Grandpa's Lil Helper

Last week we had the pleasure of enjoying our first grandgirl, Chelsea, hanging out and helping on the ranch. Besides her natural joyful disposition, one of the neatest things about her is her love of nature and her lack of fear. She is our joy! 

Driving to feed the cows -

First, we feed our friend, a young bull that's been sick - got him in seclusion -

Next, we feed the pretty heifers in the pasture across the street -

Now, we have to park and walk to the creek to see if they've been crossing here  or not - still wet from the floods - 

Chelsea says, "Wait! Where's Grandma?!" :)

Now back across the street and to drive the back roads to feed the other herd - 

Now to fill feeders for our deer friends -

Chelsea likes the surprise sounds and sprays of the feeder shooting corn -

On to another feeder - darn pigs got to this one - Grandpa will have to come back to rebuild -

A perfect way to put our precious lil grandgirl to sleep for naptime - 

R.I.P. sweet Tia

R.I.P. Tia

     The ranch's canine matriarch of many a hunting dog ended her duty here yesterday. She was our sweet Tia, an English cocker spaniel born in Tawneyhill, England, who served many years here as a faithful mother and huntress. She was obedient, loyal, simple, and just plain super sweet. These are the most recent snapshots we have of her getting special treatment with an in-house bathroom grooming. We thank God for such a precious creation that we were blessed to have enjoyed. Good night, Tia.

Bravery at the Ranches

Peanut, our reclusive and longstanding Methuselah of the property, is seen here in a rare moment of bravery, risking possible human contact to eat the nearby cat food - everything loves cat food...

Here we have the Mouse Patrolmen keeping a lofty watch in full cammo - find them if you can...

Meanwhile, at the other ranch we have Robert's hunting party this morning - brave souls duck hunting in a place infested with black widows and cottonmouths - a gentleman's sport done Texan style...

The least is the greatest with this hero archetype - our best friend, the hearty hunting dog, who fearlessly leads the way and lives for this moment...

Happy Saturday, and on another note, we celebrate the historic visit of our Holy Father Pope Francis as he travels within our nation this weekend with messages of God's truth and love...

RIP Deputy Darren Goforth

Today we found out that we lost a comrad yesterday: Deputy Darren Goforth. It also happens to be my birthday. My birthday wish and prayer is for the Lord's mercy and justice on behalf of those slain in such brutal violence. We thank God for Deputy Goforth's service and pray for mercy and justice for all, knowing that he served God himself by way of upholding peace and justice daily. Thank you, Deputy Goforth, for being the hand of God among us. We will remember you.

Romans 13Psalm 35

Stud Muffin

My Stud Muffin ranch man made some studly muffins for Sunday Funday!

Work

"Work is love made visible." -Khalil Gibran 

Sometimes even smellable . . . 

Catbox Fail

This morning, after about 30 minutes of frantically searching for her, I finally found our ratcha, Lolita. Led by her shamedly small whimpers I discovered her to be stuck here - 

- cold busted and trapped in her snack den due to the fact that the litter box entry/escape hatch is apparently not engineered for canines to exit. Today's lesson? Be very careful not to succumb to temptation so as to get yourself into a bunch of deep mess from which you cannot escape . . .