"Get Anything or Not"

The breaks have so much big and little bluestem (the red grasses) that with the snow on the ground... "It is beautiful". It is not uncommon to have little bluestem, but over the last few years the big bluestem has multiplied extensively. The added moisture has played a huge part in contributing to that.

Hunting is a family affair. We had five of us in the rig today and Caleb is the only one with a tag to fill. Really we all love the outdoors and hunting on the ranch is very fulfilling whether "get anything or not".

Deer hunting this snowy afternoon on the Lonetree Ranch. Saw lots of deer. It was agreed that we all missed Molly, our fellow hunter, who is off in at Bible College in Oregon. Just seemed right to be having Tillamook Cheese made at the great cheese factory on Tillamook Bay just south of Cannon Beach. Molly has been there a couple of times already. Looking forward to having you home in a couple of weeks. Be sure to bring some more cheese home.

Attitude of Gratitude

Todays “Attitude of Gratitude” … Today (and everyday) but especially in the past month and a half. I have found myself thanking God for blessing me with incredible Parents.

Thanks, Dad and Mom… for teaching me to SEEK TRUTH. And to set my standards high, for telling me to never settle for less, and teaching me to be a little stubborn… (you might not believe it, but I think my stubbornness might be a good thing. ;)) And for showing me how to value each moment that God gives me. Thank you for sometimes forcing me to THINK. And most importantly, thank you for teaching me and showing me what it means to follow Jesus. I will be forever grateful.

Clouds are sure pretty

We took a quick drive over north this evening and Julia took along the camera. Caleb was in the combine picking up a little more alfalfa seed. We then went to check on some of the fall calving cows and then on the way home..."well, the clouds were sure pretty". Then we got back to Rainbow Bible Ranch and enjoyed supper with Harold and Linda Narum of Amidon, ND. A good evening.

A Nice November Afternoon

It was just so nice this afternoon. Not an ice tea day, but good coffee with family...and feline...and canine... "Oh it's a family thing"

Well Fred the scarecrow has withstood some windy days this fall on the Lonetree Ranch. Julia had a nice visit with him this evening.

We have few petunias and one mum that just won't quit, even with some frigid nights. Kiersten and Tiger pose for a photo. I love the flag...in a few days we will observe Veterans Day. It is not a day just to wave the flag but a day to honor and show allegiance to the fundamentals of what our nation was founded upon.

Midnight Ponderings

About 1:30 AM...one of our children was not feeling real well. Robin went to get something to help her to feel better. Oddly, I have not slept much since. It is now 4:15 AM and I realize that i have been pondering some of life changes that our family has endured in the last months. We have grieved and still are. We have observed strong minded become confused. We have said "see you later", to family members as they continue on their life journeys. We have experienced fantastic opportunities. And we may be even a bit tired from the long haul.

I have been blessed by great parents and great "parents in law". I particularly am drawn to this photo this evening as I think of my Dad, Tige Reinhold and Father in Law, Jack Paulton. Dad is in glory and Jack has certainly slowed down. I loved how they were friends: of one another and of mine. I so appreciated their Godly example to our children. And I am a better man because of their confidence in me.

So many great talks in the past... and perhaps that is a longing even in these predawn hours. I find myself even now with tears in my eyes and a prayer in my heart to our Great God and Saviour Jesus Christ. He is my constant... even when times are changing. He is my confidant... when others are no longer around. He is my sustainer... even when my heart and body aches. He is my provider... as always He supplies my needs. He is my healer... when pain seems to overcome. He is my friend... and I have so many...but He is always here. He is my encouragement... when courage is needed to rise up. When I am disheartened... He fills my heart with joy.

So this morning Dear Jesus...Thank You. I may feel overwhelmed but you are overwhelming. And now Dear Jesus... I am overwhelmed by all that You are. Your grace is sufficient for my weakness and when I am weak, You make me strong. TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE.


Nice Job Danny

Danny did a great job of harvesting this nice buck pronghorn antelope. Very nice shooting...very nice buck. Congratulations Danny from your family.

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As a Dad, I am so thankful that I was able to be a part of the hunt and this special moment. Our family has not been able to travel far and wide, however we have always wanted them to have good hunting, fishing and other good experiences on the ranch.

We are blessed and I most of all. Danny, I thank God for you.

IS IT A DREAM

Is it a dream...? Is it a job...? "It's a dream job.

We call it the "Family Tree"...You know Tigger had one, from Winnie the Pooh. We ride by it a lot. Quite appropriate as we rode out to bring in cows as a family. Took a beating two years ago during the Blizzard "Atlas"...but it still here and so are we... Testimony to the staying of The Almighty and determination of the family. To God Be The Glory.

We call it the "Family Tree"...You know Tigger had one, from Winnie the Pooh. We ride by it a lot. Quite appropriate as we rode out to bring in cows as a family. Took a beating two years ago during the Blizzard "Atlas"...but it still here and so are we... Testimony to the staying of The Almighty and determination of the family. To God Be The Glory.

Rachel and Joey...What a team...

Rachel and Joey...What a team...

It was really quite a morning.... as we gathered...one moment in full sunshine and the next...a bank of fog would roll over like a wave. It was like we were performing on a movie set.

It was really quite a morning.... as we gathered...one moment in full sunshine and the next...a bank of fog would roll over like a wave. It was like we were performing on a movie set.

The making of good horses and good hands...Character building situations. Danny really likes the paint horse, Chuck and Julia loves her paint horse, Louie. And they really like those Hereford Cows. More than once the comment was made, "Grandpa would sure be having fun if he were here".

Robin does a great job of catching moments with her camera. When Molly was a little girl, she prayed for a little brother to wrestle with. Then Danny was born. Yes there has been numerous wrestling matches, ... not as many as there used to be...But …

Robin does a great job of catching moments with her camera. When Molly was a little girl, she prayed for a little brother to wrestle with. Then Danny was born. Yes there has been numerous wrestling matches, ... not as many as there used to be...But now her little brother is her big brother and also one of her best friends. It has been a great journey watching these two grow. And now Molly is heading to the West Coast for College...She will be back...She has a calling to pick up on next Spring... And yes Danny and Molly will miss each other.

Yes, as I said, "Sure beats sitting in the office doing paper work. My horse Trigger offers "Triggernamics"

Time to loosen the cinches and thank the horses as we prepare to work the chute. Not everyone needs to be on horseback for the upcoming chores.

Time to loosen the cinches and thank the horses as we prepare to work the chute. Not everyone needs to be on horseback for the upcoming chores.

OUT AUTUMN TREK TO THE HILLS

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Robin and I enjoy the moments of family and doing things together as a family. So much is out there to "steal" those moments away. Sadly, too often, we as moms and dads allow that to happen. We must fight to keep the family for God's purpose and never allow anyone or anything to hinder that which has been entrusted to us by The Almighty.

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Midnight weather report...We saw some nice rain on our journey in the northern Black Hills. We were delighted to receive nearly .75" of rain through this evening here at the ranch. This photo is just out of Sturgis a couple of miles. Pretty country. And I am proud to be in the photo with our son, Caleb. He is a blessing to the family.

His name is Larry, too. Very few places equal ideal for Ponderosa Pine than the Black Hills. It is good to see resources (timber) being utilized rather than burned. Larry moved up from Texas in 2008 after 30 years in the oilfield. He loves it here as he hauls logs to several different mills around the Hills. He told me how he had been seeing some of largest elk this year and where he had seen tremendous fall color. I invited him to Men's Day at RBR on October 10th and also "requested" the larger logs be taken to the mill and then brought to our place. As we parted company, we shook hands. He apologized that his were dirty...It is good to shake a hand that has been working.

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We are not always able to be in the same picture as someone has to be behind the camera as well.

Some have mentioned that we ought to do "reality TV".

"Riiiiiiiiiiiiight" ...not on your life. However, we don't mind sharing select pics from select activities that are part of our daily family life. Hope that you enjoy.

Yes we left Sturgis on our journey with a cup of coffee and after some rugged roads and beautiful country... our dinner included pasties made by the Kings in Lead,SD. Certainly a tradition going back to the many miners that worked Homestake and the other gold mines in the area. Meat pies that you hold in your hands.

When we got into Spearfish, we stopped at another favorite place...for a cup of coffee. The Green Bean Coffeehouse...we started going to this place when it was called by another name. Setting is still as inviting...the Reinhold kids love it as much as ever. Continue to build memories

Yes they are called the "Hills". But this "island" in the midst of a sea of grasslands and plains...Mountain grandeur to be certain. Our round trip of around 130 miles again reminded us of the wonders of this place we call home.

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The Reinhold Sisters...with Mom. At another one of our favorite places. The D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery and Archives is certainly a treasure for our region. I told Robin if I was retired and lived closer that I would certainly volunteer here.

Rachel and Molly have pretty much accepted that their little brother...is, yes taller and bigger and they look shorter next to him. They pretend to be bothered, but their giggles give them away. Danny just has a quiet smirk.

By the way, Danny is 15 and 6'2" and yes he has passed his Dad up as well.

Branding Day At The Hackens Ranch


Branding day at the Hackens Ranch at Viewfield, SD. Dean and Tammy Hackens are dear friends and we always enjoy our time with them. We will post some more photos that Robin took throughout the morning.

Brandings work best when played as a team. and each person realizes the importance of their contribution. I will be honest, I have seen some brandings with way too many spectators and at times it may be best if they would go contribute effort elsewhere. I will say that yesterday was a pleasure. with all working hard.

Someone has to watch the gate...."Not always easy". With saddle horses dragging the ropers last successful loop and young calves just plain missing momma. Kiersten and Julia, you did a good job.


The Boss...someone to call the shots. Dean Hackens, Thanks for letting us work with you. Our kids get so amazed at how much fun we have at your place. "Maybe, its your stories?" 


Rachel will sometimes take "matters into her own hands"

TEAMWORK

I had a great time yesterday with Dean and Tammy Hackens. Robin and I count it a privilege to have known them for so many years. It was a blessing working working with so many fine young people as well. "It's a good day to be alive." :)

If anyone is trying to figure out my expression...I was probably working through another one of Dean's stories.

We had a good day yesterday...

Another piece of the story...36 years ago the Reinhold family branded in the morning on the Lonetree Ranch. My Brother Lee had invited some friends out to help. They had just returned from the State Track Meet. Lyle would be leaving for Idaho the next day and he had some friends out as well. Both the boys had their girlfriends. at the place, tool.

As many of you probably know, that afternoon played out in a way that would change our lives forever. After the hard work was done, we went fishing. A storm blew in and my two brothers Lyle and Lee along with our good friend Wayne Brost died in a drowning incident.

Yes branding time during May stirs up the emotions and memories. God's grace has sustained through many of life's storms and we press on.

WORKING CALVES

Most agricultural operations in America are family owned and worked. All across the north country, farm and ranch families are working together along with friends and neighbors to get livestock out on grass.

Rachel thoroughly enjoys working with livestock. Here she is pulling some LA 200 into a syringe for a calf that is a little droopy. And no I did not cut myself shaving...I am just "wearing the day".

Of course Grandpa Tige was halfway to heaven as he watched the crew work together. We like to have fun with him whenever we run anything through the chute that isn't straight Hereford. We ran a Holstein Heifer, out of the milk cow, in and then asked him what he thought of her..."I don't like her!" 

Awh Dad, we knew you would say that. 


Danny is such a great big brother. It is such a joy to watch as your children grow and become capable in the different tasks on the ranch. "Thanks Son!"


The Lonetree Ranch and Rainbow Bible Ranch are very fortunate to have some top hands working with us. Levi, has a continuous desire to learn. Good Morning Levi and here is an "Atta Boy" to you.


Julia is becoming one fine cowgirl...Learning many life lessons as a stockman...or would that be a "stock girl"? I know that Robin and I are just very thankful that she is our girl. 

Another one of our guys, Derek Anderson. He is not just a hired hand. I count it a privilege to call him a co-worker.

Caleb and Molly Reinhold are a great team and they had an enjoyable time as we worked cattle in the chutes yesterday on the Lonetree Ranch.


We don't get to use the electric branding iron very often. It worked very in this project as the heifers were still carrying a lot of winter hair. Warm weather and green grass will sure shine up that hair coat.

Caleb Clark recently graduated from Lake Area Technical and is finishing up his internship with us. Caleb has actually spent many summers with us and we look forward to working together again this summer. We had a good time working cattle yesterday.


I believe that Kiersten will be an animal trainer someday. She shows an amazing aptitude in that way. Kiersten and Belle were decked out for the day and both were paying attention to their duties, as well.

MOTHER'S DAY STORM 2015

We ended up with about 17 inches of snow on the tenth of May. These are some photos taken during the and after the snow. We came through pretty good. We even had some fun, as well.

Awh...A Mother's Day surprise. on the ranch. Ten of these little fuzzy chicks so far. The Reinhold kids commented on how nice this hen is. What a fun discovery during the 2015 Mother's Day Blizzard. We received about 17" of snow.


Of course the kids had to build a tall snowman as well. What a great Mother's Day Photo...Robin and her kids after the Mother's Day Storm May 2015

And Julia and Kiersten had to build one that was their size.

Well Rachel, Don't squeeze your friend too tight.


And then the snowflakes started falling again and the snowballs started flying. Happy Mother's Day!

Just one more photo...Caleb's rosy winter cheeks on a spring day. Mother's Day Blizzard 2015 on theLonetree Ranch in Meade County, South Dakota.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

I wanted to be the first to say Happy Mother's Day to none other than "my kids' Mom". Robin you are such a blessing and it so evident that your heart's desire is to please God and bring glory to Him. You have been entrusted with a fine family and they are your high priority. Thank You Robin. I am so glad to be the Dad to your kids, too. May you be blessed.

Lonetree Ranch
14666 Lonetree Road
Sturgis, South Dakota 57785

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