Friday, January 20, 2012

The ranch in January

This past December was the coldest and snowiest month I can ever remember since moving to New Mexico, 
which makes this January seem not so bad.

Most of the snow has melted, the mud has dried up, the sun has made daily appearances, 
and I continue to kid myself that spring is just around the corner. 



I've finally caught up on scooping all the poop that collected under the snow, and in the process, I started collecting these:

Hank's hoofprints, cast in mud. I have no idea what I'll do with them, but they're too perfect to throw away.


Smooch: Imagine how much more mud I could track inside the house if my feet were as big as Hank's.



The hay barn is still more than half full, no thanks to Bouncer and his extended family.


The few piles of snow that remain are an endless source of entertainment for the chickens.


Remember Amelia, the wayward pigeon? Of course you do. I heard from her owner this week. 
She still hasn't shown up at her home in Arizona. Perhaps she's taking an extended vacation. On Howland Island.


Lucy and George are saving their energy for spring. 
Lord only knows what Alan is doing.


Hank, as usual, is large and in charge.



I still don't know what Alan is doing. Wait...I take that back.
He's keeping me smiling, which is ever so important this time of year.

32 comments:

  1. Your critters seem a little subdued. I hope that Spring comes soon for you and your extended family.

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  2. I have been having such fun reading your blog I decided it was time to properly express my appreciation! Your animals are enchanting, your love for them endearing, the photos stunning, and the captions funny-bone-tickling. What a treat to visit!

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  3. I love those hoof castings....I want some!!

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  4. I love that pic of Alen upside down, what a goof. He is practicing his yoga... Hank is so beautiful, I could look at him all day. Thanks for sharing there antics with us.

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  5. I.am.dying...over that shot of Alan with his legs in the air. Wait - can't.breathe...ok..oh my gawd - that's hilarious! Oh now, what's that last pic...damn! My ribs hurt.
    Wow - the ranch in January - what an incredibly FUNNY place!
    :-)

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  6. We've yet to have much winter yet in my part of the country, but I know it will come eventually. Neat pictures of how everyone is dealing with life at 7MSN.

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  7. You can count on Alan to crack a person up, even at 0-dark-thirty.

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  8. Alan ALWAYS brings a smile to my face... I just love how humorous he is.

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  9. Diane from NC1/20/12, 5:03 AM

    You and your critters always keep me smiling. Hang in there..Spring will be here soon.

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  10. Your photos and text are a constant source of entertainment-enjoyment for us! Thank you so much!! Think SPRING!!
    ~~Rain

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  11. I just love your stories and reading them with my morning coffee! I wondered about Amelia. I don't think she wants to go home!

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  12. Love the pic of Allen's hind hoofies reaching to the sky! What a cutie patootie he is!

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  13. We have had three 80 degree days...in mid-January...

    I'm 56 years old, and have lived here all my life. January has NEVER been this warm/hot. It's really freaking me out, because this cannot be a good sign for the summer. Last summer we had the most consecutive, triple-digit days on record, as well as no rain. It nearly killed us...and it did kill millions of trees. I'm not wishing subzero weather on anyone...but I'm also not ready for Spring/Summer.

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  14. Estella from Co.1/20/12, 6:57 AM

    Love the picture with Alan on his back and legs straight up in the air....what a character. Knowing you, you'll find a good place for the mud imprints. Hugs

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  15. I think too that Alan is doing yoga. He cracks me up- thanks for the laugh this morning!

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  16. OMG that is the funniest picture of Allen with his legs up in the air...just like a dog. I always love your blog as it makes me laugh and a good way to start my day. Betsy

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  17. That Alan just cracks me up.

    Sad about Amelia...

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  18. For some reason, your group of photos made me think, "calm before the storm". Maybe it was the light in the sky.
    Anonymous:You must live in my part of the world (Central Texas).

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  19. I think Alan is considering joining the MountainAir Ballet Company.....

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  20. I was thinking Alan was doing yoga, too ... but then I remembered the horse in "Animal House" ... legs straight up in the air ... maybe Alan is practicing for a remake of that movie! LOL Have a great weekend!!

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  21. all i have to say is.....ahahahahah

    alan...

    that must be the
    "upward dog" yoga!


    so funny!!

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  22. I love hank's hoof prints. There's this stuff you can get called gel-flex that allows you to make moulds from delicate objects, then cast them in plaster. You could get all your baby's hoof, paw and trotter prints done :D.

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  23. Everyone could use an Alan any time of the year...

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  24. Your herd amuses me every single day. Alan was clearly in charge of humor on this day. Cute cute cute photos of him.

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  25. Jenny in MN now in AZ1/20/12, 3:30 PM

    Another wonderful post of fantastic pictures and captions! THANK YOU! I so needed to see this today.

    Alan is too cute...

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  26. I think I just laughed out loud a little too hard when I saw Alan with this hind legs straight up in the air. I even pointed at the picture, even though no one was in the room. Well... I think Scrappy looked to see what I was pointing and laughing at.

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  27. I just wanted to leave this here in case you and/or your readers are as interested as I think you'll be:
    http://littlehenrescue.co.uk/
    Nonprofit group in the UK rescues ailing chickens and other fowl from factory farms, rehabilitates them, and puts them up for adoption by people who promise not to eat them. They ask for monetary donations or, if you're the crafty sort, handmade sweaters (there's a pattern) for bald hens to wear until they grow their feathers back.
    Not claming any credit by association - I just saw the link on a news aggregate site and thought y'all would like to see it.

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  28. You could always use some kind of plastic spray paint to keep the mud from falling away and mount the hoof prints on a frame and hang it in the barn. Now to get Hank's signature?
    Alan is getting a suntan. That's what I would do if it was the first day of sun after a long haul of a winter. My kinda guy!

    Best always, Sandra

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  29. I think you can find that stuff to make plaster casts of Hank's hoofprints at a local craft store or online shop. Could Alan get any cuter? Don't think so!

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  30. Alan is doing what I SHOULD be doing - pilates, to keep in shape through the long winter months.
    I sure wish our mud here on the Wet Coast would dry up as quickly as yours!

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  31. That is some seriously impressive mud.

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  32. Well OBVIOUSLY Alan is doing the Donkey version of the Candle yoga pose.

    Very nicely done, Alan.

    I hope Amelia hasn't gotten too far from home. Or worse. But given her namesake it's not surprising...

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