Good Neighbors

Although we live at the end of seven mile dirt road, we share part of our southeast fence line with a {insert choice of curse word} subdivision.  The west side of the subdivision borders the ranch and it is only neighborly to introduce yourself to a "fence neighbor". 

One of Sam's mottos is:  "A good fence makes for good neighbors."  With that in mind, he approached the two property owners that border us and discussed said motto.  Sam scored a fence building project and put Mike and some of friends to work with the neighbors' blessing. 

Neighbor One (we will call him "Roy") is an absentee property owner and lives in Nebraska.  Upon retirement he plans on building a home on his patch of Texas paradise and move the family to the country.  His wife is worried about rattlesnakes falling out of trees.  His teenage son is not even thrilled with the thought of living in the "boondocks" and over a hundred miles to the closest city that offers teenage entertainment.

Neighbor Two (we will call him "Tony") homesteads in a nearby county and visits his country acreage every Sunday.  His wife is an artist who is allergic to all things country.  Tony even had a local architect draw up house plans in hopes of enticing the wife to spend time with him on the ranchito.  The wife persuaded Tony to buy her a house in Austin and let him keep his metal barn with living quarters that he is allowed to visit on Sundays.  

We know some of the folks that live on the east side of the subdivision as well.  Neighbors Three (we will call them "Don" and "Betty") moved to our part of the county upon retirement from city jobs.  I first met Betty while she was propping open a bump gate on the county road.  (She drives a Buick LeSabre.)  She motioned me to drive through.  I rolled down my window to thank her and introduce myself.  She asked me, "Are you a weekender?"  I replied, "No ma'am.  I am a lifer."  

Don't forget that good fences make for good neighbors.....

Conversations with ET

Due to his health issues and advanced age of 88, my father-in-law resides with us at the ranch.  Ennis Terry (known as ET to the local folks) has the most kindest and gentlest soul I have ever known.  Granted, it has been a challenge for all of us to settle into some sort of routine.  Four adults under one small roof can be stressful at times. 

I have learned a tremendous amount of history from ET.  He is a Veteran from the forties but admits he never left US soil.  He did his part by shipping supplies within the US to military bases.  It wasn't until he got back home that he began his own personal flying career.  But that is a story for a different day.

ET is hard of hearing.  I mean HARD OF HEARING!  I mean VERY HARD OF HEARING!  Some excerpts of our most recent conversations:

Robin:  I packed your razor.
ET:  Raingear?  I don't plan on going outside but whatever you say.
Robin:  No, your RAZOR.
ET:  How much rain is predicted?


ET:  What is that grey cat's name?
Robin:  Grey Cat.
ET:  Right, the grey cat.  What is his name?
Robin:  GREY CAT is his name.
ET:  Why doesn't he have a name?


Robin:  Are you ready for lunch?
ET:  How much what?
Robin:  No, ARE YOU READY FOR LUNCH?
ET:  Much?  Much of what?  I'm not following what you're saying.


Robin:  Would you like a cup a coffee?
ET:  I don't much like toffee.  It sticks to my teeth.

Speaking of which, it is time for me to prepare breakfast.....

Joe, Dixie and Goose

Most of Texas experienced some form of cold weather this past weekend.  The hill country was a winter wonderland with ice forming on the trees, fences and eaves of the house.  

As I was sitting in the warmth of the house yesterday, I noticed the kid goats running and playing in the sleet.  My biggest worry is that some of the little fellas will be abandoned during cold weather.  A couple of winters ago during a storm similar to this one, Sam discovered two kids abandoned by their mothers.  I dubbed the two little nannies "Dixie" and "Goose".  About four or five days later, Mike found a little billy goat practically frozen to the ground.  I didn't have much hope for this one but was willing to give the baby a chance.  I named him "Joe".  

Even with their rough beginning, all three goats made it to goat-hood.  Mama decided she needed some goats to "clean up" the pens around her house.  Thank goodness I had a place to take them because Sam was ready to shoot them.  (Sancho goats can become pests as they begin to discover the world outside their pen.)  I loaded all three in a large dog kennel and took them to Segovia.  As luck would have it, Mama called me about six weeks later and said, "Come get your goats.  I'm through with them."  WTH?  I'm pretty sure that wasn't part of the plan.  

Upon getting them back to the ranch, Sam told the goats they would have one week to become members of the herd and act like goats or they would be shipped to market.  I would like to believe the goats actually understood Sam because they eventually stopped hanging around the back gate.  We thought we could use them as lead goats when gathering the herd.  That plan backfired when they jumped in the Ranger instead of following it back to the pens. 

Joe is one of the prettiest billy goats we have in the herd.  Dixie and Goose have become good mothers to their own little ones.  All three goats still expect to eat from my hand when I shake the corn bucket.  There is always a chance I will bottle-raise more goats but I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Joe, Dixie and Goose.  

Introduction of Characters

Most followers will know who the key players are for this blog but for those not familiar with us, here is a quick run-down:

Sam:  Husband to Robin, father and stepfather, retired school teacher, rancher, all-around smart ass, hates cats.

Robin:  Wife to Sam, mother and stepmother, title company escrow officer, stays in perpetual motion, loves cats.

Kristin:  Daughter of Robin, student at Baylor University, loves cats.

Shannon:  Daughter of Sam, registered nurse in large community near San Antonio, loves animals.

Mike:  Son of Sam (isn't that a horror movie?),  lives at the ranch, despises cats.

Ennis (ET):  Father of Sam, grandfather to the kids, lives with us at the ranch, indifferent about cats. 

Buddy Dog:  Border Collie, in training to help work stock on the ranch, loves cats.

You will meet other characters as we go along this ride we call life.  No seat belts required.  Our recipe for this blog consists of humor, love, and a bit of sarcasm.  This reading material is for entertainment purposes only.  So check in periodically and see what's going on at the end of a dirt road.....