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Monthly Archives: September 2016

Happy anniversary

Pat and Sharon in Ariquipa

Pat and Sharon in Ariquipa

 

September 27th is our 41st wedding anniversay. We had the good fortune to be attending a meeting in Jackson, Wyoming. As we were having dinner, we noticed that the Tetons were reflected, upside down, in the wineglasses of nearby diners. It was quite a sight.

The Grand Tetons

The Grand Tetons

 
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Posted by on September 27, 2016 in Events, Family

 

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Chester the mule

Chester eating an apple

Chester eating an apple

My friend, Annie Hatch, world-renowned folklorist, was looking for a new home for her mule, Chester.

Serendipitously, Pat was looking for a riding mule, just like Chester. As an added bonus, Chester was a pack mule in his previous life.

After a Wyoming brand inspection, and a horse-trailer ride through the rain, Chester is at home on the Ladder Ranch.

For those who might wonder, “folklorist” is a real job–in Annie’s case, with the Wyoming Arts Council

Chester in his new home

Chester in his new home

 
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Posted by on September 22, 2016 in Animals

 

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Bringing down the Blackfaces

Tiarnan and Maria ready to ride

Tiarnan and Maria ready to ride

 

 

Our Hampshire ewes and their lambs spend the summer on private land, the Johnson Place, in the middle of the Routt National Forest. In late September, we trail them back to the Home Ranch, so they can hang out with the guys for a few weeks. This year, Siobhan and Tiarnan trailed them 15 miles to the Bull Pasture on our good horses, Maria and Sarah.

on the trail

on the trail

the happy horseback crew

the happy horseback crew

 
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Posted by on September 21, 2016 in Animals, Dogs, Family, Folks, Sheep

 

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Snake Fire

Helicopter with bucket hauling water to the Snake Fire

Helicopter with bucket hauling water to the Snake Fire

 

 

All the Forest waits

to burn, nature’s tinderbox

waiting for a match.

 
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Posted by on September 20, 2016 in Events, Nature and Wildlife, Poetry

 

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Chokecherry Season

Val, Tiarnan, Maeve, Roxie and Seamus checking out the chokecherries

Val, Tiarnan, Maeve, Roxie and Seamus checking out the chokecherries

 

 

Seamus, Maeve, Tiarnan

Check out the late chokecherries

And dream of jelly.

Seamus

Seamus

Maeve

Maeve

seamus-and-maeve-chokecherries

reaching for the high ones

maeve-and-seamus-in-pipes

 
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Posted by on September 15, 2016 in Folks, Nature and Wildlife

 

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And what were YOU doing in June?

Heifer waiting for Doctor Ben

Heifer waiting for Doctor Ben

We are lucky to have two young veterinarians, Dr. Ben Noland and Dr. Hallie Noland, in our community. They have opened up Sage Veterinary Services near Baggs, which means that–much as we love them–we don’t have to depend on vets in the distant burgs of Rawlins, Craig and Steamboat Springs. Dr. Ben showed up to pregnancy check our heifers. I told him that he didn’t have to worry about his wife criticizing his dirty clothes at the end of the day.

At breakfast, McCoy informed his dad that he’d rather help preg check than go to kindergarten. Eamon had to explain the new reality to McCoy.

 

That's Dr. Ben at the "rear", with Eamon and Chad assisting.

That’s Dr. Ben at the “rear”, with Eamon and Chad assisting.

She's awaiting the verdict that will determine her future.

She’s awaiting the verdict that will determine her future.

 

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Bucks in waiting

Bucks in fall

Bucks in fall

This time of year, the bucks are like teenage boys, with two things on their minds–one of them is eating. Here the “boys” are more or less contained in the Mouse Pasture. The Mouse Pasture got its name because the fence was built by long-time (and late) Ladder Ranchhand Bob Holmes. My Dad said the fence was so tight, it “would hold a mouse.” They still seem to be able to crawl under the gate.

 
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Posted by on September 7, 2016 in Animals, Sheep

 

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