Saturday, July 14, 2012

Consideration

Good Afternoon

Thinkin' to take a vacation; spend some time with my loved ones, ponies, catch up on fences. Proof for the books on the way, should have it Monday; five years since I started in on it. Might be a good time, take a step back, shake off the "virtual world", spend some time on planet Earth.

Keep you appraised a developments.

Best,
jeune

Friday, July 13, 2012

Funny, the Thirteenth

Good Evenin'

Well, funny day, every which way; never did really clear up, 'cept brief there this mornin'. Mostly cloudy, with dark clouds and storms all about; lots a wind, but no rain, right here.

Then, I got caught up tryin' ta track down the proof for the book, supposed to be on the way and as you've likely figured out, I have worked with some curious people and horses, but half an hour talkin' to a fancy computer at Fedex, kept askin' me what I wanted, sayin' "routes" and gettin' "rates", for it "transfered" me and dumped the call, well, it can be cause for a full range of re-consideration. Then my phone/computer died, dead, cold. So, I spent the last few hours a daylight, over to the neighbors, talkin' about phones and coverin' my bases, folks that got used to hearin' from me, with the blog and all. Come home with an old phone my neighbor don't use, got it all switched around, went to put my phone away, and all the lights come on! Switched it all back; everything works. Haven't got a clue! Can you mail in a blog?

Anyway, never did make it out ta see the bunch, but I did call the neighbor this mornin', let him know I did find some tracks just 'fore dark, after spendin' three four hours, checkin' fence and lookin' for sign a his cows; "oh, ya", he says, "I shoulda called ya; found my cows right outback, ain't that funny?". Didn't say a word, nope not one; don't mean ta be mean, but sometimes ya just seen enough, not expect too much. Ya look for the good, let the rest be; no sense gettin' in a dither. Good money after bad, as they say. He does mean well.

So, back on line, tomorrow's another day and god willin', I'll greet it with a renewed commitment, spend more time with horses and less time with the stuff I'll never figure. More time with my heart and less with all the things I'll never, ever figure; and never wanted anyway.

Have a nice night!

Best,

jeune

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Back in the Saddle

Good Evenin'

Well, a long day! Pretty fair, mostly, then a big old thunder storm late, though it didn't come with a lot of water. One lightnin' strike come so close, I could here the air sizzle, just before the horrendous bang; just happened to be in the log house makin' a cup a coffee. I figured sure, it'd hit the tree out front, but no casualties.

Went and checked fence late, and boy, was it good ta get out. The neighbor south'uz worried about a pair he was missin' and it's way more peaceful lookin' myself, than him runnin' around, me mindin' gates. I was thinkin' how I might could tell him, that I like him fine, but he does have a way of doin' hairbrain stuff, which is fine, on his place, but I try and steer clear a such over here.

I remember one day he had a wild bull on his piece and he drove around all day, honkin' his horn, tryin' ta get the bull out the gate. For some folks that might be enough said, but in case you're unaccustomed to the fine points, wild bulls are generally, best left alone or to a fella with some experience, preferably, horse back. How would you know it's a wild bull? Well, if he ain't got a brand and his eyes are kinda rollin' around in his head, odds are someone figured the amount of equipment he was like ta smash up'd outweigh any economic benefit he might generate and wasn't worth brandin'.

Anyway, believe it or not, he did get the bull out the gate; but he wasn't satisfied. He preceded to follow the bull up the road, still honkin' his horn. Well, 'bout the time he got outside our gate, this bull was startin' ta feel a little persecuted and wonderin' if there were any place on earth he might go. I'd come out on the porch, just in time ta see the bull, decidin' our place looked kinda peaceful and in he come, takin' out about about 20 yards a fence.
The neighbor shrugged, waved and drove off. I won't even try ta summarize my sentiments.

I went to the barn get a flake a hay, see if Bully might calm down, but he was so bothered at this point, soon as he saw me, he bolted south, takin' out another 50 yards a fence. My only consolation, he was now back on the neighbors.

So, I really do try to get along, and help when I can, though, as I mentioned, some small part of my incentive is to keep him happily over on his piece. Hence, him missin' a pair, a momma and a baby, well, it could just be, that whatever time I spend lookin', might be far less than whatever time I spent cleanin' up from another a his hair brained ideas. And, I hope I don't sound judgemental, but that's the fact and, while, I could go on and on, I'll leave it there, as the list of our encounters may vary in detail, but not much in substance.

And, it was good ta get out. Just noticin' today, all the doin's, the partners, the book, the bend, well, it's kinda all done, for now, but it sure has had me wound up. So, gettin' out, checkin' fence, lookin' for tracks, Whichy, my pup, taggin' along, walkin' in the gentle rain, come on after sunset, it did kinda remind me, again, this is the "why"; all the rest, in a sense, was/is just to be here. Simple and satisfied.

So, man~ana, I'll gather the bunch; ya, I did find tracks. Little hard ta figure, with all the rain, but I think that pair mighta crossed us and headed north to the BLM; the public land. So, me and the ponies'll get a toot and that's worth a million bucks; everybody, always has a good time, lookin' for cows.

Have a nice night!

Best,
jeune

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Mentors

Good Afternoon

Well, better make that evenin'; I thought I was caught up on the day, and then I remembered, I'd completely forgot the neighbor's critters. So, here it is dark and I'm just gettin' around to the log. But, not bad timin', as it just commenced ta rain, again.

Quite an amazin' day, all in all, though I didn't get too much done. Had ta check up on a few friends and that, all by itself, turned into quite an episode; maybe kinda related to the "how things change" tangent I got on to yesterday. There's an old, younger'n me, but older still, cowboy/horseman/friend a mine up in Utah and come ta find out, Carolyn Hunt, my mentor, Ray's wife, had asked him to be a mentor for a young horsewoman, in association with the "legacy of legends" program, carryin' on the work of Tom and Ray. And, boy, that sure touched me; one, how time flies, and two, how wonderful, that this young woman would get ta spend time with Jim, a world class horseman and a peach of a human bein'. Just don't know if I could ever express, how happy that makes me, knowin' what horses have meant to me, what it meant ta meet Ray and learn about Tom, what it meant to me, time I got to spend with Jim, years back and how it all worked to change my life; all becomin' the most wonderful bridge, 'tween the world of the heart and what I've been able to live out, day to day, just learnin' what it means to be human.

So, just hearin' that some a that is gettin' passed on to the next generation, well, it's just plain, huge. Special maybe, 'cause Jim was never one ta huff and puff, when it come to his abilities and understandin', but, believe you me, I can't think a too many, really got Tom and Ray like Jim. And, for Carolyn, spent most a her life 'side Ray, pick Jim out, well, that's just double sweet and large, large, large!

So, I suppose, I'm just walkin' on rainbows, but knowin' this stuff'll get passed on, it just lights me up deep, deep inside my soul. Tom and Ray, they were real people and they found their lives in the horse; it meant everything to them and, seems to me, they never got confused about their debt and gratitude and spent their lives, given it back, that horses might get a better deal, and others like them might find their way, with the help of a horse.

It's just a happy deal!

Have a nice night.

Best,

Waddie Mitchell and Jim Hicks at the Heber City Cowboy Poetry Gatherin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&hl=en&client=mv-google&rl=yes&v=VUnTiR5pSxc

jeune

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Good Enough?

Good Afternoon

Well, another gully washer last night on toward evenin'; bright and sunny, early, sky full a big handsome cloud ships, now, early afternoon. See, if we're gonna dry up or keep on with our rainy evenings.

Otherwise, I'd have ta say, life is fascinatin'. So much goin' on; it's summer, which all by itself is just a world a stuff, here on the ranch. Grass is growin', tanks are fillin', fences are fallin', callin' for mendin', hooves are growin', horses need wormin', hay deals are struck, wells and water line need attention and just a few months 'fore we're headin for winter. But, special, late, the book off to the printer, the partners come for their yearly vacation, the land question all tied up and recorded, just seems more clear than ever, not to be runnin' around.

So easy, have my ideas of what's goin' on, where I'm goin', why I did whatever I did and how it's all addin' up, but, late, it seems, I'm more aware than ever, that everything always changin' and I'm just one little part of the whole thing and I really need to, want to, can, enjoy it all, a lot, if I don't get too carried away with my part and where I "think" it's all goin'. Which ain't ta say, I don't need ta fix the fences, but special out here, maybe, ya really got a listen to the "all of it" and adjust, 'cause it is all changin'; whatever I "thought", got me this far, fine, but I better be willin' ta change with the changes, or sooner than later, I'm bound ta drive off the road. Kinda like the county movin' a road and you tryin' ta drive it like it used ta be; there will be a problem.

And, yes, I'm sorry, but I am inclined to ponder and consider the whole things a very grand friendship, love affair, if you will, and maybe that's the wonderful point; we make effort toward things we suppose'll be good, but maybe there's somethin', someone, workin' alongside, knows what'd be great! And, it might not be exactly what we thought.

So, ya, I'm inclined ta believe our whole lives are a fantastic conversation, with an immense and wonderful intelligence, that's somehow part and parcel with all that surrounds us; maybe easier ta see out here, where there aren't quite so many folks, convince me otherwise. But, easy or not, it's good ta remember and leave a little room, everyday, if I can, just a little room to adjust; it might make a great difference!

Have a nice evenin'.

Best,

jeune

Monday, July 9, 2012

Why

Good Afternoon

And, another beautiful day, middle a nowhere, northern New Mexico. Started off kinda over cast, early, then burned off inta big glorius, puff ball clouds, sailin' about! Then, afternoon, sure enough, it started darkenin' up to the west and northwest and now, it's rainin' again.

Did get that load a wire hauled off and checked the ponds; happy to say, "we got water!". And, walkin' around in the woods some, what a treat; even with it dark, dark off to the west, mid day, it was quite hot and sunny. And, with the storms commencin' all about, the air was like water currents; ribbons of warm moist air, intertwined with others of cool, fresh, some carryin' the aroma of sage, some pin~on. Others, still of rabbit brush and juniper. And color full, color full, everywhere; the cliffs to the northeast, glowin' gold, under steely grey skies, the landscape, like a map, continents of deep green forests, seas of sage and grass, with lemon yellow cactus flowers, here and there, sun bathin'.

Kinda nice, ta remember, this is why I do what I do; the book, which by the way, we finally got all turned in and paid for, writin', tryin' ta organize this horse rescue, just ta be here, checkin' water, walkin' in the woods, lookin' for ponies and hopin', sooner or later, the kids'll come and they can enjoy themselves like I do; lose their worry, find themselves, in the vast goodness of the earth and all her wonderful charms.

Have a nice evenin'!

Best,

jeune

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Seein' What I Mean

Good Mornin'

Sure woke up early this mornin'; I think it might be the moisture in the air. I ate pretty good last night, good as usual, of late, but I have heard somethin' about the difference 'tween hot dry air and cool damp air and the way it affects our whole mechanism. Either way, I was ready for fuel. And, I got to have a nice cup a tea, with milk and sugar; I'd run out a few days back and made do with black coffee, but I sure appreciate a nice cup a tea in the mornin'.

Anyway, heck of a storm last night and it didn't even bother clearin' up; plumb overcast this mornin', already to rain again, way it looks. But, silver linin', a good excuse put a fire in the stove, dry things out a bit; poor old Stinky, his beddin's plumb soaked. Might have to work on my landscapin' some; looked like we had a small river runnin' through the tent, when the sky opened up, there yesterday.

Time I got to bed last night, I sure was aware, it'd be a good night, invite the wisdom; I love those nights. While that awareness is always there in the background, nights when it's really clear, I know it'll respond in kind. And, though I can't remember any dreams that spoke to my questions, direct, I sure woke up rememberin' parts of my life, and how they fit together.

Maybe, in particular, the gift of the horse. And that kinda runs parallel to the part about invitin' the wisdom. Thing is, when I come up here, I really had nothin' 'cept, my Tubby horse, an old saddle, a very old truck that I'd bought for $100 and faith in my mentors. I found an old abandon homestead, no doors, no windows, mud 'tween the logs all falled out, the remains of a split cedar roof, tracked down the fella that owned the place and traded "rent" for mindin' his cows. Anyway, I started takin' on young horses and believe me, I got some "deusies"; first one come in from a ranch some south, first time in the round pen, just a casual "howdy do", a little ground work, he smashed through the pen and took off across the flat like an honest ta God, rocket. Might add a little question mark after that "faith in my mentors" part. But that's the way it started and I knew that's exactly what I wanted; nothin' else had ever really worked for me, 'cept what I knew about horses, growin' up around 'em like I did. So, maybe it was a little bigger than faith in my mentors; maybe, from when I was little, I knew there was somethin' about a horse I could trust. And, maybe it was even a little bigger than that, 'cause I'd learned, from old Ray, it was all about seein' and I knew, if it all comes down to seein', there's nobody sees like Creator.

So, maybe you can see the parallel; when ya really need help and it ain't just casual, but you've really give it all ya have and there's no doubt about it, "I can not do this alone", it really creates a space inside yourself, seems ta me, Creator just can't resist. Same way when life presents these "situations" and I've tried and tried, see it as fair and kind as I can, same way when it's time ta help a horse get passed the deal with humans and I really wanta see, where he/she's uncomfortable, 'cause I really wanta help; Creator, the kindness, whatever ya wanta call it, it comes with the gift of sight. And, I just don't know if there anything more miraculous. No one else, might notice a thing; might not be able to show or explain it to anybody, but you know, 'cause it's all you have and it means everything.

Me and that horse, Badger was his name, we did work it out; when I finally got him gathered up, middle a nowhere, no fences for miles, just me and a halter, on foot, we had a talk about our options, our past, the future, the fact I was a little scared and we started from scratch. We tried some a this and we tried some a that, me watchin' for clues and I doctored his leg, that'd he'd tore up when he smashed down the corral. Point came when I saw, big and strong as he was, he was just scared, 'cause nobody had ever explained anything, so he learned to scare, and it bought him some space. Can't remember what it was, exact, but one day he just started addin' things up and he got so tickled, he could add, he just fell in love with the whole deal, and I fell in love with him. Time I climbed on, we were so in love, nothin' mattered; come what may, we were gonna make it. And I suppose, for both of us, certain for me, that sealed the deal; this lovin' and learnin', carin', puttin' yourself in loves way, where needin' to see means everything, I had found my way and there weren't no goin' back.

Have a nice night!

Best,
jeune

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Here's Lookin' at You!

Good Evenin'

Well, quite a day; made a run to the tradin' post, a smidge a gas and groceries. And, it was good to get out. Everything all washed up and color everywhere; the rains removin' the hot dry dust and leavin' everything brand new, includin' the million year old mesas and rocks. Silky blue sky adorned with satin clouds of the most pristine whites and greys, floatin' about, everywhere. The sand turned gold, the cliffs full of rich reds and every shade a green you could ever think, all highlit with black trunks, branches and roots, saturated from the rain. It was definite, a million dollar ride; even the old ranch truck, that long since gave up it's mufflers, seemed to purr along the lonely tar strip, windin' through the high desert flat, sage and pin~on, it too, somehow, in awe of the day.

Got home just in time, throw a flake for the boys, open the gate to their run, unload the groceries, head for the tent and a cup a coffee, for it commenced again; thunder, a few drops, a few minutes and down it come.

So, nothin' ta do but hole up, catch a wee nap and an extry dose a nice quiet, heart time, restin' with the rhythm a the rain.
Pretty simple day, I suppose; time it quit, just enough daylight, feed for the neighbor and swing by the dirt tank, just north a my camp, see if it caught some rain. Sure, enough, a good six inches, maybe thirty feet around, noisy a course; a choir a frogs, ta light up the night, a hundred tiny eyes starin' back from middle, the pond.

Beans and beddin'.

Have a nice night!

Best,

jeune

Friday, July 6, 2012

Poised to Pause

Good Evenin'

Well, another beautiful day, topped off with another fair thunderstorm. Always makes me laugh, hear the frogs; just somethin' funny about them wakin' up with the rain. And, a course, it ain't just the rain and apparently not just the thunder, both of which, we've already had. And, it might not be the thunder at all, maybe it's just when there's been enough rain to start soakin' into their dens, but, we did have some righteous, deep, long, low thunder last night, and sure enough, here come the frogs, singin' their summer song. We think we're clever, come up with an alarm clock, hooked up to a coffee pot; nature got the alarm clock hooked up to a shower, millions of years ago!

Been thrown off my game, quite some, late, so much goin' on; partners, and holidays, the book, the blog and the bend. Seems whenever I talk to my friends, I'm always remindin' myself, "attitude, is job number one!". Talkin' to my friend Chris this mornin' and he was remindin' me, all the poets, philosopher's and thinkers, came to the conclusion, "we can do nothing". Then, I was suggestin' it could be turned around; 'stead of some somber conclusion, it could be a joyful proclamation, "I can do nothing!". Though, I must confess, I'm just learnin'; I haven't got really good at it. But, it sure has been apparent, recent; so much happens, events, people, opinions and comments, weather, and there's a tendancy to react, or suppose I should. But, more and more, seems to me, at least half of it, bears waitin'; doin' nothin', 'cept maybe mindin' my attitude.

Read a quote from someone recent, said somethin' like 90% of all the things we worry about, will never happen. Often times, late, somethin' will come up and I can tell, right off the bat, "it ain't a good time, address a situation like that, with an attitude like mine". So, ya wait and sure enough, either my attitude improves and I can see things more brightly, and/or the situation changes all by itself and there's nothin' to do anyway. It is fantastic!

Got reminded again today, that beautiful request, "God grant me the serenity, accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference". But what do you call the gift of the moment, where ya stop and consider, on occasion, whether, in fact, there was any "thing" there to begin with; sometimes it's just thunder and lightnin'. It never actually rains.

Time the storm passed last night, it was late and dark. It'd been a while since the boys had a flake, and I heard 'em callin' from the corral. So, I put on my gum boots and headed on down. Ruben was in close and I threw one for him, but Wheely, Julio, seems, he'd gone around the other side where the light from the barn didn't reach. I walked over but couldn't see a thing, so I climbed over the rail and jumped in. I landed right under Wheely's nose and both of us jumped ten feet. So, ya see, similar, sometimes, ya think there's somethin' and it turns out ta be nothin'; sometimes ya think there's nothin' and it turns out ta be a horse!

Anyway, for I get too far out there, I'll just add the words of the fox, from St. Exupery's "Little Prince":

"One sees clearly, only with the heart, anything essential, invisible to the eye."

Boy, that gives me "pause"; everytime I hear it!

Have a nice night!

Best,

jeune

Thursday, July 5, 2012

The Spot

Good Evenin'

Well, we're headin' into fall; temperatures dropped off ten degrees from the daily high, the days are gettin' shorter and the first load a hay should be here in a week'r ten days. Ya, it's different out here.

Anyway, got a few glitches ironed out with the book; cross our fingers, see if they stay ironed. Hope to place the order this weekend and got it all lined out with the bank.

Got another shower here, this evenin', a "deusy" and the pastures are startin' ta green. Hopeful, here, next few days, I can catch up with the bunch and spend some time with the boys. Occurred to me today, somethin' come from a famous old horseman, Nuno Oliveri. Someone asked him why he spent his life workin' with horses. He replied, "it's the only way I know, express my love for God.". I been thinkin' about it all afternoon, like a puzzle, when all kinda pieces fit together at once.

Some folks wonder how come I'm so into to horses, figurin' maybe it's just some emotional thing. But, it occurred to me, this afternoon, "no, it's 'cause for me, the teaching lives there; the lovin' and the learnin', manifests itself.". And, for me to deny that, or walk away, that'd be like walkin' away from myself, turnin' my back on the Creator; everybody else might approve and say, "ah, he finally grew up!", but, for me, it'd be a personal tragedy of complete proportion.

This is where I started to consider all kinda pieces fittin' together; all those folks talked about "followin' your bliss" and "doin' what you love". Maybe, even, "seek ye first the kingdom of heaven". Just a fantastic question, seems ta me, so personal; nobody else'd ever have a clue. It might look to everyone else like you were doin' "just right" , but if, inside, you was cheatin' yourself, not really ownin' up to your passion, your own life, only you would know.

So, it occurred to me, "ya know, if I don't explain, what I'm doin' here, it's nobody's fault but my own, if folks don't understand.". It's kinda the same thing, only full circle; not only honest with myself, but honest, too, with my neighbors. And, not just "passive" honest, but outspoken; "this is good, this is great, I love workin' with these wonderful creatures; I find heaven, genius, life, my creator, right here, in the pen with the boys, or pasture with the bunch and I sure, hope you find yours. 'Cause whatever and however that works, for you, when you find it, like a "sweet spot", where it's effortless and magical, it's simply, the best!

I'm convinced, the key to our own unique "spot" was placed with love, in our very own heart; for each one of us, unique as a finger print. And, we might need some help, sortin' it out, but I'm also convinced, if you want to know, there is help!

Have a nice evenin'!

Best,

jeune

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Forth of July

Good Evenin'

Well, quite a day! Started out hot and humid, a course; couple a pretty fair thundershowers passed over late yesterday, on toward evenin'. Checked in with my old chum, over Tennessee, talked over progess and glitches on the book, wished him a happy forth and set about cleanin' up for the local picnic, up at Pine Grove. Got out the horse clippers, cleaned them up with some turpentine and a toothbrush, run 'em over my beard and around the mustache, filled up the tub and give a fair scrub. No clean jeans, but I did have some fresh undercloths and a clean shirt; fresh might be closer to truth, as it was recently washed but few'd consider it "clean". Greased up my boots and finished just as the owners come by, give me a lift; this bein' their first endeavor, make the event.

It's always nice, see everyone; the young folks don't come much and now, even the old guard's thinnin' out some, but 30 or 40 we were, most all the old settler families, represented. Visited with old Frank, askin' questions about the place over here, where I've been camped, since I come up, '02, I think it was. Most a his kin, aunts, uncles, gramma and folks, homestead all over this piece and the neighbors, back in 1917. I was wonderin' if he might remember an old well, I come across outback.

Anyway, we had a nice time tradin' stories and talkin' about his uncle, first came, 1915; just possible he'd had a disagreement with the authorities, back in Texas. But he filed and passed muster, on a piece over here, then, fall a '16, went back and gathered up his kin, some horses, 75 head of cows, loaded up a wagon and arrived back, forth of July, 1917; that'd be 95 years ago, today.

Well, 'bout that time, it started to cloud up and thunder, that's today, now, so we shook hands and set about findin' our rides; I reckin' 'bout everyone headin' home for a nap; sleep off the meal and the always, too sweet, red, white and blue deserts.

The owners here, seemed real pleased and glad they'd come and dropped me back off at the barn, probably three or four o'clock, with a fresh pot a beans they'd taken that somehow survived the feast. I threw a flake for the boys and yup, I took a nap.

Nice day; hope yours was too!

Best,
poss

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Let it Rain

Good Evenin'

Well, hot and humid this mornin', but, thank heaven, another good thunderstorm, here this evenin'; still and all, nothin' ta fill up the ponds, but a darn good rain, water the grass and turn'er back on.

Still kinda "on the mend" from the big push, "make pretty" for the owners, but makin' progress there, too. Seems like everything kinda come to a head, all the same time; finally got the files off to the printer, the owners arrived, we closed the deal on The Bend and it started to rain. Last few days, I have been stumblin' around, a little, but, little by little findin' some quiet time and small jobs, get me back to earth; finally got my engine started, late yesterday, ended up workin' into the moonlight, tryin' ta patch up the boys corral, but it, sure felt good, fresh air after the rain and workin' with my hands, 'steada cell phones, emails and "deals".

Been thinkin' some about the difference, folks live in town and have jobs, compared to life out here; least what I made of it. Rememberin' how hard I tried to fit in; musta tried every kinda job ya can think of. Truck drivin', I suppose, close as I come to makin' a livin', but even there, I only made it five years, for I had a heart episode. When I finally give up and went back to horses, what I'd grown up around, I sure come out here, bound and determined, I'd never go back.

Maybe it's just my temprament, but "jobs" and city life was just too fractured and chaotic for me; turnin' yourself off and trudgin' along, waitin' for the weekend, when ya might can live a little, only ta find, time the weekend comes, your whole definition of livin' got turned around, for what all ya went through durin' the week. Seems there come a point where I had ta find a whole life. It wasn't the "work", though 90% of it seemed, somehow dishonest, in many ways, and I likely work four or five times harder out here, for pennies on a dollar I'd make in town. But, it is a "whole" life; me, the animals, the earth, we each play a part, we genuinely appreciate and watch out for each other and sun up to dark and into the night, it all fits together; it all matters. There is no weekend and I better be "on", if I have a clue, 'cause anything like "back up" is miles and hours away. The beauty, any sense of random or arbitrary, is a distant recollection.

I was thinkin' today, "how different; on one hand ya could say I'm fully extended, some might say, over extended, but there is somethin' wonderful about carin' and havin' a chance, give it all you have, everyday and seein' so much come back, in the harmony, of the earth, the animals and my own heart.". It's a whole life and I'm a lucky duck; all there is to it!

Have a nice night!

Best,

Jeune

P.S. Thanks, again to Brandon Johnson for his camera work!

Monday, July 2, 2012

Heat, Air and Water

Good Mornin'

Well, gettin' around slow this mornin'. And, it is hot, with a tad of humidity, for the showers yesterday, even if, only a few drops landed here local; first light, we already had some high clouds.

I reckin' I still have some clean up to do, though I did pass muster with the owners, but close as we come to a real thorough deal, I'm not like ta leave it half done, even if I proceed, with a little less urgency. Tentative as my focus can be, come prayer/quiet time, I am feelin' the shift in priority, last few days and, likely, it's compounded by a little fatigue, pushin' on through the heat, as I have, this past week.

So, I'm really lookin' forward, get back with it; ya really do get addicted to the perspective and inspiration that only, love, seems to bring to life, or is it, only life brings to love. Either way, it always comes back to "the walk" and "the close". Listenin' the voice a my heart teacher, last night, late, as I got in and one line struck me, "how can I tell you, that all these thoughts we have
WILL change; and unless we connect with that part of ourself that does not change, we WILL be adrift!". Really struck me, "ya, like an anchor, like a root, unless we are grounded, that rich, steady feelin' of life, livin' with purpose and real understandin', it slips away, and everything grows pale.".

No regrets, sametime; whatever effort I made here, I believe it made a difference and the owners knew it. There, too, hard to put a price on that; ya go the extra mile, do a good job and folks do stop, consider the "why". And, I suppose, that leaves a mark; the best kind. Sides, maybe I missed a little bit a quiet time, but, just maybe, I'll appreciate it even more than ever; pay attention like never before. That wonderful possibility is always, right there, just waitin' to be known.

Have a nice afternoon!

Best,

jeune

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Haulin' Water

Good Afternoon

Well, it did start off hot and sunny, but since about noon, we've had clouds and squalls, there and about; a sprinkle here and there.

And, the partners showed up, just about the time I had things fairly well shaped up; more to do, but the lion shares done and it don't look too bad. Every spring we go through the same drill, but this year I think, we really made a difference; gettin' down to old wire and wood, steel and trash, like ta be here, since the first homesteaders.

I reckin' I'll keeper short, today;just waitin' for the water tank ta fill, haul a load for the bunch. Haven't seen 'em since our romp yesterday and I did start to wonder if parta their showin' up mighta been a bear, takin' a bath in the stock tank; hot and dry as it's been, sure are signs a critters jumpin' in for a soak and if there was a bear, that smell'll sure put a damper on a horses like ta drink.

Anyway, we'll haul one out and skim the tank, see if we can't fresh'er up.

Have a nice evenin'!

Best,

jeune