Life gones on...

Hobbs and Charlie love the snow! See their pictures! Charlie (the black and white has a new home in Wyo. where his new owner has plans for him to work with cows!)

A lot has happended since I last wrote. Basketball is in full swing, practices every night and games two nights a week.

Surprise, I auditioned and was accepted to join the Morgan County Chorale. Practice began four weeks ago for a spring concert featuring : A Journey Through American Music. This is a 40 person choir with experienced singers and beginners. As Jane Cobb said, "I hope you don't have to sit next to an Alto". That's because I sing what I hear and they are expecting me to sing soprano. The concert will be in May and you're all invited!

We went to Birmingham and attended Adam and Melissa's wedding last weekend (my nephew) and we got to visit friends and family. Polly and Norman McClure had us and some friends over for Breakfast, Bill and Debra Fishburne had us over for good conversation and wine and then we were honored to attend the Ennis' House Blessing. Our time in Alabama was too short to visit everyone which we regreted but it gives us reasons to return. Next time we hope to see you!

Arriving back in Orchard on Sunday night , the 28th, I thought sure the snow would have melted and all would be a muddy mess. But no, ground still covered, air still cold - what was I thinking.

Hank's back at school, I'm working and watching the temperature drop and Henry is fixing some of the things that broke while we were gone. My next blog will be about the Calving Operation - stay tuned! Jane

Rodeo Time in Denver

Howdy folks! We went to the National Western Stock Show. There was a sure 'nugh Rodeo where the winners will go on to finals in Las Vegas, NV (they hope). We saw bronco busting, calf roping, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding. The Grandma of
Barrel Racing was there with a time of 15.9 seconds - age 63 YEARS YOUNG. There was a competition for for the kids - Mutton Bustin. These little kids ages 5-7 were strapped on the back of a large ewe and took off across the arena. The one that stayed on the longest won a trophy, winning ride 6.8 seconds.
We ate popcorn and peanuts and had a couple of beers. The show includes the usual fair style exhibits except everything has a Ranch or Cattle theme. You can imagine all the boots, cowboy shirts and hats for sale. Also there was a full line of Cowgirl bling-bling! We visited the livestock exhibits: pigs, cattle; horses; and sheep.
I couldn't get Hank to buy a Cowboy hat or boots.
The weather is still very cold, high Monday was 9 degrees. Suppose to warm up to highs in the 20's by Wednesday. Lots of snow on the ground, guess it will take a while to clear up.

Cold as this little bird

This little birdie looked almost frozen when he appreared near the back deck. He wasn't afraid or in a hurry to leave as I hurried off to get the camera. I think may be a grouse of some sort. The last few days have grown increasingly cold. It seems everyone must be staying inside and protecting the heat that they have. Our home is warm although opening the door for just a few minutes is enough to kick the furnace back on full blast. Today the high was 6 degrees. That's cold, especially for a Southern girl. Weather man predicts a continuation of the freezing temps through Tuesday the 16th.

I can't remember a time when I spent all day inside with long johns on under my clothes and still felt chilly.

Yearning for a heat wave -

Snow Continues in Orchard

It's been a hectic week since my last posting. More snow fell last Thursday and to Hank's disappointment, the school bus was able to plow down our road and haul him off to classes. Snow covered the satellite so we were off line for a few days but after Henry climbed to the roof top and sweep off the snow - all lights were go for online communications.

Sunday afternoon was another sledding day with the Ranch Families. For a flat land, they sure finds ways to sled around. Joe and John used a front end loader to make ramps in a 17 acre field, everyone brought sleds, tubes, and snowboards and were pulled along behind four-wheelers! What fun! Of course, I was taking pictures and couldn't partake (haha). Look at the shot of Ryan, Wildlife guide, taking a jump on his snowboard. Several of the kids can be seen in the background being pulled behind four-wheelers. Julie and Jaelyn Stovell are in the first shot, mother and daughter having fun.

Henry heads off again tomorrow for Wyoming and more snow is predicted for this weekend, along with frigid temps, highs in the teens and lows in the single digits or -'s. Thank goodness for a full propane tank, plenty of provisions.

On the ranch, cows are being moved around for protection and planning ahead for calving season. Hopefully, I can grab a picture when the herds are on the go later today or this week.

Basketball continues to dominate our evenings in Wiggins either with practice or games.

Jane

Fugitive on CR 87

It was Saturday night, Dec 30th, about 5 pm when I heard the sirens pass by in front of the house. I didn't really think much about it until 2o minutes later Julie called concerned. She told me that a fugitive was running from the police and had been chased 25 miles from Fort Morgan. He turned down County Road 87 and ditched his truck in a snow bank about 2 miles from our house. He escaped on foot and the police thought he was headed back toward the highway (in my direction).

You might know that I was home alone, Hank gone to a neighbors sledding, and Henry working on a truck with a bad U-Joint. I locked all the doors and began watching for movement out the windows. Darkness came quickly and Henry called asking if he should go get Hank. I asked him instead to come get ME! He hadn't heard what was happening but before he could get to the house, he was asked to help tow some trucks out of the snow. I was thankful when he arrived and joined him on the tractor pull adventure where we could hear the radio broadcast of the search adventure.

A group with tracking dogs were brought in and we listened as they tracked his movement around the ranch, across the river and through the irrigation ditches. Lodges and homes were searched for hiding places, the police were moving about with search lights and the air was tense.

Henry and I came back to the house after pulling Joe's truck from the snow and returning the big John Deer 8220 tractor to it's spot. We cautiously entered the sliding back door and I noticed that the TV where I was watching a movie was off!! Henry grabbed a mop handle and quickly searched the house, under the beds, in the closets, and behind the doors. He gave me the "all clear" sign but my nerves didn't let me relax much.

Uncertain of our next step, we decided to drive the 5 miles to get Hank so we'd at least be all together. On the way, we heard over the 2-way radio, that the fugitive had been caught. YEAH!

Turns out that this Hispanic fellow was a multiple offender running from a certain prison term. He was out in the snow and zero degree temp with only tennis shoes and a sweater and jeans. He was a pretty cold young man and I think , glad to have been caught and put into a warm patrol car!

This unexpected excitment goes right along with a blizzard!

Henry and Hobbs

HI, this is Henry and Hobbs. Do you remember Hank's dog Buddy? This is Buddy's boy! He has his coloring but shaggy like his border collie mom, Fly. We are weathering the snow fine, its sunshining today so maybe some will begin to melt.
Henry is travelling to Wyoming today to work on the equipment of that ranch. We've had a good holiday in Colorado and look forward to the new year.