Sunday, December 22, 2019

Double or Nothing

It has been busy since Thanksgiving; we managed only one trip to the farm but it was full of surprises.  The first was our “double or nothing” day.  We arrived late Sunday afternoon, December 8 and on Monday morning discovered two of our cows were missing from our small herd.  After a full morning of searching, we located our #5 cow with a beautiful new bull calf.



Our B-4 cow was still missing, however, and we were concerned.  The last time she calved, back in March of 2018, her twin calves were stillborn.  We thought that she might again be carrying twins, and were concerned that she might have trouble delivering her calves.  Not to worry, though, by mid-afternoon B-4 brought out her brand-new heifer calf.  We were excited to have both babies born on the same day, and especially glad that both were strong, healthy calves.


It was a beautiful several days.  The autumn leaves had turned brown, but the “swamp holly” was covered with bright, red berries.  They made a vivid display against the naked boughs and bright blue skies.


There were other vivid displays as well.  We crept up on our lower stock pond to find it literally covered with ducks.  Not only were there mallards, but green-winged teals as well.  


I was especially pleased at how my new Olympus 12-200 mm lens captured the ducks in flight, especially at such a distance.  Thank you, Robert Backman of Precision Camera for your recommendation.



There were other surprises in store for us as well.  Cody had his first up-close-and-personal encounter with a skunk.  Fortunately, he didn’t take a direct hit.  Either this tiny skunk was being kind, or its aim wasn’t too good, so Cody only got a whiff of “skunk juice.”



The skunk was foraging in tall grass near the creek.  It is unusual for them to be out in the middle of the day unless they are sick.  However, this one appeared very healthy…just small…not much bigger than a kitten.  It was rustling about in the grass, occasionally catching and eating a grasshopper or beetle.  As it foraged, I watched from several yards away, careful to keep the necessary 10-15 feet between me and the skunk...just in case.  It had bright black button eyes, a little pink nose and a face covered with dirt from digging for grubs.  




So long as I remained still, it ignored me and continued searching for bugs and grubs.  If I moved, it hoisted its tail in warning and turned its “business end” toward me.  Then after a minute or so it went back to hunting for its lunch.  It was a beautiful little animal, and after his unpleasant experience, Cody was glad to stay back and respect my “leave it” command.  It was a special moment.




Tuesday, December 3, 2019

We're Thankful for SO MUCH!

The last month has flown by.  We have had adventures and special get-togethers with family and friends.  Much of our time has been spent at then farm.  Even though it’s dry, there is still enough water in the stock ponds to attract south-bound ducks.  I think these were mallards.


Cody is getting accustomed to being a farm dog.  He thinks cows are big, scary creatures and is happy to leave them to Rue.  He is fascinated birds, though, and often uses his border collie stare on them.  He doesn't understand that he can't control them the way he can sheep but it doesn't keep him from trying.


The dogs had quite an adventure when we arrived at the farm last week in preparation for Thanksgiving.  On our morning walk, they surprised one of the resident critters and “treed” it under a large log in the middle of a brush pile.



They circled and circled the pile, then Rue dove into the brush beside the log, barking and growling furiously as she lunged at something under the log.  Cody was at the other end of the log, and Kota jumped up on top to peer down at the fugitive.  John thought it was a squirrel, but it didn’t sound like Rue’s “squirrel bark” to me, so I followed Kota up on the log to have a look.  (I was hoping it wasn’t a skunk!)  

The brush was very thick, but just beyond Rue’s snapping jaws I could see a mound of thick, light-fawn-colored hair sticking out from under the log…the back end of something other than a skunk.  Then, as I peered around the other side of the log, I saw the delicate, pointy nose of a small coyote.  It was huddled under the log, making itself as small as possible and hoping for the best.  Not wanting any blood to be drawn and wishing to avoid a visit to the vet, you may not believe it but I didn't even try to get a photo.  I called off the dogs and was very relieved when they responded immediately and left their quarry.  They made a couple of attempts to return, but turned back at my “leave it!”  I was proud of all three of them.  It was an exciting morning with the best outcome possible. 

Our Thanksgiving holiday was also just about as good as it gets.  On Friday, Brian and Debi arrived, along with our grandkids, Gage, Myles and Mallory, as well as Mallory’s fiancĂ©, Daniel and Gage’s dog, Zelda.  I love this photo of the family.  Zelda is even showing off the star on her chest.


In the evening, we were joined by cousins Kathy and Eric and had a feast of John’s BBQ ribs with all the trimmings.






Cold, rainy weather kept us inside for most of Friday, but didn't deter Gage, Myles, Mallory and Daniel, who took a walking tour of the farm in the drizzling rain.  There were spirited games of Scrabble and lots of catching up on everyone’s activities, not to mention celebrating Myles’ 19th birthday.  



Cody found a way to get more than his fair share of attention.


On Saturday morning, we took a walk around the farm but thankfully didn't see the coyote or any skunks.  

Then, my brother Allan and sister-in-law Jefflyn and their family arrived from Fort Worth.  My nieces, Erin and Anna, with their husbands Jeff and Joel each come with two children.  Noah is the oldest at 13, followed by Rachel, Jamey and Laura.  The adults circled the rocking chairs to visit…









interrupted several times to look skyward and try to spot the flocks of sandhill cranes making their way south.


Jamey and Laura had fun climbing the big Spanish oak in our back yard.



The Jones Clan’s three dogs joined the Bagley Pack and Zelda to liven up an already rowdy gathering.  



Little Rosie, Allan and Jef's three-month-old Brittany spaniel, was a bit skeptical of her bigger dog cousins, but she quickly warmed up to them and was too busy to pose for a proper picture.  





Zeva, Joel and Anna’s English Brittany spaniel, took a break from hunting and got a little petting as well.

Clover was quite smitten with Cody and flirted shamelessly.


By the end of the day, we were all exhausted and happy to have shared such a wonderful gathering.  We all have a lot to be thankful for!



Thursday, November 21, 2019

A Doggone Good Time!

As we returned to Texas and I started to work with Cody in preparation for this spring’s herding dog trials, I had an opportunity to watch some of the very best in action.  The Texas Sheep Dog Association was holding its 2019 Finals just outside Stephenville, only an hour from our farm.  I volunteered to scribe (keep score) for a couple of the judges, and spent the rest of my time watching the awesome dogs and handlers.  When I wasn't working, I was taking pictures.  Here are some of my favorites.

On Friday the weather left a lot to be desired, and everyone was bundled up and taking shelter from the cold and wind.

Alan Mills usually has a dog in the hunt, so to speak, and he is always generous with his time and very supportive.


Brent Phelps and Pete made it all the way to the double-lift finals.

Brent was preparing for a shed, but it looks like he's about to conduct choir practice.

Jack Christensen and Durt are neighbors who live in Meridian near our farm.

Emil Luedecke and his dog, Zac, are veterans, well-respected by all the handlers. 


Is it my turn yet?

Kay Stephens and Jef prepare to pen their sheep.



Joann Hardy and Wyatt work on their shed.

Jamie Mitchell and Sweep...praise for a job well done.

But the fun wasn't over...far from it!  On Saturday, our good friends, Neal and Lana Caterson joined us for a while at the trial, then came out to spend Sunday with us at the farm.  We met the Catersons in 2014 when they parked next us us at Custer's Gulch RV Resort and Campground in Custer, SD.  They have been camping neighbors since then, as well.  Here are a couple of photos from the year that friendship began.



As well as this one from 2015.



Lana and Neal are down to only one pomeranian now, 19-year-old Happy (the little black fellow above) who was napping when we took this year's photo.  We cherish their friendship and were glad to see the three of them.  We look forward to many more meet-ups as we all continue to travel.