Third cutting. We won’t do a 4th. We let everything grow tall and keep it wet so there is feed for the cows come winter.
Whew! What a relief.
Your friend on a western Colorado farm
Linda
Off we went—had to get away before all the heavy work started again!
It’s a bit of a trip—Up to and around Blue Mesa Reservoir. The water is low, but we have seen it worse. (Click on the blue to learn more)
Then 58 more miles (if I remember right) to Lake City.
We ate at the Packer Saloon and Cannibal Grill.
The outdoor seating was nice!
Packed with people, more waiting to be seated.
Then home again. Home again.
We were exhausted. Plumb wore out, as my Dad would have said.
“Laugh, my friend, for laughter ignites a fire within the pit of your belly and awakens your being. — Stella McCartney
From my world to your world,
Linda
Zoom, zoom!!!
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
Rain! Beautiful! Wonderful! Rain!
It came to us in thick heavy fat clouds
Rain that left us with jagged jig-saw puzzles of puddles
The kind of rain we were desperately needing
RAIN! Wonderful Blessed RAIN!
From my world to the heart of the Universe,
Linda
“People like us, who believe in physics, know that the distinction between past, present, and the future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.”—Albert Einstein reflecting on the death of his friend Michele Besso
Mom took me on her lap and started petting me, I began to purr, LOUD, just for Mom.
Mom said I know Mindy Lou-Sue, my wonderful Min-Min, was teaching you about our way of life. I guess I should try and pick up where she left off.
So, while I purred; Mom petted me, she told me about the Business of Farming.
Mom told me that ranches are mostly grasslands for cows and sheep and horses and mules and… and farms raise crops.
Ranchers raise animals for meat and farmers raise crops that feed and clothe animals, including human animals.
Dogs and Cats, (purr, hum, purr) are important parts of farms. And ranches, Mom explained.
Dogs help ‘work’ on the farm and help ranchers take care of the animals on a ranch. Here on our farm, when Mom and Dad had dogs (Mom stopped and sighed.) The dogs went everywhere with us and helped irrigate.
I CAN GO! I stopped purring and stood up; looking Mom right in the eye. I can help.
Mom smiled and turned me back around and sat me down so I could get more scratches and pets.
Kitties, of which you are one, Mom said, all the while petting me, as the keeper of the farmyard/ or if the kitty lives on a ranch, the ranch yard.
Kitties keep the mice away from the house, the barns the work sheds, the grain bins, everything.
Kitties are a very important part of making a farm or ranch run smooth.
I got up again and gave Mom a head butt and a lick on her cheek.
Then I jumped down, stretched, fluffed my tail, and strutted off.
We, Cats, ARE very important!
Mom is so right!
Now, I have ‘stuff’ to do, important Stuff!
TLC Cai-Cai
(From Pinterest)
I love summer, idyllic warm (even hot) summer days.
I plan all fall, winter, and spring for this time, for summer.
The land is heavy as it nears harvest
The heat massive and somnolent
Butterflies and Hummingbirds sailing along in the warm air
The Bumblebees and Honeybees so heavy with pollen their buzz even sounds labored
Our August nights have now become mild,
a sweet chill on the air before the sun warms the sky—giving the earth a spectral look, As though the Otherworld is peaking through.
Summer, each and every day dazzles; my heart, my mind, and my eyes.
From my world to your heart,
Linda
We loaded out a hay customer in 100* weather yesterday. (37.7778c). Exhausting all of us. The last bale placed on the hay trailer at 2:40 p.m.
Since Karen now had the long drive back to her Dairy in Edwards, Colorado, we decided a quick break in town for a small lunch would be just the thing.
Then home again and she was off with her load of hay for her lovely milk cows.
Later that evening, after supper and water changes… Terry said
Let’s give ourselves a break and go for a ride
Off we went into a sherbet-colored sky
Then home again, home again as the air started to cool.
From my world to your heart,
Linda
Time falls away, while I sit and watch the hummingbirds.
Your friend on a Western Colorado farm,
Linda
Sometimes in the evening (after irrigation is done) we sit, Terry and I, upon the outside chairs.
If we get in Before the sunsets. Last night was one of those nights.
We relaxed and let the evening take over…the little swallow family was busy feeding the tiny mouths for the long, long rest until morning.
The hummingbirds zoomed by us, filling up for their night, Boomer lay on my feet and Sam-Sam our outside kitty sat on Terry’s lap purring. In the bathroom window, Monkey the house cat (because she eats birds) lay stretched out longing to be outside with us. But birds come first on our farm.
It was one of those moments when you are aware of your own heartbeat. A watching. A space in time, which stamps itself upon your heart, brain and soul. A moment instantly recalled in every detail for the rest of your life.
Your friend on a Western Colorado farm,
Linda
Fall is in the air! Every day I see more yellow leaves turning up in the trees!
We had to run up to our lake on Grand Mesa
while our company was here….stunningly we saw fresh snow on the ground.
The little chipmunks were very active – I think they now their time for storing is just about over.
Terry and I decided that we just can’t get away from the place to haul the much more needed firewood so we ordered more in, now we have a mess to sort through, but at least we are NOT having to go “GET IT”. It will work this time for us … we will see what next year brings.
Misty had a terrible reaction to a new drug so she is with me today. Please keep your prayers, magic thoughts and crossed fingers in place for a little while longer — we are desperately in need of them.
Your friend,
Linda
Life on a Colorado Farm 