It's CALVING SEASON!

It's time for babies! Lots and lots of babies!  

The calves are a'comin', and it's the busy season around these parts. First year heifers and seasoned cows alike need someone watching over to ensure the offspring are healthy deliveries. Mud and blood and cowpies come with the territory this time of year, and I wish all my ranching friends a fruitful calf season!

(Pictures to be posted soon! Once the wind stops blowing and the snow stops coming in sideways, I can go out to the ranches and grab some shots!)

Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act

My goal is not to be political with this blog, but I must mention the HR 980 currently before Congress. This bill proposes 24 million acres as newly designated wilderness with very strict conditions set for human use. 

While we adamantly advocate responsible land use, this bill would have serious consequences for our Remote Western Town, and the recreation and tourism therein. 

Our townfolk have really mobilized around this issue more than any other I've seen in recent times.  Time will tell how this issue plays out.  Keep informed!

The wind...

Since our wind swept landscape provides no nutritional genesis for vegetation taller than grass, and since our grass is still dormant and tiny- how do we tell the wind is blowing?
It could be the howling, screaming sounds of the home as the ferocious force tries to blow it down. It could be the cacophony of the wind chimes as they spin and tangle with the energy in motion...

Or it could be the sideways icicles.

Economic Hard Times for A Remote Western Town

Because of our remoteness, we do get the privileged of being insulated from the volatility of the world economic issues... but not for ever. Eventually, like fashion and ideology, economics impact us, too.
This morning's tearful call reminded me of this reality. Where jobs were once so plentiful, restaurants in town had difficulty finding help, and when they did- they paid top dollar. Today? Today, dozens of people apply for the single job at the gym. Out of work attorneys apply as warehouse managers. Times are frightening for us here, where heating costs are crippling in the winter, and commuting to other areas is nearly impossible.
My friend lost his job today and is leaving town. I doubt we'll see him again. He worked for a company that services the natural gas drilling industry, and with the falling gas and oil prices, many rigs are laying down. At nearly 60 years old, he's got a tough ordeal ahead of him and I wish him Godspeed on his search for employment.
While we typically don't dwell on the hard times, I do feel it necessary to mention how the current global financial situation is impacting all of us. We don't drive flashy cars here, but car care is expensive in an area where everything comes in from four or more hours away. Our homes aren't large or showy, but real estate has been higher than all but one area of our state. Tourist areas can be that way. Heating, repairs and maintenance are also much costlier compared to other areas, and food prices are very high.
So, while my husband now works four days a week out of state, four of my close friends are dealing with unemployment in their lives and my salary has just been cut by 10%, I know we will overcome this. We always do.

Remote Western Roads and Snow

Not only do we get a fair share of snowWe get wind.

Sometimes, it's a lot of wind. When the wind and the snow happen within a short time frame, we get trouble.(This is my road... I didn't get any further on it at this point.)

Sometimes, it's a LOT of trouble.

(This is where my plow truck got stuck. Luckily, neighbors and I could pull it out. My hand is near the top of the drift.)
(And this is the blader-tractor pulling my SUV out.)

But, when the winds stop,

And the sun crests the mountains And the plows come, (County plow!)(Mom plowing a way to the school bus!)

Paradise is reborn.

Thank you!

A hearty THANK YOU to everyone who asked "where have you been?" and "why isn't your blog updated?".
To be honest, I wasn't sure anyone was really interested. A few zealous friends had "over-clicked" the ad buttons, and my account was suspended. I wasn't getting any comments to posts, and only a couple of followers to the site. So thank you to those who cared enough to ask for new updates. I commit to you that I will keep our Remote Western Town accessable to all of our out of town friends and loved ones.

Happy New Year!

May you keep your employment
May your home not foreclose
May you find life enjoyment
As your portfolio grows

May your bodies be fit
And your brains become wise
Will you not care a bit
‘Bout the width of your thighs

May your days fill with laughter
And your nights fill with peace
Might you find what you’re after
Can your mind be at ease

May you be filled with love
To thine own self be true
All of the things above
Are my new year wish for you