Progress

 When you’re in a hurry, time seems almost to stand still.  Everything takes longer than you thought.  Since making the decision to relocate full-time to the farm, we’ve been in “hurry up and wait” mode trying to bring all our plans together, hire contractors, arrange for road repairs and build a barn.  Tomorrow it will finally be October, and there is some tangible evidence that we’re moving forward.

For the last several weeks, work has been going on to rebuild our entrance gate to accommodate not only our fifth wheel and truck when the time comes, but before then to allow big trucks to bring in road and construction materials. 

Now the entrance work is almost finished.  Yesterday John rented a Ditch Witch and dug a trench to accommodate wiring for an automatic gate.  Once the road work is done, the new gate will be hung and we will be ready to wait for the next thing.  

 

We're excited to see progress...finally!  We will keep you posted.

YeeHaw!!!

We have another reason to celebrate!  On Saturday, Cody gave me everything I asked for at the Trail to the Cross Timed Arena Trial.  We ran out of time in the first trial, but managed to pen some very reluctant sheep to take second place in the second.  I'm so proud of him and look forward to upcoming trials between now and year-end.  Hopefully we'll have reason for even more celebrations.

Celebration!

We celebrate in September not only because it marks the beginning of fall, but especially because it’s an important birthday and anniversary month.  On the 4th we celebrate our friend Nine’s birthday; on the 18th, Rachel’s, and on the 24th, my mother’s.  She would have been 108 this year.

But these days the big September celebrations at our house honor the adoption anniversaries of Cody and Kota. 

On September 20, 2019, Cody jumped out of Jo Woodbury’s truck in Clearmont, WY, and into our hearts and lives.  He, Kota and Rue celebrated with Blue Bell on this very important anniversary.  Someone asked why he was the only one with his feet on the table, and I replied, "because he's a boy."  Cody is a joy and a pleasure, and we look forward to celebrating many more adoption anniversaries with him.  

This year isn't just about Covid-19; it is also a special anniversary year for Kota.  On September 23, 2010, in Buffalo Gap, SD, she threw herself into John's lap and reminded us again what life with a puppy is like.  Happy 10th Anniversary, my beautiful Dakota.  

Life with you has been anything but dull!  Here are some of my favorite photos from the past ten years.

At 10 months, all legs and energy

Dog tussles with Nickie

My first pack...Nickie & Lucky Dog taught me to hunt

I bagged this turkey gobbler all by myself

Never too big to be a lap dog

or to ask for a tummy rub

Fun traveling in the big truck

A portrait in the Black Hills

My stick signals it's time for a walk

Hiking with my second pack, Rue and Colt

Posing in the bluebonnets with Cody and Rue

Life is Good!

No longer a teenager, but still beautiful

We are blessed!

Target Practice

This week we indulged in one of our favorite activities, target practice.  On Thursday, our good friend, JJ, joined us at the farm for a long-overdue visit.  Jimmy Joe and I have known each other since childhood, and he and his wife, Nine, were our gracious host and hostess in Cambodia in 2012 and 2013.  We were thrilled when they moved back to Texas early this year, but haven't been able to get together because of Covid.  We missed seeing Nine, who was in Austin visiting her cousin this weekend, but we’re planning a longer visit in a month or so when it’s a bit cooler.  

But I digress.  Not only did we have time for chilled beverages, visiting on the back porch and a good steak dinner, JJ, John and I spent some time Thursday afternoon and Friday morning polishing our shooting skills.  

Targets made from sections of metal fence posts hang from the trees at our informal outdoor range below the upper stock tank and yield a satisfying “ping” when we are on the mark.

And, empty feed bags come with targets printed on the back for longer range shots.  

It was great fun, and if not especially proud of our prowess with firearms, at least we weren’t embarrassed.

JJ and John also tried to target the bass in our stock ponds, but were only able to land a couple of small ones.  Either we have harvested most of the big fish, or they were hiding out under the overhanging bushes. 

 

On Saturday, Cody and I enjoyed a different kind of target practice.  We joined friends in Bertram at Sheryl McDonald’s Destiny Farm for some sheep herding practice.  In this case, the “targets” were obstacles on the course, and the ultimate goal was penning the sheep.  

Sheryl worked sheep with Connie’s Brandy  and a couple of her smooth collies.

Pat Taylor put Trips and Claire through their paces while owners Susan and Carolyn cheered and took pictures.  (Thanks, Carolyn.  You got some good ones.)  

Cody and I had a great time, and I was pleased with his work.  (He even made his handler look good a few times.)  

Trips and Cody took turns holding sheep while the other fetched them, and both were calm and purposeful during the process.  Good dogs!  It’s hard for a dog to remain still when another dog come flying past to pick up the sheep, but both boys did well. 

Cody and I even tried a little shedding, with mixed results, but we had fun.

And Carolyn took some great photos of Trips and Cody.  (Could Trips be anticipating lamb chops for dinner?)

It was a very good day.