Ranch P.R.

When folks drop by our place, Bodie barks so discourteously and ferociously that some people aren’t sure whether they should get out of their vehicles. Meanwhile, the cats run and hide, at least until they are sure that the intruders didn’t bring any dogs with them. Our cows like us but are rather stand-offish with strangers. The horses and goats are more sociable, but the former can be intimidating to the non-horsey set, especially little kids; hence, the goats have assumed most public relations duties.  Their cuteness and unreserved affability serve them well in their positions as ambassadors for the ranch!

Alexia feeding crackers to Blueberry

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us….” –2 CORINTHIANS 5:20 (NASB)

Bright Spots

Cold and time have begun to muddy nature’s pallet so that the only golden leaves that remain are on the calendars that hang on my walls. Life isn’t dull, however, because so much beauty and fun await me every day, if only I look expecting to find them.

Sagebrush gone to seed

The wild roses still glow russet 

The kids romp atop the flatbed trailer

“The unthankful heart…discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.” –HENRY WARD BEECHER

Great Ones

Today was sunless and cold, but my day was brightened by the sight of some wild turkeys snacking in the neighbor’s barley field. The reclusive beauties only come around a few times every November, so a glimpse of them is something of a luxury.

I suppose that the reason the turkeys are so shy of humans is simple: wild turkeys taste good, so people hunt them. They needn’t fear me, however. For one thing, I don’t hunt. Besides, my son and I were present when their ancestors, some Rio Grande turkeys transported from Oklahoma, were first released 15 miles from here in 1996. These are their great-great-great-great-great-grandturkeys!

“Whoever goes hunting for what is right and kind finds life itself—glorious life!” –PROVERBS 21:21 (MSG)

Camo Specialists

Our little town has just one small department store, so my knowledge of fashion trends is extremely limited. It appears to me, however, that camouflage is “in” this year. Our store is full of camouflage coats, hats, and clothing for men, women and children, as well as camo bedding, curtains, vehicle seat covers and floor mats, chairs, knives, notebooks, backpacks, water bottles, cell phone cases, coolers, cameras, and pet supplies. To the best of my knowledge, they don’t stock camo Christmas decorations or toothpaste—yet.

I suspect that the increase in camo-decorated merchandise can be attributed to the wildly popular TV series, Duck Dynasty, which I’ve never seen. I did see these mule deer camouflaged in their bedding grounds the other day. Actually, when I snapped the photo, I only saw two deer, but when I got closer, eight of them rose from their hiding place and ran off. If you enlarge and study the photo (sorry about its graininess—mulies are rather camera shy), you’ll see why deer are truly masters of camouflage!

“Blind eyes will be opened, deaf ears unstopped, lame men and women will leap like deer, the voiceless break into song.” –ISAIAH 35:5 (MSG)

Prisoner of (Coon) War

It was almost midnight when I woke up last night. I was worried about our cat, Smokey, who had not been seen since midmorning. It had been a nice day, weather-wise, so I wasn’t too surprised at first. But by the time the sun set and the cold set in, he still hadn’t shown up. We prayed, of course, and tried not to think about the coyotes and foxes that occasionally trespass on the place.

An image flashed across my sleep-sluggish mind: the trap that Hubby and I had seen a few days before while we were walking on a neighbor’s property. A coon trapper had set it alongside the canal and baited it with cat food.

I traded pajamas for winter clothing and trudged out into the dark, armed with a flashlight and Bodie, our cowdog-turned-search-and-rescue-dog.

Bodie heard Smokey’s plaintive meows before he saw him. Sure enough, Smokey was behind bars. I don’t know who was happier or more relieved to find and set Smokey free: me or the cat!

Smokey's prison

“I tell prisoners, ‘Come on out. You’re free!’ and those huddled in fear, ‘It’s all right. It’s safe now.’” –ISAIAH 49:9 (MSG)

Warming Trends

It’s that time of year in Wyoming: wool socks, flannel-lined jeans, vests, sweatshirts, and mittens have begun to replace lighter, more fashionable attire, especially for those of us who work outdoors.

Sugar’s winter coat isn’t much longer or thicker than her summer coat, but I recognize it because it’s darker red, almost chestnut. Winters get quite cold here, and most horses—just like cattle—grow coats that are almost an inch longer than Sugar’s. In contrast, Sugar stays warm like whales or other sea-faring mammals do: she adds layers of insulating blubber.

The mama goats aren’t particularly woolly yet, but the doelings are positively shaggy!

Sugar

Jubilee

“…Complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love….” –2 PETER 1:5-6 (MSG)

Sheep Mountain Mustangs

I’d never seen them, but I’d heard about the few wild horses that range the sagebrush desert west of Sheep Mountain and east of Highway 310, which runs northward from Greybull to Lovell. Hubby has done some work out in that country and told of seeing a stallion, mares, and colts. They differ from other bands seen at the McCullough Peaks Management Area towards Cody in that they’re mostly black and much more skittish at the sight of humans.

I’ve driven Highway 310 dozens, if not hundreds, of times without seeing those horses, so I was surprised and delighted to catch a glimpse of seven of them as they sped past us a few days ago. We had no camera, only a phone with no zoom, but were blessed to record the enchanted moment nonetheless.  

Two fillies gallop after a mare; all were black with Appaloosa markings

“I stood there saved—surprised to be loved!” –2 SAMUEL 22:20 (MSG)