The Adventures of TLC Cai-Cai on Friday — Well, That’s About It —Friday, May 6, 2022

Posted on May 6, 2022 by Dayphoto

Outside of all the bending, stooping, picking up, laying down, walking, walking, walking, shoveling.

There is always and forever the delight in being out on the ditch bank watching the seeds pop up out of the ground, growing straight and tall.

There is so much happiness in being a farmer, and a protector of the land and the water.

And having a wonderful, furry kitty. Kitties are an important part of this farm.

There are so many things kitties do: we hang out with our people when they are stressed and just need to hear a purring voice,

we follow along as they work in the farmyard, keeping a silent, watchful eye on all they do,

we keep monster mice away from the house, the feed, the chicken pen, and everything on the farm,

we warm beds in the night, (sleeping RIGHT BETWEEN our people!), and lick them in the face when it’s time to get up in the morning.

(Meow—it’s hot!)

Kitties are very, very important!

Thanks for coming along. We, (Mom, Dad, and I) appreciate your stopping by and reading.

TLC Cai-Cai

The Gift of Sunlight, Water, Air—Thursday, June 18, 2020

Posted on June 18, 2020 by Dayphoto

We are back to having wind

…not a soft breeze, or a lovely gentle rush of air

But the blazing strength type of wind which whips your words away in a huge rush

The kind of wind which bends trees and drys out the land

Still, it’s all good.

Irrigation water has been cut back, causing us to change it every 8 hours, three times a day.

I think the Gods are watching us…

To see if we care about the gift of land, and sun, and air

We try to be good stewards. It’s time-consuming, but very rewarding.

Then of an evening, we like to watch the world slow down.

Each and every day

Priceless.

“No! I would not want to live in a world without dragons, as I would not want to live in a world without magic, for that is a world without mystery, and that is a world without faith.”–R.A. Salvatore, Streams of Silver

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Water- Gladness to the Heart, the Land, and to Our Eyes — Sunday, September 15, 2019

Posted on September 15, 2019 by Dayphoto

Our daughter, Kimberly, and son-in-law, Cliff had never been to the East Portal of the Black Canyon so last Sunday Terry and I gathered them up and drove to see where our irrigation water begins.

The Diversion tunnel took ten years to complete, in awful conditions with very basic tools and the technology in the years 1899-1909

Everyone is always amazed at the road just getting to the bottom of the canyon, which is pretty much the road the team and wagons traveled way back when. (It’s a tad scary, just so you know)

The engineering was stunning in the fact the tunnel is almost 6 miles long, through solid rock and soft unstable ground meeting within inches in the middle. The town of LaJane (no longer here) was on the end with the soft soil. (LaJane is pronounced Lu-wan)

Besides the amazing undertaking to get the irrigation water from the Black Canyon to the farm grounds in Montrose and Delta

The views and the history of the canyon are astounding.

The management of the Diversion Tunnel and the water that flows through it is by the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users

One of the ditch riders and his family live in the house in the canyon. He takes care of the dam, the water flow, and other specialized requirements.

The sound of roaring water, the magnificent black walls

Made for a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Then to round out the fullness of the day, we saw a Rainbow!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

The Loss of Vital Moisture—Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Posted on September 26, 2018 by Dayphoto

Back to our little trip with good friends, Larry and Glenda, on Saturday.

Although, we have known, have driven around and seen all the horrendous loss to the lakes in Gunnison and Ridgway, and on Grand Mesa

Riding in the backcountry, brought the tremendous loss right up front.

The need for snow and rain is huge

Since Larry and Glenda live on Grand Mesa year-round, I asked if there are any signs that the snowpack will be abundant this coming winter.

They both explained that if the Fireweed is correct….(the old-timers say when the Fireweed is abundant it means there will be lots and lots of snow come winter)—Grand Mesa should have lots of snow.

Click on the blue link to see information about the Fireweed.

They continued on explaining that this year, on the Grand Mesa, the wildflowers were rich and abundant and very plentiful. Especially the Fireweed.

Click on the blue link to see photos of Fireweed.

Excellent news, don’t you think?

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

The Dazzling Luster of Each and Every Day—-Monday, May 7, 2018

Posted on May 7, 2018 by Dayphoto

The big fluffy clouds fill the sky, white and airy, casting shadows on the ground as a high winds slowly, ever so slowly herds them along from one spot to another.

The long and soft shadows move slowly over the grasses, and the irrigated fields

The dirt slowly absorbing the flowing water, turning dry soil into wet

The days start early, always by first light, the sun gradually lighting the farms, mesas, plateaus, hills, dales, knobs, and subdivisions…the cold air damp on the weeds and grasses this time of day, this time of year.

It’s very dry here. Dry enough farmers and ranchers are extremely worried. The Forest Service as issued statements saying no cows are allowed on the Forests this year (and if there are some long-time permits being honored…its only for a limited number of cattle.)

When one or more farmer gathers the talk is always about water. Those farmers in the Cedaredge/Eckert area are stating there is very little water for them this year. Very little.

Tiny amounts of water.

Terry talked to our Ditch Rider (Uncompahgre Valley Water Users) and he says we will have water. It will be short, but there will be water. (Our water comes from Taylor Park Reservoir around the Crested Butte area, then into the Blue Mesa Reservoir, through the Black Canyon then on to us….winding it’s way from here all the way through the Colorado River to California.)

Our day ends as the daylight finally thins way after the sun sets around 8:15 or so. Long shadows filling the lessening day until only night remains.

Long days. But a good way of living. Neither Terry or I could ever ask for more.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Building Gates—Monday, March 28, 2016

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Dayphoto

Early, early Terry, Boomer, and I were at one of the cement ditches putting in new gates for the coming year. The old ones were broken and/or crumbling so they needed replace.

The shadows were long, ever so long, and the air brisk and chilly when we went out.

By the time we finished the shadows had shorted to almost represent solar noon.

Still… we are done now. Set for another year.

A good feeling. Water should start around the second week or the third week of April. (for us)

The water is already in the canals heading our way. I guess I could say this another way…we will start water on our place the second or third week of April.

The ditches are now ready! Which is a very good thing!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

The Adventures of Boomer on Friday—Corn Report

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Dayphoto

The geese are back! They fly over-head honking and talking to one another. I like to sit outside and watch them. Mom thinks it’s odd that I watch them, my head tipped back, my ears pulled forward, causing my forehead to wrinkle, but I’m interested in knowing what they are saying and where they are going.

Dad has been checking out the big truck, getting it ready for corn harvest. That won’t happen for a spell, yet, maybe by the end of this month. It just depends on the moisture content of corn!

We finished the last of the irrigation. The whole alfalfa field is now ready to head into winter in fine shape.

Anyway, the corn is ripe and starting to dry down.

There are still some green leaves at the top. I run down the furrows checking out the news, nose to the ground most of the time, but I do look up once in a while. You see corn harvest is a BIG deal around here. It’s Dad and Mom’s main crop. Meaning most of the farm is planted to corn.

So every day I take a little walk out and check out the corn…when it is about time to start harvest Mom and I will go out and put the farm to bed…we will gather up all the siphon tubes and the dams moving them to safety – away from cows hooves. Its big work and I LOVE IT!!! Sometimes I stay with Mom and sometimes, well, you understand, I check for news!

Boomer

Pages Turn–Sunday, August 2, 2015

Posted on August 2, 2015 by Dayphoto

When my brother and I grew up, our parents owned a couple of lakes on Grand Mesa. One was the reservoir attached to the orchard, upon which we lived. Another one was a small natural lake above the reservoir, where spring snow melt collected and then was allowed to feed into the reservoir. This one was privately owned by my Mom and Dad.

Over time, my parents moved from Cedaredge, Colorado to Craig, Colorado…the orchard and the attached reservoir went on to other owners, but the small natural lake stayed under my parents ownership.

Pages turn and then become chapters. The chapters open up new and interesting things and ideas and sometimes lead to scary situations. In 2010 a new chapter started for this little lake.

Soon the small beautiful little lake on Grand Mesa, Colorado had a huge enemy made up of men, who had formed a quasi-governmental group, which bought up water to rent to other people in need of shares of water. Because they had purchased so much water they then needed to have lakes in which to store the water.

Mom and Dad’s little lake fell into their greedy sight, which caused me many nights of lost sleep, my brother and I lots of dollars, to try and save the little lake for our prosperity forever.

It was a long slog and a HUGE up-hill battle. Finally the quasi-government of men threatened ’eminent domain’ to take the tiny little natural lake, full of native and (protected) yellow water lilies, surrounded by a gigantic meadow of (protected) peat.

(After cutting the dam and other damaging things— like removing the sign–they did leave the post.)

They had their lawyer call me and say the next step would be in court. I told them to talk to my lawyer not to me.

Serious this whole thing was.

My brother and I decided we could not fight financially (or in court) anymore. So we deeded the beautiful little natural lake to the Forest Service.

I know it’s gone forever from the family, but it’s safe.

No one can tear up the peat bog, or damage the meadow, or rip out the water lilies.

It’s still a lovely little place.

We go up often, taking the grandchildren so they can see and understand that this little lake is a special little lake.

I go, because I know we fought the good fight and it’s safe for ever more.

Your Friend,

Linda

A Spot of History—Monday, January 9, 2015

Posted on February 9, 2015 by Dayphoto

Before I move forward

The 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.

Here 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

A Winter Storm- January 12, 2014

Posted on January 12, 2014 by Dayphoto

Terry, I, and Boomer went for a walk yesterday to check out the equipment Terry is wanting to take to the consignment sales coming up. (Fuzzy and Tommy stayed at the grain bins waiting for us.)

We were really surprised at how dry the ground is, although there are still patches of worn-out and tired snow

Mostly on the north side of things.

The four-wheeler road is a tad messy with melt so we all walked in the fields. The fields were actually dry.

Over at the equipment area he decided to take the bulldozer blade, the three-bottom plow, and a couple of more items. We looked at some stuff we have to load up and take to the metal salvage place.

We measure winter by the consignment sales, one in a week, one the first of February and one the first week of March. Once those are done it’s time for spring work.

That evening we could see the promise of snow clouds starting to blow in from Utah.

Although, this morning we woke-up to nothing–just thick cloudy skies, when I went out to do the morning chores

The wind started kicking up and the snow started falling

The sort of wind that takes your breath away.

It was also shoving and pushing and tugging snow along with it

By the time the dogs, myself, and Sam the Cat made it back inside we were wet and grateful for the warm fireplace.

Now, as I sit here, in my upstairs office, I can see that the storm is moving on toward Paonia and the Gunnison Mountain Range. Bringing life-giving water to the land.

Off to haul in some wood, now that I can see again.

Your friend,

Linda