Happy Birthday, Dad

In honor of my dad and his special birthday today I am reposting my note to him here (scroll down) along with a few pictures of the wildflowers blooming today and a scissortail bird perching on a treetop. Dad has always taught me to love nature and all of God's creation, so these are for him today - a virtual flower delivery...

Happy Birthday, Dad! We thank God for you and the strong love you have for us and all of your family. I want to list 65 reasons we are thankful for you, but instead am going to list reasons for every decade of your life - and hope that this does not embarrass you too much.

1951-1961 We thank God that you were born into a loving family, that you honored your parents, and that you learned to care for others by helping your family take care of your sister, Tiny. 

1961-1971

We thank God that you excelled at learning in school, discovered your Faith and served your church as altar boy, and that you chose to share your life and have your first child - me!

1971-1981

We thank God that you completed college, worked hard toward goals to provide for your family and started a new chapter with Pattie and chose to share your life again and had Chane! 💕

1981-1991

We thank God that you continued to persevere in providing for your family, were a key figure in many things that have celebrated our family - both immediate and distant, and that you always managed to honor your parents and excel at your career as a supervisor.

1991-2001

We thank God that you helped Robert and I in our time of need as he went through the police academy, that you lavished much love on your two grandsons, Landon and David, with every chance you were given, and that you continued to work hard to provide for your family and celebrate them often. 

2001-2011

We thank God you survived these years of change and hardship, that you chose to give up one way of life for another, and that you began to be a great example to us all by taking in your father and being caregiver to him alongside Ellen.

2011-today

We thank God, Dad, that you are here, that you are growing only better with age, and that you have become the son, the father, and the grandfather that reflects God's love to us all as an example of how to live. Happy Birthday, Dad. Thank you for always giving.

Rock On

Amidst the 8 yards of bull rock he spread today - that's about one full dump truck's worth - Robert somehow managed to find these unique gems. :) The heart was a gift for me; the other one he affectionately adopted as his pet rock, Rocky - no bull.

My rock star -

God's Beauty in Color

This is a brightly colored hybridized variety of dotted blue-eyed grass, a perrenial from the iris family. These tiny flowers might be overlooked from afar, but to one on foot, their bright yellow eyes beckon a closer look that speaks to how simplicity is beauty. 

Things That Stick

Cactus needles on her muzzle are a tell-tale sign of good times for our boxer, Chloe, following her all-nighter with the ranch dog trio - Big Boy, Mini and Josh.

Thousands of hunting-dog hair clippings encasing my shirt are a tell-tale sign of several moments of doggie-love snuggle time in spurts between more formal grooming moments. Self-control is not Bandit's forte, but how can you resist that face? #stuckonyou

Giant animals with Texas-sized horns running toward Robert like big puppies to his call is a tell-tale sign that they are hooked. #hookemindeed

Saint Francis de Sales

Plains Wild Indigo

Today is Good Friday. It is good because some-One died so that life might come. After taking about 20 different snapshots of blooming wildfowers on the property, I have chosen to highlight this one for this very special day. 

Like the Plains Wild Indigo, Jesus became sin - aka death - so new life would be born. Even from this creation He teaches of His love. Who would ever think that the dead, dry bush on the left would be the key to the beautiful sprays of hopeful, yellow blooms displayed by the Wild Indigo on the right. Seeds that die are seeds that reproduce - and so it is with us. 

On this Good Friday, this simple flower speaks peace to me in the mystery of how hope is most always born of suffering. It makes zero sense to the world, but as such it is.

Hebrews 5:7-10 says it well ~

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard for his godly fear, and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchiz'edek. 

This saint says it well too~

If there be a true way that leads to the Everlasting Kingdom, it is most certainly that of suffering, patiently endured. -- St. Colette

May we collectively rejoice in our sufferings, moving ahead with every step in the hope of building a sure foundation for a Heavenly future. In our death to self, may He live in us. In Christ's obedience, may we follow suit and join our sufferings to His. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Plains Wild Indigo Cool Facts~

- used by Native Americans for medicines (stimulant and astringent)

- produces a blue dye when boiled

- roots were "toothbrushes" of old

- entire bush dies in late summer, turning a silverish color, breaks and tumbles about in the wind

- we cluster and use these as hiding spots for quail during hunts

Happy 2 Year Ampuversary

We've come a long way, baby . . . squirrel - 

Welcome, Grant!

A big WELCOME and we love you to our latest little grand-rancher - Grant Daniel Williams! Born February 9, 2016 at 8 pounds 4 ounces and 19 inches long! Thank You, Lord for this miracle! 

Today's Beauty

"Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.
    Let your glory be over all the earth." ~Psalm 57:11

From morning mist rising . . . 

to birds perching . . . 

to the moonrise . . . 

God's glory is singing all around us. 

Cut the Cable

To cut back on expenses we've decided to "cut the cable," as Robert says. He is also perusing the thought of putting his services up-for-hire, with a conditional required tip for rooves like ours. All went well, but he did say that our tin roof was "slicker than owl poop." This isn't really noteworthy, but I just like the picture and thought to share it.

Play Day

Every soul needs a play day. We are celebrating ours with a first time to worship at a beautiful cathedral in Austin, to eat double portions at Iron Cactus and to be accompanied by a pigeon missing part of its left leg - as well as a clever grackle who has lost his manners. :) 

Post-Guest Chore Day 2

Our priceless helpers . . . 

Chore 1 - cushion cleaning and 

stacking and

storing and

draining and 

bird mess removing. 

Chore 2 - remove the quail that didn't make it and

reward our helpers so there is no waste.

Chore 3 - bag quali and

seal the juices with a folded paper towel and

vacuum seal all and

repeat until all 200 or so are 

freezer ready.

Clean the sinew, stray feathers, lungs and other undesirables 

from each quail, one pot full at a time while listening to good music and enjoying eachother's company.

Stack them to dry a bit before bagging. 

Chore 4 - Do 12-14 loads of love in between the other chores and thank God for such peaceful work that has immediate and visible results. :) Sleeping well tonight . . .