Isante, My Trusty Steed

 I normally don't ride this guy but I wasn't in the mood to get dumped. We'd had a missing calf since Monday and though I worried the little stinker was dead, I needed to saddle up, and ride around to find him. I usually ride George, but he was really jumpy, nervous and hasn't been worked with so I nixed that plan. I saddled up Isante and started looking for proper headgear. We have an entire wall of headstalls, bits and reins. Though I am in and out of that tack room daily, I had no idea which one to use! After several text pictures to Chad asking which headstall and bit was the right one, I finally figured it out!

 *Duh* I can say that I really don't know crap sometimes. I also think this is a perfect attribute to have as my children head toward their teen years. It's down the road, Pecos will be 12 in October, Sparky is 9 and Blue Sparkle is 5; by the time they are teenages, I will be perfectly content with not knowing s*&@! 

After what seemed like hours, I headed south to the electric fence. Together, me and my short, but trusty steed  began the search. I was really glad no one had a camera, my feet were not all that far from the ground. As quickly as I had gotten on, I dismounted to disconnect the electric wire. I had mistakenly let go of the reins as I let down the electic fence. As I turned around, this seemingly calm pony jumped away from me and ran bucking back to the barn! It would have scared me if it had been a big horse, but instead I was.........humored. He didn't go far.

So, back to the barn I walked. I grabbed his reins and jumped back on. The little bugger wasn't going to buffalo me! I was on a mission and no little punk of a pony was going to scare me out of it. After a bit of juggling, additional gate opening and the penning up of one annoying dog that thinks he's really helpful (but he's really not), we did locate the baby calf and reunite him with his Mama. He was one hungry dude.

As I was riding over the hill, with the plastic sack holding vet supplies,  I had the fabulous opportuity to practice my saddle bronc skills! I do believe my Uncle Neri and his son Wyatt, would be really proud of this 'ol cowgirl. Granted, I didn't have far to fall but I totally "missed him out" When I realized that he was trying to buck, I dug my feet into the stirrups, pulled up on the reins and somehow managed to stay in the saddle throughout the four bucks (probably more like hops!)  I bet it didn't look pretty and I'm positive I didn't get a high score but I stayed on! (I was darn sore the next day too!) Little ponies are deceiving! I got on this horses because I KNEW George was going to buck with me, I didn't expect Isante to!

All in all, it's been an eventful week as ranch manager and I am hoping I get fired very soon. I got hung up in on fence. Somehow I ran a barb in my skin and it stayed there. My helpful daughter ran to the house to get plyers so I could pull it out. That is, she got plyers AFTER she took time to get a drink of water and pet both of the dogs! She asked me later if I knew what had taken her so long? Obviously, I did not so I was quite surprised when she shared this!

I'm happy to report the garden is alive and thriving, the cows and calves are all accounted for. The horses, goats, chicken, duck and guineas all appear to be in good health. I made it to Friday. Yay me! And the best news of all............no one had a camera to take a picutre of my bronc ride!

I have no idea what tomorrow holds. I may or may not take a road trip to the east. I may or may not be driving a different car tomorrow. I may or may not be going on vacation in a week or two. Stay tuned! I still haven't made it to my beloved hammock though I have more incentive now than ever. My friend gifted me  an amazing book that I can't wait to dive into, "Old Jules Country" by Mari Sandoz. It is a collection of her stories. She is one of my favorite authors and her work always inspires me. I have a big project that I want to work on this fall. I'll share more about it as it comes to fruition.

For tonight...... here's wishing you happy trials, calm horses and a cool place to sleep.

Bargin Find!

While ambling along in a certain mall store, I found this most adorable hat!
I had promised a certain child that if she was really good at the dentist that I would buy her new earrings. Normally I don't "bribe" my children in this way but this situation called for it. We needed her to sit still and not wiggle or else the procedure would require surgery, a MUCH more expensive option.

Though I did my best to hurry her along, she dodged me and headed to the back of the store to snoop around. That is when my little eye spied this treasure! It was like at first sight and I began seeing a knitted purple, olive and gold scarf to match!

I sent this picture to my boys who are in Deadwood SD having fun on the rodeo trail! Would you like to know what their response was? They asked me how I liked living in Sherwood Forest? Yeah, that's what I get for showing my uber-cool hat to a bunch of cowboys! It's a good thing I am confident and secure in my creative, fashion vistas!
I'm ready to grab my needles and yarn and whip a scarf and pair of mittens right now. I absolutely DISLIKE winter and cold but I do love wearing hats; I'll look forward to wearing this one.

There was a time that I would have bought it but never wore it. It could be age, it could be that I follow my heart and go with what I love or it could be that I am more willing to take risks to see what IS around the corner. Heck, maybe I'm up for a good laugh more than I used to be! Laugh away boys.......... I'm wearing this hat!!!!

New Book

I think I missed my calling as a librarian! I love books, mainly resource books though. I have a hard time sitting down to read novels. I used to, in the b.c. times (before children).

I have a deep love of plants, and I dearly enjoy reading about their healing properties and remedies. I once pestered my father so long and hard about his "weed" book (with GREAT pictures) that he give me his water damaged copy. Its a favorite!

Most people see weeds as well, weeds! I don't, with the herb classes and personal training I've experienced, I see weeds as an outdoor pharmacy! Nettle for example is an amazing healing plant. Though cursed by golfers, it is one of the most refreshing "green tea" drinks around. I usually have some on hand as it will quickly restore the body after heat exhaustion from weeding, chasing goats and children! (I speak from experience you see!) Raspberry leaf tea is another divine treat, infused with lemon and honey, it makes me feel little as happy as a buzzing bee!

Other favorite subjects include folklore, cooking, crafting and decorating. My personal library is pretty predictable.

I was excited to find this one, though I have several others on the subject. This "feels" like a great book. How can I tell? I always let the good ones find me! I walked into Ft. Cody, where my boys had spied Billy The Kid and Doc Holiday guns that they "just has to have"! As I turned the corner, this title jumped out at me. I thumbed through it and took it home with me.

It will be a perfect motivational treat. I have a kitchen and laundry room to tidy up and several hours of ki readings to complete. The boys ditched me and went on holiday with their cowboy father. They are going to my one of favorite places in the universe---The Black Hills! I so wanted to go but I'm not about to leave the goats and garden, at least not until I find someone willing to do chores.

So the girls are camping out this week. I've got an office to reorganize, a daughter's room to find the bottom of (trash bags coming soon) and a craft room that's been calling my name for months. Tomorrow is town/errand/appointment day. We'll sock up on a few supplies and then burrow down here at home. The way I have it figured, we won't have to leave again until next Monday when Pecos gets his braces off! My hippie-hermit vibrations are kicking in. I do LOVE not having to go anywhere, though there is talk of a vacation coming up. The boys want to head to Tombstone, I kid you not. Mama wants to head to the island and hang with the dolphins and sea turtles, Pooh wants to go back to Yellowstone and hugs wolves, Dad wants to hit a few more rodeos. Isn't it wonderful the diversity that exists in this family! Truly laughable when you get right down to it!

We'll see what shakes down. Maybe I'll come up with a creative plan from the hammock? I still have hopes of laying in that thing......

Found: Four Red Romas

As I was watering the tomato tanks tonight I encountered a lovely sight.

Four red orbs of bright red, tickled the tastebuds in my head.

We've waited with anticipation for just this sight,
it was really no problem to hide my delight!

"Maters," I shouted to the goats and kids,
plucking the Romas from where they had hid.

There's nothing like a garden to delight the heart;
stick a seed in the ground and watch it start.

Reaching its way, right to the sky,
bursting with colors that please the eye.

A treasure was not what I expected to see,
but oh! How glad I am that the finder was ME!

Had it been my darling girl, I'm afraid to say,
that nary a mater would have seen the next day!

She eats tomatoes like apples, without second thought,
if asked why she didn't bring them in the house, she'll shrug sheepishly and say "I forgot?"

"They were just too yummy Mama, I couldn't help it, says she with a grin"
as I spy the red juice running down her chin!

So for now these babies are safely in tow
and straight to the fridge for tomorrow's salad they'll go!

We have more coming on, the crop is not bust,
thanks to the goat that severly dampened my trust!

Forgive the excitement over our first find,
in two months from now my words of tomatoes will not be kind.

My kitchen will be filled, all counters piled high,
with 'maters bursting right up to the sky!

Full Moon Night

I usually have a picture with my posts but I'm fairly sure it wouldn't turn out tonight. I'm outside, in the reclining lawn chair with a 5-year-old sprite dozing on my lap.

The campfire is about to go out, the moon is full and bright, the coyotes are annoying Bo....its pretty close to heaven!

We've had a full day; 12 quarts of green beans canned and supper guests! No matter how much I do in a day, I relish closing the evening or in this case early morning by fire-light.
There's something deeply comforting and grounding in this ritual. No matter what stress I've carried throughout the day, five minutes meditating on those flames and my frustration melts. Truly this is one of man's greatest discoveries!!!

May the flames be burning brightly wherever you are!

My Bean Snapper

The horses were loaded and the boys hit the road for the next rodeo. My girl and I are having a bean snapping party!

We've already filled one big bowel and we're on to the second. I think there will be at least four or five altogether.

We had to stop for a "little snack" a Hershey's bar that will never become a s'more and raspberry tea. We have Alice in Wonderland plugged in. (Its a very strange movie, says Pryce. I totally agree!)

This is how we're spending our lazy Saturday afternoon. At this pace, we'll be canning 'til midnight!

Ready for Market

I've been on the east side of our garden with a watchful eye. One of the first veggies in the ground this season were onions. We've never been on the ball that fast before so when they actually lived and started to grow, I had to do some research to find out when and how to harvest and store them!

The boys, though not thrilled with their extra Saturday chore helped us pluck, clean and hauld the onions to the deck. As far as I can tell, it makes a perfect drying rack as the air will be able to circulate and it gets loads of south sun. What ever would I do without this deck? Remember it also serves as my cowgirl clothes line?!

I've been thinking about hauling our goods to a couple of farmer's markets. There's no way we'll eat all of these onions....and these are just the ones that were plucked to give the others more room!

We are now getting a steady supply of cucumbers, a sprinkling of cherry tomatoes, lots of beautiful basil and dill. We have peas and beans though we tend to eat and can most of them. The peppers are starting to come on too. Pake picked brought a long HOT one at lunch. He and his father are fans, so we'll add it to fresh salsa tomorrow.
The kitchen is all set up to process green beans. The boys head to another rodeo this afternoon so BS and I will be here snapping, blanching and canning away!

I have a lot to do outside and inside for that matter but when its time to can, everything is dropped and has to fend for itself (husband, children and pets included!)

If you are in the area and are interested in farm fresh veggies, herbs, or raw milk, stop in! We always have a fresh pitcher of tea on the table and homemade ice cream in the freezer! (The goat milk ice cream is awesome. I'm going to see if my dad will write a review for me! He enjoyed eating it during his last visit!)

Looks like the water is boiling, I'd better get moving!