Merry Yon

Fernando!!

2012-02-14T11:46:00.000-06:00

Fernando, my oilfield consultant loverboy sent me these very nice flowers!

He's a Keeper!
Thank You, Fernando, see you Wednesday!
Same time, same place!!

Braces...Here we Come

2012-02-13T21:59:00.000-06:00

It was "B" day for Jr. Jr.
Braces that is.

It was also our first offical day of winter weather, about 2" fell and we were happy to get it. Speck was just hoping to go along, riding in the front seat would have been ideal for her. She wouldn't have minded the backseat either.

The after smile...He said, "I feel like I have a bit in my mouth!" Lunch was at his favorite place, "Jeff's"and
he was starving by the time we ate.
Starved and tortured all in one day!

Time to Stock Up...Weather on the WAY!!

2012-02-11T16:14:00.000-06:00

We are expecting a round of winter weather, hopefully this round won't be as bad as the 2010 No Electricity Event!

Russell Farm 2009...

These girls were yearling heifers then, they're on their second calves this Spring, sure hope they wait on calving until after this "cool" weather we're expecting is gone.
If the weather gets bad we are not prepared, we have no chip nor dip!

Bovine Pedicure

2012-02-09T23:45:00.000-06:00

"Ruth" having a pedicure courtesy of "Uncle Jerry"

Spencer had to be the muscles of the operation, it was good for him!

Elgin Spring Show '12

2012-02-04T23:28:00.000-06:00

Cale won Senior Showmanship with "Ruth"

Spencer & Sally May

The Crew minus one......Exhibited about 15 head of cattle.
There are some VERY good showmen in this little group!

Goober and his Limi heifer. Her name is Hattie May

Mr. Serious with his girl "Asia".

She Shall PAINT

2012-01-26T23:53:00.001-06:00

Oh! Hours of painting will relieve your chocolate chip
and blonde brownie debt.
I have them counted.
So that none of your
dieters will cheat.
See you promptly
after
school,
dress
appropriately!

Raining Here!!

2012-01-24T20:23:00.000-06:00

IT IS RAINING....AND WE ARE OH SO THANKFUL! MAKES US AS HAPPY AS DEAD PIGS IN THE SUNSHINE!!

Good Stuff

2012-01-23T19:34:00.000-06:00

I love Mrs. Baird's bread, this was especially good. Found it in Denton/Decauter?? (I get them confused) on the way to see my honey for Christmas. It is almost as good as our Granny Whitfield's..not quite but almost!

Santa Claus Rides Again

2012-01-22T15:37:00.001-06:00

Ho, ho, ho.
They had to take it for a quick spin around the pasture before finding a place to park it.

LILY's Birthday!

2012-01-16T17:08:00.000-06:00

LILY joined us today at a whopping 9lbs, 3 oz very early this morning, 3:30ish. She makes me a GREAT Aunt yet again!

Biggest Sister, mounted up and riding "Lipstick" aka "Dipstick"

Big Sister riding "Trigger"

Big Brother worked hard gathering up wood.

Very Cool Gifts

2012-01-12T22:42:00.002-06:00

Very Cool Gifts came in many forms, I found these bowls online, they are just cool!

This is my favorite! And didn't he choose the perfect color?

This funnel cake mix was a gift from CP to Jr.Jr.! He had great fun swirling them into the grease!

This is a picture blanket, I thought is was cool, it was the OSU game day picture we all were in.

Jr. thought his giant Reese cup was cool! Looks like a dental nightmare, Jr. Jr.'s was a giant Snicker.

Christmas Break 2011

2012-01-09T14:01:00.001-06:00

Jr. built a windbreak for the horses, next time he'll not put the tin on first!

Jerry and the boys put in a sink drain, we really did need it.

Mr. Ditchdiggerman rode shotgun over the job.

Rowdyboy came over on New Years Eve & he ate things other than cookies!!

And BooBoo came as well, here he is showing off his Christmas stocking.

Good Day to be a COWBOY

2012-01-03T08:30:00.000-06:00

OSU won the Fiesta Bowl last night beating Stanford in an overtime game. Often people ask me if I am an OSU football fan, well I am, but I am an OSU Alumni first and win or lose, I love OSU! So, it is always a good day to be a COWBOY, even a little bit better today. God Bless Oklahoma State!

A Connie Hat & Olives

2012-01-02T15:18:00.000-06:00

This is my niece's baby, he has a new love of olives.

If you'll look closely, he'll show them to you.

We had our final Christmas on New Years & this was his cutest gift of all! It's an Aunty Connie Creation.
Keeping it on was a bit of a challenge.

Oklahoma Agritourism Rolling Bus Tour 2011 OK Horizons Video

2011-12-22T19:28:00.000-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=82ux6Rh2Pic

And Lately We've Been...

2011-12-22T11:38:00.001-06:00

Lately we've been to the movies to see...The Chipmunks and to eat popcorn & hot dogs!

We've moved the cows to the "Russell Ranch" (that makes me laugh everytime) it is their last farm with grass. Upon arrival they thought they had died and gone to heaven, there was grass to be eaten, it has been a very long time since they've had adequate forage.

And I've been BAKING for my darling sister's school. Blonde Brownies, some kind of good!
Merry Christmas Ya'll!

AFR Speech

2011-12-10T20:47:00.000-06:00

Jr. was 3rd in State at the American Farmers and Rancher's speech contest today.
Tonight he's attending MFE for FFA. His speech uses a quote from Jason Aldean's song, Amarillo Sky, (you know "underneath that Amarillo sky") well one of his questions after the speech was "What does 'take the tractor another round' mean??? I hope they were just seeing if he knew what he was talking about and weren't really asking what it meant!!

Sally May Brings Home the Bacon...I Mean the Beef!

2011-12-06T23:25:00.001-06:00

This was just a second or two after he'd been chosen Champion Hereford Heifer at the Wichita Mountians Classic, his expression was priceless. What a blessing!

Ring #2 Champion Hereford Heifer again.
Gotta love a stockshow with two rings!

This was Sally May's the first time to town, she was mildly ok with the concept. She was much happier to be back at home in her cozy and comfortable pen surrounded by her bovine sisters.

Martha Yon's Thanksgiving Meal

2011-11-28T23:31:00.000-06:00

Our Thanksgiving meal consisted of ham, dressing, asparagus and brocolli/cheese casserole. Most of it was wonderful....the b/c casserole...not so wonderful.

Our youngest pilgrim made four pumpkin pies which were pretty good and which were shared...mostly shared. We also made jalapeno poppers, blonde brownies and peach cobbler, the cobbler didn't quite turn out as it usually does. But we still had a very good Thanksgiving! Ho, ho, ho....here we go! Thanksgiving #3 on Sunday.

Resourceful Raingear

2011-11-26T19:23:00.000-06:00

A beet pulp sack makes for excellent rain gear--pockets and all.

Jr. found himself an emergency poncho, I thought it was a bag from the cleaners.

Thankful for the rain and for two pretty good boys.

FIFTEEN....

2011-11-22T09:51:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday Calebob!

Enjoying some gravy pizza!

Then off to a speech contest in Caney Valley, Kansas.

Thankful for These

2011-11-20T22:05:00.002-06:00

We went to the Ranch Rodeo Finals in Amarillo, it was a great event. Nobody we knew was participating, but we enjoyed it just the same. There was a poet from Cyril and a saddle/chap maker from Cement there sharing and selling their wares. There were more spurs and bridle reins than you could count. Big cowboy hats, short brimmed "Herbert Weedn" hats and everything in between, Jr. came home with a "Stormy Kromer" hat...it's a "cool cowboy" version of Elmer Fudd's hunting hat. Little Jr. came home with a new felt hat, of which has brought forth the nickname "Thumbtack". There were little cowboys selling Australian Sheppard puppies, old cowboys selling squeeze chutes and a chick from Alva, Wyoming selling Giant Rubber Water Tanks....we've got one or two of her tanks. Can't break'em. Anyway, it is a good trip, only four hours from home with plenty to see and do. Our hotel was nice on top of all that!

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Rocking my babies....who were PAST full after eating at the Big Texan...and no we didn't try the 72 ounce steak.
The waitress chick told us that someone tries it daily during the summer....I can't imagine...it is the size of a huge roast.
Must comment on the Quarter Horse Museum....AMAZING even on our second trip to see it.

Oklahoma State...Hurting One More Time

2011-11-19T09:47:00.000-06:00

Please pray for the families that are hurting now, and the families that are hurting again 10 years later. Thankful that I am a COWBOY!

Thankful that I'm an OKLAHOMAN!

FFA Interscholastics @ Panhandle State

2011-11-10T08:21:00.001-06:00

At the Tulsa State Fair, Cale won the showmanship for the Simmental breed. Afterwards Ruth was wanting a bite of the award, she had tired to lick it several times. No telling what Jerry said just before this picture was taken. Cale won the FFA creed at Panhandle State's Interscholastic Meet on Tuesday and was second with his speech. No pictures of the event,but Very Cool!

OSU vs. K State

2011-11-06T23:08:00.001-06:00

We attended the OSU/KState Football game and of course we all needed appropriate attire so after a "quick" shopping trip to the Student Union we had our picture taken (in our new duds) by some very nice ladies from Snyder, Oklahoma. I am thankful that Jr. Jr. wasn't giving them the "dorky" boy expression which plagues most of his recent photos---note his Daddy's hand--positioned on the "straighten up" button.

Jr. Jr. enjoyed the game, but the ending was great fun, he was "KING of the Cup Gatherers"
OSU won the game and is now #2! Missed the earthquake, we must have been in the car, but made it home by 2am or 3am...depending on your view of daylight savings time. Off to church the next morning, my Daddy always said, "You can't stay out all night and sleep all day". No sleeping today, not even in church.

Camping, 5 Boys, 6 Horses & a Bunch of Stuff

2011-10-30T22:59:00.001-05:00

Since the boys were little they've been camping. The started out in the backyard, progressed down to the pasture and have now gone down the road. Thanks to their friend with a draft horse or two they were able to travel a bit more efficiently-able to take more stuff. Sure beats the days of loading up Freckles and the little red wagon for an expedition down into the pasture.

They took coffee, biscuit dough, bbq sauce and tons of other necessary items. The also forgot many necessary items, but their concierge was just a jingle away.

Mort the dog even tagged along. You can see why we have so many dog funerals....the middle of the road is their favorite place in which to travel.

They had a good time and not one of them froze to death nor was eaten by a wild hog.
They are great boys, we'd keep every one of them!

Drought Beauty

2011-10-25T18:32:00.000-05:00

I missed the "peak" of pretty on these flowers. One morning I noticed them all worshiping the sun, they were amazing in color. Beauty, even in a drought!

So, is it worshipping or worshiping???
Where is my Mudder when I need her!!

Saving Some Soil

2011-10-22T19:37:00.002-05:00

My Daddy would be pleased as punch!
Thanks to Snider Construction!

Team Fitting Champs

2011-10-17T19:12:00.000-05:00

The boys along with Ms. Plumb won the TSF's Jr. FFA Cattle Fitting Contest. They were awarded oodles and gobs of goodies of which they promptly traded for a different lot of goodies! Three kids just can't use one blower. It was a fun night. The boys will donate their pink winner caps to their little girl cousins. Jerry McPeak organized and emceed the event which was good fun for all!

Popper's Last Dance

2011-10-10T21:25:00.000-05:00

Popper & Jr. Jr.
Last Dance
Tulsa State Fair
Big Girl Hereford Class 5th Place
Hereford Showmanship 4th in their heat
His 3rd Show Heifer

Depressing Drought Details

2011-09-30T08:12:00.000-05:00

Gary McManus of the Oklahoma Climatological Survey told the webinar that west of I-35, we have had the driest past 365 days of any period ever- since records have been kept- and that goes back to 1895. From: Ron Hayes, Oklahoma Agrinet

Drought Likely to Continue to Sit Right on Top of Oklahoma for the Balance of 2011

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 20:27:37 CDT
Persistent Drought will likely stay right on top of Oklahoma for the balance of this calendar year. According to the Climate Prediction Center of the National Weather Service, there seems to be little evidence of the drought that is mostly in the D4 stage- or Exceptional Drought stage- will be mitigated anytime soon.

PRAY FOR RAIN....IT'S OUR ONLY HOPE!

My Favorite Billboard

2011-09-27T23:49:00.000-05:00

I didn't.

Grass

2011-09-26T22:42:00.000-05:00

One year ago we had grass and thought there'd never be another dry day. Boy were we wrong! Pray for rain, we are past dry. By the way, this mott heifer weaned the biggest calf of our first calf heifers. The "tiny tim" of the bunch was "unavailable" for photographing.

Blessings

2011-09-25T00:34:00.000-05:00

Every day blessings are in front of us, most days we don't take the time to notice them. Since last Sunday morning when Bud "went for a drive" we've been blessed daily. One was the comment of an older cowboy gentleman who was filling up his pickup with fuel, horse in tow. When Jerry approached him to show him Bud's picture and ask that he look for him, he stated, "Well, that is Mr. Wolfe, I've been looking for him, saw it on tv". He was gracious and encouraging. He was from Walters, we didn't know him. Another was Rhonda who dropped everything she had to do on Tuesday and took over for me. She jumped in quite willingly to care for the boys that day. Our friends and neighbors are amazing, they really didn't know Bud, but they came and brought great food and they prayed. Yet another was Sam Horse, a preacher from Anadarko who told a story about the journey of life and how parents are to nurture, guide, teach and then allow their children to grow and go on in life, well equipped to do so. There are many I could write about, some larger blessings than others but all heartfelt just the same. God puts good people in our path....sometimes we stumble right over them oblivious to the blessing.....be aware of blessings, don't overlook them. Thank you to those of you who went out of your way to look for Bud, to feed us and to encourage us. Thank You for your love, support and your prayers.

Bud's Funeral

2011-09-22T15:58:00.001-05:00

Bud's funeral proceedings are as follows: Prayer service at Smith's in Anadarko on Friday at 7pm, Graveside at the Anadarko Cemetery 10am on Saturday.

Bud is Found

2011-09-20T17:58:00.000-05:00

The Texas Rangers found Bud and his pickup this morning southeast of Wichita Falls. He had pulled over on the edge of the road and turned off his motor and died there. The funeral will be Friday or Monday as an autopsy must be conducted. Thank you for your prayers, your help and your concern.

LOOKING FOR BUD...MON EVE

2011-09-19T17:55:00.000-05:00

YESTERDAY MORNING BUD WAS DRIVING ON THE GRASS NEXT TO THE BUILDING AT THE WELCOME CENTER AT WALTERS, OK THEY HAVE HIM ON VIDEO AT 9:26 AM ....YOU CAN SEE WHERE HE DROVE ACROSS THE GRASS ONTO THE ASPHALT! ....DIDN'T CALL THE OHP, THE GIRL WHO SAW HIM HEARD IT ON THE NEWS THIS AM AND CALLED IN. SO WE HAVE DRIVEN THROUGH WALTERS, RANDLETT, DEVOL, CHATTY, GRANDFIED AND PUT OUT FLYERS IN THE CONV STORES & COOP'S. HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE FAMILY WHO FARMS HIS LAND NEXT TO THE RED RIVER, DROVE TO IT, NO BUD.......THIS IS HIS PICKUP, HE HAS BEEN GONE SINCE SUNDAY MORNING VERY EARLY.

LOOK FOR BUD

2011-09-19T08:25:00.001-05:00

Jerry's step-dad Bud went for a "drive" on Saturday morning very early, he has dementia and is diabetic. Look for his pickup pictured below. Time as always is of the essence in these cases. He could be anywhere. Thank you and please forward this post to your friends.
.

2011-09-13T10:25:00.000-05:00

NO PUMPKIN PATCHING THIS FALL...TOO DRY! SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
THE JAHN'S

Ruth in Reserve

2011-09-11T17:09:00.001-05:00

A Reserve Grand Champion Heifer and an "almost" Showmanship winner. The intermediate beef showmanship was tough, lots of kids and a judge who worked them. It was fun to watch.

Warmish Fence Building

2011-09-02T09:28:00.001-05:00

"I'm sure Sponge Bob is on at home, wonder if Mom left the A/C on?
Do weaned calves really need a new pen?"

"Why oh why didn't I start this project when it was winter time?"

102 at SIX pm!

"After seven stitches in my finger they made me wear gloves when building fence"...Imagine that!

HB...BOYFRIEND

2011-08-29T22:45:00.000-05:00

Happy 40th Birthday JerryBeth!!
We love you!
MC&S

Glen Rose

2011-08-25T18:00:00.002-05:00

We went to the tracks, the dinosoaur tracks that is. in Glen Rose, Texas.

We examined them, easy to do in a drought.

They begged to go back to Dinosaur World.

A sign all good cowpokes appreciate. Problem was they had no grass, not too many cows left in their country either.

Nothing like a little brotherly"peenchy weenchy" on the cheek.

Good fun in 105+ degree weather...they golfed afterwards, I did not.
We really didn't see Dinosuar World...not quite our thing. But the tracks were cool!

First Day of School 2011

2011-08-17T08:27:00.000-05:00

The Jahn Preparatory School and Elgin High School are in full swing as of today! Do pray for all involved, they'll need it. Most of the family is back together (to some degree and distance between buildings) at Elgin Public Schools, one teaching in pre-first, one administering at Stoney Point and three little ones scattered through the middle school and into high school. It is a good day...it looks rainy!

A Showmanship for Spencer!

2011-08-16T14:26:00.001-05:00

Jr. Jr. has won a showmanship contest and we are oh, so thrilled. He did very well, calm and cool while leading his girl Popper into a stance. We're just SO proud of him, it was a blessing. Sweat beads and all!

Just a little left arm cow slobber to cool a boy off.

He showed "Elizabeth" you know, from "Shoooot 'em Lizbeth" on her first time out. They both did well. Elizabeth's momma went along for moral support.

And a big thanks to Mr. B for showing "Ruth"!!! His first time too!

Becoming a Freshman

2011-08-08T22:24:00.000-05:00

Tonight he enrolled in the 9th grade. Happy as a clam to see his buddies. Pleased to see a few of the other gender as well.
Insuring his Mother that honors classes weren't really necessary...especially Honors English. Mother wasn't convinced.

.
Just the other day he was a "gun slinger" with cool new guns and a really cool gun belt that Bud & Gma had made for him for Christmas. Time does fly.

Praying for Rain

2011-08-05T16:04:00.000-05:00

The old saying is "If you don't like the weather in Oklahoma, wait a day or two and it'll change"
I'M READY FOR THE CHANGE!!
SO, PLEASE.....

WE REALLY NEED IT.
Thank You
Mary

Sheep, Goats and Hot Dogs

2011-07-30T21:34:00.001-05:00

I have a huge herd of four sheep, plus one very "confident" momma goat. These creatures are for the enjoyment of my pumpkin patch kids; for 31 days each October they are appreciated, loved and overfed. During the other eleven months they live a happily neglected life IN the pasture pretending to be little cows. They are not welcome in our yard. They are to act as if they are beef cows with no interest in lounging about on the front porch nor grazing on withering plants in long abandoned flowerbeds. In a cooler life our dogs enjoyed putting them in their place and letting them know just who was boss of the yard. Well, you see it is currently very hot here in Oklahoma, (50+ days over 100 degrees with only three drops of rain) and the big, bad dogs don't care one iota if the sheep and big momma eat every leaf left on our beleaguered flowers, shrubs or in our little garden. So, today there are four sheep, one bossy goat and three lazy dogs for sale or for borrowing....but they'll need to be back home on Oct 1st. Thank You.

Sincerely,

One Cranky Sheep Herder

ps, these pictures were taken today....it is really that dry!

Grasshoppers

2011-07-28T23:16:00.002-05:00

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On top of no rain we are blessed with these very nice creatures, which have done very well this summer! Think we'll go into the "grasshopper for fish bait" business!

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Jr. and his horse Dipstick getting cooled off at the bull pasture tank.
Dipstick did some fine slurping, it was hot!! Jr. Jr.'s horse wasn't too keen on drinking there...he'd just wait.

Recycling Water Tank

2011-07-26T22:39:00.001-05:00

Farmers & Ranchers were "green" way before it was cool, mostly out of pure necessity, as well as a gut driven desire to make it better than it was when acquired. Our latest improvement is a water tank at the bull pasture, a farm that has only had pond water for the last 25 years or so. No more hot, stagnant stuff for our girls, now they have nice cool, clean water. This cow was the first to drink, and oh, she did enjoy it. Notice the JUNK and arrow spraypainting, it was ruined at the mine where it was used as a loader tire or something like that, looks better here being beneficial to cows than it would in a dump of junk!

And ontop of it's "green-ness" it is solar powered.
If it were only heat powered we'd really have it made, only 108 here today.
PRAY FOR RAIN!

Rowdy Boy--Surgery #2

2011-07-19T12:19:00.000-05:00

Rowdy after surgery in the Pediatric ICU at Childrens, they are planning on removing a few of his tubes today. Please continue in prayer for him...PRAYER WORKS!!

He just doesn't have time to lay around, he is busy, has to get moving!!

When He is Married

2011-07-12T09:59:00.000-05:00

When he is married I am going to say things aloud that embarrass him:
I'm going to poke salty french fries between the seats in his pickup:
I'm going to do things just because he thinks I shouldn't:
I'm going to smear grease on my pants every day:
I'm going to eat him out of house and home:
I'm going to love him unconditioally,
even if he used my wonderful
lawnmower to move a
1966 Caddy.

Duce...The Ride Mooching Dog

2011-07-06T11:27:00.003-05:00

The 4th of July was a great day for Duce the dog.

He mooched rides with each refreshing swim.
I wondered if his toenails were sharp.

They must not have been. He wasn't bothered at all by my concerns for his driver nor the flotation device on which they rode.
Anybody floating was fair game, putty in his hands, relief from the storm, a safe haven, cozy, comfortable and most importantly available.

Chaps

2011-07-02T09:31:00.000-05:00

This summer Jock Pollard made Jr.'s second pair of chaps. His first pair was ordered for Christmas 2001(or so) and they were a bit too long, but he cinched them up and wore them anyway. Time flew by and Jock "reengineered" them so they'd fit around the middle a few more years, they became chinks after the second "reengineering" and finally had to be put away as there was no more room for growth. These are shotgun chaps and he is oh, so pleased...they are so cool, beyond cool.....cooler than SAS shoes with tassels, feathered hair or a '83 shortbed GMC pickup.....

Fashionable Golfers??

2011-06-26T18:53:00.001-05:00

They golfed the other day, each sporting their own brand of fashion.

Larry, Moe and Curley.
Cowboy boots & golf don't mix, thank goodness he had his golf shoes in the car. The "matching socks" that accompanied the outfit were almost cousins!
Jr. Jr. did well, even commenting that "there just might be something to this vision therapy"!

Rowdy

2011-06-21T11:28:00.002-05:00

Rowdy will have surgery for his lung issue in July.
Pray for him, his doctors, nurses and his Moma & Daddy.
He's had a tough start in life, but it hasn't slowed him down much!!
He had just finished chasing the geese at Medicine Park when I got him to stop long enough for a picture.

Entertaining Friends

2011-06-20T14:56:00.002-05:00

Jr. Jr.'s friend came over the other day, so to entertain themselves they decided that the donkey must be ridden.Let me say that the dear ol' Donk has almost been sent to the happy hunting grounds a few times for aggravated assault against beef cattle. He is guilty and must endure boy adventures in order to pay for his sins against the bovine world.
Said Donk was led into the "bucking chute" (boy conglomeration of pallets & other junk) where he was "rigged" to buck.
I had made a mental note of how many minutes it would take to get to the ER and just which route to take.
The suspense was thick......

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Donk was let out with Jr. on his back, bucking strap in place and we were good to go. It was an uneventful, dissapointing ride, Donk wasn't in the bucking mood...bucking strap or not. He just wasn't gonna do it. He just walked...barely. So plan B was implemented.

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Time for rider # two.

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Then for rider #3...Jr. Jr.'s friend. Visiting friends of farm kids always get the best treatment.

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Friend was to be the first rider out of the lot on Donk.
No worries, no bucking there either. They were done shortly thereafter as it was some kind of HOT outside. Time for a Dr. Pepper!

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But, not before he rode the Harley a bit.
May your day be more pleasant than Donk's was.

Oh, Hail!

2011-06-15T08:07:00.002-05:00

Even chickens who are known for their lack of brilliance found shelter from the hail.

We're so dry we'll take moisture in any form, yesterday's thunderstorm provided 1/2 inch plus a very good covering of hail, two times.

Jr. running in from the pickup, wouldn't want to damage the brain by being pummeled with a dozen or more mean little hail stones!

This was the best part, actual rain which we need so badly. What a blessing!

Show Calf Camp

2011-06-13T23:11:00.000-05:00

Happy and excited to go, calves happy and excited to go. Cookies, clothes and a boat load of stuff ready for the three hour drive to Conners State College and Jerry McPeak's Show Calf Camp.

Off they go! Should I shop or have my nails done today???
No laundry for me for three days!!

Oh, home again home again, grouchy, dirty with a boat load of STINKY, wet and smelly clothes. Overly tired boys and very tired show calves. They had a great time, Jr. Jr. danced with 5 girls! He learned some show calf stuff too! Jr....well, he only danced with 2 girls---a boy a few words.
Jr. won showmanship in his division and Jr. Jr. won second in his showmanship division!!!

Goin' to Camp!

2011-06-09T09:21:00.000-05:00

Jr. was off to Rural Electric Camp, sponsored by Caddo Electric, "that was the best camp I've ever been too", he said on the way home. Learned about electricity, power poles, linemen and how to form a cooperative. He was voted general manager of the Coke & Candybar Cooperative. So, Thanks to CADDO ELECTRIC COOP for giving Jr. a great opportunity!

These fine folks loaded up and spent a week at Falls Creek Children's Camp, all are related to Jr. Jr.!
Thanks to Connielamb, Aunt Ann and Michelle for "kid herding".
(This picture was taken when they returned...they are all faking a smile...to say they were dog tired would have been an understatement!) Camp is work!!

Best buds here, they had a great time together!

Hats in Color

2011-06-07T17:29:00.000-05:00

Rip and Snort were photographed last week. A couple years before the same company took their pictures and I loved them. They used a sepia tone and the pictures were great. Not so happy with these. Maybe next time. But, it was a fundraiser for a great cause!

Salt Patties

2011-06-05T14:14:00.001-05:00

Once upon a time, many moons ago I cooked up a batch of Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies. A recipe that girls of our community learned in Home Economics class. I was just a little kid when my sister Connie began making the delectable treats and now I can find 50 pounds of my being to dedicate to them. Reading was something I had not quite mastered when I ventured into the kitchen to "cook". So, long story short....I mistook the sugar for salt...thus the name, Salt Patties given to them by our darling brother in reference to the briny disaster in which I had concocted. Here is the recipe....void of salt.

Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Before you get started, rip off a good long section of wax paper and put it out to spoon the cookie mixture on.
Also premeasure your oatmeal and peanut butter, so you can dump them right in.

Boil (I mean rolling boil) the following for two minutes STIRRING ALL THE TIME:
     2 cups sugar
     3 tablespoons cocoa
     1 stick of butter or margarine (do support the dairy farmers here!!)
     1/2 cup milk or Milnot

Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 cup peanut butter and then 3 cups oatmeal.
Spoon quickly onto the wax paper.

Don't make them on a humid day....and leave the salt in the cabinet!

8th Grade Graduation

2011-05-28T17:52:00.000-05:00

Thank goodnes for my husband, sister, nephew and neices!
All of whom were available to be in attendance for Jr.'s 8th Grade Graduation, as youngest child and I were not due to virual attacks on our bodies. Missing their events is hard on the Momma! Jr. received several awards and was even given a scholarship afterwards due to an error on the part of the school. So, thank you hubby for making it home on time and thank you sister sue & jr. sue for standing in and being there!!

Recovering

2011-05-20T23:44:00.000-05:00

Whine post #1: A mean, nasty bacteria ridden virus invaded me this last week----I thought I would die, it would have been easy to, but I did not, to look at it on the bright side.....it was a quick weight loss program.

Whine post #2: The day after my 45th birthday my right arm quit....wanted to cry like a little baby. My sister, my nurse friend and the chiropractor were blessings.

Realization #235810863: I am getting old and my bones are not 12 or 20 or even 44 anymore.

Milestones

2011-05-17T22:46:00.000-05:00

We've reached a milestone in life. Prayer does work.

Old Pictures

2011-05-13T21:40:00.000-05:00

My sister has all of the old pictures. We're going to gather up and have a printing party to "share the wealth" so to say. These are my parents. My Daddy was about 21 or so in his Marine Corps photo and Mudder was about 31. Her picture was taken for her college graduation. He was born in 1930 and she in 1933. He was a farmer and she was a school teacher. At the ripe of age of 60 he died from a brain tumor, she lived to 73 and passed away from heart failure, diabetes ect. He was the first to die in his family of seven, one sister has since passed away. My Granny said of him, "It's hard to lose a baby, but it is harder to lose one you've had for 60 years". That is one of the two comments she made to me that I will always remember, the other was unpleasant. Mudder was the last of her three siblings to go. She lost a baby sister and then her brother.

SARA KATE & HER SIBS

2011-05-10T20:09:00.003-05:00

When Sara & Jecc were little they often spent the night with us. We'd go feed cows and would always have to pick out which "cow" belonged to them. They "owned" Moe and Joe, our longhorn steers...feed wasters who never-ever produced a calf for the girls! We also enjoyed singing the "COW FEEDING SONG" with them, which was to the tune of Jingle Bells. Once when we found a steer dead and extremely bloated....their loving uncle Jerry told them a big tale about it....they believed him for many years. They are both married now and have found other loves.....feeding cows with us is just a good memory now.

FFA Banquet

2011-05-09T23:47:00.000-05:00

Jr and Sen. Don Barrington presenting Elgin FFA's Star Discovery Award

Three cool dudes....

Hot Enough 4 Swimming

2011-05-08T21:58:00.001-05:00

The weather was hot enough here today to try swimming! But we'll have to wait for the Dietrich Lake to warm up a bit! The johnson grass is beginning to burn on the tops, I have seen gourd vines which had leaves rolled up...pray for rain for all of Oklahoma! We drove from Carnegie to Anadarko this afternoon.....as you look out on the pastures there isn't much to see, it is as if August has already arrived.

The Oklahoma FFA Convention

2011-05-05T17:19:00.000-05:00

First, Second and Third in one of the speech contests.....Jr. say's Ms. Crutches rec'd the sympathy vote....(joke)
We attended the Oklahoma State FFA Convention to see Jr's recognition for 3rd place in the 8th grade speech section.

Jr. Jr. was only interested in the Cat tractor, 205 hp....really cool....could pull a 30 ft disc...."we really need it Mom!"....humm..NO!

Friends...good boys........most of the time!

Easter Morning's

2011-05-04T17:30:00.000-05:00

Easter Sunday 2006 -- We're 9 & just barely 7

2010 Makes us 13 & 11-notice we still have a water tower.....

Rainy & Blessed Easter Sunday 2011--We're 12 and 14 with no water tower....but we had just received a very nice rain!

4 Cow Day

2011-04-22T15:50:00.001-05:00

Gary England our weather guy refers to cold nights as a One, Two or Three Dog Night..meaning you'll need one, two or three dogs on your bed to keep you warm. Well...today is a different kind of weather day, it is a Four Cow Day...it's hot enough outside for the cows to be in the water....if only there were enough water in our ponds to cool the cows! Pray for rain for all of Oklahoma & Texas. This pic was taken many moons ago...back when it rained in the springtime!!

After the Fire, Cement, Ok.

2011-04-19T15:45:00.000-05:00

What is left after a weekend fire three miles NE of our home. This was taken just down the road from my cousins' homes, they were blessed, their houses are still standing. One lost an old pickup along with a stock trailer. We are thankful that is well and that they are ok!

Notice the bark on these trees.

I have seen pump jacks and oil/gas locations that I never knew existed...covered before by tree & brush growth. News reports say that 2950 acres were burned. Two homes were lost. No fatalities.

PRAY FOR RAIN...WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED!

2011-04-18T10:39:00.000-05:00

AMAZING.....within 30 seconds this creature was full of water and lifting off to put out fire!

These guys make it look SO easy...check out the leg hanging off the edge! Quick way to catch fish!! They were working on the grass fires near Cement, Ok. yesterday.

Lawton PI Speech Contest

2011-04-15T12:16:00.000-05:00

Finally!!! Cale has turned the corner on speech giving and won his division, 8th grade Natural Resources speaking in a section with eight other participants. Justin Turner, Cement FFA is presenting Cale's award. The two are "Whitfield" cousins!

Unappreciative Grouches!!!

2011-04-14T15:24:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I was filling up Black Betty with diesel in Apache where I heard a "mother" screaming at her little child.
I wonder if her little child ever faced the issues that Rowdy Boy here has?
Would she be a better Mother if it had?
Lady---be thankful your child is heathly..be thankful he has enough "air" to scream!

Today I overheard griping about punishment at school for a minor infraction. God forbid "little pookems" be held accountable for his/her actions! I am thankful for good teachers, like Jami Huck..she was a blessing to Jr. Jr. and she IS a great teacher.

Even though our home is a bit of a shack, I'm thankful it is still standing! Glad to have a roof that keeps the weather off, even if the rest leaves a bit to be desired.

Glad to have relatives who were tough and who preservered. Glad this one passed along some genetics to his GG grandson.
Glad to have some history.

Glad to have band aids, doctors within a thirty minute drive and an ambulance service....even if it is some fifteen miles from my home. Our town no longer has a service....business cannot be done if it cannot collect from its' patrons.
SO...LETS BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT WE DO HAVE!!

Sweet Feed

2011-04-11T22:26:00.001-05:00

When my eldest "baby" here was small he and his little compadre named a few of our first calf heifers. He is now fourteen and "Sweet Feed" which was one of the chosen few is still going strong. She is the red white face cow on his right. Keep praying for rain...feeding cows in April is expensive! Feeding "baby" is expensive also...no matter the rainfall or lack of it!

Raised Beds

2011-04-06T08:01:00.000-05:00

Raised beds from the Chamber's in Duncan, Husband ordered four square beds for me..for my April 14th Bday.....Wonder what he'll do for my May 14th Bday??

Bud

2011-04-04T21:08:00.001-05:00

Please pray for Bud, he is "under the weather" so to say.

We turned out two more cow/calf pairs this evening, they are enjoying the freedom that the big pasture provides. Just a few more to go and our little ob/gyn facility will close for the year. Our family has been on the go today, Oldest child to a speech contest in El Reno, youngest with us to see Bud in the hospital at Lawton. Worked on MIL's cell phone this am...it needs to be replaced!!!

Nit-Pickin'

2011-03-30T09:55:00.000-05:00

The phrase "nit picky" has a new meaning for my sister, who for the first time in 24 years of being a public educator has head lice ...and they don't seem to want to give up residency. She had big hair.....she has smaller hair now, thanks to me! I've only "trimmed" horse hair in the past, so she was in luck, lots of expertise on my side of the scissors!! So stay tuned....I might be squealing and itching soon...even though I've washed and vaccumed and squirted clorox cleanup everywhere....is your head itching now???

Dry Weather Boy

2011-03-25T14:17:00.000-05:00

Fishing in a drought.....less water equals more fish!
2006 at Cherry Lease
Cherry isn't this dry now, but it sure needs to be filled up!
Pray for RAIN!!!

2011-03-24T15:24:00.000-05:00

Oh, to see a thunderstorm! We are very dry, past dry, drying up and blowing away...well not quite completely. Really, pray for rain though, we need it!!

OYE Pictures

2011-03-21T20:23:00.000-05:00

Cattle Fitting Team OYE

2011-03-20T00:02:00.001-05:00

Steven, Jr. Jr. and Lauren

Checking out the loot! These three were the second place team at the Oklahoma Youth Expo's Cattle Fitting Contest. Each member won an OYE Fitting Jacket, a BOSS blower, Andis clippers, cattle hair-do stuff and a bag of Depth Charge. They were second out of twelve teams which were all winners from their respective counties. Very Cool!

Heifers At OYE

2011-03-16T12:36:00.000-05:00

Jr Jr showing Popper, but mostly just watching himself on the big screen! He was a rock star for about 30 seconds!!

Jr showing Ruth...who was a nice girl. Both showed at the Oklahoma Youth Expo in OKC.

Broke Leg Bob

2011-03-11T23:00:00.001-06:00

Broke Leg Bob came into the world three weeks ago. After watching him try and try to get up it was evident that something was wrong...BLB's upper right leg was broken. So off to the clinic we went with Youngest Kid holding him in the front seat...yes, he was pp'd on. BLB was a tiny boy, so holding him wasn't an issue. Today his cast comes off, he is pictured with cast #2, we went a week and changed it, worried that it might be cutting into his leg, infection, rotten leg...ugh. BLB's momma is a first calf heifer, a good gentle one. She loves her baby...pink cast and all.

Visiting Hairdressers of America

2011-03-09T22:15:00.001-06:00

The Visiting Hairdressers of America made a couple of stops by our house last month.
Hairdresser E had a very nice "subject" with which to work.
He was completely obedient to her commands...while the TV was on.

On their second visit, she decided it was my turn. All was well, the water bottle was full, the brush and comb were located and luckily someone had just purchased a full bag of hair deals (you know the rubber band hair things). The beautification was on!

But it was Hairdresser H that fixed Aunty Mehwey's hair into such a beautiful do! Now, if she could just get her "subject" to wear makeup on a regular basis!!

Horse Ride

2011-02-23T15:32:00.000-06:00

The boys and I went on a little horse ride Sunday afternoon. It was very nice for February, minimal wind and quite warm. My "new" pony Chester even worked up a sweat on our adventure.

We stopped for a break and I noticed that I'd acquired a new friend..ugh....a tick. No more tick.

DVM Practice

2011-02-22T22:18:00.001-06:00

Junior cauterizing a dehorn.

His 1st preg check with the real dvm giving directions.

Holly Cookies

2011-02-20T14:17:00.000-06:00

Holly Cookies (Oatmeal Crispies)

1 cup shortening

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

11/2 cup ap flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

2 cups quick cooking oats

1 cup crushed cornflakes

1/2-1 tsp cinnamon

Thoroughly cream shortening and sugar, add eggs and vanilla. Beat well. Add sifted dry ingredients and then oats & cornflakes. Mix well. Bake @ 350 ~ 10 minutes. Parchment paper is wonderful stuff in which to bake them on....

Thanks Holly for sharing your recipe, we'll call them "Holly Cookies" from now on!!

SW Dist Heifer Show

2011-02-19T11:20:00.001-06:00

Why does this girl have no ears??? DOGS.

This little boy could have been third...he was 5th...not paying attention will do that to ya!

This child was late to the show ring, not a good thing. The calf that won this class was the breed champion.
Lesson of stock show #1 for 2011----PAY ATTENTION!

Dirt Pasture

2011-02-15T10:57:00.000-06:00

We need some rain in our neck of the dry woods, the wheat pasture across the road is down the nubs.
Up the road it's a bit better, still all of it is in desperate need of moisture.

Oh, Valentine!

2011-02-14T11:19:00.001-06:00

Oh, Valentine, YOU DID GOOD!

Stinginess

2011-02-11T23:29:00.000-06:00

Speck here was raised an only child, she was allowed "back room" privilege on cold nights and plentiful amounts of canned dog food. She was Mudder's dog and when Mudder's health began to decline, Speck's privileges increased. She was then allowed to watch All My Children from the couch and could even spend warm days in the house. She was given ice cubes in her water, she was even known to have a few sips of Diet Pepsi. Mudder is gone now and Speck has been forced into the life of siblings...younger siblings here at our house. She now has to share things....ugh..this is beneath her dignity. When we pick up a hog or beef from the locker plant the dogs are blessed with pieces that I'd not like to cook. Liver, being one and ugh...half hogs heads...gross, gross, gross. In an effort to please my Mudder's dog, I throw a packet (1/2 hog head or pack of liver) out for the dogs. Makes more room in my freezer. Speck lays claim immediately, growling and acting in a very un-ladylike manner toward the other canine inhabitants of this farm. She is just flat ugly to them.
So, to entertain my mean self....I threw out a package of cold and very frozen STEW VEGETABLES....to which she grabbed immediately and hauled off to "protect". Bet she was disappointed and full of fiber!

2011-02-09T15:51:00.002-06:00

During the last snow storm Junior Junior wanted to bake a cake so he did----all by himself. The cake's looks are deciving as it tastes much better than pictured. Basic chocolate cake with holes poked while still warm then sweetened condensed milk poured onto the top. Cooled then topped with cool whip. Here he is appreciating his culinary creation. A boy needs a few calories after a cold day of gate opening, cow feeding and ice chopping.

Bring on the styrofoam...our dishwasher was frozen! Me no likey hand washing dishes.

Speck didn't mind the storm, as long as she was inside and comfortably plopped down upon a nice pile of dirty laundry. She looked up expectantly each time someone entered the backroom....hoping they delivered a piece of cake for her.

2011-02-06T13:25:00.000-06:00

Oh, cooking the Kitty Chicken.....

brings back memories of Mark & Sam's, we miss those visits.

Pianos & Stovepipes

2011-02-04T17:07:00.000-06:00

Before the storm we went to the Hymn Festival held at the East Side Baptist Church. Ruthie is Juniors' teacher and she is a very patient woman, unfortunately he was not a very good example of her wonderful capabilities as a piano instructor. Practice isn't practiced too much.

But, he did look cool in his stove pipes!

"But MOM"

2011-02-03T10:36:00.001-06:00

BUT MOM...THEY'RE STILL GOOD!

PLEASE DON'T THROW THEM AWAY!

Spring

2011-02-01T10:00:00.000-06:00

Not to worry,Spring shall burst forth....in a couple months!

Making A List

2011-01-31T08:11:00.000-06:00

We are preparing for a rain, freezing rain, sleet and or snow-- storm. So the list is being made, we'll put out hay, feed cattle and wait to see just what type of moisture will come our way. We're desperate for moisture and will take it in any form. So, off to make that list! Hopefully it won't be like last year at this time, nine days with no juice!