Cutting the Sudan
Cutting the sudan in Northfield. The east half of the field has a better yield... But overall... more than we would have thought back in June. The July moisture was such a blessing. August was drier. We are grateful.
Thankful
We will start cutting this sorghum sudan field tomorrow.... "Lord Willing" We were hoping that it would be too wet. April, May, June precipitation was minimal ... July was better... and August... well we got some for which we are grateful. This field will be much better than we thought in June. Julia and I went over and looked at it this evening... "The whitetails are liking it"
Photo by drone taken by Danny.
Live Each Day...
There is not an abundance of trees on the Great Plains... perhaps that is why each is special. Very similar to the people that call these vast Plains home. And with the passing of each day and with the changing of seasons, we too, at times just seem to exist and at other times will tend to thrive. But we know that it is not just our own strength that allows us to endure, but faith in the Almighty along with courage that gnaws at our very backbone as it swells from a heart of gratitude that we get to call this place home. We live for each day and we cling to the hope of tomorrow. Not everyone wants to live in this big country, but that is alright. That is why we do.
LBR August 2017
Photo by Molly Reinhold Fisher
A SATURDAY ON THE LONETREE
PERSPECTIVE
Perspective... Not just beef prices up in grocery stores...
From August 28 Wall Street Journal
Ground Beef up 11% over last year
Wholesale Pork Carcasses up 10% over last year
Pork Bellies for Bacon are up 30% more than an year ago
Wholesale prices for fresh and dry vegetables rose about 16% over last year
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And we probably would be amazed at what else has increased in price LBR
Bear Butte... Meade County, South Dakota
Picking Chokecherries
How do you get 38# of chokecherries? Family enjoying time together. Grateful to Robin as she prepares jelly and syrup from the fruit. of our labor.
July Proved to be a Blessing
July proved to a blessing as we received some much needed precipitation. Spring and early summer looked bleak. Makes for riding and checking cattle more pleasant. Thank you Lord for your provision.
All Across The West
All across the west...
"Is it the present blurring with the past... Or rather the past living on into the future. I believe it to be the latter, and that is our heritage." LBR
Lonetree Family Appreciation of Hereford Breeders at Black Hills Stock Show
A PONY FOR HIS BIRTHDAY
Our grandson Hunter turned two and got a pony for his birthday.
KEEPING THE HEART AND MIND YOUNG
Not sure if it is a fact or not... But I have people comment that I look younger than I am.. Well it comes down to this. I hang around many good and fun loving young people... I may not be able to outrun them... But they do have a way of keeping the "heart and mind young".
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I am blessed indeed. Here I have the privilege of signing our poster of Trigger and me..... "It's A Good Day To Be Alive.".
Ranching...
It seems that the PR Dept at the Capitol in Pierre, South Dakota would have you believe that our lives revolve around shooting pheasants, chasing buffalo or riding Harleys.
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Not necessarily...
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While many were hunting ringneck... we were working cows that we have down at the Hacken's Ranch on Elk Creek. Our good and longtime friend, Laramie Strand, ultrasound the cows to see if they are pregnant. We love working cows as a team... quiet and deliberate. Julia and Kiersten were both given the opportunity by Laramie to ultrasound a few cows. Pretty cool.
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Halfway through, Julia who was recording tag numbers and data, commented on how much Laramie and Dean were alike. Yes they are quite entertaining to work with. It was a good day.
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I have included quite a few pics that Robin took. I thought many of you would enjoy seeing pics of a portion of South Dakota's leading industry... Agriculture. And yes much of it is done "Family style".
Ranch Life... Good Word from Jim Petty
Oh how I miss the words from our friend Jim Petty. A rancher from Oklahoma that I never met face to face, but had the privilege of communicating back and forth. He is now in heaven.. He wrote this to us a couple of years ago. It is fitting for our activities yesterday on the Lonetree Ranch.
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...Ranching... "Ranch-Work"...does something for the heart of a Man and Woman...that NO OTHER Occupation...can or will...DO!! Ranch-Work and Horses' Combined...do Amazing Wonders for the heart of Both Men and Women!! Please Know This...You are ALL thought of and Prayed For...OFTEN, with the Approach of Winter's obvious Trials in building Fortitude, Jesus-Dependent Character, and Depth of Heart-Sensitivity!! We Truly "Treasure" our 'winter-trials' over the past 83 years!! What a Great Blessing it is...being Blessed to Endure, and Mostly Enjoy...the Total Experience of People, Horses, Cattle, and being assured Every Day and Night...that we are NOT without the Eyes and Heart of our Lord Jesus--Lovingly Looking-On, Watching Over, ...and Making His Amazing Miraculous' Provisions...when Really Needed... It's Called...Living Out "John 14:6..."...while feeling Very Much...Loved and Cared For!!
My Dad and My Son - From September 2015
We finished planting the Northfield today....As I watched the sun disappear behind the Black Hills to the west on this first day of fall, memories began to flood my mind. We are not big farmers. The fields that we plant and harvest all have stories that date back with the family many decades and some of them over a century. Son, Caleb, was sharing how even in his 13 years as he rides around Lonetree Ranch/ Rainbow Bible Ranch....he is building his "memory bank" as well.
This photo is dear to me. Taken near the end of my Dad's active farming career in the same field that I just completed sowing. Yes, I realize that this season is the first planting on the Lonetree without Dad's presence. As you see, the stories are generations deep. Aside from Danny's very blond hair and the obvious limp of Dad... are Dad's big hands engulfing that of his grandson's. And for a three year old, that big hand was a connection to a very big heart.
The family agricultural operation is a phenomena, perhaps one could even say an institution that dates back to the Garden of Eden. Certainly to be cherished, whether actively involved or memories etched deeply in our hearts and minds of days gone by. It is true that Dad is not physically here, but his effort, sacrifice, sweat, and perhaps some drops blood as well has been mixed into the soil that continues to grow and multiply. And it is for certain that the big hand continues to hold and the huge heart continues to beat through the Legacy that has been established.
Eating Tomatoes.... Together
"Oh how I wish I could be in the garden eating tomatoes with this little towheaded boy..." says Grandpa.
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I know Grandma Robin would love to be there, as well.
