Half-Ghosts—-Sunday, August 7, 2016

Posted on August 7, 2016 by Dayphoto

We have had rain, lots and lots of beautiful wonderful rain. No wind, just rain, everything is soaked and laying flat from the rain…but we are not complaining.

Friday was my Mother’s birthday. If she were still alive she would be 87 years old. All that day I kept missing her.

Sometimes the rain felt like cold tears from heaven.

I think part of the reason is we have had too many animals deaths this year…first Balou

Then Molly Dog

And, of course Monkey our cat, and Hank the grandchildren’s dog.

Death is like a cold shadow; a cloud passing over head…sudden in its appearance, then passing quickly on.

Out of the corner of my eye, all throughout the day I caught swisp of visions…Momma in her garden, Momma laughing…the tail of one her cats she loved, moving just ahead of her…just things…long known, now gone.

Like smoke, everything was like smoke…tangible and real, but fading quickly.

I look at all these little gifts —these half-ghost memories of my Mother as small blessings.

From my world to your heart,

Linda

The Adventures of Boomer on Friday—Fun with Hank and the Kids

Posted on April 3, 2015 by Dayphoto

It’s been busy here! I mean really busy.

Hank and I have had lots and lots to do!

Oh! Yeah. Hank is here for 9 days! 9 Days of doing stuff with Hank and sometimes the kids!

YAY!

We went to the park

Grandpa pushed the girls, Hank and I sat with Mom-mom and Mom; then we stiffed around all the bushes.

We went for a walk, actually many, many walks. Hank and I walked with kids and then we would walk out onto the farm by ourselves.

We tried to follow grandpa when he would take the kids for a ride, If Blade went on the 4-wheeler then Hank and I ran beside him…that was ALWAYS exhausting. But Blade doesn’t go fast so we can keep up.

We had a cook out where Blade played on the swing. Mom said she was very happy to see the Swing going back and forth again. J Hank and I laid under the bushes and panted…it was hot that evening.

One time we all went to the river and played in the water down there.

I even tried climbing a tree… (I didn’t like it. Hank didn’t even try to climb the tree)

The girls took me out swimming…not a favorite thing of mine to do—but Hank loved it.

Still more days to go…Hank and I, not best friends forever, like Fuzzy and I were,

but good friends.

Boomer

The Adventures of Boomer on Friday—My Job

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Dayphoto

I had company last weekend.

Not just little kids, but also DOG COUSINS!

Hank came!

Rocky Chaco Man, the Rottweiler and

Houston the Princess!

We did lots of stuff…sniffed around for news, found beefy jerky to chew on…carried in lots of milk duds for snacks and still chowed down on dog food!

Mom says the grandchildren are coming again TODAY! That means Hank will be here again!

YAY!

Then everyone will go for Sunday Birthday party at Scout and Darby’s place. I don’t get to go. Neither do all of Shannon’s dogs, or Uncle Evan’s and Aunt Jolyne’s dogs…but Hank DOES!

Mom says Hank has to go, because he will leave from Grand Junction to go back to Craig after the party is over.

I think it would be neat to go see Scout and Darby, pout, pout, but Mom says “No, Boomie…you have to guard the place.”

So I guess (sigh) that is exactly what I will do.

Boomer

The Adventures of Boomer on Friday—Robins

Posted on March 13, 2015 by Dayphoto

The Robins have returned! Mom is so happy she stopped at the store and bought a bag of mealy worms. I stuck my nose into the bag, but…whew! It didn’t smell so good.

Then Mom, Dad and I went for a 4-wheeler ride and checked on the cows and calves.

They are all looking good. Mom thinks there are about 10-15 cows left to calve.

That’s a good thing because they cows all have to leave next week.

The bigger the calf is the better to hoof it down the hill to their next pasture. (It isn’t far, just down the hill from our other house, but a long way when you are brand new.)

Hank’s HERE! We’ve had a great time already…we’ve barked Mr. Davis down the road, Hank has barked at all the cows a few times (it always gets him yelled at… ‘Hank, stop! You can’t bark at the cows’!) We’ve checked out all the buildings and the equipment by the farm yard and hung out in the house with the little kids.

Oh, yes…the little girls are here and their Mom. My Mom says Hank and his family get to stay here clear until Sunday afternoon!

I know Hank and I’ll be tired when they hit the road, but it will be a good tired.

Boomer

The Adventures of Boomer on Friday—Hank Came

Posted on February 20, 2015 by Dayphoto

Hank came to visit!

Hank Puff Cake McCormick. Well, his whole family came to visit, but I was much more interested in Hank. Hank and I do lots of things together, he even sleeps on the back porch with me. Hank sleeps where Fuzzy slept and I sleep where I always sleep.

The first night here Hank kept going outside and doing naughty things. The first time Hank went out and barked at the cows…Mom got up and scolded Him and made him come back to bed.

Then around mid-night Mom smelled a skunk…getting up and checking on us she saw that Hank was NOT on his side of the porch… “HANK! You get in HERE!” She hollered.

Thankfully Hank has just gone out and was still standing on the back step when Mom called him. Back in he came, which was a good thing, because there really was a skunk out by the trash cans. (Hank is not known to ovoid skunks…just saying. I do—I got sprayed once. Once was enough, I make SURE to ovoid them at all costs now.)

The third time Hank barreled out the back door Mom was right behind him. Mom was up putting wood in the woodstove so Hank didn’t get too far out the door again. This time Mom locked the door. Just as she locked the door she saw the Fox move through the yard.

“Oh, Hank! What are we going to do with you? Stay IN!” There is too much trouble out there, for you to get into, and then have to travel all the way back to Craig.”

Hank looked at a very mad Mom, hung his head and settled in to sleep the good sleep.

The next two nights Hank was decent and didn’t barrel out the backdoor every two or three hours. Which is a good thing, because Mom was getting very tired of his barking all night stuff.

Still we had lots of fun in the daytime, but the most fun was when Mr. Davis and his three cow dogs came through the yard to check on the cows. Twice a day they drive through…morning and evening. Twice a day Hank and I barked them down the lane and hollered at the three cow dogs in the back of the pick-up.

Suddenly it was time for Hank to leave. The family packed up the van and loaded up Hank and drove down the road…sigh.

OH! Well! He will be back, until then I’ll bark Mr. Davis and his three cow dogs down the lane and through the farm yard!

Yes I will!

Boomer

Back to Normal—Tuesday, December 30, 3014

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Dayphoto

We are back to normal…our children are all back at their homes- our house is empty and lonely.

Boomer did really well with all his dog company– Puff Cake (this photo is from this summer as he was taking a nap have a hard run while irrigating) came and stayed with Boomer.Shannon brought up two of her six dogs to hang out for a spell—Rocky and Black Beauty (sorry no photos), which added to Boomer’s joy.

I’m very behind with my comments and blog visiting, but I hope to get caught-up today!

Thank you all for stopping by and visiting. The photo and video of the cougar that GNan sent was just stunning!

We have Mountain Lions here…

many a time we have walked down the ditch bank and saw paw prints in the mud. Thankfully we have NOT met the ‘in-the’flesh’ cat.

Those big cats also hang out at Confluence Park in Delta..(the food source is rather plentiful there) The city has placed signs along the walking paths to be aware of the Cougars in the area and how to defend yourself if you happen to meet one.

Anyway, today is getting us back to normal…Terry is hauling the next to the last load to the Elevator and I’m putting up the Christmas stuff. Then when Terry gets back with the truck we will load out the very last load of corn from our Butler Bin into the truck. He will either haul it today (you have to be there before 2 in the afternoon) or he will head down the first thing tomorrow morning.

We are so grateful for the call to take every last kernel of corn we have…who cares if it has to be there by 2 on the 31st. The gift of having this year’s crop delivered and sold in this year is HUGE!

I hope this post finds all you doing well and ready for 2015…it’s almost here!

Your Friend,

Linda

A New Dog in the Group — May 28, 2014

Posted on May 28, 2014 by Dayphoto

Close to the cab of the pickup is Balou, Shannon’s dog…next to Balou is Molly, Shannon’s boy friend’s dog, the there is Boomer and Fuzzy (you know those two 🙂 ). Behind Boomer and Fuzzy is Shannon’s ex-husband’s dog Rocky, then Hank Puff the grandchildren’s dog, the last dog is Buddy’s dog. Buddy passed away two years ago.

It’s a pack of dogs, that is for sure!

Rocky and Balou are Rottweilers, Hank is a Marshmallow, Fuzzy is 1/2 Border Collie and 1/2 Sheltie, Boomer is a Beagle, Houston a Mountain Cur, and Molly is a Blue Tick Hound.

We were aware that Houston (better known as Princess) could climb trees. On every walk she went, if there was a tree close by, up she would go.

But we didn’t know this…

Can you spot the Blue Tick Hound in the tree?

Boomer just sat on the ground and watch with all of us

We are all very surprised. She scaled the tree sniffing and exploring the whole way. Then headed out on this very dead branch…we yelled for her to come down

Which she took her sweet time of hearing and understanding and coming down, minding is NOT something she has been used to doing.

This dog has live her whole life on a chain. She was extremely timid, frightened and half starved. I’m not sure, but I think she is between one and two years old. Gradually she is learning it’s okay to be free, but you need to come when called, you need to respond when asked to do something…life is more than a chain.

Boomer just watches Houston or Molly climb trees. He looks at them as if to say “Trees are for Birds Silly. The best smells are on the ground”.

As for Fuzzy and I…we are learning what life is like in a pack…rather over-whelming, I must say. Although, we don’t see them often when they do come over it’s a huge group to go with for a walk on the farm!

Fuzzy and I really rather like the solitude of just us for a walk. Bedlam is rather daunting.

It takes about 10 full minutes for everyone to settle down and get into the swing of how the walk is supposed to be. Then just like geese we are off…Shannon and I in the lead, the two old dogs, Fuzzy and Balou bringing up the rear.

Have a good day everyone…just think You Could Be Walking in a Pack!

Tee Hee,

Your Farm Friend,

Linda

The Adventures of Fuzzy and Boomer on Friday — Crossing the Canal

Posted on September 27, 2013 by Dayphoto

MOM!!!!

MOM!!! ARE YOU READY!!!!

MOM!!!

Can we go for a walk now?

Huh, Mom?

We are ready!!!!

Good! Here we go!

Houston is getting ahead….wait up Houston!

We have to wait for Fuzzy, Mom said.

Oh. Fuzzy is going to wait by the combines….that’s okay, Fuzz.

Whap, whap, thump. We’ll come back and get you.

LET’S GO!

COME ON HANK! We have to catch Houston!!!

Hummm…the canal. We’ve made it clear around the place and now there is the canal.

We HAVE to cross the canal to get to the other side!

Houston says she will go first—

Now Mom—

That’s good.

Now our Sister, Shannon.

Okay…ME!

Good now we are across… LET’S GO! Fuzzy is waiting!!!

WAIT!

Where is Hank?!?!

HANK PUFF!!! WHERE ARE YOU?

Hank?

You are STUCK?

You can’t cross the pipe?

Yes, you always fall in but you don’t have to fall in. Just walk really fast and you’ll make it.

Come on Hank!

Give it a good try!

Hank, come on.

Oh, you won’t come unless Shannon walks with you….but there is only room on the pipe for one dog at a time.

“It is okay, Hank, not a problem, just one paw in front of the other and you can do it” says Houston.

KEEP ON DOING IT….You are making it!

YAY, HANKIE PUFF!!!

We made it back to Fuzzy and everyone was good and tired. Ready for a break after that really hard walk across the pipe.

Have a good rest all. See Hank and Houston are already napping.

Yawn.

That really was a good hike!

Boomer

The Adventures of Fuzzy and Boomer on Friday — The Bean Field

Posted on July 19, 2013 by Dayphoto

We’ve been helping Mom cut corn in the pinto bean field. She takes the cut corn stalks down to Misty’s to feed the goats…sometimes we go down on the four-wheeler with a load of corn, other times the corn is loaded in the back of the pick-up and hauled to the goats.

Once we get to the goats Hank Puff comes back with us. Hank LOVES riding in the back of the truck! So do Fuzzy and I.

We all just LOVE TO GO anywhere at any time!

The days have been really hot and muggy, but we still go out and help.

Dad helps us also…we go out early in the morning for a few hours. Then we all go back out around 7 in the evening. Fuzzy and I hang out and wait for them…Fuzzy stays in the shade by the four-wheeler and I wait by looking around and smelling what I can smell.

A couple of evenings the grand kids, their Dad and our Sister Misty came out and helped. Our other sister, Shannon did too. Things went faster that way. Hank came along to help me check out things.

Last night Mom and Dad and Fuzzy and I were all out in the field—the clouds were nice and fluffy when we went out

Then a storm blew in

The folks talked about heading in, but there was always just one more row to finish

So we stayed

It was awesome!

Storms here and there all around us!

Then suddenly we saw it —-

A beautiful rainbow

From one end of the field to the other end

Complete with the middle!

Mom and Dad kept on working until almost dark then they went and changed the water

As we were coming in I realized

THE PINTO BEAN FIELD WAS CLEAN!

No more corn!

Dad said, “It looks real nice, doesn’t it?”

Fuzzy and I barked yes and I whapped my tail on the ground. Fuzzy tried to wags his but he only has a little stump.

WE DID IT! Mom, told us “Thanks, boys! Everyone did a good job.”

Farmer Dog,
Boomer

The Adventures of Fuzzy and Boomer on Friday — The Earth Ditch

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Dayphoto

Fuzzy and I have been helping Mom and Dad.

You can tell it was really windy the last few days by looking at Fuzzy’s fur.

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHh……really Fuzzy helps…I like to run around and see what I can see and sniff what I can sniff and eat dried out milk duds and well…

I (harrumph) I have LOTS TO DO!

We had snow and cold and wind for two days, in fact it is still cold! Mom is having us sleep inside, although Fuzzy really doesn’t want too….BUT I DO!!!!!

Mom told Fuzzy when the nights warm back up we can go back out to our covered and snuggly warm dog houses, but until then she would prefer old arthritic dogs and thin-furred dogs to sleep inside.

SO WE GET TO SLEEP INSIDE!!!

YIPPEEE!

Oh.

Well, while Mom and Dad have been busy and Fuzzy has been in charge of the four-wheeler I’ve been checking things out.

The hay is starting to look nice…Dad will mark it out and start water when he gets done with the corn ground (soon).

The trash has been horrible in the ditches and in the canals…

Here is the trash at the head gate

Dad cleaning out trash in one of the ditches

And piles of trash already cleaned out along the canal

Wind does most of the trash and winter…winter knocks down lots and lots of weeds that the wind loves to carry here and there.

Dad started water in the earth ditch. We have more than one earth ditch, but this is the biggest and the longest and takes the most work

Dad uses siphon tubes in the earth ditch…works just like siphoning gas out of a car tank….just saying. Dip the tube in the water, hold the other end closed, pump several times, fling the tube into the just dug out little furrow and BAM!

Water!

Works every time…unless Mom is doing it and she has to work at it a bit longer than Dad. Earth-Ditch Just saying.

I saw a killdeer…he wouldn’t look at me, but at least he stood still. I was really good and didn’t chase it…I don’t chase things, not even rabbits.

People say I’m a weird Beagle, Mom says I’m perfect!

(SMILE 🙂 )

The sun set last night flinging color all over the San Juan Mountain Range…pretty cool.

Well, Fuzzy and I are off to go check out the yard and bark HELLO over to Hank…I see he is outside his fence now. (Hank stays in the house most of the time with the little kids).

I want to find out what is happening with him!

See Ya!

Boomer