Its springtime in the forest

Greetings from the Forest -

The grass is green, the trees and brush are green and its so pretty right now.  Of course some of that green is weeds, which seem to need constant pulling.  Ah well, I needed a hobby. lol.  We still have extreme fire danger but the brown has turned to green and the animals are out in abundance.  That is, after all, why we live here in the forest isn't it?  For the animal sightings that make you just smile when you're coming home after a long day or even after a quick trip to the grocery.  Whether it's the deer, the squirrels, the bunnies, the turkey, or the elk, it is a grin every time I see one.

   

Of late the bears have been out.  Its mating season.  The other day I had the opportunity to watch two bears, Big Red and Meadow, no - not doing that (!), but they took a walk down the road to the windmill pond, had a drink, then Big Red had a cold bath (cold shower not available) and then he dried himself off scratching against a telephone pole then they were off again down the road.  I think he'd won her over as they were side by side eating and munching on grass and whatever else they could find.  I was so close to them in my car, window down, camera out, that I could hear them chewing.  It was a spectacular hour!!  The photos are not the best as I took them with my phone, but here you go..... my apologies if the video doesn't work...

Big Red in front and Meadow following

Sometimes you must scratch that itch.  Big Red is a big bear!

When a cold shower isn't available a bath will have to do

And after a good bath, no towel available, a telephone pole will suffice

Now hopefully I haven't bored you too much with bear pictures and I want to talk about traffic jams on the ranch roads.  Silly though that may sound, here are a couple of pictures.  Thank goodness for my iphone camera.

One of my neighbors

The garden is flourishing, except the loss of one one red pepper plant.  So far, knock on wood, no one has bothered with the rest of the garden.  But, although I'm optimistic that the fence will work, we'll see when those strawberry plants produce fruit.  They have blooms now so we can only hope they'll be safe.  There are also blooms on the tomato plants.  Oh I'm so excited!! Pictures next time.

One other tidbit that I have been forgetting to tell you - we need to add another animal to the list.  Beavers.  Yes you read that right.  There is a stream that you cross when coming onto the ranch and there are beavers in it.  They build their dams all along it.  Here is a picture of just one of the dams, but as you go downstream there are many.  One day I'll get out of the car, hike down to the steam  and take some up close pictures.

In other news, most of you know I found out after 100+ hours of real estate videos that I don't need to take the national portion of the exam.  Yea, I was given bad information about a year ago.  So I just need to finish the Colorado law portion and take that exam.  Why yes I was annoyed.  Hell I admit it, I was just flat pissed off.  I'd like to have those hours back but its not to be so I'm moving on.  This Saturday I am going to Pueblo to get fingerprinted as the background check here in Colorado takes 6 weeks.  Slowly but surely I'll get to that goal of getting my license!

The hospital board meeting was good.  Lots to learn but I think I'll like it.  There is a seminar in August in Nashville that the hospital will pay to send new board members to so I'm thinking about going to that.  We'll see what happens over the next couple of months.

So I hope all of you are doing well.  I hope you're not melting in horrible heat.  If you are, you know you're always welcome to visit the forest!!

You know it isn't Lanae's blog without a picture of the boys!

Love and weed pulling,
Lanae

The activity continues

Greetings from the forest

Last week was crazy fun.  Busy.  And the fun continued this week and its not over.  

Lets start with the orientation at the hospital.  It went fine but unfortunately no tour.  The CEO ran out of time so we'll reschedule.  I think its important to see the hospital so I'll be a gen
tle squeaky wheel.  The first board meeting is this coming Thursday.  The press release came out last week.  They spelled my name right!  I'm in pretty impressive company on this board.  I'm excited.

The Water Festival was last Thursday.  It was an event to educate our youth on the important resource of water and the conservation of such.  1600 children from the Las Animas County Schools attended.  As the first round of students (probably 800) were getting off the bus I turned to my friend and said, oh my they all have the same shirts on!  We were all is royal blue "water de vida" shirts.  It looked, as the children were exiting the buses and getting in single file lines, that there was an actual invasion of youngsters!  It was fun, I was tour guide for a very small school in Kim, CO.  Population in 2011 was 73.  Yes you read that right.  The third and fourth grades who came to the festival had 7 children in the classes.  Five were able to attend.  The kindergartner class is 2 kids.  One came to the festival. The kids all seemed to have fun and I'm sure went home to time their parents showers in an effort to conserve water!!

Opening Ceremony at the Water Festival (this is 1/2 the kids)

On the animal front, we visited a new groomer.  Oh My Dog took Max and Oliver down to nakedness. Max's previous hair cut made it necessary for a complete shaving.  My doodle is now sporting his poodle!!  It'll grow and they'll both be sporting new fur in a week or so.

Oh dear - my doodle has gone poodle

Why yes this is the grooming shop

No bears this week! A few deer visits, one just standing in my driveway as I was leaving the house.  He just stood there.  No zoom used on this picture.  Then there was the group of elk on my way home that same day.  It was a good few days of animals in the forest!

The electric fence is finished and the garden planted.  Doesn't look like much but the bare areas have lettuce seeds.  Crossing my fingers that the little animals go elsewhere to munch.

Last night we went to the Trinidad Triggers baseball game.  It wasn't a total shut out but the Las Vegas NM Train Robbers did a good job beating the local team.  A number of friends and sister Deb were there and it was a fun time.  One of Trinidad's residents, Fern, threw out the first pitch.  Fern just had her 100th birthday!  Deb knows her from exercise class at the Sayre Center.  Fern was obviously excited and we were all so happy for her.  Fun evening!

Fern looks fabulous for 100 years old!!!

The community picnic is Saturday.  Should be a great time and the forecast is for 83 degrees! 

Love and missing you all -
Lanae

Crazy Week Ahead

Good morning from the forest

It was a great week last week and the weekend was so fun.  Every time I went to town I saw deer or turkey -  apparently right now is turkey mating season (I'm sure it has a technical name but I don't know it).  The point is the males are really pretty with their feathers all puffed out trying to impress the ladies.

Ahhhhh! She's pretty.

Crazy that I got them both mid-jump up the hill

 

This girl is sad - she needs some pasta - ok some good  greens!

I'm going to jump right to the weekend.  Saturday I went to the Women's Group meeting - our last one before the community picnic on the 25th.  It was a busy planning meeting.

After the meeting I stopped by my friend Marilyn's house and her sister Deb (also my pal) was in town from Denver.  They had been out riding ATV's and I was whining that I didn't get to go so later in the day I met them and we went riding.  What a fun thing that is to do!!  Buzzing along with the wind in your hair, deer looking at you like - what the heck - and giggles.  There was a dare, so to speak to try a rather steep trail but I chickened out - next time Marilyn!!

The girls came over after our ride for "bear hunting" and happy hour then dinner.  We had a quick happy hour on the new deck then jumped in Debbie's car to go see if we could find a bear.  No bear but a plethora of elk.  Probably saw about 50.  The males were so stately with their antlers and it was a majestic sight.  I'm waiting for Marilyn to send me photos as I forgot (duh) my phone/camera.  What a great time we had.

Sunday my new bed arrived.  Its going to take a night or two for my back to adjust but I'm hoping the cushy smooshy mattress will do the trick!  

Sister Deb came over on Sundy and helped me with the doggie deck.  Put the vinyl down, with astro-turf on top.  There is a doggie door out to the balcony so I'm hoping once the plastic pee plant is put out there that the boys will use it if needed.  It will mean a bit of freedom for me so I'm crossing my fingers.

We (Deb and I) went to Carol's house to get eggs and got quite the education on chickens.  Amazing that she has named them all and says they all have their own personalities.  Did you know chickens take dirt baths?  She has this area full of rich dark dirt and the chickens were rolling around like little dogs in the dirt.  Apparently the dirt cleans their feathers.  Who knew. It was so fun - always like an awesome educational field trip to go get eggs at Carol's.  Not to mention fresh eggs are sooooooo good!

This is a traffic jam!

So, this was just Saturday and Sunday! lol.  Monday is training for Thursday's Water Festival that I'm volunteering for.  Tuesday is Pierian and Judge Leslie will be speaking - so excited to meet her.  Wednesday is my tour and orientation at the hospital then happy hour at friends.  Thursday is the Water Festival.  I'm pooped just typing all this.  Guarantees for the next blog to be full of info!!

Wishing you a wonderful week from the forest -

Love and Happy Monday,
Lanae

Positivity

Greetings from the forest -

I was in Arizona a week and a half ago for my quarterly chemo treatment and to see Dr. Kato.  The positive news is that Dr. Kato doesn't want to see me for 6 months.  Also no chemo for 6 months.  You know you've got a great relationship with your doctor when he says "you know better than anyone when something is amiss so call me if you need, otherwise I'll see you in 6 months".  To which I responded, boy are you going to miss me. lol. Yes, he did agree.

Thank you Diane providing such pleasant accommodations.  Your hospitality was greatly appreciated for my very short visit.

After chemo it was off to Prescott for a day of rest.  Well kind of.  I don't see Linda often enough to really rest but we had a good time.  I headed back to the forest on Sunday.  Of course the deer were out to greet me and welcome me home.  Not to mention Deb, Max and Oliver gave me a positive homecoming.

The deck looks great!  Finally done.  They ran out of boards so completion too a bit longer.  Now the weather needs to clear up (its been cloudy and chilly) so I can have happy hour on the deck to celebrate.

On May 1st it snowed again. Yikes.  But, our forest is so dry that it makes it difficult to complain about the snow.  The trees and animals desperately need the moisture.  Although the garden must wait, this is positive weather for the thirsty forest!

I received the call last week from the CEO of the hospital asking if I was still interested in being on the board.  Heck yea.  Ok, so I didn't really say "heck yea"but I did accept.  I will be going for a tour of the hospital and orientation before the next meeting.  Apparently (so I've been told) this position is quite prestigious - who knew.  Its also volunteer but I'm looking forward to serving the community and feel this is a great learning experience. Positive news.  I'll keep you posted on how this all works out.  

Max saw Bambi out the living room door the other day.  Oh my goodness.  He was very excited.  Bambi on the other hand did a quick stage left exit.  The turkey have also been around.  The one thing I find interesting is the elk.  There are 8 to 10 that hang out at the bottom of my hill.  They are not even running away like they usually do.  Guess they feel safe since hunting season is over?  

Totally random but have I mentioned that the Amtrack train goes past our community at 10ish in the morning and 6 at night?  It does.  Just mentioning that so if anyone wants to visit the forest its an easy trip from Flagstaff direct to Trinidad. 

So thats it for this girl in the forest.  I hope you all know how much I miss you.  

Love and positivity,
Lanae

Catching up

Greetings from the Forest

This week has been busy.  Wait, what week isn't?  Anyway, I have lots of photos to share so let me get started.

They guys (Rick, Rich and Paul) worked on my deck rebuild this week.  They will be back next week to finish but I have to say I got so lucky with the color.  It matches the trim on the house perfectly.  Did I plan that?  Some would say yes, others would know the honest answer is no, I just got lucky again!

I decided to send the guys (and their wives) home with dinner on Friday the 12th.  I made baked ziti for the group and then some.  Reviews came in that it was good.  Whew.  Always worry when I try to make something different.

On the 11th I went to dinner with a friend (thank you Marilyn) and although she had no idea it was the anniversary of Mom's death (April 11, 2008), it was a pleasant way to end the day.  Seems like only yesterday and yet it was 5 years.  As I was driving home at dusk, I wondered to myself what Mom would think of this new environment I live in.  I reflected about Mom's love of trees and I figure she'd love it here.  Probably would worry about the bears as most of my family do, but all in all she'd love it.  And Dad, well he'd be very happy also.  With the lake so close and the wild life so abundant I can just picture him smiling.  So, with these thoughts in my head I was gifted with a plethora of joys on my way home that eve.  Elk, deer and turkey.  Thanks Mom!!

 No pictures of the turkeys as they scampered (is that what turkeys do?) up the hill.  Maybe next time.

We had another spring snow storm last week.  We got about 12+ inches.  It was a very wet snow so we were happy to have it as the forest is so dry due to the drought.  Not to mention all the animals get thirsty.  Here are a couple (ok more than a couple) of pictures:

Why yes Max loves the snow!

Wonder where his face has been.

Sometimes you just have to sit in the snow???

This is a bird bath!

Sunrise

When it snows there are these little birds that come out.  Funny little things.  I haven't noticed them when its not snowing but I'm sure they're out there.  I call them snow birds.  (Diane B. maybe you know what kind of birdies they are?)

Well of course you watch the birdies with your bone in your mouth

Right outside the door, teasing Max

They flit around and they drive Max crazy.  He begs to go out and chase them.  Of course they're long gone by the time he gets to where they were but Max is ever the optimist.

He will sit for hours waiting for me to let him out

The forecast calls for another storm Tuesday with, yup, more snow.  Spring will arrive eventually!  I hope you're not sick of the snow pictures.

Every day is different here in the forest.  Every day is a joy.  Every day a gift.

Love from the forest,
Lanae

Spring storm has come and gone

Its true, we had another blizzard yesterday.  We got maybe 6 inches.  But, that's ok as our forest is so very dry.

The first bear sighting was on Monday and the that posted the photo neighbor noted to be careful as the bears are bold due to lack of food and the drought.  Guess we will be careful.

Sit and rest anyone?

Max loves the snow and the snow birds

this is what Oliver does on a snowy day

So remember the Granny feed box thing that had the Trinidad Creamery metal label inside?  There is picture to remind you -

I did some research and the first article that came up was from a court case on November 26, 1921 where Trinidad Creamery misbranded a shipment because the package said "one pound" of butter and it was actually 15.24 ounces. The fine was $25.00 and was paid by the Creamery.

The other really interesting thing is that last year I began looking at a building on Cedar and Commercial Streets in downtown Trinidad that was for sale.  I found a picture of the "old creamery building"  (in the picture it was a bookstore) and it was located right next door to the building I have been looking at.  The creamery building was apparently torn down when Cedar Street was widened.  Such a coincidence!  Now I'm going to keep researching to see what else I can find.

I made the trip to Payson the week before Easter to pack the cabin.  The new renter wanted it unfurnished.  Thank you to sister Linda who drove over from Prescott and helped me pack.  It was a short but fun girls time.  I made pasta salad (one of Linda's favorites) for both Linda and sister Deb who was watching the dogs.  It was yummy.

I need to give a special thank you shout out to Barbara my neighbor in Payson who was instrumental in the house getting emptied.  She also found the renter so needless to say I don't know what I do without her!  Thank you Barb.

Easter was quiet. Breakfast with Deb, waffles on Mom's old waffle iron from the cabin along with blueberry sauce and later in the day my friend Marilyn came over to celebrate her birthday (well we pretended it wasn't her birthday but it was).  Dinner was crab and shrimp cannelloni with an Alfredo / béchamel sauce.  Yea, it was good!  Thank you Giada (Everyday Italian) for the recipe.

On the animal report - there are a group of 8 or so deer, all female, that I see frequently.  The other day Max saw them through the door.  Oh my.  The exited quickly as it was just toooooo noisy to eat.  There is one baby that is just a hoot.  It has the biggest ears and its fur is fuzzy out of control looking.  Too cute!

Nosey!

That's it from the forest.  Thanks for reading! Sending love and warm hugs.

Lanae