Weather and Moon Lore—Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Dayphoto

(This is an old photo, but I love the fox and the corn and the full moon, so decided to use it for today’s post.)

Today is March’s Full Moon beginning phase…I love the full moon! Anyway, this is called the Worm Moon in the Northern Hemisphere. The earth is beginning to warm, the ground to thaw and the earthworm casts to appear. Once this happens the Robins return to brighten our days. (Although I’ve seen robins for a bit now.)

In the far north this moon is called the Crow Moon–the cawing signals the end of winter and in the eastern part of the north is the Sap Moon marking the time of tapping maple trees.

There is also old farm lore that says if the 21st of the start of the four-seasons…(yesterday was the 21st of Spring) will tell what the next three months will bring; hot, dry, windy or cold. We had beautiful weather yesterday…the morning was clear and bright and warm, by the afternoon the wind came up…a warm wind. Then the clouds started flinging themselves over us.

The wind blew off and on all night (although it was a warm wind) and is still gusting heavily; although it’s still warm it is cooling down.

Terry is rolling the plowed fields (still) it takes many acres of rolling before he can start leveling.

Maybe you know some more interesting rural (country) lore. If you do, would you please share. I rather enjoy collecting them.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

The Adventures of Boomer on Friday—Forgotten

Posted on August 21, 2015 by Dayphoto

Can you believe it!!!? Mom forgot to let me blog last week! I was SHOCKED!!!

Oh, well! I still had lots to do.

I checked out the perimeter of the farmhouse every morning and evening and more, if I’m bored.

Sometimes I head out in the night. Because…

Well you see why.

It’s really smoky here. All the smoke from the horrible wildfires going on in California, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana and Wyoming has drifted into our area.

It’s caught here…we are full of hills and dales, mountains and buttes, valleys and hollers, mesas and canyons, so it makes for a wonderful spot to stay a spell. Mom says we either need a good stiff wind or a nice heavy rain.

I think I agree with her. I spend lots of time sneezing, right along with Mom and Dad, and the rest of the people who live in our area. (Mom says she bets its much worse where the fires really are.)

We are working down at the rent house again. Mom says she is not fond of rental property. As for me…heck! I love it! Anytime I get to ‘go’ I’m up for whatever there is to go too! 🙂

LOOK! A Gambol’s Quail up high on the electric line!

Gota go! Mom wants me to help her!

Boomer

The Adventures of Boomer on Friday—NEWS

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Dayphoto

Mom buys me toys to play with…but I don’t like them.

Mom throws me balls…I chase them sorta…Fuzzy and I used to place chase with each other, but not really. We enjoyed chase the fox, or chase the squirrel, or splash in the ditch more. Well, ummmmmmmm, Fuzzy enjoyed splash the ditch; I liked (and still do) GATHERING NEWS!!!

LOL!

News for the day!

Mom moved a couple of the garden toads from under my dog houses to her corral garden.

They really seem to like it out there…works better than getting living under my dog house.

We have frogs in the irrigation ditches! I love, LOVE, to put my nose on them and watch them hop away.

Our yard is full of birds…they sing us awake every morning and chirp sleepy little songs in the evening to put us to bed.

Lots of Gambol’s Quail this year. Dad is really happy we have more pheasants than last year. We lost lots of pheasants a few years back and it’s taken awhile for them to recover.

There are baby raccoons in one of the trees in the yard. Cute little things!

There are raccoons in the yard, in the farm yard, and out of the ditch. There are as many raccoon as there are fox; is seems.

As for the home front—Sammy does a very good job of keeping the mice down. (I’m glad that his job…it’s NOT something I’m ever going to do—Fuzzy would do it, but NOT ME!)

Well, that’s the news for today. I’m off, now, to get ready and bark the mailman down the road…he should be coming anytime now.

Boomer

The Adventures of Boomer on Friday—Out on the Ditch Bank

Posted on July 3, 2015 by Dayphoto

Mom had to go help Dad over at the other place. She went on the tractor so I didn’t get to go! 😦

Mom and Dad won’t let me run alongside either, they say I’m too old (I’m eleven now) and it would be way too long of a run so I get—“No, Boomer! NO! You stay here”! Then Mom gives me a hug and a very stern look and off she goes.

BUT! I always meet Mom when she comes home! ALWAYS! I meet Dad, also, but I don’t run down the road as far. 🙂

The fox are coming into the yard. One had Sammy cornered. Mom heard the racket and came running out of the house just in time to see the fox and Sammy in a standoff at the grain ben. I chased the fox all the way to the upper end. Whew! Boy was I ever hot and tired when I got back. Mom gave me a big bowl of cold water and a dog cookie. I gobbled up the water and the cookie and took a Loooong nap. I sure needed it. (I might be old(er), but I can still do my job!)

Last night we scared Momma Deer and her Princess out of the corn field when we went up to change the water. (Dad was a little disgusted, but at the same time we ALL liked seeing the little baby!) Mom told me that today we will just take up more of the shelled corn and put it closer to where the deer are bedding down.

Everyone had a big laugh when I chased a mouse out of one of the siphon tubes. It ran toward me and I sorta jumped. BUT!!! No one jumped as much as Mom did when she put a siphon tube into the water and a vole rushed out of the end of the tube and over her hand!

Mom didn’t scream but she sure did lose the siphon tube in the ditch and run backwards for a short spell!!! 🙂

Early this morning we were just stirring around when the fox came back INTO THE yard and ran right by the kitchen window. Monkey started growling low in her voice, Sam jumped up on the window sill, Mom and I hurried out the back door and Mom said “Get!” to the fox. Which it did.

I didn’t chase the fox this time, he/she was going so fast there was no reason to give chase.

Well, there is my week. Doesn’t seem like much, but it sure is fun!
Boomer

Mid-Summer Days—Monday, June 29, 2015

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Dayphoto

To some working on the land is lonely. Only you and the sky and the earth. But to me (and to Terry) it isn’t lonely.

There are plants who need our care and plants

we despair of (the nodding thistle, lovely but a huge nuisance).

Light floods the air and heat shimmers up off the land. Just to glace upon the brilliance is to think there is nothing but silence there. But it isn’t true…the song birds fill the air with music and bugs (the good bugs and the not-so-good bugs).

The new momma deer and her brand new little fawn scamper close to us, not afraid. They are many generations of deer, who have lived here safe. We feed them so they stay out of the crops. They do their part and eat at the pastures.

The thought always runs in the back of the mind…’my this is pretty. I feel so tremendously blessed’…all the while acknowledging the inadequacy of the word blessed.

Your friend on a western Colorado Farm

Linda

The Adventures of Boomer on Friday—When the Folks are Away

Posted on April 24, 2015 by Dayphoto

Don’t let anyone tell you there isn’t a very active night life on a farm or ranch…if you do let them tell you and you believe it —-YOU ARE WRONG!!! ♪♫❤♪♫❤

There is all sorts of activity. Visits from the–

Tall, sleek, svelte

Those reeking of perfume

Gorgeous and dangerous

A Monkey

Mischief makers

And those

who protect the place

Then Mom and Dad come Home…

YAY, I just report the news. I let Sam protect the place.

Boomer

Good Morning Everyone! Sunday, February 1, 2015

Posted on February 1, 2015 by Dayphoto

Good morning everyone! Moving After two days of heavy gray clouds blocking the sun and sending life-giving moisture into our rather dry soil, we woke-up this morning to a very beautiful day.

Another blessing in the storm is it stopped our work on the removal of the wood from the two trees we had cut down. I think that was a good thing. It’s better to have a break in the work than to break something on your body (all three of us, Terry, Scott (our neighbor) and myself are over 65–just saying.) If the weather stayed nice we would not have stopped…we needed to stop. A three day rest is a good thing (we always rest on Sunday, only the things that MUST be done is ever accomplished on Sunday.)

Tree-work Our neighbor is taking the wood for his outside furnace so we don’t have to haul anything far. The wood from the front tree is way too wet to burn this year, but the wood from the lightening struck tree is dead. This is a win-win for Scott as he has dry wood to finish out the heating season and wood to start the next heating season. It’s a win-win for Terry and I because we have help cleaning up the mess AND we know that the wood is being put to good use instead of just dumped at the Upper End. The GIANT logs we are taking to the Upper End to make hollows for fox (or whomever) have a place to hide.

Scott and Terry both have tractors, Scott has forks on his and Terry uses the bucket.

This leaves me to do all the brush work, rake up all the chips, and to chain up the logs. We are making huge headway. As soon as the ground dries enough we should be able to finish up next week.

We better finish up next week, since Hank stopped and said he was going to be bringing in his first year heifers and his second year cows probably around Thursday.

I just about have the chips and bark and branches out of the corn field gate, which is a good thing…I wouldn’t want any of the cows to get something stuck in their hooves.

If we can get the big stuff and the field stuff done before the cows we can finish up the back yard after the fence is built. Lots of pressure right now to get stuff done.

THEN I told Terry it will be time to put the new roof on the tile house, after which we will be close, if not already started, on Spring farm work.

I think the time of February is going to fly by!

Many of you have emailed asking me to post a photo of the skyline with the trees gone. I shall…I want to have all the trash cleaned up before I do. Surprisingly (so far) it doesn’t look bad down there. Misty wants us to keep the lightening struck stump in the back for Kelly to build something for the kids to play in, so we will. Kelly built a tree house for the kids in one of the other trees; having something cool in this one will add to the fun of the back yard.

The front tree will be gone…I’m thinking I might put a planter where it was and fill it with something colorful. Maybe. It all depends on how it looks. I might just fill in the spot with grass. Grass is always nice on the eyes.

Look at this sunset last night as the storm broke up and left us! The colors are amazing for this time of year!

Thanks for stopping by!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

The Adventures of Fuzzy and Boomer on Friday—Working with Mom

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Dayphoto

Fuzz and I always work with Mom!

Always!!!

Sometimes Fuzzy doesn’t go, but I do! I never let Mom go anywhere without me!

Even if it is just to follow her around as she pushes the wheelbarrow here and there and everywhere!

Welllll….sometimes I do let her walk around and around in the yard…it does get boring after awhile.

When Dad goes to his meetings at night,it’s just Mom and Fuzzy and I to do the irrigation. Mom puts us on the four-wheeler with her and gives us lots of pats. “I’m going to be a long time, Fuzzy, so you really need to go with us. I don’t want you getting tired of waiting for us and trying to walk out to find us. You need to ride and you can hang out by the four-wheeler if you get tired.”

Then she lifts Fuzzy up and sits him down beside her….then up I go. Then Mom is on and we are off!

While Mom moves the water from one spot to another spot Fuzzy and I check out the news….then when Mom drives over to the other field, Fuzzy rides and I really don’t know they have gone,

because I’m somewhere far off—there are interesting things out there, you know. Stuff much more interesting than watching water going down a row.

On the last field Mom hollers and hollers for me…I pretend I can’t hear her! I have to be careful because Mom WILL drive off and leave me! When that happens I have to run all the way home!

Anyway, this time, I came. Which was a good thing, because Mom wanted to just go for a ride around the place…YIPPEE!!

We saw one of the fox that lives on our place!!!

He was running by so fast he didn’t even stop and wave!!!!We saw a wild bunny. I got off and sniffed around where the bunny was, but I didn’t even chase the bunny. Mom’s says I’m a really unusual Beagle, since Beagles were bred to hunt bunnies.

Every time she says that I just smile at her….I’m an environmentally friendly Beagle!!!

On the way home we stopped by and saw Hank and the little family…and A BEE SWARM!! They had a huge swarm in one of their trees!

Now How Cool is that?!?!?

Mom also saw a far-away rainbow…she said that rainbows always make her happy. Fuzzy and I really don’t see what the fuss is about…but, whatever works for Mom works for us!

By the time we got home it was getting dark. But you know what? Even the’ getting dark’ is pretty cool.

Working with Mom is good!

Boomer

The Adventures of Fuzzy and Boomer on Friday—Cats

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Dayphoto

Fuzzy and

I have been busy gathering the smells from around Mom’s old wood, woodpile.

Sam-Sammy-Sam has been also. Actually he has be stalking the old woodpile area; pacing here and there with that ‘I’m going to find you’ look in his eye.

Monkey (a nine-year-old, almost ALWAYS a house cat) was hanging out with us, as we were helping Mom sort the woodpile—Monkey got extremely nervous and hid –just waiting for Mom to head to house so she could beat Mom there and peel inside quickly.

The Little Buff Hen, who does NOT spend the night in the chicken house anymore, (because Mom only has ONE chicken and the chicken house is too lonely for a 6-year-old hen) acted like there was really nothing to worry about.

She said she was hanging out with Mom so she will always be safe. (You are safe, Little Hen, because Fuzzy and I are with you!)

Cluck, cluck, purr, yummy, lots of good bugs under the old wood, she cooed.

Since Fuzzy and I have been hanging out here lots; day and night, Mom got to wondering why, so she moved the night camera to find out—

“Oh”, said Mom. “I see we have more cats.”

“Two more cats. They must be wild/feral as I have never seen them in the daytime.” She mused.

“No wonder you have that look in your eye, Sammy-Sam. You need to be careful, Kitty, you aren’t a young cat anymore, you turned 13 this January.”

Harrumph! Sam growled as he turned tail and stalked over to the ditch bank. I can still hold my own! Hummm…

this grass is rather nice, I think I’ll just roll around here for a spell and scratch my back…those other cats only come at night, right now isn’t night. Besides, I usually spend most of my nights in the house next to fireplace…she doesn’t need to be such a worrywart.

“Ahhh, I see the fox is a regular little guest here. Good thing you are well protected at night little Buff Hen,” Mom said as she bent down a petted the little buff hen.

“You boys keep a sharp look out for the fox; they travel around day or night. Which, reminds me,” pondered Mom “I’m surprised we even have feral cats with the fox and the coyotes around.”

“UGH! Now this is one nasty cat, an ‘ol polecat, you need to stay far, far away from this cat all of you! That means you also, Little Buff Hen!”

You don’t have to worry about that Mom…Fuzzy and I just watch that skunk move through the yard, that’s one cat we do not want to tangle with ever again!

I agree, yelled Fuzzy as he tried to whap his tiny little bobbed tail in the air.

“Well, it’s starting to get evening and I’m getting tired. Let’s head back to the house and see what I can come up with for supper! Come on, Little Buff Hen. It’s your bedtime.”

Cats…I guess Mom knows now, Fuzzy…we have lots of cats!

Just as long as they don’t get near the house, Boomer, we don’t have to do anything about them!

That’s good, Fuzzy, real good!

Oh, look…Yummy canned dog food!

You are right, Boomer…I hate that dry as cardboard crunchy kibble stuff. I’m glad Mom has moved over to this nicer to chew (swallow, slurp, gulp) food!

Night Everyone!

Boomer

The Adventures of Fuzzy and Boomer on Friday—Boomer, My Bestest Friend

Posted on March 7, 2014 by Dayphoto

Boomer is my bestest friend in the whole-wide-world! (Well, outside of Mom, that is). I really don’t like other dogs, never have, never will! But when Boomer slipped into my doghouse one night I knew he and I would be friends for ever more!

Now that you know that I adore Boomer we take naps together, we bark the mailman down the lane together,

we ride on the four-wheeler with MOM, chase the squirrels and bark at the birds.

We do lots of stuff together.

We make sure the fox stay away,

or at least does a fast run through our place.

We do NOT bother the porcupines, the badgers (Boomer was chased by one once) or the coyotes.

We both have decided the Mom and Dad are on their own when it comes to the skunks, that is just all there is too it. A dog who gets sprayed by a skunks gets BATHS…lots and lots and lots of baths! (Hank-the grandkids dog, doesn’t care he will take on a skunk anytime. And he still goes after any all porcupines.) PHEW!

HOWEVER!!!! I draw the line as some stuff…like eating milk duds (`!) I just can’t do it. I just can’t.

The other thing I don’t get is Boomer is a beagle…purebred the Vet says. Beagles are bred for hunting…RABBITS! (I’m a cow dog…always have been, always will be!)

Colorado has a Beagle Rescue if you are interested.

You know what? Boomer NEVER chases our rabbits….ever! I use to…they hop really fast so it’s fun to follow them into their hiding places. But I never hurt them; the only things I hurt are mice and snakes….anytime…anyplace…anywhere! Bite, snap, done! There ya go…no more mouse or snake! Of course, Boomer doesn’t understand why I like to feel that crunch and snap in my mouth. (I can’t swallow what he likes to slurp down…)

Boomer doesn’t even give chase to the rabbits ever…just keeps on sniffing around on the ground, he even sniffed right by one of the rabbits. How strange is that?

Well, anyway…in the scheme of things … I really don’t care. You see Boomer is my bestest friend in the whole-wide-world. If he doesn’t want to chase a bunny…you know what? He doesn’t have too.

Fuzzy