Gentle Giant Meadows Ranch
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Can A Bad Day Get Even "Badder" ??

7/28/2015

5 Comments

 
Ever had one of those days where you wished the alarm clock had never gone off, you hadn't pulled the comforter from over your head and you hadn't  looked at the fuzzy reflection in the steamed up bathroom mirror and wondered who it was looking back at you. Greg had one of those mornings, he stumbled out of bed groggier than a grizzly bear coming out of hibernation and his day only got worse as the minutes ticked by. 

It takes ten minutes for the water barrel to fill....Greg discovered that it takes a whole lot less time than that to empty a full 50 gallon barrel ! The ranch creeks are running slow, the water in the pond is murky and  coated in a nasty algae scum and it doesn't appear that our tropical Summer is going to cool down any time soon if MJ ( Fox 13 meteorologist ) is to be believed. The double Doppler is scanning the Pacific for a fluffy rain cloud but MJ assures us that the temperature in our Pacific Northwest greenhouse is just going to keep rising.  All this hot dry weather has resulted in Greg acquiring yet another morning chore, if Mother Nature can't keep our water troughs full and clean it's down to Greg and his big plastic water barrel. This morning The quad sped out of the farm gate, Bran and Luke balancing precariously on the handlebar shelf and a full, splashing water barrel was bouncing in the little trailer behind. Aside from actually having to get out of bed, that's when Greg's day started to go seriously and badly downhill. The trailer, loaded with an overflowing 50 gallon water barrel, in the middle of the farm road developed a very flat tire (tyre for my English readers). I'm assured that no profanities were growled as 50 gallons of water and 10 minutes in time were lost on the farm road...and with the way Greg's day went, I wasn't going to challenge his assurance !

Our chicken house is currently occupied by 40 chickens that are either taking Industrial Action, eating their own eggs or are taking an early and unscheduled vacation. Either way, eggs are becoming a precious commodity and the feathered ladies are not earning their daily grain. Greg's bad day deteriorated significantly when, the egg basket containing the few eggs collected in my mid morning raid on the nest boxes was launched into orbit through the open door of the farm truck. The fourteen eggs I risked life and limb to collect, pooled in golden orbs amongst fractured brown and white shells in the stony gravel  at Greg's feet. I guess it's not omelets for dinner !

Our plum tree in the barnyard has become the gift that keeps on giving. After already collecting about 150 pounds of rich purple / black juicy plums it was noted that more fruit had ripened on the laden branches and once again we trudged out with our collecting buckets. Sadly, the plum tree is between the two arrow signs that remind us of our absent friends and Greg was sharply reminded of them all when he came up under a painted arrow which tried to crush his skull.

Before closing, I have to say goodbye to young nephew Daniel who bravely returned to the farm for yet another three days of hard labor( Labour, Brit speak). You do realize Daniel, you get less time for murder !! Thank you for all your hard work and fun discussions. (I do hope I wasn't being analyzed. smile.)

As the cuckoo clock strikes, the dogs are waiting to irrigate a tree or three, the sun has set behind the cedar trees and I'm assuring Greg that tomorrow can't be as bad....can it ? Take care, keep safe (and cool) M
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Practicing For The Climb

7/28/2015

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Daniel paid us a visit before going on to climb Mt. Rainier. So we thought it would be a good idea to test his rope tying skills. We have been wanting to get this branch out of the way for some time now. At first Quest had the idea we were going to tie the rope to him to do the pulling. He's Big enough!! He was quite relieved when he saw the tractor getting fitted with the rope. Stay safe! G
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Up North For A Visit

7/26/2015

4 Comments

 
Daniel, our nephew from Albuquerque, has come to visit and play before going to climb MT Rainier. Of course there has to be the odd job that has to be accomplished! It was nice though that we did get a chance to take in a little of the local Blue Grass festival, even if it was only for an hour or so before the evening shift with the animals. So lovely to see you Daniel. Then it's off to cousin Matt for a stay before the climb. I remember those days of youth and romping in the mountains of Montana!! Great times... (Greg)
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Everyone Needs A Good Cooldown!

7/19/2015

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It was HOT!! Time for a cool down for all. More of the same for today? Supposed to be in the 90's...
Stay cool everyone. 
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Now It's Plum Time!

7/18/2015

2 Comments

 
Plums were ripe and hanging over the chicken coop. Now... how to harvest? Call in the "Plum Picker"! Jim enjoyed the job! Over 100 lbs and the tree showed it... Sad need of pruning for next year. Now ... how to prepare for wine? Maureen's idea of somehow smooshing them instead of having to cut each one to get the pit out. OK... leave the pit in and SMOOSH. Hummm... The meat grinder with the sausage stuffer blade and no cutter, SMOOSH. Worked like a dream. 100 lbs done (SMOOSHED) in little over 2.5 hours. Smells good. We will know in about 2 weeks when its time for the first rack and taste... I'll keep you posted as to the taste... Greg.
2 Comments

Just Peachy!

7/11/2015

2 Comments

 
Ahh, fruit harvest is on. Peaches are almost ripe and the plum tree is laden so heavy, the tree looks like a giant bush! Got our first 10 lbs of plums yesterday. That equates to 3 gal. of plum wine in about 2 months! Since there are only 5 peaches, those of course will be eaten. Hopefully one will be ready before Callum leaves on Tuesday. Jim and Callum have been busy helping get the fire wood in and cleaning up the debris from our landscaping fun. The area is going to be a new pasture when we are done. Looking good already. Even got Maureen in the act. For some reason I always seem to miss the photos of Maureen helping out. She really does work with us. I just neglect to take the photos!!
2 Comments

A Real Experience...

7/7/2015

3 Comments

 
One week today young Callum will be flying over the Canadian Rockies on his way back to England. During his stay here he has got a year older and celebrated his birthday with Greg, Erin and Jim..our Farm Family. Over the past two weeks, Callum has experienced many notable firsts, driving the quad (GENTLY Callum!!!), driving the truck (in the hayfield..um..GENTLY Callum), driving the tractor (oooh er...Yes, you guessed it....GENTLY !!!) He has used a chainsaw, table saw, weed whacker, Saw Mill and ride on mower . He has rowed a boat and succeeded in hanging on to a speeding inner tube out on the lake. Callum has fed and groomed horses and befriended Barney the ram...But all is not roses down on the ranch, before the fun starts each day, the chores have to be done....NOT SO GOOD ! Our young grandson has discovered the questionable joy of cleaning cow pies in the cow pen ...scooping poop in the sheep barn and has been ecstatic (NOT) when confronted with the particularly unpleasant mess in Barney the ram's bachelor pad. For the past two weeks, Callum has valiantly tackled every aspect of the Ranch experience, a life a million miles removed from his city life. As we head into his third and last week here in the Pacific Northwest of America, we hope that he has happy memories of his time with Granny and Grandad.
3 Comments

Be Cool!

7/6/2015

2 Comments

 
A few more pics of Callum's visit. He has been busy trying to get the basics on the riding mower. Callum called in the ranch "No Blame" policy and limped the mower back to the workshop for some refurbished blades! Later it was time to trade the heat for a cooling dip. We went over to Erin and Jim's to practice "Roaring" on their local lake. Oh it was nice. Even the dogs got some relief from the heat. Bran loves to swim but Luke is not too sure. His little legs just had to work too hard.
Stay safe, stay cool !! M
2 Comments

The Heat Is STILL On!

7/3/2015

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    Its me, Maureen, (the Boss)

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