So this morning while I was out feeding the cows I had rolled out a bale and had gone back to get a second when the cows all made a charge for the gate. I was in the process of rolling out their hay, but they thought it looked much better on the other side. I kept rolling out hay because I knew that Belle (our dog) would see them and "tell them to go back to where they belonged” 😉
OUR SON DANNY IS A SENIOR
STOCK SHOW PRESENTATION 2019
Each year at the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo the Lonetree Ranchhonors a "Hereford Family" with this print called Buckshot by artist Bob York. This year the Reinhold family presented this in honor of Tige Reinhold to the Peterson Family of Kadoka, South Dakota. Thank you Lynn Weishaarand Levi Landers for your assistance in the presentation. Thanks also to Jill Hotchkiss of Hereford America.
THE OLD SCHOOL
This school house used to sit across from the John Keffeler Ranch. Around 50 years ago Cecil "Buck" Henricks moved it to his place to use for a shop. Reinholds purchased that place in the mid 80's and now we haved move the old school house over to the headquarters. Dean Hackens restored it and Danny helped him roof it. Now we have time to work on the interior. Another fun deal here... the old flag pole came form the Morris Creek School where the Scott Kids and Jorensons and other attended. Dad purchased it at the school sale because Mom and him wanted a flag pole by our house. It stood there many years. It was involved in one accident. One Sunday when we were at church, Buck Henricks' hired man, Red, came over to go fishing. He had stopped in at the house and when no one was home... he left to go fishing. On his way out, he accidentally backed into the flag pole. We would not have known who had hit the flag pole except for the note on the door along with two bags of cement on the back step with a note that said, "The Red was here".
JUST SAYING...
Happy Birthday Robin 2018
Happy Birthday Dear Robin.
I consider myself as your husband most blessed, but as I think of all the people that you impact...many are blessed. Your zest for life and love of the Lord, along with your desire to be a servant of Christ is inspirational. You are my "Dakota Rainbow"...my "friend of promise".
"ITSNOWFUN"
Danny, Caleb and Connor coming in from sledding today here at the ranch... We had 3-4" up til this morning and then through the day... it really came down and we got about 6" more...
100 YEARS AGO ON CHRISTMAS EVE
100 year ago tonight at a Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, New York this couple came together in the covenant of marriage. Walter Bangert of Avon, South Dakota and Nora Hughes of County Mayo, Ireland were married.
These are my Grandparents... my mothers parents. A fun story indeed... Nora came from Ireland at the suggestion of her cousin, Sally, to get work. There were some wealthy people in New York that were glad to hire a girl to help around the house. During the waning days of World War I, she found herself on a ship leaving the Emerald Isle, with the hopes that she would one day return home. Walter was a sailer in the US Navy... a long ways from the fertile soil of Dakota. The Bangert family were early residents of Bon Homme County, Dakota Territory. Walter served on board a ship in World War I. Sometime near the end of the war, he and friend were walking down the streets of the city and they passed two attractive young ladies. After they passed, Walter turned and gave the little Irish lass a wink and she had turned to look as well... you could say the rest is history.
On Christmas Eve 1918 they were married and life together began... But times were different then. After the wedding Walter had to head back to his ship and Nora returned to the mansion where she was employed. But in the near future they would head to Dakota...Nora would never return to Ireland and Walter cherished his little Irish lady.
They would raise five children of which one, Voreta (Vicky), would be my mother. Grandpa and Grandma Bangert loved the Lord dearly and I believed that I was very blessed to have them as my grandparents. And you know what... I saw Grandpa Walter wink at Grandma on more than one occasion. Happy Anniversary to a special couple.
OPEN WINTER
After two plus years of serious drought and a couple of pretty long winters, I don't believe there is a rancher in Meade County, South Dakota complaining about this scene. The stock is still out on range and there is grass to graze. The hay stacks are looking good as we had ample moisture to raise some feed this past summer. Compare that to the fact that much of the feed over the last couple of years had to be purchased from outside the region. My family is looking for some snow on Christmas, but each day like this is a blessing.
I WAS BLESSED
I was blessed today... Went to town with Rachel, Julia and Kiersten to some final shopping. The younger sisters needed some time to shop for family members... And yes we had fun. Rachel bought us an "Egg nog Latte" at Black Hills Blend. Very good! Then we cut a radio ad over with John Derrek at 88.3 KLMP Words for Life. It was such a blessing to have him pray with us before we left. Stopped in Simpson's Printing to visit and see the progress on the 2019 RBR calendar. Looking mighty fun. We always enjoy our visits with Dan and Kathy and Jon Simpson. They have been such a blessing to RBR for so many years. And we certainly enjoyed our visit with our neighbor Ralph. It was so nice to see his health improve. So inspiring to see his wife, Betty by his side through the whole process. It was really special to see the nearly overwhelming joy expressed by Ralph as his daughter, Donna, came walking in as well, as she had just got into town. The support of family... certainly special. Thanks Ralph for the visit and I agree with Rachel... nice blanket. And Travis... Keep cheering for those Broncos.
GOD WITH US
Emmanuel: God with us
Emanuel: My Grandpa Reinhold's name
At Christmas time, I cannot help but think of Grandpa often as I hear and read of the coming of Jesus, born in a stable two millennia ago. The Hebrew spelling, Immanuel, still meant the same and was to be proclaimed.... "God with us".
Many of us mistakenly perceive that Jesus started there in Bethlehem. Not True. John chapter 1 states simply that Jesus has always been. John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." Because Jesus came to earth as a man, We have the opportunity to come into a very special relationship with God through Him. Salvation is offered to all that will repent and accept the gift. Jesus came to earth so that we can realize in a very personal way... "God with us".
So many have chosen to ignore the privilege and benefits of having God with us. And the benefits are huge... Jesus stated that He came so that we may have life and have life more abundantly. What a blessing that is. "God with us..." Yes, at Christmas time many will ponder "God with us" and yet many will choose not to be with God because they reject Jesus. How sad.
A recollection that my Dad would tell of his dad, Emanuel, was during my Grandpa's final days on this earth. He spent some of his final breaths singing softly the words of the old hymn...
Some golden daybreak Jesus will come
Some golden daybreak, battles all won
He’ll shout the victory, break through the blue
Some golden daybreak, for me, for you.
God with us... Something to ponder during this Christmas season. As we think of Jesus coming to earth as a baby and realize someday He will return and call us to be forever with Him if we have received the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ?
Photos are of Grandpa Emanuel Reinhold, Grandma Hazel and my Dad Tige.
RASPBERRY MOCHA TRUFFLES
"Now, aren't they pretty?" That is what my dad would say. And then we would each eat one... "May I have another?" We would say that in unison. Molly has been busy in the kitchen making Raspberry Mocha Truffles. I have a hunch there will be some on the "Goodie Table" this Friday NIte after the "Birthday in the Barn Celebration" at Rainbow Bible Ranch.
OUR ANNIVERSARY
Big Shindig... 27 years ago today. But it was more than that. Robin and I had a theme to our wedding. "Dakota Rainbow"... Dakota meaning friend and the rainbow significant of God's promises. Thus Dakota Rainbow.... "Friend of promise". Our marriage was a covenant before God and many friends and family of our commitment to each other. And through the seasons we have enjoyed God's blessings. Oh certainly there have been challenges along the way, but the joys far outweigh the difficulties. "And now the Lord has given me my Dakota Rainbow... the promise of a friend so strong and true. A love that will last into eternity... For I found Dakota Rainbow in you." These are the words from the chorus to the song that we wrote and sang to each other at our wedding....December 7, 1991.
BRINGING IN THE COWS ON A BEAUTIFUL NOVEMBER AFTERNOON
November 29th proved to be a gorgeous day. We needed to have the cows in the next day, as we had Dr. Scott Cammack scheduled to check the cows. Snow was in the forecast for the following day… Timing worked out perfect. Nice photos Robin.
HARD GRASS COUNTRY
LoneTree Ranch hereford cattle on the range. We are so thankful that we had sufficient moisture to grow grass this summer. Western South Dakota is in the midst of a region known as "hard grass" country. The wheatgrasses, grama grasses, and buffalo grass are just a few of the plants that make this such amazing range country. The grass cures out and holds a high amount of protein and nutrients even into the fall and winter months.
Thanksgiving at the Brovants
When Robin and I started going together and before we could marry... I had to be "tested and approved" by some nieces and nephews. It was quite an event to make the grade with Brenda. That little girl of some "twenty-some" years ago has not only become "my niece" but such a special friend as well. So proud of this young wife and mother. Brenda... "You did a great job hosting Thanksgiving around your dining room table. Oh, and thanks for giving the OK sign to your Aunt Robin so many years ago that this "Larry guy" would do."
SUNRISE AND SUNSET
I was blessed to watch the sunrise and the sunset from one of my favorite places on the Ranch today, and I was left in absolute awe of the beauty. I was also able to take a walk through one of our pastures while following some deer, and I found myself fascinated with the small things we often miss... little rocks, the variety of grasses and different vegetation, a tiny little cactus, and the unique lay of the land. I once again was in awe of the simple beauty. As we got to the top of the breaks I took in the more "noticeable" things... the distant Black Hills, the almost full moon, and the colorful sunset. And wow. Can I just say we have an absolute AMAZING and creative God. From the smallest little stone, to the biggest mountain, His creation is beautiful.
I was then reminded of Gods unbelievable care and love for His children... and not just the big moments or hardest times, He also cares for the smallest little details of our lives. And that's not all... He WANTS us to share ALL of these moments with Him. The good, bad, ugly, exciting or painful. Because He cares. Always.
Trust Him. He made the earth, the universe, and YOU. Absolutely nothing is to big or small for our powerful, loving God.
MY FAVORITE MONTH
November has always been my favorite month. Deer Season. Maybe it is because of some the really nice deer we have been able to harvest on our place over the years. Some great bucks!
Or maybe more than anything it is the memories made and the people they were made with. From early mornings opening day, to being piled in the old white pickup with Dad, Lucas, Jason, Joel and Molly when I was 7 and freezing cold! To crawling up with sights on my first deer when I was 13 with my Dad and little brothers and sister. Or driving along the draw looking for Dad’s awesome Whitetail! Or last year when my cousin came back to hunt with us after almost 15 years and was there when I got my first Whitetail after we crawled for MILES! Eating “hunting cookies” while driving around counting deer and hearing stories of seasons past. Being there with my brothers and sister when they all got their first deer, or the morning of my 18th birthday when I shot my dream buck! I had shot him and trailed the blood trail for a long time until we lost it and decided to do chores and then go back and look again. That’s when Dad, Don, Austin, Sydney and Shannon came and told me they found him! Or driving out to Grandpa’s house to show him our “trophies” and hearing him say “Oh my goodness! Good for you!”
These are the memories that I will cherish forever. This is Deer Season. This is Hunting.
It’s not the results, it’s the time spent together enjoying God’s Creation in this land we call Home. I am so thankful!
FALL HARVEST ON THE RANCH
Gathering from the West Pasture... shipping the steer calves tomorrow and weaning and keeping the heifer calves. Always a bittersweet time... We really enjoy the cattle and like seeing the calves from birth to weaning... But it is "harvest time" in Cattle Country.
Winding down the trail....
Working cattle, weaning calves, loading cattle... Yes, today found my thoughts winding down many trails with in my mind. One trail was marked by gratitude. Grateful for the blessings... Calves looked good. Getting a fair price for the steers. Things went smooth and safe. Thankful for a conscientious buyer of our livestock. And most of all, I thank God that I was able to do all this with Robin and our children by my side. And one trail was marked by memories... the generations of family that had experienced this on the Lonetree Ranch for over a century. Yes, some memories are recent and in "vivid color" and some seem to only run in "black and white". And yes... I couldn't help but hear my Dad's voice and hear his comments about his cows and calves, his children and their horses, about his appreciation for his good wife, Vicky, who was his best friend.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY... GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE... AND CONTINUES TO DO.