Chris Jensen

Look at the size of that horse.
***
The horseman is Chris Jensen. He had a place near Owanka, South Dakota in the early 1900's. His brother, Nels Jensen, my great grandfather had a horse ranch nearby on Rapid Creek. I never met Uncle Chris... but I would have liked to. I am not sure he ever married. He sold most of what he owned at a farm auction when he was called up to enter World War One. On his sale bill, he stated, "That he was going over to get 'Bill'." You history scholars may figure out what he meant by that. One thing that I had in common with Uncle Chris is that we shot the same 12 gauge shotgun. My Grandmother gave me that gun when I was in my early teens. It was pretty battered... a single shot... so I learned to make my shots count. I can still recall shooting ducks with that old gun

"A Bunch of Pelicans"

Well the Cowboy in me wants to say a herd of...

The farmer in me wants to say a flock of ...

Just being Larry, I want to say a bunch of...

Or maybe even a pile of...

But, to be correct, I would say a brief of...

Or I would say a pod of...

Or I would say a pouch of...

Or even a scoop of...

And to cover the bases, I would refer to squadron of...

Yes there was a pelican on Reinhold Lake today and joining him were about twenty more. Yes...Pelicans.

Notice the size by comparing them to the ducks along the shore.

NATIONAL AG DAY

164359363_3879391428809630_5672015161579286867_n.jpg

MARCH 23, 2021

NATIONAL AG DAY

I thought of posting some of Robin's beautiful photos from life on the Lonetree. You know... pics of agriculture. Like wheat fields and haying at sunset, branding calves in the spring and shipping in the fall, rescuing calves in the worst of blizzards and checking water during a drought. Agriculture on the Lonetree, across Meade County, from one side of our beloved South Dakota to the other. Pretty impressive. And I have not even touched on the the amazing aspect of processing and distribution of our food and fiber across America and around the world.

AGRICULTURE... Started way back at the dawn of Creation.

***

But I think the best ways to depict National Ag Day are the people of agriculture. And yes, I count it a privilege to work with some of those fine people every day. AG DAY is every day with our family. And I can think of countless other families that are part of the this great industry every day as well.

***

National Ag Day... a day that each and everyone of should celebrate. We are certainly blessed.

Bulls and Family

My Dad enjoyed good Hereford cattle and good horses. He loved his family dearly and he was a man of God. Perhaps that explains why we have enjoyed fellowship with the Feddes Family of Manhattan, Montana so much. My Dad, Marvin (Tige) and Marvin Feddes were of kindred spirit. We bought bulls from the Feddes family for years. Marv and Nell would stop in from time to time and Dad enjoyed his trips to their ranch in western Montana. Sweet fellowship ...

***

Today on the Lonetree Ranch an event of life happened. "Death". Yes one of old herd bulls died. But this wasn't just any old bull. This was the last bull that my dad had a part in making the decision to purchase from the Feddes family. Sort of an end to a chapter... but not really. You see Tige and Marv trusted Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Because of that decision, They are enjoying eternity in the presence of Jesus. Some may think they are there talking of cattle and days on the ranch. I don't think so much. Heaven is too grand and they left the ranching business in the capable hands of the next generation. There is no doubt in my mind that decisions they made and the life they lived have left an amazing legacy.

May Our Actions...

Over the last weeks, these images have often come to my mind.

***

Our leadership... Presently... incoming... In Congress... throughout the halls of bureaucracy is right close to pitiful. The dishonesty has become overwhelming... the seizing of power for personal gain is rampant. And the ungodliness is as a cancer across all of society. The possibility of the least amount of danger has only magnified the cowardice of those that should rise up as leaders. The mention of God's name is most often in vain or at least just part of empty rhetoric. The "victim" card has been played way to often. The role of Man and Woman as God designed has been so influenced by Satan.

***

May we lead in valor. May our example be full of integrity. May we humble ourselves before God and seek His Face. May we pray in earnest. May our actions be honorable.

Happy Birthday 2021

Happy Birthday to my dear wife, Robin. You provide sparkle to the day. You are a great partner, a wonderful mom to our children and a true friend to so many. Thank you... I love you. LBR

AVALANCE DRAW

There is hardly any snow on the ranch this Christmas or over the entire region for that matter. However, on Christmas Day we found some in what I refer to as Avalanche Draw. One day during a very tough winter, I was riding in the breaks to the south looking for a small herd of horses. We had seen some on top of the ridge. I set out bring them in. The last 150 yards became nearly impossible to ride as the snow had drifted so deep. I dismounted my horse and together we broke a trail through the hard packed snow. In the quietness other than our labored breathing and the breaking of crusty snow, I hear a rumble. I thought that was strange and I even entertained the thought of, "Oh great... probably an avalanche or something." "But not on the plains of western South Dakota...."

***

I topped the small ridge just before the top of the breaks where the horses were and I looked to my left....and sure enough the snow had avalanched down the draw. My thoughts were simply.... "Wow... that is really cool". My horse and I made it to the top and with some persistence and persuasion, I was able to get the horses to follow the path that we had broken through the deep snow. The sky was blue and bright that day... the air was crisp and cold... and my memories of that experience are just as vivid as the day that Avalanche Draw got its name.

Merry Christmas from Robin and I on the Lonetree Ranch

AND THAT'S THE WAY IT IS

A familiar scene as I was growing up and even in my high school years. Walter Cronkite giving the daily update of the conflict in Viet Nam. And why not? In 1969 more than 500,000 Americans were stationed there. I knew some of them... I was related to some of them. And the way it looked... there seemed to be no end. I wondered if I would end up there. Or my brothers? The United States pulled out in 1973. By 1975, South Vietnam fell. Over 58,000 members of U.S. armed forces had died or were missing as a result of the war. I never did have to go. I was still in High School... not quite that age of 18 when one was presumed old enough to fight and kill. For some reason though, I have always felt a special sense of gratitude in my heart to those that did serve. It was a tough war... and yes they all are, but Vietnam was different because America was different. The support was not there. And it has been that way for many that served for decades. Tonight, as we approach Christmas 2020, I want to say thank you to those who served in Vietnam and the surrounding area. Your time of service left an indelible mark upon my life. One that has never left me. I will never forget the words of Walter Cronkite that came so regular each day for so many years... #___ died today in Vietnam and #___ were wounded... And his closing words to every broadcast... "And that's the way it is..." have never left me.
Larry B. Reinhold

NO, I AM NOT SLEEPING...

No I am not sleeping...

However I am sure contemplating... I have been dealing with some things that seem "sort of big" in my life. But, in the last few days I have been following and praying for a family that are now new found friends. They in the midst of making "life and death" decisions within their family. And then just hours ago, we were called upon to pray for another dear friend who had been involved in a very serious life threatening incident. Last night at Bible Study, I told the kids that my biggest challenge right now was "waiting patiently upon the Lord". My situations seem so small to the dire situations of others. As we finished praying and pondering the ordeals of life that were being played out... our little orange kitten "Possum" stepped down confidently from the cabinet to my arm and then he peacefully went to sleep. Isaiah 40:31... a favorite verse of mine says, "They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles... they shall run and not be weary... they shall walk and not faint." My kitten was demonstrating something that I need to do in a sense...

Please pray for our friends.

Thanks Rachel for the pic.

AN EXPLOSION OF CATTAILS

Robin and I were out on of our trails and we witnessed the explosion of Typha latifolia. No wind to speak of... no warning... Yes, ladies and gentlemen there were cattail seeds everywhere. It was really pretty cool. And now you know how they spread prolifically.

***

By the way... anyone ever notice that patch of cattails just west of of the turnoff to the summit of Terry Peak. You are going to Cheyenne Crossing and you see these cattails... How do they do so well up here?

A Good Day Hunting

The family enjoyed a good day of hunting... however it is not just deer season. Cottontail and sharptails were part of the fare as well today. They do well on the Great Plains of western South Dakota. By the way, after all the game was processed, it went to the freezer to held for our Annual Game Feed in March. Mark this great event on your calendar.

THANKSGIVING WITH THE FAMILY 2020

"Count your many blessing.
Name them one by one.
Count your blessings
See what God has done."

Oh the joy of family along with good food and wonderful fellowship. Robin... The turkey was beautiful as well as moist and tasty.

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

127923504_3563124687102974_6112496954319475732_n.jpg

"Let us count our blessings... Let us name them one by one...

Photo - My Grandma Nora Hughes Bangert. The Irish lass who came to America during World War I to never return to her native land.

***

When one asks a member of the Reinhold family, "What is your favorite holiday celebration?" Most if not all will answer, "Thanksgiving". For this celebration we find ourselves not just enjoying the good food and fellowship of the day, but we also find ourselves indulged in the memories and blessings that have been bestowed upon us.

First by God Almighty... Our Sustainer, Our provider. To Jesus Christ.... Our hope of salvation.

To the Holy Spirit... Our Comforter.

To Scripture... The Word of God is alive.

Our Family... "Our heritage is... Our legacy shall be". Our community of friends... We are so blessed.

Our Home... We so enjoy where we live.

My list could continue...

***

From Scripture

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." Psalm 100:4

***

"Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." Psalm 107:8-9

***

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8

***

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

***

Washington, D.C.

October 3, 1863

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,

Secretary of State

FENCING CREW

The fencing crew... nearly have "The Lane" refenced. We sure enjoy this nice weather... With our schedule in the summer, not real easy to get everything done. We do have a pretty fun crew.

Happy Birthday Rachel

Happy Birthday Rachel

There is so much that we could say about our daughter, Rachel. She is an amazing young lady that plays an integral part in the ministry of Rainbow Bible Ranch, the operation of the Lonetree and being a caring member of the Reinhold Family. May you be blessed.