INSTEAD OF RUDOLPH
I put on my red felt Christmas hat,
And was dressed in my finest clothes.
Went out and caught me an antelope
He had the blackest nose.
He had only one speed you see,
And that was faster than the fastest fast.
I hooked him to my little runner sled
We could deliver gifts to the very last.
As a little cowboy in Dakota
Things were a mite different when the snowflakes fell.
Cause we didn't have any reindeer
Just antelope to wear the Christmas Bell.
Now here I am some fifty years later
And I still have some gifts to put under the tree
And yes if I had my druthers instead of Rudolph.
That little Buck antelope would be the one for me.
Larry B. Reinhold December 16, 2014
Bucky and Larry around 1960
Quite a Story
Great job Molly Reinhold. It is certainly a Dad's special moment to hunt with his children...and you did this one so well. I watched as you slipped up on this buck and doe as they hid in the elm trees. One shot with that little saddle gun, a 30-30 Winchester model 94. Of course, we all were whispering prayers in the endeavor and so it made sense to offer a prayer of thanks and appreciation after the successful hunt. Again as a Dad, I was certainly touched as I listened to Molly pray. She thanked the Lord for the opportunity to hunt, to be a steward of the land and God's creation and then she thanked God for the life of the deer as well. Outdoorsmen of integrity will understand this prayer of thanksgiving.
Quite a story behind that rifle. I was with my brother, Lyle, when he bought that gun in a little gun shop on Main Street in Rapid City about 40 years ago. He then sold it to me, when we were both at Montana Institute of the Bible in Lewistown. He wanted to buy a set of Bible commentaries as he was preparing to go into the camping ministry. Yes, I bought them as he needed the money to satisfy his love of books.
After my brother's death, Dad and Mom thought that I would benefit from having Lyle's collection of books. I have. And a couple of years ago, I thought that Molly Anne would benefit and appreciate a certain special rifle. Obviously she has. I am sure that my brothers, her uncles, would enjoy hearing and sharing hunting stories. Miss Molly,this one will be a good one to pass on.
Scouting For Deer
We have been busy and we finally went out and did a little scouting yesterday afternoon for deer. Saw quite a few mulies in the breaks. The best part is not pulling the trigger or even bagging the big buck...but rather the camaraderie of the family and friends sharing in the outdoors
In our time out on the ranch yesterday afternoon, we saw about 50 pronghorn antelope and about that many mule deer.
Garden Harvest
OK... I love the produce from the Garden, as well. Robin worked hard even though the spring worked against her. The tomatoes did excellent and we are still enjoying fresh sliced tomatoes.
And I may look a little smug here, but I am pondering all the good meals ahead. Robin has been roasting the beets...I don't think they can be beat (Ha). I enjoy parsnips sliced and sauteed in butter. Fresh glazed carrots could win over Dennis the Menace. And I have always savored the flavor of a turnip or two cooked and then mashed in with mashed potatoes. Mom would do that often. It makes for a rich full flavor.
Sure it is cold out today, but this was the scene the day before the snow started to blow and the temperatures started to plummet. We dug the last of the root crops from Robin's Garden. These are memory makers.
Improvements
I love working with our kids on building corrals. Molly in the tractor, Rachel with the plumb line, the boys helping line up poles and of course they need a supervisor...
Danny driving nails as we rebuild some corrals. Life on the ranch... Homeschooling
Filling the Hayloft
We purchased some small hay and straw bales for the hayloft from our good friend Tonya N Tanse Herrmann. The boys kept them flying on the outside..
And the girls stacked them nice and neat on the inside of the loft of the Lonetree Ranch barn.
A couple of the Reinhold sisters after a job well done. I must mention that Robin took the photos, but when she wasn't snapping pics, she was stacking hay. What a lady!
Election Day
The Reinhold family has and continues to vote at the Alkali Hall. Robin and I are thankful that both of older daughters choose to vote. Good job Rachel and welcome Molly, to your first general election ever.
A Pleasant Sunday Afternoon
This Sunday afternoon was a pleasant day of rest. Robin and the two little girls saddled up Louie, Pocokota and Austin and went for nice ride over west. Danny, Caleb and I went duck hunting and were able to get two beautiful mallard drakes. The ducks are starting to move and yes we have our duck stamps
Nice Fish... Thanks Kent
A while back Caleb caught a nice largemouth bass here on the ranch. Our good friend prepared and mounted and then presented it to a mighty pleased young man. Thanks for sharing the joy with us last night before the hayride.
School in the Sheep Wagon
Our sheep wagon makes for a nice schoolroom. That is Caleb's opinion for certain. And it quite homey. He makes a pretty good cup of cowboy coffee as well. I suppose we would have to call this sheepherder's coffee
One Fine Day...
Just a reminder that the wind doesn't always blow on the prairie.
Danny, Caleb and I went duck hunting this morning. We were successful...but not just in game taken. I cherish the memories of hunting with my Dad. I pray my children will as well,
Even a big brother can use a "leg up" once in awhile.
Rachel snapped this photo of "Eldon" and his mother out in the Johnson pasture this evening.
The middle of October,,, and the sweet clover is blooming.
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
One Sunday Evening During Autumn
"One Sunday evening during Autumn on a ranch known as the Lonetree nestled in the Hills and Plains of Dakota."
Hmmm... sounds like the opening lines of an intriguing Coffee Table Book. Tell you what we will do... you can enjoy this one online.
Photos by Robin Lee Reinhold
"And God provided a beautiful rainbow stretching over the vast plain just to remind us of His never ending promises
"The colors of autumn on the prairie are more subtle and ....
Certainly must be appreciated."
Photo By Robin Lee Reinhold on October 12, 2014
Following the trail through the Pathfinder Garden one comes upon the "last hollyhock of summer" in the midst of fall.
"Cherish"
One evening in Autumn following a bountiful rain...Sisters on the Lonetree Ranch. Doing Chores
A girl and her horse...and the Cowboys won.
"Oh say can you see...
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
...and one evening during autumn on the Dakota Plains brings sunset and memories. Thanks be to the Almighty
Heritage and Legacy
Autumn brings harvest and hunting season filled with many rich traditions. What are some of the activities within your family that adds to your heritage and legacy that you continue to grow during this special season.
There is excitement in our home today as Danny and I will be purchasing a Remington 12 gauge shotgun that he has been saving money for.
The moon has been quite spectacular as of late...
Genesis 1:16 says, "And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also."
Poems and Songs
"They write poems and songs about this, don't they?"
Photo by Robin Lee Reinhold
APPLE PICKING TIME
All Right, Rachel...What are you up to?
With the coolness of the nights, our apples have continued to get better. There is something quite enjoyable about walking up to a tree and picking an apple when ever you feel like it.
Since we picked most of our apples yesterday, my appetite and a bit of nostalgia took over, as I decided to fry apples for supper. I recalled a time when my Grandpa, Walter Bangert, invited me to eat with him. He was well into his nineties, living in his apartment on the west side of Rapid City. I had stopped in to visit him and I watched him go to his kitchen and pull out a frying pan. He proceeded to melt some butter and then slice some apples up. We had fried apples for dinner. More than likely we had a piece of pie afterwards, since he loved to make pies as well and generally had some in the refrigerator.
Buckshot by Bob York
Contributed by Bob York
Painting (90% finished work in progress) of Buckshot and horned Hereford cows, on the Lone Tree Ranch of the Larry-Robin Reinhold AndFamily, that I presented to Robin, and the family, during an intermisson of the Dakota Horse Challenge. Buckshot was 32 years old when he passed 2 years ago, and was raised from a foal on the ranch, and had provided many years of pleasure and service to wranglers, campers, and the Larry-Robin Reinhold family. Young and old in the photo, were staff, campers, and crew and family that had been part of Buckshot's life and ridden him many times. This painting (when finished, varnished, and framed -soon) will go into the Reinhold and Rainbow Bible Ranch home or Fellowship hall, I imagine. Prints will be available thru Rainbow Bible Ranch and or myself. See, my facebook page to order a keepsake of a wonderful horse forever. Matted and framed prints available or can be unframed. Thank you Larry-Robin Reinhold and Family for giving me this opportunity to paint Buckshot. To JJ Schad, Jeannie Hudson, Charles Schollmeyer, Shirley Oja, Dale Lamphere, Jon Swayze, Kristen York Arick, Kris York, Justin Palmer, Merrill P. Hartman, Jane Hart, Norma York Kridner, Scott Morgan, Vicki Arick, Vicki Monahan, Judy VashusVickie Netterberg, Jodene Jodi Shaw, San Monahan, and to many friends who also support this wonderful cause of youth ministry, ranch life and the Rainbow Bible Ranch.
PS: The original is a 30x40 acrylic on canvas, and prints can be ordered of various sizes to fit your need or wish, as either a giclee or litho signed and numbered limited edition print. Available in 2 wks (hopefully) upon request and order.
May YOU Be Glorified
"No we did not solve the world problems…but we know the ONE that can." I enjoyed my visit (as always) with our family friend, Jim Hunt, at the track meet in Kadoka the other day. Both of us enjoyed watching our kids compete. But one thing that I enjoy and can count on when Jim and I visit… the conversation centers around what God is doing and then "what God wants to do through us". We are not anything extraordinary…"just ask our wives" or the event announcer. This was taken just before he announced that all please not lean against the track fence during an event. Lord our prayer for the upcoming State Track Meet this weekend, "May YOU be glorified".
A visitor to the Neighborhood
We had a great day at the ranch. Molly's Graduation was not the only highlight however. (More on that tomorrow) It appears this guy thought he was invited to the party as well. He was resting peacefully in a cottonwood tree just south of the ranch. It was quite a thrill to photograph this in the wild.