tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49644772285796441952024-03-14T00:11:58.059-07:00News from Oak Creek RanchOak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.comBlogger1762125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-62230914088499249272022-05-07T13:14:00.001-07:002022-05-07T13:14:29.755-07:00The Orchard Takes a Hit<p>You wouldn't know it to look at the garden, but the orchard is really having a hard spring. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidflvq7SAN9jr7N-dCKdGoflQv7AugpHgycd4Ktca8XW_XS6FMb126ZLMfdY2AxsFR46gAca1kBlMO9v5fESwc4KWY8Jrz-j7RZQeaZoWZP4rijrpPGEttCK7s_iMn-3P48I_BLzeD6UDNHef80_csy-8KKHIDJvOrMutwSFT3Kc1SyYg-CXziQRwH/s4032/41E14FF6-6B88-4C00-B86F-A3B476D4501B.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidflvq7SAN9jr7N-dCKdGoflQv7AugpHgycd4Ktca8XW_XS6FMb126ZLMfdY2AxsFR46gAca1kBlMO9v5fESwc4KWY8Jrz-j7RZQeaZoWZP4rijrpPGEttCK7s_iMn-3P48I_BLzeD6UDNHef80_csy-8KKHIDJvOrMutwSFT3Kc1SyYg-CXziQRwH/w480-h640/41E14FF6-6B88-4C00-B86F-A3B476D4501B.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p>We had a very late, very cold, and prolonged, frost in April. The orchard trees had all started to blossom, and some were even starting to set fruit. The frost took care of that. I lost all the fruit on my apples, pear, cherries, peaches and plums. My persimmon tree just plain old looks dead; it had just started to leaf out.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_exDeVvq9CXN_zgOqokZEnHHubLhK2t3YaVVUMalx7KHyz5NLrM7LikdvgGxb95BnsFFKPGokr-_3Z8sqrd4PKJitLysfMsqu-B4Vo-43IHUFDUEdXE9Z9gSVJf5IDFC_ca2y00TGGBLG_L5yKmKaXhmilDHFmgMG0JuOWToenupE75qj6XThEAgP/s4032/EA5FA50A-0F44-4089-B37F-1A472D961F43.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_exDeVvq9CXN_zgOqokZEnHHubLhK2t3YaVVUMalx7KHyz5NLrM7LikdvgGxb95BnsFFKPGokr-_3Z8sqrd4PKJitLysfMsqu-B4Vo-43IHUFDUEdXE9Z9gSVJf5IDFC_ca2y00TGGBLG_L5yKmKaXhmilDHFmgMG0JuOWToenupE75qj6XThEAgP/w480-h640/EA5FA50A-0F44-4089-B37F-1A472D961F43.heic" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Noble apple tree with frost damage</td></tr></tbody></table><p>And then, to add insult to injury, one of my baby apple trees developed apple scab and one of the pears is continuing its ongoing fight with fire blight. Every year I cut out more and more infected areas. The tree is shrinking instead of growing.</p><p>The rest of the garden looks great, thank goodness. My perennials are blooming -- a bit late -- but blooming as if to say, "full steam ahead!" </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrvtdtqxHP-VJAUJkX7Yqsao0E0ea5FTXornYlLOBCWzUJEL4o0ekzJOs18RjMIpBRsV8iWrfRc7aWZCgZAbkdnEvWBniho9tyo21kx6pe2_YszKh1WUNTlx7J3n1w3DZWXoufEVgfZiA_uZy349X02lFHQmo-52-i3mltw6IPWS4HUvaSMlg08CI/s4032/5C72A6AB-0365-41D2-96C3-5FF3343F210F.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrvtdtqxHP-VJAUJkX7Yqsao0E0ea5FTXornYlLOBCWzUJEL4o0ekzJOs18RjMIpBRsV8iWrfRc7aWZCgZAbkdnEvWBniho9tyo21kx6pe2_YszKh1WUNTlx7J3n1w3DZWXoufEVgfZiA_uZy349X02lFHQmo-52-i3mltw6IPWS4HUvaSMlg08CI/w480-h640/5C72A6AB-0365-41D2-96C3-5FF3343F210F.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5tz0PNiTBPIAGC4nZ_zfBEl-gbmYzBwMWhk0huHeXNbGwonMGD0--r8UEjG2bb9XjlhKj3ugDZpUFNI2kfU-uYnVWy8KnwD47VE9--2cQWmP_Rf8q3LALkWuBxTJbX5AGLTQZ00ZVCKGeDrE7Fql7D1S-8paLPN4aMUpxtpZQxY312X8su8LumXm/s4032/58F272AD-D0EB-4503-BC66-94199221AA2E.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5tz0PNiTBPIAGC4nZ_zfBEl-gbmYzBwMWhk0huHeXNbGwonMGD0--r8UEjG2bb9XjlhKj3ugDZpUFNI2kfU-uYnVWy8KnwD47VE9--2cQWmP_Rf8q3LALkWuBxTJbX5AGLTQZ00ZVCKGeDrE7Fql7D1S-8paLPN4aMUpxtpZQxY312X8su8LumXm/w480-h640/58F272AD-D0EB-4503-BC66-94199221AA2E.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCyi1hnP3bSlT42ibSQ6cmvB181GfqrelpYmEKM218t5UP854F8DlrIi37aASb165vdw79JeckAVEFT9CnC2z_B-IT9wAN3unRj6bkiubmZnvkhAd42Zk9yUnqG5ZKMRgb3B6DIViAYnBB9mVAJrZQk6JJpNpvf5sC4izPbixiBQlyeMsQdJTPEY8/s4032/D3FC5CFA-985D-417F-AA7B-D2EE126A7FC2.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCyi1hnP3bSlT42ibSQ6cmvB181GfqrelpYmEKM218t5UP854F8DlrIi37aASb165vdw79JeckAVEFT9CnC2z_B-IT9wAN3unRj6bkiubmZnvkhAd42Zk9yUnqG5ZKMRgb3B6DIViAYnBB9mVAJrZQk6JJpNpvf5sC4izPbixiBQlyeMsQdJTPEY8/w480-h640/D3FC5CFA-985D-417F-AA7B-D2EE126A7FC2.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsnO-hI_fhDZijLydlJt2OuRTyWa4geKHYFmVq1kGrr5HD7Mo5uVjw7G7YeCfSvvSLKwirSpdLp45TS9DqRPzL-UGqbFlSusOb3xrfNHeO1c96PJGBwh__PFTXdwQlZ5zYqZ3389Fmsoq3r7GAXuqdsUjn17HZMxDB7qnvDZL5ttjqCdvWVotKunj/s4032/D4B5C2AD-B8EC-4DB0-B5C6-50C8A6437720.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsnO-hI_fhDZijLydlJt2OuRTyWa4geKHYFmVq1kGrr5HD7Mo5uVjw7G7YeCfSvvSLKwirSpdLp45TS9DqRPzL-UGqbFlSusOb3xrfNHeO1c96PJGBwh__PFTXdwQlZ5zYqZ3389Fmsoq3r7GAXuqdsUjn17HZMxDB7qnvDZL5ttjqCdvWVotKunj/w480-h640/D4B5C2AD-B8EC-4DB0-B5C6-50C8A6437720.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I was going to plant my veggie starts this weekend (Mothers Day is my marker) but there is a late spring storm coming through over the next few days. We will get rain (good), maybe some snow (what??!!) and frost (NOOOOOOOO). I'm hoping the frost periods are short, not lasting more than an hour or so in the early mornings. By Wednesday, it should be safe to plant the veggies outside.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinILtWKgweEcJ0u1tQnxjUQbKXv4pjz1y5pc4S1HbZ5vAFArtGRoUtZRcHwjVSRSel9a-miOU94wHB-GM91dzIUr20n5PDQbTrszqe35H-7N_t7_nMLief_b6uOmEtPVCjqrnQXDV0acAaoy5zz7lvJxYwn-XjhH6pPuqsSiojMcnXRqlNJpb_e5w3/s4032/D6DE68B4-6766-4FD4-8E11-E3E5F02DF8C1.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinILtWKgweEcJ0u1tQnxjUQbKXv4pjz1y5pc4S1HbZ5vAFArtGRoUtZRcHwjVSRSel9a-miOU94wHB-GM91dzIUr20n5PDQbTrszqe35H-7N_t7_nMLief_b6uOmEtPVCjqrnQXDV0acAaoy5zz7lvJxYwn-XjhH6pPuqsSiojMcnXRqlNJpb_e5w3/w480-h640/D6DE68B4-6766-4FD4-8E11-E3E5F02DF8C1.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p>Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-13655143463174108672022-04-11T20:00:00.000-07:002022-04-11T20:00:05.247-07:00The Story of Flash<p> Flash was born in 1996 and spent his early years in Kansas (where he was born) and Arkansas where he carried a flag in chuck wagon races. At six years old, he came to California where our trainer found him at a horse sale. She thought he would be a good horse for Brett. She was right; he was perfect for Brett. They loved to do the same things -- mounted patrol, obstacles, and trail rides. They both liked to play silly games, although they did get carried away at times. They were chasing imaginary cows one time in the arena when Flash gave a yee-haw buck and Brett went flying. He couldn't be mad because he had started the game. Flash loved hiding Brett's tools -- sometimes dropping them in the water trough. He was a one person horse, and that one person was Brett. </p><p>We lost him on a beautiful April morning, about a week ago. He had been gimpy on his right front, consistent with an abscess. I didn't feel any heat, or swelling, or bounding pulse. Our farrier came out and pulled his shoe and orthopedic pad so the abscess could come out easier. The hoof did not test sensitive but it might not if the abscess was deep. I applied a poultice and wrapped his foot. He continued to limp around the pasture, sometimes not wanting to put any weight on the leg but jumping three-legged, </p><p>The next morning, we packed the travel trailer and then Brett went inside to change. I walked down the driveway, past Flash and Pistol's pasture, to get the mail. Flash was still limping around. On my way back to the house, I could see that the leg was broken. It was a clean break, all the way through, and ...well, I won't tell you anymore details because it was just awful. Flash was frantic, trying to run and half-falling and the leg swinging... I ran into the house and called for Brett. It was not my finest hour. I was hyperventilating and hysterical. Brett went out, came back in, and called the vet. Flash finally fell over and laid quietly on the ground. Our vet was there in 30 minutes so thankfully Flash did not suffer long. </p><p>Here are some of my favorite photos of Flash over the years. There is more about him in the Flash tab under the header photo, above.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXk_CkJLtKtIGGo6tchkKbeN1yjmSeBKiPO6ZDQuuxK45sFWLA7EcmzLRwcJ4EqIALhp4Sl7xQQDdnKMDm0FPB0zdZJqJf6Ln69yxpuAR26Zh8gO2e35SZspMU1FsBuSosKA4Rh9wFyw6zVvt94exnrB5ZJQJDDNSUzCnap1jYlEId9QMezfr-VUlu/s720/97F535B2-EF8F-41A5-8E7B-7E2BC722636D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXk_CkJLtKtIGGo6tchkKbeN1yjmSeBKiPO6ZDQuuxK45sFWLA7EcmzLRwcJ4EqIALhp4Sl7xQQDdnKMDm0FPB0zdZJqJf6Ln69yxpuAR26Zh8gO2e35SZspMU1FsBuSosKA4Rh9wFyw6zVvt94exnrB5ZJQJDDNSUzCnap1jYlEId9QMezfr-VUlu/w640-h480/97F535B2-EF8F-41A5-8E7B-7E2BC722636D.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQHRb1NPYK36jKDnBZEI4y8h49soPr5QEioYZxmlf72723Ka-IrWq6yOVbDk4iTZzIziyytU3Z9IZlKGU5nghqFMrUpfQxUf8BKRxvnlw6t57JnbHlgHQ5hAqqAl5XCfIeQo0MlPsO-iXKT6eUHZrd5fvLp55N61cy-7TuyzUMAeDFDaw_UU29_lp/s1498/img_0429%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="1498" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQHRb1NPYK36jKDnBZEI4y8h49soPr5QEioYZxmlf72723Ka-IrWq6yOVbDk4iTZzIziyytU3Z9IZlKGU5nghqFMrUpfQxUf8BKRxvnlw6t57JnbHlgHQ5hAqqAl5XCfIeQo0MlPsO-iXKT6eUHZrd5fvLp55N61cy-7TuyzUMAeDFDaw_UU29_lp/w640-h530/img_0429%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQB6cPJPkFjbOyffbHAsoWIsFfHZtGd5NxZE1uhUrVQwZ5dbX3iQsh3DbLinc6dptZTTMlM6m951PZ-lxUv127-TyCsf7Tr4YFAZHn5rIfKxSfQvRv_QLSQUNSZC_zjXB4WAL8bOW1k6xBgqR9aNpSZvBC5a4Nz2RL20rKT5LBMYCgQJuFLVchiiM/s2398/20110105_23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1956" data-original-width="2398" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQB6cPJPkFjbOyffbHAsoWIsFfHZtGd5NxZE1uhUrVQwZ5dbX3iQsh3DbLinc6dptZTTMlM6m951PZ-lxUv127-TyCsf7Tr4YFAZHn5rIfKxSfQvRv_QLSQUNSZC_zjXB4WAL8bOW1k6xBgqR9aNpSZvBC5a4Nz2RL20rKT5LBMYCgQJuFLVchiiM/w640-h522/20110105_23.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bHP0sPj5SSRF3thNS3FM1J5axgTSCcofRJQWuytuCk8Ga7Pc1BmdIYQQlvZXZ-MfnFG-XUF4S24ZEfdSwKOBbvH77Aj-6vf1OXiHmvLhAChxE_kkalV2M2GCYGs_d990vmKywlIqIzUdpeKMZMKObZobNw5dlFUM3IhJHwYp7PY8EdiTsb11C1P_/s3072/20110501_4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3072" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bHP0sPj5SSRF3thNS3FM1J5axgTSCcofRJQWuytuCk8Ga7Pc1BmdIYQQlvZXZ-MfnFG-XUF4S24ZEfdSwKOBbvH77Aj-6vf1OXiHmvLhAChxE_kkalV2M2GCYGs_d990vmKywlIqIzUdpeKMZMKObZobNw5dlFUM3IhJHwYp7PY8EdiTsb11C1P_/w640-h480/20110501_4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIiLsoEKVGrEEc5j2dF76cbb_wDCsbJihO3ytVE8cr_MAYzFNaHCuhJWgfrJEsAQashWk7svzTMj51ZmG5v8GVZNjcXTt3uy59UxWJvLJcUka6uKSBKgGyJ-d0QHk4Yfe2FlJ2SeCE38ocAUTp5VMX-Sf61qnsZXUTkGfxyyOzK9IEZvMAZcqlfa3y/s4000/IMG_5177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIiLsoEKVGrEEc5j2dF76cbb_wDCsbJihO3ytVE8cr_MAYzFNaHCuhJWgfrJEsAQashWk7svzTMj51ZmG5v8GVZNjcXTt3uy59UxWJvLJcUka6uKSBKgGyJ-d0QHk4Yfe2FlJ2SeCE38ocAUTp5VMX-Sf61qnsZXUTkGfxyyOzK9IEZvMAZcqlfa3y/w640-h480/IMG_5177.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1jDb43a0CshRJS3wdj2i5_YWk5uBPB_oxxq0J_FX1cj61QRTX0rBgSlP87eb5nkanRW4JJEyAOZP6hnx7viKLOQFLz6TyAZMiM_OMNS9LI073opnCsZc4Q2PfQTNA-z812XIgYx87zqLXIIEVRwy9I-MNKRJuYE0P2auocoK-uYdAucglU84E1nt/s4000/IMG_6311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1jDb43a0CshRJS3wdj2i5_YWk5uBPB_oxxq0J_FX1cj61QRTX0rBgSlP87eb5nkanRW4JJEyAOZP6hnx7viKLOQFLz6TyAZMiM_OMNS9LI073opnCsZc4Q2PfQTNA-z812XIgYx87zqLXIIEVRwy9I-MNKRJuYE0P2auocoK-uYdAucglU84E1nt/w640-h480/IMG_6311.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-81845971677474415712022-03-21T10:36:00.002-07:002022-03-21T10:36:54.910-07:00The Dogs<p> We have three dogs here on the ranch with us. </p><p>Many of you will remember Kersey, our yellow lab. She came to us as a puppy right around the time I started this blog. She will be 12 this summer. Kersey has been suffering from severe arthritis for a number of years and is currently maxed out on medications. She's still a happy dog but she doesn't leave the front porch too often and is starting to show signs of dementia. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFKKRWFi1rpoN_-WQKM1wV6a9rmOrN3JU1kLftgfOJEWtydbpyA5WpQfCAG6bL0qZI9UKPNntL9s-EUGyQegNDz-V-i8yecu2Kgw9QuK0AgwUEoIHItaV8UgNON-LmUKH6I0kUIxLJg6MS5BafFtx0Kh1dEGOfz4zcK6MXiIAa94eik5pF1ckX9X1s=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFKKRWFi1rpoN_-WQKM1wV6a9rmOrN3JU1kLftgfOJEWtydbpyA5WpQfCAG6bL0qZI9UKPNntL9s-EUGyQegNDz-V-i8yecu2Kgw9QuK0AgwUEoIHItaV8UgNON-LmUKH6I0kUIxLJg6MS5BafFtx0Kh1dEGOfz4zcK6MXiIAa94eik5pF1ckX9X1s=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Sage is three years old. She is very busy, all the time, keeping Acorn in line and hunting squirrels and gophers. She is the best rodent control we've ever had. While she loves agility, she also has a nagging soft tissue injury in her front leg. It doesn't bother her when we do short sessions here at home but she can't tolerate training class which is more intense. She is very anxious and doesn't like to leave home so my plans were never to compete her. She would hate it. So, I've decided to stop with formal training and just work with her here at home. I've converted the dressage court to an agility course so we can practice there -- which she loves.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhp6yRJtCN_zUMtFhgwMTpja3KEbyZCDcnqtCF3hjWQ32qQR9k-_pLnKNqVgnuvYOWhOQniUgq9NoOMgdkQtIBNm9jXBRkGG9UaIUCU2uRrxy36itC9xWovGyAhgam_NQowr8GK39L1FH4BRiKf5ADqL-9lGflve00c04Y5q3nU2DqpuOFSl2duI4PM=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhp6yRJtCN_zUMtFhgwMTpja3KEbyZCDcnqtCF3hjWQ32qQR9k-_pLnKNqVgnuvYOWhOQniUgq9NoOMgdkQtIBNm9jXBRkGG9UaIUCU2uRrxy36itC9xWovGyAhgam_NQowr8GK39L1FH4BRiKf5ADqL-9lGflve00c04Y5q3nU2DqpuOFSl2duI4PM=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRDzvUb2aCMiu-AdtXLezlxEBoFpBr0b2irEXmSnoqN1NIh2kMYwkIBSAnPUCg3tIVrJ-jdboYv6dH7ym3hGgxIYGTGmV8lQMqaBv9SBw0XSMl_rp4zLSqN45bB9DKq7FW7KG8G5z0n_fObyXTSITnJbIL5YGwzqGiujcVCdo0iQfbuBDwkFjmbNCp=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRDzvUb2aCMiu-AdtXLezlxEBoFpBr0b2irEXmSnoqN1NIh2kMYwkIBSAnPUCg3tIVrJ-jdboYv6dH7ym3hGgxIYGTGmV8lQMqaBv9SBw0XSMl_rp4zLSqN45bB9DKq7FW7KG8G5z0n_fObyXTSITnJbIL5YGwzqGiujcVCdo0iQfbuBDwkFjmbNCp=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br />Acorn is 16 months old and has been a real challenge. He is Sage's brother, from a later litter obviously. He is endlessly devoted to Brett and lives to run errands in the truck. If Brett leaves, in the truck, without Acorn all hell breaks loose. Acorn howls like his heart is breaking and runs up and down the driveway frantically. While Sage is a timid and anxious dog. Acorn is bold and brave. He's very affectionate with people but has been aggressive with other dogs, including Kersey. Working through this behavior has been a huge project. Kersey was Brett's dog before Acorn came along and so he is very jealous of her. Brett's done a ton of focus and control work with him and that, combined with Acorn growing up, has made a big difference. He tries to herd the donkeys and horses but mostly they either ignore him or, if he is really getting on their nerves, they herd him away. He's been known to dig up all my drip lines, multiple times, and drag them across the property. He's destroyed patio furniture and rugs. He's beautiful and is going to be a wonderful dog when he matures.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGmLVehYLTLsIR7EtpFyp9uYbXjIzECz0HuO_hP7qtTkDND8xw0MF6YgIpV-_N2rw5l2QtZ4k0mKZEh4eoNL1OApnM1-b4EMicJhUjhaSM3GHE7O3woubbe3rYaFusfQxEMGwFn85S5vz2rDIQ0Shigo_K35VlapdEPqmFDHPMB8ACQggtN9HjIlut=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGmLVehYLTLsIR7EtpFyp9uYbXjIzECz0HuO_hP7qtTkDND8xw0MF6YgIpV-_N2rw5l2QtZ4k0mKZEh4eoNL1OApnM1-b4EMicJhUjhaSM3GHE7O3woubbe3rYaFusfQxEMGwFn85S5vz2rDIQ0Shigo_K35VlapdEPqmFDHPMB8ACQggtN9HjIlut=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihVvQQfhIF9HeUfYMnRgSKDHzFONFp_evF2xpe3c7cZbFt9C-jLTuJFK92WDfEJnOxJUP__rwf9xY4VHI_USzU6EhQAgJkbSl_xAjC9R84yct2ESrGHTO_Mad0ULrbD50ZEmcB8Hrbu6Syxkd63_Ihvil1ObJ_KcoZ-6g1enUZdM0XKC6dajIjd1l-=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihVvQQfhIF9HeUfYMnRgSKDHzFONFp_evF2xpe3c7cZbFt9C-jLTuJFK92WDfEJnOxJUP__rwf9xY4VHI_USzU6EhQAgJkbSl_xAjC9R84yct2ESrGHTO_Mad0ULrbD50ZEmcB8Hrbu6Syxkd63_Ihvil1ObJ_KcoZ-6g1enUZdM0XKC6dajIjd1l-=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-7930825948757587702022-03-15T10:09:00.000-07:002022-03-15T10:09:13.419-07:00In Like A Lamb, Out Like a Lion?<p> March started off clear, warm and sunny. The weather was great for working in the garden and on projects but not so great for our drought. Fortunately, today it is raining with more to come next weekend. We are currently about 15 inches behind normal for our ranch and I don't expect we will come close to making that up this month and next -- before the rain completely stops in May. But anything helps and we will gratefully accept any and all moisture from the clouds.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDSxH6ipeIQAw3Mm1Hr_KPyZHKizaiUmqmHAORoeQG1cyjdPQh7i7fwZjRJI-vviPZelEscUgBP7fK8-t1QvWuhjdCUJEMWXfYz6y4buPWIhpJvdZS93ghBdXLZFHu0ZI4xaWQBRv9Yqz2QR-EzCuzMxk1oIvkToktZ8L8mGxXPAH0Pppxcrp-DgWy=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDSxH6ipeIQAw3Mm1Hr_KPyZHKizaiUmqmHAORoeQG1cyjdPQh7i7fwZjRJI-vviPZelEscUgBP7fK8-t1QvWuhjdCUJEMWXfYz6y4buPWIhpJvdZS93ghBdXLZFHu0ZI4xaWQBRv9Yqz2QR-EzCuzMxk1oIvkToktZ8L8mGxXPAH0Pppxcrp-DgWy=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Our February WWOOFers have moved on to a farm in Oregon as they continue their trek around the country. We now have a young man from Germany, Ibo, staying with us for a month. He and Brett have continued the work of cutting up the many trees that fell in our big storm last December. Additionally, Ibo built a box to cover up the water valves near my fall color grove of trees. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizjHa2SubkWLeR6Bl5c5VV87Qt17b3GOpkYpMXdCAHvO5o7dJ1dFkJplwJwZCyPuwLQmOAwUy7yQfAeDnSvhHiUxlQN1Qnyf2tzSlqobzFCitdGzMIcIjVh7-jMYSkk04t8z0kjgY4Tsgss3Qm2Y58aKhr7BjMXXjkd7WJdIQHNgWRngmHm9o4rkkG=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizjHa2SubkWLeR6Bl5c5VV87Qt17b3GOpkYpMXdCAHvO5o7dJ1dFkJplwJwZCyPuwLQmOAwUy7yQfAeDnSvhHiUxlQN1Qnyf2tzSlqobzFCitdGzMIcIjVh7-jMYSkk04t8z0kjgY4Tsgss3Qm2Y58aKhr7BjMXXjkd7WJdIQHNgWRngmHm9o4rkkG=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>They have gathered materials to replace the compost bin dividers which were crushed under a falling tree. They moved the compost out of the way and removed the existing dividers before the rain started. Once it stops, they will start building the new block wall dividers (crush proof). In the meantime, they are in the barn splitting wood.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjc3PEPyeBIETrCzp4d222jY-OoHK_22ylvx8t8SQMIr3iJZoVRNQ3NqJP4m5J-ToKu65wxE8RD5nLLhJX53rTy_gNnZB6zvxaRH1AfGNbtgJfK5GkNVXkL0RrN-c8qiEwprPkloGGeJYfqbtTSZSPrXChx6qXBEUBWvd2Ih9Aty1Ji-XJjtRbVstUr=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjc3PEPyeBIETrCzp4d222jY-OoHK_22ylvx8t8SQMIr3iJZoVRNQ3NqJP4m5J-ToKu65wxE8RD5nLLhJX53rTy_gNnZB6zvxaRH1AfGNbtgJfK5GkNVXkL0RrN-c8qiEwprPkloGGeJYfqbtTSZSPrXChx6qXBEUBWvd2Ih9Aty1Ji-XJjtRbVstUr=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Spring is easily my favorite season. The grass is green and daffodils are blooming everywhere. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGXt__oWZ31fAfYJTgB1Ca3EpyLVnSeCJE-cAkXXgtl6sbSIb68yD6sbJXAEUsMeUStYfEFtKnb6XvPK4hZFFEPtX78hnt7V8CB5d1eqUyiVgsNXRqk0lqD1U6H73YYKN4pB4Vb0iwr3RCPAxxBAjcm91uxLUGCtIrQjEUCOJokGAGKgnlF0FQOcmy=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGXt__oWZ31fAfYJTgB1Ca3EpyLVnSeCJE-cAkXXgtl6sbSIb68yD6sbJXAEUsMeUStYfEFtKnb6XvPK4hZFFEPtX78hnt7V8CB5d1eqUyiVgsNXRqk0lqD1U6H73YYKN4pB4Vb0iwr3RCPAxxBAjcm91uxLUGCtIrQjEUCOJokGAGKgnlF0FQOcmy=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjC3U_FY-JmXgWaeeyzJRwxUPz9s6T2vkEHJTZwphhIotrtGGIfuthojpV5LirqlKQF8mA2v2O4ujFhl3V1DtA0orvJQcjrPYl-L7YLL7291YMF611UmG7_5gcwFwZca-FRP7jipPC-fDooHKu3UpV6KsY1ViFjjyYDg3JUigmWeecJqgfXnMX-XE-_=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjC3U_FY-JmXgWaeeyzJRwxUPz9s6T2vkEHJTZwphhIotrtGGIfuthojpV5LirqlKQF8mA2v2O4ujFhl3V1DtA0orvJQcjrPYl-L7YLL7291YMF611UmG7_5gcwFwZca-FRP7jipPC-fDooHKu3UpV6KsY1ViFjjyYDg3JUigmWeecJqgfXnMX-XE-_=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Book Recommendation: <i>Hamnet</i> by Maggie O'Farrell. Wow. Great book. The premise of the book, which is fiction, is Shakespeare's loss of his son Hamnet (fact) -- Hamlet being a variation of the same name. I thought it would be a depressing book and it is, of course, sad at times but it is so much more. </p><p><br /></p>Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-23566217555876375242022-03-04T09:49:00.000-08:002022-03-04T09:49:38.144-08:00February WWOOFers<p> We joined a program called Worldwide Work On Organic Farms (WWOOF) three years ago. The program offers people the opportunity to work on farms or ranches in exchange for food and lodging. The program has strict guidelines for both volunteers (WWOOFers) and hosts. When we joined, we weren't sure how we would feel about having "strangers" stay in our home. We followed the guidelines and recommendations for screening WWOOFers and have thoroughly enjoyed everyone who has stayed and helped us with the ranch. Not only do we appreciate the help, we enjoy teaching the WWOOFers about livestock care, gardening and the projects that go along with ranch life (stacking hay, mending fences, splitting wood).</p><p>The first year (2019) we had WWOOFers stay for a short time -- no more than a week -- and they mostly came from outside the US. When COVID hit in 2020, we closed the ranch to WWOOFers. Last year, we had a few helpers, all local (California) and all fully vaccinated. This year, we have been flooded with requests -- from Europe, the US and Canada. </p><p>Our first WWOOFers of 2022 left today after a three week stay. Best friends from Maryland, they are on a gap year trip to explore National Parks and WWOOF. They have had many adventures along the way which they shared with us over dinner. During their time here, they helped me in the orchard painting the fruit tree trunks to prevent sunburn, helped build a trellis for my tomatoes and built a support for the raspberries. We had a number of trees come down in a big storm this past December and Lily helped Brett with that. He cut the trees up with a chain saw, they loaded the rounds into his tractor bucket, and she drove them to the wood pile and unloaded them. Lily fed all the animals and cleaned the pastures in the morning; Magnolia took the evening shift. They groomed the horses. Lily threw the ball for Sage endlessly and Magnolia baked some wonderful treats.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilnkJzBzU4WCuyTdWJxsfchYsuz1VE826dicMTcxpckkyIgYtLasRqckelGvS5yDNInYoBKtZQG7ElVK_rTWEB2k0VMD3QsjwIzWpkJrfvHOKSgW5M8KKXEUj_-MFy8SFm8HIOlvb5sX-a3knNqyzxY5bvElPegeGuJVcWRHE0mHy42nMmlNWQYjzX=s874" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="868" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilnkJzBzU4WCuyTdWJxsfchYsuz1VE826dicMTcxpckkyIgYtLasRqckelGvS5yDNInYoBKtZQG7ElVK_rTWEB2k0VMD3QsjwIzWpkJrfvHOKSgW5M8KKXEUj_-MFy8SFm8HIOlvb5sX-a3knNqyzxY5bvElPegeGuJVcWRHE0mHy42nMmlNWQYjzX=w636-h640" width="636" /></a></div><p>Magnolia is also a talented artist and offered to paint us a mural on the side of the chicken shed. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMIq88Rk4lgeTGbVaIIepXlXFFEQMWM6wwS9Q6sn17VK1Nc6OLsy1slcDf57gilyC50Y7QHAFl0WHFpBPZOLVm1jUCd0zPFHRLN6WPGWFAvOMm4lJnjuG0-PEdMVGcqFBXogd8Cpe3q0U7zDhyoUF-DKD40rL9tcFwaJXw1ETvWGbPy2Tp7T1XoQOG=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMIq88Rk4lgeTGbVaIIepXlXFFEQMWM6wwS9Q6sn17VK1Nc6OLsy1slcDf57gilyC50Y7QHAFl0WHFpBPZOLVm1jUCd0zPFHRLN6WPGWFAvOMm4lJnjuG0-PEdMVGcqFBXogd8Cpe3q0U7zDhyoUF-DKD40rL9tcFwaJXw1ETvWGbPy2Tp7T1XoQOG=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>We were really sorry to see them leave. Our next WWOOFer arrives Monday -- from Germany. </p><p><br /></p>Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-1262775344284491152021-09-20T12:14:00.002-07:002021-09-20T12:16:01.962-07:00Making Some Changes<p> While Brett and I (and the animals) were evacuated and waiting to be allowed back home, we did a lot of thinking and talking about changes that we need to make given that we live in an extreme fire danger area and that we don’t want to move. Despite the craziness, fear and discomfort of fire season, we love our little ranch and we love living in the mountains. </p><p>The changes we discussed included downsizing our herd and getting an RV so we have a place to stay in the event of evacuation. Finding a place to stay when you have three dogs with you isn’t easy. We were very fortunate to be offered a place to stay, with the dogs, this time. There are no guarantees for the future and driving out the gate, and past the police barricade, with no idea where we were going to sleep that night was very stressful.</p><p>Some of you know that I drove a little BMW coupe to work, as my commuting car. I figured that if I had a long commute on winding country roads, I might as well have a fun car. Besides, I’ve always loved those cars. When I retired, it spent most of its time in the garage. I hardly ever drove it. When we evacuated, I parked it in the middle of the arena and prayed it wouldn’t burn. Brett drove his truck and I drove the CRV. Brett has never asked me to sell my car, he knows how much I loved it. So, he was surprised when I suggested that we sell it and use the money towards a RV. If we had a trailer, we would have a place to stay in the event of an evacuation. And, we’ve always loved to camp so we could do that as well. That first step is done. We sold my car and put a down payment on a RV. And, I don’t miss the car at all. I wasn’t sad when I sold it. Not for one minute. I guess the BMW driving healthcare executive persona just isn’t me anymore.</p><p>The second thing we decided to do is to downsize our herd. We can’t fit five horses in our trailer. It carries three comfortably, four in a pinch. We had time to move all five this time but that was unusual. And, who wants to be in the position of choosing who doesn’t get out? Not us. </p><p>This past weekend, we took Luek down to his previous owner who lives on a huge cattle ranch on the Central Coast of California. It was a very long drive, almost eight hours, but Luek trailered great. He quietly munched his hay as we drove down the freeway and when we stopped for gas, he put his head out and let people pet him. When we pulled up to the gate, he got very excited, stomping around and tossing his head. He knew he was home.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1j63JiZOxk/YUjcYicmixI/AAAAAAAA9M0/7t4JBWrIxnkpRuWPzGBE2X4tsZTCiVUMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BF2B8C25-5350-4511-A307-78F4ECF80035.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1580" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1j63JiZOxk/YUjcYicmixI/AAAAAAAA9M0/7t4JBWrIxnkpRuWPzGBE2X4tsZTCiVUMwCLcBGAsYHQ/w494-h640/BF2B8C25-5350-4511-A307-78F4ECF80035.jpeg" width="494" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>His owners’ granddaughter asked if she could unload him and put him in the pasture. Green grass!! …and a 12 year old girl to fuss over him. We feel so good about this decision.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8dypmK0f5pk/YUjcpqgwaFI/AAAAAAAA9M8/txBoJWlK7CsCzFzqjf8vMPlRjbe36mwgACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3AE8197E-F931-4B47-A917-AE85571C8C97.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8dypmK0f5pk/YUjcpqgwaFI/AAAAAAAA9M8/txBoJWlK7CsCzFzqjf8vMPlRjbe36mwgACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/3AE8197E-F931-4B47-A917-AE85571C8C97.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-13229710743678745052021-09-06T10:29:00.000-07:002021-09-06T10:29:32.477-07:00Evacuation — A Goat’s Perspective<p> When we received the first evacuation warning, we packed our bags and started moving the horses. It took a full day, but we got them all to a safe location, far from the fire. The goats, donkeys, dogs, barn cat and chickens remained on the ranch with us. We took the dogs with us when we got the mandatory evacuation order and left the goats and donkeys in their large, dirt pastures. </p><p>I requested that Animal Services come out and do welfare checks on the animals still at the ranch. We were not allowed to cross the evacuation line and go check on them ourselves, but animal services was going from home-to-home and ranch-to-ranch and checking on animals, leaving food and water, if requested. We got our request in the system first thing. </p><p>An Animal Services officer called me when they got to the ranch. She strongly recommended taking the donkeys and goats to the evacuation site at the fairgrounds in Amador County, about 30 minutes from here. I explained that the donkeys do not load well — it took two hours to load Finessa last time we tried. And the goats might run amok, looking for shrubs to eat and avoiding the trailer. But, yes, they were welcome to try. We chuckled to ourselves. No way would they get the donkeys in their trailer. A few minutes later, the same officer called and said that all the animals were loaded and they were headed out. The donkeys walked onto the trailer with no trouble and they got the goats too. We stared at each other in happy disbelief. </p><p>Later that evening, we got a call from the large animal evacuation site. They had put the donkeys and goats together in the same pen. They were at the fairgrounds so if you’ve ever been to the fair, and looked at the pigs and sheep and goats, you know the general size of the pen. When they brought in dinner, Tuffy attacked Bear. The donkeys and goats have been together before but only in a large pasture. Tuffy has chased the goats a bit, but there was plenty of room for the goats to run away and Tuffy never chased them for long. In the small pen, Tuffy was able to grab Bear leaving a very deep laceration on his side, just behind his front leg. It was too deep to care for at the evacuation site so the on-site vet took Bear to UC Davis, a bit more than an hour away. UC Davis provided free veterinary care at the evacuation site and for Bear that meant a trip to the veterinary school where he was stitched up, put on antibiotics and cared for. After a few days, he was brought back to the evacuation site by one of the vets. I received a detailed report of his treatment and discharge instructions. A divider had been added to the goat pen (the donkeys were now in their own pen, further down the row) to create a safe, quiet space for Bear to continue his recovery. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z7wBY1yZTzw/YTZOEmsYD7I/AAAAAAAA9BI/hFCxIrZPQ7QFPci4krvXlzJhyk2pXXEmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/D33C0B72-2FD3-49B8-9998-D6525CDDD293.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z7wBY1yZTzw/YTZOEmsYD7I/AAAAAAAA9BI/hFCxIrZPQ7QFPci4krvXlzJhyk2pXXEmgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/D33C0B72-2FD3-49B8-9998-D6525CDDD293.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I was going down to visit the goats and donkeys every few days. At first, I went every day. The goats were very stressed. In contrast to their usual life in a huge pasture, with no sounds except birds and the dogs barking at the occasional delivery vehicles, they were in a small pen with a couple of hogs next door. The hogs were constantly grunting and squealing and sticking their snouts under the divider. The goats hugged the far wall and looked at me with alarm. The evacuation center was full so they had pens of more pigs, even some babies (so cute), sheep, goats, horses and donkeys around them. Volunteers cleaned all the pens every day and fed the animals. It was busy and loud and a bit overwhelming for the goats. After a few days, they got used to the noise and activity. When Bear was returned from the hospital, I sat with him in his space. His stitches looked good and he was very happy to see me, baa-ing softly. I sat on the ground, on a pile of hay, while he stood almost in my lap with his head pressed into my shoulder. </p><p>We brought the goats and donkeys home yesterday. The donkeys came home first and loaded easily. We’ve been working with them since moving up here, leading them around periodically, and they are much improved. I guess we didn’t give them enough credit for being improved. Finessa had developed an abscess in her front hoof and it was wrapped with a poultice (UC Davis vet again). She had been given banamine (for pain) before we arrived and so she was gimpy but able to limp out to the trailer. Once the donkeys were home and settled, we went back to the fairgrounds to get the goats. I brought a bucket of mulberry branches, a favorite of the goats. The volunteers helped us build a chute from the goat pen to the trailer. I waved some mulberry leaves under their noses and they followed me right into the trailer. In a few days, I will remove Bear’s stitches. In the meantime, all the goats are enjoying the peace and quiet and space of their pasture.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-11241425521813714072021-09-01T20:01:00.000-07:002021-09-02T06:36:29.833-07:00Evacuated<p> We have been impacted by the Caldor fire. We have been evacuated. We are okay. The animals are okay. The ranch is still standing. We are hoping to go home in a few days. We are fortunate.</p><p>It started August 17 when Brett went out to do chores and immediately called me to come look, quick. This fire column was way too close for comfort. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eTpEgh5qmXs/YTA6SBvrytI/AAAAAAAA8_M/lT20fiyuRbIfc2KBjAc4VV4QWPKYpk_QQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/A96B1E4D-6BDD-45A0-BED4-7037CED71628.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eTpEgh5qmXs/YTA6SBvrytI/AAAAAAAA8_M/lT20fiyuRbIfc2KBjAc4VV4QWPKYpk_QQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/A96B1E4D-6BDD-45A0-BED4-7037CED71628.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>The fire started about 10 miles from us and we thought we were safe. But, we were wrong. The fire took off and soon we found ourselves in an evacuation warning zone. We stayed at home for about a week. During that time, we reviewed our evacuation plan for the animals and packed out “go” bags: three days worth of clothes, passports, dog food, medications, etc. The smoke was thick and ash coated everything. There were a few days where we couldn’t see 50 feet. We kept the dogs inside with us and ran the a/c so the inside air would recirculate through filters. It helped. We also evacuated the horses. We knew that it would be time consuming to move all of them, with multiple trips since there are more horses than there is space in the trailer. We took the horses to a place about 45 minutes away where they settled into a huge shady pasture. Other than Lucy kicking Flash which resulted in a huge hematoma and blood, but no internal injuries, it all went smoothly. But, we were beat when we finished. The traffic was horrible with people evacuating from homes up the road from us, so it took much longer to do than we anticipated. </p><p>In addition to the smoke, there was a constant hum and chatter from the water tankers and helicopters flying overhead. A retardant dipping station was set up at the end of our street. The planes got bigger and started flying lower, just skimming the trees. I’ve seen my share of small crop dusters dipping low like dragonflies over fields of crops. This was different — HUGE planes, commercial aircraft sized planes, were flying low and banking over the ranch. We were sitting on the porch watching them a week ago when the phone rang and we got the order we were dreading — get out now. Mandatory. We threw the dogs and our go bags into the car, I texted my contact for possible housing, and we headed to her house. We left the chickens, the donkeys, the goats and the barn cat. The donkeys and goats were in their large, dirt pastures. I parked my car in the middle of the arena. After being in crisis auto-pilot mode while loading the vehicles and leaving, I found myself fighting back tears as I drove with our bags and Brett following me in the truck with the dogs. When we got to our destination, I pretty much collapsed in his arms. I was scared.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NRNmf8d6SDc/YTA8S-3xvlI/AAAAAAAA8_s/v2u1msDgDzodg5fLfX4Jr8l1_VvXjMjLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/F76AAEDE-586F-43F8-8B77-326C55EA4070.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NRNmf8d6SDc/YTA8S-3xvlI/AAAAAAAA8_s/v2u1msDgDzodg5fLfX4Jr8l1_VvXjMjLwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/F76AAEDE-586F-43F8-8B77-326C55EA4070.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>A fellow Master Gardener offered to let us stay in her beautiful granny flat. There is a large attached, fenced area where the dogs can run. The dogs were very anxious and clingy the first few days but are doing fine now. I called Animal Services the morning after we evacuated and asked them to do a welfare check on the animals left behind. The went out and were able to evacuate the donkeys and goats to the large animal evacuation center at the fairgrounds. Initially the goats and donkeys were together which was fine until feeding time. Then Tuffy took a big bite out of Bear. Fortunately, UC Davis has vets rounding at the evacuation sites. The vet working that night loaded Bear into her car and took him to UC Davis where he was stitched up. The donkeys and goats were separated. They are in a building with pens that house horses, donkeys, goats and pigs. The goats have pigs next door and they were scared of the snorting snouts poking between and under the rails separating them. They are used to it now. Bear is doing well should be returned to his herd today or tomorrow. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IUj03NGXx8o/YTA7JCxVvDI/AAAAAAAA8_U/hOfuiZyfIzsV56oLsYqlNTVnozWAdcxDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6F2620EB-8A4B-490D-B756-CD703D750ABD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IUj03NGXx8o/YTA7JCxVvDI/AAAAAAAA8_U/hOfuiZyfIzsV56oLsYqlNTVnozWAdcxDwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/6F2620EB-8A4B-490D-B756-CD703D750ABD.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>The fire is raging towards Lake Tahoe and most of the west side, where we are, is under control. There is one area, deep in a steep canyon, that is still problematic but they are optimistic they will get it under control in the next few days. That area is, of course, very close to the ranch so we can’t go home until they finish up there. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kCsMsbrAnSs/YTA7vexFGoI/AAAAAAAA8_g/vwLfwCmaGpsgc54fhVYArT91IVoH1XsrACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/44EC967B-3DAC-446A-9F08-54A02436A47C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kCsMsbrAnSs/YTA7vexFGoI/AAAAAAAA8_g/vwLfwCmaGpsgc54fhVYArT91IVoH1XsrACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/44EC967B-3DAC-446A-9F08-54A02436A47C.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uehlaHksQss/YTA7pa09OnI/AAAAAAAA8_c/lS8wQkgGY10YX14pqGq2FItb7CJ2hRRcACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/AEBB8920-BD4F-49C4-93CA-EAFF0596A5C3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1747" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uehlaHksQss/YTA7pa09OnI/AAAAAAAA8_c/lS8wQkgGY10YX14pqGq2FItb7CJ2hRRcACLcBGAsYHQ/w546-h640/AEBB8920-BD4F-49C4-93CA-EAFF0596A5C3.jpeg" width="546" /></a></div><br /><p>But the good news is we are safe. Our animals are safe. The ranch is safe. There are close to 600 homes that have been lost so far in this fire. We know we are fortunate. The generosity of the community has been overwhelming. In the midst of all this chaos, we feel blessed.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-74837917519551521212021-04-29T12:06:00.000-07:002021-04-29T12:06:51.244-07:00April Garden<p> The garden is really coming to life. Most of the perennials have broken their winter dormancy and the few laggards will follow soon. The grass is green, the trees are leafing out, and the birds are busy building nests in the eaves on the porch, in the horse trailer hitch, in the barn rafters and the trees. </p><p>Yellow iris are in full bloom. I don’t know this variety’s name but it blooms twice, is healthy, and prolific. The dwarf lilac in front is relatively new. I planted three of them two years ago. The dogs have kept two of them “well trimmed” by chewing on them and crashing through the planter. But this one is doing very well.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FIankYQ4bhk/YIr40AzAZ8I/AAAAAAAA7Tc/q5ypfNV699MoBhdOf13ggMeRoykMiNskQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/09C83F07-BCDB-489B-91B6-2419D96FBD8B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FIankYQ4bhk/YIr40AzAZ8I/AAAAAAAA7Tc/q5ypfNV699MoBhdOf13ggMeRoykMiNskQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/09C83F07-BCDB-489B-91B6-2419D96FBD8B.jpeg" title="Yellow iris and dwarf lilac" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Speaking of lilacs, I have more. I just love these two varieties. The first is called ‘Katherine Hanemeyer’ and is incredibly fragrant, in addition to being gorgeous. The second is called ‘Sensation’ and has very unique and striking coloring with the burgundy petals outlined in white. I only get a few blooms on this lilac but they make ‘em count.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zow1QT6w9rU/YIr6C-y8HvI/AAAAAAAA7To/-5ERlC3CF0Ufs4MMS0_tQwU7O6qiHAvfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/758BD450-A70A-43F8-8C9D-147C95C5CEFA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zow1QT6w9rU/YIr6C-y8HvI/AAAAAAAA7To/-5ERlC3CF0Ufs4MMS0_tQwU7O6qiHAvfgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/758BD450-A70A-43F8-8C9D-147C95C5CEFA.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CwdwuZIrZT8/YIr6BmU94gI/AAAAAAAA7Tk/oPuuaN04A0oNCDeBfHnaLmYvlyU3ekPkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/D5F1B69F-D472-4ED3-BB1E-8ADCD08388C0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CwdwuZIrZT8/YIr6BmU94gI/AAAAAAAA7Tk/oPuuaN04A0oNCDeBfHnaLmYvlyU3ekPkgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/D5F1B69F-D472-4ED3-BB1E-8ADCD08388C0.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love violas. I have different varieties, including Johnny Jump Ups and ‘Etain.’ They are very happy under the lilacs.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RZ-suayJ0Ek/YIr8Dj7nDbI/AAAAAAAA7UE/vkkYQYI-21krC52_IzUHCwJfV7a--UjIACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/D4F019F8-7596-4C02-A685-249D48665AF4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RZ-suayJ0Ek/YIr8Dj7nDbI/AAAAAAAA7UE/vkkYQYI-21krC52_IzUHCwJfV7a--UjIACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/D4F019F8-7596-4C02-A685-249D48665AF4.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Earlier this month, my newest peony rewarded me with beautiful yellow fragrant blooms. I found this plant when Brett and I were in Sonoma for my birthday, poking around a Ace Hardware nursery in Healdsburg. The plant was pricey but, hey, it was my birthday.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BRotprWbGcM/YIr9tXoUw4I/AAAAAAAA7Uc/A0kPitU2ylQ2-B047eh3CD5KrIVAKmR7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6E2BF1FD-B8E6-4FE7-ABC8-B9F4F1A4CC6A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BRotprWbGcM/YIr9tXoUw4I/AAAAAAAA7Uc/A0kPitU2ylQ2-B047eh3CD5KrIVAKmR7QCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/6E2BF1FD-B8E6-4FE7-ABC8-B9F4F1A4CC6A.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Strawberries are starting to ripen.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CBZsizEBUgU/YIr8EVuYVvI/AAAAAAAA7UI/VsEzJQZjtvA1jxcJtuLyPs4w3lGW5DQyACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/FC0B9EAE-128D-4A82-9452-98E7F1F1C190.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CBZsizEBUgU/YIr8EVuYVvI/AAAAAAAA7UI/VsEzJQZjtvA1jxcJtuLyPs4w3lGW5DQyACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/FC0B9EAE-128D-4A82-9452-98E7F1F1C190.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Two of my new water trough planters have been planted. This first one has chard, lettuce, beets, shallots and parsley.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hahUlegdTiY/YIr-3eCE3KI/AAAAAAAA7Uo/ya4W2uBOh-cDG6der1yUqafOiToKay2qwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8ECEEB31-D64E-4FF7-9235-2E781C966478.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hahUlegdTiY/YIr-3eCE3KI/AAAAAAAA7Uo/ya4W2uBOh-cDG6der1yUqafOiToKay2qwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/8ECEEB31-D64E-4FF7-9235-2E781C966478.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The second one has sugar snap peas, more lettuce and chard. There are also a couple zinnia plants at the front to encourage pollinators. I tuck zinnias in all over the place: in my vegetable beds, in the flower beds and in the perennial planter.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uw2Lo1SXzGc/YIr-tyCFjpI/AAAAAAAA7Uk/sOZWC-CgXEoG7s6-5bKeooRrDNV4fWWvwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/15ED46AE-58E4-4534-AA41-AFCA4DF33092.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uw2Lo1SXzGc/YIr-tyCFjpI/AAAAAAAA7Uk/sOZWC-CgXEoG7s6-5bKeooRrDNV4fWWvwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/15ED46AE-58E4-4534-AA41-AFCA4DF33092.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My rhubarb from Skoog Farm is going crazy. I’ve already made two cobblers with it — strawberry rhubarb and cherry rhubarb. When I have more strawberries, I’ll make strawberry rhubarb jam.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qBrMh3w2xKU/YIsBazu9SrI/AAAAAAAA7U0/TMgPJgSpGX80Ix_6cWGt_oH_RgVkUgDQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/54C615C5-57C6-49C9-A6DE-B2203B30A94C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qBrMh3w2xKU/YIsBazu9SrI/AAAAAAAA7U0/TMgPJgSpGX80Ix_6cWGt_oH_RgVkUgDQwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/54C615C5-57C6-49C9-A6DE-B2203B30A94C.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In another week or so, I will plant my tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. The nights are still too cold in April for them — they go out around Mothers Day. The tomato bed is currently planted with a cover crop of fava beans and red clover. ...and volunteer poppies which I just can’t bear to pull out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XIHBfYuP9qI/YIsC0wAE-PI/AAAAAAAA7VA/RUjO4qR165cRyodpt7OG_ht-Nv4WfhxsACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/01D491A7-7A3C-40DE-9143-4B9F44537001.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XIHBfYuP9qI/YIsC0wAE-PI/AAAAAAAA7VA/RUjO4qR165cRyodpt7OG_ht-Nv4WfhxsACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/01D491A7-7A3C-40DE-9143-4B9F44537001.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RREemP3roHk/YIsCrCxVvtI/AAAAAAAA7U8/c0BKonEumJ8aArpjYYNkAL2K6gG6hspuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/EA1DA963-6520-4A23-9C5A-A1FE8BC31FC9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RREemP3roHk/YIsCrCxVvtI/AAAAAAAA7U8/c0BKonEumJ8aArpjYYNkAL2K6gG6hspuwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/EA1DA963-6520-4A23-9C5A-A1FE8BC31FC9.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-78380265633735273682021-03-29T18:40:00.001-07:002021-03-31T07:56:50.277-07:00The March Garden<p> The best part of March is daffodils. For each of the first seven years that we lived here, I planted a big box of 500 daffodils on the ranch. So, now there are thousands of them. There are daffodils in the garden beds, in the front planter, flanking the bridge and zig-zagging along the stream. I suppose I have an obsession with daffodils. They are just so dang easy — plant them and forget about them. They come back — and multiply — every year. They are the first flower to emerge in early spring, they are beyond cheerful and smell great. The perfect flower.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h8sNAeA2c0c/YGJ6ZPknGTI/AAAAAAAA7OQ/TJjo-917q2og5V-s-Ue36mOwoE4EmTEuACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/9FDD68F6-434A-4721-ABFE-4232A9D06A07.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h8sNAeA2c0c/YGJ6ZPknGTI/AAAAAAAA7OQ/TJjo-917q2og5V-s-Ue36mOwoE4EmTEuACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/9FDD68F6-434A-4721-ABFE-4232A9D06A07.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The fruit trees are starting to blossom with the promise of summer fruit. There were a couple of bees busy in the pear flowers a few days ago. </p><p>The green house is overflowing with plant starts. There are plants for my garden, of course, but the vast majority are for the Master Gardener Plant Sale in a few weeks.</p><p>I have eight varieties of tomato. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iVnk7Oqnsvk/YGJ7JumzGVI/AAAAAAAA7Og/dnjPdE2h4YwdEGAyEjNEE2LKzPpMc1JBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3B93ED8F-80FC-4B67-8A57-ECEC617C14A2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iVnk7Oqnsvk/YGJ7JumzGVI/AAAAAAAA7Og/dnjPdE2h4YwdEGAyEjNEE2LKzPpMc1JBQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/3B93ED8F-80FC-4B67-8A57-ECEC617C14A2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p>There are three varieties of eggplant and four varieties of peppers. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l3uHcqOfeRM/YGJ_jbWk-SI/AAAAAAAA7Oo/EEypb--PMBQirnGoHOHPmLvsDIIYgC8iwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8496CF85-3539-49E5-9FB1-D66B87964470.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l3uHcqOfeRM/YGJ_jbWk-SI/AAAAAAAA7Oo/EEypb--PMBQirnGoHOHPmLvsDIIYgC8iwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/8496CF85-3539-49E5-9FB1-D66B87964470.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>And zinnias. Two varieties of zinnias. They will not go to the plant sale as it is just veggies and perennials. These zinnias will be planted in the raised beds with the vegetables. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QMfDeIMrOD8/YGKAK-FTUiI/AAAAAAAA7Ow/8b2vmEuCuvoMB98_upICrYtCfXThRAlJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/EE3FA260-6933-4B1C-A5BA-D329477A3379.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QMfDeIMrOD8/YGKAK-FTUiI/AAAAAAAA7Ow/8b2vmEuCuvoMB98_upICrYtCfXThRAlJQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/EE3FA260-6933-4B1C-A5BA-D329477A3379.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Out in the garden, I have a few vegetables just starting or recently transplanted. There are sugar snap peas because they are so good for snacking when I’m working in the garden. I also have carrots, beets, chard, and lettuce just poking out of the soil. </p><p>Flash thinks all this working in the garden is crazy. His idea of spring is napping in the sun. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4gf9UiqyUUk/YGKAx1d5aEI/AAAAAAAA7O4/hntMrk0LVwUBIkxRjX7gHYoMsDKthcYfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7F3882B2-8308-49B3-9AC7-02FE50C134AC.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4gf9UiqyUUk/YGKAx1d5aEI/AAAAAAAA7O4/hntMrk0LVwUBIkxRjX7gHYoMsDKthcYfQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/7F3882B2-8308-49B3-9AC7-02FE50C134AC.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-44541725775437619342021-03-26T11:24:00.000-07:002021-03-26T11:24:05.476-07:00Skunked<p> Kersey is a very sweet, affectionate and obedient lab. But she isn’t very smart and she isn’t very fast. She’s getting up there in age and arthritis has really slowed her down,,, but she was never fast. Most often, I use two nicknames with her: Old Lady and Dumb Dumb. Affectionately, of course, because she is looking at me with her big wet brown eyes and slowly wagging her tail from side to side. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FI02RAacgzg/YF4iyxxB5BI/AAAAAAAA7M4/7MSsu_dk3PMdWPBBep28VVd7WjIJkT_VACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/3732E3E4-F0FF-45F7-BE13-8A6932A9A080.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="893" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FI02RAacgzg/YF4iyxxB5BI/AAAAAAAA7M4/7MSsu_dk3PMdWPBBep28VVd7WjIJkT_VACLcBGAsYHQ/w446-h640/3732E3E4-F0FF-45F7-BE13-8A6932A9A080.jpeg" width="446" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Before we go to bed at night, we take the dogs out to pee. They normally do their business and then come right back in, ready for bed. Sometimes, Sage will take off barking at something but she’s never gone long. Kersey just sniffs the grass, does her thing, and comes back up onto the porch. A couple nights ago, Sage took off barking in the direction of the compost piles — and Kersey followed. Sage usually runs off towards the front gate or barn which means she is probably chasing deer. The compost piles are not a good place — skunks love the compost piles. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pio_0ThhTRY/YF4j78sj3FI/AAAAAAAA7NQ/XW7nI4Jh1lcls4tdudj3X8wjm5pkdnpswCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BDC3CD3F-9A98-4BE6-B3B9-665B3190AC1A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pio_0ThhTRY/YF4j78sj3FI/AAAAAAAA7NQ/XW7nI4Jh1lcls4tdudj3X8wjm5pkdnpswCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/BDC3CD3F-9A98-4BE6-B3B9-665B3190AC1A.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Sage came back pretty quickly and headed for bed. Kersey did not come back, despite me calling and calling and calling. Brett came outside and took a turn at calling. Then he got a flashlight, put on his boots, and headed off in the darkness to find her. Which he did...by the compost piles. He brought her into the house and called me over, “take a look and see if you think she got skunked.” Um, yes. She had rolled in the compost after getting hit with the oily spray so she was a lovely shade of black where the compost had stuck to the oil. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ztAzGgcbX8E/YF4knrdBUYI/AAAAAAAA7NY/k7jJpYEU-CEXhSfUt-RBZB-quqs4Nhj3wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/C220B3EC-8A47-415D-9051-D1E6D9BD337F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ztAzGgcbX8E/YF4knrdBUYI/AAAAAAAA7NY/k7jJpYEU-CEXhSfUt-RBZB-quqs4Nhj3wCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/C220B3EC-8A47-415D-9051-D1E6D9BD337F.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>We took her to the barn and gave her a bath. This is the third time that she has been skunked. She was very pleased with herself. Thankfully, a mix of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap works really well to remove the oil and odor. I rubbed it onto the top of her head, around her eyes and muzzle, down her back and her left side — she was very thoroughly skunked. Luckily, we have warm water in the horse wash stall in the barn. And, I have all ingredients for skunk wash on the shelf because, like I said, she isn’t very smart and this isn’t the first time she’s been skunked. It didn’t take too long to bathe her, but was not my preferred thing to be doing at 11pm on a cold night. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qwMQTGSrDw/YF4lSQ12ybI/AAAAAAAA7No/SviZNLF0BWMp_SsylC50EjKm_ZfOi4gMACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/694FDD26-2A07-4058-9992-42D0750B6343.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qwMQTGSrDw/YF4lSQ12ybI/AAAAAAAA7No/SviZNLF0BWMp_SsylC50EjKm_ZfOi4gMACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/694FDD26-2A07-4058-9992-42D0750B6343.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>And, yes, the house reeked from the brief time Kersey was inside before her bath. We kept a window open all night and it was <i style="font-weight: bold;">cold</i> in the house in the morning. <p></p><p><br /></p>Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-50287339928743615552021-03-14T14:41:00.001-07:002021-03-14T14:41:55.620-07:00Fish Emulsion Mistake<p> When I start seeds, I add a bit of fertilizer as an ingredient in my seed starting mix so I don’t worry about feeding the baby plants when they first sprout. There is also a bit of fertilizer, some compost and worm castings that are added to my potting mix when I move the seedlings up to 4” pots. Some of these plants will go to the Master Gardener spring plant sale (our big fund raiser for the year) and some will go in my garden. Regardless of where they end up, I want them strong and healthy with a mass of white roots filling the pot. So, after the plants have been in their pots for a month or so, I give them a little drink of fish emulsion. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8fOfhzD_A_M/YE6ATFzdcuI/AAAAAAAA7JI/iPx_hkZNb4I6E-OZcg-tLUEUcoLuPoD0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/31389366-798D-4644-8F68-767A0F2500D5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8fOfhzD_A_M/YE6ATFzdcuI/AAAAAAAA7JI/iPx_hkZNb4I6E-OZcg-tLUEUcoLuPoD0QCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/31389366-798D-4644-8F68-767A0F2500D5.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>This morning was the day. I fertilize on the 15th of the month — I have to pick an easy to remember day otherwise I forget. Tomorrow, the 15th, we are expecting snow so I did it today. I put a couple tablespoons of fish emulsion in my watering can and filled it with water. The lovely smell of fish emulsion filled the greenhouse. Think tuna. Both Sage and Acorn appeared at my feet, noses twitching as they tried to locate the fish. When I watered the little pots, both dogs stood under the bench and licked up the fishy water that leaked through. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1dZTYE2IuYI/YE6Az-maaXI/AAAAAAAA7JQ/U-h34pZ7vdcuLfHOu5RtcI9Bz2XZ5CQiACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/23883608-351F-4A04-8BB0-63F44B6D98FF.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1dZTYE2IuYI/YE6Az-maaXI/AAAAAAAA7JQ/U-h34pZ7vdcuLfHOu5RtcI9Bz2XZ5CQiACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/23883608-351F-4A04-8BB0-63F44B6D98FF.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I still had some of the mix in my watering can so I took it out to the garden bed where I have parsley, turnips and bok choy growing. The dogs were eyeing the planter bed with interest so I made sure they came with me when I left the garden, closing the back gate behind me. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TthTLDTsjJQ/YE6BXV35WBI/AAAAAAAA7JY/Y4P9wygTVXk-Ya98f0u58RYM6MkkTe_WACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/E0339DB7-4FB3-4665-9389-4846EF500C80.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1804" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TthTLDTsjJQ/YE6BXV35WBI/AAAAAAAA7JY/Y4P9wygTVXk-Ya98f0u58RYM6MkkTe_WACLcBGAsYHQ/w564-h640/E0339DB7-4FB3-4665-9389-4846EF500C80.jpeg" width="564" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>A few minutes later, I was busy mucking one of the pastures when I realized that Acorn was no longer with me. I looked over at the garden and there he was — standing in the raised bed, digging like mad, trying to find that fish. He had gone around to the front gate which was closed, but not latched, and let himself in. One of the turnips was half-way out and the other plus the bok choy were flung to the side. I stuck them back in the ground but I don’t have high hopes for their survival. I think he chomped the roots. Dang dog. And stupid me for not latching the front garden gate.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S3a6vrvk6ls/YE6CA4hyViI/AAAAAAAA7Jg/osgjqdw-YzojilevSI2xaxMlfD4Nsl0LACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5DF1A6E9-7F22-4A1C-B25D-ACB858E9825D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S3a6vrvk6ls/YE6CA4hyViI/AAAAAAAA7Jg/osgjqdw-YzojilevSI2xaxMlfD4Nsl0LACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/5DF1A6E9-7F22-4A1C-B25D-ACB858E9825D.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-14471247716567918502021-03-10T21:28:00.000-08:002021-03-10T21:28:30.701-08:00Tex in 2021<p> It’s been awhile since I’ve given an update on Tex. The big red dun still owns the biggest part of my horse heart. ...funny how so many people and animals can crowd into one heart without it feeling crowded at all. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KckA5Hix-Zk/YEmpFazq1zI/AAAAAAAA7IY/E4gP5yAlZPIJl8oy0ZAU_OzSCd_b_caNACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/A6F8F73B-A0BB-4D51-8EBA-F9FEDABA33C0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KckA5Hix-Zk/YEmpFazq1zI/AAAAAAAA7IY/E4gP5yAlZPIJl8oy0ZAU_OzSCd_b_caNACLcBGAsYHQ/w539-h640/A6F8F73B-A0BB-4D51-8EBA-F9FEDABA33C0.jpeg" width="539" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Some of you will remember that a number of years ago, when I first started working with Tex, when he became mine, I did quite a bit of liberty work with him. We even spent a weekend in Sonoma County learning from a renowned trainer there. At the time, Tex wouldn’t come near me and he was dang hard to catch. Even with a bucket of treats, Tex was reluctant to come near. And put on a fly mask? HA HA HA. No dice. </span></div><p></p><p>Over time, he’s learned to accept a fly mask and he will come to me in the pasture to be caught. I’ve made sure that most of the time getting caught means wandering around the ranch with me eating grass and carrots that I’ve hidden. Its our scavenger hunt and Tex loves it. In the past couple of years, Tex has come to enjoy being groomed and will stand quietly to be saddled and for the farrier. When we (rarely) ride, he is relaxed and I always want to stop before he does. We’ve come a long way.</p><p>Tex shares a pasture with Lucy and Luek. When I am cleaning the pasture, Lucy follows me around begging for attention. She loves having her withers scratched, or her butt, or her back, or her ears. She’s big on hugs too. Tex has always kept to himself. He wouldn’t run off when I walked by, but he didn’t follow me around either. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fVeoSS367Gc/YEmn-Eh9o-I/AAAAAAAA7IQ/bDS5EvHjLwQT1Ro3sDM1bOvx0QYIhLtIACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/A9FF8DEB-DBAB-459F-8113-CC7AF93E69CA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1804" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fVeoSS367Gc/YEmn-Eh9o-I/AAAAAAAA7IQ/bDS5EvHjLwQT1Ro3sDM1bOvx0QYIhLtIACLcBGAsYHQ/w564-h640/A9FF8DEB-DBAB-459F-8113-CC7AF93E69CA.jpeg" width="564" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I used to get up at the crack of dawn and race around the pasture, flinging poop into the muck cart, and then racing back out the gate to get ready for work. It’s taken me awhile to relax about chores, but since retiring I muck after breakfast when the sun is up and has taken the edge off the morning chill. I enjoy the birdsong, the sunshine, and lingering with the horses. In the past few weeks, after months of making a point to spend a little time scratching Tex’s withers and rubbing his neck — whether he wanted it or not — Tex has decided that he likes the attention. Now, he is first to greet me and he follows me almost as much as Lucy. A couple of times in the past week, he has walked over to me and stood at my shoulder like we used to do for liberty work. We walked up and down and around a couple trees a few days ago and he never left my side. He definitely took a bigger chunk of my heart that day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xRCKW1B5Sqg/YEmm6Y38aPI/AAAAAAAA7IA/sJwGEHMXzDcXkhvKQFcN0y1hzVFyTbcLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1BD5B12F-B181-4FFC-88A1-E46A07FAD15B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1235" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xRCKW1B5Sqg/YEmm6Y38aPI/AAAAAAAA7IA/sJwGEHMXzDcXkhvKQFcN0y1hzVFyTbcLQCLcBGAsYHQ/w386-h640/1BD5B12F-B181-4FFC-88A1-E46A07FAD15B.jpeg" width="386" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-18135791883009710212021-02-09T21:19:00.001-08:002021-02-09T21:19:12.029-08:00Time to Start Tomato Seeds<p> Tomatoes are one of the summer vegetables that can be started from seed in the weeks before spring. I love tomatoes. I mean, I really really love tomatoes. Not the ones from the market, especially in winter. Not those tasteless mealy things. (I swear Brett thinks he doesn’t like tomatoes because he never had them fresh from the garden until I came along).</p><p>I plant ten or eleven tomato plants in my garden. This year there will be 8 different varieties. I like a mix of reliable slicers and sweet cherry tomatoes. There are some varieties that show up again and again, year-after-year — for me that would be Arkansas Traveler, Black Krim and Sun Gold (cherry tomato). Sun Gold tomatoes are the ones that convinced Brett that tomatoes are actually pretty dang good. Very few of the Sun Golds make it into the kitchen, I snack on them while I’m working in the garden. They are a bright orange color and incredibly sweet. I’m trying four new varieties this year. Two of them looked too interesting to pass up. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vnwodFYpYj4/YCNo6SKynUI/AAAAAAAA66s/QT7SagR4BXge6fGuIKQcR56w9Yozn5LIACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/258FEBB7-3F31-43FA-9755-788C6D333633.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vnwodFYpYj4/YCNo6SKynUI/AAAAAAAA66s/QT7SagR4BXge6fGuIKQcR56w9Yozn5LIACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/258FEBB7-3F31-43FA-9755-788C6D333633.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I lugged my propagation stuff from the tool shed shelf into the greenhouse and got it all set up. I unrolled my heat mats, and my thermostat, and dug out my block making tool. I am kind of over-the-top when it comes to seed starting. You don’t need all the paraphernalia that I have, but it does ensure a high percentage of germination. I make my own seed starting mix (peat, vermiculite, sifted compost, fertilizer and a touch of lime), get it wet, and form it into blocks. I plant one or two seeds in each block. I planted eight blocks of each tomato variety. The extras will be donated to the Master Gardener spring plant sale that is the main fund raiser for our demonstration gardens. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xuvUv1UEblY/YCNqdU8BnMI/AAAAAAAA67A/yuWevEl3mpoiQOGYcIBSHaPcNe8zi2EkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/9C7140F8-56F8-40B4-AA0A-3468A0EC884F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xuvUv1UEblY/YCNqdU8BnMI/AAAAAAAA67A/yuWevEl3mpoiQOGYcIBSHaPcNe8zi2EkwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/9C7140F8-56F8-40B4-AA0A-3468A0EC884F.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Once the seedlings are big enough that I can see their roots on the side of the block, I transplant the whole block into a 4” pot. This way I can start a lot of seeds in a relatively small space and I don’t have to worry about traumatizing them when I move them to a larger pot. It works well for me. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-raKichbXLF0/YCNp2k_-INI/AAAAAAAA664/tPVhQKPa8xAlzkiSL-jmG8jNAhj8BeZZACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20FF60A0-8434-444C-8758-92B1F179AD22.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-raKichbXLF0/YCNp2k_-INI/AAAAAAAA664/tPVhQKPa8xAlzkiSL-jmG8jNAhj8BeZZACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/20FF60A0-8434-444C-8758-92B1F179AD22.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>So, now I sit and wait. I will mist the soil daily and keep the domes on the flats until the seedlings are up. In a few weeks, I’ll be starting more seeds. Whee!</p><p>If you want to give seed starting a go without all the fuss of doing it this way, check out this <a href="https://www.villagelife.com/entertainment/spotlight/grow-for-it-starting-seeds-is-fun-and-easy/" target="_blank">article</a> I wrote for a local publication on how easy it is to do. Honest. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-55090742078949755712021-01-24T12:30:00.000-08:002021-01-24T12:30:12.057-08:00Hugelkultur<p> Since I retired a bit more than a year ago, I have been a gardening fiend. I planted a few more fruit trees a few years ago, outside of the garden since there was no more room inside. Then, last summer, I didn't have enough raised beds for all the veggies I wanted to plant. Brett suggested moving the deer fence back, between the newer fruit trees and the stream. There would be room for some more raised beds in the new area as well as including the fruit trees in the protected orchard. How could I say no? Normally, this is the kind of project that we would do with the help of Wwoofers, but since there aren't any due to COVID, and since Brett goes stir crazy without a project, he moved the fence back by himself.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jrLZRIHFF_E/YA3MCsuNYqI/AAAAAAAA6kg/Ni4t5Mf_mmYShrOsIdmAsp5Qzi47snSTgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1A750B5A-7C59-4248-9C05-6169B99829B4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jrLZRIHFF_E/YA3MCsuNYqI/AAAAAAAA6kg/Ni4t5Mf_mmYShrOsIdmAsp5Qzi47snSTgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/1A750B5A-7C59-4248-9C05-6169B99829B4.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p>We picked up some large water troughs to use as raised beds. He drilled some holes in the bottom and put them in place. I looked at them and thought, "It's going to cost me a small fortune in raised bed potting soil to fill those things." </p><p>Then I had a flash of inspiration. Hugelkultur. I learned a little bit about this in my Master Gardener class, the demonstration gardens have one, and a fellow Master Gardener friend successfully used it for her raised beds last year. I did some review, asked a few questions, and got to work.</p><p>Hugelkultur is method of creating a hill ("hugel") that mimics the decomposition that occurs on a forest floor. The activity at the bottom of the pile creates nutrients as it breaks down, and it holds moisture really well. The hills are most often free standing, but sides can be put in place. And, what is a raised bed, really, other than a hill with sides?</p><p>First, I gathered downed twigs and small (less than 3 inch in diameter) limbs from around the ranch. Brett took his tractor out to the back of the property and gathered there, while I picked up in the pastures. We have had a fair amount of windy weather so there was a lot to choose from. Pine is better than oak so I made those a priority although we have more oaks than pines on the ranch. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kv16uS5yUS0/YA3M1oBaZjI/AAAAAAAA6ko/SmU9wqZgEzMIQ_FRZw-iT428B92FBlQKACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/A52ABBDC-8445-4FD0-926B-28C511E4A96D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kv16uS5yUS0/YA3M1oBaZjI/AAAAAAAA6ko/SmU9wqZgEzMIQ_FRZw-iT428B92FBlQKACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/A52ABBDC-8445-4FD0-926B-28C511E4A96D.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p>I put a layer of twigs in the bottom of the troughs and stomped on them to break them up and provide a nice even base. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sRwgByhVYoc/YA3NtWmiLtI/AAAAAAAA6k8/D2SCTua53QkAVVOdmidKg5VjjDxtdaGsACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/F420C361-E38E-4B4C-BD62-92943C1FCB10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sRwgByhVYoc/YA3NtWmiLtI/AAAAAAAA6k8/D2SCTua53QkAVVOdmidKg5VjjDxtdaGsACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/F420C361-E38E-4B4C-BD62-92943C1FCB10.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Next came the limbs and then a layer of straw. I stomped on it again and watered it well. The straw snugged into the crevices between the limbs. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k7SLa6Lvlv0/YA3PCjWdYwI/AAAAAAAA6lM/AarTSJp9vV8KblWdhx1_VFrJuntLs50swCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/FF07A951-F821-4855-8A9C-F7DDDA70DC44.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k7SLa6Lvlv0/YA3PCjWdYwI/AAAAAAAA6lM/AarTSJp9vV8KblWdhx1_VFrJuntLs50swCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/FF07A951-F821-4855-8A9C-F7DDDA70DC44.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6AQTiV3EzkM/YA3O7LRMNpI/AAAAAAAA6lI/xn_XnrqeCFAikLM8w21RnHLqQ8G6zJI1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/62A133DA-1B86-4FD7-A364-48BC37DFA07B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6AQTiV3EzkM/YA3O7LRMNpI/AAAAAAAA6lI/xn_XnrqeCFAikLM8w21RnHLqQ8G6zJI1ACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/62A133DA-1B86-4FD7-A364-48BC37DFA07B.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The next layer was compost. Brett brought it over with the tractor and dumped it. While I was spreading, stomping and watering, he went and got the next load. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gp02vv3ez1c/YA3XE-vX6QI/AAAAAAAA6lc/jUgjl_1jXgI7ZEWBx9A-PyFGmPNs31DRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/763EFC50-D6B7-47D4-8D15-95144AFADADE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gp02vv3ez1c/YA3XE-vX6QI/AAAAAAAA6lc/jUgjl_1jXgI7ZEWBx9A-PyFGmPNs31DRgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/763EFC50-D6B7-47D4-8D15-95144AFADADE.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>At this point, the troughs were between 2/3 and 3/4 full. The top layer will be potting soil. The new raised beds will sit and mellow and settle for a few months until they are planted in the spring. I’ll report back on how it goes.</p><p><br /></p>Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-88218458704701299032021-01-15T17:07:00.000-08:002021-01-15T17:07:40.133-08:00Is it Spring or Winter?<p> We are still waiting for winter to arrive with its wet, cold, sleety, slushy weather. Instead, we have only had a bit more than 8” of rain this season (from last Oct 1st forward). Typically, we have over 20” by now. I worry about having an adequate snow pack in the Sierras; I worry about our well slowing or, worse, drying up; and I worry about fires next summer. Other than that, the weather is glorious and begs me to be outside in the garden.</p><p>My Christmas gift from Brett was a new tool shed. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xMMLnVbSoL8/YAI46CqysBI/AAAAAAAA6hE/H5fHEGrecTMXD9K_cGHvy0UiAkeh9sa3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BA55C2AF-7F7F-47CF-8E71-0459C7BFFF15.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xMMLnVbSoL8/YAI46CqysBI/AAAAAAAA6hE/H5fHEGrecTMXD9K_cGHvy0UiAkeh9sa3gCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/BA55C2AF-7F7F-47CF-8E71-0459C7BFFF15.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The dogs had destroyed the cute, but flimsy, one we had purchased at a local nursery. The dogs were after ground squirrels that were nesting under the tool shed and they ripped off the sides and the flooring in their pursuit. Now I have a big, beautiful tool shed with a brick floor, shelves and peg board. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Kp6cLxbePs/YAI6Vb5HsKI/AAAAAAAA6hY/86o70ugGGCMcth_5WUyCT3eRU4vT0XjEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/287014F3-DE9A-4FDC-8FAC-691A620CD3FB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Kp6cLxbePs/YAI6Vb5HsKI/AAAAAAAA6hY/86o70ugGGCMcth_5WUyCT3eRU4vT0XjEQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/287014F3-DE9A-4FDC-8FAC-691A620CD3FB.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-08uV8NJXWBs/YAI6ZM1R8MI/AAAAAAAA6hc/yOt-Y8JHoHI_wgs_e3zxZT4sZBWsOVc7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/05920290-F8B2-41DF-B975-E6F7571F13F8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-08uV8NJXWBs/YAI6ZM1R8MI/AAAAAAAA6hc/yOt-Y8JHoHI_wgs_e3zxZT4sZBWsOVc7wCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/05920290-F8B2-41DF-B975-E6F7571F13F8.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtaOQXhqzvk/YAI6dE_OleI/AAAAAAAA6hg/B0GD7TsD-FA-WfTGQylk1TmKqrZUcmbTgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/C30A4084-B4A8-4915-A2BB-5B1953113C40.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtaOQXhqzvk/YAI6dE_OleI/AAAAAAAA6hg/B0GD7TsD-FA-WfTGQylk1TmKqrZUcmbTgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/C30A4084-B4A8-4915-A2BB-5B1953113C40.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> I definitely came out ahead on that one.</span></div><p>Brett has also been wanting to expand my garden by moving one of the fences down to the stream. I will be able to fit some more planters in the new area and all the fruit trees will now be inside deer fencing. Not that deer come onto the ranch very often with three dogs patrolling. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bvggRxEi1yY/YAI7L1zm9HI/AAAAAAAA6h0/SvxcxrDw5c0LYupvDLAb9prpPaV6VMvQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4F519D95-4A42-4FDD-BC4F-B4D6181C953D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bvggRxEi1yY/YAI7L1zm9HI/AAAAAAAA6h0/SvxcxrDw5c0LYupvDLAb9prpPaV6VMvQQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/4F519D95-4A42-4FDD-BC4F-B4D6181C953D.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Yes, three dogs. Last November we added another Aussie to the mix. Acorn is three months old now and enjoying ranch life. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ngHwFdnC08/YAIMH5rLYeI/AAAAAAAA6gw/dk_c_n0sOEgxIFfKOJCXbG6fVs_2fGsVACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/1AE3CE4F-53BB-4B19-A031-BF838562BA1D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ngHwFdnC08/YAIMH5rLYeI/AAAAAAAA6gw/dk_c_n0sOEgxIFfKOJCXbG6fVs_2fGsVACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/1AE3CE4F-53BB-4B19-A031-BF838562BA1D.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Sage is teaching him about his duties — barking at deer, chasing squirrels, digging for gophers and supervising us humans. Kersey will be eleven this summer. She watches from the front porch and only joins the others for meals (she’s a lab, she never misses a meal) and squirrels. Sage is my constant companion in the garden. Acorn tends to hang out with Brett — when he and Sage aren’t racing around.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-16901354248618196802020-09-04T20:24:00.000-07:002020-09-04T20:24:58.670-07:00Learning to Paint<p> One of the things I’m doing during COVID/heat waves/wildfire-smoky days is learning how to paint. And, of course, I fell in love with watercolor which is one of the most difficult mediums. Figures. Fortunately, there are a ton of great tutorials on YouTube and that is how I got started. I discovered that within watercolor, there sub-categories of painting: loose or realistic, landscapes or botanicals or animals. I want to learn them all. I seem to do best at botanicals and my landscapes look like kindergarten. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2hyhvZiwpak/X1MC8-EjIZI/AAAAAAAA5L0/fVQAGVOi4j0hQgATWXarRgzFQ4X7rO1CgCPcBGAsYHg/s2675/IMG_3948.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2614" data-original-width="2675" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2hyhvZiwpak/X1MC8-EjIZI/AAAAAAAA5L0/fVQAGVOi4j0hQgATWXarRgzFQ4X7rO1CgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3948.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><p>I enrolled in a couple online schools about a month ago. One of them is focused on botanicals and the other on realistic animals. When my dad was visiting last month, he made the observation that I paint from photographs and not from real life. That got me to thinking. I’m painting from photos along with tutorials helping me “see” the important shapes and shadows. So, is that really painting? I think so.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bCrwDNgPALY/X1MDPHbGgnI/AAAAAAAA5L8/A8eetFNuunEUOYn2DgtxvWtt9zLrqeYNgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3941.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bCrwDNgPALY/X1MDPHbGgnI/AAAAAAAA5L8/A8eetFNuunEUOYn2DgtxvWtt9zLrqeYNgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3941.HEIC" /></a></div><br /><p>Remember when you were learning to write the letters of the alphabet? First, the teacher showed you how to hold the pencil which felt super awkward. Then she wrote letters on the board and you copied them onto your paper — that had lines for capitals and lower case. But it was still hard at first. How far down do you go for the tail on a “g” —and a capital “S” — man that was hard. I thought a capital “W” was hard, too, which was a problem because my last name started with that letter. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NplhKEE1klE/X1MDiIVz03I/AAAAAAAA5ME/lspRuufcXgAUtAdGztAgDA1eCb6GYaXWACPcBGAsYHg/s2746/IMG_3928.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2280" data-original-width="2746" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NplhKEE1klE/X1MDiIVz03I/AAAAAAAA5ME/lspRuufcXgAUtAdGztAgDA1eCb6GYaXWACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3928.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Gradually, we learned to print our letters and then to write in cursive. We copied our teachers until we could do it solo. Painting is the same. I’m tracing the outline of a picture and then watching a video of the instructor as she explains what she is seeing, the appropriate brush strokes, and how to mix colors. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5W3nVJiLGHs/X1MD1eXDupI/AAAAAAAA5MQ/ge72vS-IaIM4U5YQKP30ksvRyD3DghcbQCPcBGAsYHg/s2443/IMG_0269.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2443" data-original-width="2347" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5W3nVJiLGHs/X1MD1eXDupI/AAAAAAAA5MQ/ge72vS-IaIM4U5YQKP30ksvRyD3DghcbQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_0269.HEIC" /></a></div><br /><p>I’m getting better — I fast-forward through about half of the video now. I’m learning to trust my eye. I’m getting some muscle memory around how to hold a brush and how much paint to load and how to blend one color into another without hard lines. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-9FjmM-U4g/X1MEF_Ng23I/AAAAAAAA5MY/l3B4KsoRbAATC6eY9gaYN3hjNeM_9FWWwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/61949980413__D30D61D4-51ED-4349-9A7F-4892FCE86D17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-9FjmM-U4g/X1MEF_Ng23I/AAAAAAAA5MY/l3B4KsoRbAATC6eY9gaYN3hjNeM_9FWWwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/61949980413__D30D61D4-51ED-4349-9A7F-4892FCE86D17.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Maybe I’m delusional, but I consider what I’m doing “real” painting. Not great painting, and not original painting, but real just the same. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-43jEAOe4x2Q/X1MES93I1-I/AAAAAAAA5Mc/LOLSUXrnml8S3HLoXRj2urc-MTwpLBAuACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/483301F4-929B-41D1-8098-06EE19AC8640.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1100" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-43jEAOe4x2Q/X1MES93I1-I/AAAAAAAA5Mc/LOLSUXrnml8S3HLoXRj2urc-MTwpLBAuACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/483301F4-929B-41D1-8098-06EE19AC8640.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> </p>Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-29059689836251612112020-08-12T16:29:00.000-07:002020-08-12T16:29:36.897-07:00Sage tells Tex Where to Go<p> Yesterday as I walked down the driveway to get the mail at 2pm, I noticed that Sage and Kersey were busy trying to get a squirrel from under the logs in the oak pasture.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r8GdELh-KpA/XzR5JruHBVI/AAAAAAAA47I/-3WORbaq1SEIhvINvnlbjiblJWDqRc5nQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3E0712C3-3CAF-4793-9B8F-2A1E24875833.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1534" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r8GdELh-KpA/XzR5JruHBVI/AAAAAAAA47I/-3WORbaq1SEIhvINvnlbjiblJWDqRc5nQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/3E0712C3-3CAF-4793-9B8F-2A1E24875833.jpeg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>I could hear the squirrel squeaking angrily all the way from the driveway. The dogs didn’t look up when I came back up the driveway with the mail. They were intent.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jXjbMOc0-5k/XzR5qJWTV1I/AAAAAAAA47Q/8G2oAGmiI3MLKbGZJ0qG140yI8PFpw6SQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/0D466DB3-08FB-469B-A631-1A377BECDBA5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1419" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jXjbMOc0-5k/XzR5qJWTV1I/AAAAAAAA47Q/8G2oAGmiI3MLKbGZJ0qG140yI8PFpw6SQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/0D466DB3-08FB-469B-A631-1A377BECDBA5.jpeg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>At 4:30 I went back outside and the dogs were still intent on their squirrel. The horses were standing in the corner of the pasture, by the front gate, watching the occasional car drive by. Tex left the group and wandered over to see what the dogs were doing. He stretched his nose down between the squeaking logs.</p><p>Sage stood on the other side of the log and launched into Tex. “Get away! That’s my squirrel! Stop being so nosy! GO AWAY!!!” </p><p>Tex eventually ambled away and Sage resumed her position in front of the log. By 6:00, Kersey was done. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4JQYMmTAjco/XzR6_5HhbSI/AAAAAAAA47c/Sqef2BK-zwAvy9o64B8JK-Z9GMKzonZ_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/5E823E69-E0F8-46A9-B245-E3DC45EF37E7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1266" data-original-width="1280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4JQYMmTAjco/XzR6_5HhbSI/AAAAAAAA47c/Sqef2BK-zwAvy9o64B8JK-Z9GMKzonZ_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/5E823E69-E0F8-46A9-B245-E3DC45EF37E7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>She just laid in the dirt panting. Sage kept at it. She was 30 minutes late for dinner; and she’s <u>never</u> late for dinner. When it was time to come in the house for the evening, she was late for that too. We had to go out and get her. Normally, she’s waiting at the door. It must have been one heck of a trophy squirrel. ...and she never did get it.</p><p><br /></p>Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-1585566039279853732020-08-07T08:48:00.000-07:002020-08-07T08:48:47.313-07:00Luek and Rachel<p> In mid-July, Brett’s granddaughter came to visit. She lives in Colorado so flew into Sacramento where Brett picked her up and brought her to Oak Creek Ranch. It was her first visit here and I don’t think she stopped smiling from the minute they drove through the front gate until she left. The animals all loved her; especially Sage and Luek. </p><p>Sage normally sticks pretty close to me; sleeping at my feet, trotting around the pastures with me, and bringing me balls to throw. But, she preferred being with Rachel who ran with her, played with her, and loved on her. Sage thanked her for all the love and attention by dropping a squirrel that she caught at Rachel’s feet. (She has never voluntarily given up a squirrel before). </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMN-SxBvJiY/Xy1yeflOO9I/AAAAAAAA46M/d44t8WYz2r4-e7D47hkmvUOpaRw3i-5bgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3637.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMN-SxBvJiY/Xy1yeflOO9I/AAAAAAAA46M/d44t8WYz2r4-e7D47hkmvUOpaRw3i-5bgCPcBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_3637.HEIC" /></a></div></blockquote></blockquote><p><br /></p><p>Rachel was interested in doing two things on her visit: boating and riding. Riding primarily. We did get out on the lakes with her a couple of times, cruising a large lake and kayaking on a small one. </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P-e7NPR6eTw/Xy1yM2tYEFI/AAAAAAAA46E/UgFd5zMY_14aZRuQPRHLno5FT7bUoTlkgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3855.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P-e7NPR6eTw/Xy1yM2tYEFI/AAAAAAAA46E/UgFd5zMY_14aZRuQPRHLno5FT7bUoTlkgCPcBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_3855.HEIC" /></a></div></blockquote></blockquote><p>And she rode Luek. And groomed Luek. And loved on Luek while he was eating in the pasture. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XSeJbLmAgL4/Xy1yr5LajBI/AAAAAAAA46Q/SaikrkX1YUEpLqTkBXuWCJ4VwKwJC_tEQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3846.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XSeJbLmAgL4/Xy1yr5LajBI/AAAAAAAA46Q/SaikrkX1YUEpLqTkBXuWCJ4VwKwJC_tEQCPcBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_3846.HEIC" /></a></div><p>Rachel had some experience trail riding in Colorado but was unfamiliar with dressage or any aids. She soaked up all my explanations like a sponge. The first thing I noticed when Rachel got on Luek was how well she followed him with her seat. Brett is very tight in the hips and Luek has a bit of a choppy walk when Brett rides him. Rachel naturally swings her hips and Luek took big, happy steps with her. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzg5KATjAePUxh85pE6_uDqE7uyRWmDrtFcw1KKvLMgeq2WKeY0ix8SQ4RdT3Qir_aKzGDwpJkVlTWeLqbT1A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p><br /></p><p>We mostly walked around the property (Brett was on Pistol and I was on Tex), and hung out under the trees. It was pretty warm. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7bMLayEBgw/Xy105_RQSpI/AAAAAAAA46c/eq5NZdzWsPs65Fev-T8rBE6RNY0F3JEogCPcBGAsYHg/s2504/IMG_3848.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2504" data-original-width="2194" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7bMLayEBgw/Xy105_RQSpI/AAAAAAAA46c/eq5NZdzWsPs65Fev-T8rBE6RNY0F3JEogCPcBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_3848.HEIC" /></a></div><p>We are all, animals included, looking forward to her next visit. </p><p><br /></p>Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-23121341475634095592020-07-19T11:54:00.000-07:002020-07-19T11:54:47.848-07:00Attracting ButterfliesSince retiring in November, I’ve spent a lot of time in my garden. I’ve done everything from replacing drip lines to general pruning and shaping of plants. Everything is thriving and that makes me happy. I plan to plant a boat load of plants in the fall — I’ve started a new planting bed by the barn which will primarily be lavenders and agastache, which are fragrant and don’t need much water. And, I plan to fill in more spaces in the front flower beds and make some changes in the bird/pollinator bed.<br />
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This is a butterfly bush (<i>buddleia</i>) which is very beautiful, very showy, and the nectar attracts butterflies. However, it is also invasive and not native. If you really want butterflies in your garden you need to have plants that they like to eat as caterpillars. Sure, you get some ratty looking, chewed-up, leaves on those plants but you also get lots of butterflies instead of ones that happened to grow up nearby and found your butterfly bush. The butterfly bush below is particularly showy and I plan to keep it but the others (two in the bird/pollinator bed and three in the front flower bed) are going to be removed in the fall. I will replace them with something else that attracts butterflies.<br />
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I will be adding more coneflowers (<i>Echinacea</i>) since the ones I planted last fall are doing great. I like to make sure a particular plant is going to do well before investing in a truck load of them. Coneflowers are a great native flower here in California, much loved by pollinating insects and butterflies. <br />
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The new planter I created up by the turnouts behind the barn will be filling up with native and drought resistant plants. Right now it just has that one beautiful butterfly bush, one agastache and one nepeta. I’ll be adding more of the agastache and nepeta, iris, milkweed and lavender. It should be humming next year with happy bees and hummingbirds. And butterflies. <br />
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In the bird and butterfly bed, I have the agastache (hummingbird mint) below and creeping hummingbird trumpet (<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i>Zauschneria</i><span style="font-size: 22.16px;">)</span> going crazy happy. </span><br />
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So far, I’ve seen a lot of butterflies: swallowtail, painted ladies, small blues and buckeyes mostly. I’m hoping the milkweed I plant will bring monarchs next year. <br />
<br />Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-61980653173704313842020-07-16T09:57:00.000-07:002020-07-16T09:57:35.823-07:00Score One for the HawkThe last few days there have been an adult and a juvenile red-tailed hawk soaring over the open fields around the ranch. I think that Junior is being taught how to hunt but I don’t, of course, know for sure. But I do enjoy watching them.<br />
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This morning I was sitting on the front porch nursing my wounds (but that’s another story) when I heard their distinctive screech — pretty close by. The dogs, who had been snoozing by my feet, took off barking.<br />
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I looked up to see one of the hawks snatch a squirrel from under the oak tree between the driveway and the front pasture. Whiskey had a front row seat. The hawk cleared the fence and soared off to the fields, but dropped the squirrel in the pasture. <br />
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Sage was pissed. The hawk took her squirrel (all squirrels are her squirrels) and then dropped it where she couldn’t get it. Poor Sage. Kersey came back to the porch and resumed her nap. Sage came over to me and started complaining, whining and growling, before laying down on the front porch step.<br />
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(And my wounds? I fell off the back of the utility trailer yesterday when I was helping Brett unload some hay. I fell about three feet onto the cement floor. No broken bones but some nasty bruising and my back is tweaked. Of course.)Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-68458430687090870212020-06-23T11:16:00.000-07:002020-06-23T11:16:13.447-07:00No Such Thing as a Free HorseThose of you who own horses already know this to be true. But, here is a reminder for those of you who need a refresher.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vx4Gk4xcKw4/XvJEqTUxIjI/AAAAAAAA4d8/q7mFcFQebPYi4LNb5uMQ9P2BZjhBythoACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AF34B591-DB38-4398-AB0D-8399FA8740EF.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1287" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vx4Gk4xcKw4/XvJEqTUxIjI/AAAAAAAA4d8/q7mFcFQebPYi4LNb5uMQ9P2BZjhBythoACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/AF34B591-DB38-4398-AB0D-8399FA8740EF.jpeg" width="514" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Who could resist this face?</span></td></tr>
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Back when I was a horse-crazy girl, growing up in a quiet suburban town in Southern California, my parents were offered a free horse. They had a daughter (me) who spent all her money on Breyer horses and rental horses, and all her time at the neighborhood horse stable doling out sugar cubes and kisses. I begged and pleaded for a horse. For years. My parents didn’t have a lot of extra money and there were three of us kids. They surely didn’t have money to buy a horse. But free? Hmmm, worth investigating. They received an education in the expense associated with owning a horse and quickly (and I like to think, regretfully) declined the free horse. Although I didn’t think so at the time, they made the right decision.<br />
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We currently have a couple free horses on the ranch. We took them both (Pistol and Luek) with the full knowledge of the financial outlay that any horse represents. <br />
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Yesterday, was an $800 day for Luek. He has been off for about a week. He also needed a blood panel done so that he could continue on his joint medication. So, we took him to our vet for diagnosis of the hoof problem and blood work. It turns out he has an abscess, most likely the result of a hot nail. X-rays did not reveal any fractures or other issues. X-rays for a horse are expensive, especially when they require sedation. The blood work was normal relative to the joint medication (so we got a big bottle of that); however, he is anemic. So, we are starting him on medication for that. Fortunately, he is basically a healthy horse and these are pretty routine things that come with horse ownership. Abscesses are very common and pretty easy to treat.<br />
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Luek enjoyed his foot soak in Epsom salts this morning. While his foot soaked, I groomed him. Afterwards, I applied a poultice and wrapped his foot. Ten minutes later, he was filthy and the wrap was coming undone. He has a history of abscesses, and he was a circus trick horse, so I’m sure he is also a master at undoing a foot wrap. Not to brag or anything, but after all the years of dealing with Jackson’s abscesses, I am pretty dang good at wrapping a hoof.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I’m pretty sure he’s laughing at me</span></td></tr>
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<br />Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-85229810954486123492020-06-06T11:22:00.000-07:002020-06-06T11:22:23.501-07:00Feed the Birds...and the raccoons and the dogs... Cherries are ripe in the orchard and are in great demand amongst visitors and residents, both invited and not. Cherries are my favorite fruit so I have, over the past six years, planted five trees. The first two I planted, a Black Tartarian and a Ranier, are old enough to bear a nice amount of fruit. Unfortunately, they both got sick a couple years ago with canker so I’ve been pruning out infected limbs each year. The black tartarian was drastically cut back to the trunk — all limbs gone — but it has rebounded. A couple of the new limbs had a couple of cherries. The critters got to them first which is a bummer. Black tartarian cherries are dark red, almost black, with a great flavor similar to Bing. They also act as a pollinators for most other sweet cherry varieties.<br />
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On the Ranier, I cut off most of the limbs two years ago but left one that was only slightly infected. The new limbs on that tree are covered in big, juicy, sweet cherries. The diseased limbs have small leaves and small, sour cherries. There are a lot of cherries on this tree; enough for all of us to share. I’m hoping the birds and raccoons will eat the small, sour ones and leave me the big, sweet ones.<br />
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A third cherry tree had its first, small crop this year. It is a Utah Giant which has cherries which look and taste similar to Ranier but are larger (hence the name) and I think have a nicer, more complex flavor than the Ranier. My last two cherry trees are just a few years old so no cherries yet. <br />
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The cherries are particularly loved by Bullock’s orioles but I see other birds snacking in there as well. I’ve been finding random cherries on the ground in the pasture so I’m not sure if birds are dropping them or other critters are doing so. Yesterday, the bird bath was full of cherry pits.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I cleaned out the bird bath before taking this photo. It was disgusting.</span></td></tr>
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I thought, what the heck? Then I remembered that raccoons like to wash their food and figured that explained the pits and the toppled plants near the bird bath. Sure enough, later I found raccoon scat under a pear tree — and it was full of cherry pits.<br />
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All the hard work I did earlier this year in the orchard seems to be paying off. The trees all look healthy (except for the one diseased cherry limb which I will remove once the cherries are gone) and are loaded with fruit. I didn’t fertilize them at all this year with anything other than a nice layer of composted horse manure under their mulch of wood chips. <br />
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<br />Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-85451330084245880482020-05-29T11:01:00.000-07:002020-05-29T19:32:54.965-07:00There’s a Light Horse In ThereWe’ve had blistering hot feels-like-July weather all week. I have been wanting to ride but the weather has kept us indoors, other than morning and evening chores. This morning was slightly cooler, with clouds gathering slowly, so even though the thermometer said it was a bearable 84F, the humidity was high. By the time I had Tex groomed (not thoroughly, even) and tacked up, sweat was running down my back and I felt a bit woozy. We stood in the shade for a few minutes until the nausea passed and then headed for the freshly mown back pasture. Because there are trees. The dressage court is sand and direct sun so that was not going to work.<br />
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Besides, Tex and I like riding under the trees on the grass.<br />
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My goal was simple: get a light walk to trot transition. That’s it. Tex is a sensitive horse by nature but he’s a bit of a brute under saddle. Clearly, he was never ridden with feel. He has no concept of a half-halt and stopping him is like stopping a Mack truck. Abs, seat, arms — and eventually a “did you say stop?” Not that he’s running away, mind you. This is at a walk. It is part of the reason why I don’t work with him much at trot and canter yet. If you ain’t got brakes, you ain’t got nothin’. Similarly, getting him to move off or transition to trot requires a kick. Ugh.<br />
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In ten minutes, we got a lot done. The first transition went like this:<br />
1. Lighten my seat: nothing<br />
2. Light squeeze with my calves: nothing<br />
3. Heels into his side lightly: nothing<br />
4. Digging into his sides with my heels: off we go<br />
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Second try:<br />
1. Lighten my seat: nothing<br />
2. Half halt and light squeeze with my calves: ear flick<br />
3. Heels in lightly: off we go<br />
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Third try:<br />
1. Lighten my seat: ear flick<br />
2. Half-halt and light squeeze: off we go<br />
3. Lots and lots of praise from me and... suddenly we are cantering; a lovely balanced canter. The FIRST balanced canter on this big red over-achiever. <br />
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And Brett, who was riding Luek, missed it. So, I had to ride over and tell him all about it and then we called it a day. <br />
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<br />Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4964477228579644195.post-90492061676575740652020-05-24T12:39:00.001-07:002020-05-24T16:11:41.961-07:00Garden Thoughts<span style="font-size: large;">It’s almost impossible to keep track of the days anymore; they run together in a continuous thread of sameness. I rarely leave the ranch — a weekly pick-up at a local farm for produce, a bi-weekly run to the grocery store for staples, maybe a monthly stop at the nursery or irrigation shop, and that’s it. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_olyce0zKJM/XsrQRYxOgcI/AAAAAAAA4T8/MVD9nWhk5MMS5665JY2xWUPVRYE-N6Z-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/7C240397-605D-450B-BE9A-71DAF091A1F5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_olyce0zKJM/XsrQRYxOgcI/AAAAAAAA4T8/MVD9nWhk5MMS5665JY2xWUPVRYE-N6Z-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/7C240397-605D-450B-BE9A-71DAF091A1F5.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This rose bush was here when we moved in, and it really struggled. I’ve been pruning out the old wood each year and it has become vigorous, prolific and fills the air with its wonderful fragrance.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I was working, I put over 30,000 miles on my car each year. Now, I’m lucky if I drive it once a month. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nWU63CpCRbU/XsrRJnD6CrI/AAAAAAAA4UI/nSA-kAmxRMowOKpTSWyd8ddh6X3SZb2EACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/0F3CC797-1E80-4FD4-82DA-F964D26E23B6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nWU63CpCRbU/XsrRJnD6CrI/AAAAAAAA4UI/nSA-kAmxRMowOKpTSWyd8ddh6X3SZb2EACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/0F3CC797-1E80-4FD4-82DA-F964D26E23B6.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Simplicity roses form a beautiful hedge along the front of the garden fence.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have two baskets of masks in the mud room. One for clean, and one for used. We carry a bottle of Lysol and a rag with us in the car. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SzLLzeSxPZs/XsrR2eqh0YI/AAAAAAAA4UQ/vfBnfx0R0wkSKvWbuUq1qak-AkSeNcv7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/833412C3-DE92-4410-964B-EC71F4CAF649.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SzLLzeSxPZs/XsrR2eqh0YI/AAAAAAAA4UQ/vfBnfx0R0wkSKvWbuUq1qak-AkSeNcv7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/833412C3-DE92-4410-964B-EC71F4CAF649.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I’m going to have a lot of cherries this year, if the birds don’t take them all.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I haven’t had a haircut since March 3rd. Pretty soon, I’ll be able to put it in a pony tail.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ebyfzuYmYJ0/XsrSV8qVaTI/AAAAAAAA4UY/1RERaT2km-EpI6ee438afTzfWItPUfOTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/180A9E8B-6FAF-4A6F-A2BD-A9FF1DEF8611.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ebyfzuYmYJ0/XsrSV8qVaTI/AAAAAAAA4UY/1RERaT2km-EpI6ee438afTzfWItPUfOTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/180A9E8B-6FAF-4A6F-A2BD-A9FF1DEF8611.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My favorite iris. No, I don’t remember the name of the variety. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have strange dreams at night; dreams of a garden with a patchwork of safe garden beds. Gradually, over the course of the dream, the safe garden beds shrink and disappear and just the deadly ones are left. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TCVOcvY5cI8/XsrTTsrJC-I/AAAAAAAA4Uk/f5gAvDYaOTwS7yYQZt-0NVYduwXrCaITQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/EEE70546-E340-47D2-892A-E05163B1FFB8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TCVOcvY5cI8/XsrTTsrJC-I/AAAAAAAA4Uk/f5gAvDYaOTwS7yYQZt-0NVYduwXrCaITQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/EEE70546-E340-47D2-892A-E05163B1FFB8.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I like companion planting and interspersing flowers with vegetables. This is my tomato bed. Or is it my poppy bed? Having flowers scattered around means that there are lots of bees and butterflies to pollinate everything.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know we have to get people back to work. We need to find our way to a new way of living with this virus. But, I’m scared of going too fast. I see people flooding local bars and business without masks and no distancing. I see photos of people with snarling mouths and glaring eyes, demanding the removal of all restrictions. And I feel threatened. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K2Z_H5dKogU/XsrUXLagvwI/AAAAAAAA4Uw/4iLG4wedYcopoTFqylBtTUljCcuLi9JNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/032A7BF0-9905-44B8-B4A1-4435E3890E2D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K2Z_H5dKogU/XsrUXLagvwI/AAAAAAAA4Uw/4iLG4wedYcopoTFqylBtTUljCcuLi9JNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/032A7BF0-9905-44B8-B4A1-4435E3890E2D.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Figs</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I garden and bake and paint. During the day, I focus on my life here on the ranch and try to ignore the rest. And then, at night, I dream.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3E9hAjOdpBA/XsrVAKqgZkI/AAAAAAAA4U4/nMeuw00CCTkqXKiUZu35toNlsA7b13IZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/E4D294BD-79E5-4F17-AB5E-B6E3503CCBD0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3E9hAjOdpBA/XsrVAKqgZkI/AAAAAAAA4U4/nMeuw00CCTkqXKiUZu35toNlsA7b13IZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/E4D294BD-79E5-4F17-AB5E-B6E3503CCBD0.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sugar snap peas, lettuce and chard.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How are you doing?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B3I73YcgMGM/XsrVhVdCqzI/AAAAAAAA4VA/OK2vDj9obBoxLrnLGyuCr5jlrZ_o91b-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/80D71CBA-F94D-44E7-B8EB-FF27D3034282.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B3I73YcgMGM/XsrVhVdCqzI/AAAAAAAA4VA/OK2vDj9obBoxLrnLGyuCr5jlrZ_o91b-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/80D71CBA-F94D-44E7-B8EB-FF27D3034282.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I’m propagating some big leaf maple trees — one of our favorite trees.</span></td></tr>
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Oak Creek Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com7