Holiday Celebrations

December is such a busy month. Not only is it Christmas but it is a month of many birthdays and Anniversaries in my family. Today is December 28, My oldest daughter and her husband were married 25 years ago today. There are mixed emotions about getting married at Christmas time. You are so busy doing Christmas, that the special time for you to celebrate your anniversary is sort of put aside until a later time. I know....I was married on December 14th. My mother, daughter, one granddaughter, 6 nieces and nephews and a brother have birthdays in December. Well my brother was fortunate enough to be born on January 1st but it is all in the same time frame. We have had other family members with anniversaries and birthdays but they are now the exfamily members. I have friends that were born on Christmas Day. That is special!!! You share a birthday with Jesus. They thought they never had a birthday though as they were too busy enjoying the excitement of Christmas.

Today I say "HAPPY ANNIVERSARY' to Dawn and Leslie. And "HAPPY BIRTHDAY " to Popcorn on the 30th. You know that I am going to be busy the next few days with all of my family coming home to celebrate these things. It is the time that we will have our "Holiday Celebration". We have so much to celebrate and a lot to be thankful for.

On the lighter side...When you are young, you have aspirations that never come to pass, as we age, we reminiscence of things that never really happened. And that my friends is the truth.

Have a Happy New Year and allow God to be an important part of you everyday.

Santa Remembered

This is a true story about me when I was almost three years old. I know it is hard to believe that I can remember something that long ago when I can't find what I had yesterday. This was such a traumatic thing that I didn't like Santa Claus for a long time. Santa always came to our house a few days before Christmas to see how we were acting and to be sure he had our wants on his list. We lived in a very rural area and electricity had not even came to the area. The year was 1947, so for all you young people, I have lived in a way that you cannot imagine. I remember my mother standing at the cabinet washing the supper dishes. We did not have water in the house either. My dad was in the barn doing the evening milking. This is what happened.


Santa Remembered

When I was nearly three years old
And christmas time was near,
My folks told me that Santa Claus
Would very soon appear.

I really didn't know too much
About this jolly old Christmas Elf.
But they told me he would bring some toys
For sister Patty and myself.

I wanted a new red wagon
And I tried to be ever so good
So 'Clanty Laus' would stop for a visit
In the Harmon Neighborhood.

He would come by and check us out early,
So much to my sisters delight,
One evening, he tapped on the window
And I never had such a fright.

This hairy, red face in the window
Was Santa--who I'd heard all about
"Go away and where is my daddy?"
I started to cry and to shout.

"Your daddy, "old Clanty Laus told me,
Is down in the barn milking cows,
I stopped for a quick visit with him
and he sent me up here to the house."

Now who was this guy in this red suit?
The one with the white flowing hair.
This surely isn't dear 'Clanty Laus',
Giving me such a bad scare.

Mamma wanted me to go and talk to him,
Patty thinks he's a jolly nice man.
I think that he is really quite scary
And would he leave just as fast as he can?

Ole 'Clanty Laus tried to be friendly
And said he thought he could bring
The toys that each of us wanted,
Then my sister started to sing.

The songs that we all sing at Christmas
Of Santa and the Babe' in the hay.
Santa asked me to sing along with her
I told him to "Just Go Away".

Then we all heard the reindeer start pawing
So 'Clanty Laus said "I must run".
And then as he left, Daddy came to the house
And said, "Gee, I missed all of the fun."

I can still see all of this in my mind today. Later, I sit on Santa's lap at the one room Harmon School. The next year, when Santa Came for his visit, I was prepared.

Happy Birthday Baby

 

Happy Birthday Andi. I guess I won't mention how many years ago we were so proud of our baby girl. We are still proud. Andrea is the one on the left, Grandma Dolly, who will also have a birthday this month is in the middle and Jaimie, Andi's beautiful cousin is on the right.

Have a great day today and know that you are loved.

Bring them Down

Isn't this just a neat picture. We were so blessed to watch them bring these "woolies" down from the high country. Summer was over and they were taking them to a different location for winter.

We had a small sheep herd at one time. The Rancher has tried about everything. We had 100 ewes and it was an experience. I am sure some of our neighboring confirmed cattlemen would never agree that there could be anything good about them. Our children learned a lot with them. One thing in particular was how to move fast when one particualr ram was around.

I never did care for mutton. I guess that makes me a true cattle rancher. They did bring us in a profit at a time when we needed it though so it was something we were thankful for.

The preditors soon learned when lambing season was and our years as sheepherders was short lived.

Is it Christmas ALREADY?????

When I was a child, December was a long time coming. Maybe because it was hard to try to be ever so good. I knew that I had to be on my best behavior as Santa might fill my stocking with nothing but rocks or coal if I was naughty.

Now, as I approach Old age (did I say that?) December comes about every 3 months. No kidding, I just get over thinking I did a pretty good job on gifts this year when it is time to start over. I love Christmas and the season it represents but someimes I don't like what it has become.

There are sooooo many things. And that is just what they are....THINGS. At this age in my life, which is really middle age, (tee hee) there is nothing that I really need. Now my grandchildren all need things. Most of them, I don't even know what they are and I am not into technology enough to even find out. I know every year I go through this.

I love that the little ones really don't know about all of the Things that are available. They are happy with what they get. As they get older, I try to get something they really want, but there comes a time when Money is the answer. It is always the right size and color and they hardly ever want me to take it back.

Myself, There is nothing that I really want. I have so much clutter that I have become attached to and my house is just not that big. I guess what I really want is for the season to be what God intended it to be. A celebration of the birth of a Savior. I am so thankful for this gift. It is also one size fits all and once you have it, you won't send it back. God gave of Himself and that is the most wonderful gift of all.

A little Box of Treasures

I was recently visiting with my mother and she was trying to clean out things that had belonged to my paternal grandmother. She gave me a couple of boxes to bring home to sort through. The boxes are small and have newspaper articles and a lot of papers with writing on them.

My grandmother was a poet. She was also very frugal and never wasted anything. She also was a keeper of things. It was an interesting afternoon going through the papers.

I found a wrapper for cigarette papers with a birthday greeting written on it,

Some will send cards
With Birthday wishes
I came to visit
And help with the dishes.

Everything she gave had a little verse written on it. I know this is something that came to her and she didn't want to forget.

I found a letter from a little girl written in 1954.

Dear Grandma,

How are you, We are doing okay. We hope to come and visit you soon. I am learning Barbara how to write her abc's. She is writing to you to.

The little girl was me. The letter was still in the envelope. I enjoyed finding it.

There was a list of names. Neighbors and family of my grandparents. At the bottom of the list was written. "Guests in our home for Sunday dinner, August 17, 1923."

There were obituaries of family members and friends.

Poetry,

A lot of pictures and information about Gutherie, Oklahoma and area at the time of the "Land Run".

Pictures, letters and plans for reunions of the Coulter School in Indian Territory.
She was one of the first students to attend this school when it was established in the early 1890's. There was a letter from her teacher, Mr. Coulter, for whom the school was named. There was also a Christmas card from him dated in 1941. He must have been very young when he started teaching in that little one room school.

I could go on about what I found, but what I really found was a good visit with my grandmother and some of the things that she treasured for many years. That is a treasure to me.

I know that I will keep what is in that little box. I will make copies and share but even the little notes written on scrap paper and the back of advertisements are valuable to me.

Will we be able to leave these same things to our grandchildren? Well, maybe, if we put it all on a disc.

I am Thankful

I can never begin to tell all of the things that I am thankful for. The list is unending and gladness comes into my heart as I sit and think about so many of the things.

I am Thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who loved me so much that He provided a way for me to spend eternity with Him. I am thankful for Jesus who made it possible.

I am Thankful for my family. The one that I grew up in, my parents, sisters, brothers and the grandparents and Aunts and Uncles. So many happy memories were made spending Thanksgiving Days with them.

I am Thankful for my husbend, the Rancher and the family that we have. Our Children, their spouses, grandchildren and each one as they join our family circle. They have each brought something special into my life.

I am Thankful for my friends, the ones who have passsed through and gone on and the ones that have remained a part of my life throughout the years. Each one was there at the right time.

I am Thankful for my Church, the community that I live in and the people who make it what it is.

I am Thankful that I live in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. It is my country and I am proud. I cannot imagine living anywhere else.

I am Thankful that I live in this desolate land of the Panhandle and can look out and see the sunrises and sunsets that God so lovingly paints in the sky.

I am Thankful for the cardinals that are feeding at the feeder and the quail on the ground.

Does this sound boring. I could just go on and on but the list is unending.

Count your blessing this week instead of your sorrows and woes and you will know that you too are truely blessed and have so much to be Thankful for.

The Rockies in the Fall

When we visited the Rockies in September, I did not have my head on. When I started to take pictures, my camera kept showing it was out of memory. Now I knew that I had cleaned my chip up when I put it in my computer. Bingo! my chip was at home in the computer. My sister took so many great pictures and she sent them to me. He is a great picture of the colors.


Wayne enjoyed doing some trout fishing. He never caught anything but finally learned how to make the line wave in the air as he was casting it out. Almost made you think you were watching "A River Runs Through It." We had a great time. and for the life of me I cannot remember how to get these pictures where I want them. Enjoy anyhow.

Trees

I know it is fall as the leaves are turning and drifting to the ground. There are piles of them under the China Berry and apricot trees. The Wind bent Elms selfishly hang on to theirs. The Elms on the plains are not graceful, but they bend in the wind and eventually grow in a northward arch. We have more south wind. My mother was astounded that I would let an elm tree grow on this barren hill, 45 years ago. I had planted many varieties ordered from catalogs and purchased at nurseries. Our clay and caliche soil refused to let them mature.

After many dollars, a lot of digging, and trying one kind of tree after another, I learned to appreciate what God had planted. The elm seeds drifted in from the neighbors to the south and perched in my garden, flowerbeds and right in the holes that I had dreamed of a large maple growing to shade the house. I cut them down, I hoed them up, I pulled them and even sprayed them. The maple trees died, the elms did not.

I finally gave up and moved my garden spot so the elms could grow and let God shade my yard in his own fashion. Elms and elm beatles are not my favorite but the shade that the tree offers as I sit in the swing, with a cold drink, after working in the yard is a blessing from God. He knew what would grow on the hill and I thank Him for showing me.

Over the years, we have a wonderful shelterbelt of pines and cedars. Hidden in them are mulberry, hackberry and olive trees. There are even a few locust and elms. I let them all be and enjoy the bounty of birds that visit my yard each day. Cardinals at the feeder by the window, were a blessing from God this morning.

Cream of the Seasons

This poem was in our church bulletin today. I don't know who the Author is but it is just so full of color and has a truth of the Autumn.


The harvest moon has long since passed;
Our crops are taken in at last--
North wind's blowing bleak and chill;
Frost coats the valleys, fog the hills.

As colored leaves drift slowly down,
The earth takes on a patchwork gown--
Now all can snuggle safe and sound;
No need to venture far around.

The farm assumes a quiet peace,
As frantic paces can decrease,
And one can sit and muse and dream--
Fall is the country's richest cream.


And now that the time has changed, the pace will slow down and evenings will be for sharing and playing games with family, friends but mostly the Rancher who lets me win an occassional game.

Early Morning Trips

Starting out early in the morning, traveling down the highway, is an adventure. In our desolate area of the state, we don't worry about the traffic so much as we do the wildlife. We pray we can keep the lights on bright and it takes all eyes on the road in front of us.

Early yesterday, we needed to make a trip to the City. This is a 4 hour trip so we left very early. The deer were very cooperative and stayed on the shoulders of the road as we passed by. We had gone about 40 miles when the rancher and I both went into a panic. A skunk was running at a high speed towards our side of the road.

He went in front of us....

The Rancher was applying the brakes......

By the grace of God, we did not hear a thud, feel a crunch or smell the tell tale of our victim.

We missed him.

As we traveled home last night, I watched in the area we had encountered Mr. Skunk (or was is Miss Skunk) and there was no evidence that one had been in that area.
No road Kill.

Thank you God for letting us make the trip and not be offensive as we sit in parking lots. I think the skunk was even too scared to leave his calling card. We were blessed.

The Last Hooray!!!!

There is one week every October that friends and family gather at our favorite lake for the last campout of the season. This has been going on for many years. It started out with friends taking advantage of the fall break from school. Many of us worked in the school system and our husbands are avid fishermen. We enjoyed this time together. We wanted our grandchildren to have some of the fun so we started taking them. All of their parents grew up together, and it was only right that they should be friends too. They did not live in the same towns, but they flock in at this time of the year, EVEN if they have to play HOOKY. My brother and favorite sister-in-law have even joined the group.

It was soon apparent that we were having too much fun so the grown up kids joined in on the fun too. It is something that we look forward to. The Rancher is proud of his family of fishermen. They love to go out on the pontoon and spend the day but as you can see from other family blogs, they get impatient and some are at the dock fishing even before the sun comes up. One grandson would rather fish than anything else unless it is to hunt.

I love this time and one of my favorite things to do is to go shopping. I am not your run of the mill shopper, hitting the malls and fashion shops in the city. I am a junk store, antique, garage sale bargin hunter. I visit one of my favorite shops each fall when I go fishing. This year I was so pleased to find my favorite brand of jeans for only $2 a pair. They are nearly new and heavy denim. I don't like the thin stretchy kind that is of the rage today, but I like the old durable kind that will keep me warm as I chore during the winter. The girls found some great buys too. We are never disappointed.

As estate sales and garage sales were in progress we naturally had to see what they were all about. We were handed a box and told to fill it. Now there were $3, $4, and $6 boxes. Can you imagine what you can get in a box. This lady had been a seamstress and quilter. Did we ever have fun. We bought fabric, quilt blocks, lace, zippers, dolls, books, and more and more goodies. A box will hold a lot of treasures. When we were back at camp, we had to try to remember who wanted what. We even went back the next day to see if we missed anything and of course we had.

We had a great time. Our Pastor was also in our camping group,. He is a camper and fisherman too and as most of his congregation from our little country church were off on an adventure....He came too. We enjoyed a wonderful church service by the lake on Sunday morning. We had our song leader with his guitar and music filled the air. I don't know what the others campers felt, but they sure missed a great service by not joining in with us. After church services, everyone started packing to leave, some stayed for a few more days, but our family had to go to work and school and check on things on the ranch. We will talk about our great time at "Fall Break" until we start to pack the camper and enjoy it again next year.

AEFOPZ DH2BMQ CAN YOU READ THIS LINE.

Recently the Rancher and I went for our every few year eye exam. Now I go on a regular basis as I admit that I am pretty limited without my glasses. The Rancher is okay. He is not getting old... and his eyesight is okay. His trouble is with the new glasses that he got only 5 years ago and the prescription never was right.

So, we both need new glasses and guess what. He may be right...His eyes have improved 3 stages from what they were years ago. His reading range needed a little correcting but his far range vision is 20/20. Pretty good for an old guy.

Anyhow.....this is where I am going with this story. Yesterday morning after breakfast as we were getting ready for devotion, the Rancher was having a commotion and rubbing his eyes. "I can't see a thing with these glasses this morning." he informs me. "My right eye has been giving me fits all morning. After a show, I offered to read out of the Bible and the devotional book that we use. When devotion and prayer time are finished, he gathers up his things and tells me he has a really busy day and needs to be going.

Shortly after he leaves, I notice something shiny on the floor. It is the right lens out of his glasses. I called him and told him I knew why he couldn't see. I couldn't believe that he hadn't tried to clean them and noticed that. I did learn that he had dropped them when he first put them on and never thought about picking up ALL of the pieces.

Growing older is fun if you learn to laugh a lot.

While driving through Colorado we followed a large truck that had a message on it which said: STAY BACK 500 FEET....SENILE DRIVER AT THE WHEEL. I would like to have one of these if anyone knows where they are available. (I don't like to be tailgated)

Along the Rio Grande

I have returned from my fabulous vacation to the Rockies. It was simply beautiful!!!
the aspens were a sight to behold. I am so glad we were able to go on this little adventure. Everything was breathtaking. I took pictures. When we were on the top of the divide looking across at the valleys below..I took pictures. The Rio Grande in all of its splendor....I took pictures. Wait a moment...What is this message on my camera? No memory? How can this be..I emptied my card on a disc before I left home and OH NO!!!! the card is at home in my computer.Am I getting a little senile in my old age? Naw, forgetful maybe, but not Senile.

Anyhow, I bought a disposable camera and have not developed the thing and my dear sister who we traveled with promised to share some of her pictures with me. She has a wonderful camera and she didn't leave anything at home. (Give her another 5 years)

We camped by the Rio Grande and were fortunate enough to be next to a stretch of railroad that had been recently opened for the tourist thing. We did not know this. The first night about dark thirty we heard a train whistle and it came to a stop. By the way, this was a jazzed up spike driver car turned touring car. It had 18 passengers and was making a maiden Full Moon run. The passengers made a rest stop at the facilities in our primitive camp area. We found out about the train rides and learned that we could go from our camp ground to Creede round trip for only $30 a piece. A little costy, but I imagine it was a beautiful ride, especially in the moonlight along the Rio Grande. The real beauty in the whole thing was the Full Moon shining on the golden aspens. It was a beautiful sight to see. I hope that I shall get to see it again sometime. The entire mountain valley was shinning at the late hour.

The next morning when we took our morning walk past the facilities in camp...we decided this was not only a a Full Moon run of the Durango and Rio Grande RR, it was really a Booze Cruze. The bottles and wine glasses told it all. I think they did have a good time though and I hope that no one fell in as they passed over the Rio Grande.

The next day, the RR car made other runs and was followed by several little cars that were once used by the section line men. Each one of them held 2 or 4 people. Now I think that would be fun and who knows, maybe next year I will pay my $30 and just ride the rail up to Creede instead of drive.

Stay tuned for another story of our adventures in the Rockies coming to Blogspot in the near future.

Away we Go

In the morning we shall be on our way to Southwestern Colorado. We haven't been to that area for nearly 30 years. I have no excuse for that other than we just had other places to go. I am looking forward to seeing the area around South Fork again. I am sure it has changed drastically as all of the quaint, quiet places have that we visited for seclusion. Years ago, the Great Aunts and Uncles lived in the area but alas, they are all gone. I will think of them as we pass by.

We will be traveling with my younger sister and her husband who go to this area every chance they get. He is a fisherman and she is a wonderful photographer. Maybe I will have some pictures to post when I return. I wonder if the Elk will be in rut.....This is a sight to see and the noise is almost overpowering. I know that the bears have been troublesome in other areas that we have visited this year. I hope to see some. I don't want a close encounter with them but just a good view.

I hope to have a good story to tell when I return next week. The temperatures will be much cooler than her so I am packing my winter PJ's and warm clothes. I am looking foward to the change.

The Hunt is On!

We had a wonderful weekend with our family and friends. It was a 3 day weekend because of Labor Day but most of all it was the opening of Dove Season. The guys and grandsons cannot wait for the first of September as it officially is the beginning of Hunting for the rest of the year. They had a lot of luck and we are ready for a feast. Now I do not know how to cook them but....the hunters do. They also know how to clean them. That is one of my rules. My mamma taught this to me and I have not forgotten it. My mother in law never knew this rule. She gladly cleaned, and cooked whatever the men in her family brought in while they rested from their big adventure.

Now I am not oppossed to cooking it but the dressing and cleaning of thier game is just part of THE game. I do know that dove or quail marinated and cooked on the grill is very tasty but I am not even asking for the recipe. If I knew the proceedure, I would be expected to cook it. There is no reason to learn that at my age. I will let my daughters have that honor, if they choose, and I will enjoy the fruits of their labor. I did tell them the rules though so I hope that they will remember them.

This Game was a Flop!

In my younger days, I played basketball. I loved playing basketball and as I was a tall girl, I started playing in our small school quite young. I was so proud when I was asked to play in a Jr. High Tourmament for the small schools in the area. I was in heaven, as I was only in the 6th grade.

I thought I was just pretty special as none of the other girls in my class were asked to play. We had all played basketball since starting school and it was the game to be played in small schools in our area.

We were in the finals and I was playing in the forward position. This was in the days of six players and Oklahoma had not started playing full court yet. Each team had 3 players on each end of the court and the center line divided our territory.

Now, being in the 6th grade, I was not as socially developed as the girls in the 8th grade. I was not afraid to play the game but something happened this day that I did not know how to handle.

My bra strap came unfastened. In early times, there were no sports bras and bras had adjustable straps. These straps were known to come undone at the most unconvenient times. This was the day. I did not think of being prepared and pinning my straps in the event this would happen. I had not had this happen in my short time of wearing a bra.

The game was close, We had the ball and I was holding my arm close to my side so nothing would flop. Coach was yelling at me to "get in the game" and pay attention.
Then the unthinkable happened. MY OTHER STRAP CAME LOOSE. I looked at the coach, called timeout and ran to the locker room. I was too embarassed to tell Mr. Coach what had happened.

I don't even remember what happened after that. I can't remember if we won the game. I just remember the humiliation and I ALWAYS, SAFETY PINNED MY BRA STRAPS after that.

I played in a lot more basketball games and tournaments but I will never forget the first time I played with the big girls.

My Prayer this evening.

Father, I pray that you be with my sick friends and family today.
I know that you love them and that you have a plan for their lives, but it is so hard to watch them suffer. Hold their families in your arms and give them comfort and peace. Your will in our lives is the perfect will, for you know what tomorrow holds and we pray that we can let you be in charge and not try to take control of things. I have trouble doing that sometimes. Thank you for listening to me. I love you and I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen

Why I Never Get Anything Done

Last night as I went to bed, my thoughts were in high gear about what I was going to do today. I had a list and I had a plan. I went to bed at 9:30 because I was so tired. This heat really drains me.

At exactly 7 A.M. this morning I awoke. This is one hour past my normal time. I am already behind with the schedule that I had made for myself. After breakfast, devotion, and a short chat with The Rancher, I decided to tackle the kitchen. Before I started, I found someone had brought me peaches so they had to be taken care of. It is now 9 o'clock. I talk to Andi and find out about the sick granddaughter, this takes 15 minutes. This is my vitamin A for the day, gets me started. After I hang up I clean off all of the kitchen cabinets. I stash so many things on them. I don't know why I don't just put things away in the first place.
The phone rings--It is Mom. She thanks me for the visit yesterday and we chat for 10 minutes. I sweep the kitchen floor, the entryway and front bathroom. While I am in the bathroom, I clean it.

Back to the kitchen..it is now 10:30. The Rancher wants early lunch. I prepare some fresh vegetables and peel potatoes. I fix chicken fried steak while the potatoes are cooking. I quickly mop the kitchen. LOVE THAT SWIFFER. Finish lunch and load the dishwasher. I have bought a new kitchen faucet and hope to install it today.

The Rancher wants to go to the local quick stop and have a soda and see if there is anyone to visit with. I go along. The thermometer on the porch says 107.8 the one in the truck says 108. IT IS HOT!!!! When we get home it is 4:30. My sweetie prepares to install the faucet. YEA!!! We get it installed with no mishaps and no extra pieces. Our Son comes in and wonders what was wrong with the old one. I told him if he thought it was so nice he could put it in his kitchen. He declined. My sister calls. We talk about her garage sale tomorrow. My husbands mom calls.

So....
I did get some of the things accomplished, but not half of them. What I did do was visit with my daughter, Mom, husband, the neighbors at the Quick Stop and later Son, my sister and my other Mother. So it was a good day.

The Joys of Summer

Summer is a wonderful time of year when you are a kid and have two full months of freedom from school, homework and schedules. It is a wonderful time for teachers too. The last day of school for the year is met with great anticipation of the things that are ahead. Summer was never long enough, when I was a kid, there was always so much to do in the little towns that I grew up in. My earlier years were spent in the County Seat and all of my relatives lived nearby. I had a lot of friends that lived up and down the block too. It was a great time in the late 40's and early 50's to be a kid. No one worried about you walking down town to the local drug store for a soda or playing in the park alone or riding your bike around town in the cool dusk of the evening. There were no strangers in our town. Everyone knew everyone else and if a stranger came around.....everyone knew it. The only kidnapping we had ever heard of was the Lindburgh case and that was a long time ago.

Some of my favorite memories of summer were spent with Grandparents and at the cousins houses. They all lived in the country and I was in town. The farm had so many places to explore and we also had jobs. My family taught their children a work ethic as soon as they were big enough to handle a hoe, sit on a milk stool or gather the eggs and feed the chickens. A young girl also learned to make the beds, iron and help with the kitchen and household chores.

One of the busiest times in our family was when grandma's orchard started to produce. My paternal grandparents had a huge orchard with fruit that included peaches, apricots, cherries, apples, grapes, blackberries, pears, dewberries and raspberries. I doubt that my grandmother ever bought fruit unless it was pineapple. She even raised her own melons and peanuts. The wild sandhill plums were used for jams and jellies and even cobblers. I didn't much like the cobblers as the seed was left in the plum and had to be spit out.

When the fruit was ready, the entire family that was available came and we went to work. Each one had a bucket and we picked the fruit of the season. We sorted, washed, and prepared the fruit for the jars for canning. This was before freezers in our area. It was almost before electricity in that area. My grandma, Mom, and the Aunts, would get the fruit packed and start the job of processing. Part of the fruit was canned, part of it made into jelly and jams, and some of it was eaten fresh. The childrens job, after the picking, was to stay out of the way. We were glad to mind.

I can remember Grandma's kitchen floor being so sticky from all of the business of the fruit. When we walked across it, our shoes would click as we lifted them up, juice and sugar have a way of getting where they shouldn't be. Some of the things that we did get to help with was pitting the cherries, with the wonderful cherry pitter and peeling the apples. Grandmas also had an apple peeler. After the apples were peeled and cored, those peelings were cooked down and the juice was made into jelly. Nothing was wasted.

I have had a good crop of fruit this year. The apricots were plentiful and the sandhill plum bushes have been loaded. I am amazed at the people who would rather buy a jar of jam or jelly at the store than take the time to gather the rewards that God has provided for us. Gathering plums with my grandchildren was a special treat this summer. The younger ones spent most of the time exploring the plum thicket and eating but that is what it is all about. Grandpa, the kids, grandkids, and I had a special time together. I cherish that.

I HAVE COME FULL CIRCLE.

Happy Birthday Dawn

 

Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter. She has grown into such a beautiful person. Of course she was a beautiful little girl. Don't you love that smile. She loved her horses and loved helping her Dad. That was a few years ago. We are proud of her and her family. First children always have it a little rough you know,as the parents have to learn on them. I always used that for an excuse anyhow. Dawn we are proud of you and your family. Have a Happy Birthday.

What Time is it Anyhow??

I Have too many clocks in my house. At least I have a lot of things that have the time on them. I don't know how this happened. It has a lot to do with the fact that everytime I buy something electronic--it has clock--watch--timepiece or whatever you want to call it made into it. In my kitchen alone are 5 different things that I can look at if I want the time. Well, actually, the approximate time, as none of them say the same thing. That would be partly my fault as I am the one who sets them. The digital ones on the stove, microwave, coffeemaker, and phone all blink when the electricity glitches, and that happens about once a day in the heat of the summer. I finally decided not to set the one on the microwave and coffeemaker. I fix the stove as it continually blinks if you don't and the phone resets itself. I really do enjoy the big clock on the wall with the hands that move slowly around and is pretty much right until I need to change the battery.

In the living room, I have a beautiful Grandfather Clock, inherited from a great Aunt. I love this clock, but it gains about 5 minutes every week and I am not sure how to slow it down as I did not inherit a book of instructions. There is also the proper time at the press of a button on the TV. Part of the day, there is a cell phone laying about the house showing me exacatly what time it is.

In each of the 3 bedrooms, there is a bedside clock. I just know that my company will want to know if they are oversleeping at my house in the morning. They may even want an alarm to wake them. HA! Through the years I have acquired the habit of having a clock in each of the 2 bathrooms. When my children were at home, this was suppossed to hurry them along and let them know that 15 minutes was long enough when someone else was waiting to get ready for school. I have a clock on the radio in the sewing room along with a decorative clock that my son bought for me.

The Den has the time on the computer, on the phone and a lovely barn timepiece hangs on the wall. At anytime, there are about 15 different places that I can look to see just what time it is. They all say different things. Oh the phones and computer are probably right as they are set with some satellite in the sky. The rest are set by me and I am not perfect.

In the home that I grew up in, we had a clock in the kitchen, and one in the bedrooms to get us up in the morning. My grandmother, carried her clock from the kitchen to the bedroom and back. She only had one clock, never a watch and probably was more on time than any of us are today.

For some reason, I have never put a clock in the utility room and Thank goodness, the washer or dryer does not have one. That's okay though as I am just passing through that room. I am glad that no one has bought me a clock for the patio or the porch, I think that would be the last straw. I just try to consider which clock I am looking and take a stab at the right time and be on my way, and I hope that I am not too late. That's my excuse and I am stickin' to it.

Summer Fruit

If you have read Andi's Ramblings or It Just Dawned On Me---You know that our family has been blessed with abundant apricots. Unfortunately, I do not have batteries for my camera and they are dead. I am not as fanatic over cameras and pictures as my daughters are. Shame on me. It might be that I grew up in a time when we didn't take pictures just to be taking them. I guess I just never got addicted to it. Anyhow just ask my daughter, Andi, as she can tell you that a roll of film of her eighth birthday party was finally developed when she was 20 years old. Not as clear as it could have been, but none the less we got the pictures, and proof of who broke the lamp.

Back to the reason for this addition to Perils of the Sandcreek Ranch. We did and still do have a wonderful crop of apricots. It makes me sad how many have gone to waste. I know that my grandmothers would be so ashamed of me for the waste. They each would go out each morning and gather all of the "windfall" fruit and either make it for lunch, make jams and jellies or can the fruit itself. Nothing went to waste. I have made jams, pies, froze apricots, gave buckets of the fruit away and begged others to come and get it. It seems that this is a bumper crop year for everyone. I heard one friend say that she was just putting them into peoples cars at church. Made me think of the squash season. You know everyone locks their car doors for fear of being blessed by everyone who raises them.

This morning, I went with the Rancher to check cattle on the west end of SandCreek and decided to check on the plums. I have NEVER seen so many plums. The bushes are loaded and hanging over the banks of the creek. We had two buckets and filled them with ripe fruit. There are areas that are still green, some just turning and an abundance of ripe ones. God has blessed us. I told the Rancher that we had to gather all that we could as it was the best crop we have ever had. Is this a sign that we will not be having any for several years? I always freeze several gallons for the years we don't have any. Making too much jelly at a time is not good.

Sandhill Plums make the best jams and jellies. I can hardly wait. I remember my grandmother telling of packing a lunch and the family taking the wagon and making a day of picking sandhill plums. They were the only fruit available in the early days. Grandma also made a wonderful Plum pudding and cobbler. She didn't always take the seeds out though and we had to be careful when eating it.

If you haven't had a hot piece of toast topped with homemade sandhill plum jam, you don't know what you are missing. Grab a bucket and head for the country. The thickets along the roadsides are loaded (if they haven't all been picked). Gather the kids and grandkids and make a fun time of it.

My Dad, A Builder of Roads

I am late with this post. I was trying to scan a picture of my Dad for Fathers day and NO LUCK!! I hope that I get this computer figured out before long. I think part of the problem was being without one for so long and this old gal just don't remember like she used to. Imagine That!! Anyhow back to the topic of the Day.

Sunday was Fathers Day, a time for remembering our Dads. My own Dad has been gone for nearly 12 years but I have many special memories of him and still think of him almost daily. My dad wasn't always around when I was growing up as he had a job that kept him away from home. He built roads. Every road I drive down in our part of the state, I know that my dad played a part in the construction of them. He started to work for the Highway Department in 1950 at the end of a shovel (so to speak). He retired with the title Resident Engineer of Division Six in 1984. His hard work, determination, night school, correspondence courses and his "I will do my best" attitude, helped him to achieve this goal.

When I was a child, not many roads in NW Oklahoma were paved. Most towns had a strip of pavement about 3 miles coming into them on the major highways. This was a time before the Interstate System, so a major highway was one that went from one state to the next, or a US highway. The State Highways, weren't paved until later. My dad was away from home as these roads were being improved. In that time, one did not drive home at night if it was any distance. I think an hours drive must have been too far, as some of the places he talked about are within that distance.

When he was at home, I loved to hear about the places he stayed. I just knew that they were wonderful places. What lovely names they had. Elmwood----Doesn't that just sound like a place filled with tree lined streets. I used to ask Dad about it..

Daddy, is it a pretty place, Does it have a creek....Are there lots of trees? I am sure my questions went on and on but that perticular name just fascinated me. Guess what....When I married the Rancher, Elmwood was just down the road. I really had to laugh about my childhood fascination with that name. Elmwood, was just a crossroads of two highways. NO town at all, but a Service Station, a motel, Cafe, and Post Office to serve a large rural area. Oh, there is a beautiful creek about a mile down the road but, Elmwood sits on a hilltop with few trees at all.

As I drive down these roads, I have memories of my Dad, I remember his frustrations and pride with certain bridges and curves. I think of Dad each time I approach them. I am proud to see that his works are still in use today. Through time, much of the pavement has been replaced with updated products and I know that eventually all of the bridges will be replaced, but today, I can still see the the products of his labor and feel a great pride.

Making a memory

I remember as a child going to the row of mulberry trees that lined the lane to Grandads pasture and picking the wonderful fruit that they bore. I loved mulberrys until someone older informed me that they had bugs in them. I should have know that to eat them was okay though as my grandmother would pick them and make a delicious cobbler or just serve them with sugar and cream for desert for lunch.

Last evening, Logan, Paula and I went to our own mulberry trees and picked mulberrys. The hot winds have dried many of them and the have not all ripened but we did pick about four cups with a few black currents added. I decided that I would try making my grandmothers cobbler. We washed and washed to currents (just in case there were bugs)







Aiden helped make the cobbler and I forgot to take his picture. He loves to cook.











Just add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.....










YUM!!!!!! Grandma was right wasn't she Logan?

Memorial Day

Today as the wind is blowing , I have decided that I don't want to be out mowing when is as blowing a gale of 30mph right on the ground. I guess that I will reminisce. Memorial Day is approaching and this year it will be celebrated on May 31 which is the last Monday of May. At one time, Memorial day was traditionally celebrated on May 30th, regardless what day of the week it fell on. A Monday gives the work force an extra day to go to the lake, or whatever it is that they do. I have found that most people don't go to the cemeteries on that day.

Memorial Day was traditionally observed to honor the dead servicemen of all wars. At sometime, it was decided to honor all dead, and time was spent decorating graves around the country. I imagine it was observed in that matter more in the rural areas than the cities.

Today, elaborate wreaths, and silk flower arrangements are purchased and placed on graves. When I was a child, things were much different. There may have been some wreaths to purchase, but I mostly remember buying a poppy made of crepe paper from the local American Legion and proudly wearing it pinned to my dress for the day.

Mom, my grandmothers and Aunts, made all of the flowers that were placed on loved ones graves. The flowers that they made were so beautiful. My mom could make the prettiest roses out of crepe paper. She also made lovely hyacinths, sweetpeas, and carnations. When the flowers were finished, we would dip them in melted wax to help them stay pretty for a longer period of time. When we had all of the flowers that we needed, we would cut cedar branches and form a wreath or swag out of them and attach the flowers. I thought they were beautiful. I am not sure when we started buying everything. Perhaps it took less time and looked a little better.

Memorial Day was spent visiting with neighbors and friends from far away who had came home to honor passed family members. There was often a program and a military salute. We dressed up for this occasion. It was a special day. Grandma would walk around and comment on names on the headstones that she knew. She knew them all as she had homesteaded with most of them. We would have company for lunch, it was a day of memories.

Today, we hurry to decorate sometime in the days ahead so we can have the whole weekend to run around. We go in our jeans and hurry, hurry to get things done. We don't have time to walk around and remember. I imagine that this is a tradition that will soon pass. Not many younger people pay this tribute unless they have lost someone who is very close to them.

I hope this hasn't been a morbid post for you to read as I wanted to remember how it was. Our lives have gotten so fast paced and it is good to look back once in awhile. I still take my mother and mother-in-law on their rounds to the places where they want to decorate the final resting place of their loved ones. We do this to remember and cherish those times spent with them. I will carry on the tradition.

A New Computer

I finally took the plunge and bought a new computer. I thought I had better just get a new desk top as the Rancher would never get the hang of a laptop. I wonder if either of us will get this one figured out. It is so nice and has a wonderful screen that is big enough to watch movies on but it LOOKS SO DIFFERENT. It seems the older that I get, the harder it is for me to accept change. I am maybe in a rut. I like things the way they are. Maybe I think if nothing ever changes, then I won't either. That is a good laugh. When I opened up my pictures on this screen, I was horrified at the women who looks like my grandmother in some of the pictures. Turns out, they were me.

I remember, when I was a child, that people always told me that I looked like my paternal grandmother. What a horrible thing to sayto a child. My grandma, was old, wrinkled and had white hair. Turns out, maybe they were right. I do have some of those features now. I just hope that I can be half as nice as she was. She always had kind words to say. I think I maybe better work on that one.

Thanks Dawn for helping me get this together. Now for the really hard part-----getting it all together in my head. That will be an undertaking.

A Computer for the Day

Dear family and friends, please be patient with me. It has been so hard to be without a computer and I do not have a library handy (27 miles). My computer has been so sick and I cannot get anyone to seem to know how to fix it. I do need a new one. I would have never believed that I would miss the few things that I do with it. One of the most rewarding things I do is keep up with my family and friends. No, I am still not a face book person, I enjoy personal e-mail and my blog. Most of all I enjoy reading about the happening on the blogs that I follow or the ones that I check into once in awhile. It has been hard.

The Rancher has had a really hard time. He has been forced to watch some TV as he cannot play his beloved games. He is a solitaire and free cell whiz. I guess that he is anyhow, he spends a lot of time playing it. Maybe he is still trying to perfect the game......I don't know. The worst part about all of this is the fact that I down-sized my TV programs. I am not about to pay $65 for a bunch of junk. That is just how I feel about it. I am now on the Family package and it has more things than I can watch. Hey, it is garden and yard time anyhow and that will keep me busy for the summer.

It is also time to get the 5th wheel out and get it ready to go camping. I hope that Mr. Rancher gets in the mood a little quicker this year than he has in the past. I think it is time to slow down and smell the pine trees, and enjoy some of this beauty that God has given to us. I am also feeling led to do a service work as we vacation this summer too. I feel that God has been directing me to help in an area where there are small churches needing someone to help for a bit this summer. I have talked to Pastor about it and he has given me a direction to search but I just haven't made the connection yet. I guess that I am waiting to see if God really has that plan for me. Pray for me.

We enjoyed our family over the week end. The Nurse came home with Studmuffin and Popcorn and Bookworm. They had things to do, and we had a great time. Popcorn now has curley hair. (a new perm) We also went to the School Art Show and saw our Senior artist win the best of the show. Wooo-woo!!! She also received another award and came home with money in her pocket. Also viewed the wedding dress for the oldest granddaughter. We are proud. I haven't found out how the ballgames in Texas came out but hope that they were okay.

Here's hoping that I get a new computer soon and that someone will help me get it set up. Have a good week and Happy Mother's Day to all of you Mom's. Remember to send me a real card, as the computer is out!!! HA It was good to be in touch.

A Man and A Woman

When I looked at the title that I given this blog, I had to laugh. I had typed "a moan and a woman". Funny, but maybe that is what it is. I mean, I moan and groan about some of the strange things that the Rancher does and he sure moans about my lack of ability at some of his jobs. I have to tell ya' though, how a man does some things, never sieze to amaze me.

I guess that a woman is used to multi-tasking, as when I clean off the table, I stack the plates, silverware, and anything else that I can pile on and head for the cabinet, sink or wherever. I can tuck things in my arms and the table is clean in two trips. The Rancher carries one thing at a time. He usually helps with the morning table so we can have our devotion.

He carries the jelly to the refrigerator.

He puts his pills up.

He puts the milk in the refrigerator.

He puts my pills away.

He carries his bowl and plate to the cabinet.

He carries his water and milk glass to the cabinet.

Yadda, yadda, dah... You get ethe picture. It drives me crazy. I am not going to complain though because he is doing it while I do something else.

I can have an idea about some of his work that I think would save him a lot of time. He usually doesn't pay any attention to me though because he didin't think of it.
The other day, he wanted to go to the neighbors. Before we could go, he had to check some wells. They are located between our house and the neighbors house. I suggested we just check them on our way over to their house.

"Well, I need to check some cattle on the Highway," says Rancher.

"It is also on the way and I don't mind going in the old pick-up." I reply.

At this point, I am thinking...either he doesn't want me to go with him or he is meeting someone on the sly.(not really)

I think the thing is.....a man just thinks of one thing at a time and they get it done. I always am going in a circle, trying to do too many things at once and never complete any of them. Maybe a man is right.(DON'T EVER SAY I SAID THAT) Maybe I should just take one thing off of the table at a time. Maybe them I would at least accomplish one thing between breakfast and lunch. (besides checking things on my computer)Maybe I would at least have the kitchen cleaned.

The Rascals on the Square

When I was a kid......Here I go again, with another chapter of the little rascals Oklahoma Style. I have told you about living in small town Oklahoma and some of the antics of the neighborhood gang, haven't I. Well, if you don't want to read about it, you are free to go. You will miss a good story though. I am so glad that I never shared these things with my children when they were growing up. What would they have thought of me and what will they think today.

Oh well, we were just unsupervised kids who had a lot of fun. Our parents worked, we were to check in once in awhile and we sure had to come in and eat lunch and maybe take a nap. We roamed the town looking for things to do. We knew every older lady in town and what day they made cookies and who made the best ones. I loved Mrs. B's oatmeal/raisin cookies and she always enjoyed sharing one of them with her young visitors.

Our town's business district was in a square, built around the Courthouse, and the courtyard. The library was located in the basement of the Courthouse. I loved to go to the courthouse to check out books in the summertime. Well, I am not sure that I always checked out books but I loved to go to the courthouse. The Courthouse was 3 stories and it had a basement. There were wonderful stairs to climb and lots of banisters to slide down. These banisters were constructed of concrete and were wonderful to slide down. They were wide enough to actually sit on. Maybe these stairs were off from the offices, but I don't recall anyone ever making us leave this wonderful activity. There were always at least 3 of us so I am sure that we made noise. I learned in later years that my own mother had done this very thing when her Father worked in the Courthouse and that it was the thing they expected a child to do. Maybe that is why the library was in the basement.

We never went to the top story though as that is where the "prisoners" were kept. Now is the late 1940's and early 50's the only prisoners were likely someone who had a little too much to drink at the Saturday Dance out at the Legion Hut. We didn't know that though and we were sure that there might be a bank robber in the upper rooms. We would often take up quarters under the weeping mulberry tree, and eat green mulberrys and make faces at the windows on the third floor. This was to assure the prisoners that we did not approve of them and they better not mess with us. My, weren't we brave.

We were all friends with the proprietors on the square. There were 3 grocery stores, The Bank, Lawyers office, Hardware, Cafes, Theater, Clothing Stores, Abstract Ofices, The Chevrolet Dealer, Shoe repair shop, Filling(gas) Stations, Variety Store, Drug Stores, Beauty Shop, Millinery Shoppe, The Grand Hotel, and back in one corner....The Longbranch Salon. No kidding....right in my own town...Not the famous one of Dodge City Fame though. Just the Longbranch Salon. We never did go to that establishment.

Mr. W., the local shoe repairman, always had a story to tell us and we all enjoyed watching his skilled hands at work. He was a crippled man who had a wonderful smile and a friendly wife. He was a good friend even when I grew up and had children of my own.

Now that you know the layout of my town, ( I no longer live there) and the town has changed, you will be looking forward to more stories, I am sure. Well, you should be, I have some good ones. Some of them I will probably never tell though. I would be breaking a pact, of the Rascals on the Square.

He is Risen!

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared.

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.

They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes.

So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. "Why are you looking for the living among the dead?" asked the men.

He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, "The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day'?"

And they remembered His words.

Luke 24:1-8 NKJ

Thank You Father for a Risen Savior and Thank you Jesus for taking my place.

Happy 18th Birthday Beautiful Molly

Happy Birthday girl!!! Isn't she just lovely. Now, I know this is not your traditional picture, but there is not much traditional about this girl. She is one of a kind and we are glad that she is a part of this family.

April 2 is a very special day, because you were born. You have always been a blessing to us. Your parents picked this day for your birth (C-Section) as they did not want to have an April Fool's baby. Wouldn't it have been a joke on them if you would have decided to be born that day anyhow. You have always been a blessing to us and we are amazed at all of your talents and desires. God has blessed you.

We pray that you will have a very special day. Eighteen! WOW! Where did all of the time go? In a few short months you will be off to college and then Look Out World!!!

By the way, don't you think it would be grand if Grandpa would fix up this old pickup truck? I have tried to get him to do it many times. That was his first truck and that was where it quit him for the last time.

I Feel Spring In the Air

It's a BEAUTIFUL day. Yesterday, it rained and threatened snow, but today is beautiful. Spring has arrived. I can see the buds on the apricot and peach trees getting fat and ready to burst. I hope that they don't get too anxious and it will probably freeze several times at night before it really gets spring in the panhandle. Last year, there was not any fruit because of a late frost so I am hoping that we will have some this year. We especially look forward to having a good crop of wild sandhill plums. Sand plums make the best jelly. I always try to pick enough to put some in the freezer for the years that we don't have a crop. We missed two years in a row so my store was depleted. My family loves this jelly and I always like to have some made as gifts for Christmas, and for welcoming newcomers to the community. It is a great way to get your foot in the door and welcome a new friend.

I don't have my garden tilled yet. It has been too wet and I guess that my potatoes and onions will be planted on good Friday instead of St Patricks day. I really don't plant too many potatoes though, just enough for fresh new ones with peas or beans. Mostly, we plant okra, beans, squash , tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. That is what does best in our soil and that is what we like when it is fresh. I am not like my dear grandmother. When she had a garden, it was intended to raise the food for the year. This she did, and her gardens produced enough to share and sell. It was nothing for her to can 500 to 700 quarts of vegetables and fruit a year. This was before many people were freezing their produce. There came a day when she knew that she would have to slow down though. One year, she didn't have any jars and had to pour out some of the older goods to have jars for the fresh things. After that she didn't plant such a large garden. She would think me to be lazy, I fear.

I have watched the birds getting friendly with one another and choosing their nesting spot. One of the favorites of the finches seems to be right over my car in the carport. I do enjoy watching them but hate the mess. I have learned to move my car just a little though and it helps to keep it clean. Mother bird, always has a clean nest as she has trained her babies to turn their tail to the outside and hit what is below. What a smart little thing.

Yes, I can feel spring in the air. The yard is calling and I can see a lot of work to do out there but I think I have a bad case of the Spring Fever or maybe it is just plain laziness, so I think I will first go and take a nap. Don't you think that sounds like a good idea????

It has been quite a week on the Ranch. All of the kids and grandkids except for one were home. We have had company for 1 week. Oh not all of them but they were all here together for a couple of days. It is nice to get together, but mostly it is nice to come home and recapture the things of your youth. You know those like Mom makes the meals, picks up, does the laundry. All that sort of thing. Now not all of them revert to that but it is just a natural thing. I know that I sometimes still do it when I go to my own Mom's and she is 87 years old. There are things that you just want your parents to do for you.

Grandpa has had quite a week of letting the little ones help him with the feeding. He lets them all drive around the pasture while on his lap. I notice that he always has a hand on or near the steering wheel too. He even let the 3 year old great niece drive. Aren't grandpa's just wonderful or CRAZY? My grandpa never let that happen. Times have changed. My kids would say "Yea, but did you really want to hitch up the team?" The Rancher spent a lot of time fishing, hunting and riding too. He had a lot of help with that. The son and sons-in-law are great with the fishing and hunting division and Andi is great on the horse. Read all about at Andi's Ramblings.

The all had a lot of stories to tell about growing up and somehow, their stories aren't always the same as I remembered them. I guess I am getting forgetful. They could not always agree with each other about how hings happened though. Dawn found a lot of old pictures and we had a lot of fun.

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I thought that I would show this picture to prove that I have rode a horse or at least sit on one. Isn't that a hoot, a Ranchers wife that doesn't like to ride horses. I wasn't fortunate enough to have a good instructor like my own children and never really thought about there being a special technique until I was older and didn't wish to make that climb anymore.

We were also informed that our oldest granddaughter would be getting married in the fall and we are so pleased with the young man that she brought out to join us for a time. I guess I really have to get serious about this diet as I don't want her to be embarressed to take a picture of me and grandpa.

I know it will be quiet around here for a few days but I always think of what my grandmother said when we were all getting ready to leave her home after a big day. She had 7 children 22 grandchildren and countless greats. She would inform us that there was no need to clean up the kitchen after supper. (We would spend the entire day). She said "Now I will just be so lonely that this will keep me from missing everyone." Wasn't she sweet to say that. In reality she meant, " Now if you will all just get out of here, as quickly as you can, I can have a little peace and quiet."
Grandpa, always said that he liked the lights on the car. The headlights when everyone came home and the taillights when they left looked pretty good too. They loved us all though and I know just what they meant.

Blessings

I kneel down here before you Lord,
At the beginning of this day,
I have so much to thank you for,
As I bow my head and pray.

Some days there are so many things
That I need to do,
Sometimes I'm in such a hurry
That I don't take time for you.

Today, I want to thank you,
For the blessings that you give,
They come through opportunities,
Family and friends.

Some days, it seems that all I do
Is wipe little tears, and noses--
And referee the water fights,
That went from water guns to hoses.

I must make sure that one cookie
Isn't bigger that another
Remind them that thy musn't hit
Their sister or their brother.
Children and then Grandchildren--Thank you for this Blessing.

Honey, Can you please come and help me
Sort the cattle through the gate?
The truck will be here shortly, and
I don't want him to wait.

But, then, He helps me run the sweeper,
And he does the dishes too.
He prays with me each morning
As we start our day with you.
My Husband--Thank you for this Blessing.

The home that I grew up in,
My parents who lead the way,
It was the place where Sisters and brothers
Learned to laugh, work, sing and play.
Family-- Thank you for this Blessing.

I have one who knows when to call me
We talk for hours on the phone.
Another stops in to see me,
When she thinks I am feeling all alone.

One baked cookies for me
When I didn't have the time
One always keeps me laughing,
Another lends a shoulder to cry on.
My Friends--Thank you for these Blessings

The Rains that we pray for,
The wind that turns the mill.
The sun shining on the prairie,
The song of a whippoorwill.

The building where I worship,
The friends that fill each pew,
These are all special Blessings
And all have come from you.
Opportunities--I thank you for this Blessing.

From my files. I might say that God has blessed me in so many ways that I cannot count them all. We take so many things for granted, but in truth---All things good come from Him.

On the lighter side---

Why do we say something is out of whack--What is a whack?
If Superman is so smart, why does he wear his underpants over his trousers?
If people born in Poland are cales "Poles" why aren't people from Holland called "Holes?"
And finally---The older you get, The better you realize you were.

I am NOT a Technical Person

My computer is having issues that I can't resolve. I know that the only solution is to take it to the computer Dr. It seems that my brain just does not understand the language it speaks to me about doing this or that. It is time to take a course. I think every time that they have a class for Sr. Citizens at the nearest Vo Tech., which is 56 miles away that I will go. The distance, and going everyday for several weeks turns my mind otherwise. By the way, This is the

#1 Answer to the wonderful award that I have recieved from Andi on Andi's Ramblings. Thank You Very Much. I guess that my mind is stuck in a time frame where all things were okay...So why change. I do like my computer though and my digital camera. I hope that it ends there as I am perfectly content with my radio, and doing without an Ipod and all that stuff is just fine with me. My grandchildren think it would be nice for me to have a wii. Maybe it would be but just don't mess with my mind.

#2. I constantly worry about my weight and healthy eating. I think about it a lot. As a matter of fact, I do cook healthy food right along with all of the old favorites and guess what--- Carrots and celery are NOT as good as caramel snack mix or chocolate chip cookies. Pray for me. I do every morning and God does get a hold of me most days. Winter is hard on a diet, It is fun to try new recipes, have friends over for a pot of chili and play cards and snack afterwards. We have started having grapes and apples for our snack while playing pinocle. This is necessary as we need something to keep us going for the hours we play. We must play 3 games unless someone wins two in a row. Most of the time we have to play 3 games anyway because it is so much fun.

#3. I procastinate A Lot. I always think I can do something later. Now, I wasn't always like that. When I had children at home and when I worked, I KNEW that there had to be a schedule. What in the world happened to it??? I used to make lists and when something was marked off, I felt great about it. I look at my living room and think this looks okay, there is no clutter, but guess what, I have not dusted for 3 weeks. YUCK! How did I get like this. I used to dust twice a week. I just did it, just like running the sweeper every other day and mopping the kitchen every day. It just needed to be done. In all honesty, I do keep the kitchen clean. And the bathrooms, I hate a dirty bathroom.

#4. I am NOT perfect. I have a hard time with people who think they are. Some people are so perfect, that there friends need to be perfect too. I wonder how many friends they find. There is always Jesus, He was and is the perfect example for us to follow but no matter how hard I try, I just don't always get it right. Oh, I can be honorable to Him, but then there are the everyday things that get in the way of my being perfect. Read #3 to find some of them. I also have a pile of half finished things to do. Why don't I just get up and finish at least one of them today. I might but if I do, I might not have time to go out to dinner with friends and that is much more important than things. Isn't It? Light a candle and turn the lights low and no one will notice your dust. Well, that is unless they put their hand on the end table that you never use.

#5. I don't like waiting on people who are late all of the time. I think my time is as precious as the next person. Some of my friends cannot make an appointment with the rest of us as they have to finish their projects or morning chores. So what---finish them when you go home or be like me---Have a pile of half finished things and just don't dust unless you can write your name on the table. We can't start Bible study on time because we know someone else is coming and they won't want to miss out. One lady has started leaving at the appointed time even if we aren't through. She always comes on time thought and good for her for being bold enough to leave. Sometimes I do too but I carpool and can't always do that.

#6. I am tired of Snow. Never, Never, Never in my life did I think this Oklahoma Rancher's wife would say those words. This has been and exceptional winter though. I remember when we would talk about the Snow that we had in Decamber or the one that we had in February. This is the year when we talk about the "Snow" that we had over the week end and the one on Thursday and the one that is coming on Monday. Snow, Snow, Snow. I thank God for this wonderful moisture everyday and He knows our needs. I never want it to stop but I AM TIRED OF IT.

#7. I like a good recipe. I also like to alter ones that I find to fit our tastes. So when someone asked me for a recipe---it is usually really Mine. I always tweek them no matter what. I just think---well, this will be good in it, or I don't like that flavor, so I change it. I am going to share a wonderful recipe with you now. You can find one similar on a famous persons web, but this one belongs to the famous Rancher's wife, Namely ME.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup granulated sugar
5 large eggs - beaten
2 cups milk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla
4-5 cups of cubed bread that has been dried overnight or in the oven.
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup softened butter
Cinnamon to taste
1 cup pecans
1 cup raisins (optional)

SAUCE
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter melted
1 beaten egg
2 teaspoons pure vanilla
1/4 cup brandy (optional)

Preheat oven at 350 degrees and grease a 13x9 baking dish. Mix sugar, eggs and milk and vanilla in bowl. Pour over the cubed bread and let set for 10 minutes.

In another bowL mix the brown sugar and softened butter (not melted) and nuts, etc.

Put bread mixture in the 13x9 pan and cruble the brown sugar mixture over it. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until set. Remove from oven .

For the Sauce--Mix the suger, butter, egg and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar is melted, Add the brandy if you choose. Serve over warm bread pudding. I have added orange juice instead of the brandy and this is good, also lemon juice may be added. You do need the liquid though. Eat and Enjoy.
WARNING---THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR A DIET.

I don't know who to give this blogger's award to as I am sure that the 3 people that follow me faithfully have already received this. If you read this and you wish to list some things about you that know else knows, just do it and let me know. Welcome Paulette. You are too funny.

Just go Ahead and Buy it.

Yea, Go ahead and buy some of these. They are Great and especially if you fix them this way:

Carmel Puffcorn

8 cups of puffed corn
2 cups nuts
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 stick butter or margarine (4 Tablespoons)

Heat oven to 250 degrees. Mix puffed corn and nuts and spread out on a cookie sheet. Mix syrup, brown sugar, and butter in microwavable dish and microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds on high. Stir and return to microwave and cook on high until mixture comes to a boil. Remove and add baking soda and vanilla. Mix and pour over corn and nut mixture. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes. spread out to cook and break in pieces when cooled. Store in plastic container, if it doesn't disappear too quickly.

Thanks Dawn, for reminding me about this on It Just Dawned on Me.

Another Snowy Day

I could post some more snow pictures but, alas, that is getting to be old news. It is snowing again this morning. The Rancher measured 4 inches around 7 a.m. on the table in the yard. I think this is about right as it sits up in the air and hasn't melted. This too is a beautiful snow and all of the trees are heavy. Maybe all of this snow will change minds about global warming. Have I mentioned that before? Probably, I seem to repeat myself more than I should.

This weather is good for reading. The Rancher is reading Going Rogue by Sarah. I started reading it and was about one fourth through when He needed something to read. I decided it was best to wait until he finished to pick it up again. It is a good read and makes you know that this lady and her family are about as ordinary as they get. She has met the same trials as most mothers have, and had some hard decisions to make.

I am reading condensed stories from Readers Digest. that is about how my attention span is now. I am also catching up on the magazines that have accumulated. It is also good weather for my mending pile and sewing.

This is Valentines week. Time to think of something special for your sweetie. When one lives miles from the nearest restaurant, it is easier to have a special meal at home. Many times I have fixed a special dinner and ate by candlelight with my sweetheart. Even after all of these years, the spark is still there. I thank God each day for this wonderful man that has taken care of and put up with me for all of these years.

Love is from God...

Beloved, let us love one another for love is of God; and everyone that loves is born of God, and knows God.....Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another God dwells in us and His love is perfected in us.

1 John 4: 7, 11-12

Love is also like a Fairy Tale....And once in awhile right in the middle of real life...God gives us a Fairy Tale.

Now with all of that...I shall get busy and think of what I will do for my Sweetheart this week.

The Early Years

When I made my post about riding for the Brand, I remembered some polaroid pictures that I had of the early day cowgirls. This will take you back to yesterday. I should have copied each picture individually but alas, these old pictures were stuck to the book and there are pictures on the other side so cutting them up was not an option. I shall come up with a solution.

Isn't hindsight wonderful. Now all of my pictures are in a chest. I have told my kids this is to preserve them better. I am NOT lazy. I just have a fun picture chest, box and drawers to go through. Someday my children can have the pleasure of separating them and see who gets what. In the meantime I shall continue to take them with my digital camera and never have them developed, just upload them on my computer and hope it doesn't crash.

Riding for the Brand

Oh Give me a Home

Where the Buffalo roam

Where the Deer and

The Antelope Play

So much for that, I wanted the bison to be second. Will I ever figure this out. Anyhow isn't this great. NO SNOW. Just Grandpa and the girls riding through the herd.

Surviving The Storm

It is the only thing on television today---"The Winter Storm of 2010". It has been the main topic for several days and today it finally happened. We watched in the early morning as the City was experiencing rain which eventually turned to ice and snow. We saw pictures of broken trees across cars and houses, we watched the traffic backed up on the I-40 and knew that roads were closed across the Texas Panhandle and the entire state of Oklahoma. It was a meteorologist dream, He is on the same high as a kid with a sugar rush or me with a piece of chocolate. The Storm has arrived.

I don't think one school in the State of Oklahoma had school today as they were fearful of what was coming. The weathermen have done their job. People hurried to the grocery store and to the hardwares for the things needed to help them survive. If the electricity goes off you will need lanterns, candles, maybe a generator. Truck loads of generators arrived in OK City from across the country anticipating this storm and the great sales they will make.

We (I) brought loads of wood into the house,(no garage) and hope that we will have enough if the electricity does go off. The Rancher and Son are working on the gas well that provides gas to Son's house. It is dark and I know they are cold as it is 16 degrees and the wind is blowing fierce. I pray for them to just come to our house and get warm. We check on our elderly mother who lives three miles away. She does not want to leave her house and her bed. If the drifts are too bad, we will not be able to get to her house in the morning. She assures me by phone that she is okay.

We saw dozens of utility trucks on the highways going toward where the worst of the storm is. They are coming from an area where the storm hasn't been, to help in our time of need.

It is a time for pulling together and helping each other and it is a time of worry for each other. I pray for the cattle and little animals that are out in the storm. I watched the birds at the feeders this afternoon in the shelter of the ceders and pines. I love to watch them, please God keep them safe.

The storm is expected to move out tomorrow, but it will not be over. There will be alot of work to do. Cattle to feed, fence to repair where the weight of the drifts have pulled the wires loose. When the sun comes out we will marvel at the beauty of the sunshine on the snow and the way it glistens.

My Professor Daughter told me they made Snow Ice Cream this afternoon. I had forgotten about that. Here is the recipe.

Snow Ice Cream

A very large bowl of Snow (10 Qt. Tupperware)
2 cups of sugar
Vanilla to taste
Milk to make it slushy

Mix and eat.

I remember what a treat this was when I was a child . I hope that my grandsons enjoyed it today.

The Storm

There is much talk the past two days of the predicted storm. It is to move into our area late Wednesday or early Thursday. It is still uncertain where the brunt of the storm shall hit but we will probably not feel the full force of it here. How can they really tell for sure where it will be?

A winter storm brings a lot of work to the ranch. I guess it brings a lot of work wherever it hits. We spend a lot of time feeding cattle and fighting the elements. Our prayer is that the power stays on. So many things depend on the electricity, that too many days without it is costly. We have water wells, our freezers, just to mention a few things.

I remember in the year of 1971 (Oh, NO, grandma's off on another story) in the last week end of February, we had one terrific storm. The afternoon was pleasant and our family was off to my sisters, just an hours drive away for a soup supper and an evening of family fun. Our children were all small so we wouldn't be staying very late. Right after supper, it began to snow a little. (a 1-2 in accummulation was predicted) We decided to play a quick game of cards before heading on home. We did not know that the storm had started in that area earlier and that it was a heavy wet snow. We loaded in our little Ford falcon with our 3 children who were 9 months, 3 and 6,and headed for home. In a few short miles, we were concerned if we would even get home. This was before cell phones and we didn't even have a CB. What were we thinking??? The snow on the highway was deep and there was no traffic. The Rancher continued on and did not dare slow down as the snow was heavier and heavier. We passed through two small towns but the rancher insisted that we go on home as we had cattle and several sows that we were farrowing out. In time we did meet some traffic as there were Regional Basketball tournaments in the area and others were trying to get to their homes. At one point, we had trouble climbing a hill out of the River valley and a load of teen age boys got out and helped us. They were a blessing from God as they did help us get on the way but we were still 20 miles from home. The Rancher drove, the kids slept and I prayed. I am sure that the Rancher was praying too.

We reached home at 3:00 a.m., 6 hours after we had left my sisters house 60 miles away. We were tired and so thankful that we had made it. Sometime later the wind started to blow and it continued to snow through the next day. When it was over, we had accummulated nearly 3 feet of snow and the drifts were higher than the eaves on our house. We had to dig our way out. The Rancher spent hours rescueing baby pigs from their pens outside and moving them into the barn. This was during the time it was snowing. He had a lot of trouble with a huge drift near the barn. When the storm was over we discovered he had been walking over the drift that covered the combine.

Many people lost a lot of cattle, and other animals during this storm, but we were blessed. It was 3 days before we could get the tractors out and try to get to the cattle. The roads were impassible so they drove through the pastures wherever they could. By the grace of God, we did not lose our power and we had telephones. Remember we did not have cell phones and I worried until the men came home. We did a lot of praying.

This storm is brought to mind every season when the weathermen start to talk about how bad it will be. The area south had already had "The Storm of 2009". We missed that one over Christmas, and I am thankful. We can always know that as long as there is December, January and February and March, there can be a big snowstorm on the plains. In one respect, we are thankful. The snow brings an abundant amount of moisture and nitrogen to the soil. So even in the storm God blesses us.

Tomorrow, I will make sure the bathtub is full of water, the wood is carried in and some water jugs are filled. The power just might go off.

The Blessing

This morning I started a new Bible study, The Blessing. This touched me very much and made me wonder if I had truly blessed my own children enough with the words that they longed to hear. As I read Genesis 27 and the story of the struggle between Jacob and Esau, I had to reflect about how I treated my own children and even how my parents raised me. I know that I failed miserably but I hope that I made some effort to praise my children and to bless each one of them in their own right.

Unlike Jacob and Esau, my children will receive few worldly things. We are a family of modest means. My blessing to each of them is an introduction to Our Father in heaven and His Precious Son. I pray that God will bless them continually in all that they do and that they will walk with Him each minute of the day. I pray they will make wise choices and honor Him. This is still my prayer each morning. I pray that this is passed on through the generations of this family.

As a grandma, I can look back and see that I have learned so much. Some of it was a little late, but it is never to late to try to do better. So to my spouse, children, grandchildren, I love you and you have my blessings in what you strive to do. (it better be good)

Ummmmm Good!!!!

Before I even get started on this post, I am aggrivated that I didn't take a picture of this lucious concoction that I thought up all by my self. I didn't but I am going to tell you just how good it is and how to make it.

I had the ladies from my HCE club here today. It is the beginning of a new year and we had a lot of things to talk about. We are for Family and Community and we do a lot of good things. That is another story and maybe I have posted on that before.

Anyhow, there are a lot of good cooks in this group and I wanted something different. I also wanted something with CHOCOLATE. I have been off chocolate since Christmas and thought 2 weeks was long enough. I needed a fix. I recently ate a dessert with this wonderful chocolate layer on the bottom and decided to use that for the beginning. I also wanted fruit and thought about a citrus sauce. The fruit is the healthy part (if there is one). This creation turned out pretty good but I am not sure what I am going to call it.

Maybe I will call it Marilyn's Magnificent Dessert

Choclate layer:

One Devils Food Cake Mix
3/4 cups Butter (calories, calories, calories)
1 egg

Mix together until a thick dough forms (cookie type dough) and press into a large pan. (mine was just larger that a 9X13 but a 9X13 would probably be okay.) Bake for 18 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven and flatten the crust out as it will rise when baking. You want it have a crust effect to put the next layer in.

Cream Cheese Filling:

8 ounces low fat cream cheese
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup powdered sugar
container of cool whip (I used 1- 8 oz container and about 1/3 of another for the pan I was using)

Beat this mixture until light and fluffy and put on the cooled chocolate layer. Refrigerate.

Citrus Sauce

1 cup Sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup orange juice
1/4 cup lemon juice

Mix the sugar and cornstarch and add the juices, bring to a boil while stirring. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Mixture will thicken as it cools. If it is too thick when cooled, just add a little water or more juice to get to the consistence that you like.

Fresh or frozen berries. I used blueberries, blackberries and strawberries.

To assemble, Just do each piece as you put it on a serving dish or let individuals do their own thing.

Cut the cheesecake into pieces of your liking and top with the cooled citrus sauce. Top with berries. (I did not sweeten the berries.)

This was so good. And all gone. Too Bad, I wish I had thought about doing a post on it and you could see just how good it is for yourself. Try it, you'll like it.