Fixing fence is the one of the hardest jobs on a ranch. I no longer live on a ranch, but I do know what hard work is. Fences are everyone's concern, but nowadays,the "hole" is always your neighbor's side not your own. It used to be that you would respect your neighbor and mend the fence together. If their cows got in your field, a simple phone call resolved the problem. You might even saddle up your own horse and help them gather them up. We need more people who are willing to roll their sleeves up and fix the fence regardless of who your neighbor is. There are people in this country who need to be reminded that a fence is like the way you should conduct your life. Your posts should be straight and neat. The wire needs to be stretched tight and your gate might be closed, but can still be easily opened. And most of all, we can all saddle up together and ride the range, it won't matter if you have an Appaloosa, Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred. The cows still have to be gathered, fences have to be fixed, and the range is a wide open space of opportunity for us all.

I've Been Working on The Railroad.

Posted Friday, August 23, 2013, at 8:15 AM

Chloe eating her birthday cake

I swear that the entire summer has gone by in a flash! I have been keeping my head down low and working steadily to rid my house of "stuff."

While a considerable amount has gone out the door via yard sales, and donations, I still have part of a sun room filled with my favorite things.

Our dad never liked to throw anything away or give it away, so Mom had to pick her moments to back the hay truck up to the yard so that all the extra junk got hauled off.

The grandkids have a few stories of trying to help Grandma get old TV's and other useless items off to the dump when Dad would come back unexpectedly.

I have enjoyed my "things." but now I want to be a little more streamlined on my possessions. I have placed several full tubs of computer stuff and hundreds of CD's in front of David's chair to sort and dump too.

It is very hard to have an artistic mind and see something at an estate sale that you could repurpose into a wonderful gift and walk away empty handed.

But I have been on a yard-sale and estate sale diet most of the summer. All of those future some-day projects will have to wait.

I consider myself very blessed that I was able to find great homes for most of my treasures. They are making someone else smile as they drink their coffee in the mornings or giving them the bragging rights to a "steal" on a valued vintage kitchen item.

Nearly everything is gone but my "inherited treasures." I have a wonderful milk pail, toaster and butter mold that belonged to our dad's parents. A 40th Anniversary Plate that belonged to my mom's parents.

And last but not least is a picture created by Mom of the Last Supper that graced the wall by our dinner table for many years growing up.

All of those items are just things with some great memories attached. However, I do believe that I would gladly trade them for an extra hug or day with all of my loved ones who have passed on.

Downsizing is not for sissies! Although I am fairly used to hard work, there has been more than one Sunday that I couldn't move from my easy chair unless I was hungry or needed a trip to the bathroom.

It hasn't been all work and no play though. I have enjoyed the noise and chaos of our grandchildren. Our little Chloe has turned a year old and started walking a couple days after that.

KaeLynn is in the first grade this year and Nathaniel is in kindergarten. They have a long bus ride this year and a brand new school to go to.

Nathaniel gets pretty tired every day and reckons that he should quit school because it is too hard to manage the long hours.

Our little Gavin has started his special program for the second year. He has become quite conversational with us this summer. It thrills our heart to hear him talk to plainly.

Of course, we believe like any other grandparent that our grandchildren are the most unique and special individuals on earth.

So all of this hard work is for our grandchildren, so that we can enjoy them and life a little better.

Well, the "Railroad" waits for no one, so I had better get back to work.

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Sorry so long to reply. I don't come here often, for reasons you know

I'm not moving but I have also been trying to streamline my "stuff". 40 years of adult life has managed to help me collect a lot of "treasures" but I'm kind of done with it too.

On top of dealing with fires and the results of those fires I just haven't had time to read.

Loved your blog. As always. I hope you are able to be finished soon. And I hope the kids enjoy their school year!

Jessie

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Tue, Aug 27, 2013, at 8:48 AM
Jessie:

It has been a busy and traumatic summer for all of you this year. I told David that I had run out of gas for this project and we just needed to cut our losses and move on.

20 years ago, I could have managed it all, but my joints ache, my back is like a corkscrew and my mind is tired.

This is nothing compared to what the ranchers are facing for the coming years. I just get sick thinking about it and knowing how hard it is to find pasture during the summer months.

Prayers and hugs are being sent your way.

-- Posted by KH Gal on Tue, Aug 27, 2013, at 11:30 AM

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