Another day in Paradise

Well, I made it to June. I recently swapped out part-time jobs and during May I did both. This on top of my normal federal and private case load, plus a 10th circuit court of appeals appointment wherein the brief was due June 1. There were times when I believed I may not make it until June --- but meanwhile, along the way, were subtle reminders about why I do what I do (even if its nuts) and why I live where I live... A beautiful girl upon a beautiful horse...

cowboys....and cows.

This is Kristi. Her grandfather worked on our ranch while I was growing up and while my folks were growing up too. Her grandparents lived on the ranch in a two bedroom house where they raised 12 kids. Kristi is the deputy county treasurer and is running for the real thing this year, she is also a hell of a calf wrestler. Her aunts and cousin camped out at the home place the night before the branding. I'm thankful that roots run deep.

This is Cody, who just finished first grade, and his dad Keith. Not very many bloggers can boast that they have a photo of the "first castration" on their blog...first communion, maybe. On the left is Rowdy, a cousin of Kristi, and a lifelong friend. His wedding was the first I officiated. To the right is Evan, whose family is helping me out with Tess this summer and is a hell of a hand himself. That's Kelly putting the brand on, he lives across the dam, and will come the long way around to help us out.

Blue skies, fluffy clouds, healthy calves, cowboys doing what they love and not an Starbucks within 100 miles (okay, maybe 85). There might be days when the silver lining seems further away, but its worth it my friends. Its worth it.

Preschool Graduation

Four new posts today, I have tried to post a couple of times recently, but blogger had other ideas. Be sure to scroll down...

Thursday was preschool graduation. Tess has been attending ABC Academy in Douglas three afternoons a week this year. There were two other Glendo kids who went, so the three moms were able to carpool and take turns driving. The kiddos also went to a separate reading class. Tess really enjoyed learning from Miss Tami.

First, they showed us all the singing and dancing they had learned.

Tess was good at the cowboy dance of course.

Tess doing the magnet dance with a friend.

Tess in her cap and gown!

Dad and Tess outside the school.

Busy Bees

The unpredictable weather has also made bee keeping a adventure. The top blew off once, but the bees decided to stay. Things have been cold and wet, so they have rarely left this hive until last Sunday, when the sun finally came out. Foragers coming and going, collecting pollen, the gal in the front has found lots of orange pollen, others have had more of a yellow tint. You can see a guard bee just inside the enterance.

Inside, lots of activity.

New comb

Working hard in the plumb blossoms.

Momma's day

After the branding, Tess, Nancy and I went on our treck to Glenrock to the greenhouse and the Paisely Shawl mothers day brunch. Tess and Momma.
Tess and Gramma. Tess always spells Gramma, "Ghamma."

The dessert station, our favorite.

Branding Season

Spring keeps trying to come out and in between the rain and snow and wind we snuck in a nice day to help our neighbors brand. This photo is coming over the hill into the South Bear Corral, one of my favorite places on the ranch. We have found lots on arrowheads here before and if I were an Indian, I think I would put my tepee here. But Sunday it was full of trailers and friends.

Tess and Eric got up at the crack of dawn to help ride. They are getting to be old pros. Looking for cows. Karen Bennett took these two photos. I was home making apple crisp. After spending hours and hours peeling and slicing apples for canning applesauce last year and having my Friend Cyndi threaten to never help me again, I broke down and bought a peeler, corer, slicer and it sure worked slick.

Tess was excited to help wrestle this year and wanted to help her dad.
We are branding our calves on the 22nd and Tess and Eric are already getting ready.