May Day 2012 ~ Shaw Ranch

May Day on the ranch

May 1, 2012

One of the many busiest times of the year

on a ranch

and with school age kids.

Bright and early

we moved our cow-calf pairs

to the branding pasture

also known as "The School Section".

We had them moved by 8:00 a.m.

The kids were only a little late to school.

On the highway coming back from school drop-off,

I veered to the shoulder,

checked my rear-view mirror and whipped around.

Erin, just turned five, says something like, 

"Mom, why do you ALWAYS stop to take pictures of birds?"

I just smile and do it anyway.

I tell her that I will miss her when she goes to kindergarten in the fall.

She says, "Mom, I will be with you for sixty years."

I said, "Sixty years?  I will be almost . . ." (I was adding in my head and about to say 100)

"Dead." she finished my sentence, and we both laughed.

Actually, I laughed a little too much.  Because then she buried her head in her hands.

And then I thought about how little time we have together on earth . . . 

and the hope of heaven.

But then,

my brakes bring us to a dusty halt again.

Chokecherry blossoms.

"Mom!  Now what?"

"Chokecherry blossoms," I say and hop out with my camera.

"Can I get out?" she asks.

"Yes."

"Ok, Mom, you count, I'll hide."

So I am snapping shots of blossoms

and she says,

"Count!  Come ON!  COUNT!"

So I count, and seek.

Afternoon comes.

After laundry

and

folding clothes

while watching The Pioneer Woman on DVR,

and fixing (click below for recipe which got a thumbs up)

Marlboro Man's favorite sandwich for dinner (lunch),

and dishes

and more laundry.

With afternoon,

a remembered promise,

"Mom, you said you'd come watch me ride my bike after lunch."

I did indeed say that I would.

So, camera over the shoulder,

I go to the yard to watch her ride bike.

But I can't sit still.

So I tell her I will fill the bird feeders while she rides.

She comes to help.

A normally quick job,

becomes lengthy.

She scoops and scoops and scoops.

Because I won't let her pour.

She has a "great idea".

She remembers another time we sat in the shade

of the cottonwood on the flowered quilt.

She goes to find it.

And we relax for a while together.

I read a bit.

She chatters and finds a lady bug

just like last time

we sat under this tree with this quilt

she

remembers.

I get her a drink and a popscicle.

But before she can drink her water,

Toby, the beagle, finds her glass.

I had hoped to make my announcement of my upcoming news

this week.

However, this is branding "week" at the Shaw Ranch.

Full of preparation for the big day on Friday.

Along with school field trip, moving cattle around,

grandparents day at school, kindergarten registration . . . 

So I will make my announcement next week.

This post really is an indicator of my announcement.

It is all about beauty in everyday life.

But not my everyday beauty.

YOURS.

Linking with these ladies: