Sam

I wrote this back at the first of the year, and although I've been terribly remiss in posting this year, I really wanted to share this.

The same day we lost Poncho, we had to put Sam down. It was a rough day.

Sam was an amazing friend who quickly became part of the family. From the time he was little, he wanted to work, and work he did. When we lived in the mountains we didn't have any help and DH often used the dogs to help him gather the cattle off of the brushy mountainsides. Sam was a pro. He was loyal and tenacious and he had heart. The only thing he didn't have in him was quit. He would go until he couldn't go any more and then he would go some more. Some mornings his feet would be so sore from trotting through the rocks, but he would hobble to the barn at the first sight of DH. The only way we could keep him from following would be to tie him up and then just watch him pout.

Even in his old age, he'd jump at the chance to work. He's often be the first one out to the pens when we worked cattle here at the house:

He had a hitch in his gait in later years, but he acted like a puppy when the boys would saddle up and he was never far behind. He's hard to spot in this shot, but take my word for it, his tail is a waggin, his tongue is hanging out, and he is elated!

He was the best dog. So good and gentle with the kids, but an absolute bear when it came to going after pigs or javalenas. Once he and DH got into some pigs by a dirt tank and Sam and this pig went to the mat. They both ended up in the water and DH thought that was going to be the end of Sam, but he persevered and climbed out the victor with only a torn ear as a reminder of the battle.

Sam was 13. Old for a big working dog. About 2 years ago, we noticed he was having trouble retaining heat so I fixed up a place for him to sleep in out front mud room and opened the door for him. He peered in, but wouldn't have even put one paw in the house. We tried to coax him in, drag him in, even placing raw meat just inside the door. He didn't budge. So we carried him in and placed him on the pet bed. He looked perplexed, but soon settled in for the night and before long, we had to fight him to beat him to the door at night!

Everyone loved Sam. Even the tough old cowboys who helped us out always had a kind word and a few loving scratches for him. One morning I found this:

Clint had draped his coat over that old dog when the crew had come in for breakfast. Said he looked cold. Gotta love a guy who loves a smelly old dog like that.

Sam loved to go. Anywhere. And fishing was no exception, We started toting him around from the time he was just a little guy.


He was even included in Christmas card photos.

When we would rope, he was right beside us although we often had to chide him for chasing the steers down the arena. If we tied him up, he would complain and bark for a bit and then look left out. He had a job to do and we weren't letting him do it!

One of his favorite places to relax was the water trough. Almost every day when the weather was warm, he would make a beeline for the water and splash around or just stand there, completely content. The dog knew how to enjoy life. We should all take a lesson from Sam and take time to enjoy a good soak in the water trough.

One day I walked out to find this:

For some reason only known to Sam, he loved this red wagon. It was once the kids' and now we use to to haul off branches and stuff when we work in the yard. It's not exactly Sam sized, but that didn't stop him from making it his.

He seemed to gain some kind of comfort from squeezing into that little red wagon and who was I to tell him he wouldn't fit.

And yes, I drug a blanket out there for him. Old Sam had earned his retirement and a little TLC never hurt anyone.

The last year or so, he would bark at night when he wanted out so I would get up and let him out. DH once joked that it gave him hope that if I would be so kind to an old dog like Sam, I might take pretty good care of him when he got old. LOL! Yes dear, I'll gladly get up at night and let you out too!

So many good memories. Our critters really do become part of the family and I'm grateful for the time we have them in our lives. Thank you for so many good years Sam.

Crazy Busy Beginning to the New Year

Thought I ought to at least check in with ya'll and let you know that I have not fallen off the face of the earth. Seems the more I try to slow the world down, the faster it spins and thus, January has been a complete blur, but I haven't been flung off just yet.

All is well, I've just been on the go far too much. Today was a cold, rainy, slow, relaxing day - just what the doctor ordered. I didn't cook for a single soul - well, I did warm up breakfast burrito fixings for DH and Grandpa at 6, but that was the extent of it. It was so wet that we sent Grandpa back home because there wasn't any use tearing up all the roads or getting stuck. DD was in town for her college classes(she mudded her way to the pavement) and DH and I had a rare day at home together, alone. DH couldn't go anywhere because the roads were a mucky mess, so with the exception of 2 trips to the barn to chore, we holed up inside. He rarely spends much time indoors, but today he had a chance to catch up on his paperwork and work on inventory. Later we curled up and watched a movie with mugs of hot tea and a quilt while the good Lord blessed us with an entire day of gentle rain. I love it that God knows what we need, when we need it!

After the chaos of the holidays, I was looking forward to a quiet January, but it started it out with some company (which I enjoyed), friends over for supper, an 8 day trip to help my Mom with taxes and business paperwork, 1 day home, repacked and headed to Albuquerque for a 3 day Senior Leadership Retreat with 250 teenagers (a fun, but exhausting trip), back home to buy groceries and cook for a crew of 12 for 3 days, another batch of company, and then finally take a breath for a day. Yesterday we shipped out 200 steers and tested the Corrientes and I was in the kitchen again. It's been nuts and January has come and gone in a whirlwind of activity.

While I was in Albuquerque, a dear friend whom I hadn't seen in about 3 years (far too long!) drove in and I snuck away for about 4 hours to catch up with her. It wasn't nearly long enough, but it was a huge blessing!

Blessing #2 - We're having a wonderful, wet winter. 5 snows at last count intermingled with occassional rains. Makes me long for spring...minus the winds, which never fail to make their mark on an otherwise glorious season. I'm thinkin we'll actually have a green spring and I'm looking forward to getting my hands in the dirt!

The other day I jumped in with DH and we went to feed bulls. I was in need of a big dose of fresh dirt road air after spending so much time in urban areas. As soon as we hit the paved road, we met a snowplow. They actually closed the road sometime the previous evening, but the sun was out and I thought it would make quicker work of the snow than the snowplow. We only had about 2 or 3 inches the day before, hardly worth the time and effort and money and much of it had already melted.

Bulls don't move very quickly, but you might get them to lumber a bit faster when they see the hay headed their way.

Every other day we drop a big bale for them to dine on and with a call of the siren, they eventually make their way to the breakfast table.

Where they devour a ton of hay at $170 in no time.

They never seem very appreciative about it either. Seems as if this fella woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Oh well, I suppose we all have our days.

Oh my, look at that scowl! Hope he makes time for a nap today.

I wanted to snap some pictures of DH doling out the hay, but someone had to drive and DH frowns upon me snapping pictures while I'm supposed to be driving across the pasture and avoiding the mesquite. Go figure.
Not everyone's disagreeable today. This ol' boy kept grunting his thanks.

A nap actually sounds pretty good, but when I take one, I wake up grouchier than before and I love my family too much to do that to them, so I think I'll just turn in early tonight and hope that February isn't quite as packed as January was. Grin! Looking at the calender, it's safe to say that I might have to wait until March...of next year!

Ode to a Horse: Remembering Poncho

Yesterday was the hardest day. We had to put down a very special horse, the best horse in the world. Poncho was 28 and he had been with us for 24 of those years. He enriched our lives and gave us so many wonderful memories for many years. It was so hard to let him go.

DH bought him in Dripping Springs, Texas just after he graduated from college and before we were married, so technically, he had Poncho longer than he's had me! Poncho turned out to be a great roping horse and a super little cow pony. He never got real big, but DH could put him in any situation and Poncho would always tend to business. When I rode, he was the one I chose. Then the kids came along and he turned out to be worth his weight in gold. Priceless, really. Any of you that are around horses and kids know that a good kid horse is hard to come by. Poncho was a horse you could count on and he had a sweet disposition. The kids have been riding since before they could walk and I never worried when they were partnered with this good old boy. They would often mount up and ride out into a pasture just to see the sights, in search of the next great adventure, which we all know, is just over the next hill. He raised them both and they formed a bond that can never be broken.

He was the parade horse, the roping horse, the show horse, the cowhorse, the reliable horse, the 4-H horse, the reining horse, the cutting horse, the sweet horse, the "let's go on an adventure" horse, the kid horse, and the "I'm really feeling sad and I need someone to talk to" horse.

He was DDs first love and as far as I'm concerned, every little girl should be so blessed.

DH has had lots of horses through the years, but they all pale in comparison to this amazing equine. He wouldn't win any beauty pageants, but he was the most beautiful horse to all of us. He had heart and we will forever treasure the memories.

There are countless memories that swim through my mind when I think back through the years, but I'll leave you with just a few of the pictures that show how very much he was loved. After all, he was a very important member of the family and he will be dearly missed.

Sorry, the slideshow is in the next post so just scroll down.

Thanks Ol' Boy!

Texas Caviar

Happy New Year Ya'll! Hope everyone had a safe and fun slide into 2010. I don't know about ya'll, but my January is filling up fast...too fast. I thought January was supposed to be the quiet month.

We had friends over last night and here's a recipe I made that I wanted to share with ya'll. I grew up with the tradition of having to have Black-eyed peas on New Year's Day and this is a yummy way to enjoy that. Even folks who don't care for black eyed peas seem to like this.

I'm not sure where the whole 'black-eyed peas will bring good luck' story originated and I'm not going to promise you good luck if you eat this, but just enjoy it because it's good stuff!

Texas Caviar

2 (15-ounce) cans black-eyes peas, drained

1 (15-ounce) can whole kernal corn, drained

1 (10-ounce) can Rotel

1/4 c chopped red bell pepper

1/4 c chopped green bell pepper

1/4 c chopped onion

1 chopped jalapeno

Dressing:

1/2 c red wine vinegar

1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

1/4 tsp sugar

pinch dried oregano

1/2 c olive oil

1/2 c vegetable oil

Just combine the first 7 ingredients. I combine the dressing ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake to blend. Then just pour it over the pea mixture and stir. Let the mixture set in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight and then serve with Scoops tortilla chips.

Oh, and if you're really short on time and in a pinch...just substitute Italian dressing.

It's such a colorful dip, and a good salad /side dish for those summer get togethers. Before you know it, we'll be planning those!

So here's wishing all of you a healthy, happy, blessed New Year!