PiPi

My son dropped off a new pup that my granddaughter picked out for me. She is a smart one. Started working right off. Our other two dogs Tuffy(heeler) is 13 & partially deaf, Kallie( a lab cross) with arthritis and has been a hippie dog not really caring to work just follow you around and get in the way. So with the husbands surgery taking him out the running for calving I accepted the new dog. Now Tuffy is bouncing all over making sure he is in charge and Kallie does everything the new dog does. Quite funny their new attitude. I just love PiPi she is so soft. I was hoping she would stay home and guard but the first thing Kallie did was take her to each neighbor and introduce her. The neighbor dogs all the same breed of aussie shepard & collie wait for Pipi to get done with chores they wait at the bottom of the driveway and say one bark to tell they are there. I watch as she watches me anxious to get finished so she can go with her friends. As soon as I close the door she is gone. Sometimes I open it up real quick and she puts the skids on. :) :) After they visit each house and get their treats they play tag and then she comes home and naps then makes the rounds checked the cow pens. Funny how animals know there charges.

2012 Calving Season

What a change from last year. As we are calving, the morning requires a coat but have been out checking cows in Tshirts. The mild winter has offered great rewards this year. Our cows and babies are very fat and sassy this year. The elk have left us alone. They came once and tested the new fence never seen them again. HAPPY! As you can see from this picture some are fatter than others :). Never have had a set of twins maybe this miserable mama will change that. UPDATE 02/26/12 this mama just had a half growed bull calf no twins but a big bugger to hold, tag and band!

New Year 2012

I start the New Year with family and friends. It is going to be fabulous. Had the 3 grandkids with us at the neighbors sled riding, food and talk. The kids run around laughing and every now and then a few tears. It was so beautiful and so peaceful it makes a person want to put the next foot forward looking straight on.

Lifes curve balls

It seemed as though we went from August to December in one day. I think at times craziness attracts more craziness. We took our two grandbabies to Seattle to my sisters wedding reception and to see the ocean for the first time. August 12 -14.Got home our house was flooded from a broken washing machine hose. 92 days later we changed the locks and said we will finish. During that time our babies moved to Wyoming so we had a practice horse show as they would be gone during fair. In September the husband gave away his sister at her wedding in Austin, Neveda. He had a heart episode again after we got home spent some time in  mm ER. We celebrated our 30th anniversary on the road during this. Sadly a week later my mother in-law passed away after a long illness. We had our yearly company from Wisconsin, still living in half of our house. Made it the rest of the way through October. November 8 Husband got hurt at work. Thinks he will be OK. Headed to Portland for my other little sisters wedding traveling with our grown up kids ,brothers sisters etc.Rented a house together good time. Went through the holidays kids and grandkids home for Christmas. Priceless.

Haying Season

July has almost passed me up. Having the collectible antiquated collection of ranch equipment we have the beginning of haying season always seems to prove challenging. The swather broke a tooth then a belt. Fixed cut hay. The rake weld came undone, Fixed raked hay. The baler broke a gauge (soft bales). Fixed. The baler broke a little 1/4" guard not easily located. Fixed. Baler adjustment off. Fixed. Hay baled.  Stack wagon arguing but working. Swather pivoting around and around not so good. 3 days until dark fixed. Husband and I now know the manuel by heart and can take off drive chains , master links and sproket adjustments while in inches of thick gooey gear oil. All though most of the fixes and all the welding are done by the husband, when I get home we work together. Fresh eyes or talking through trouble shooting usually does the trick. It is hard to describe the complex feeling of having completed yet another trial together. The time spent head to head is actually very satisfying. I love to be a part of all things the knowledge I gain as he teaches me is so very valuable. Now the first crop is almost completed and looking at the stacks with a grin he tells me the hay looks pretty good this year. I see pride in his eyes and hear satisfaction in his voice. It is being able to see the end result that keeps you going. And a sense of humor that keeps the season bearable.

Frog Hunt

It is the frog hunt that started the journey through the fields as Nana changed irrigation dams. But the water they walked through was to enticing and begged to be splashed in and then followed. They explored every corner, finding mud to slid in and ditches to follow. Then after hours of exploring, Nanas dams were the perfect soaking spot to relax and giggle. I think this is the part of life we should bring with us. Sunshine and laughter not a care in the world a few moments at a time.

Childhood Summers

   In the moments of sunshine in between light rain showers, we walked to change waters. What child can resist a sprinkler. It started so innocently just standing on the edge letting the water sprinkle their toes. Then bending their heads forward they received sprinkles in their hair. Inch by inch they got closer, looking back to see my reaction. Seeing my smiles at the antics they were playing out was all the encouragement they needed. Fully dressed spontaneous fun. Childhood summers.