Danny and Grady rebuilding a stretch of 100 year old fence line. Some moisture about a foot to eighteen inches down. I suppose that is from the snow and rain last October around the middle of the month. After that... the ol' gumbo is nearly rock hard. Since this is pasture that we use after cows have calved... we want a good fence on the east side so they won't drift through during a storm. We have good shelter just up from where the fence is being built. Robin snapped a pic of one of the many dams on the Ranch that is in pretty tough shape. Trusting God for his provision and moisture.
A Father's Prayer by Edgar Guest
Lord, make me tolerant and wise.
Incline my ears to hear him through;
Let him not stand with downcast eyes,
Fearing to trust me and be true.
Instruct me so that I may know
The way my son and I should go.
When he shall err, as once did I,
Or boyhood folly bids him stray,
Let me not into anger fly
And drive the good in him away.
Teach me to win his trust, that he
Shall keep no secret hid from me.
Lord, strengthen me that I may be .
A fit example for my son.
Grant he may never hear or see
A shameful deed that I have done.
However sorely I am tried,
Let me not undermine his pride.
In spite of years and temples gray,
Still let my spirit beat with joy;
Teach me to share in all his play
And be a comrade with my boy.
Wherever we may chance to be,
Let him find happiness with me.
Lord, as his father, now I pray
For manhood's strength and counsel wise;
Let me deal justly, day by day,
In all that fatherhood implies.
To be his father, keep me fit;
Let me not play the hypocrite!
Danny's Special Pickup
On the ranch...there is still plenty of call to work in the shop. This is Danny Reinhold's special project pickup. It used to be one that his Grandad Paulton had.
B&W... "Big and Wonderful Day(s) on the Ranch
The Harvest is Coming
Yes, we are months away from the harvest, however a farmer plants the seeds in anticipation... Forever an optimist... And all farmers know that they do not hold the outcome completely in their hands. Why even one wonders how a farmer can really be a complete atheist!
These photos were taken in the late 1950's. My dad and a couple of his nephews shocking wheat on a hot summer day and my mom taking and lending a hand while the guys took a quick break to enjoy a cold drink that Mother brought to quench their thirst. "Shocking" was the process of standing the bundles/sheaves in just the right pattern to protect the heads of wheat until threshing. It also allowed more time for the kernels to completely ripen and the straw to dry.
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All across our region, Farmers are anticipating the harvest... And planting season is a sure sign of that. While we continue to be desperately dry and the drought seems to gain strength, we will plant, and we will pray. And when I question the intelligence of planting seed in dry ground... I will recall what my dad told me, "Well son, my dad always said that the seed won't grow in the bin."
And now, I am sure you won't have to wonder long at the wisdom and insight I share with the next generation of Reinholds on the Lonetree.
Belle and Beau
This sweet orphan calf has been named Beau. He enjoyed the trek around the yard. Our wonderful English Shepherd, Belle, certainly likes making friends. She has always been a "mama".
Don't Spare the Love
My mom... and "Grandma" to our kids and for that matter... hundreds of kids from all over the country and around the world.
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I just received word that my cousin, LeRoy's wife passed away from cancer. She was only 68 years old... Just like my mom. Had "beat" breast cancer years before... just like my mom. And then the cancer came back... just like my mom.
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I am not going to get on any soapbox... or share the pain and anxiety that comes with that dreaded disease... I don't wear pink... or tell you....
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I just want to say... Don't "spare" the love when it comes to your family. Count everyday a blessing... whether in sickness or health...
And thank God continually for those that He has given to you as family.
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...Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. James 4:14
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Vicky (Voreta)Rae Reinhold... A life well lived. To God be the Glory.
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An added note... I love this photo of Mom and her beloved Smokey.
My Favorite by Luke Reinbold
My Favorite
Today I rode my favorite all time horse with a barn name of Freedom.
This is a rare occurrence because this pretty buckskin quarter horse mare is now the favorite of our youngest daughter and is generally toting her around in grand fashion, sometimes in an English saddle going over jumps and others in a barrel saddle as the wind rushes through her main.
Well today I needed to move the cows to dryer pasture where they will begin calving in the next month or so. I sure could have used a number of horses for the job but I must have been feeling nostalgic so Freedom and I went for a spin and it brought back some fun memories for me. Memories of competitions we competed in numerous states and places, of interesting situations we have been in together and colts she has helped me start.
Of problem horses, one in particular jumped up in my lap and over her neck as it rested it front feet there and of course she handled it like a champ as always.
We have been bum rushed and head butted by a bull, and she has shielded my from mad momma cows, but today we just enjoyed a spin around the block and I enjoyed a fun trail ride afterwards and I know she did too.
We all have a favorite that comes to mind, I'm sure you are thinking of yours. These horses are more valuable to us than anything and are treated as such, I can't put a price tag on something like that. I have been asked how much would I sell her for and my response is the same as my daughter's...she's not for sale!
A few photos of Freedom, the pretty ranch bred buckskin mare that I almost didn't buy as a weanling from the Lonetree ranch in Sturgis South Dakota. Sure glad I did.
PRESENTATION TO LYNN AND CONNIE WEISHAAR
Each year the Reinhold Family and the Lonetree Ranch presents a framed piece of fine art in honor of Tige Reinhold, to a family at the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo Hereford Show. This year, it was a privilege to present the Tim Cox print "No Help from Mom" to our friends, Lynn and Connie Fritz Weishaar of Reva, South Dakota. Lynn and Connie have played a vital part in livestock marketing around the country. Lynn has been the auctioneer for the Hereford Sale at the Stock Show for years. Godspeed!
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The beautiful frame for this piece was crafted by our good friend, Gary Burkhardsmeier
Happy Birthday Robin 2021
Happy Birthday Dear Robin,
My dear wife... You are such an example to me and to many others as well. I never cease to be amazed at your character and your desire to live a Godly life. This past year has had joys and sorrows... challenges and victories. I am so thankful to partner with you. May you be blessed as you are such a blessing to me, to our family and to so many others around the world.
"AND THERE WAS NO ROOM IN THE INN"
"And there was no room in the inn..."
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No one really knows what the stable really was like where Jesus was born. It really does not matter. But we do know that the Baby after He was born was laid in a manger...
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The barn on the Lonetree Ranch is nearly a century old. Many a family member at Christmas time have had to stretch their imagination very little to ponder that first Christmas.
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This morning's sunrise drew me outside to take this pic. I really think that many people could use the reminder of a manger in a stable to bring Christmas into perspective.
ICE IS GREAT
No snow on Christmas Eve... but the ice is great on the "Ol Swimmin' Hole". Julia and Kiersten took advantage of the pleasant afternoon to go skating.
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Oh and as far as snow for Christmas Day... The kids are praying. I had asked Julia earlier to go and do some cleaning and dishes in the kitchen at RBR. I told her that she could pray for snow while going about that business. Later, when I met her at the kitchen as she followed up on my request. I asked her what she was up too... She simply said, "Praying." Now that is impressive. Thanks Julia.
KITCHEN IS A BUSY PLACE
The kitchen is a pretty busy place tonight as well as the shop and the back room and ... well you get the picture. All sorts of activity going on as the final preparation takes place for the Reinhold's Christmas Eve celebration. The overflow and what some may even call clutter pleases me as husband and dad. This is our dining room table. Homemade bread with our lutefisk and all other sort of good food. I love the fact that the bread Robin baked is near her open Bible. However, I am not surprised to see this setting. God's Word is a daily part of her agenda.
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Thank you Robin, Rachel, Danny, Caleb, Julia and Kiersten for making this a fine evening... And thank you Jesus... You have blessed us so much.
And yes... Molly and Jacob... you have a special place in our hearts as well.... and Little Emanuel... Spending Christmas in Heaven. "God with Us".
MERRY CHRISTMAS... IN ANY LANGUAGE
What a blessed time of the year.
"Merry Christmas"
But this may have been the way some of our ancestors may have said the greeting...
God Yul
frohe Weihnachten
Nollaig Shona
Glædelig jul!
veselé Vánoce
WINTER HAS ME ASKING
For nearly six decades I have pondered
When the shadows cast nearly north.
And the sun catches the distant horizon
And the days of winter now set forth.
The winter solstice has me asking
What is it about the enduring night?
That sets in at the end of each day
When the darkness outlasts the light.
The "North Country" is where I call home.
Often, sunup to sundown happens to be my clock.
It is no use to fret that the day is done.
Makes little difference on the path I walk.
So, I will take each moment in stride.
Perhaps the seasons say it best.
The days of summer I work long and hard.
The days of winter it is time to ponder and rest.
I am reminded a lesson to adhere.
To everything there is a reason,
As the Scripture of old clearly states
To the passage of day and of each season.
Larry B. Reinhold
December 21, 2021
SUNDAY AFTERNOON FAMILY MEAL
Oh my... So good... Danny grilled the steak... Kiersten and Robin made the Swedish Rice Pudding for dessert. A nice Sunday Afternoon Family Meal.
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Good Black "Ranch" Coffee to enjoy after the meal... A real treat.
EMANUEL JACOB FISHER... A TRIBUTE TO YOU
Not a word to say, Daddy carried in
A pine box to be their son's earthly bed
Mommy whispered through her tears,
"I sure wish it was a toy box, instead."
A little boy conceived in love.
A dream to enhance the human race.
Delivered from the warmth of mother's womb
Into the loving arms of God's embrace.
In their home and in their eyes...
So much evidence of joy.
In their heart they know God is love.
But oh how they miss the heartbeat of that little boy.
Carefully they lay their son in,
This homemade box of pine.
They fold his blanket all just right.
And in the silence, "Mommy, Daddy will you be fine?"
Daddy holds Mommy real close and tight.
"Our son...'God With Us'... It's even in your name.
Emanuel Jacob Fisher.... A tribute to you...
We will be fine... But we will never be the same."
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Larry B. Reinhold
December 10, 2021
DECEMBER 5, 2021
12/5/21 It was a good day we went to church we had a fellowship meal talked to friends and family and made our way home. That afternoon we went out on our place and cut down our Christmas Tree what a wonderful time of year celebrating new life. The 5th of December was also my beautiful wife's birthday, oh so much to be thankful for... As the evening approached and the sun had set in the west I prepared Mollys birthday dinner... we sat down and blessed the food and I thanked God for blessing me with a wonderful wife.. A short time after we found ourselves on the way to the ER due to a allergic reaction to something, some swelling and harder breathing was comming on. As I am driving and holding Molly's hand I thought Lord why on her birthday? Why the ER?
So many questions with no answers at the time, after some hours her swelling had let up some, her breathing was coming easier and the babys heart beat was checked and supposely in great shape so we left the ER being told Molly and the baby where good. That night we went to bed thankful we where all okay but wondering why
12/06/21 I went to work and throughout the day checking in on Molly to see how her and our 38 week old baby where doing... Molly was worried about our baby there wasn't movements like there should be. I encouraged her and told her the baby is okay i told her Molly just trust me and keep praying. Later that day I got home and our mid-wife came to check on our baby, as we waited for her to find the heart beat ... time passed still nothing ... we all rushed back into the ER a short time later molly was on the bed and they couldnt find a heart beat. God why? Why cant the find a heart beat? That baby was allways full of energy all the time and perfectly healthy... words cant explain what we felt we just held hands and cried until the tears stopped coming. We left the ER that night broken, confused and angry. Why would God take our First baby?
12/07/21 we woke up in hurt and in tears, my family gathered and prayed that day and that evening Mollys folks came in from SD. Many tears and aching and prayers that God would be glorified.
That night at 1145pm Molly's water broke and we rushed back into the ER, questions and tears and thoughts of I cant do this truly filled our minds ,how can we deliver this baby knowing its allready gone? ....
12/08 Molly was induced and contractions began around 1am, I sat by her side holding her hand and praying and telling her you can do this God is with us and I will never leave your side It was so hard watching my wife in pain for 14 hrs of contractions, and at 2:45 pm Molly delivered our baby boy, we held our baby and cried. We Grieved in every possible way it seems but God gave us so much peace and comfort. We knew our baby was allready in Gods hands. It was so hard to never hear our baby cry and to not see it move but our baby never had to deal with the sin of this world
It doesn't seem fair and we could blame
God but Molly and I belive and know that God will and allready has used our Emanuel Jacob Fisher in healing broken hearts and convicting the hearts of people who aren't walking with the Lord, and encouraging the hearts of many, and by the grace of God so much more then you and I will ever know or understand.
Molly and I are doing well thank you to everyone who has been praying and sending meals, we have a long road to travel yet but Gods is using our family of 3 for the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Molly Reinhold Fisher was such a champ and I am so proud of her she truly was amazing and she never went on any pain medication durning or after delivery.
We will be having a funeral tomorrow where I grew up, with most of our family. The homemade coffin is made of pine that was cut right where the burial site is at.. God works all things for the good even when we dont understand. We are grateful for our little 8lb 2oz Emanuel Jacob Fisher.
Caleb's First Whitetail
Caleb's first whitetail and a pretty one at that. Nice tall rack on the buck, taken with a a beautiful shot with a 22-250 rifle. Thanks Rachel for taking the picture and the being part of the hunt. Great memory.
