HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANNY
Happy Birthday Son!
Mom and I count you as a blessing from God. We pray that you have not just a good day, but years forward and on down the road. You have been a friend to many. We consider it a privilege to not only call you son, but also partner... on the ranch and in ministry at RBR. Godspeed young man.
THERE IS HOPE...
There is hope... As many of you know, with the drought of the past years, nearly all our ponds and reservoirs dried up or were mere mud holes. Yes, with the exception of Rendevous Spring, we lost all our fish as well. However, yesterday, we were able to stock Rainbow Trout in the Homestead Pond. We have a few dams that are full and we have some that have no water at all. We are still trusting the Lord for much needed moisture to not only fill ponds, but also replenish subsoil moisture.
A TRIBUTE TO MOM
My Mother...
Vicky (Voreta) Reinhold 1956
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"Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands
And let her own works praise her in the gates.
Proverb 31:25-31
A HEREFORD OUTFIT FOR A LONG TIME
Been a Hereford outfit for around a century. This is a herd bull that belonged to my grandfather, Emanuel Reinhold,... probably in the early 1950's. I am quite certain that Grandpa was probably not flattered by the pic of himself, but who was looking at him. Look at the beef on this bull.
STONE JOHNNY
Our "Stone Johnny" erected at Deer Draw near Castello Point. Our family had been planting trees and we took a little break to build a reminder of our efforts. Each time we see that Stone Johnny, we are reminded of a special family event.
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Across the Plains and into the Intermountain northwest... they are called Stone Johnnys, as well. Landmarks to help early day sheepherders and settlers to show boundaries and other locations of importance. They can be found in various locations in South Dakota and across the five state region (South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and Nebraska)
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We read in the Old Testament of God asking leaders like Joshua to set up "memorials" ... reminders of special events as stated in Joshua 4:6-7… “that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.”
Life on the barn...
"Life in the barn"... Still spending quite a little time there... but what a change in weather... in less than a week... Could get into the eighties today... "A bit too warm for the stock and those of us humankind that work here."
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The grass is showing signs of green... Praise the Lord...
Easter Dinner
With calving chores and all... we did not make it off the ranch today. We are grateful for the nice weather. This is not the first Easter that had found us at home. Spring on the ranch sometimes does not allow for us to leave. However, we celebrate the wonderful power of the resurrection and fellowship of God's mercy and grace.
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We did enjoy a delicious meal. Robin made sure of that. Easter ham, broccoli in cheese sauce, "Really good potatoes"... that is my name for them, and a wonderful salad. Robin also made popovers... and they turned out perfect. When they come out of the oven, you pierce them to let out the steam. They are golden brown on the outside and hollow (empty) on the inside. Thus signifying the empty tomb... perfect for Easter. Lemon cake with even a tangier lemon sauce with good black coffee to follow up. Excellent.
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Cows and calves are looking pretty good after a crazy week of weather. Today Caleb and Danny noticed a cow way off by herself. It was one of Caleb's cows. She had calved, but the calf was unexplainably dead. Caleb rode out on his big saddle horse, Rooster, and brought the cow in and proceeded to graft another calf on her. Just part of Easter Sunday on the Lonetree.
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Chores are nearly done... Robin is in the kitchen making popcorn... A Sunday Evening Tradition... Oh yes there will be some other food as well... But there will always be popcorn made the old fashioned way on the stove top in a kettle... and at the last pop... poured into a big bowl topped with melted butter and just the right amount of salt... sometimes she will add honey as well. As Andy Griffith used to say... "Mmm-mmm Good".
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One last thought... if you have not read I Corinthians 15 lately... you should... We as Christ Followers are most blessed.
"BORN IN A BARN..."
Julia walks into the tack room off the calving barn... I joke with her as she leaves the door behind her open, "What, were you born in a barn?"
Without missing a beat, she replies, "No, but I feel like I live in one".
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April Blizzard 2023... Calving Season on the Lonetree
April Snow 2023 on the Lonetree
Good Moisture... Cute calves...
April Snow 2023 on the Lonetree
KOLACHES FOR THE RACEHORSES
When Robin and I were married...the Reinhold Family added a little "Bohemian" genetics. Czechs are known for kolaches and other fine food. I love kolaches. And today Robin "fed the racehorses" a special treat. Prune and Raspberry... Oh they were so fine. Thank you dear Robin.
'SUPPER WITH THE "RACEHORSES"
"Feed The Race Horses"... A phrase that I coined a few years back. To get to performance out of the best equine athletes, one has to give them the best diet to match their activity. Our crew goes hard here on the ranch nearly all the time and certainly when the weather tries to "beat on us". Last night I volunteered to help Robin with supper... after all she is quite a "race horse" as well. I made one of my favorites that my mother use to make. Oven baked chicken... "Turned out pretty good"... if I say so myself...And served up "quite pretty" too.
ANOTHER APRIL STORM... RECOLLECTION
April 4-6, 1997...
We called it that... the April 97 Blizzard. As many you know, we (Robin) reports to the National Weather Service as an observer. Our station is Hereford 12SW. That April storm had lots of wind as you can see in the picture of the snowdrift. We had 17 inches of good wet snow... and then over the course of the next four days we had another five inches... and it stayed cold throughout the week. That proved pretty hard on the calves. We lost a considerable percentage of our calf crop along with eight cows that had drifted into our big dam and drowned. One cow made it though about three feet of water and I when I rode up on her on horseback, she was completely covered with ice. She sounded like jingle bells when she walked. She did survive however.
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I have included two more pics that show the result of sufficient moisture... Plenty of water and grass and the wheat crop was good as well.
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Not everyone can handle living in this region... however we choose to... and we are better for it. And I believe the we understand a little better than most of who is really in control.
A STORM IS A'COMING
Do we take these storms seriously... Top photo is of the snowfall forecast... throw in 40-60 mph winds.. pretty serious if you are in the livestock business. The bottom photos are of my folks by their house after the April 6, 1997 blizzard.
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I hear so much about how folks are tired of the weather... News for you.. "This is life in the north country". Our family and our neighbors in ranch country have seen many of these situations for last century plus years... Grit... Determination and Strength from the Almighty and faith. Is it a challenge? "No doubt." But is what we do ... and it is who we are.
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Counting blessings along the rugged path of life. We know that this is life. We will be diligent about care of what has been entrusted to us. Snow brings much needed moisture. Yes the 97 storm was tough... but grass and crops were good. It is what it is and we choose to weather the storm... or the storms. It is what we do... and it is who we are.
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Praying and Trusting God... It is what we do... and it is who we are.
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Time to head again...
Spring Snow
To many... They don't understand the need for spring snow... They also do not grasp the challenges. But the is cattle country... Where the weather is more than a topic to pass the time. I sort of get amused when people that are surrounded by asphalt and concrete talk about their "mud room". Our back porch has seen nearly a hundred years of boots and overshoes.. the Reinhold family has dealt with all sorts of weather here on the ranch. Don't feel sorry for us... This is the life we choose.. It is a good and rewarding life. You can pray for the babies.. in this case the calves. We would welcome that.
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Yes we did notice the headline of the Tri-State Livestock News.. . Pretty accurate.... Oh by the way... the digital age has at times cut into our supply of newspapers to set wet boots on. Never use to have that problem.
SPRING SNOW
To many... They don't understand the need for spring snow... They also do not grasp the challenges. But the is cattle country... Where the weather is more than a topic to pass the time. I sort of get amused when people that are surrounded by asphalt and concrete talk about their "mud room". Our back porch has seen nearly a hundred years of boots and overshoes.. the Reinhold family has dealt with all sorts of weather here on the ranch. Don't feel sorry for us... This is the life we choose.. It is a good and rewarding life. You can pray for the babies.. in this case the calves. We would welcome that.
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Yes we did notice the headline of the Tri-State Livestock News.. . Pretty accurate.... Oh by the way... the digital age has at times cut into our supply of newspapers to set wet boots on. Never use to have that problem.
MY DAD...
Repost form 2014
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My Dad is a great man. He has not received many awards in his life journey but he has many rewards awaiting him when he is inducted into the Halls of Glory. A gentle giant... Dad has been a big man in my eyes and in the hearts of many. Dad has had more than his share of wrecks and his heart has ached many times, but not due to foolishness, but rather because he is in the battle. My Dad is a leader that has taken his lead from the Almighty. He loves Jesus and he is a lover of God's Word. I have appreciated his willingness to let me move through the passages of life as he has taken the role of encourager and as a partner. He is one to bless, even if he is in the shadows. Many of our conversations end with a thank you and a "God Bless You, Larry"
This photo of my Dad (Tige Reinhold) was taken with our son, Danny, about ten years ago, when Dad was still farming. And at the end of a long day in the tractor, Dad would still take the hand of a child... And what a picture that was. Dad's giant weathered hand engulfing that of the youthful.
And yes aging has taken it's toll on the shell of this great man and his mind is not as sharp as it once was... but his heart and his love... Oh my. We are blessed.
DANNY FINISHES WELDING TRAINING
We had quite the day at GPWA!
Our first 2 students graduated today! Danny Reinhold and Thomas Shirk are now graduates of Great Plains Welding Academy. Thank you for all your hard work and great luck in your careers!!
THE MUSIC OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
By Larry B. Reinhold *** March 23, 2023
Frolicking light of green and red and white,
Prancing and leaping and having a ball.
Seems to be moving in rhythm of a distant symphony,
And I hear the yip and howl, the yip and howl of the coyote's call
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Streams of light reaching the Great Bear of the night sky.
High in the sky these northern lights are amazing to all.
And then I listen for the music of the silence,
And the yip and howl, the yip and howl of the coyote's call.
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I follow a beam of polar light over my shoulder.
And seemingly the journey of Orion comes to a stall
And just as an old friend we stop and watch and listen,
To hear the yip and howl, the yip and howl of the coyote's call.
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Again I stand amazed by the drama of Aurora Borealis.
I glance to the west, where the stage was not at all small.
Venus and the Crescent moon play second chair and hear
The yip and howl, the yip and howl of the coyote call.
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I am now feeling the chill of the night as it replaces
The thrill of watching the spectacle from heaven's hall.
I lower my gaze and I turn my back and yet continues the music
The yip and howl, yes the yip and howl of the coyote's call.
Working Stock Together
Whenever I hear about a "tense atmosphere" while working cattle... I just shake my head. We love working stock together as a family. Slow and easy and quiet... generally we have riders on horseback. This was the case the other day as we sorted the first calf heifers from the older cows. Calving has been going fairly well thus far. It is a good way of life. Thanking the Lord daily.
