Deck Project

Plan your work and work your plan is what my daddy alway told me. Well, it paid off on our recent deck project. We had been kicking around the idea of enclosing the deck on the rectory for the past year, and this summer looked like a great time to get it done. With a project like this, though, you don't build as you go. First, you build it in your mind. Then the actual constructing of it is just following instructions. 

Two things we were after: shade and privacy. 

The deck is south facing and is in the sun 99% of the day. It is also wide open for everyone to see what you're cooking. Consequently, we rarely spent time out here. 

So with a plan in mind, we set out by taking down the old railing. 

Selecting the right wood was crucial. Not planning on treating any of it, we intentionally found fir lumber for the framework. 

Attention to detail is my style. The more work you do ahead of time, the less cleanup you have in the end. 

Ron McGinley was my righthand man of choice. 

Shorts were definitely welcome attire when working during the mid-day. 

Needing a couple 2x4's and having a 4x4 around that I mis-cut earlier, we decided to rip it in two. Ron questioned my judgement.

 She framed up nice. The north/south laterals were strong because the far post was attached to the wall of the house. The east/west needed some help, though. It is amazing how these diagonals firmed up the structure.

We also framed in a gate that opens to the inside.

For the heavy lifting I called in Jared Biegler. We didn't want the structure to carry the weight of snow, but we did want to provide for some sun shade the best we could. The 18' 2x10's did the the trick. We bridged them in the center, which I've been told doubles their weight capacity. 

Then came the big day to side it. We wanted to match our surrounding fence, so we chose 6' cedar fence panels. This way they will weather well. 

We started screwing them but splitting became an issue. So Ron brought over his air nailer and saved the day. 

We also put lattice on the top of the purlins to help cut the sun at different times of the day.

Come on in.

Giddy up.

If you think through your work before you start, you don't waste any time. I bet we spent a total of 15 daylight hours on this project. The right tools and the right people made all the difference. But so does making sure you have all your ducks in a row before you pull the trigger. Dad's advice has paid off time and time again. Now it's time to get a lawn chair or two and enjoy the rest of the summer! 

Good Eye

Choose to look at life with your good eye through gratitude. 

           https://youtu.be/Ya6qX6Jp1cY         

Punchin' Doggies

I don't know if the cows needing moving or we just needed to move the cows. Regardless, Joe and I headed to Hulett this afternoon to check on the girls and push them through the gate.

Once again, we found them in the trees. They are sure looking good. Nice and slicked off.

Ole Whitey is coming along too. She is a bit of a black sheep, but seems to enjoy her existence.  

Once we got them up out of the back 40, Joe kept them heading in the right direction. 

Giddy up, partner. 

They'll be happy here. Closer to the highway so they can watch the motorcycles ride by on Wyo 24. 

Well done, you two. You make a good team. 

I've also been real impressed with Mollie this year. She seem to be coming out of her adolescent stage. 

Good job kids. As usual, Chief goes for a roll and Mollie heads for the oats. 

It's good to get out of Dodge every once in awhile, even just for an afternoon. Summer's are short in Wyoming, so a guy has to take advantage every chance he gets to enjoy them. 

Cajun Catholic Cowboys

Every few years, Gillette hosts the National High School Finals Rodeo. When it comes to town, it usually stays for two years in a row. The rodeo was here last year and again this year. This year, though, was the rodeo's 75th anniversary. As providence would have it, I stayed in Gillette for the Masses on the opening weekend and was able to acknowledge all the cowboy families that made the effort to go to Mass. Cream of the crop. 

The Louisiana contingent stood out. Their events ranged from rough stock to barrels to roping and cow/horse reining. 

I was able to get out during the week and watch Wyatt crack out in saddle bronc. 

Another evening I went out and enjoyed some crawfish with Scott and his crew. 

Scott owns the Acadia Crawfish Company in Louisiana. I was all about eating crawfish that was already shelled. 

They grow rice too. 

Giddy up! 

I caught one more morning with these Cajun Catholics. Friendly folks to say the least. 

Even got rid of a book or two. 

The highlight of my time with them was this early morning Rosary. They may be cowboys, but they're Catholics first. 

Rodeo is the one sport that is not afraid to give God the glory. I love being cowboy, but I love being Catholic more. It doesn't matter where we're from, our faith makes us family. Keep wearing your hats, and keep fighting for Mass. The world needs more Cajun Catholic Cowboys! 

 

Art of Living

Jesus teaches us how to live life.

           https://youtu.be/-PBflBphx6A         

Son

Jesus' identity comes from His relationship with the Father. So does ours.

           https://youtu.be/Dhsawksdzcs         

Words of Eternal Life

Jesus bring eternal meaning to those who follow Him.

           https://youtu.be/Yggici65JgI         

Meaning

Words contain meaning.

           https://youtu.be/waPEj155OF8         

Kelley McCreery

Today was a milestone for me. I finally got to saddle up next to a good ole friend, Kelley McCreery. Our history goes way back to cattle drives and brandings in the southern Big Horns during the early 1980's. I wasn't much help back then, being all of about 4 or 5. But those memories are burned into my mind. Well today, we set out to drive cattle once again. 

Kelley and his wife Nadine have deep roots in Campbell County. Today, they manage their family ranch land by running another outfit's yearlings.

Kelley and Dad were friends in the oil field. He'd come up and spend time with us in the mountains. 

July brandings were the highlight of his year back then, as it was for all of us. He'd take the week off from moving drilling rigs and help the Lungren family trail cattle up the Cherry Creek stock drive and brand the calves when they got to the summer range. 

Kelley left the Worland area in the mid 80's and I hadn't seen him since. I knew he was living back in Gillette, so I kept my eye out for him. One day, in the spring of 2021, I spotted him in at Lula Belles. I knew him in an instant and it didn't take him long to connect the dots back to another time. Since then, we get together every once in a while and trade stories.

Today, a Lungren/McCreery duo teamed up once again. When the National High School Finals Rodeo are in town, Kelley and Nadine supply the yearlings for their team penning and cutting events. This requires them rounding up 1-2 cattle pots worth of cattle each morning to provide the contestants with fresh cattle. As providence would have it, I was able to help them round up a 1200 acre pasture and push some 650 yearlings through the gate and into the next lot. The Canada smoke is starting to roll back into the lower 48. 

For a special occasion such as this I busted out my new chaps. I was planning on riding Chief, but he didn't take the bait into my catch pen this morning, so I took my big steed Mollie. 

Campbell County prairie is so interesting. There are these little mounds all over the country. Most of them have scoria at the top, indicating to me that they were once smoke flues for a burning coal seam. I'd like to learn more about their geology. 

Then out in the middle of things, you'll find astroid looking rocks that sit there like they've fallen out of the sky. 

Slowly we started to get the yearlings bunched up. 

Water in prairie pasture is everything. These days, instead of relying on reservoirs, guys have drilled wells and pumped water to a storage tank on a high point where they are able to gravity feed water to tanks all around the area. 

Yearlings are fun to chase when they are going in the right direction. But it doesn't take much of a glitch to scatter the scene and make you start all over again. 

We met up with Kelley's son Pat and his posse of riders, who were cleaning house from the other end of the pasture. 

Once gathered together, the big rush began. 

Hole in the wall gates are not easy to trail through. Fortunately this experienced crew of cowboys was one thought ahead of the girls and made them turn before they could think otherwise. Another well job done. 

Long live cowboys.

My heroes have always been cowboys, and they still are it seems. Kelley inspired me as a kid and he still does today. Keep up the Good work, partner. The world could use a few more cowboys like Kelley McCreery. 

Mind in the Middle

One buck at a time, sweet Jesus!

           https://youtu.be/09JB_IB3dnI         

WYO Rodeo

Summer time is rodeo time. This year William and Cassidy, and Kurt and Leah, invited me to join them in Sheridan for the annual Wyo Rodeo. Good rodeo. Good time. 

So fun. I love these Catholic Cowboys.

The rodeo starts out with four heats of the Indian Relay Race. Wild. The Wyo Rodeo is the world championship race for these boys. 

It was cool to see Lefty Holman crack out. This dude is smooth. In fact, he makes bronc riding look so easy that I think he actually gets less points than deserved. You could balance a wine glass on his cowboy hat as he rides these buckers. 

Ira Dickinson is a Wyoming Catholic Cowboy from Rock Springs. This ride, on Burch's Lunatic from Hell, was pure poetry. Nice ride cowboy. You should consider the priesthood. 

Afterwards, the kids took to the town. Yee haw!

Looking good. 

But before I left, I used up my Kings Ropes gift certificate that the St. Matthew's parish staff gave me for my 5th year priestly anniversary to help buy me some new chaps. After all, I think leather represents 5 years. 

Super fun time. The rodeo was good, but the company was better. The world needs more Catholic Cowboys! Thanks y'all. 

Providence

Nothing can happen outside of God's will.

           https://youtu.be/Wjyz0NPg7QE