The Prairie.... My Garden

When you can wander a garden that spreads across thousands of acres... One cannot help but relate to South Dakota's own, Artist Harvey Dunn, and his painting, "The Prairie is My Garden".
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Bouquets of sweetpeas and bluebells grace our tables and sideboards and even the dash of the pickup for weeks every spring here on the ranch. The aroma is amazing...

The Moms in my Life

To commemorate the important moms in my life..

I just pulled up some wedding photos. I am so grateful to my mother (Vicky Reinhold), Robin's mother (Ellen Paulton) and the mother of our six children, (Robin Reinhold). Godly women they are.

A Pasture Bouquet

We had a nice little shower of rain about mid afternoon. Made for a pleasant time for Robin, Julia and Kiersten to enjoy the plains and hills of the Lonetree Ranch

Track Meet in Sturgis

The family took in the Jeff Smit Memorial Track Meet in Sturgis yesterday. Our daughter competed in several events along with other members of her Union Center team. This meet is well attended and conducted very well. We enjoy seeing kids and families from around the region that have participated in the RBR camping program thoughout the years. Rachel asked me who I cheer for in this situation... Of course the UC team, and of course I still cheer the Sturgis kids

Happy Birthday Danny 2021

"Son..." Saying that alone about Danny Reinhold is certainly a blessing and a privilege. Robin and I want to extend a very special birthday blessing to Danny today. We are so grateful to have you as part of our family. Personally speaking, I have learned much from you. You add special insight to the family. Our prayers are that you continue to grow in Christ and that you are a man of blessing to many in your lifetime. We sure do love you. Dad & Mom.

Story with this pic...

This is the previous generation of the Reinhold's version of a school car. That is my dad, Tige, with the reins, His brother, Paul (Brownie) and I believe sisters Ruth and Dorothy. Dad said they went down the breaks coming home nearly two miles in seven minutes. I can nearly hear my Grandma Hazel say, "You kids slow down!" And Grandpa Emanuel would be laughing off to the side.

Chris Jensen

Look at the size of that horse.
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The horseman is Chris Jensen. He had a place near Owanka, South Dakota in the early 1900's. His brother, Nels Jensen, my great grandfather had a horse ranch nearby on Rapid Creek. I never met Uncle Chris... but I would have liked to. I am not sure he ever married. He sold most of what he owned at a farm auction when he was called up to enter World War One. On his sale bill, he stated, "That he was going over to get 'Bill'." You history scholars may figure out what he meant by that. One thing that I had in common with Uncle Chris is that we shot the same 12 gauge shotgun. My Grandmother gave me that gun when I was in my early teens. It was pretty battered... a single shot... so I learned to make my shots count. I can still recall shooting ducks with that old gun

"A Bunch of Pelicans"

Well the Cowboy in me wants to say a herd of...

The farmer in me wants to say a flock of ...

Just being Larry, I want to say a bunch of...

Or maybe even a pile of...

But, to be correct, I would say a brief of...

Or I would say a pod of...

Or I would say a pouch of...

Or even a scoop of...

And to cover the bases, I would refer to squadron of...

Yes there was a pelican on Reinhold Lake today and joining him were about twenty more. Yes...Pelicans.

Notice the size by comparing them to the ducks along the shore.

NATIONAL AG DAY

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MARCH 23, 2021

NATIONAL AG DAY

I thought of posting some of Robin's beautiful photos from life on the Lonetree. You know... pics of agriculture. Like wheat fields and haying at sunset, branding calves in the spring and shipping in the fall, rescuing calves in the worst of blizzards and checking water during a drought. Agriculture on the Lonetree, across Meade County, from one side of our beloved South Dakota to the other. Pretty impressive. And I have not even touched on the the amazing aspect of processing and distribution of our food and fiber across America and around the world.

AGRICULTURE... Started way back at the dawn of Creation.

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But I think the best ways to depict National Ag Day are the people of agriculture. And yes, I count it a privilege to work with some of those fine people every day. AG DAY is every day with our family. And I can think of countless other families that are part of the this great industry every day as well.

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National Ag Day... a day that each and everyone of should celebrate. We are certainly blessed.

Bulls and Family

My Dad enjoyed good Hereford cattle and good horses. He loved his family dearly and he was a man of God. Perhaps that explains why we have enjoyed fellowship with the Feddes Family of Manhattan, Montana so much. My Dad, Marvin (Tige) and Marvin Feddes were of kindred spirit. We bought bulls from the Feddes family for years. Marv and Nell would stop in from time to time and Dad enjoyed his trips to their ranch in western Montana. Sweet fellowship ...

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Today on the Lonetree Ranch an event of life happened. "Death". Yes one of old herd bulls died. But this wasn't just any old bull. This was the last bull that my dad had a part in making the decision to purchase from the Feddes family. Sort of an end to a chapter... but not really. You see Tige and Marv trusted Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Because of that decision, They are enjoying eternity in the presence of Jesus. Some may think they are there talking of cattle and days on the ranch. I don't think so much. Heaven is too grand and they left the ranching business in the capable hands of the next generation. There is no doubt in my mind that decisions they made and the life they lived have left an amazing legacy.

May Our Actions...

Over the last weeks, these images have often come to my mind.

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Our leadership... Presently... incoming... In Congress... throughout the halls of bureaucracy is right close to pitiful. The dishonesty has become overwhelming... the seizing of power for personal gain is rampant. And the ungodliness is as a cancer across all of society. The possibility of the least amount of danger has only magnified the cowardice of those that should rise up as leaders. The mention of God's name is most often in vain or at least just part of empty rhetoric. The "victim" card has been played way to often. The role of Man and Woman as God designed has been so influenced by Satan.

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May we lead in valor. May our example be full of integrity. May we humble ourselves before God and seek His Face. May we pray in earnest. May our actions be honorable.

Happy Birthday 2021

Happy Birthday to my dear wife, Robin. You provide sparkle to the day. You are a great partner, a wonderful mom to our children and a true friend to so many. Thank you... I love you. LBR

AVALANCE DRAW

There is hardly any snow on the ranch this Christmas or over the entire region for that matter. However, on Christmas Day we found some in what I refer to as Avalanche Draw. One day during a very tough winter, I was riding in the breaks to the south looking for a small herd of horses. We had seen some on top of the ridge. I set out bring them in. The last 150 yards became nearly impossible to ride as the snow had drifted so deep. I dismounted my horse and together we broke a trail through the hard packed snow. In the quietness other than our labored breathing and the breaking of crusty snow, I hear a rumble. I thought that was strange and I even entertained the thought of, "Oh great... probably an avalanche or something." "But not on the plains of western South Dakota...."

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I topped the small ridge just before the top of the breaks where the horses were and I looked to my left....and sure enough the snow had avalanched down the draw. My thoughts were simply.... "Wow... that is really cool". My horse and I made it to the top and with some persistence and persuasion, I was able to get the horses to follow the path that we had broken through the deep snow. The sky was blue and bright that day... the air was crisp and cold... and my memories of that experience are just as vivid as the day that Avalanche Draw got its name.

Merry Christmas from Robin and I on the Lonetree Ranch

AND THAT'S THE WAY IT IS

A familiar scene as I was growing up and even in my high school years. Walter Cronkite giving the daily update of the conflict in Viet Nam. And why not? In 1969 more than 500,000 Americans were stationed there. I knew some of them... I was related to some of them. And the way it looked... there seemed to be no end. I wondered if I would end up there. Or my brothers? The United States pulled out in 1973. By 1975, South Vietnam fell. Over 58,000 members of U.S. armed forces had died or were missing as a result of the war. I never did have to go. I was still in High School... not quite that age of 18 when one was presumed old enough to fight and kill. For some reason though, I have always felt a special sense of gratitude in my heart to those that did serve. It was a tough war... and yes they all are, but Vietnam was different because America was different. The support was not there. And it has been that way for many that served for decades. Tonight, as we approach Christmas 2020, I want to say thank you to those who served in Vietnam and the surrounding area. Your time of service left an indelible mark upon my life. One that has never left me. I will never forget the words of Walter Cronkite that came so regular each day for so many years... #___ died today in Vietnam and #___ were wounded... And his closing words to every broadcast... "And that's the way it is..." have never left me.
Larry B. Reinhold

Lonetree Ranch
14666 Lonetree Road
Sturgis, South Dakota 57785

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