I am a Lover of Hot, Summer Days—Thursday, January 4, 2023

Posted on January 4, 2024 by Dayphoto

But, I must admit, I have finally, finally, finally

Grown to the point, I am enjoying this winter. Who would have ever thought so? Not me, even as late as last Spring.

Last summer was beautiful and intense

But the haying about did in both Terry and I. We took off 1,000 bales of alfalfa three times, and 400 bales of grass three times—600 bales of alfalfa/grass mix three times and the heat, plus the work about did us in. Thankfully, every bale sold just about as soon as I put up the advertisement. YAY!

By October we were overly tired.

The corn harvest had its share of concern, but at least the days were cooler. That helped.

January and winter bring cold and a type of dreamy state. Yes, there is equipment to work on and other bits of this and that to fix, but the weeds are no longer an issue, getting the water to the plants finished, and ensuring all the crops stay healthy is over—-and no lawn to mow!!! PLUS WORK ON SOMETHING THAT BROKE DOWN AS IT WAS BEING USED!

Now it’s keeping the house warm, and resting a bit.

Soon the cows will come and the farm will be a live with activity.

Until then, as I said—we will work on getting the equipment ready for spring, keep the wood pile high, and do other things of interest.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Winter, Week Two — Wednesday, January 3, 2023

Posted on January 3, 2024 by Dayphoto

(I saw a sundog this morning 🙂 )

We are Week Two of winter—winter that time of dark, cold, short days.

(An older photo of a sundog)

Still, winter is important — it’s a time of rest; in so many ways.

(From the archives—-I watch for sundogs all year long. We see them the most in winter)

Sundog! Colder days are coming—(also the sunlight will start to come back (YAY))!!!

(another from the archives)

Winter, we have 12 weeks of winter; two weeks are now over, or at least ALMOST over.

(This was the winter of 2015)

Moving forward—one day at a time!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Counting the Days, I Can’t Help It —- Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Posted on February 7, 2023 by Dayphoto

It is still winter here—although, we did have a mild Sunday

And wind.

But woke up to snow on Monday.

In three more weeks, it will be March! March is the start of spring for me!! 🙂

YAY!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Back Before Winter Slammed into Us — Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Dayphoto

Back before winter covered the mountains on three sides of us and blustered itself into the canyons on the western part of our compass (Just last week)

Boomer and took a wee walk-about; camera in-hand (of course 🙂 )

The autumn day was just lovely, warm and full of the excitement of large birds landing on the farm

Mindy went with us to the cross-over pipe playing and romping in the sunlight

But the most exciting capture on my camera was this one of a bumblebee –Yes, I know you can’t really tell it’s a bumblebee, but it is.

I delighted to see it. Someday I will get much better with my camera, taking photos of bugs in flight, but for now—you get to see the beginnings of my learning.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

In a Deadened Shell of Ice and Cold—Sunday, February 10, 2019

Posted on February 10, 2019 by Dayphoto

We are gradually melting, getting warmer, then suddenly the low grey clouds will arrive once more complete with a nasty chill wind

And winter returns…often times abruptly.

Even so, I can still entertain myself very well at the bird feeders

But yesterday….the signal that the New Year had arrived (I count my year as Spring, Summer, Autumn…with Winter as last…just so you understand 🙂 )

The Red-Winged Blackbirds arrived!

Adding their joyous voices to the melodies of the Sandhill Cranes and the tunes of the Canada Geese!

No matter what…cold/sleet/snow/wind/ once the Red-Winged BlackBirds come they bring with them the song of Spring!

From my world to your heart,

Linda

Life Moves Forward Relentlessly—Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Posted on January 29, 2019 by Dayphoto

The month is January…still.

I look at the calendar daily waiting for the moment when we turn into February.

Each day is winter, long and drawn out and cold, but filled with routines that mush us through each dark and dreary day

But if it is long for me…then it is longer for the wildlife. The coyotes are brazen and bad, coming right into the yard, searching for food…not good.

They need to search someplace else.

The rancher said he will be coming any day now to gather up his Momma cows and take them to his ranch home…he wants to have them closer to monitor the births.

He is wise. With the coyotes so active there is nothing so vulnerable as a cow in labor.

Inside the very worst of winter, there are still things to find of great joy and beauty…so outside I go—

Each day there is something so wonderful that I need to record it with my camera

The bliss of each day is just right there, waiting for me to stumble into it

So, yes, life moves forward

But as each day passes

I realize that being outside stabilizes my need to by-pass winter

Into true happiness for the healing magic of the day/night captured on camera

Nothing mediocre/drab/or unexciting exists if I just open my eyes.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

For the Good of the Whole—-Thursday, January 3, 2019

Posted on January 3, 2019 by Dayphoto

The cold persists…only we did warm up some -3* (-19 c) this morning and 13* (-10c) right now.

Still, I’m sure it’s all for the good of things—

In ways, I don’t understand…nature, after all, is rather mysterious.

But still, we must remember to treat nature with respect for nature doesn’t see anything but what is good for the masses.

From my heart to your world,

Linda

The Sky is Alive with a Huge Wind/Sleet Storm—-Sunday, January 21, 2018

Posted on January 21, 2018 by Dayphoto

A big storm blew in last night. The air buoyant with sleet and cold.

Late last evening we took a wee walk-about, buttoning down all the hatches and feeding the equines some carrots, and giving them lots of pets and love

This morning the sky was gray the air energetic with wind so rough it was almost hard to stand up in it.

It’s sleeting now…coming in sideways from the west…tiny little flakes that beat into your skin and feel more like hail than snow.

If you look outside the things in the distance are all shrouded and filled with mystery–the pearl-gray light making known objects look unreal

The many and varied bird feeders swing wildly in the rush of the wind…no birds clinging to the little wires…hunkered down someplace safe I’m sure.

Terry went with me on my late night walk during the night…this time we only went as far as the equipment area; the wind was too sharp and the visible whirling sleet a tad too much to enjoy the steps and strides.

So for the rest of the day we will hunker down, I will make soup, we will watch football, and take a nap…the world is full of winter today. (Which is a good thing)

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

As Winter Dims and Spring Brightens—Thursday, February 16, 2017

Posted on February 16, 2017 by Dayphoto

We ride out to check the cows at least once a day. (I need a new work coat.)

The cows watch us, but never running in fear. Boomer is their main concern, but he never leaves the four-wheeler.

Moma’s hide their little ones out, saying to them —-‘stay, don’t move, don’t draw attention to yourself in any manner’.

The older calves no longer care what we are doing or how close we ride. Their concentration is usually set on something else they find wondrous and marvelous….never seen before.

This little on has one eye on us and her ears cocked so she can run if necessary.

The wind was quiet, the sun warm and bright, as we traveled slowly, ever so slowly counting heads, counting babies.

This is my favorite, so far. She is very particular about her fur, keeps it herself well groomed and very clean. See the curls on the side of her belly from all her licking? 🙂

We (Terry, Boomer and I) stop along the hillside listening to the cows moving through the grass, talking softly to each other and/or their calves, the chirping of the Red Winged Black birds adding into the softness of a very lovely spring day.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

In the Midst of Babel—Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Posted on December 27, 2016 by Dayphoto

(Some of the photos below are not current, but they spoke to me, as I wrote this post — I have chosen to share them with you.)

I love summer, there isn’t anything about Spring, Summer or Fall that I don’t like—nothing.

Absolutely nothing!

Now, when it comes to winter, I struggle. Still there are things that bring me peace–the babel of the winter birds; the air alive with their voices, the setting and rising sun

A walk on the farm, even in the face of a full force gale—

walking in the light of a winter moon, or even when the sky is only full of frozen pinpoints of starlight.

(This is an old photo—we have no snow here yet)

Even the heavy snow upon the land has a way of lifting the soul.

In winter I enjoy those things that lighten my soul…just like in spring, summer and fall—those things that come alive within me and lighten the long, long days.

Those things that say I am home.