Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Air Traffic

We don't get any traffic jams out here, but the air space above the flower beds is a bit congested these days. 







"Gracious words are a honeycomb--sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." ~Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)





Saturday, June 27, 2015

In the Book

The first cutting of 2015 is nearly in the book.

 What book, you ask.

The Annuls of Hayseed History, the Unabridged and Unnecessary Version.

We're mentioned in two chapters: Record Yields and Record Mechanical Delays. I thought we'd make it into Record High Temperatures, but air conditioning deficits led to false readings. 





"And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace." ~John 1:16 (NKJV)




Friday, June 26, 2015

Another Trip Around the Sun

Happy Birthday to my beautiful, talented, irrepressible, forever-young mom! I've included a photo (courtesy of PDPhotos.org) of two of her favorite things: wildflowers and the Tetons. 


And, for old times' sake...

Way back in the days of shags, bell-bottoms, and the Oregon Trail: my twin, Jenny; Mom; and me. 


"Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been." ~Mark Twain




Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Fun with Uncle Ikey

Duke got to spend some quality time with his fun-loving Uncle Ikey this evening. Bullfighting was the sport of choice.  

Even though Ikey outweighs Duke by well over half a ton, he'd sometimes back up a step, letting Duke think that he had a fighting chance. 





"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." ~2 Corinthians 12:9

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Orphans

Rumor must have it that we have a soft heart for animals. I don't know how that got started. 

Anyway, three skinny little orphan raccoons must have heard said rumor, because they've recently moved into a shed-turned-orphanage. Their new home is conveniently close to the pond, canal, and livestock feed. 



"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress...." ~James 1:27 (NLT)

Monday, June 22, 2015

Sleeping Beauty

Most calves, like Zoe here, look pretty cute when they nap. 


But when Peaches naps--well, see for yourself. 


I assure you that Peaches isn't the least bit dead. In fact, I snapped this shot of her just this evening. 



"For in Him we live and move and have our being." ~Acts 17:28 (AMP)


Saturday, June 20, 2015

Just Wait!

What is it about a partially opened rose that makes you pause to study it, as if you waited long enough, some secret and beautiful truth might just unfurl?







"For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome." ~Jeremiah 29:11 (AMP)

Monday, June 15, 2015

Chips Off the Old Block


Winky and her calf, Waylon

Sky and her papa, Ikey 


"I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve." ~J. R. R. Tolkien

Thursday, June 11, 2015

At Last!

A hard frost in May delayed the advent of the roses, but the first buds are beginning to open. 






"Don't forget that the One who made delicate and intricate flowers, breathtaking mountain ranges, and glorious sunsets carefully designed you." ~Angela Perritt



Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Between the House and the Serengeti

Danger lurks. 


A "gazelle" has separated from the rest of the herd, unaware of the "panther" that stalks in the tall grass. 


Just in time, the "gazelle" catches sight of her mortal enemy. 


Oh, well. 


Mercy wasn't hungry, anyway.  



"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." ~John 10:10 (NASB)

Monday, June 8, 2015

The Rural Running Society

In a refreshing departure from the usual bull snakes, I've met some new friends on my runs. 

We hear frogs every summer, but this is the first time I actually met one in person. 

This fledgling red-winged blackbird was considerably less bothered by my approach than its parents were!

wonder if this pronghorn buck would have allowed me closer if the dog wasn't with me. 

There are mule deer, sandhill cranes, muskrats, and a beaver too, but I'm still negotiating with their people for a photo shoot. 
______________

"A friend may be waiting behind a stranger's face." ~Maya Angelou 


Sunday, June 7, 2015

Guests

Technically, they're wildflowers, so they're free to come and go as they please. But I think they stick around because they like me to pamper them. 








"What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity." ~Joseph Addison

Saturday, June 6, 2015

Wyoming Traffic Jam



"And I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep....I'll go after the lost, I'll collect the strays, I'll doctor the injured, I'll build up the weak...." ~Ezekiel 34:15-16 (MSG)

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Cast Your Ballet

For the first time in the history of the New Moo Awards, readers are invited to vote for the winner of the Cover Girl Award. The committee has nominated Zoe, Sky, Peaches, Bella, and Paisley. 

Please comment with the name of your favorite contestant!

Zoe

Sky

Bella (standing) and Peaches 


Paisley 


"Beauty is not in the face, beauty is a light in the heart." ~Kahlil Gabran





Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Big Red Birdhouse

Most robins nest in trees, but we have a pair that raise a family in our barn every year. Once the fledglings flop from rafters to straw, I close the barn doors to keep the cat out. For a week or so, the hard-working parents fly in under the eaves, bringing moths and worms to the voracious youngsters until they're able to fly out of the big red birdhouse. 

Clyde

Bonnie and Clyde

Papa brings fast food (hence the blur)


"Faith is a bird that feels dawn breaking and sings while it is still dark." ~R. Tagore 



Monday, June 1, 2015

2015 New Moo Awards, Pt. III

The winner of the Happy Ending Award is none other than little Joy. Her mama, Princess, had lost two steer calves and said goodbye to four others. At long last, Princess has a heifer that will stay in the herd with her. 

I adore the white "teardrops" beneath Joy's eyes. I well remember last year when Princess's big, beautiful Samson died unexpectedly. She bawled and bawled, looking at us for help, but it was too late. Oh, God, please give Princess a heifer next year, I sobbed. 

He came through. 





"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning." ~Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)