Country Living

Not long ago, as I was driving to work dreading what the day may bring, I glanced to the pasture of red Angus cattle living the great country life and to my delight I witnessed a baby calf all wet from birth struggling to get to its feet with mama licking, nuzzling and helping. I smiled and was immediately lifted to a happier place. Each day as I drive by this pasture I look to see that little ray of sunshine. He is easy to spot as he is the only young one in a pasture full of adults. Each time I see him I smile and count my blessings for great country living!

I was not far from home on my way to work this morning when I saw what at first appeared to be a large dog cross the road. He did not seem to be in a hurry but did jump as he reached the shoulder of the road and crossed a small ditch. Right behind him came another, and I realized that it was not a dog but two fawns. They didn’t stop and let me get acquainted; so I don’t know if they are siblings, cousins or friends but country living once again lifted my spirits. I will now watch closely as I drive that stretch of road and hope to see them again. And once again, I am grateful to be living in the country.

Tonight on my way home some straw came bounding from the sky in front of my car. I looked up to see a large bird flying from the utility pole where another was perched and the entire top of the pole and out along the cross pole was straw. This is August, a little late for building a nest thought I, but when you live in the country anything is possible. I am anxious to see what the days ahead might bring. Once again I am awed and grateful for the joy of Country Living!

Country

Everyone of my generation is familiar with the phrase “a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll”. I must admit, I really enjoy soft rock but I really like country. Country living, country cooking, country music, the country…..lets just face it I am a country girl. I would love to live out in the middle of at least a 100 acres. Not another house in site for as far as you could see. If someone decided to visit you could see them coming up the road for at least 20 minutes before they got there. Time to change your clothes, comb your hair and be prepared for a good country welcome!

I live in the city but directly behind my home is an open field and on occasion in the early morning or late evening I can see deer feeding. It always bothers me when I don’t see them for a day or so thinking that something has happened to them. In all reality, they have probably tried the city life and decided to go back to the country. I hope so!

This reminiscing has reminded me of a visit I had with my Uncle a few years back. He was living on a ranch in a little country community named Echo, Oregon that was truly out in the country. The country sunrises and country sunsets; they couldn’t be beat. The clear country air where you can breath deep and enjoy the freshness of it.

As my grandmother would have said, “everybody to his own notion said the old lady as she kissed the cow.” But as for me, I’ll take the country!

western

Western

This is the day when you can really let your fingers do the walking. You can find anything and everything on the internet. For instance, I started looking for some western items. After sifting thru pages and pages and getting very confused. You know the shopping routine. Oh, that looks nice, but maybe so and so has it for a better price. So, I decided to get more general.

I started searching for just ‘western’, and found a landmine. I found: western décor for the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen, western jeans for men, woman and children, western shirts, western hats, western boots, western work clothing, western music, western books (got sidetracked discovering an outlet for Louis L’Amour books), western tack for horse and rider, and of course since this is fair season there was all kinds of western show tack. That’s just for a start folks.

Hours later, I’m still excited by my ‘western’ search. Wow! I just discovered that copy and paste will work. Now I can mix and match and see what will go with what. What to wear on that western hunting or fishing trip. Do I get out the sleeping bag and tent, pack the camper, or check where there’s a rodeo and what’s available in a western motel?

Gotta go! Catch ya’ later!

Musical Gifts

Musical Gifts

I started this ‘blog’ experience wanting to combine my two favorite passions; horses and music. I had what I thought was a splendid idea. I would call my blog “Musical Gifts for the Horse Lover”.

I started searching the internet for musical gifts that had a strong western flavor. Wind chimes of prancing horses, a music box that played Red River Valley or Home on the Range or how about a pair of spurs that played Jingle, Jangle, Jingle as you strolled merrily along? Musical gifts with a western flavor just wasn’t to be! The Lone Ranger did it with the William Tell Overture, why couldn’t I make it work?

Perhaps I need to broaden my horizons. How about a guitar, a bass or an electric steel? Guitar Crazy in Portland, Oregon has a nice choice of Fender, Les Paul and Gibson guitars that would make special musical gifts. They even advertise Waylon Jennings as a customer. It can’t be said that I’m not trying!

How about a harmonica? That would be a good musical gift. One can find a harmonica for every talent, age group or price range.

And then of course, there are bells. I have had a bell collection over the years. Cow bells, turkey bells, sleigh bells, silver, bronze, some in shapes, crystal; some with historic landmarks painted on them, various clappers.

Somehow it just doesn’t seem to click; so here I sit at my computer, no horse in sight and my clock has bird calls! A special Musical Gift!

Western Lodge

How can you take a country girl away from her Western Lodge and plant her in a manufactured home community? Jeff Foxworthy would have fun with that one! A western lodge on wheels!

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Let me tell you about some of the neat decorations that I have found to corral my desires and make me feel more at home. Did you know they have log cabin look alikes on wheels? Unfortunately I don’t have one; my Western Lodge is everyday plain and ready to be molded. My dream 100 acres of rolling pastures with a stream running thru it, where the deer and antelope play with the Western Lodge hunkered in among a stand of fir trees, cool in the summer and cozy in the winter is much less maintenance.

I have started with the guest bedroom. On the door is a wall hanging of horses sticking there heads out of barn doors. There is a rustic shelf with pegs for hanging a hat or coat. Wooden book shelves filled with Louis L’Armour and a few Dayton O. Hyde. I will have to elaborate at some future time as to my fascination with these two authors. For today let’s just say: there is nothing better than to snuggle up in front of the fireplace (and by the way, I do have one!) and read a good book. Oh yes, back to my Western Lodge, over the bed hangs a F.W. Thomas, Campers Moon painting; in one corner is a statue of a cowboy. The walls have family portraits of equine competition from other days and times. I found a beautiful cowhide valance from H-M Valley Ranch Store; I’ll share all of the details when it arrives. I am looking for wooden boxes to convert to bed-side tables, if anyone out there knows a source to help complete my “Western Lodge”; I would love to hear from you.