I’m Sorry–Monday, September 29, 2014

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Dayphoto

I’m sorry that I miss lead you somehow…I didn’t grow up in Craig, Colorado. I grew up in Eckert, Colorado.

My Dad’s people arrived here in around 1900, settling in the Read/Austin area. My Momma’s people came when she was a freshman in high school–around 1943.

There were just the two of us—myself and my brother. My brother lives in the Denver, Colorado, area now, but I live here.

Although, I grew up in the Eckert, Cedaredge (my Dad and Grandparents on my Mother’s side had huge orchards which were part of our income)

I’ve lived on this farm all of my adult life accept for the first two years of our marriage.

My parents are the ones who moved to Craig, Colorado. After selling the gas station they operated the orchards only. After several years of bad prices and huge expenses Daddy got a job with Colorado Ute (now Tri-State). He was 37 years old when they moved to Hayden, Colorado. By that time we had Shannon and were waiting the birth of Evan (we have four children–Shannon, Evan, Kimberly, and Misty. Misty is the one who just moved to Craig.)

And that is the irony…my parents and now our youngest living in the Craig area. Hayden is just a 30 minute drive from Craig, Colorado.

It’s still raining here…we had 2″ of water when I checked this morning. Still for a short while there is sunshine, then another downpour is expected starting around noon. Wet we are, that is for sure.

Anyway, I apologize if I made it sound like I grew -up in Craig.

Your friend,

Linda

Socked in- Sunday, September 28, 2014

Posted on September 28, 2014 by Dayphoto

A HUGE rain storm rolled in last night complete with rolling thunder and stunning flashes of lightening. By 9:00 in the evening we were wet. The rain hasn’t let up since the storm rolled in. On one hand the lovely drenching of all the parched and dried spots in the lawns and fields is a very good thing—on the other hand not so lovely. It’s harvest here. Not for us. We have finished our harvest of the two first crops and are waiting for the corn to dry down before we start the third and last crop –corn.

There are others, neighbors and friends, who are in the middle of onion harvest, or their pinto bean harvest, or getting in the last cutting of alfalfa turned hay.

Moisture like this is not good for harvest. 😦

This weekend found us in Craig, Colorado, to watch our grandson play Middle School football and take

Ellie up to play with Linky for a spell. Of course, we also got to enjoy the little Cowgirl and her REAL Cowgirl girl friends.

Craig is home to Tri-State Generation plant. My Dad worked at the station right after it was built- until he retired. Daddy started work for Colorado Ute—now Tri-State–at the Hayden plant, then was promoted to this plant right after it was built.

My parents moved to Hayden, Colorado, the year I was pregnant with Evan. They stayed they for over twenty years, Daddy retiring from Colorado Ute (Tri-State) and Momma retiring form Peabody Coal.

It’s sort of ironic that our youngest daughter and her family are now back in the Moffat/Routt County area don’t you agree?

Anyway we are back to a decidedly very wet fall day. It has the feel of a huge weather switch coming…I wonder if a killing frost will follow all this moisture; I would not be surprised.

It’s all most October…a killing frost is just around the corner, if not imminent.

Your friend on a farm,

Linda

Craig, Colorado — May 12, 2014

Posted on May 12, 2014 by Dayphoto

We made the three hour trip to Craig in rain turning to snow. Not just any snow…lots of snow. But the time we started home around 4:30 in the afternoon there were at least 5 inches on the ground and more coming down.

Yep. That is what I remember about Craig and Hayden (they can have up 8 months of winter) when my parents lived there. I never lived in Hayden, since my parents moved after Terry and I had Evan and had been married for 6 years. I’ve always lived here in Delta county. I grew up in Eckert; married at eighteen and lived right here on the farm for the rest of my life.

But my parents moved to Hayden and lived there for twenty years. How strange it is that my youngest child and her family are moving back to that area. (Lets hope it isn’t for twenty years, but if it is we will all adjust. 🙂 ).

Kelly took us for a tour of the high school (where he will be the Principal), then we toured the town, and we looked at some houses they were interested in. Terry and I were very impressed with the high school…there isn’t anything there that isn’t offered to the kids…and it’s right on campus….swimming, all the sports, tennis, golf, band, vocal music, you name it they have it. The rooms were light and airy and the school very nice and clean. I’m sure he is going to enjoy himself very much.

We came home in a horrible snow storm that turned into rain as we got closer to Grand Junction. Then we got here we have the pleasure of sleet. I had to start the fire back up. The last time I looked this morning it was 34* and it felt like 32*.

Farming has come to a stop. I’ve covered up some of my tender stuff, but I couldn’t cover them all…I just hope the can make it.

I had to bring in the hummingbird feeders but I put them out first light this morning. I have two set of Orioles and 8 pair of hummers. I’m sure they needed food after that long cold night.

I guess this stuff will leave out of here gradually over the week. I’m ready.

Tomorrow I’m taking the day off. I have been invited by Linky to be a parent guest on their field trip. Which means I have to be to school EARLY. I’m up early but I have to do many things before I can get gone…you know how that goes.

Anyway…the kids are moving to a nice community with a very good school district. I hope they can find the perfect house for them and Misty can get a teaching job. All will be well as those things take place.

A friend in Delta, Colorado

Linda

Away—–Going Away—May 5, 2014

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Dayphoto

Terry’s celebration was really nice…all our children and their mates and our three grandchildren came and ate and played games!

We also learned that the father of our Grandchildren has been selected to be the new principal at Craig, Colorado.

Craig is three hours away from us. Do I laugh with joy or cry with sadness?

Bladen will be in the Seventh Grade next year–a year of huge changes for him.

No more just running across the field (they are heading home in this photo)to see what we are doing, or to get a snack, or to catch a ride with Grandpa.

No more randomness.

We will work hard to keep them close….as time permits we will travel there to be with them. We will bring them home with us, if they want to come, and their new lives will let them.

It’s all too special to let slip away. It is also selfish of us to ask them to not go. We are very proud of Kelly, please understand that, it is the leaving that makes Terry and I sad.

Now our hope is that they will be able to return sometime in the future. I hope this isn’t being a selfish hope! We will work hard to leave it up to what is best for all of them.

Still…I do think you understand.

You also know that time has a way of making everything right. My Momma would always say—‘everything works out for the best–if you will let it.’

So we will let it.

When our son was born, my parents also moved up by Craig, Colorado—they moved to Hayden. Daddy had gotten a job with Colorado Ute (now called Tri-State). So it is, with a touch of irony, that my youngest daughter and our son-in-law, and grandchildren are moving back. Life really does have some odd little jogs and jags in it, doesn’t it?

(Don’t forget you might have to remind of this—that life always works out for the best.)

Sigh,

Linda

A World Full of Color

Posted on November 2, 2010 by Dayphoto

We took a short trip to Craig,Colorado, to get a car (for parts)

Craig and Hayden are homes of two power plants (Hayden 1 and Hayden 2), the communties also have several large coal mines that keep the nation supplied with electricity.

When my Daddy sold the orchards they moved to Hayden where Dad worked for Tri-State at both of the two power plants. Momma worked for Peabody Coal.