Oh! No Snow! Yes!

A few flowers are hanging in there and trying to be pretty in spite of the sudden chilly weather. 

The best news this morning so far:  the predicted snow is threatening around here but producing only a slight dusting.  

My phone promises that it's going to quit threatening within the hour and that dry, cold weather will follow. 

That's good news because yard clean-up can actually continue. 

I don't know how long the flowers will stay pretty, but for now, I think they've set some records for the year. 

Tony came yesterday and installed new bearings on the lawnmower, along with some new blades, so I'm good to go for more leaf pickup. 

Before he arrived, I managed to clean up the front lawn, and it was downright beautious for the rest of the day. 

This morning, a cold wind is not only helping the snow blow away but also rearranging all of yesterday's cleanup. 

Still, with dry weather ahead, I'm not feeling too frustrated. 

While we've been winterizing here in North Idaho, my sisters have continued to collect loot in Oklahoma. 

Their competitive horse showing at Nationals is completed, and Dusty, with both Barbara and Laurie, riding in various classes over the past week, has earned the awards you see in the photo below. 

Yesterday, Barbara and Dusty earned Top Tens in ranch riding (5th) and a jackpot Bonanza (3rd).  In the latter, Barbara will win some money. 

The group, including Brother Kevin, will stay in Tulsa through the weekend because a youth horse team, which Barbara coaches, will arrive there today to compete.  Laurie will ride Dusty one more time for a class in a youth judging contest. 

Once again, congratulations to all and best of luck to the youth. 

As you scroll down, you'll see a new installment of the Gooby Ranch Report from Dick Gooby. 

He knows a tasty secret to getting Mary Ann to work just a little harder on the ranch while he naps or watches TV. 

Check it out. 

Barbara and Dusty after competing in ranch riding yesterday. 

Laurie and Dusty after taking  Top Ten in trail at Nationals. 

Gooby Ranch Report

 

This summer we had more rain than we have ever had.  The grass and weeds grew better than ever.  Mary Ann waited to cut the hay until the weather man said it wasn’t going to rain for at least a week. 

As soon as the hay field dried, she mowed the hay and the next day it got rained on. In a few days it dried enough so Mary Ann was finally able to rake the hay.  About a half hour later the wind started blowing like crazy and all the hay blew up against the fence. 

There was no way Mary Ann would be able to bale the hay up against the fence.  She said she would take the pitch fork out and fork the hay into the baler so she could get it baled. 

I went out and looked and thought the best way would be for Mary Ann to take the trailer out and fork the hay on the trailer. 

Then she could haul the hay to the barn and stack it inside.  That would save us baling twine and use less gas.  

   Mary Ann said it would take more work to do it the way I suggested.  

        Then I told her the next time we go to Bozeman I would take her to Costco and split a foot long hot dog for lunch for her good work and the money we saved on gas. 

          Mary Ann did two hand springs and said “Yes! Yes! That will be great! We get to eat out!”