Photos: Around the ranch

Last week it rained 3/10". That brings the precipitation up to nearly an inch since the first of the year, meaning it's dry, dry, dry. It also means when it rains that the soil turns to snotty clay-mud. I had been out of town that day when I came home to 'running the slick', as I think of it. The two mile of unimproved two-track from the county road to my property is always a challenge when there's been even the slightest bit of rain (snow's not quite as bad until it starts melting). So nearly a third of an inch of rain was quite enough to make my pulse rate rise, because I just do not like having to walk home in the mud (something I've done quite often enough, thank you very much).

I know where all the places are that cause trouble. The ones where I have to drive slow or risk spinning out. The ones where I have to be moving along at a good clip or I'll sink in. And then there's the spots where nothing works, and last week I did a bit of slip-and-slide. I managed to not get stuck and only had another minor slide after that. By the time I got to my gate I was feeling pretty proud of myself.

Until I saw a mass of wire trailing behind my car.

For all the cattle fencing out here in the West, you'd think cows would stay where they're supposed stay, but they don't. They're always seeing better graze on the other side of the fence, and they rarely meet a fence that they can't get through if they really want to. Consequently there often will be long strands of barbed wire curled into a coil or a wad of crumpled field fencing out in the middle of a pasture, the result of a cow going through a fence and taking the fence with her.

I must have slid over one of those wads, which hitched a ride on the drive shaft of my car.

 

I didn't even look at it till today. Partly because I was busy, partly because I knew that even using bolt cutters I was going to end up in a bad temper working the wire off. It was a trial, let me tell you. Trackers are little cars with not a lot of clearance underneath - better than a sedan, mind you, but not like a truck. There wasn't much room to maneuver plus there was dried mud in just enough places to fall into my eyes and ears whenever an arm or shoulder bumped up against it.

Stuff like this is pretty normal for out here in the middle of nowhere. A person has to be able to handle little things by herself or else she should live in a city where help is just minutes away. But she doesn't have to like it.

Is there an emoji for a snarly face?  If so, imagine it inserted here.  I don't do emoji.

Here's a photo of PJ Kitty (Papa J) in the alpenglow a couple nights ago. Makes me feel better just looking at him.

And here's a sunset photo from the next night. The delicate silhouette of the juniper against the flaming sky gets to me.

52 Weeks to Preparedness Week 52

52 WEEKS TO FAMILY PREPAREDNESS FOR TWO

WEEK #52
This is it!  Your last "to do" item for painless preparedness that will get you going on the path to being ready for catastrophic events.  You should now be in a position to thrive in the event of any emergency.

Be sure to actually use the foods so they are rotated and as fresh as possible - rotate things like lotions, toothpaste, etc.  Don't forget your pets - if you haven't stored up food for them, you can do that over the next weeks and months as well.

Food Storage  5 quarts of cooking oil
 
Extra Item    2 quarts of peanut butter

52 Weeks to Preparedness Week 51

52 WEEKS TO FAMILY PREPAREDNESS FOR TWO

WEEK #51
Follow this for painless preparedness that will get you going on the path to being ready for catastrophic events and that, at the end of the year, will leave you in the best position to thrive in the event of any emergency.

You can do this! The cost is spread out over a full year, plus you will have a year to work out your storage. Substitute where appropriate depending on personal needs/requirements.


Food Storage  8 cans of tomato sauce
 
Extra Item    8 rolls of toilet paper

Family Gear Box    Go through 72 hour kit and update as needed

52 Weeks to Preparedness Week 50

52 WEEKS TO FAMILY PREPAREDNESS FOR TWO

WEEK #50
Follow this for painless preparedness that will get you going on the path to being ready for catastrophic events and that, at the end of the year, will leave you in the best position to thrive in the event of any emergency.

You can do this! The cost is spread out over a full year, plus you will have a year to work out your storage. Substitute where appropriate depending on personal needs/requirements.


Food Storage  2 lbs of bouillon cubes
 
Extra Item    30 lbs beans

52 Weeks to Preparedness Week 49

52 WEEKS TO FAMILY PREPAREDNESS FOR TWO

WEEK #49
Follow this for painless preparedness that will get you going on the path to being ready for catastrophic events and that, at the end of the year, will leave you in the best position to thrive in the event of any emergency.

You can do this! The cost is spread out over a full year, plus you will have a year to work out your storage. Substitute where appropriate depending on personal needs/requirements.


Food Storage  Fruit or other powdered drink to make 30 quarts
 
Extra Item    20 lbs of oats

Family Prep    Review disaster plan with your family.

52 Weeks to Preparedness Week 48

52 WEEKS TO FAMILY PREPAREDNESS FOR TWO

WEEK #48
Follow this for painless preparedness that will get you going on the path to being ready for catastrophic events and that, at the end of the year, will leave you in the best position to thrive in the event of any emergency.

You can do this! The cost is spread out over a full year, plus you will have a year to work out your storage. Substitute where appropriate depending on personal needs/requirements.


Food Storage  8 cans of vegetables
 
Extra Item    30 lbs of rice

Family Prep    What would you do if there were an emergency in your community? Discuss this with your family.

52 Weeks to Preparedness Week 47

 52 WEEKS TO FAMILY PREPAREDNESS FOR TWO

WEEK #47
Follow this for painless preparedness that will get you going on the path to being ready for catastrophic events and that, at the end of the year, will leave you in the best position to thrive in the event of any emergency.

You can do this! The cost is spread out over a full year, plus you will have a year to work out your storage. Substitute where appropriate depending on personal needs/requirements.


Food Storage  8 cans of fruit
 
Extra Item    8 rolls of toilet paper

Family Prep    Review the insert on finances for young adults in the Ensign September 2007.  [FYI This is a LDS publication]

52 Weeks to Preparedness Week 46

52 WEEKS TO FAMILY PREPAREDNESS FOR TWO

WEEK #46
Follow this for painless preparedness that will get you going on the path to being ready for catastrophic events and that, at the end of the year, will leave you in the best position to thrive in the event of any emergency.

You can do this! The cost is spread out over a full year, plus you will have a year to work out your storage. Substitute where appropriate depending on personal needs/requirements.


Food Storage  30 lbs of wheat or flour
 
Extra Item    11 lbs of macaroni or spaghetti

Family Prep    Complete a contact card for each family member. Have each family member keep the cards handy in their wallets, purse, backpack, etc. These cards should include important phone numbers, including a contact that lives out of the area.

52 Weeks to Preparedness Week 45

 52 WEEKS TO FAMILY PREPAREDNESS FOR TWO

WEEK #45
Follow this for painless preparedness that will get you going on the path to being ready for catastrophic events and that, at the end of the year, will leave you in the best position to thrive in the event of any emergency.

You can do this! The cost is spread out over a full year, plus you will have a year to work out your storage. Substitute where appropriate depending on personal needs/requirements.


Food Storage  8 ½ lbs non-fat dry milk
 
Extra Item    1 lb yeast, baking powder, baking soda

Family Prep    Teach family to stop, drop and roll (fire safety technique) as well other safety guidelines

52 Weeks to Preparedness Week 44

52 WEEKS TO FAMILY PREPAREDNESS FOR TWO

WEEK #44
Follow this for painless preparedness that will get you going on the path to being ready for catastrophic events and that, at the end of the year, will leave you in the best position to thrive in the event of any emergency.

You can do this! The cost is spread out over a full year, plus you will have a year to work out your storage. Substitute where appropriate depending on personal needs/requirements.


Food Storage  8 cans of soup
 
Extra Item    2 months laundry soap

Family Prep    Clean chimneys to prevent fires


Note:  Published in advance of the scheduled November 9 posting date

52 Weeks to Preparedness Week 43

52 WEEKS TO FAMILY PREPAREDNESS FOR TWO

WEEK #43
Follow this for painless preparedness that will get you going on the path to being ready for catastrophic events and that, at the end of the year, will leave you in the best position to thrive in the event of any emergency.

You can do this! The cost is spread out over a full year, plus you will have a year to work out your storage. Substitute where appropriate depending on personal needs/requirements.


Food Storage  8 cans of meat
 
Extra Item    8 rolls of toilet paper



Note: published in advance of the scheduled November 2 post date.

52 Weeks to Preparedness Week 42

52 WEEKS TO FAMILY PREPAREDNESS FOR TWO

WEEK #42
Follow this for painless preparedness that will get you going on the path to being ready for catastrophic events and that, at the end of the year, will leave you in the best position to thrive in the event of any emergency.

You can do this! The cost is spread out over a full year, plus you will have a year to work out your storage. Substitute where appropriate depending on personal needs/requirements.


Food Storage  30 lbs wheat or flour
 
Extra Item    10-20 boxes of macaroni and cheese



Note: Publishing this in advance of the scheduled October 26 posting date.

52 Weeks to Preparedness Week 41

52 WEEKS TO FAMILY PREPAREDNESS FOR TWO

WEEK 41
Follow this for painless preparedness that will get you going on the path to being ready for catastrophic events and that, at the end of the year, will leave you in the best position to thrive in the event of any emergency.

You can do this! The cost is spread out over a full year, plus you will have a year to work out your storage. Substitute where appropriate depending on personal needs/requirements.


Food Storage  20 lbs of sugar
 
Extra Item    3 months of dish soap

52 Weeks to Preparedness Week 40

52 WEEKS TO FAMILY PREPAREDNESS FOR TWO

WEEK #40
Follow this for painless preparedness that will get you going on the path to being ready for catastrophic events and that, at the end of the year, will leave you in the best position to thrive in the event of any emergency.

You can do this! The cost is spread out over a full year, plus you will have a year to work out your storage. Substitute where appropriate depending on personal needs/requirements.


Food Storage  8 cans of vegetables
 
Extra Item    Multi-vitamins for two people to last six months

52 Weeks to Preparedness Week 39

52 WEEKS TO FAMILY PREPAREDNESS FOR TWO

WEEK #39
Follow this for painless preparedness that will get you going on the path to being ready for catastrophic events and that, at the end of the year, will leave you in the best position to thrive in the event of any emergency.

You can do this! The cost is spread out over a full year, plus you will have a year to work out your storage. Substitute where appropriate depending on personal needs/requirements.


Food Storage  8 cans of fruit
 
Extra Item    8 rolls of toilet paper

52 Weeks to Preparedness Week 38

52 WEEKS TO FAMILY PREPAREDNESS FOR TWO

WEEK #38
Follow this for painless preparedness that will get you going on the path to being ready for catastrophic events and that, at the end of the year, will leave you in the best position to thrive in the event of any emergency.

You can do this! The cost is spread out over a full year, plus you will have a year to work out your storage. Substitute where appropriate depending on personal needs/requirements.


Food Storage  30 lbs of wheat or flour
 
Extra Item    11 lbs of macaroni or spaghetti

52 Weeks to Preparedness Week 37

52 WEEKS TO FAMILY PREPAREDNESS FOR TWO

WEEK #37
Follow this for painless preparedness that will get you going on the path to being ready for catastrophic events and that, at the end of the year, will leave you in the best position to thrive in the event of any emergency.

You can do this! The cost is spread out over a full year, plus you will have a year to work out your storage. Substitute where appropriate depending on personal needs/requirements.


Food Storage  Fruit or other powdered drink to make 30 quarts
 
Extra Item    Shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste to last six months

52 Weeks to Preparedness Week 36

52 WEEKS TO FAMILY PREPAREDNESS FOR TWO

WEEK #36
Follow this for painless preparedness that will get you going on the path to being ready for catastrophic events and that, at the end of the year, will leave you in the best position to thrive in the event of any emergency.

You can do this! The cost is spread out over a full year, plus you will have a year to work out your storage. Substitute where appropriate depending on personal needs/requirements.


Food Storage  8 cans of soup
 
Extra Item    2 months of laundry soap

52 Weeks to Preparedness Week 34

52 WEEKS TO FAMILY PREPAREDNESS FOR TWO

WEEK #34
Follow this for painless preparedness that will get you going on the path to being ready for catastrophic events and that, at the end of the year, will leave you in the best position to thrive in the event of any emergency.

You can do this! The cost is spread out over a full year, plus you will have a year to work out your storage. Substitute where appropriate depending on personal needs/requirements.


Food Storage  30 lbs of wheat or flour
 
Extra Item     30 lbs of beans

52 Weeks to Preparedness Week 33

52 WEEKS TO FAMILY PREPAREDNESS FOR TWO

WEEK #33
Follow this for painless preparedness that will get you going on the path to being ready for catastrophic events and that, at the end of the year, will leave you in the best position to thrive in the event of any emergency.

You can do this! The cost is spread out over a full year, plus you will have a year to work out your storage. Substitute where appropriate depending on personal needs/requirements.


Food Storage  6 lbs of jam
 
Extra Item     20 lbs of oats