Nels August Jensen

My Great Grandfather...

Nels August Jensen, born in Denmark, went west... way west as boy to eventually own The Circle Star. The ranch was located east of Farmingdale, SD on Rapid Creek near where it ran into the Cheyenne River.

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His daughter, Vivian, wrote of N.A.... "He wore Justin Boots (black with little white insets) and a big Stetson hat with a beaded band. In the springtime he stuck a flower sprig in the band. In town, he would walk into anyone’s yard and help himself to a flower for his hat. If the lady of the house appeared, he assumed his jaunty smile and said, “I knew you wouldn’t mind if I took a flower for my hat.” Strangely enough, they never did."

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You know what is really fun... My Dad, Tige, N.A. Jensen's grandson, would often go by Robin's roses in the summer. With a wry smile as he was picking a rose, he would say, "Mind if I borrow a rose?"

Danny and Derek put in a good day's work to benefit many of our babies, especially if we get the up to ten inches of snow forecasted in the next day or so. We had rebuilt this calf shelter and the guys put down about a thousand square feet of shingles. Looks nice guys and it looks as if those white faced calves appreciate your work as well.

A Lesson

This cow belongs to Julia and Kiersten and she is not evan suppose to be here. When she was young and we were sorting heifers, I told the girls that I would trade them "a better one". This one really did not mean the guidelines. When we sold the poorer end and this heifer ended up in another pasture and we just never got around to getting her. Well, yesterday she had a nice bull calf. The girls are happy. And now this cow looks to be a keeper. Maybe another lesson here... "use good bulls"

THANK YOU SHIRLEY...

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.

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.”
— Dad and Mom
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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

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

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

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.

LBR Journal - "Hundred Mile Circle"

A friend reminded us that today is the 129 year remembrance of the Wounded Knee Massacre...Below are some thoughts I have...

Our family talks of our "hundred mile circle". For instance all the interesting and amazing events to be a part of, sites to visit, happenings that are so close to home. It is pretty neat. And then one realizes the "hundred mile circle includes tragedies and events such as Wounded Knee or the Rapid City Flood. We do not have to go far to be forced to ponder a "bigger picture". We live in an area that demonstrates the goodness of mankind and the evil of mankind. Our prayer should be continual... That our hearts and minds be guided by Jesus Christ. May we be a light in a darkened world. LBR

Lonetree Ranch
14666 Lonetree Road
Sturgis, South Dakota 57785

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