Jelly Belly

One of the great perks of living in Buffalo, is that the local grocery store has a Jelly Belly distribution center. Wanting to have a little color in my life, I like to keep some on hand. 

Other jelly beans really don't compare to Jelly Belly. How they get all those flavors to taste just like the names they give them, I don't know. I do know that I like them, though. 

DJ's on Fort St. is where the Jelly Belly aisle can be found. I like to let my buddies know when I'm walking down this sugar lane. Here's my spring pose.

With summer attire. 

Falltime. 

And with my winter regalia. 

People know that I like Jelly Belly's, so I'll often be given an assorted bag for Christmas. 

And Easter, after I've given them up for Lent. 

They are nice to have on hand at the office, for guests that stop by or a pick-me-up in the afternoon. 

During the Easter Season, I like to carry a few in my pocket to help me experience the joy of Christ's Resurrection. 

Good stuff, literally. St. Ignatius would say that non-spiritual consolations, like Jelly Belly's, can help one return to spiritual consolation if they are experiencing a bit of desolation. Desolation or not, Jelly Belly's are good for the soul. I'm grateful that DJ's carries them and thankful to God for making them. Ranch on. 

John Chick Jr.

Here's to you, brother. Keep ranching.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLMUC6Y5E68&t=486s

Independence Rock

Having a gig at Wyoming Catholic College in Lander, I took the scenic rout around WY 220 and checked out Independence Rock along the way. Good stuff.

I've been to this site before. So much westward expansion history along this river. 

The Sweetwater got its name in comparison to all the alkali water that the travelers had been encountering in Wyoming. 

High desert is what we call land like this.

Still west.

DeSmet stopped by.

Lot of history. 

Still here for the world to see how times once were. 

It is a massive rock that you can climb up on. 

My basic understanding is that, if you didn't reach Independence Rock by the 4th of July, don't go any further. The mountains ahead of you will eat your lunch come November. Happened to many folks. Wild times.

Very interesting.

I tip my hat to all pioneers. Makes me wonder how my great-great granddad got out here. Life wasn't easy not too long ago. Times sure have changed in a hurry. I cover ground in two hours that would have taken our four fathers two weeks. God bless America. Ranch on. 

Sojourn

Communion and Community.

           https://youtu.be/iFbfR8MXf1Q         

Seventh Calf

Our seventh calf came sometime during our last spring storm. Since they have been calving with such ease, I haven't been keeping too close an eye on them. On Saturday morning, I came out to find this little guy.

Nice little bull calf.

Spring sun is calling everyone to sit and soak it in. 

69 is our biggest heifer cow. Gentle giant. Good mother. 

We walked them away from the other cows to calf. 

Tall, like his mom. He'll do well in life.

Go forth and prosper. 

Good stuff. Starting to get into the second cycle of calves. This couple kicks off our last string of calving. Only four to go, now. Let finish strong and ranch on!

Backhoe Back

Last summer, our backhoe on the back of the dozer sprung a leak. Thinking that was the last straw, we parked it on the north 40. After we thought about it, though, we thought we could bring it back to life. Sure enough.

This old backhoe has a hydraulic steering motor rather than individual cylinders. It's been problematic in the past.

During some heavy digging two summers ago, we blew a seal on the bottom half of this motor.

Once we had it off the unit, we split the motor to see what we could find.

Sure enough, a shot o-ring.

This thing is impossible to find parts for. So we figured out the diameter of the o-ring and went to town to see what we could find. 

Money! We found the right o-ring in little ole Worland WY. 

Once put back together, we bolted it back up to the backhoe.

Ranch ready.

This dozer and backhoe combo have been a labor of love. The hoe attachment we fabbed on almost 20 years ago. Since then, we have fixed a lot of hydraulic leaks, like the one today. It's a contraption, but worth its weight in digging power. Definitely worth the $3.95 o-ring to keep it around the ranch. Now we just have to find something that needs dug up. Bring it.

Rock Garden

Years ago, we hauled Grandma's rock collection away from the house so we could put the lawn in. Today, we brought them back to the house where they belong.

This collection of river rock, sandstone, and random collectables, has been sitting around for about 20 years.

With all the outside work on the house being completed, we thought these old flower beds would make nice rock gardens. This one is on the front of the house. 

And this one is around the corner. 

Once we got to loading up the rock pile, we turned over a Black Widow right away.

Their tell-tell sign is a the orange hourglass on their belly. Don't mess with these dudes.

This was a family affair. We placed all the big rocks first.

Then scattered small gravel rock in between the big guys, to cover up the plastic we laid down to prevent weeds from coming up. 

Then we washed it all down to settle any dirt that came in with it. 

Same process on the side.

Native look.

The house now has a finished look to it. 

Done.

Fun stuff. Many of these rocks came from meaningful locations. Some, from North Dakota, where Grandpa was born. And others, Grandma just picked up along the way. Mom likes the look, and I'm sure her mom would too. Rocks stand the test of time. With them being around, we feel like we can weather life's storms. Ranch on. 

Bold

Come Holy Spirit!

           https://youtu.be/NUPoAkw6LKA         

Hauling Pairs

With a storm brewing, the boys and I decided to get our next three pairs up to spring pasture. We're starting to get good at this. 

The last three pairs are doing well. You can find them all over this pasture. They graze it like sheep, always on the move.

The next three were branded and ready to load. Clint used the "get big" tactic to make them travel. 

It worked.

We separated the moms and calves.

So we could load the calves first. Different tactic from last time. 

That way, we could kick the moms out first and they are more apt to stay put with a little pressure from Darin and crew. Then kicked the calves out to them. 

Mothered up in no time.

Much better sight than last time. 

Just ranchin. Cows and calves are looking good. Water is holding up as well. With grass growing strong, we are working on a good spring. Pairs do so much better on pasture vs. feed. I don't plan to touch these calves again, except for one more move to Worland, until we wean them in October/November. Until then, we’ll ranch on.