Well--------!!

2.40" of rain since yesterday afternoon! Praise God!! It's cold and windy and wet. We have water in the road ditches and lagoons and the yard and the roads-haven't heard any of Jennifers frog serenade yet-guess it's too cold. And for all practical purposes we are done calving heifers-what a day for that. One last night and 2 today. One heifer got together with the neighbors bull and will have a calf in another couple of months. She's on her own.
When I was checking cows on the ranch this noon there was 1.70" there and raining cats and dogs. couldn't get around very good and will plan to ride tomorrow to check better. We are about 70% done there. The promise of 80 degree days next week will really change things here in a hurry-might even see some corn planters running the end of the week.
Ann was tired of staying home and helping me so she subbed today at the high school. She has been very faithful making sure I don't over do the hand thing. She probably won't brag on this but she bought 2 bulls at a bull sale this spring when my hand was hurting so much I had to go set in the Trailblazer-good thing she did because when we tested bulls Wednesday one had an injury that will interfere with his favorite activity and another's semen evaluation was inadequate so the 2 she bought will cover us fine.
My responsiblity as an Elder at the church this year includes chairing the Outreach committee and we had a meeting last night and had really good discussion. We talked about opening a day care in our new addition as a service to single mom's and also talked about doing an adult day care maybe one day a week to free up a day for those caring for their loved ones at home. I was thrilled to have a really postive response to serving others with God's grace and compassion. we have tried and tried to connect with the Hispanic community without much response and talked about various ways we might to that. The day care would be one possibility and another might be having some activities at the city park during the summer-any ideas anyone?
Don't forget to pray for Dad on Monday during his surgery. Pray for safe travel for Jo as well and a quick and complete recovery for Dad. They have quite a schedule this summer but they can tell you about it. Thanks for listening. Bob

Second splint

We went to Hays yesterday for Bob to get the stitches taken out. I was surprised at exactly where the stitches were. I thought they would be farther down. Looking at the x-rays, Bob was surprised at how big the screw is. The doctor spent about two minutes with us. He said go to rehab and have another splint made, wear the splint all the time (take your arm out to exercise it a little and when showering) and come back in a month. Then he left. The nurse said "you will have to come back another time to have a splint made." It was after 4:30 by then and the person who makes them only works part time. We said, "We live almost two and a half hours away!" With some calling they got someone to make a splint to fit him. It is shorter than the previous one and he can get a stretchy cotton glove over it, but it is still a bother. The doctor does not want the area where the screw is moving.

There are some new calves each day. They are all cute. Most of the cows are pretty protective.

The church is getting carpet this week - don't know how long that will take. It is not all in at the business that is installing it. Kitchen countertops have been delayed some also, but great progress has been made. Shingling will be done the two warmer days this week but won't be finished. Everyone is looking forward to being able to use the additon.

Ann's Doings

While Bob has been busy with cattle, I have been spending some days working on the addition to our church. Most of what I have done is trim painting -next to doorways, in corners, along the ceiling. The ceiling is a different color in all rooms. For the majority of the rooms the ceiling paint was sprayed on. Yay! We were not happy with some of the color and repainted some walls. The two bathrooms in the manse are also being redone. Last Thursday I went to the manse and did the trim work in one of the bathrooms. I have been wanting to repaint one wall in our main floor guest bedroom but just haven't done anything about it. Well, there was extra paint from painting in the church - one of the colors was just what I had been thinking about; so on Friday I got that wall painted. Bob's wrist has been bothering him for a few weeks; so he has not been able to go help at the church instead our hired man has gone in several days and mostly helped with laying tile on the kitchen floor and an entryway and hallway.

I have also gone with Bob to Hays twice to see the doctor, and we have three more trips for doctor's app'ts. scheduled. I will make a quick visit to the dentist who did the root canal on my front tooth last fall on one of these trips. I have also gone over to Lane Co. with Bob a couple of times. Being a woman, I want to be sure he can still get the calves tagged without any help with a bum arm. He has been doing real well and needs very little help. What else have I been doing? Goofing off some. Reading and doing cross word puzzles and of course have some sewing projects I need to get done - I can think of seven I need to get done. Our women's Bible study at church is Beth Moore's on the Patriarchs. I have enjoyed going to it. Guess that is about all except for my Sunday School class or 3rd-5th graders.

Blizzard update

We know that many of you have been concerned for us with the blizzard forecast for last week during the heart of calving season. Actually we only had about 4-5" of snow and 30-40-mph winds with temps in the teens at night. The heavy snow was to our south and east and our hearts and prayers really go out to those cattlemen. Pratt and Coldwater areas had around 28"-that could really be devestating. Our mature cows are all on the ranch 60 miles east of home. We had put out lots of hay Thursday as I doubted we would be able to make it there on Friday so they did pretty well as they have good shelter along the creek. About 10 calves were born during the storm and we know of 2 deaths-while that is bad enough,during the night I tossed and turned imagining lots worse. Anyway we give God the credit for caring for the cattle.
Last Monday I had a broken bone in my right hand diagnosed by a surgeon in Hays. It actually ocurred March 2 when my slower reactions didn't get out of the way of a kick by a heifer that wouldn't let her calf suck. X-rays at Leoti didn't show the break but Monday the surgeon took one quick look and said "you have a broken bone and we need to put a screw in it or you can wear a cast for 12 weeks and we can see then if it has healed"-I opted for the screw and that was done on Wednesday morning. Now I am coping with a restrained right hand until the 7th-it's a hassel but with God's help and a loving and patient wife the time will pass(hope she reads this as I am short on brownie points)
Carpet is to come for the church this week. Lots of room that has been badly needed.
Pastor Bob has been preaching through Romans and today he spoke from Romans 12 1-9. I'd encourage each of you to look it up and read it -it's a great passage.
Thanks for you prayers t0 help us throgh the storm-if you want to see snow,check out Jennifer's blog the last 3 days.b

What's happening!!

The past week has been a week to remember as we've been on the go the whole time. Last Sunday we left for Grand Junction for Uncle Wes's services on Monday. We enjoyed Sunday evening with the G.J. cousins and families with remembrances and story telling. It's funny how memories grow clearer and more dear with age while 40-50 years ago we wouldn't have dreamed telling some of the things we did. The Monday afternoon service was very good and as a veteran I appreciated the Color Guard at the cemetary. Uncle Wes was a combat infrantryman who fought across Germany in WWII. He told stories of some pretty narrow calls and of having friends and comrades killed or wounded. I imagine he was a pretty tough guy. The remembrance of his mountain life brought back memories of visiting him up on Smith Fork, fishing on Lake Irwin with he and Aunt Mary, camping in Mule Park and fishing Dyke Creek, Cow Creek and the Overland. He visited us on Grand Mesa more than once and I remember a long jeep ride to his camp on the Burn only to find him gone. I really don't recall hunting or fishing with him in Kansas but I'm sure I got to some. We left right after the service Monday and stayed in Canon City Monday night. We had no trouble traveling and got home the middle of the afternoon.
Ann spent most of the rest of the week painting at the church and will be there most of this week. The finishing details always seem to take more time than we think.
Jennifer, Aubrey,Luke and Jackson returned Wenesday and we really had a good time. The boys and I spent all the time outside even though it was cold and then they left to watch cousins play in the state BB tournament.
Calves are coming along pretty well and we will get the cows to Lane County grass this week to calve them there. We are beginning to really need rain for the wheat and grass. With 80's forecast for this week-it will tell in a hurry.
Larry and Galena were here for a visit this week too and we got to celebrate Lois's birthday again Friday evening. She did pretty well this year as far as birthday party goes.

the latest of Bob's accidents

Most of you know by now that I had an accident with anhydrous ammonia Wednesday about noon. Anhydrous ammonia is a common form of nitrogen fertilizer that we have used for many years. It is contained in a tank under pressure at -28 degrees and forms a gas upon contact with air. It is a very hazardous product but the most economical way to apply nitrogen to the soil. Proper precautions include goggles and rubber gloves. Anyhow, I felt I needed to work on a flow meter which regulates the flow according to the tractor speed. It hadn't been working properly Tuesday. When I quit Tuesday I shut the valve on the tank off and turned the rig on to drain what was in the system or so I thought. Wedneday I checked the tank valve to be sure it was closed and proceeded to dismantle the flow meter. There was my mistake in that I should have disconnected the hose from the tank. As I begin to loosened bolts on the flow meter a slight hiss started and I really wasn't concerned as that could be expected but when I loosen the next bolt it blew an o' ring out and hit me in the left side of my face with liquid and vapor. One stream must have hit my mouth and the other my forehead. Immediately I jumped away of course trying to get my breath as it takes your breath and breathing is difficult. Those of you that have been exposed to CS or tear gas can relate only this is worse. My first thoughts were for my eyes as it is very destructive to eyes as it sucks the moisture out of them. I knew I had a jug of water in the tractor and I got it and begin washing my eyes and mouth and face. It was extremely difficult to talk and breath but I tried Ann on the cell phone and it didn't immediately ring and I knew I couldn't wait so I dialed 911 and reached the Scott City dispatcher and I had to struggle to tell her where I was and she then transfer me to Leoti and I had to tell her several times to get my location across. I hung up on her once so I could wash my mouth and throat again. Then I called Ann and said that I needed help and had called the ambulance and hung up. That of course greatly frightened her and she got to me before the ambulance and begin praying mightly. I wouldn't let her see my face as I thought it was horribly burned especially my mouth and lips and nose as they were numb and felt swollen. An EMT neighbor reached us then and encouraged me to continue with the water as that is the only treatment. The ambulance got me to Leoti and they made me strip and shower before they would work on me. The one nurse was decked out in her haz-mat suit. They flushed my eyes for 5 minutes (try that sometime) and started me on steriods to help reduce the swelling. My throat started to swell shut and then they gave me epinephrine twice and that seemed to help. Anyhow they put me in a room and sent me home about 5 pm.
Today (Friday) my forehead (which blistered right away) is red somewhat like a birthmark. I have evidence of burning all around my left eye and my cheek looks like old leather. I have gotten feeling back in my upper lip though it also feels like it is really chapped but carmex doesn't help. The doctor said my eyelashes were white on the ends. My biggest discomfort is a terrific sinus infection on the left side. It's like I have a really bad cold but I didn't have before.
That's my story and I greatly acknowledge that is only by God's grace that my vision was not damaged. He also guided me to the water and kept me from falling from the rig. We are extremely grateful to live in a rural community where we have very dedicated emergency volunteers that give of their time without expecting anything in return. Many friends have called and we know that prayers went out in a time of need. We thank you, our family, for your prayes and love. Bob

new leather

It finally came Friday afternoon. I think I was as anxious as Luke and his bow. I ordered this saddle back in July so it was almost as long as waiting on a baby. For several years I had been kind of looking and after much proding from Ann I made the move. It is incredibily comfortable and fits the horses well. It's a little heavier than I would have liked as that was one reason for the change. Have'nt gotten to spend much time on it yet -just a couple hours this morning. Getting to spend most of the day riding will really tell the tale of how comfortable it really is. Of course getting it broken in will take some time but I am glad to have it before calving starts as that is when I get to spend a considerable time horseback everyday and get to put some miles on.

We both have been busy with mostly just life things. Ann has actually been home most of the week and has'nt been called to substitute much and we are doing a little farming between cold spells. The feedlot is still full but we expect to start moving the custom cattle out soon. Our last years calves will start to be ready to sell in April and getting that done in the correct time as to garner carcass premiums is always a challenge. We have had some incredible days for January and early February - for example yesterday a front came roaring through around noon and we had 60 mph winds straight out of the west but the high was 75 degrees. We do need some moisture and some is promised this weekend. Our church addition is progressing rapidly and we plan to be in it by Easter. I expect Ann will spend several days painting and when the weather warms we will shingle. I agreed to serve as a ruling elder after only having 1 year off but we have a real shortage of men qualified and willing to serve.

You all have a great week and be careful out there!! Bob and Ann