Welcome to "Grandpa's Garden"... Because Grandpa Tige did not just pick flowers... He picked agates and petrified wood and quartz and big rocks and little rocks and all kinds of rocks. And it must be in the genes, because we still do. A couple of years ago we laid out "Grandpa's Garden" with some of the treasures and set them in a somewhat naturalized setting for many to enjoy. Not a time goes by as we walk through this area that we don't hear my Dad say whether he was on horseback or in later years on his four wheeler, "Here, see that pretty rock there... lift it up to me and I will carry it home.
Snow on Mother's Day
Another Spring Day
Another day doing "Spring". A day on the ranch is often a wide array of not only activity but also emotion. Oftentimes it includes planning and adjustment. Today was no different. We had calves born and had calves die. We trimmed trees that bear witness of extreme drought and vicious storms. We are grateful for a second year of plentiful moisture that will give the grass, trees and shrubs a powerful boost. We pruned up an old elm in the yard and added a garden swing. Robin tried it out and gave her approval. Kiersten is excited since it will provide "a great place to read". What does it take to build one of these... A tree, a section of 2x8 and two old stretched and kinked lariat ropes. We drove down to Misty Meadow where our zipline is located... Water is running in Lonetree Creek... grass is greening up. Then we checked on Rendevous Spring... Talked about what fish to stock in it later this spring. Of course there was time in the tractor, in front of the computer, time on horseback and of course time just enjoying family. God is good. We are blessed... I have an idea... Why don't we count our blessings. Perhaps you would want to share some of them with us in the comments section below.
Great Bunch of Guys
Had a nice visit with some great young men last night for supper... Steak and birthday cake to Celebrate Danny's birthday.
Caleb, Derek, Jesse, Brian,Ben, Tanner, Danny
Doing Spring
Another day doing "Spring". A day on the ranch is often a wide array of not only activity but also emotion. Oftentimes it includes planning and adjustment. Today was no different. We had calves born and had calves die. We trimmed trees that bear witness of extreme drought and vicious storms. We are grateful for a second year of plentiful moisture that will give the grass, trees and shrubs a powerful boost. We pruned up an old elm in the yard and added a garden swing. Robin tried it out and gave her approval. Kiersten is excited since it will provide "a great place to read". What does it take to build one of these... A tree, a section of 2x8 and two old stretched and kinked lariat ropes. We drove down to Misty Meadow where our zipline is located... Water is running in Lonetree Creek... grass is greening up. Then we checked on Rendevous Spring... Talked about what fish to stock in it later this spring. Of course there was time in the tractor, in front of the computer, time on horseback and of course time just enjoying family. God is good. We are blessed... I have an idea... Why don't we count our blessings. Perhaps you would want to share some of them with us in the comments section below.
Happy Birthday Danny 2020
Happy Birthday Danny!
Son... Partner... Coworker... Robin and I have been privileged to be parents of six children, but as those children continue their path of maturity, one begins to appreciated the ongoing handiwork of God in each of them as individuals. Danny has been that individual that we have had the opportunity to observe boyhood to manhood. What is so special is that his tender heart is melding together with maturing mind. He is man of few words but strong ideas. His stern look will give way to a wry smile and a twinkle in the eye. Instead of buying a hot pickup he buys a bull or a swather. He has true concern for his friends and for the path they are following. He continues that concern even when some make poor choices. We appreciate your Danny.
#Don'tHideGetOutside
#DontHideGetOutside
Make it part of your plan each day.
Danny likes this dog. His name is Smokey... such an all around "people" dog.
#DontHideGetOutside
Don't Hide... Get Outside
Drawing to the end of a beautiful day. Some are still doing chores, some are riding putting some cattle where they belong, had to doctor a calf tonight... All in all, a grand and glorious day. We planted around 125 peach leaf and golden willows below Reinhold Lake today. This area is nearly a slough with lots of cattails. Always has water running through it. Kiersten spotted a Canada Goose setting motionless on a nest. So much to see and enjoy... My new motto for America..."Don't Hide... Get Outside!"
#Don'tHideGetOutside
Drawing to the end of a beautiful day. Some are still doing chores, some are riding putting some cattle where they belong, had to doctor a calf tonight... All in all, a grand and glorious day. We planted around 125 peach leaf and golden willows below Reinhold Lake today. This area is nearly a slough with lots of cattails. Always has water running through it. Kiersten spotted a Canada Goose setting motionless on a nest. So much to see and enjoy... My new motto for America..."Don't Hide... Get Outside!"
#DontHideGetOutside
Grandpa was a logger
Grandpa Reinhold
Emanuel Reinhold was a Swede from the "Minnesota". (You know how those folks would have pronounced that) For a while before moving to Dakota, he was a logger. It only seemed right that when it came time to build the new barn and house... he went west about 15 miles into the Black Hills and cut his own logs. I love his logging truck. If I understand it right, he would have had to come by the area where the present-day weigh station is at Tilford. And you truckers know how much they love you there
Nels August Jensen
My Great Grandfather...
Nels August Jensen, born in Denmark, went west... way west as boy to eventually own The Circle Star. The ranch was located east of Farmingdale, SD on Rapid Creek near where it ran into the Cheyenne River.
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His daughter, Vivian, wrote of N.A.... "He wore Justin Boots (black with little white insets) and a big Stetson hat with a beaded band. In the springtime he stuck a flower sprig in the band. In town, he would walk into anyone’s yard and help himself to a flower for his hat. If the lady of the house appeared, he assumed his jaunty smile and said, “I knew you wouldn’t mind if I took a flower for my hat.” Strangely enough, they never did."
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You know what is really fun... My Dad, Tige, N.A. Jensen's grandson, would often go by Robin's roses in the summer. With a wry smile as he was picking a rose, he would say, "Mind if I borrow a rose?"
Danny and Derek put in a good day's work to benefit many of our babies, especially if we get the up to ten inches of snow forecasted in the next day or so. We had rebuilt this calf shelter and the guys put down about a thousand square feet of shingles. Looks nice guys and it looks as if those white faced calves appreciate your work as well.
A Lesson
This cow belongs to Julia and Kiersten and she is not evan suppose to be here. When she was young and we were sorting heifers, I told the girls that I would trade them "a better one". This one really did not mean the guidelines. When we sold the poorer end and this heifer ended up in another pasture and we just never got around to getting her. Well, yesterday she had a nice bull calf. The girls are happy. And now this cow looks to be a keeper. Maybe another lesson here... "use good bulls"
THANK YOU SHIRLEY...
This is one those fancy white chocolate candies. When I had one tonight... I recalled the first time I enjoyed white chocolate. When I was in grade school at Alkali, our neighbor, Shirley Keffeler, took it upon herself to make chocolate Easter Candies for many in the school and community. These were not just small round pieces of candy, but rather quite large and scrumptious candies in multiple shapes to fit the Easter Season. Each one of the Reinhold kids received one and mine was white chocolate. Shirley left a good memory in my heart and it was because of kindness and generosity. Some attributes that are going to very much in need in the days ahead.
THE PARADE THAT WASN'T CANCELLED - ST. PATRICK'S DAY 2020
MEMORIES... SOME OF MY FAVORITE HORSES
Some of my favorite horses... Swift, Trigger is in the middle and a Pony/QH named Cookie who doesn't know what quit means.
Let me tell you about Swift. I bought him from Alan Leer in 1989. As a colt, he ran with the herd of horses that Leers had for the movie, Dances with Wolves, which was filmed over the Alkali Divide on the Belle Fourche River. After the movie was done, Allan sold him in his production sale in Sturgis. The colt did not look to good as the summer and then a fall blizzard took the bloom out of most of the weanlings.
I rode him calving in 1992 and we had some pretty tough spring weather. The only way to get around was on a good saddle horse. Dad and I rode a lot together that spring. Swift did great. In fact, over the next couple of years he earned quite a reputation on the Lonetree Ranch and with the kids at Rainbow Bible Ranch.
His registered name was Troubled YoYo. I liked the name Swift better as Dad had a favorite bay horse with that name in the 1960's.
Swift was my main horse for a number of years until a scar under his neck that remained after a nasty cut which he received in his "movie days" began to affect his breathing. I retired him to the camp string where only more experienced riders were given the privilege of riding one of "Larry's saddle horses". He was quite popular. :)
He was not ridden much in the last couple of years due to his breathing difficulties, but he still ran with the camp string. He always carried his head high entertaining memories of days gone by. And he would get his frisky moments where he would run as if he was an unbroke horse.
We turned him out in the breaks with all the other good horses of the RBR camp string. The good prairie grasses of the Dakota Plains would do them all good as it would prepare them for the coming winter months. Life was good.
And then from seemingly nowhere came a storm. On that October Day, which will not too quickly be forgotten when the Plains and Hills of Western South Dakota would be ravaged with rain, snow and wind in the what would be known as Atlas, Swift died. And not only Swift, but tens of thousands of cattle, horses and other animals met their demise.
The story does not end here... because the memories live on. I am one of many that were blessed by this one creature created by the Almighty to be a blessing. I am better because of Swift. Thank you Lord for lending him to me for a time.
FROM MARCH 11, 2014
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIERSTEN
“Well Miss Kiersten Rae... How old are you today?
Twelve years old... You are such a joy to your mom and me and to all your family and friends. God has already used you and our prayer is that you stay faithful and obedient to him and that you will continue to be a blessing. We sure do love you. Have a great day and may this upcoming year be a great chapter in your book.”
Hey Kierstie,
I just wanted to say Thank You to you on this special day. You have blessed me every day since you were born. Thanks for eating ice cream with me no matter the time of day (or night)🙃. Thanks for your hugs💙. They are very special! And for your giggles and your thoughtfulness! I pray you never lose your sparkle and your love for life and your desire to serve Jesus. I love you very much.
Happy 12th Birthday!
Love, Me
LET'S DO IT
I AM NOT SURPRISED
I AM NOT SURPRISED...
I have watched as a member of our family has taken some brutal attacks for her way of life. Some may say that she has just been experiencing "weaker moments" but hardly... She has exhibited amazing strength even during times of tremendous loss. God has sustained her in her faith in remarkable fashion, but the attacks are coming from multiple fronts.. and they are often time unseen... and they are may even go unnoticed by the bystander... but they are real... and they are wearisome... AND GOD CONTINUES TO BE HER STRENGTH... and considering the day and age we live in... they are not a surprise.
REFLECTION
"It is good to be home"
Nine days at the Stock Show... talked to hundreds of people... some in power... some powerless..... some offering hope... some with no hope.... Shared with many of RBR... shared with numerous the Gospel of Christ... received good news... and finished the last hours there with news that left us heartbroken. Today has been a day of reflection.
Photos by Robin Lee Reinhold