Hail, Immaculate Conception

Mary is the Immaculate Conception.

           https://youtu.be/zNRw0BilSNE         

Catholic Canyon

God communicates Himself to us in many and varied ways. The Sacraments, Sacred Scripture, each other... The list goes on. Creation speaks to us of God in a natural way, but also in a supernatural way. If we pay attention along the road of life, God not only reveals Himself to us, but also draws us deeper into the Christian mysteries. 

One of my favorite examples of this is in Tensleep Canyon. I've been up and down this road a hundred times, more so in recent years. It never gets old. Over the years, people have pointed out to me a couple mysterious outcroppings. With eyes open in faith, God has spoken to me through this Catholic Canyon. 

The first point for pondering is just a mile or two as you start up the canyon. The best place to stop and see this site is at the Point of Interest. 

Hidden up in the cleft of the rock is a hole. The first time it was pointed out to me they said it looks like an angel. 

But when I saw it, God immediately revealed to me Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane.

This statue belongs to my Aunt Rhonda. To this day, when I look at that rock outcropping high on the canyon wall I pray to the Father, Not my will, but Thy will be done. (Luke 22:42)

The next site comes just after the second switchback on the way up the mountain. 

Once on top, stop at the big pullout. 

High on the wall is a standalone spire. I've been told it looks like a monk.

I can see that. But to me, I see our Blessed Mother with baby Jesus in her arms. 

This is the statue of our Lady in a little grotto behind the church back home. When I look at that mysterious outcropping I hear Jesus say, Woman, behold your son. (John 19:26)

Good stuff. Above my right hat brim rests the image of our Lord. 

I've showed these things to many guys over the years. Some get it and others don't. I don't doubt that to be the case. Sightings like this are not universal, but personal. God's voice resonates on our hearts individually. He is capable of speaking to us through creation. And not just that He exists and is the Creator of all things. But that He loves us, and comes to save us through the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. A most fitting way to live out of this mystery is in the arms of Mary, the Mother of God. We would do well to take Jesus' final commandment seriously and, Behold our Mother. (John 19:27) In her arms we stay peaceful as children as we strive to fulfill the Father's will. Let's ranch. 

Repent

The Sacrament of Confession/Reconciliation is the formal way to repent.

           https://youtu.be/moJ0qn9Ie2M         

Top Rail

The corrals are coming along, but there are still some final touches to put on and plenty of welding to do. While the weather is still holding out, we stuck the top rail on the front leg of the fence. 

The original plan was to only put a top rail on the working pen. Once we got close to the end, however, it looked fitting to put pipe on all of the front sections. Partially because we had plenty of pipe to use and because there is more pressure on the front legs than else where. 

When we pounded the pipe in, we left it high with plans for a top rail later on. First step, saddle the 2 7/8". 

The more precise the cut, the less work you have when it comes to fitting the pipe and welding the joint. 

Fortunately, Hank came to lend a hand. 

Once you got the first cut made, I like to follow up and thin out the top edges. Makes the top pipe fit more flush. 

We used the continuous fence as our guide. 8 1/2" from top to bottom. 

Then laid the 30'ers on down the line. 

And fired up the Lincoln to put on the weld. 

When it comes to fitting the 2 7/8" to the 4 1/2" vertical, you pretty well have to guess. Should work. 

When it comes to working with tubing, I like to get rid of the fittings. Looks less like used oilfield pipe. 

Just cut them off and put on a good butt weld. 

All that works deserves a cold one! 

Done.

She's tacked up. Once the snow flies, we'll come back and weld our happy little hearts out. I like a top rail. It actually isn't much more work, after a guy caps free standing pipe posts. It is a stronger fence and a better look. Good combination for this entryway into loads of fun. Now all we need is some cows to put in here. If you build it, they will come. Let's ranch. 

Door Fix

It didn't bother me too much, but Dad has been complaining about not being able to get out of Ranch Truck easily. So, while she was warmed up in the shop, we took time to change the passenger door handle. 

When we got Ranch Truck back up and running, the door handle was gone. This little twine fix did the trick for quite awhile. 

First step was to take the door panel apart. 

The hard part about popping the panel off is not busting the plastic apart. 

Loosen a few screws, and she's off. 

A rivet holds the handle assembly on. 

Then just wack it forward with your hand. 

Two things to disconnect, the twine and the door lock lever. 

The new handle came to us via Carquest in Buffalo. 

Simply press the linkage into the new plastic grommets.

Instead of a rivet, we just put in a self-tapper. 

Then just pop the panel back into place. 

Should work.

Sure enough. 

If you're gonna ranch, you might as well ranch in style. I liked the twine, but it wasn't functional. When you need to get out to chase a fire or a cow, you need to get out quick. Dad's happy, and that's important. Ranch Truck slowly comes back to life. She came to us run down and out of commission three years ago. One by one, we fix what's broke and make Ranch Truck ranch ready. Giddy up. 

Act

Listen and follow.

           https://youtu.be/Up5GtZwJ9Nk         

Healing

Jesus comes to heal us. 

           https://youtu.be/rD4-d7SQiKM         

Prophecy

Already but not yet.

           https://youtu.be/fRefS3_f9wQ         

Shop Setup

If I had to choose between the shop or the corral, I'd choose the shop. Work in the corral is exhilarating, but the creativity in the shop can't be beat. Over the years, I've set up many shops. Here's another notch on the gun. 

Thankfully, the SJB rectory has about a 24'x24' two stall garage. My pickup will fit in one side, so the other side we turned into a working bay. 

Once Fr. Jim left this summer, we were able move all the random stuff that needs to be unpacked to the other side. 

After the dismantling of 60 years of shelves and things, we were down to bear bone studs. There's good character in this old building. 

Then, on a trip back home, I brought over all my big shop tools. 

Note to self, twine is not strong enough to keep top-heavy objects from tossing and turning on the bumps between Tensleep and Worland. Fortunately, no casualties. 

Once rearranged, we hauled the tools in the shop. 

And ran 220 over from the house.

And around to each piece of equipment. 

This is one of my golden oldies. Built in 1968, she has stood the test of time and is still going strong. 

I picked her up in probably 2000. Sitting outside an old tire shop in Helena Montana, I asked if they wanted to sell it. Sure did. The only thing wrong was an o-ring on the valve unloaders, which made it leak air all the time. Dad and I had her fixed in no time. 

This drill press I got at Jake Scheuerman’s farm sale off of Tie-down road in 2001. It is 3-phase, so I have to run a converter. 

I also bought all their drill bits. Fun press. 

My brother bought me this plasma cutter when I graduated seminary. Sure is slick to have around. 

When I worked for my uncle he would give me a tool expense bonus each month. When I saved up enough, I bought this Millermatic in 2000ish. 

A bench grinder, chop saw, and cutting torch, are standard issue in any working shop. 

A good bench is necessary too. This also works well to keep the wood working tools out of the way. 

And, of course, a tool chest. This diesel burning space heater should knock the edge off the cold once winter really sets in. 

I've packed this exhaust fan to three different locations now. Handy to have around and fit nice in the sliding window of the garage. 

My welding table always takes the most work to set up. Dad got it for me at when an oil field company he was working for downsized. Made out of drill stem sunk into the concrete. Solid table. 

The idea is to bed this collar into the floor. 

So I rented a concrete saw to make a clean cut. 

It wasn't easy, but we got it broke out of there. 

And dug out the dirt. 

Then screwed the collar on and tamped it into the dirt.

Before we mixed up the concrete, we welded some tabs on the collar for reenforcement and leveled out the table top. 

Solid. I've got the vice mounted to a receiver tube that I can stow out of the way when not in need. We also hung a 110 outlet above it to easily run a grinder. 

If the whole table is in the way, you can just screw it out. 

We had to see if this dog would hunt, so we took on a windmill project for Mike and Sue Herth. 

It had been doctored up before, so we ground things down to good metal. 

And fired the blue boss up.

And laid down some good hot beads. 

Hit all the of the blades while we were at it. That Wyoming wind is nothing to tangle with. 

Mom always taught me, a job worth doing is a job worth doing right!

I think she'll work. 

Bring it. 

Not only do I like shops, but I prefer small shops. I find it fun to work in tight knit spaces. When you're set up like this, the sky's the limit on what can be accomplished. My main projects this winter are gates. Probably a dozen or so to build. The beauty of a shop and my duties as a pastor, is when I get a free hour or two, I can come weld. Do that over enough time, and you get a project completed. Let's ranch.