Naked Trees!

I love to take photographs of naked trees. Recently I went for a walk in the late afternoon. Within a mile distance from the house, I grabbed these shots. It was cold, the air crisp and there was still a small about of snow on the ground. As the sun set the sky changes from a brillant blue, to a pink and gold to finally a shimmering gold low on the horizon. Hard to believe these three different pictures were taken within 300 yards of each other and on the same evening.

One of the pleasures of living on the Colorado plains is the beautiful sky scapes.

Thanksgiving time

Thanksgiving 2009 - what a difference a year makes! This year instead of being sad because I didn't get to go home from Thanksgiving, I was glad because Hank was able to come home for Thanksgiving.

Odd that the equation changed just because our kid went off to college. Hank arrived at the Denver airport @ 7pm on Tuesday night. After a happy reunion, we traveled to our favorite local spot, AJ's Tavern , and had one of Jim's famous burgers and they are the best! A friend of Hank's met us there and it was fun hearing about the antics of college life.

On Thursday, for the third year we were invited to a families in Wiggins to share the day. There was so much food, lots of an extended family and games. Hank and his age group settled in for a game of War and Henry and I taught the little ones to play spoons!

Friday, football was on the agenda and we watched Alabama squeek by Auburn to hold onto their undefeated season. Snowboarding was on the Saturday schedule for Hank and off he went to spend the night at friends for an early departure. They had a great time and arrived back to the ranch about 5pm.

Sunday came too soon and after church and lunch we took Hank to the airport for his return to Butte, MT. Henry and I settled in for the night and to look forward to the next holiday - Christmas and winter semester break when we will all travel to Alabama to celebrate with friends and family and especially our grandson, Jon-Wilson.

Snowing - again

It's only Nov 15th and Colorado has seen three snows. First we were teased with about 2" on October 17th. I went to Orlando, Fl for a software conference and flew back to Denver to be met with 8 inches of snow with the main roads closed that lead to the ranch.

This week, Nov. 13th, I flew to Denver from a work week in Alabama and 30 miles into my 65 mile drive home, the flakes began to come down in buckets. The evening ended with about 3 inches and more is expected this before the weekend is over.

Snow is normal for this area but not this much this early. It will be fun to see what the rest of the year brings!

Savannah - Henry's new pet

We went to an Amish buggy horse auction in Brighton, Colorado. That is where Henry found Savannah - a 3 year old Draft horse. It was an auction and I was sitting right next to Henry. This pretty black and white mare was in the sale ring and the auctioneer was taking bids. It got almost to a close and the fellow was trying to get the bidders to up the price. Suddenly he was looking right towards us! I glanced at Henry and said, "are you bidding on that horse?" , when he sheepishly grinned and said, "Yeah."

In just a couple more minutes, she was ours. Although she has been harness trained, she needs some work before she will pull the blue and tan buggy that sits in our shed. I'll send those pictures once she is hooked up.

Come on out for a ride.

Jane

25 Years! Yeehaw!

Henry and I took our first anniversary trip to celebrate 25 years of marriage. It doesn't seem like it was that long ago when this smooth talking truck driver asked me dance with him at the Birmingham Airport Ramada Inn! One year later, we got married at the family farm in Ohio.

Our marriage has not been without excitement. Henry, Eric and I moved to our place in Clay after 2 years and lived there for 20 years. Henry quit trucking 3 years after Hank was born and began to farm. Homeschooling was new and Hank prospered under Henry's guidance. We (Eric, Hank and I) learned to help with farm chores: hay balying , feeding chickens, loading hogs. Together Henry and I learned to make jelly and can veggies. Faith United Methodist Church played an important role in our lives in Clay and we grew spiritually while developing close friends.

Three and 1/2 years ago Henry, Hank and I moved to the Ranch in Colorado, as you know. What a change. This chapter has been the most challenging and exciting of all. During our time here, Eric and LeighAnn, still living in Birmingham, have given us a beautiful grandson, Jon-Wilson. Hank has graduated from high school and now has moved to Prospector Hall at Montana Tech.

So, to celebrate these 25 exciting years (well they weren't all exciting) we planned a trip to the Canadian Rockies and arrived on Sept 2nd at the airport in Calgary, Alberta Canada. We saw some beautiful sites! The mountains in Canada are younger than those in the USA and have eroded less. The peaks jut out of the ground and beautiful lakes are fed by the rich mineral waters of the numerous glaciers.

We went horse back riding into the mountains near Jasper National Park. The four hour trail ride stretched muscles we didn't know needed stretching. Henry gimped around for a full day after riding Stu, the perchion draft horse!

We left Hinton, AB and traveled south 150 miles to the Banff National Park. This park includes Lake Louise, Banff Springs Hotel, beautiful waterfalls, lots of hiking trails and the Columbia Glacier Fields.

Henry planned our Sunday activities and after a 90 mile drive east, we arrived at the Pioneer Tractor Museum - are you surprised? The park housed acres of tractors, old farm implements and two morton buildings full of a private collection of restored pick up trucks dating back to the early 1900's. There were some fantastic displays and of course a lot of farm junk.

On our last day, which was my favorite, we traveled to the YoHo National Park to see Emerald Lake. This was the most beautiful place with aqua waters, tall evergreens, and quaint lodges and canoes! Henry rented a red canoe and together we paddled around the perimeter of the lake. I loved it!

Much to our surprised, we found things to talk about beyond our children and their activities, we rediscovered the fun things we liked to do together, we laughed, cooked dinner, and relaxed in hot springs. I wonder what the next 25 years will bring.

Is this a cool picture or what??

I grabbed this shot following a recent rain. I couldn't believe the rainbow was so big, so bright, and so close! Hobbs is our loyal border collie healer mix pup and he compliments the picture with his rusty color fur trimed in white.

The Colorado plains have had lots of rain this year and rainbows have been a fairly common site. They always remind me of God's promises and remind me that I have been richly blessed.

There is much to write about, taking Hank to college and the end of summer , but that will have to wait. We're headed to our first vacation without a child in 25 years for an anniversary trip to the Canadian Rockies!! yippee I'll be sure to write about that when we return.

Love to all,

Jane

Remember Girlee??

Do you recall shortly after we moved to Colorado Henry bought a 2 year old filly. His logic was that we (Girlee and I) could learn to ride together! An unbroke horse! Ha!Well, lookie here, Hank is riding Girlee!! Henry has been working with the horse and she has been riden about 6 to 8 times now.

She has a sweet nature and loves to be scratched under the chin. But she has a mind of her own and choses the direction she wants to go - specifically towards the closest green grass. Hank had to hold her pretty tight and pull the reigns with force to get her to leave the grass jog down the road.

Now don't think I am ready to get on her, I think she needs more work, make another couple of DOZEN rides, then I'll hop aboard. And when I get on her back, you'll be the first to see my picture posted on the blog.

Any of you brave cowpokes that want to give her a try, come on out to the Ranch.

Jane

Name that Bird!

Is this a strange bird or what?? I've never seen a bird that can walk on water. This black bird with a yellowish beak stands on the water, races across the water and can also fly.

When I first saw this bird on a pond near the house, I thought I was seeing things. I googled "black bird walking on water" but still haven't found anything that looks like the bird in the picture.

Let me know if you can "name that bird".

Jane

Girls for the summer!

What a different summer it's been at the Pratte's house!! Two girls moved in on June 1st and have stayed until July 24th. Aly, my niece and her friend, Sarah, travelled from Alabama to work on the Ranch for a "different experience" in 2009. I think they got what they wanted and more.

The ranch extended opportunites to work to both girls and have assigned a variety of jobs. First they planted flowers and worked on the golf course. Any work beyond babysitting was new and different and they embraced the experience. Although weeding was not a favorite, they took on the job and after the second day, Sarah limped into the house holding her back and saying, "I'll never stand up straight again." Well, of course, she did. A few minutes on the inversion table straightened her right out!

Just so happened that guest came to the ranch the first weekend, so the girls got to cook, clean and serve at the lodge. They really enjoyed working at the lodge. I'm not sure if it was because they worked with people, got to help with the cooking, or if it was simply inside work away from the weeds and bugs.

The next week a different job waited on the girls. They were assigned to PAINT the inside of a whole house - an empty house used for staff. I had to chuckle when Sarah asked, "what's that thingy that spins around on a handle?" , a paint roller - dugh... Aly and Sarah spent one whole day tapeing off the woodwork and covering the floor. The taupe colored paint went on pretty quick and within a week they had a first coat complete. It didn't take long to go over the first with a second layer and the job was done. I was pretty impressed with girls that didn't even know what a paint roller was two weeks before.

The painting went so well that their boss set them to staining! There are three lodges on the ranch made mostly of cedar logs with broad porches so you can imagine all the wood to stain. They stained one entire lodge, then porches, rails, and outdoor furniture. Everyday they came in smelling like stain and their clothes - fit for the garbage!

The staining days were interrupted with lodge activities and flower weeding and watering but the girls finally worked themselves out of a job on the 21st of July. This was fine with them - they were ready for sun bathing, horse back riding, swimming, and packing.

Just a note, it hasn't been all work, there has been a lot of play as well. I'll save that for the next blog report!

Graduation and More

You would think as well as I like to take pictures, I would have snapped some with Hank in his cap and gown. I guess the day was just too emotional and before I knew it the ceremony was over and the gown was turned into the administrative staff. Phooey! This picture I grabbed of Hank and his friend Gilbert - they both look pretty happy to have this behind them, don't you think?

Following the exercises we had a super party at the Wiggins Ball Park complete with food, friends, music, games and fun. My friend, Ester, grabbed my camera and took these pictures that give you a brief glimpes into the day.

An unexpected Mothers Day Gift

Several years ago I paddled around the Bay near Gulf Shores Alabama in a sit-on-top Ocean Kayak owned by friends Bill and Debra. It was so amazing to be "on the water" paddling around observing the wildlife and enjoying the peaceful experience on the water. Every since that weekend, I have wanted to learn more and own my own kayak.

I'd dropped some hints but didn't think Henry or Hank really understood that, yes I really did want a kayak. This year when I got up on Mothers Day, I stumbled into the living room , literally. I tripped over a new Old Town Dirigo kayak! Its too cool. I jumped into the seat and grabbed the paddle. I was shocked.

It didn't take long until I was dressed and loading up the boat to head down to the Bass Pond. The pond is about 150 yards from the house and is the perfect place for me to paddle around.

The pictures are evidence that I'm enjoying having my very own little boat. (And I'm letting Hank and Henry paddle around too!)

Its managable and I have parked it on the shore where I can push into the water, settle into the seat and cast off into the lake.

Did I mention this is a fishing kayak. It is very stable which makes me feel pretty safe. There is an attachment that holds a fishing rod and I have a nice one that is easy to cast. There is also a place for bait and a cup holder. A small compartment behind the seat holds one of the most important tool - mosquito spray! I have fished but not caught one, yet. To tell the truth, I like the fishing but even more I like the freedom of gliding through the water at my own pace.

So my advise to all the rest of you, keep dropping those hints. One day a loved one just might catch on that you are serious and get you the toy you always wanted. Thank you, Henry and Hank!

If you are ever in the area, drop by and I'll let you kayak around the Bass Pond, too.

Jane

May Activities - count down to graduation

May 2009 will be a banner month - Hank's senior year and graduation from high school! It's hard to believe that 18 years have gone by so quickly. It was 18 years ago when Henry, Hank (a newborn) and my dad, Bailey attended Eric's (our oldest son) graduation ceremony at Trussville High Schools football field in Trusville, AL.



At the basketball banquet (season ended late March) Hank was awarded the 2009 Defensive Player of the Year. Coach Kerr said that when a big guy needed to be covered, Hank was the man he selected as the guard. This was a surprise award !


As April led to May, we've been busy every weekend with track season and it's been fun to watch all the Wiggins students compete. Hank has finished a successful track season with a State Championship win in the 4X800 relay last Thursday, May 14th. The race was exciting as Gilbert Tucker, Hank , Logan Trautwein, and Alex Dore ran their best time, shaving 15 seconds off their season best. It was an amazing effort by each boy and I was jumping up and down at the fence as Wiggins 4th leg runner, Alex, crossed the finish line in first place!









Studies were wrapped up and classes ended on May 15th. Hank will graduate with honors. He he has decided to attend Montana Tech - University of Montana in Butte, MT. You can check out the school at www.mtech.edu This is an engineering college with in the mountains with a student to professor ratio of 1-14, and most importantly to Hank, close to excellent skiing. So while we will have Hank out west, Butte is still 10 hours northwest of our home in Orchard, CO.


Saturday, May 23rd at 10 am Henry and I will be in the audience at the graduation ceremony. I've selected my outfit carefully, making sure there is a pocket for my tissues to dab my eyes!


Following the graduation we are hosting an open house celebration complete with southern bar-b-que, Norms cole slaw and some assorted tasty treats. I wish each of you could be with us during this happy time. I'll post a blog with some pictures to document this event!


Just an added note of exciting family graduations: Our nephew Scott Little is graduating from Oneonta High School - congrats to Scott. And our nephew Eli Waltz is graduation from Columbia University in New York City with a degree in Mechanical Engineering - a big congrat to Eli. My neice, Michelle Little, graduated from Huntington University in Montgomery, Alabama with a business degree. She has been working on this degree while maintaining a full time job - quite an accomplishment, I'm very proud of her also. Karla Pitt, also my neice, graduated from Virginia College with a degree in Interior Design in March this year. She already has a full time job working with a designer that owns her own business in Birmingham - Karla loves design so if you need help with a design job, give her a chance!


May has been busy for us but I bet it's been busy for you as well.


We think of all of you often and glad to keep in touch in this small way.


Jane

Prom at Wiggins High

Of course parents don't get to go to prom but I did get to take pictures of some of the couples. Hank took a fellow student, Katlin Schwindt. Hank and Katlin met two more couples before the prom and went out to dinner at Old Chicago Pizza. Now a pizza place wasn't a fancy place to go all dressed up but these kids like pizza so it seemed appropriate to them.

Everyone was dressed up and looking fine. From left to right, Logan and Mariella, Hank and Katlin, Alex and Ashley

After dinner, the kids went back to the school where the lead out and prom dance began at 8pm. Wiggins junior parents host an afterprom party which begins at midnight and continues until 3am. The idea for this party centers around providing the kids something fun to do and to keep them off the roads and minimize opportunities for drinking. The couples leave prom, change to some comfort clothes and come back to the school to enjoy a fun party games, movies, competions, and prizes. Most all the students and their dates attend, I think the chance for prizes is a big draw.

Hank had a great time and because of the after prom party, I knew he was safe.

I appreciated this practice of the prom and after prom, thanks to the Wiggins Jr. Parents!

Chicks!

Last fall, a racoon and her babies found Henry's hen house. Needless to say, all the Chickens and even the rooster were killed by this momma anxious to feed her little ones. Henry did finally catch the racoon in a trap but the damage was done.

Well last week, in the mail, 50 baby chicks arrived at the Pratte house. Henry ordered 25 laying hens, 25 meat chickens and 15 turkeys. They are cute, fuzzy and very tiny. It is amazing how fast they will grow. It will be 6 to 8 months before the brown ones in the picture begin to lay eggs. I have missed those good farm fresh eggs!

These babies will stay warm under a heat lamp for the next couple of weeks.

Come on out for some of those good scramble eggs! Jane

Track Season 2009

Well it's track season again. Look at the snow in the background. This was taken last Saturday which followed a blizzard in Colorado on Thursday, the 26th of March. I enjoy watching Hank run and the other kids from Wiggins. I shout for everyone! Its funny, the first words out of the fellow who is starting the race is, "Sweats off", then "On your mark, Get set, Go!

Moving Cows! YEE-HAW!

As the winter progresses, the cowboys and cowgirls move the cows around to rotate pastures. Yesterday 150 cows were moved from the south side of US Hwy 34 to the north side of the highway. The State Highway Patrol comes out and blocks traffic while the cowboys round up the herd and force them out of the pasture and onto the pavement. It doesn't take but a few minutes for the cows to scurry across in search of pasture but then they have to keep moving to the new pasture ground. Brandy and Lisa lead the herd!

This time, the cows were herded about 2 miles north on county road 91, turned right to CR 44 1/2 , then right again onto county road 87. About 1/2 mile later, the cowboys headed the girls into a pasture on the west side of the road. Mike and his dog are following behind the herd making sure no one escapes the drive.

I caught up with the herd about 1/4 mile from the new pastures and here are the pictures to prove it! It was cold and windy but fun.

Elle May

Hey, I got a new puppy! Elle May is a Shitzu-Poodle mix (Shi-Poo) and is a cute little bundle weighing about 6 pounds.

Since she is a pup, born in Sept 1,2008, I'm giving her a break but she is no Grizzly, yet. Her timid (or stubborn) nature makes me so mad because she won't come running to me when I get home, she won't walk on a leash, and she won't let me pet her without coaxing her to me.

Now I'm working on her and she is working on me, so I know we'll become best buddies. But, if you have some tricks I could use to train her, don't hesitate to leave me comments!! She is pictured here with Hobbs, Hanks Border Collie/Heeler mix.

Jane

I have been corrected!

Recently a friend, Karen, chastised me for letting this blog get so out of date. I have no excuse except laziness. So, I'm going to try to do better.

Since I last wrote, we spent Christmas in Alabama for the first time in 3 years. We had a wonderful time and made lots of memories as we visited family and friends while celebrating the Birth of Jesus Christ. Here is a few pictures, Hank and cousins, Jon Wilson, and my sister Missy and husband, Larry:

Also, basketball has been in full swing for Hank. Henry and I have been very intentional to see as many games as possible, this being Hank's last year for high school sports.

To support the Wiggins Booster Club, I took on a project to make "tiger tails" and "tiger scarfs". I followed a pattern of the tail from Auburn University, the items have been a hit. It is so funny to see the children dancing around the basketball court with their "tails" wagging! (wish I had a picture to share but you'll have to imagine for now). These two pictures are of Paige and Shane, there are helping me get the tails ready for sale and I'm teaching them to sew!

Ranch life is centered around feeding operations and the calving season right now. The cowboys keep a watchful eye for new calves and help the heifers (mother cows) if there is trouble during the delivery. I have still not gotten a picture of a new born calf - which just means I'm staying inside the house too much. Henry helps feed cows pretty much every morning. He enjoys the equipment used for loading up the feed. Daily rations are carefully monitored as each cow is alloted a certain percentage of the load. This is a cool picture I took recently early on Sunday morning. The ground was covered in snow and the sunrise was beautiful. Henry is driving the truck and in one picture you can see the cows sticking their necks through the fence to reach the feed.

We'll I'll stop for now so I can save some material for later. There is lots to share , eagles nesting, coyotes howling, cows moving - oh, that reminds there is a herd moving in today and I want to get ya'll a picture!

Keep reminding me to write - it sure is easy to get lazy!

Jane