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.

Garden Water

The husband decided I needed to have a frost free water faucet in the garden. After years of fence climbing to turn water off and on I of course am very happy. He used the back hoe to dig the trench and I hand shoveled under the fence put the line in and water!!!!!!! Sounds so easy. :) This is the real truth. Honey lets put a faucet in the garden we got everything so we can do it in a few hours. :) :) As he dug the trench the back hoe struck a line that wasn't marked (uuuuggggghhhhh) We decided to finish the line then get the part on Monday to fix broken part. Called to pickup faucet- The man who had it for me had it stolen out of his truck. So new faucet, new line, 2 days later. WATER IN THE GARDEN!!!!!!!!! I shall be sore for a few days after this odd shoveling. But so worth it. THANK YOU HUBBY FOR THE WATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.P.S. (protective papa syndrome)

As I went to the top to feed baby I spied the geese that had been nesting. Papa had been chasing off other geese so I took my camera. As I approached both parents laid as flat as possible in the grass I could hear very low sounds like a gurgle and a hiss the babies obeyed and climbed under and around mama. All except one! He couldn't help himself. He kept popping up to see what I looked like. Everytime the sounds got louder and he would duck down but was short before popping back up. Finally just like any other exasperated new parents Mama jumped up waked him on the head with her beak and headed out calling the others. Papa jumped up hissing deciding to set the perimeter with me. I was way to anxious for baby to get done with his bottle. Anyone that has been around a protective goose knows its gonna hurt. I headed out goose in tow then after 100 feet or so he went back to his family. I could hear them get louder as they walked side by side. I think little guy was still in trouble. The curious young , the cranky mama and the protective papa life cycles are so familiar in so many species. :) :)

Bottle Baby

Everyone gets lovies.

 Bertha had her little guy and the kids are thrilled she is their cow and they love to feed the baby. It is cute when they are here. But as Bertha is Bertha she always takes her baby to the top so I can walk my happy ____ uphill carrying a bottle of milk. When I'm half way there she meets and walks with me calling for baby to come to supper. We have a system she calls the shots and I do as told. :) :) When we are all done she walks me back to the house with baby in tow to bed down. Totally satisfied. :) :)