Beyond the Tips of Silver Wings—Monday, August 10, 2015

Early, early Sunday morning we received a phone call from a friend asking us to come fly with him.

GoNot being people who could turn down and invitation of such wonderful magnitude… we were off!

COnfluence-LaeThere (just above the wing tip),  was Confluence Lake, in our small town of Delta, Colorado. You can also see the  Gunnison River flowing toward Grand Junction, Colorado,  and two large fields of sunflowers on the top of lower California Mesa.

GMWe flew above the North Fork Delta County,  and then he took us over Grand Mesa.

BCAs time went on we traveled over the Book Cliffs (where wild horses roam) just above the city of Grand Junction, Colorado.

UncompahgreThen over the rugged and beautiful Uncompahgre Plateau (Un-come-pah-gray, with the accent on the pah)

Us-2The smoke from all the fires made the air a little hazy, but suddenly we were flying over our farm.

Coming-inWhat a joy!  What an amazing adventure and a delightful gift!

Sunday in the air!

Your friend on a Western Colorado farm,

Linda

The Sound of Water—Monday, August 3, 2015

StormsThe storms are building again.  We have had two days of fall like weather…pleasantly cool and moisture filled.  As I write this the sun is shining, but the clouds are building over the Uncompahgre Plateau (Un-come-pah-gray, with the accent on the pah).  They say we will have heavy rain this afternoon.

Rise-1Today my daughter and the grandchildren leave for their home in Craig, Colorado.  This time (the leaving) always makes me sad.  Although, I know in a week or so we will get to have Linkin for a spell.  And we will make a short trip to Craig, to take Linky home after our week with her.

The space in-between won’t be THAT long, it just the fact there is a space.  I’m sure all you parents out there understand.  Of course the children, who have moved away only see this as necessary …. and an adventure.

It’s the leaving part.

I remember my Grandmother standing forlornly in her driveway waving her little hankie, tears in her eyes, (as we would drive away) all those many years ago.  And we weren’t going far….

Today I walk a mile in her worn and battered shoes.  I will kiss each one good-bye, and wave sadly, but with a brave smile on my face. (I hope), but the sound of water loud in my ears.

C

Your friend,

Linda

 

 

The Adventures of Boomer on Friday—Easter Sunday

We’ve entered my FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR!!! Spring Farm work!  That means, Dad, Mom and MYSELF are always, always, always out on the farm!  YAY!

Anyway, Easter Sunday was the last day we had company.  It was also the day we all headed to the Uncompahgre Plateau for the first spring picnic of the year!

Track-Practice

First things first, Blade is out for track at his local Middle School in Craig, Colorado.  Every morning he would run way up to the end of the first corn field (one mile) and then run back…he didn’t want to lose his leg and lung capacity.

Run with Hank

 

So Hank and I ran with him.  (Just between you and me…that’s HARD work!)

Easter2

Then it was time to head out for Lee’s Reservoir.

Easter-1We had a great time—I LOVED all the smells up there, just enjoyed every minute.

PaulJason’s Dad, Paul, was here and went with us.  Paul and Tally are great friends.  Tally is one of those people everyone really likes.

T

The newest dog niece came along also…meet Gypsy an American Bulldog.  I think she is an American bulldog…I might be wrong, she is a bulldog; that’s for sure.

New

Tayler (Gypsy’s kid) and Tally took outstand care of her, which worked for me.  I sure didn’t want to puppy sit.

Green

It’s been really windy for days here, but yesterday and today NO WIND! Mom said it was nice to set water in still air.  I thought it was nice to walk everywhere without getting dirt in my eyes!

Boomer

A Little of This and a Little of That—Sunday, April 5, 2015

Over-PlateauThe eclipse was really cool to watch the other night.  Because we are way out in the country, and we live down a country lane, we don’t sleep with our curtains or drapes pulled. On full moon nights the moon beams stream into the bedroom right onto the bed and in my eyes.  Therefore, I was awake and ready to watch the Super Moon be eclipsed.

The eclipsed started close to five in the morning…turning a dull brick red around six or so.  We never had a full eclipse because the sun started coming up before the moon could be completely covered.

That’s okay…I enjoyed watching every minute of what we had anyway.

Easter-EggsThe kids got all their Easter eggs dyed  ready for the big hunt today.  It was fun having an egg dyeing party once more in my kitchen.  It’s been a long time since the last time eggs were dyed here. 🙂

PearWe’ve had several nights of freezing weather—I’m sure the apricots are gone, and now the pears.  The plums, sour cherries and the apples just might make it this year, but only time will tell.  Still the blooms on the pear trees are pretty.

Easter MornEaster morning is beautiful.  Today is our last day with the kids, they will go back to Craig, Colorado, late this afternoon.  But first we (all of our daughters and son-in-laws and grandchildren and even Jason’s Dad) are all going to the Uncompahgre Plateau for an Easter Picnic.

I am wishing for each of you a marvelous and wonderful day today!

Happy Easter my Friends!

Linda

 

Waning Moon—Monday, March 9, 2015

Over-the-plateauThe moon is starting to morph into a different look, not as full, coming up later in the evening and much later in the day.

Dead-Man's-LandIt’s still really beautiful.  The early dawn gave the moon a slight pink shade as it slid under the rim of the Uncompahgre Plateau.  (Un-come-pah-gray—-accent on the pah.)

You can see more of the houses on the flat lands just before their ground drops off into Robideaux Canyon…you can also see the edge of our mesa (and farm) at the end of the corn field.

It’s up there clear above the snow packed slick canyon walls Mr. Davis and his daughter’s cows will spend their summer days.

Off now to go work in the old coal room.  Soon it will become a much different room. (Terry and I hope).  If we don’t go down there, we will start hauling dirt to build ditches with and to level out some of the fields.  Seems like we have way too much stuff to do right now.

Hope your day is a good one!

Your Friend,

Linda

 

 

 

A Spot of History—Monday, January 9, 2015

Before I move forward

cows-1.jpgThe dome building behind the cows is someone’s house.  Our farm is the edge of California Mesa, then it drops down into what the old-timers call ‘No-Man’s Land’.  No-man’s-land is the flat land just before the next drop into Roubidoux Canyon.  No-man’s-land is very poor ground, not fit for good farming back in 1882 when Delta was incorporated.  Farming was hard enough in our area, although not so bad in the town of Delta and North Delta…they had water.  Water the lifeblood of man.

CowsHere you see the edge of the mesa better.  You also see more of the flat land.

Today the flatlands have been subdivided allowing people to live ‘out in the country’.  Also, water is available, which always helps any ground improve.  I could go on and on about the history of our place, but I think I will stop here.

On a sidebar note—those gigantic transmission power lines are on the OTHER Side of Roubidoux Canyon…The blue/grey is the foot hills of the Uncompahgre Plateau, and the blue is The Uncompahgre Plateau.

I’m sure I’ve bored you long enough.  I thank you for stopping by and asking questions.  I love to go on and on about the history of this area, but…enough, really is enough!

Your friend on a Western Colorado Farm,

Linda

 

 

Back to Work we go—-Monday, February 2, 2015

It’s cloudy here!  Even foggy.  And cold!  So in this part of the world it looks like we are heading toward a early Spring!

YAY!!!!  Doing the happy dance here!  Spring is always a welcome arrival.

RED

The heavy clouds made their way in last night, flowing toward us from the Durango area.  Although, the Uncompahgre (Un-come-pah-gray) Plateau looked clear, the setting sun flung this amazing red and hot pink color upon the gathering storm clouds.

NavyThis stunning HOT color is very unusual this time of year!

Pink-5

Normally the clouds are a pale wash of color; albeit still beautiful!

I have no idea WHY we are seeing this dark hue this time of year—it doesn’t matter because not matter what…I always love the sky!

Off now to haul more logs and to rake bark and twigs and chips…the cows come Wednesday or Thursday so we must get a move on!

Your Friend,

Linda

Right on Time–Winter’s Chill–Friday, January 2, 2015

Coming-InThe Sunday after Christmas a strong winter storm made it’s way across the Utah border and onto the the Uncompahgre Plateau (Un-come-pah-gray accent on the pah). We watched it slowly fill in the canyons and draws, skimming the tops of the mesas until it started to push it’s way into the Roubidoux Canyon.  Once in the canyon it’s just a matter of a fast wind before it hits us.  We are the first mesa after you leave the canyon…you can see the flat lands below us (we are the last farm on California Mesa – just before the flat lands which drop off into Roubidoux Canyon.)

UpthereMonday morning the kids headed back in a snow storm, leaving well before the storm stopped.

By afternoon the Uncompahgre Plateau was white and we had about an inch of snow. Today we we have about and 1 1/2 inches— not a lot of snow.  But what we do have is COLD!

That typical cold, which freezes your skin the minute you head outside.  Your air puffs white and steamy as you breathe in and out, in and out.  With conditions just right you nose even freezes shut. Sure is a nasty feeling.

Dark

Boomer and I still go walking late at night.  The moon is almost full now, which allows me to walk without a flashlight—-although I do take one with me.

The air is crisp and full of sounds.  Sounds carry far in cold air…I can hear the coal train going through Delta on it’s way to Utah, I can hear the neighbors cows from over in the hollow, and the sound of cars and trucks passing way over there.

Evening-Light

Boomer and I walk along …he smells all the news along the way, I see the foot prints…bunny, mice, birds, deer, Sammy the cat’s paw prints,  and other canine prints…dog? Coyote? Wild dog packs? Cy-dogs?  I don’t pause to decide what I’m looking upon.  Lots of our neighbors allow their dogs to roam the farms (never a good idea–a dog chasing livestock is sure to be shot).

When the chill starts to be too much we head back toward the house and the heat of the wood fire. Boomer settles back down for a long winter nap. After filling the wood stove I like to sit by the window watching the frozen world full of white/silver moonlight; the cats sit with me–Sammy on top of the sofa and Monkey in the window.  We all stare outside marveling at the mid-night beauty of ice, snow, and sparkling white moonlight.

Your friend on a very frozen farm in the western part of Colorado,

Linda

 

 

A Sunny Day—Monday, December 15, 2014

SnowThe storm clouds are leaving our mesa, being pushed toward Grand Mesa and the towns surrounding the base of that huge massive plateau.

It’s cold here today.  I’m not complaining I can take cold; if I can see the sun…and I CAN see the sun!

I am sure  you have all heard that Colorado get 300 days of sunshine a year. (I have never counted, but the propaganda says that is what we have so I suppose it is true…)

What ‘they’ don’t tell you is some of the sunny winter days are COLD!  Really cold!  But once more — cold is relative…I’m sure cold in Alaska or Iceland or Siberia is (hummm) MUCH COLDER than here!

Oh, well…I’ll take the cold, if I can have the sun, and we do have the sun today.

IMG_4764The morning sunlight reflected off the transmission lines marching along the edge of the Uncompahgre Plateau (Un-come-pah-gray).  That is the edge of our corn field in the foreground, our mesa then drops down to some house along the flat, which then drops changes into Roubidoux canyon.  The canyon separates that tiny flock of houses from the transmission lines on the west side of the canyon.

2014

Time is starting to dwindle (now) in a head long rush toward Christmas.  Just for Christmas day we will have all our children, their mates, and our three grandchildren for noon dinner.

I will work myself to a nub, hope and pray the food tastes okay, and spend hours before the meal and after the meal in the kitchen.

It will be nice.

The time won’t be long enough, it never is, but for a few hours I will have them here all gathered around filling my heart.

Christmas

 

The time is getting closer!  I can feel my heart starting to swell with joy–a cliche I know, but cliches do exist for a reason.

Your friend on a farm in Western Colorado,

Linda

Canyons, Mesas and Hills April 27, 2014

Boy, is it ever COLD here!!!  Miserable in fact.  We started the heat back on in the house yesterday and have kept it going all night and even today.  I’m down to four logs of wood (that have been cut to length)  I was hoping the cut wood would last us until warm and settled weather of spring.  So far that isn’t going to be the case.

Last night Terry and I were dress in our winter clothes —carhart jackets, hooded sweatshirts, with warm winter hats pulled way down over our ears to do the irrigation water.  Miserable changing and resetting (melted snow) ice water in all those clothes.  But we had to do it or freeze.

Today there is edges of ice along the rows it’s so cold out here.

Of course, the fruit trees are in full bloom—apples, cherries, prunes, pears, and plums.  These trees are on our place and I don’t smudge.  I’m sure the orchardist are smudging or running wind fans to try and save their fruit and their living.

Out there on the ditch bank I had to marvel at the beauty that surrounds us—sometimes it is just stunning.

Canyons-3

The storm clouds had lifted a little bit allowing the sun to shine on the canyons, mesas, hills and the Uncompahgre Plateau (Un-come-pah-gray) highlighting the vistas surrounding our mesa.

There is something about being near these geological wonders that lifts my soul.  Something mystic, even exciting.  The canyons draw me to them speaking of mystery and and enchantment—opening my spirit to those who have traveled long long ago, within their captivating walls, or walked along the mesas and hills hunting, foraging, putting down roots, making a life for themselves.

Canyons2

Then there are all the wild animals and other creatures that complete the magic within the vista…calling to my soul!

Anyway….I couldn’t tarry long day dreaming, but for a spell, a very short spell, the canyons and mesas, the plateaus and the hills where filled with sunshine then the storm descended upon them also.

But, lucky for me, I was outside and saw…now you can too.

From the high mountain deserts of Western Colorado I sing to you a bright and very cold “Good Morning!”

You friend,

Linda