I have found myself tired and weary lately, mostly having set the bar way too high with expectations of myself for the work to be done on Ten-Acre Ranch. Mowing and gardening has started early this year – about a month ahead of schedule. Acquiring fifty-two acres of an adjoining pecan orchard last fall added … More Surrendering to the Flow of Life
Back in 2002 when Forrest and I were in our second year of marriage, we decided to bring my dad’s 1953 Chevy Deluxe to Oklahoma so that we could give her some much-needed attention. Old Blue could still crank up and run back then, but she needed an overhaul for sure. I was quite proud … More When Push Comes to Shove…
I worked at a local accounting firm for many years when I first moved to Oklahoma. Even after I quit full-time work, I kept a position helping with taxes from mid-January through mid-April. It was tough mental work and long hours. During all of the years I worked for the firm, I remembered the thoughtfulness of a few clients who … More The Last Batch of Tax Time Cookies
One enduring thing about me, is that I always have a plan for the day – even when down with a physical injury, I still create some kind of a list of doable projects. Around here, the weather often dictates the plan for the day and, thanks to fairly accurate weather forecasts, I have an idea … More Saturday Workday Detour
Now that we have had a few good rains in our area of Oklahoma, the pecan orchard slough has lengthened and widened to the point that it stretches along the entire eastern border of the pecan orchard. I can no longer work at cutting and gathering limbs and branches along the east fence line since … More A Hoofing Good Show
FD and I have not ventured very far from home for a visit with family or friends in more than a year. Our dogs, Bear and Zoe had many health issues and, on top of that, we took on raising orphaned deer, Emma and Ronnie last spring. But with Zoe leaving us six months back and Bear’s passing only a few … More A Lot of Fence Action
It felt very strange last Tuesday morning as I stepped outside carrying Mr. T, our twenty-pound Japanese Chin, on my hip like a little child. I placed him down in the grass and watched him take off for just the right spot to do his business. For a long time, Mr. T had taken a back seat … More Strawberry Blossoms for Bear
Almost every morning when looking out the kitchen window while finishing up the last of the breakfast dishes, I can find Emma and Ronnie deer, grazing in the yard. Of course, this time of year there are numerous weeds growing, and my herb and lettuce bed is sprouting all sorts of greens that deer like to nibble … More Shadowing Your Mom At Work
It was just a couple of weeks ago that our area of Oklahoma was drenched with nearly three inches of rain in a twenty-four hour period. I always find spring an exciting time of year, when balmy, warm days ignite unstable conditions and severe weather. I thought of Emma and Ronnie deer that evening as lightning flashed … More A Splashing Good Time
Last night before bedtime, I made one last scan across the front yard and pasture with the flashlight, hoping to spot Emma and Ronnie deer, but there was no sign of them. I walked through the house to the back porch and shone my flashlight down in the canyon. All I found there was a lone raccoon … More If You Go Looking for Trouble, You Will Find It
I did not know what to think yesterday morning when I walked out to the front gate to unlock it and found Ronnie deer by himself on the north side of our house. Since it was still dark out, I scanned the property with my flashlight, but found no sign of his sister. While Emma … More Love is in the Air
