Where's the song ~~ "Don't let your daughters grow up to marry a Cowboy" ?

​​​​​​​Life is tough! Requires hard physical work, long, long days of pain, dirt, and broken fingernails.​
​Days of frigid cold & scorching heat; through the dust & mud; daybreak into the darkness of nite~~​
​the heart & body becomes toughened & weathered replicating leather!​
​A forever constant factor for a real Cowboy's Wife is tons of sweat, oceans of tears and a constant 'drought' in the wallet!​
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​​​​​​​​​IF​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ she wants to spend anytime at all with her Cowboy, she must do as he does, you become partners!​
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​​​​​​Kick off your boots, grab a cup of coffee, sit back and envision yourself in my life!​
​... It really isn't that bad! There are many rewards to be had to make it a great lifestyle! ...​ ​​​​​​​


Monday, December 1, 2008

I Have Been...



...this past week.


In more ways than one!


We had the return of the hunters (the ‘good’ ones)
for their last attempt of filling bird bags;
Complete with muddy floors, boisterous male chatter,
and my merciless time spent cooking.
Five days worth!

I have never been so glad to see a Sunday evening end with only the two of us...
...peace, quiet and alone at last!

No more guns, ammo, camo's or tons of testosterone!
This hunting "lodge" is
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON!
(Maybe, even permanently...I like that thought!)
~
There has been an incessant bout of the "hiccups" with my
old dilapidated computer- which irritates me to no end!
~
I was attacked with a flu-like bug, invading my whole being.
I never get sick! Not enough to make me slow down or give in.
~
Could it be from all the stress the Cabela's Men created in my life?
Five weeks worth?
~
Then there is Cowboy.
He has been day working for that fellow down the road; more.... than not.
That fellow got bucked off his horse so badly, he can do very little on his own.
It is a blessing in disguise for us, as a little extra income helps to lower our stress.
..But..
I worry every day Cowboy is gone as the lands that he is riding herd on,
are part of the Palouse River cliffs…..


..the likes of this...which is only a few miles away from us.

It has been so foggy around here, literally!
One can barely see 50 feet in front of you!


Look at these cliffs, picture them all swathed in fog!
Perch yourself on the back a young inexperienced horse,
winding along the narrow trails and ledges in search for cattle,
gather them and move them down to the corrals below...
...a long these same paths!

Can you see why I worry?

Of course, Cowboy had to add to my worries by admitting there are places and moments
...that gives him the feeling of having a few butterflies
fluttering around inside his belly!

He rides alone.
No cell phones, no people in this nowhere land..
just him and his horse in God's country!
And he's content.
~

Yet today…December 1, the fog lifted, the skies opened up & the sun shined upon me!



I grasped at the warm winter hands, to be guided around my once thriving
and colorful beds that I tend to and nurture all summer.

Lo and behold!
There are still a few things able to bring joy to my heart!

Here, a few Mums still cling to life with their last breath,
as the Asters in back sag sadly in solemn grace.


Violas continue their blooms in yellows, whites and blues, nestled with baby lavenders.
They are so prolific; they have dotted themselves in every bed!


To my euphoric delight, I find Sweet Williams,
adding a splendid array due to the warmth of this Winter!
These being my favorite, these special flowers whispered to me...

..."the foggy times are passing, and three short months from now,
we shall begin our rebirth splaying our beauty for your eyes to enjoy!"
"We will add warmth to your heart and rekindle your spirit!"
"Patience, my dear, Cowboy's Wife! Patience.."


With tranquility and benevolence; with nurturing and devotion,
I know from the depth of my soul, that life will once again shimmer & flourish,
thrusting the foggiest days of this past month to the backyard of my memory..
This knowledge, this 'tour' today...renewed my hopes!

Today’s display of soft blue overhead~ was a gift!
I desperately needed the sun to cleanse my mind of the gloomy
~and even foggy~ November days.
As I discovered the treasures of life, wrapping their hues around me..
…I began making room in my life for a wondrous December!

37 comments:

Sage said...

Lovely pictures... you and cowboy have been in my thoughts this week... {{hugs}}

terri said...

Your words are so beautiful...so calming... I've been in my own kind of fog for the past couple of days and you have helped ME to feel calmer and more optomistic! *HUGS*

Janice Thomson said...

Scary cliffs yes but oh my gosh how utterly beautiful! Just think of that and nothing else so you don't worry. My gosh what a month you've had. Isn't it neat how a day of sunshine can make anything seem better! You take care of yourself Barb.

The Wife said...

I can see why you worry about Cowboy. I would too! That is scary!

Here's wishing December helps wash those gloomy November doldrums away!

As always, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Tessa said...

So beautiful, so lyrical, so uplifting. You write like a poet - thank you for sharing that with us. I hope the sun shines always for you, even when it's dark and bleak outside.

Cactus Jack Splash said...

All of us here are sending out positive thoughts for Cowboy as he helps out down the road. The Palouse is lovely, my dad and I used to ride out there when I was younger, but those cliffs are nerve jangling.
I am so glad your flowers peeked out to cheer you up. Lovely post.

RURAL said...

Beautifully written, I agree with what Tessa says, it's lyrical.

Enjoy the winter sun, spring has to come soon.

Jen

Amanda said...

My thoughts echo yours and I love where you said 3 short months. In Montana it was 6 and the long dark freezing winters there ground on me like a cheese grater. We have had a lot of fog and rain here in my part of Washington too.

Linda said...

Keeping you in my prayers too! Hopefully the fog has lifted in more ways than one!

DesertHen said...

Beautiful post my friend! What a wonderful surprise to find all of those little flower treasures.

I know what you mean about the fog...we have had more foggy mornings in the past two weeks then we have had in the past two years...or so it seems! I drove to work in a light fog this morning..it was pretty. The other morning, we had a freezing fog and I was able to get out and take some photos.

Those are amazing photos of the area that Cowboy is working/riding in! I can see why you worry....I will keep Cowboy and his horse in my thoughts and prayers for working/riding safely through their days......

Take care my friend...think of you often...=)

The Blonde Duck said...

I hope you feel better! I hope Cowboy stays safe and sound and you get some sun through the fog!

LatigoLiz said...

Sorry you got that stomach bug. We picked it up ourselves in MT this past weekend. Not fun.

Think of you and your Cowboy.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, simply beautiful -your words and your pictures. I can't imagine seeing such beauty day after day, no wonder he's content. Hang in there, spring will be here before you know it (that's what I keep telling myself). I can see your worry for Cowboy, I most certainly would, too. I'll keep you both in my prayers.

Gail said...

What beautiful country you live in.

Alexandra MacVean said...

What a very beaitful post. Very! And the pictures are lovely, too. Always thinking of you!
*hugs*

Renie Burghardt said...

Oh, my, what beautiful pictures! I'd be scared too if I had a cowboy riding around that range there, in the fog! But I'm sure your cowboy is fine, and I know you say a prayer for his safety.

Your little surprise flowers are delightful. I still have some pink rosebuds on my rosebush.

Glad you're over the bug you had!

Lovely post, Barb. I enjoyed it. Have a great Wednesday!

Hugs,

Renie

Jenn said...

I love the pic of the barren tree with the blue sky behind it. I'd have butterflies too if I were cowboy. We use artifical tree's down here, I replied on my post about that nonsence. Hugs, glad your ok.

Oh the bug thing, lOL, it is striking down here. It starts with a sour stomache feeling and then poof your entire body hurts in the joints.

Theresa @ Take A Sentimental Journey said...

Oh my gosh ! I am terrified of heights. No wonder you have been worried. Those pics make my hands start to sweat just looking at them!

Freak Magnet said...

I have no doubt that you got sick because of all that extra work and commotion! I hope you are stronger everyday! I would be worried to death to know my husband was out herding in that kind of fog with cliffs like that! You've had lots of stress lately - way more than your share! I hear the fog is returning to us, but in the meantime, enjoy the gifts of nature! (((hugs)))

Mrs. Mom said...

Glad you are back up and around there WoW. We missed you! ;)

Love the flowers hanging on. See, Someone Up There knew you needed a lift! ;)

Keep feeling strong wonderful lady!

Anonymous said...

We have had dense fog here as well and it wasn't all in my head either!!! Today is the first day you could drive without having to crawl through it, but it is still on top of the hills so stillbleak and damp here...butit comes with the season and I enjoyit..as long as I don't have to go out in it! Trapper Dude does and there is a stretch of highway that reminds me of Cowboy riding the horse along those cliffs...just plain scary! That's where I have to remember that I gave him to God along time ago and trust the Lord to deliver him safely back, my prayer request daily for him and my boys, who are on the roads all the time.
Be sure you rest up well after that flu bug..don't let it come back a zap ya when you aren't lookin'!

Tatersmama said...

Ahhhh... what beautiful scenery, but man, I would be scared too if it were my guy riding out there.

The last little vestiges of flowers are gorgeous though and I have to admit that Sweet Williams are my favorite as well. They just always look so cheery and happy and never fail to put a smile on my face.
Hang in there darlin' and take care of yourself.

Tatersmama said...

Oh my... See what happens when I check friends blogs before checking my own?
I'm just amazed at how you "get" what I'm going through... and it makes a bigger difference than you'll ever know! The sun is shining again and I'm feeling so much more content this morning.
Thank you for making me smile..:o)

Emily said...

Hey Wow!
I nominated your blog for a Butterfly Blog Award because I love it so much!
Please see my December 3rd post to pull the award onto your blog!
Em

Greyhound Girl said...

This is such a wonderful post!

And I'll send positive thoughts to you and Cowboy as he does his hiding- falling in a coulie is not good-- yeah, I know that's bigger than a coulie but I'm thinking small for safety! :)

Kimmi said...

Lovely pictures!

Kimberly

Anonymous said...

I would ship all our fog right on back to you but since I was raised in Eastern WA (Yakima) I know this time of year it can be freezing fog over there. So I guess I'll just keep the stuff! Love your pics! Kim

GeckoGirl said...

Hey Wow!!
I found the Sun the other day(Tues) and jumped outta bed buzzed thru my house like a cleaning dervish!! Today, all fog! Stayed in my pj's until noon, got dressed and moseyed around the house(yuck!) But if you check my blog I did my assigned letter! Hope you enjoy it...the Sun will come back! I light candles to feel warm and cozy and keep a kettle on the stove for cups of tea or hot cider. Fuzzy slippers or your hubby's chubby boot socks help too. Teresa :))

Adventure girl said...

Oh! I hope you keep feeling better! Gorgeous photos. My fav is the trees and sky. Peace!

Tatersmama said...

Okay, I admit it. I'm a bit slow. I just noticed that you're a Sam Elliot fan, so I KNOW you're a pretty smart woman. *wink*
OMGoodness...that man could leave his boots parked at my front door anytime!!

Tamara Jansen said...

I have the same problem when the Big Guy goes out on the road in a semi-truck full of plants and he's gotta drive through the rocky mountains in snow and ice.....brrrrrr! I hate that we have to ship plants in the winter.

Anyway, thanks for sharing :)

Jenn said...

Barb - I just put a christmas cake recipe up on my blog for you. Please be sure to read the directions closely. thanks.

Far Side of Fifty said...

Hey! Thanks for visiting my blog! I kinda like this place you have here! Your photographs are awesome as is the area you live in! It is nice to meet you! :)

Tardevil said...

I'll say a little prayer for his safety & for you to get well. We had that little flu thing on the East coast too!

Egghead said...

Palouse River cliffs look so beautiful and wild. I can see how you would worry about him. I hope that the sunshine stays around for a while to brighten your days.

Anonymous said...

You just inspired me to have a Google Earth on the Palouse River area. Thanks. I love googling-in on other parts of the world.

Anonymous said...

Love the site, would love to exhcange links www.milehighwestern.com
Long live cowboys