#tbt Cowboys

What a difference almost 30 years makes.  After a wonderful week at the Alisal last week, I found this picture of my brother and I right around 1986 with Cowboy Dick.  Below is the photo I took last year of him with Charles.  This year we saw him out working cattle, gotta love cowboys!

Summer's Sunset

We have taken the last week to catch our breaths and get back into the routine of school and fall sports.  With harvest also upon us each day has been fast and furious as always.  This morning I feel like we are catching up and getting a handle, so I have a moment to look back.   I took this photo on the last night of our vacation.  A perfect view of our favorite place.  A fitting image as the sun set on our summer.

Kismet, Karma & Kittens

When we were at the Alisal last week, there were two little barn kittens that found their way to my parents cabin and into Sidney's lap.

While we were eating our supper on the porch on the fourth, I began to hear a high pitched mew and told Sid that she should go investigate it.  There began hours upon hours of operation gain kitten's trust. 

 
In the last two days she spends hours at a time covered in an insect repellant smothered sweatshirt feeding, coaxing, and enjoying silent companionship with a baby no more than 6-8 weeks of age who is living in the wooded area around the homestead.

Her patience is simply amazing.  The hours spent seem to be paying off and strides are being made.

Maybe it is karma or some kitten kismet, that our possible new barn kitty looks so much like the ones that befriended Sid while we were on vacation.

Old Friend

Last week we went back to The Alisal.  From the time I was six years old until I was around 25, we went every year on family vacation.  Beginning with my nuclear family, then adding Brian, we honeymooned there, and it was where I announced that I was pregnant with Charles.  So Sidney had been there once, when she was about 10 months old.  This time we were able to introduce our now tween kids to a wonderful tradition.  The only thing missing was my bro and his family, but that will soon be remedied!

When B and I bought our little farm, our first feeling driving in was the same as the one we got when we were driving down the lane at the Alisal.  Our little oasis; it was an integral selling point leading us on our now six year journey into homesteading while carrying our other house.  Maybe it was my ability to immerse myself in Little House books as a youngster, then Louis L'Amour as a tween or maybe it was growing up around this truly beautiful spot where the soul of the old west still lingered, but my connection to the land has always been strong and may have originated here.

We had just arrived, and were walking across the bridge to give the kids a tour, and as I looked across, I saw the above shot.  As I said yesterday, my camera was an appendage the entire trip.  I quickly snapped this shot in the first 5 minutes on the ranch.  It set a tone for the week; slow down, take notice, and appreciate what is happening right in front of you.

A trip like this is equal parts reminiscence and rediscovery (as most things are when you see them through your kids eyes).  I think a tear actually came to my eye when Cowboy Dick lead Charles into the corral before the breakfast ride, and then he engaged Sidney in conversation about her brand earrings (the Alisal is a working cattle ranch).  Dick was the first one to lead me in when I got to ride at age 6.  Though there are still some around from the day, they are precious few, and none living more iconic to the Alisal, than this cowboy.

Old friends can be more than just a cherished person.  They can be an idea, a place, a memory, or something that you have a deep connection with that simply makes you smile. 

This post is inspired by the July 1st prompt from NaBloPoMo "Write about the last time you connected with a friend."