Gifts aren't the only things that are wrapped up during the Christmas season. We wrapped up a hectic, but wonderful year. Early December brought a trip to the farm with good friend Carol Hardaway and Gabby, her almost-fourteen-year-old border collie. Carol and I met over ten years ago when Gabby (who certainly doesn't look her age) and our Nickie were competing in canine agility. We have remained fast friends ever since, and enjoy these girls' weekends when we have the chance to get away. (Don't feel too sorry for John, though. He was at the deer lease with Rick Lorentz harvesting a couple of deer and a nice feral pig.)
Two more cows and calves were delivered just before we arrived, bringing our “herd” to 8 cows and The General, our Hereford bull. When we got to the farm, I found that our two new cows and their calves had settled in nicely, and that “Skinny Minnie” had a new baby calf.
Rue and I were responsible for penning our five big calves so they could be picked up and sent to the auction. She did a good job with the calves, and later helped to move the cows and bull into the creek pasture.
On Saturday, December 15, Rue and I drove to Meridian some 30 miles from the farm to attend a herding clinic at the home of Jack and Vivian Christensen.
Six or seven veteran handlers volunteered their time to help those less-experienced to develop skills necessary to enter trials with their border collies.
Vivian's pup, Tuff, isn't old enough to work sheep yet, but he was certainly interested.
Rue patiently waited her turn in her crate, knowing that she would soon have time with the sheep.
Six or seven veteran handlers volunteered their time to help those less-experienced to develop skills necessary to enter trials with their border collies.
Rue patiently waited her turn in her crate, knowing that she would soon have time with the sheep.
We didn't work the ewes with new lambs, but they sure were cute.
It was a great Saturday with good friends and their dogs.
And then we were home for Christmas.
The dogs wore their reindeer ears...briefly, but were much more interested in the new toys their stockings held.
The toys survived the day...somehow!
Gage and Cameron came over for Christmas lunch before returning to San Angelo where they are both students at Angelo State University.
We loved their short visit, then finished preparing for Christmas dinner with our friends Carol and Larry Hardaway and Kathy Clark and Bill Menzies.
As I was setting the table for our Christmas dinner, I was re-living Christmases past and thinking of my mother and my two wonderful mothers-in-law. The lovely red salad plates were a gift from my first mother-in-law, Audrey Wann, who lives in Tucson.
As I was setting the table for our Christmas dinner, I was re-living Christmases past and thinking of my mother and my two wonderful mothers-in-law. The lovely red salad plates were a gift from my first mother-in-law, Audrey Wann, who lives in Tucson.
The Spode plates and glasses were given to us by John's mother, Maxine Bagley Johnston, with whom we spent almost every Christmas Eve until last year when she passed away at age 97.
The beautiful sterling silver Francis First flatware and hand-painted pitcher and serving plate came from my mother, Evelyn Jones, who was a blessing every day of her almost 99 years.
Each time I use these special pieces, I think of them and all the good times we shared.
John fixed a delicious prime rib roast for dinner, and we enjoyed a special evening. I hope all of you did the same. (Sorry I didn't get a picture of the food; it disappeared too fast!)
Love from our home to yours. We hope all of you had a Merry Christmas,
and may God grant you a peaceful, prosperous and blessed New Year.
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