East meets West for Christmas here on the ranch. Tomoko eventually arrived in Seatac airport at 10pm after her anticipated early morning flight from LAX very inconveniently took to the air without her. oops. looks like the ranch "no blame policy" was called in even before our newest house guest arrived ! Tomoko is a young Japanese exchange student studying in California and far away from home and family for Christmas.....so she has come to join our extended ranch family for the holiday. Welcome to the Pacific North West Tomoko, we hope you leave here with happy memories. Sadly, Tomoko's arrival was also the signal for Greg (2) to travel on with his adventure. Greg (2) is an amazing young man and left Gentle Giant Meadows Ranch after starting and completing many of Greg's major wish list projects. We really enjoyed sharing our home our ranch and our family with you Greg, come back and see us some time....and good luck.
Clearly Tomoko's first impression of the northwest was wet.....very wet as MJ (Fox 13 meteorologist) has enthusiastically forecast rain wind and yet more rain. Happily Tomoko doesn't appear to be concerned and yesterday tripped through the puddles and poop wearing a big smile, oh....and lots of warm clothes, it may be warmer than it was but it's NOT California ! One of yesterdays notable adventures for our new house guest was returning Mulder the black Dexter bull to his home farm. Mulder has been here at the ranch for 6 weeks "taking care of business" with Daisy May our rampant family cow. Sadly, Wayne the Man ( the AI guy) tried to work his magic 3 times but clearly when Daisy May bawls for a man on her three weekly cycle...a man was what she wanted and the test tube in Wayne's nitrogen tub didn't fit the bill. Fortunately, a quick visit to Craigslist found Farmer Bill who had a bull....but no longer needed his " bull assets" and Mulder is for sale. A resident bull ...even a lovely kind mellow bull is overkill for one hormonal cow but Farmer Bill was prepared to let us "borrow" his bits and Mr. Mulder came to stay for 6 weeks ( or two of Daisy's heart wrenching (and deafening) " needing NOW" moments. The good news ( understatement.....GREAT news) is that it would appear that Mulder's visit was successful. Daisy's moments came and went, the valley was silent, Daisy was calm and serene, the bull was bored and all was well in the cow barn. We THINK that a little black "mini me" will be born to Daisy in September....a test will confirm and I'll keep you all updated. If Mulder's visit was um....unproductive, the whole valley and possibly the whole county will know in just over two weeks !
Tomoko's first day....apart from assisting the passage of Mr. Mulder the bull ( Tomoko held the camera...well out of the way of trouble Mom and dad Yamauchi, promise !) found her assisting Greg with his early morning ranch chores. I think we may have discovered a latent speed queen if we can go by the expression on her face when she got behind the wheel of the quad. With Bran's tail waving in her face, eyes wide, wearing a huge smile and with me as a passenger, Tomo took to the farm road ! A little fine tuning of accelerator and brake application may be required.....Bran the border collie had quite the ride!
Time to get this posted, hopefully the photos Greg is going to post fills in the missing moments of a very busy day. Take care, keep safe, M
Clearly Tomoko's first impression of the northwest was wet.....very wet as MJ (Fox 13 meteorologist) has enthusiastically forecast rain wind and yet more rain. Happily Tomoko doesn't appear to be concerned and yesterday tripped through the puddles and poop wearing a big smile, oh....and lots of warm clothes, it may be warmer than it was but it's NOT California ! One of yesterdays notable adventures for our new house guest was returning Mulder the black Dexter bull to his home farm. Mulder has been here at the ranch for 6 weeks "taking care of business" with Daisy May our rampant family cow. Sadly, Wayne the Man ( the AI guy) tried to work his magic 3 times but clearly when Daisy May bawls for a man on her three weekly cycle...a man was what she wanted and the test tube in Wayne's nitrogen tub didn't fit the bill. Fortunately, a quick visit to Craigslist found Farmer Bill who had a bull....but no longer needed his " bull assets" and Mulder is for sale. A resident bull ...even a lovely kind mellow bull is overkill for one hormonal cow but Farmer Bill was prepared to let us "borrow" his bits and Mr. Mulder came to stay for 6 weeks ( or two of Daisy's heart wrenching (and deafening) " needing NOW" moments. The good news ( understatement.....GREAT news) is that it would appear that Mulder's visit was successful. Daisy's moments came and went, the valley was silent, Daisy was calm and serene, the bull was bored and all was well in the cow barn. We THINK that a little black "mini me" will be born to Daisy in September....a test will confirm and I'll keep you all updated. If Mulder's visit was um....unproductive, the whole valley and possibly the whole county will know in just over two weeks !
Tomoko's first day....apart from assisting the passage of Mr. Mulder the bull ( Tomoko held the camera...well out of the way of trouble Mom and dad Yamauchi, promise !) found her assisting Greg with his early morning ranch chores. I think we may have discovered a latent speed queen if we can go by the expression on her face when she got behind the wheel of the quad. With Bran's tail waving in her face, eyes wide, wearing a huge smile and with me as a passenger, Tomo took to the farm road ! A little fine tuning of accelerator and brake application may be required.....Bran the border collie had quite the ride!
Time to get this posted, hopefully the photos Greg is going to post fills in the missing moments of a very busy day. Take care, keep safe, M
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