Things that I have to be thankful for:
A wonderful husband.
A roof over my head that no longer leaks.
Plenty of food.
Very good friends.
My family.
The folks that I’ve met because of this little place.
The animals that share our lives.
Happy Thanksgiving.
May you all appreciate things to be thankful for today, and everyday.
For all who have served,
and to all who are serving now.
For all your sacrifices,
Thank You!
Fridge raider - my late cousin, Paul.
We’re running out of farmers, folks.
Will be performing this Friday,
30 September 2005
at Fort Rockvale.
If we ever get out of here . . .
We’ll see you for supper at 7 P.M.
Have a wonderful day, year and many more.
Happy Birthday to my brother John -
who shared his birthday with John, our Dad.
On Labor Day, my husband, his father and brother went out to build some fence. I was planning on getting a few things done here. I brought dinner out to the hills - eight miles away. I ate with them, but left soon after. Once home, I had half a hundred things that I needed to do. I thought that it would be nice to have the place to myself. Not counting all the pets that I’m entertaining.
Well, it seemed that everyone who could afford gas decided to drop by. Half of the hunters in the county came in the driveway, which excited the dogs. Then I’d have to stop whatever the heck it was I was doing. Go out, wrangle the dogs and answer questions regarding elk, deer and birds.
Next, a pickup with Wyoming plates pulled in. The driver was looking for my husband. He never introduced himself, but said that he was interested in the cat. I told him that our cat was not for sale - but my father-in-law’s might be. Then I gave him directions to Hollenbeck Draw. While this was going on, our bulk dealer pulled in with his fuel truck. The guys looking for the cat left. I visited with Dave for a while, got the bill (you don’t want to know), and directed him to the sweet corn patch.
Okay, what was I doing? Another hunter drove in. Another hunter called on the phone. Another pickup pulled in the yard. I was close to screaming. Then I noticed that it was friends from Billings. Who didn’t come empty handed. They brought peaches, pears, tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. We went into the kitchen and I put coffee on. Side tracked again, but at least it was enjoyable. No one else showed up while my company was there, but as soon as they left it started all over again. I was able to post some photos to flickr - since I don’t have to sit at the computer waiting while the dialup does its slow trick.
The duo from Wyoming drove in again. Not only did he not find the guys, he asked someone else for directions and went on a wild goose chase. I was more than disgusted by then. After giving him the same exact clear directions that I had given him the first time, I said, “You never told me who you were.” When he told me that they had been on the place looking at the cat, I had to hold my temper. I will never understand people that think it’s okay to drive around on someone’s place. Would he have let me drive around his place? I asked him if he had heard about the cat from John at Powell Equipment. He said, “No, I was talking to the guy who sold it to you.” I told him that the D4 is not for sale. He didn’t seem to care, and took off again. Eight miles down the road he found the Baron and told him that he was interested in the cat. The Baron laughed. I give up. . . With a table full of fruits and vegetables I needed to get busy. I put the cukes in a brine.
This morning I made pickles.
Then I brought dinner out to the fencing crew of two. After eating, Lucky and I walked around. I took some photos. I heard that familiar buzz and called Lucky to me. She had startled the snake. She came right to me. I was glad that I didn’t have the pup with me. I didn’t have a stick, a shovel or a rock handy. But I did have the Optio. This was a small rattler, under a flat rock. It was an extremely angry thing. We left it alone.
As we walked back down, I noticed a white pickup parked just off the road. Not far from where I encountered the rattlesnake two weeks ago. I didn’t see anyone - that’s odd. There was a trio fishing by the bridge, but they had their vehicle near them. My pickup was further down the road. We continued down when I spotted the oblivious couple. Hmmmm. . . interesting place for some afternoon delight.
No, not me - my blog nephew Troy.
He took a break on the hejira to drop in yesterday.
We, of course, were busy.
I know, I know, I always say that.
Even if I didn’t - it still would be true.
We managed to have a mini blogger bash.
Randy was able to stop up on short notice, too.
Hooray!
The Goat has his camera with him. He’s been documenting his travels. When he returns to the eastern MT homestead, he hopes to find the time to upload some of them at his flick’r site.
I began this blog one year ago.
Knowing that people stop here to visit makes it worthwhile. I’ve enjoyed blogging - and your feedback. I hope that you have fun here, too.
This unused card was discovered in Chicago by my brother, John. He claims that he was searching for Mrs. O’Leary’s cow, but found Elsie instead. Discriminating taste doesn’t run in our family - it gallops. The card will open in a larger window - just click on it.
ELSIE THE COW
and her BRAND NEW TWINS
Elsie the Cow is the traveling representative of Borden’s family of fine foods.
The back has more information:
1957
ELSIE and her TWINS IN PERSON
Elsie is in her canopied bed, the twins in their double sized playpen. For the little ones there’s a twin-sized bassinet for nighttime and a two seater rocking horse for playtime. For Elsie, there’s a library complete with antique victrola. Favorite albums - “Moo-in Over Miami”, “Cow Cow Boogie”, and “Jersey Bounce”. Favorite books - “The Farmer With Cold Hands”, “Calves or Career”, “How to Live on 5,000 Quarts a Year”. Elsie’s quite proud of her cowsmetics table made from her grandmother’s milking stanchion. Favorite necessities - “Meadow Mud Pack”, “Tail Wave Set”, “Eau de New Mown Hay”. Elsie’s unique Barn Boudoir, housed within a 35 foot trailer, closes into a comfortably compact unit for traveling.
For 100 years folks have been saying, “If it’s Borden’s, it’s got to be good!”
Elsie Link
We’ve started combining. This is a problem since our bins are full of grain from last year’s harvest. Because of a glut of cheap corn, and so much malt barley not making the grade, we’ve been sitting on our feed barley. Which was probably one of the best harvests that we had. It doesn’t do us much good if we can’t sell it. We are still trying to line up truckers to take it to a feedlot. Right now, all the grain truckers are busier than ever, too. The alfalfa is almost ready for second cutting. Everything else is being irrigated.
I made a quick trip to Red Lodge yesterday morning. To the doctor.
I’m supposed to be keeping my leg up and iced.
Yeah.
Sure.
Okay.
Right.
On Saturday evening, we sorted seven pairs from the “uncalved” dries. We were moving them to the pasture across the road. We do this on foot. Our cattle are accustomed to us. Most of them are gentle and okay with us walking through them. Two of the calves needed to be tagged, so we brought them all into a cutting pen. I pushed two cows with three calves into a small alleyway. I had the two calves that we needed to eartag. We were packed tight by three gates and a loading chute. I told the Baron, “Why don’t we kick these cows out - they’re really kicking.”
Famous last words. . .
Did he listen? Yes.
Did he agree with me? No.
Did he get kicked?
No. Enough said.
Yesterday I thought that maybe I should have it looked at -
by someone other than me.
I’ll live. But now I have two bum legs.
A great day,
and a wonderful year
are wished for
my Cancerian brother.
May you stay forever young.
I can’t don cheap sunglasses & dance to
“Hot, Hot, Hot”.
Not without my wild & crazy partner.
Love & Miss You!
Come back to Montana soon.