Sunday, August 25, 2013

In the Company of Company





It’s been a whirlwind of a month. 

I can’t remember a lot of it as we have been very busy, but it was great seeing so much family and friends. Randyman’s sister, niece and her family came up for a surprise visit to see our nephew, the cowboss, who will sadly be leaving for another job somewhere in October. (I think I was the only one surprised by the visit, the guys often forget to tell me stuff, but at least it’s always a GOOD surprise!) We also have a new guy, who is an exchange student from Okinawa and speaks english very well...probably better than I do, but with an accent. He’s fun and laughs a lot. The boss was gone so we had him for meals the first few days to welcome him to the ranch. That put 8 at our little 6 person table for a few days.
It was great to see everyone and I hope the kids all come back to visit again, even though their uncle will no longer be here.



They are putting in several large ‘pivots’ here at the ranch. These are 1/2 mile long irrigation systems that will pivot around the center, watering a square (actually a round) mile. Lots of fence needs to be removed and ditches filled. It will change a lot about the landscape of the ranch and will be a big improvement for feeding and irrigating,  I think. Randyman put out a distress call, and we have some great friends who we also consider family, that answered. They all arrived the day after his sister left. They stayed for 2 weeks helping us all out and the second week a friend of mine arrived for her scheduled visit. That kept 8 at the dinner table.

Of the 8, three were my little people. The little people had a great time. They played at the pond, hugged on the polar bears, played with Thomas, who allowed them to pet his little bumply head. One of them made the observation "It looks kinda like his brain is on the OUTSIDE of his head..."




they helped  process the last 7 meatie chickens, which became a source of great hilarity as well as a biology lesson. The oldest little people person can now identify a chicken's heart, gizzard, lungs, liver, intestines and crop.


Chicken calisthenics






Grabbing the tendon to do the 'chicken wave" 

They climbed with Annie in the Octopus tree where they also found 'sheep hair', a dead hawk (most likely caught by the Maremmas who take offense at predatory raptors attacking their flock) and underwent construction of what we were told but were afraid to investigate, was an outdoor potty.





 They rode Wimpy and Mister, pushed the leppies, Sushi and EmmaLouMoo  to the top of my pasture for a little experience in moving cows...




...helped move portable fencing, made fettucini noodles...



... we also made homemade ice cream, flaming banana crepes with dark rum, leg of lamb and lots of other good stuff. Oldest little people person learned to sew a little and made a skirt for school, collected eggs and cleaned out the lambing shed, while their Daddy worked like a machine taking out over a mile of barbed wire and hog wire fencing, etc. A combat experienced US Marine, he also shared his warrior's perspective on Bible passages that was really awesome to hear and gave us a greater understanding of some OT passages that described the massive armies of their time in the mornings while evenings we all spent watching Duck Dynasty reruns, laughing and being grateful that finally there is a show the whole family can enjoy together.
Their Mom worked on my house, organizing things I didn’t even think could be organized and helping out with every possible thing. They were all like little ants, each day carrying out their missions. It was great to see them and I hope next visit they can just rest and enjoy the ranch, although a little of that was done too.







They brought a new family member with them, a little Rottweiler puppy named Achilles. Cute as a bug, he’d play out front with the kittens and dogs then flop down on the ugly, old, turquoise linoleum floor that graces this house, seeking to cool off. He’d flatten out like a rug. One day the guinea fowl ventured into the front yard. That was their BIG mistake. Achillies took out after them, anxious to play with a living squeaky toy, but the Maremmas saw him through the fence. That was HIS big mistake. My big white polar bear-looking dogs are pretty flexible, but they do hold a grudge. From that point on, Achilles was on their hit list. It made for some interesting times, as the polar bears are used to coming inside if its very hot, but so was Achilles. There was a lot of dancing around going on, pushing dogs in and out in a hurry every time they nearly crossed paths. I’m not sure how future visits are going to turn out, I guess I hope it’s when the Polar Bears are content to just stay outside.

Meantime, a friend from long ago, that I haven’t seen for many years, came by bus to visit. It began as a visit for her to just get away from the heat and bustle of the city she lives in. We went horseback riding, took the 4 wheelers up to the weir...


...fed leppies and handled the sheep, calves etc. She enjoyed the little people and their family as much as we did, in fact they were giving her very big hugs when they left. She has helped process meat birds in the past (well...actually she helped process one turkey but it counts). She likes riding, loves dogs, likes fresh fruits and veggies so the garden is a plus. All in all it seems a perfect fit, so I took her back to the bus station a week later with plans for Randyman and I to drive down with the trailer to pick up all her worldly goods as she is moving in to help us out, as it is getting more and more difficult for me to do regular things.  

It's great the way things work out sometimes.



17 comments:

  1. Woo-hoo Great Happy Post! I was about to drop a line asking why you had not posted for a month. I figured #1 Things where going very well and you where busy. #2 you had Company and where busy. OR #3 Both. Looks like #3 How Wonderful. :) The children look like they had a grand time. The Octopus tree must be every kids dream tree. (I love it, too.) Your soon to be *Helper/roomie* sounds like a great fit. Prayers are answered indeed.
    Big hugs...

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    1. We had a great time. I am looking forward to to the future now more, there will be a lot less stress and guilt over not being able to do things I need to get done. She is a LOT of fun and I think the kids thought we might be a little nuts as we were often laughing so hard we were crying!

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    2. That is wonderful The laughter is VERY good for the soul, you know. :) Hugs...

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  2. Oh wow! An indentured servant of your very own! That's great news! Now you'll have another shoulder to bear some of your load and a happy friend to laugh with. Couldn't be more better! :) It looks all your helpers had a great time, I would love to have sat in on those Bible discussions, sounds very enlightening.
    So happy to read of your happy times!

    Kristi (!) I just can't stop using that exclamation key!!!

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    1. The Bible studies were VERY cool! I love to hear this man's perspective on things. It seems so many that have been in those kinds of situations or suffered immeasurably gain an intimacy with Him that I really long to have...without the suffering or pressure that is...

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  3. You live such a full life compared to some. Enjoying the riches of the company of others, their perspective on life and Gods words and accepting their help as they offer to give it. Sounds like it was an amazing month! And how awesome is that? Your dear friend coming to live with you. They say laughter is medicine for the soul and for some reason...I think you have a heavy dose headed your way! Staci

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    1. I think you are right, Staci! We haven't missed much living this far from civilization, that is for sure. God has been good to send just what we need when we need it (although i sometimes hate the waiting). With her here, I am not likely to expire from RA as am more likely to die laughing, which is okay with me! :)

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  4. Petey, I loved this post! I have been checking every few days for the past month hoping for a new one! I figured you were busy, sick, or had company! Turns out you were busy with company and what a wonderful full month it was! I, also, would have loved to sit in on the morning Bible Studies with you all. Sounds so wonderful. You friend who is coming to live with you and help you out will be a God send. And laughter always makes things better. I am just so happy to hear things are going so well for you and pray they continue! Such a blessed amazing life you are living on the ranch. ....... Ginny

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    1. Thanks Ginny, and God bless you richly! I appreciate you checking and caring, so much!

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  5. I know exactly what you mean about friends being family. It makes for a wonderful, rich life full of people! I am so glad you and your friend can share the burdens and the joys of your life on the ranch - it will allow you so enjoy so much more! Ah, those polar bears. Big, serious marshmallows - I love the first picture. And I doubt very much that they will ever forget that little Rottie's mis-step. Such happy news and times all the way around!

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    1. It's gonna be great! I have heard that LGD"s have long memories and do hold a grudge for life. That won't make things easier, but we'll figure out something! Hope everything is great in your 'neighborhood'!

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  6. Well this is just a joyful post. Glad you've been feeling so well and that your summer was filled with the energy you needed.

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    1. Thank you! When I haven't felt good, I have enjoyed 'taking a walk' thru your pics! LOL

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  7. You know that laughter cures some of the most awful ills the world knows and I'm not talking about health of body as of spirit. You can be wealth and health poor and if you have friends to laugh with you, feel prosperity in so many ways. I've seen it with my own eyes and have met new friends who would be considered miserable by many standards but are sincerely happy and made me feel it too. Your posts do the same for so many. I'm back now and must absorb all I learned as a testament. My summer visit was a gift from my family and I took full advantage as God helped me to see those advantageous. Its good to know you do the same with your gifts. God continue to strengthen you. deXtr

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    1. So glad to see you safely back, although I know you probably would have been content to stay.

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  8. What kind of hanger to you have for the fettucini noodles? It looks great.

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  9. Glenda, it is an Atlas hanger. A little pricey but worth every cent! Here is where I got mine http://www.amazon.com/Marcato-Atlas-Pasta-Drying-Rack/dp/B00005NUVQ/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1382831896&sr=8-6&keywords=pasta++hanger

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