business closed, it didn’t matter what type of business.

Gradually over the years, the business grew so he could hire help, then he hired a manager, and he took over the deliver of the bulk gasoline and fuel oil and diesel. Gradually that increased so he had two trucks and a helper. Momma did the books for all the businesses.

In the summer my brother and I would ‘go to work’ with our Mother, spend the day at the office with her. This meant we would walk down to the library, check out books (four at a time) come back and read. We also took toys to play with. Our Dad would get us big boxes we could make forts and houses and ‘stuff’.

Ahh…memories!

Your friend,

Linda

The Letter G — January 19, 2014

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Dayphoto

The Show and Tell date was changed from Friday to Thursday afternoon. Since we have this ~~tremendously busy~~ free schedule Thursday was a perfect day.

Right at 3 O’Clock we arrived, checked in, got our Visitor’s Badge and headed on down to the classroom.

The classroom was fun, bright and full of about twenty Kindergarten children.

Clap, Clap, the teacher called everyone into a circle…it was now time. The first little boy brought a Star Wars toy… At first he was so scared he couldn’t remember the name of the toy…just one question from the surrounding kids and his face lite up and the excitement spilled out as he explained all about his Star War character. I can’t remember his letter, but I do remember his shining bright eyes!

The next little girl brought a pony—Rarity from My Little Pony-for the letter R. She told how much she loved this pony and hoped that someday she could own a real My Little Pony.

Then it was Tallen’s turn…up we went…Grandpa on one side, I on the other…she gave Grandpa a hug, kissed my hand and looked at all the kids and FROZE!!! The teacher then had to ask her questions…why are they here…G for grandpa and Grammy. Okay, and thing else…silence…Grandpa said he had on a GREEN shirt…a little boy yelled for G! Then I whispered to Tally that she could pass out some G’s, which brightened her face–the teacher then asked Tally to explain what she was passing out–not shy now she said-glitter G’s with Gummy bears! Everyone got one.

Then it was time to line up for the bus. Tally got to leave with us…another treat!

That was our day at Kindergarten—a delightful fun fifteen minutes with shinning faces and eager smiles!

As Always, your friend

GRAMMY
(Linda)

The Alamo, The Steps We Take to Growing Up, January 16, 2014

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Dayphoto

My Momma was a Texas girl raised in New Mexico. Her Momma, My Love Grammy, and all her sisters and brothers were born in Texas and still lived in Texas. (Except for Gram and Lois). My Grandfather was also a Texas boy, although born in the last land rush of Oklahoma, but raised in Texas.

Every year of my growing up we went to Texas for part of the summer. The year Walt Disney produced the movie DAVY CROCKETT it was smitten with the history of the Alamo. I wanted to go! I begged and asked, and probably whined…in general I was probably very irritating.

My wonderful great aunts and my hero great uncle Fred and my fun great Aunt Marie (we stayed with them at their ranch in Junction, Texas) told my parents they would take us to San Antonio to see the Alamo.

From: Junction, TX To: San Antonio, TX

(Google maps)

So we all dressed up (back then all women wore hands, gloves, and hose, even little girls had gloves and hats) got in Fred’s big car and made the almost two hour trip to the ALAMO!!! I was soooooooooo excited.

Not only was I going to get to see the Alamo, but I was going to get to see a real picture of Davy Crockett! Of course it didn’t enter my mind that the REAL Davy Crockett wasn’t the same as Fess Parker. I just knew he was going to look just as daring and handsome and wonderful as Walt Disney could ever portray him!

There a many things I remember about that trip…how hot it was. How old the Alamo looked, the many displays of the battle…being allowed to stand and stare all I wanted at whatever I was interested in…and how UNLIKE Fess Parker looked like the REAL Davy Crockett. (I laugh about that now.)

It was the ‘opening of my eyes’ that if you see it in the movies…it just might not ALL be true. It also told me that history really was a real thing and even today you can make it come alive. I think this was the step that turned me toward studies of history and genealogy.

Momma gave me this photo when I was about twelve. I’ve kept it ever since…just to remember the Alamo!

Your friend,

Linda