Spent time...

 

the Ceanothus is blooming

I have been busy doing the berserker chain saw attack to the over planted landscape around the house. Took out four large pepper trees that were blocking the light and growing into the redwoods. Lots more to do in shaping some of the big shrubs, and I need to get the alfalfa pellets put around the roses before the next storm comes in.

Went down to Marymine's to help her with a project, and to watch my granddaughter, Lauren, play HS basketball. Her team beat their rivals big time. Lauren also plays traveling volleyball.

Lauren #21

 I have been reminded what bleacher butt feels like...

Saw grandson Colt as well, and got lots of hugs, YeeHaw! He is busy between diesel school and working on the family farms. 
Pic of the boys last hunt'n trip. Not going hungry around there.

Picked up my Walther yesterday!  I hope to get it out to the range, sooner than later.  Dad has decided that I made a  wise purchase, and said that he will fund all the ammo if I let him shoot it,

And haul him around to visit all his ol (lady) friends,

which means this could be my guardian angel...

More bang...

Mt Shasta on the way to the range

The weather has been mighty fine, yes we need more rain for the cow feed. I'm all hat no cattle now, but will forever be calculating feed conversion ratios. That aside it has been spectacular weather. Just being outside and enjoying the beauty of this place is Awesome.

 

Mt Lassen on the way to the range

T is back from his travels with his lady, and in prepping for his week at Front Sight he asked if I wanted to go to the range with him.  Yes Siree! Range bag and I will be waiting at the curb.  

First day I shot like crap, would have been more productive in some ways to nail a cow pie to the stand and throw rocks at it. 

 

cow pies at the range

Thankfully T is the most patient of one on one instructors. I know how lucky I am to have him willing to spend the time with me. Plus he has me shoot whatever in his arsenal he is working with, giving me a much broader experience than I could ever afford otherwise.

Rifles, and shotguns and I get along well. Ring that gong! The pistols are another story. Still love the little Sig, but it's pricey to shoot. Sooo, when I went to my friendly Local gunny store for more ammo, I got a Walther P22.  It was a studied purchase and I'm anxious to get it to the range. 

#8 WATCH FOR CATTLE

Second day on the range was a little bit better, T changed up my drills and I tightened up the pattern.  But the little Sig sure didn't like the ammo I had switched to, another lesson learned. 

As soon as T is back from Front Sight and I can pickup the Walther, we will go again. In the mean time there is lots to practice and learn.

 

Bookn it...

My first time at the book club's regular gathering went fairly well.  I only had two glasses of wine with some sort of brie concoction in between them, so this time I made no mention of hot romance novels. We each gave a synopsis of the book for this month.  Thankfully, I was next to last, and by that time I had gathered my wandering thoughts enough to sound "somewhat sane" (somewhat). The others had more wine then I, so didn't appear to notice my ineptitude.

They seem like an interesting group.  They are nine bright articulate women. I know, I know I thought the same thing... What the heck is Brig doing in this group? 

Interspersed with and following the book reviews we got onto the topic of local politics.  A very lively and informative discussion followed. Most of us agreed that we can do little to nothing at the state or national level, but locally we can make a difference.  If we don't try then we will never succeed. Some very solid solutions to local issues were put forth, and I'm interested in seeing them come to fruition.

I haven't belonged to a group of anything in quite a while.  Partly because I've been there done that in the ranching business, and partly because I'm leery of the machinations involved. Or I've simply been lazy about making the effort. Maybe it's time to again make the effort...

Oh, and my turn to pick the book of the month is coming up, so if you have any suggestions...

Gone...

Mom passed away Tuesday morning January 13th at home surrounded by love.

Dad is doing good, keeping him busy and looking forward... He is already making big road trip plans for us to attend an extended family reunion at the S Dakota ranch in early summer.

 

Inhouse...

photo by J Cano

Things are a little crazier than normal around here at the moment.  Dad is slowly recovering from bronchitis, mom is fading with dementia (she has been totally bedridden for the last year and unable to do anything for herself), and I'm working a crappy little head cold. I'm not on any type of medication for anything, so I don't want to take cold medicine as it knocks me out, even in low doses.

In order to keep Dad from outdoor projects, he and I have been going through the boxes of family pictures and putting full names, places, and dates to as many as possible. The process is slow as there are some great stories about my dad and my paternal grandpa that I have never heard before.  So much history there that I want to share with my children.

Things may be thin on the ol blog for a while...

so, HERE  is a rerun of a day full of sunshine, horses, cattle, green grass, rolling hills, gunships, and laughter...