Freya in the Cabin

Fall is insanely busy at the Ranch but we've been very photo conscious because we are applying to Big Dogs, Huge Paws to be a Foster Family. We are finally down to our home inspection which will be done initially by photographs. We all are very camera shy, each preferring to be the photographer, so we have made an effort to combat this situation, and also to sift through existing pictures to show just how animal friendly the Ranch is.

So this is Spring '08, Evening chores are finished, and I hear the strangest noise upon the inside stairs - sounds that any child would expect upon the roof on a any given Christmas Eve...and up pops Freya, my favorite of the yearlings.

Freya used more caution with her antlers investigating then the young dawgs do when managing their wagging tails. She checked herself out in the mirrors of the armoire - Yes, I am very pretty! She warmed herself by the fire. She declined a glass of wine, she wasn't of age yet, she well knew.

Freya sniffed everything with glee. She considered joining the pups on the couch, it looked pretty comfortable. But oh, she had so many stories to tell the rest of the herd now. Only she of all the reindeer had been in the big people barn! She'd dine on this for weeks, getting a larger share of beet pulp until the other reindeer grew bored with her stories of what was in the log cabin people place. Maybe they should lobby for a couch of their own? Freya took it all in again, observing well and stepping out on the the wrap around porch, she surveyed her home from up high. It was dark, but maybe the herd could hear her hooves on the porch boards. Maybe. And then she gingerly walked down the outside stairs and headed home to the South paddock to tell of the wondrous things she'd seen.

White Dove Release

Vail Valley photo: Dove released | VailDaily.com

VAIL VALLEY, Colorado — Jack Dunlevie, left, releases white doves in the Vail Valley to help open the Edwards Farmers' Market on Saturday at The Corner in Edwards. The market runs every Saturday through Sept. 19.
Kristin Anderson/Vail Daily

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My Rainbow's Plot O' Gold

Is Ranch Alacrity.

Waxing Moon but Waning Phase

This evening I learned a website – no…The Web Site- that I've been a fan of for some nine years, and more if you count its conception on Salon.com, has ended.

I mourn Readerville.com.

Nine years and I've been absent the last few, and I regret those. I've met in real life so many of my invisible friends from there: had them as house guests; had lunch; attended the symphony together; been a brides’ maid & the yenta , too; acquired some of my dearest friends; gotten great business advice; and of course as it was a site about books! I found incredible reads, became friends with some authors and many readers. Discovered ideas to put before my eyes I would have never found. Oddly enough, my online nickname became a character in a book, and a tough bitch she was! 

I wondered what would get me back to blogging.  

I never imagined Readerville would go away. That's Speedy up there, the lion running, I have all kinds of schwag with that logo. I drink my morning cawfee in a mug with Speedy. And I still will. 

Readerville has been in my life for a decade as have been its people. In this time frame I can only say that assistance dogs & the death of my mother have had as great of an impact. Karen Templer's website might vanish, but the community she built is strong and we are together and that's what really counts in the end: Community. 

Community & reading & writing. Who cares about arithmetic? 

Yet, we can add it up. Readerville is, was, and is still a plus. 

Thank you Karen. 

Brava, Karen. Brava. 

Billy Ray's Got Wood!

Billy Ray isn't the name we write on his checks, but it's been his nickname since his early Vail bar-tending years at The Club. It has something to do with that bit of wall art bearing the title "Billy Ray's Pool Hall" - you've seen it. Or maybe you'd had too much to drink to remember; that happens at The Club.

Billy Ray used to do our snowplowing, and he still provides our wood. He always brings a smile with him. I always have a beer for him & his crew.

Billy Ray & his gorgeous girl are moving over one valley this winter so he's trying to get all his wood out there so there will be no need to do deliveries in February. He also just bought a fancy lil' dump trailer than hauls two cords at a time. So dump he did, and then he stacked before I got a chance to take a picture of all that wonderful wood in a dog-tempting climb-me-now kind of pile. Maurepas, on the right, felt there was enough challenge remaining and fought off all contenders.

Ted had to check out the stacking. I think he was really looking for another place to lift his leg.

We've definitely lost a lot of porch room on the wrap around, but Maurepas & his litter mate Manchac got right to the point: too much shade. All those stacks blocked some of their favorite sunning locations.

I heartily sympathize because the lounging spot in front of the glass-paned door is where one of my favorite chairs gets a great winter midday beam.

That will definitely be the first wood to burn.

Teeka, our baby Reindeer

Teeka has been very elusive since she was born this May.

Today was her first day to be separated from her mother for the late afternoon and evening. The calf & mother honk to each other, and Teeka ran about the pasture honking for Mom after the ladies had left for an evening display and round of reindeer rides at "A Grand Holiday" in Glenwood Springs CO.

Teeka calmed down after a bit and soon was up to her mischievous ways, sneaking out through the pasture gate to visit all the other Ranch creatures. She can't get back in the same method of egress, so she circles the pasture and ducks back in through a drainage, which oddly enough, she cannot escape through. So in & out she played, driving her dad, Magnus, nuts, because he was totally distraught that his bevy of beauties had all left him behind. And then there goes Teeka, off to start some reindeer games with the other animals!

To see how she has grown, here's Teeka when she was just a day old, un-named, nose to nose with young Ruby, about 7-8 weeks at the time. Check out that "Hello World!!!" kiss.

Holiday Trees

This will be the third holiday season at the Ranch and at last we have trees that sparkle with light and color. I have been shopping yard sales, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore & every deep clearance I've seen to stock up on options.

I did however forget to keep an eye out for grounded extension cords.

You can never ever have enough extension cords at a ranch.

As the storage shelves in the pump room overflowed with supplies, Kristin became infected the holiday spirit bug. We planned which trees, and lamenting our lack of solid color strings, we decided to do the tree trunks in a single color and the branches in white.

Kristin has been wrapping for weeks! What wonders she has created! Thank you!

The Largest Egg Subscription...Yet.

Last week Kristin & I were packaging up our newest order and we were amazed by the amount of counter space this single order covered. This is a weekly subscription! Never before have carton returns seemed so crucial financially to our new endeavor.

Things that Make Me Smile #1

I love finding cool things through a friend of a friend.

Doggie in a Truck

O'Meallie Egg Nog

12 large eggs separated
2 cups sugar
1 pint milk
1 pint heavy whipping cream
1 fifth rum
1/2 fifth brandy

Mix egg yolks and sugar until creamy in large bowl. Add milk, blending slowly. Slowly stir in spirits. On one side whip cream to stiff peaks and fold into mixture. On other side, whip egg whites to stiff peaks and then gently fold into mixture. Grate fresh nutmeg over all.

Enjoy with true abandon.

This halves well.

Behave.