A Guest Post–the Rain has Stopped! —YAY!–Monday, April 27, 2015

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Dayphoto

YAY! I see little tiny streaks of blue sky and a lightening of the clouds! The rain has stopped! The wind has stopped, the snow is still coming down on Grand Mesa, which means it can still freeze here.

The Swallows are back! 🙂 That’s a good sign…warmer weather can’t be far off now. (I hope!)

Anyway, I was reading a very interesting blog post about street shopping from Uncle Spike.

I have always thought I would love to shop in all the open-air markets around the world. The fruit and vegetables have to be outstanding.

Anyway—here is his post:

East African Shopping by Uncle Spike

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

On the whole, shopping malls leave me cold. In general I have little desire to trudge my way around endless corridors of glass, dazzling white marble effect floors and endless rows of glass-fronted shops all selling the same stuff as the mall we probably visited the day before. Fair enough, for the purchase of a certain item, these places serve a purpose, but for me, shopping is a sport best served outdoors.

Here in Türkiye, outdoor markets are part and parcel of everyday life, be it out here in the rural areas, or also in some residential parts of our large cities. So when I travel, the roadside markets and entrepreneurial purveyors of foodstuffs are always of a certain fascination to me. East Africa, of course, is a case in question.

The selling of foodstuffs always seem that bit more enterprising, and banana selling seems king of them all; from two tonnes in the back on a minivan…

…to a whole roadside…

…or hanging outside the local butchers, which also sold honey too 🙂

But harping back to the blandness of modern shopping malls, how refreshing would it be to see the top names in gentlemens outfitters merchandising their pure cotton two-piece’s like this?

There’s one thing for sure when travelling in a place like Kenya, one is never faced with the dilemma of “shop closed”, or having to think what day it is… every hour of every day, there is food sold along the roadsides.

Of course, the sad truth is that for many parts of the continent, this is not always the case. The harsh reality is that terrible wars, and devastating crop failures have brought about unbelievable suffering. The even sadder fact is that some parts of the world still don’t get it, and readily moan about the unavailability of a certain model of Nike trainers, or the price of a 6-pack of Oreo’s, or a 32-oz steak, whilst members of our own species are left to starve.

Uncle Spike

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Your friend,

Linda

It’s Wet Here-Again-Sunday, April 26, 2015

Posted on April 26, 2015 by Dayphoto

It’s wet here. Again! Very wet. We are still setting and changing water. It doesn’t stop, just because of weather. ~~I’m tired of wet. I miss the sun.~~

Although, all this wet has brought on the green, so I guess I had just better thank my lucky stars. Water is good.

Last evening, though, in-between down-pours, as we were making the last set of the day

The clouds parted, allowing the sun to burst forth,

Bringing with it the most beautiful of natural wonders

There we were out on the ditch bank, getting soaked and cold, when the sun broke through the clouds and gave us rainbows.

Now, really, who could ask for more? Not I.

The first rainbows of the year and I was where I could see them!

YAY!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Yard Work–and a Request–Thursday, April 23, 2015

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Dayphoto

I have finally finished my serial about Sherlock Boomer. I am very interested in what you think about the story. Please feel free to leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts. If you haven’t read the complete story or would like to please go to Sherlock Boomer on my header or click this blue line. Because I wrote this as a serial, with a new chapter every Wednesday you will have to scroll clear down to the bottom, then click on older posts to get to the beginning-Chapter One.

I had thought that a weekly chapter would be fun to read and to write. I am of the mind now it probably got long and tedious and boring. Anyway, I am very interested in your thoughts and encourage you to leave a comment. This way others can read what your wrote and I have a place where all the comments are collected.

Finally, I have been able to work on my own yard–to do so I have to let my house go—soon, soon the renters will be in the other house. Right now I’m painting the bubble gum pink bedroom. Once I’m finished they will come!

It’s been delightful to see all the dainty spring flowers popping up from all the moisture we had.

Just look at the beauty of the sky last night! Stunning isn’t it. The storm clouds built around the Plateau, never coming our way. We went out at 6 p.m., to set water, then got in after the sun set. I love seeing the setting or rising sun when we are out there on the land. I just love it.

Anyway off now to get some work done. Please don’t forget to give me your comments about the Sherlock Boomer–Mystery of the Missing Rabbits serial.

Your friend,

Linda

A Splish- Splash- Taking a Bath–Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Dayphoto

Terry brought the water down to put on the cherry trees and the lawn yesterday. The Red-Winged Black Birds were Delighted!

Several of them had to take a bath!

Having a marvelously wet time

When one got out

Another one got in!

I enjoyed the whole experience myself!

Your country friend

Linda

The Song of the Red-Wing Black Birds, Monday, April, 20, 2015

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Dayphoto

This Spring the Red-Winged Blackbirds came!

I don’t know why they have left the Upper End with it’s lush pond and a swampy area, but they have. When they came (and they are still here) the Western Meadow Larks and all the other birds left for the Upper End, although yesterday I saw Robins on the Western side of the house and yard.

I’m not complaining I love their cheerful little songs and watching them flit and fly from branches to my feeding stations.

They are most joyful birds, don’t you agree?

Your friend,

Linda

From That to This—Sunday, April 19, 2015

Posted on April 19, 2015 by Dayphoto

We went from this—to

This all in a short time span. It started raining, and raining, and raining turning everything in a huge slosh of mud.

See that child in the photo? Yes! We also have a surprise visit from the Grandchildren and their parents.

Even in the rain, our little archer had to go outside—there is much more to life than a electronic for this little granddaughter.

After a long time of rain, and rain, and more rain it finally stopped.

Around mid-night a huge fog descended blanketing the world in a dripping, silent shawl of grey mist.

The heavy mist shrouded the fields, as we changed the water. Ah, yes the irrigation goes on even in this over-whelming moisture. The goal is to soak the ground to at least a foot deep, then to have the water sub-over and meet in the middle between the furrows. Upon checking the moisture level, Terry announced that the moisture was a foot deep…now to get it to sub over!

I know this is odd (for those of you who do NOT have irrigation, or sprinkler systems, or even worry about getting enough moisture into the ground), but here in the High Mountain Desert we do. After over a hundred years of farming in our area the understanding of the moisture content to grow crops is very developed. Terry is a 4th generation farmer right here on California Mesa, his understanding of the complexity of the soil, water management, and health of the ground is to be admired. (Even if I say so myself 🙂 🙂 🙂 )

I got both lawns mowed, and the flower beds weeded, just before all of this moisture blew in- what a huge gift the snow and rain has been—we are turning GREEN!

I just LOVE seeing all this growth! I just LOVE it!

Now the sun is out and burning off all the fog, sending the water into the soil, and drying up all the land. Moving forward!—It’s a good thing!

Your friend on a Western Colorado Farm,

Linda

We are Frozen Here—Thursday, April 16, 2015

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Dayphoto

It’s snowing here…giant fluffy flakes of winter’s snow. They say we could have as much as 3 inches. 😦 The only good thing, about it being snow, is it isn’t as wet as rain. To work in rain is the pits. At least with the snow you only freeze to death. The mud comes later.

You can’t see the snow here, because it hadn’t started yet, but it is there….waiting in the clouds

Lurking, ready to begin. You can see the snow falling in the canyons…if there were no snow the canyons would be crisp and clear to your eye, it’s misty..either rain or snow. Today it is snow.

My hands are froze. Since I set the tubes and help walk the water {Terry does all the back breaking digging and he helps walk the water} I sometimes have to get my hands in the water. That’s why I can’t wear gloves, even plastic gloves won’t work, I’ve tried them. What I need to do is get good enough I don’t have to stop, bin over and place the tube in the water, grab the end of the tube (to form a suction) in the water, then quickly set the tube in the row. Terry and MIsty can do it, but not I.

Oh, well, it ’tis what it ’tis.

I have my seeds started for the year. I hope to plant out by Mother’s Day. (who knows with this year)

Tomatoes, water melon, flowers and other goodies, happily sprouting away.

Happy Winter, er, Spring…whatever 🙂 I wish all of you peace and so much love,

Your friend on a Western Colorado Farm,

Linda

To Which Man Gives His Heart—Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Posted on April 14, 2015 by Dayphoto

“Let no one think that real gardening [farming/ranching/etc.] is a bucolic and meditative occupation. It is an insatiable passion, like everything else to which a man gives his heart.” –Karel Capek

Gradually, gradually everything is moving forward with just the right amount of speed and with few set backs. I just about have all the winter rubbish off my yard, only one more spot to go, Terry has all the corn ground worked up and is marking out the last field even as I type this.

The alfalfa field is receiving it’s last set of irrigation– then we move full-time to the first corn field. (Hopefully we won’t have to walk the water through the rows, but there is a possibility…when the ground is too dry-not enough snow in the winter—the water absorbs quickly and doesn’t want to make its way down the rows. Or there is lots of trash caused by blowing winds, then we walk each stuck furrow; making the furrow a little more wider and a little bit deeper helping the water to move on, soaking just a little bit, heading to the end of the field. We leave the water 12 hours then move it again…in the 12 hours the rows will soak up so the set can be changed.)

This is the head gate...I am terrified of the head gate, although the water isn’t high here the headgate is deep, the board you walk on has no hand railing….I just much prefer Not having to do the work on the headgate. Although I can IF I have too. 😦

The yard is completely cleaned at the other house and I got the hoses out ready for whenever the tile lines fill up with water and I can start water down there. My hope is the potential renters will be moved in and can run the hoses for me. What a gift that will be. Also, the potential renters didn’t like the bubble gum pink bedroom (for little girls) so I need to get to town soon and buy paint so I can repaint that room. They have no children, she would like just a nice bedroom for guests.

Also, I have a new stray cat. She is a very nice older cat, but has something going on with her eyes. Today I will take her in an see what is wrong with her eyes and get some medicine. The potential renter lady would very much like to have the cat after it is well. I think that is good move for both the cat and me. But if not this kitty can stay here and be loved.

I’ve been so busy I haven’t had time to walk the shelter dogs. I feel really bad about that, but hope to get there this week sometime….maybe on Friday.

Thank you, once more for stopping by!

Your friend,

Linda

A Little of This-A Little of That—Monday, April, 13, 2015

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Dayphoto

As we were finishing up the last set of the day yesterday evening, I saw a Sundog in the western sky. It wasn’t as bright as Sundogs are in the frigid winter months, but it was still there just the same. The old-timers say if you see a Sundog cold weather will arrive within three days. Looking at the 10-day forecast for our area…Wednesday we will see a dramatic cool down. Seems like this weather phenomenon going to ring true.

The White-stemmed Evening Primroses are starting to pop out all over our rocky hillside, on the cactus hill, and the Coyote hill. They are also showing up in the deserts all around us and between Delta and Grand Junction,Colorado.

If you are not really paying attention, as you speed along, in your car these precious white flowers look like someone flung trash out their car windows scattering the trash everywhere. Slowing down, or even pulling over and stopping the car, gives a person a rare treat of these lovely desert flowers.

Wayne and Carolyn, Terry’s sister and brother-in-law, stopped by for an over-night stay Saturday. They were on their way back home to Arizona, after attending a funeral of Wayne’s Aunt. We were very grateful they made the detour to come see us for the short-time they were in our state.

My tremendous work load is just about to ease. It is looking like we have potential renters for the other house. I am crossing my fingers and toes everything works out. I have been stretched so far I can’t even get started on my yard.

We finish up the irrigation of the alfalfa field tonight, then it will be only the corn field. The irrigation of the corn field is coming along as well, it just takes time, because it is such a huge field. Once that field gets wet, we move to the smaller field by the house…Terry hopes to plant corn the first week in May. Boy is time flying.

Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment or just reading. I enjoy sharing this tiny spot of our life, on this part of western Colorado with you.

Your Friend,

Linda

First Irrigation of the Year—Sunday, April 12, 2015

Posted on April 12, 2015 by Dayphoto

We started the water for the first time Thursday morning around 6:00. Terry worked at the head gate and I cleaned the ditches as the water flowed toward the fields. I rejoiced that I had gained back my summer muscles by the time we turned on the water! You see a person must straddle the ditch, pitch fork in hand and scoop and fling out trash like crazy, then jump back to one side and rush down to a further location, straddle the ditch, and start scooping again until we get to end of our place and the water flows back into the canal.

There is always, always tons of trash in the ditches.

Then Terry joins me, he places the dams along the cement ditch; backing up the water. After which we start the tubes, he digs out the furrows and I start the tubes. We must work fast or the water will back up and flood over the sides creating a mini-disaster.

Twice a day every day the tubes are changed….every two hours or so, the tubes are checked to make sure there is no trash in the ditch and the water isn’t running over into fields that haven’t been worked.

During the daytime–the morning set —we are watering the corn ground —Terry likes to water-up the seeds, instead of planting and then watering.

In the evening we move the water to the alfalfa field, since it doesn’t need to be checked while we sleep.

Spring time work is always a huge, huge push. But there are so many wonderful things about being out there on the land: the smell of the ground as the water hits it for the first time, the extremely cold invigorating wind on your face as you drive the 4-wheeler, the warm body of Boomer as he huddles next to me using me as a shield, the peace and beauty all around, seeing pheasants rise with loud squawks and cries of alarm, if we get too close to them, watching a fox trot along the edge of the alfalfa field searching for mice, bending over and setting a tube (and it works the first time) then moving on, always staying ahead and in a rhythm, the sun coming up and starting to warm the air the land and you, shedding your jacket and feeling the sudden coolness that soon disappears as you work.

Long before we finish the last set of the day the air starts to cool down so the jackets come back on, Boomer is tired and hangs by me all muddy and pleased with himself, the Western Meadowlarks are now silent and the Red-winged black birds chirping sleepy time calls, a little family of Kill Deer run quickly away from us, and the sun breaks forth into dazzling colors, peace and calm settle down upon the land as the life giving water flows toward the end of the field.

Your friend on a Western Colorado Farm,