A Whole New World

Yesterday I whined about having to get up and out of here before the sun came up. I wondered about my sanity and confessed apprehension of what lay in store for me. So... I now confess that it was really fun. I'm glad I got out of my comfort zone and headed for the cattle pens before daylight.

This is the first picture I took yesterday. I just want you to see that it really wasn't daylight yet. It is amazing what a man can get you to do. Yet... here I was at the shipping pens with cowboys on horses just waiting for the arrival of New Man... the Ranch Man.

Actually, I took about a hundred and fifty pictures during my adventure. I have some really good ones, but just going to post a few this morning for you to see.



After New Man, Ranch Man, arrived, we got into his feeding truck and headed for the pasture where he had put all the cattle that were to be shipped.

He turned on the siren to call the cattle, and they started coming from all directions. Pretty soon we had about four hundred critters following along behind, beside, and coming in from the distant hills. It was amazing...a sea of cattle. The sun wasn't really up yet, but I was thinking that it was a pretty good time to get going. The summer heat gets pretty intense fairly quickly.

The poor little critters followed along after the truck in great expectation. Little did they know what awaited them. They were going to be rounded up and loaded into the shipping trucks and off to 'you know where'. I considered hollering out the window, 'Run, Babies, run!' Common sense told me that wouldn't be a good idea.

When Ranch Man had the cattle close to the pens, the cowboys started driving them into the pens. I took this as we stopped for awhile to let the last of the cattle into the area. Some looked at me, and I kept thinking they were going to ask when that promised feed would be delivered. I could see it in their eyes.




Now I feel I must state, being the perfectly honest person that I am, that watching cowboys on horseback doing their job is pretty easy on the eyes. I'm thinking they were looking good in the saddle, and are certainly interesting to watch.

Somehow I began to feel sorry for all those who were home in bed missing out on this delightful event. Yep... I was actually enjoying the whole thing. I took tons and tons of pictures of the cowboys doing their cowboy thing. Such fun!




At last the cowboys herded a few at a time up the chute and into the waiting cattle truck while the driver watched and did his thing too. Poor babies.

I'm really grateful to New Man, Rancher Man, for sharing this little slice of ranching life with me. I've lived in cattle country for most of my life, and I've never been this up close and personal with what goes on as part of normal operation. Personally, I enjoyed it and I'd go do it again in a heartbeat.

Oh, I did have an opportunity to ride a horse. I opened my big mouth about how I'd ridden, but it had been years ago. When the horse was led to me, I paled. I looked at the stirrup, which seemed pretty high off the ground. No way was I going to try to hike my body off the ground and on top a horse in the presence of those cowboys. Nope... not doing it. That was just too far out of my comfort zone. So... I gave the horse a little petting and called it good. Tah Dah

I Must Be Crazy

Perhaps it is the crazies, but I'm sitting here writing this post while I wait to head out the door and out of town to go see and take pictures of shipping cattle! What sane person, who recently had absolutely no interest in a close up and personal relationship with cattle, would get up in the dark, dress, limit coffee to one cup, and go watch cowboys herd cattle into trucks?! I'm even expected to photograph this whole thing and stay out of the way doing it. Oh... there is a little roof on the scale house that I can climb to be out of the way and have a better place to view for pictures. A roof!!! Me climb on the roof?! Really, now.

I have to admit that I'm not in my comfort zone here. My stomach is thinking that I'm going to the dentist or something. It has those funny fluttery things in it, which I guess we can call nerves. Cattle are big. I am small. I'm going to have to stay out of the way. I may need to get on that roof. I have no doubt that New Man will yell at me if I'm in the wrong place at the wrong time. That might be worse than getting run over by cattle. We will see.

Daughter I-Needa reminded me that I'd spent years as an elementary teacher going on field trips. Her logic reminded me that if I could handle that, I can handle going out to watch cowboys doing their thing. My job isn't that much here... Really. I just need to calm down and enjoy this new experience. Easy for her to say: I believe she is in bed snoozing at the moment of my writing.

I'm also discovering that New Man only imparts information to me a little at a time on a need to know basis. Well, I guess that is just what men do. This whole experience is fairly vague to me. However, he did mention last night something about putting me in his truck and going out into the pastures to do something or other. I missed exactly what he is going to be doing. I have a feeling that it will be a rough ride and I'd better hang on. I'm thinking about taking a blindfold and gag along. At least I would know that they were clean if New Man entertained the idea of using them on me. I'm going to have to control myself and be quiet.... lay low, so to speak. Be quiet, stay out of the way, and don't get killed. Oh, joy!

Daughter I-Needa and Son Right Back tell me just to relax and enjoy this whole new experience. I imagine their suggestion is a good one. I'm trying. I really am. I know I have to trust New Man in this. My part should be easy. I guess time will tell and we will see. One thing is for sure, I'll have new blog fodder with accompaning pictures. Tah Dah.

Coming Together

The kitchen is finally looking like a kitchen again. The cabinets are installed, except for one little problem.

I got up this morning and decided that I'd best do something about posting some kitchen pics. I certainly do love the new look and will share these hurriedly taken pictures. It was still dark outside when I took them.











This is my new computer work area. It has taken the clutter away, for which I'll be eternally grateful.

I love the new storage above it!!














I'm going to get something new for the windows at some point soon. Also... see the one cabinet without a door. Master Carpenter Man had some problems with that one and is remaking it. It should be finished soon. Then I'll be able to put this kitchen remodel behind me. Of course I have some other things to do, but I'll be doing those myself.

I'm going to try to get organized here and give you some before and after pictures, but that is going to have to wait until another post.

A Country Site

I have to admit that I like animals. At least I like to look at animals. I understand the commitment one makes when taking responsibility for an animal.

I can't say I want to do that again as have enjoyed that precious freedom one gets when the kids leave home and full time employment becomes a thing of the past. Animals and freedom from responsibility don't go well together.

I just had to post this cute picture that I took when out in the country. These do not belong to New Man. I just saw them while passing along the road and had to pull over and take a picture. Everyone of them stopped to see what I was doing, so I rolled the window down slowly and as quietly as possible took this picture. I just think they are sooooo cute!! Now there is something you don't see if you live in the city. Sheep. Lovely.

Consider yourself treated to a rural perk.

Here They Come and There They Go

Daughter I-Needa has been here visiting, which is always a special treat. We did a little celebrating for the Fourth of July. No... I don't have pictures. Silly me.

We've had a cooler day or two, and I suggested that we go to New Man's garden and pick a few green beans. He then decided that we needed to experience feeding cattle.

It wasn't until later that he admitted driving through the pasture a tad faster than he normally would. Perhaps he just thought it was funny hearing us squeal. Who knows!

First he drove into the pasture area and turned on this deafening siren to call the cattle. It didn't take them long to come from far in the distance. One thing is for sure in this life: the promise of food brings us all to the table. It works for humans and animals alike. I stuck my camera out the window and took a picture as we mooooved along.

I-Needa took this picture as they passed by the truck and headed through the gate area into the next pasture. New Man headed them in with the truck, then put feed down, and they were happy little creatures.

I have to say that since New Man has come into my life, I'm having some new adventures. I'd never expected to be up close and personal with cattle, or even considering what I might do with garden vegetables.

I must say that both I-Needa and myself enjoyed the ride and getting a closer look into what goes on in the world of ranching.

P.S. I haven't figured out another name for New Man yet. I guess someone asked him why I call him 'New Man' and he replied that it rhymes with Tuna Can... one of my posts about him. He does have a sense of humor!

He's Back!

Master Carpenter Man has returned. He's HERE! He's BACK! He has returned with twenty-one handmade doors, ten drawer fronts and thingies that go in the sink area. Anyhoo... he is back.

The first thing he did was lay all the above ALL over the floor of the house... kitchen, dining room, and living room. Then he started emptying the drawers to put on the fronts. He just put stuff everywhere. I complained that there wasn't enough room in the house to keep adding piles and said he would have to put on handles as he goes so I could put stuff back.

I'm really happy that the operation is in progress and I will soon have everything back in order. Ah, for those days when stuff is organized and in order.

Let me recap... this has been a six month kitchen redo. I just wanted a few simple things done, but it has turned into a complete makeover, and I really don't regret that. It is going to be so nice to use, and I know it is well done.

Tomorrow I hope to post FINISHED pictures! Tah Dah

Painting Class

Daughter I-Needa was here this week to attend a painting class in a nearby town. She and a friend both took the two day workshop.

The teacher is Jerry Yarnell. Both gals thought he was a fabulous teacher, and they loved the workshop. I-Needa has been wanting to get into painting, and we both have watched some of his instructional programming on PBS. We love his work, so thought his instruction would be of value.



I asked I-Needa to pose for a few pictures at the end of the two day event. I loved seeing her picture and she was so proud.

I'm thinking she looks rather happy here with her work.... ah... modest. I wish I could paint like that. It looks like a great start on her new hobby.

The girls were pretty tired at the end of the two day workshop. All that learning can be mind boggling.



I asked I-Needa just how she really felt with all that new information and working so hard for two days. This is what she did. Gee.... I'm thinking that is pretty descriptive.

The girls did love the class and plan on enrolling in another one when they can. They also have plans for some painting together before another workshop. They are going to have a fantastic time. You've got to love creative expression!
Tah Dah.