Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Adjusting to Life on the Ranch

Mindy here and would you believe it's been almost four weeks since we made our big move to the ranch? We're still busier than ever and working toward settling into a new routine, though I have yet to do much cooking. We hit the ground running as the sun comes up and before we know it it's seven in the evening and my crew is asking what's for dinner. Seems I need to relearn the art of planning.

But life really is different here than in the suburbs. Each day brings something new.
Like this giant moth we found frantically fluttering at the window INSIDE, desperately trying to get out.
It was a good five to six inches across. I've never seen one that big. Luckily, we were able to assist the poor creature and return it to the great outdoors.

There are a few constants we can count on, though.
The "girls" are always there to greet me as I head through the pasture in the morning.
And the bull keeps an eye on us, making sure we don't pose a threat to his herd.
But I believe our canine companions, Dixie and Maddie, are the happiest of all that we are out of the burbs.
At the ranch, they can take long walks in the woods.
Go for a swim.
Or simply enjoy the view.
But no matter what, they're never far from us.
Even when we have a moment to cool off in the hillbilly hot tub.
Yeah, I think they're pretty happy.
And why not when there's so much to do.

Now if I could just find that new norm. One with a little more down time and not so much go, go, go.

Nah!

Now it's your turn. I want to know what's going on in your world.
Has summer arrived yet? Ruthy, I saw that they had 90's in Maine the other day. Are you sweltering in Upstate? Kav, are you still in sweaters, sipping hot chocolate?
What are you doing with  your summer?





Mindy Obenhaus lives in Texas with her husband and the last of her five children. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com 


10 comments:

  1. Hey Minday.

    We hit 93 today! Your kind of weather.

    I love the photos. Your posts are starting to look like Jan's with all the cool wildlife!
    I can't believe it's a month already.

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    1. Mary Cate, I'm not sure I'd say that's my kind of weather, but I am very familiar with it. At least everything is air conditioned down here, so it's at least bearable.

      I do love seeing the animals. Definitely a change.

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  2. Sqqqquuuueeeaaaallllll!!!!!!! Love, love, love the critter pictures. Ranch life is definitely doggy heaven! Adore the pick of the two of them heading off to explore...as long as they don't run into snakes. Ack! Now I'm going to worry about them!!!!

    Summer turned yucky hot and humid on Sunday and I am a colossal wimp in the heat. My pain levels go through the roof and I just hunker down and wait for the heat wave to be over. That's today -- Phew -- only three days. I'm beginning to feel like a human being again.

    My summer plans are nil...well reading, of course!!! And I'm doubling up on my physio days so I'm excited about that. And gardening in wee little bits. And doggy dreaming. :-)

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    Replies
    1. You had to bring up the snakes, didn't you, Kav? I'm always on guard and am contemplating rattlesnake vaccines for the dogs, especially Maddie since she smaller.

      Only three days of heat? Much better than three-plus months.

      So when do you think those doggie dreams might become reality?

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    2. Oh, goodness, get the vaccines!!!!!!! Better still invite St. Patrick over to rid your property of snakes. :-)

      Hopefully this summer will be short on the intolerable heat/humidity days. Some summers we can have weeks on 40 which is super yucky if you don't have air conditioning. But I can handle a few days here and there. I like it when the temps go down to 10 at night. Cools everything down.

      Doggie dreamin' is a slow work-in-progress. I had thought I'd be ready in the spring, but I'm still not there.

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  3. Mindy, I love those photos!! It's so gorgeous there. I relax just looking at the scenery. :)

    Do you know yet how long it'll be until your house is ready?

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    Replies
    1. Missy, we're hoping to move in by late October, though earlier would be great. Right now, things are moving along at a pretty good clip. Just hope they keep going that way.

      I love that particular lake/cow pond. It's so pretty out there. Hard to believe that it completely dried up back in 2011 during that horrible drought. So glad it came back.

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    ReplyDelete
  5. Loved the pictures, Mindy.
    Illinois had 90+ temperatures today with heat index over 100. Typical for summer but after a raining spring we are in need of a nice shower now for the crops, gardents, and flowers.

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    Replies
    1. Ugh. Sounds like you've got a little humidity to go along with that heat, Marilyn. I feel your pain.

      We had a couple of those showers today that you referred to. Just enough to make things steamy. If only they'd lasted longer.

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