Life on the Farm: Three Farm Ducks Walk on Water

Our precious grandsons recently visited us here on the farm for a week and we had a blast. They love going out with their “Bahpah Moo-Moo” (the name the oldest gave his Grandpa years ago) to explore. Today, I’m sharing an experience they had one day while irrigating with their Bahpah. For those not acquainted with irrigation pipe, the “walking on water” describes the experience of walking on the white irrigation pipe that is filled with water. Enjoy!

Three farm ducks
 
Twiddle Duck, Middle Duck, and Little Duck 
went out on a summer’s day…
‘Don’t get too muddy or too very wet,’ 
They all heard MeeMaw say.
  
Well, Twiddle Duck said to the other two, 
“We won’t get very wet. 
I’ll show you how to walk on water. 
The best trick I’ve learned yet!” 
  
So off they went to Twiddle’s field
and walk on water they did 
‘Til Little Duck dipped and his Croc shoes slipped
and into the water he slid!
The three ducks waddled, giggled, and jiggled 
Till the others slipped in, too! 
And Middle Duck said, ‘Whoa, this water’s wet.
And I got some in my shoe!’
 
Back and forth the three ducks went 
Bobbing up and down. 
Twiddle danced and waved his legs 
And acted like a clown!
 
What a circus those three had 
all on a summer’s day 
When Twiddle, Middle, and Little Duck
Went out in the water to play!

Life on the Farm: “Moo” Cows or “Mow” Cows?

Another funny story. Jim can walk up to the pasture fence behind our house, call the cows, and they come running! It’s been a standing joke for years in our family that he can call his cows wherever they are. No one else could do it like he could. Well, now, I’ve bested him. The cows have figured out that I’ll feed them freshly-mown grass and bindweed (of all things, cows love bindweed!) every time I mow the yard. Sooo, all I have to do is start the lawn mower and here they all come running! I love it!!!   And they stand there mooing the whole time I’m mowing!!

Life on the Farm: Still Haying!

Jim went back to the field at 10:30 last night and returned around 3:30 or 4 am. Baled the next to the last field. He fluffed outside rounds on the last field and is hauling in what he baled during the night. We have only one field left; I’m so thankful. We had rain a couple of times, so three fields of hay got some damage. The hay won’t be prime and will probably go for cow hay. We also had the “break-down” cutting of our farming history, I think. One four wheeler broke down. The baler broke down — a major part that took a couple of days and a drive to Cortez, CO to get and repair.  The stackwagon broke down, also and did its little trick of not raising the first table when it’s supposed to. What fun!

I mowed everything in the yard this morning, and irrigated the lawn. Worked on my tomato plants Monday. I had put off getting cages around them, so I did that for the bigger ones. Some are quite wimpy this year and I don’t know why. Several died, and most that are left are cherry tomatoes.

Folks joke with Jim about farmers being big gamblers. I suppose that may be so, but it sure is hard work…that gambling!

Life on the Farm: The Marathon Has Begun!

We started baling hay today…our second cutting. Jim actually baled a couple of small fields last night and started early, about dawn on a bigger field. I took him breakfast and took over baling while he hauled. About halfway through hauling the first big field, the balewagon broke down. A major breakdown that will take till Monday afternoon to get fixed. I finished the big field and another field (the one we call Grandpa’s field because it once belonged to my Dad), while a couple of neighhbors helped Jim take off the part (what a blessing our neighbors are). We are soo thankful this happened before noon, as most shops close at noon on Saturday. As it is, the shop he took it to will start on it first thing Monday, and we should get it back by that afternoon.  In the meantime, we continue baling, baling, and baling!

God gives us trials as well as the good times.

James 1:2  Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Does God use everyday trials to strengthen our faith? I definitely believe He does. He wants us to depend on Him in all things! So when we have trials (even tho we don’t feel like it sometimes…lol), we should be thankful, cuz He’s workin’ at us to strengthen our faith!

‘Fess up, chin up, look up, and watch the blessings rain down!

Country Conversations: Weeding out the Ugly Stuff of Life

Worked in the yard this morning. I’m always impressed at how quickly weeds can choke out the “good stuff” when not tended. I had to use my tough gardening shears to cut out some that had taken over in the back yard. My life gets that way, too, at times. If not tended to and given the proper care, obnoxious “weeds” take over. Negative conversation and thoughts… suspicions, jealousy, and anger…can multiply quickly and choke out all positive thoughts.  Such thoughts affect how we feel about ourselves, others, and life in general.

I’ve learned that a daily dose of scripture and lots of prayer help keep the “weeds” out (or at least whimpering in the background) of my life. When I neglect the Word and conversations with God, the weeds creep back in and negative thoughts once again crop up.

One of my favorite scriptures comes from Philippians 4:6-8.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

A friend who was dying of cancer emailed me these verses shortly before she went home to be with the Lord. When frustrations mount, I think of the peace she found in the midst of pain and suffering and return to the scriptures, praying for strength and peace. There is power there, and the weeds lose!!

Have a God-blessed day!

The World Around Us: Box Canon Ouray, CO

A couple of weeks ago, we visited Ouray, CO and hiked through Box Canon. Another marvel of God’s creation! After hiking up a long flight of stairs and a steep trail, one can stand on High Bridge 300 feet above Canyon Creek and look down on Box Canon Falls below. (The highest point of the trail is 8100 feet.) Below the bridge, hikers can descend to the falls (be prepared for noise and lots of mist). Below is a picture of Box Canyon as it appears looking down from High Bridge. 

From the falls below, you can see High Bridge (picture above). Hope this above and below stuff isn’t too confusing!

 

The World Around Us: Chaco Canyon

Last Saturday we visited Chaco Canyon with friends (my first visit). What an amazing place it is! And no crowds. Just lots and lots of ruins to discover and a great hike to the top of the mesa overlooking the ruins. If you haven’t been there, I’d recommend it. It’s a good twenty miles off highway 44 south of Bloomfield and much of that isn’t paved, so be ready for a road you could wash your shirts on! Washboard plus. But I enjoyed it more than Mesa Verde, which we’ve visited several times. The trail up and down the mesa is fun, but you won’t want to try it if your legs bother you at all…it’s rocky and steep in places.

The canyon’s inhabitants developed a super-complicated process to determine the equinox and solstice, a tool they used to decide when to plant and harvest, evidently. Truly impressive!

The beauty of God’s creation and the creativity and intelligence he blesses us with are truly mind-boggling. One can experience the evidence of both at Chaco.

The World Around Us: Canyon de Chelly

 

Yesterday we drove over to Canyon de Chelly. I’d never been there. What a treat that was! I was amazed at the Creator’s handiwork as we drove along the south rim of the canyon. The Navajo people still live and farm at the base of the canyon, and ruins also remain there. We hiked to the bottom to see the “White House” ruins. That was an interesting trek, to say the least. They say it’s two and a half miles round trip, but by the time we returned to the rim we were sure it was longer! (Of course, at 60 all paths seem longer than they really are!) The trail you see in the picture above leads (once you’ve hiked the mostly rock trail down the 600 foot side of the canyon) to the White House Ruins (below).  The “White House” section is at the top and middle of the ruins.

Below are couple of pictures of the the trail down the side of the canyon.

 

Once we caught our breath and drank another quart or so of water, we continued on to Spider Rock, an impressive rock tower that rises from the floor of the canyon. Totally amazing! I took several pictures from different angles. Note the campers to the left of the tower (between the trees and the road) in the next picture, and the stream to the left of the tower and the road in the following picture.

 

Life on the Farm: Of Blooms and Bunnies

The roses are blooming finally. I love the color of this one. Looks like I need to treat it though. Need to dig out my gardening book! Also visited with this little bunny on my walk this morning! Never a dull day on the farm!

Country Conversations: The Patio’s Finally Functional!

 

Cleaned the patio day before yesterday. The neighbor kitty came to help again, (I love that cat!) but didn’t stay around long when the dust started whirling. It’s been hot here and we finally hooked up our air conditioner. Nights are warmer, too, but still wonderfully cool, just not freezing weather! I do most of the outside work and walking in early morning or evening. Worked in my “garden” this morning after my walk. It’s an interesting one this year. We decided to use old protein barrels for tomato and pepper planters. I’m waiting to see if it works well. It definitely takes lots less work and water!

 Guess it’s time to get those hummingbird feeders going next. Poor little birdies!