The Tradition Continues...
A Northern Harrier
I saw this hawk earlier this afternoon .. Northern Harrier I believe... Went to find Robin with her camera... Went back to our "Aquaprairie Trail" And he was more than cooperative. Pretty Amazing.
I Have Been There...( Painting by Teal Blake)
Art by Teal Blake
This Painting is not of me… but…
I have been there... I was on my amazing horse (The only appaloosa I rode... His name was Foxy Fella.. Came from the Henderson family at Hill City as a colt) and the neighbor's black bull.. not one of my close neighbors... This bull was a renegade. He came up under my horse... We went up and came down... my horse on his side ... the bull kept bunting Foxy in the belly... I was on the other side hollering at him... He took off... Foxy and I were fine... considering. I loved that horse... He was amazing... He was another one of those horses that I have had the privilege of combining my heart with his.
A Mid-October Walk...
A mid-October walk in the Pathfinder Garden on a pleasant cool day. We have had about a quarter of an inch of precipitation in the last two days. As parched as the land is here at the ranch... we have some special places that still hold nearly a breath of fresh air. So many aspects that make one smile. The one photo displays a favorite memory of mine. Over the year past... we generally had a row of Four O'clocks. They live up to their name as they bloom best in early morning or near dusk. This is the time of year that we always collected seeds from the spent blossoms that in turn enclosed around the black seed. And then there are the tomatoes... small in size but explosive in flavor that nearly screams for the need to pick another and toss into my mouth. I am not exaggerating... I love garden fresh tomatoes. And then the reward of one more bouquet of flowers before frost and snow overtake this beautiful setting. Robin and the girls did well on planting and watering this past season. And the Pathfinder Garden has been a blessing to many... family and guests....
Faithfully Lead
One may be rich in houses and land
With cattle grazing peacefully upon the endless plains.
But greater the measure for the family of a man,
When JOY flows through that, which is shared in their veins.
My inheritance to them that follow my trail;
May it be more than temporal and fleeting indeed.
My calling, my passion, my choice, I dare not fail.
For those that come behind and beside, I must faithfully lead.
- Larry B. Reinhold October 13, 2014
Leaves
Worked Cattle Today
Worked cattle today.. "It was hot!" The heat... lack of precipitation ... and wind early on in June... the summer has been challenge... it has taken a toll... We will keep pressing on... "Just another chapter in the book".
2026 Lonetree Wean and Ship
Setting Records
All Across the Northern Plains
That time of the year on ranches all across the Northern Plains... The Lonetree Crew saddled and loaded horses... Robin made good black coffee and sausage on toast made from homemade bread... and the crew headed north to help the neighbors as they are shipping calves today. As my friend Ron, said at the Ag appreciation banquet last evening in Sturgis... "We have the privilege of doing the greatest business in the greatest region of the greatest state in the greatest nation... we should be grateful". And as I say often... "IT'S A GODO DAY TO BE ALIVE IN WESTERN DAKOTA!"
Autumn Journey of Color
Our at least once a year... "Autumn Journey of Color" in the Black Hills. We so enjoy exploring as a family... and it was extra special this year as Molly and her two boys were able to join us. We spent time in the Central Hills after having a fine meal at the Alpine Inn. Wonderful full panoramic view of mountains and sky. Harney Peak was a picture, indeed. We also found some fascinating sites that we had never seen before. Grateful for the opportunity to enjoy God's Creation with family.
Autumn Journey of Color
Our at least once a year... "Autumn Journey of Color" in the Black Hills. We so enjoy exploring as a family... and it was extra special this year as Molly and her two boys were able to join us. We spent time in the Central Hills after having a fine meal at the Alpine Inn. Wonderful full panoramic view of mountains and sky. Harney Peak was a picture, indeed. We also found some fascinating sites that we had never seen before. Grateful for the opportunity to enjoy God's Creation with family.
National Son Day
Picked out the pics for National Son Day and just did not get them punched in... Robin and I are grateful for sons, Son in laws and now grandsons.
50 Years... Class of 1976 - Sturgis, South Dakota
National Daughter Day
So... I hear that it is National Daughter's Day.... Robin and I are so blessed to be able to work with and enjoy our four girls in the every day, work a day world here at the ranch. Thank You Kiersten, Julia, Molly and Rachel. We are blessed.
Our Cowgirls
So I hear this is a day to celebrate the Great American Cowgirl....Here at the ranch... we find that to be nearly everyday..not just once a year
From Our National Anthem
Hot & Dry
I Will Never Forget....
"I will never forget..."
Tonight, I fried up our first batch of home raised Autumn harvest apples. Of course I delegated some chores as I had Rachel cut the apples and Kiersten helped me add ingredients.
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The first time that I really remember having fried apples was when my 95 year old grandpa invited me to stay for supper. Grandpa Walter Bangert was such a fun man. And one Sunday afternoon, as I often did, I went to visit him in his apartment on the west side of Rapid City. I well remember him slicing the apples and then frying them in butter and together we enjoyed more sweet fellowship over a simple meal.
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I grew up eating my share of baked apples served up in Tapioca (Frog eyes as my Dad would call the pudding). Mom baked them and served them as a dessert. Another side note on Tapioca...aka "Frog eyes". If I remember right... We were studying Brazil and Brazil was a leading producer of tapioca. I told my Teacher, Mrs. Eppenbaugh, that tapioca was know as "frog eyes" I even went as far and wrote frog eyes on a test instead of tapioca... Mrs. Eppenbaugh, was not impressed. She had the audacity to mark my answer as wrong.... "Can you imagine that?????"
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Oh yes, These fried apples also included "frog eyes.... er I mean, tapioca and we jazzed this recipe up with some bacon. Yes, it was very good.