What Rain Looks Like

Posted on July 22, 2010 by Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

I had plans for another hot day at the ranch, but woke up to a nice, refreshing surprise this morning–the sound and smell of rain outside my open windows. The wind wasn’t blowing, the tree branches weren’t moving, there was no lightning–just calm, steady, trickling, warm rain. This means so much to the landscape this late in the season. I am not sure what the farmers have to say about it, but the moisture will help it stay green out here just a little longer and I’m ok with that. So I took a walk to capture what rain looks like on a North Dakota summer morning. Everything seemed to sparkle and open up wide to thank the sky. Even my lawn ornament looked refreshed.

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Now I’m off to pick up my nieces. We were going to hit the pool, but I think we will play cowboy all weekend instead (which is much more fun).

Tiger Lilies and Sweet Clover

Posted on July 1, 2010 by Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

There are certain things at the ranch that signify we’ve moved on to mid-summer–mosquito bites, 80+ weather, thunderstorms, the yellow clover and, my favorite, tiger lilies.

I wish you could smell it out here. The air is heavy with the the lush, fresh scent of this wild (and, if I were a cow, delicious would be an adjective here) sweet clover. I wish I could bottle this air up, or make it a plug-in scent, or sell it to the candle companies to burn on the long winter nights, to help remind me that this time does come, in all its wonder and splendor and drama.

I took a walk this morning before the hot weather hit to gather some tiger lilies we saw on a side hill on our ride the other night. Usually these wild variety are quite rare on the landscape, but if you spot a patch one summer, and the weather is right, they will most likely be there the next. I am sure many of you grow these flowers outside your home, but there is nothing like coming up over a hill filled with wild grasses, prickly brush and cactus to find these vibrant orange, perfectly constructed, delicate flowers dotting the landscape. This morning I couldn’t believe how many there were. Maybe I’m too simple, but it was simply thrilling to me.

Happy mid-summer to you. Enjoy our beautiful world this weekend, and enjoy your 4th of July!

Weekend Ride

Posted on June 29, 2010 by Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

It was a gorgeous weekend at the ranch and wanted to share some photos of moving horses between the two places. It’s a simple chore, but I love summer evenings when the light is disappearing slowly, casting dramatic shadows across the landscape. Truly a breathtaking backyard if I do say so myself.

Chad moving equipment

Attempting a simple swing on.

Another approach

Failed. I guess I'll just walk to the barn and get the saddle with the understanding that I'm not what I used to be (although, I blamed it on my too-tight pants). The mare is not enthused, as you can see here.

The guys and the mule taking it slow down the road

Critter trail

Taking the long way. Can you see the moon?

Mushroom Tree

Shadows

My view. Always a bit behind, I bring out the slow in horses. Fine for a leisurely ride, but never won me any buckles.

Almost there

Coming into the yard

Settling in

Home

Summer Walk

Posted on June 22, 2010 by Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

What I see on my walks around this place. I have been trying to snap a photo of the yellow and blue birds outside my window, they are loving bathing in the puddles on the road after last night’s thunderstorm, but my old digital camera, limited photography and sneaking skills leave something to be desired. Enjoy this beautiful day!

Old Homestead

Posted on June 11, 2010 by Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

My dad emailed me these photos this morning after we visited last night about where the old homestead was located-just below the house where we are currently living. This house, my house, where my dad and his brother and sister grew up, was actually moved from its original location to its current location on a basement when my dad was 10 years old (so 45 years ago dad? Give or take a few). It was only then they had running water and a toilet in the house. He told me that he was so upset to have to move from an area with plenty of trees that he took it upon himself to work on landscaping, hauling trees in a bucket from nearby pastures (quite revealing of his character, even at that age). He’s proud to say that many of his transplant trees are thriving today.

The photos and his message:

“The first picture is your great grandpa Eddy standing in the door of his tarpaper shack below your house where I pointed out last night. He eventually built a house around that. It had a cool porch that a milk cow chased me into one day when when I went to get the milk cows. Kerry (sister) and I got chased home. The cow’s name was appropriately “Dummy”. Kerry would remember this, as she outran me!

The second pic is Grandpa Pete, you can see the butte east of him so it was taken close to the lilac bushes.”

Summer Sunset Ride

Posted on June 10, 2010 by Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

Photos of a beautiful evening ride. My patient husband allowed me to stop every three minutes to try to capture the sunset, colors and calm. As the sun was setting we heard the elk, who frequent the pasture, bugling just before they appeared in the draw below us. Heaven on earth!