This is one those fancy white chocolate candies. When I had one tonight... I recalled the first time I enjoyed white chocolate. When I was in grade school at Alkali, our neighbor, Shirley Keffeler, took it upon herself to make chocolate Easter Candies for many in the school and community. These were not just small round pieces of candy, but rather quite large and scrumptious candies in multiple shapes to fit the Easter Season. Each one of the Reinhold kids received one and mine was white chocolate. Shirley left a good memory in my heart and it was because of kindness and generosity. Some attributes that are going to very much in need in the days ahead.
THE PARADE THAT WASN'T CANCELLED - ST. PATRICK'S DAY 2020
MEMORIES... SOME OF MY FAVORITE HORSES
Some of my favorite horses... Swift, Trigger is in the middle and a Pony/QH named Cookie who doesn't know what quit means.
Let me tell you about Swift. I bought him from Alan Leer in 1989. As a colt, he ran with the herd of horses that Leers had for the movie, Dances with Wolves, which was filmed over the Alkali Divide on the Belle Fourche River. After the movie was done, Allan sold him in his production sale in Sturgis. The colt did not look to good as the summer and then a fall blizzard took the bloom out of most of the weanlings.
I rode him calving in 1992 and we had some pretty tough spring weather. The only way to get around was on a good saddle horse. Dad and I rode a lot together that spring. Swift did great. In fact, over the next couple of years he earned quite a reputation on the Lonetree Ranch and with the kids at Rainbow Bible Ranch.
His registered name was Troubled YoYo. I liked the name Swift better as Dad had a favorite bay horse with that name in the 1960's.
Swift was my main horse for a number of years until a scar under his neck that remained after a nasty cut which he received in his "movie days" began to affect his breathing. I retired him to the camp string where only more experienced riders were given the privilege of riding one of "Larry's saddle horses". He was quite popular. :)
He was not ridden much in the last couple of years due to his breathing difficulties, but he still ran with the camp string. He always carried his head high entertaining memories of days gone by. And he would get his frisky moments where he would run as if he was an unbroke horse.
We turned him out in the breaks with all the other good horses of the RBR camp string. The good prairie grasses of the Dakota Plains would do them all good as it would prepare them for the coming winter months. Life was good.
And then from seemingly nowhere came a storm. On that October Day, which will not too quickly be forgotten when the Plains and Hills of Western South Dakota would be ravaged with rain, snow and wind in the what would be known as Atlas, Swift died. And not only Swift, but tens of thousands of cattle, horses and other animals met their demise.
The story does not end here... because the memories live on. I am one of many that were blessed by this one creature created by the Almighty to be a blessing. I am better because of Swift. Thank you Lord for lending him to me for a time.
FROM MARCH 11, 2014
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIERSTEN
“Well Miss Kiersten Rae... How old are you today?
Twelve years old... You are such a joy to your mom and me and to all your family and friends. God has already used you and our prayer is that you stay faithful and obedient to him and that you will continue to be a blessing. We sure do love you. Have a great day and may this upcoming year be a great chapter in your book.”
Hey Kierstie,
I just wanted to say Thank You to you on this special day. You have blessed me every day since you were born. Thanks for eating ice cream with me no matter the time of day (or night)🙃. Thanks for your hugs💙. They are very special! And for your giggles and your thoughtfulness! I pray you never lose your sparkle and your love for life and your desire to serve Jesus. I love you very much.
Happy 12th Birthday!
Love, Me
LET'S DO IT
I AM NOT SURPRISED
I AM NOT SURPRISED...
I have watched as a member of our family has taken some brutal attacks for her way of life. Some may say that she has just been experiencing "weaker moments" but hardly... She has exhibited amazing strength even during times of tremendous loss. God has sustained her in her faith in remarkable fashion, but the attacks are coming from multiple fronts.. and they are often time unseen... and they are may even go unnoticed by the bystander... but they are real... and they are wearisome... AND GOD CONTINUES TO BE HER STRENGTH... and considering the day and age we live in... they are not a surprise.
REFLECTION
"It is good to be home"
Nine days at the Stock Show... talked to hundreds of people... some in power... some powerless..... some offering hope... some with no hope.... Shared with many of RBR... shared with numerous the Gospel of Christ... received good news... and finished the last hours there with news that left us heartbroken. Today has been a day of reflection.
Photos by Robin Lee Reinhold
THE SNOW MOON
Appearing over the eastern horizon this evening at the ranch. The full moon is such a reminder...
"Reflection of the Sun (SON)"
Photo by Caleb Reinhold
STEAK & GRAVY
This brought back memories...
We had steak tonight for supper... pepper rubbed and done just right. But there is more to this story.
Growing up.. we enjoyed Steak n Gravy for numerous meals.
Pan fried sirloin and then Dad would make the gravy in his Scandinavian tradition. Thin gravy made in the pan after the steak had been fried. Milk... a little cream... sage, garlic and probably a little more pepper and salt. We would carry the skillet in and it would be served up with the big "grandma spoon" onto homemade bread. Yes... that is sort of the way things were done tonight in the same dining room that has been home to four generations of Reinholds.
I have to admit... I sure had the memory bank opened for awhile. However, my heartfelt thankfulness for those at the table with me this evening was so special, too. And then to top it off, Julia served us one of her homemade Swedish Apple Pies made with apple that we still have in storage from this past fall.
Thanks Robin for the homemade bread and thanks boys for helping with the steaks.
FROM THE BREATH OF GOD ICE IS MADE... JOB 37:10
A ‘FROSTY FOTO FEATURE” BY ROBIN REINHOLD
ANOTHER WINTER DAY
THE WOLF MOON
The Wolf Moon, or the Moon After Yule... beautiful and bright as temp was in single digits when it appeared over the eastern horizon.
Skating On The Pond
So many load up and go skating at the Main Street Square in Rapid City...But we enjoy this pond in our backyard. The skating rink won't let you bring your puppies along. And they really got sore at us the time we went ice fishing there. They asked us to leave. That was OK... the fish weren't biting anyway.
Robin, Rachel, Julia and Kiesten had a great time skating.
Barrel O' Prairie
