March 24, 2006
Sitting here on the couch at Double Check waiting for our Swedish WWOOFer’s to get back from walking the fence in Antelope Pasture – gotta be a hole in Antelope fence (or maybe just the gate open at the Pillars of Hercules…) to account for the number of animals we've had ABOVE the corrals, plus the odd Hereford or two from Meyers…
OOPS – battery says it’s low – can’t figure out why - continued, April 4, 2006 – figured out why – the plug I used at Computer Class is obviously just a decoy…tried the “pole of plugs” again the next week and it has no “juice” – and here I thought the west wall of our office was unusual…
We had headed over to Double Check on Thursday, dragging the Adams (?) with us – they are British/American friends of the Mullans (American/Irish friends from Lesotho – we've stopped to see them several times in Winchester – I went sailing with them on this last London trip) who have recently moved from Britain and now live in Flagstaff – there, got all that???
They’d spent the night with us, and Mullans had been proven right, they were folks we liked right off – had some good conversations about the state of modern agriculture (he, the American, had been working in Britain, as an organic farm manager). We’d done of few of the usual “horsey ride” things with their 9 year old daughter, Jessie and they said they’d like to come see Double Check, expressing a willingness to help with the “first irrigation” chores – flushing lines etc. It was useful to have the extra hands to spread out, check all the hooks, reattach those that have come undone and watch for “gunk” at the line ends during flushing (in one case, a VERY ripe ground squirrel…), and await signals of next line being opened before recapping lines – saved ALL SORTS of jogging back and forth, which I've done under similar circumstances, but I did miss the exercise…
While we were doing irrigation prep, Eric and Jessie went up to check out the problem water line at the Wild Bull end – turned out I’d gotten the wrong sized knock-off joint and they had to run to Kearny for the RIGHT one, sigh. Still didn't help – no blockage at Wild Bull outlet. Double, no triple sigh. But we did get a first irrigation underway at which point the Adams took off for Flag, vowing to call the Webers (whom another mutual acquaintance had told them they needed to get in touch with) and to stay in contact with us about a grass-fed beef purchase – Allison Adams kept saying how sure she was that we could sell a LOT of CSA shares in Flag (have to think about it, now that we own the packing house, perhaps getting customers to come down and pick up their shares will both solve our transportation problem, and as Joel Salatin says, cull your customers.)
Got the chance to see the backhoe located septic tank, and as Chris said, Eric’s dowsed location of it was spot on.
We headed over to Kearny to Old Time Pizza with the Swedish WWOOF’ers for dinner where we were treated to Gary Burkett sitting on one of the table playing the guitar, singing “Kill all the Gringos” to the tune of “Baile La Bamba (sp?)” to a group of chalo types. The Swedes were impressed. Gary once again passed along his greetings to Keith who apparently still resides in his memory as the only kid to have a historical clue about the Civil War (apparently Gary asked who was President during the Civil War, and while most of the group was perplexed about the existence of an America Civil War in general, Keith asked “Which side?”). We also ran into Laurie Wirtz (sp?), the HS counselor, who also extended greetings.
We then headed up to set up camp in the straw bale house by failing flashlight – vowing to be SURE to bring up the propane lamp from the shed, next time. This was the point at which I discovered the cell phone was OFF and I couldn't have received the promised call from DirecWay. With great dread, I realized I’d have to call them. Decided to go to bed first, so we could listen to their lovely worn out taped music in a relaxed, and warm state, vs. my usual hunched over mode in a cold, dark Pathfinder. There were NO messages, and no “missed call” notes, so I decided Roshanda hadn't gotten back to me, as promised. I was on hold for a mere 40 minutes before I had to scramble to my purse and flashlight to recite out case numbers to them, and then go back to the customary 15 minute HOLD while they read our file. When whoever THIS was got back to me, I asked to speak to Roshanda, who, was not on duty tonight – could explain why I didn't get a call back from her… I asked for another supervisor and was promised one – only to be cut off 10 minutes after their office closed at 11PM Central time. I’d TOLD them at the outset of the call that this was my LAST one to them, and it WAS – I'm only sorry I’d didn't collect one last case number. But I really think I have enough to document their empty promises by now.
Friday morning, after eggs in a nest on the woodstove, I headed off with WWOOF’ers to demonstrate fence repair – took about an hour to come to and show all the possible variations of stay tightening, wire scrounging, wire re-spacing, rock droppers and deadmen. I sent them off, going OVER and OVER landmarks, after Mikael indicated he thought he should turn east at the crossfence/perimeter intersection…I was very tempted to start them on the INSIDE of the pasture and forbid them to CROSS a fence to prevent such an issue, but finally decided they could probably handle it. And they had plenty of water and emergency rations…
Eric and I headed down to pick up the GMC, shutting off the irrigation on the way and then dividing up tasks, with me supervising water gate for unbranded calves and Eric working on more of the accursed waterline, trying once again to get water flowing to Jackhammer. And that’s where I started this letter.
About 4 PM I decided I’d better go up to Meyers to pick up the pair they’d roped off of TNC (and said were a bit “silly”) – decided I’d keep an eye out for the Swedes also. Sure enough, came across Mikael on the road – Malin (“Molly”) was lost. He’d left her a note on the fence before heading down as he was on his last water. He and I left another note at the house, one for Malin, one for Eric, re-loaded canteens and headed off on foot to check for tracks. Fortunately, we found her in the driveway – she never saw the fence note so not completely sure what happened. Oh well…and so much for getting the pair today… Jean
October 5, 2004
The mice have decided that winter is approaching (personally, I think they’re jumping the gun, we all know Fall does not officially begin until October 15th in Southern Arizona). When we came home last time, to give up, temporarily on TNC’s Upper Water Point and start pushing cows up to Jackhammer, we found the “baking drawer” with all the labels gone. The potato and onion drawer was equally gnawed – but mice don’t seem to like onions – they worked on the chiles and a tired old sweet potato instead. They also left plenty of little black pellet reminders. When I put on my boots for the first time in a week or more, there was something hard in the toe – it was 3 almonds. I guess the mice are starting to disperse their caches. Time to admonish the cats and set the traps.
Moving the cows towards Jackhammer was challenging – the first day, I guess communication got crossed and TNC had one of our saddles locked up. After much deliberation, we decided that Dad would go back and work at Jackhammer, finishing up some gate and drinker details that were pretty crucial and Scott and I would ride. I had DELIBERATELY not told Scott about Outlaw Canyon and he was suitably impressed with its drama. Things went pretty good until we were trying to make the turn south out of Deep Canyon up towards Tri-Point. Then it all came unglued. I shifted from point to flank, and worked Sarah-horse hard, but those cows determinedly, deliberately scattered. As soon as I’d get one little bunch headed back toward the fence, another few would sneak back to the sidewash. Get THEM gathered up and ½ of them would bolt on around me. At that point I was REALLY glad I had not followed one of my earlier suggestions – having me ride bareback, or WALK point…Kept it up ‘til it was obvious we were going to run out of light and just headed for Jackhammer to meet up with Dad, rather discouraged – we’d had about 60 head.
Next day was better. While we only had about 15 cows at S.O.B., we hoped we might pick some more up along the way. And with all 3 of us horseback and Stubbs to help, we were a lot better prepared – we also started earlier. Again, I rode point, calling cows. Once a TNC cow veered off, acting like she had a calf, I dropped off point and followed her – sure enough, picked up her calf, and another little knot of cows, including Heidi. Got back into point position and headed up Deep Canyon. Doggone it if Beauty Baby didn't decide to head up the steep sides of it, just BEFORE it would have been impossible for her to do so. I was feeling rather determined not to let this happen, dropped off point and followed her. Sarah-horse was not exactly thrilled, but she scrambled on up pretty well. I told her she was just getting her aerobic exercise as she sweated and blew hard at the top. We followed BB along the canyon edge, hunting for a finger to push her down. Found one, just about where we needed to make the turn south towards Jackhammer, so we dropped down and helped insist at the turn – however, we also let the cows follow a trail around one of the steep breaks, smoothing things up considerably. About ½ way between the turn and Jackhammer, we started picking up the cows Scott and I had lost the day before – yahoo! We eventually got to the corrals with 75 head – not a bad haul and proof that our work the day before had not been wasted. Very satisfying.
Mom
July 31, 2004 - Dad and I left Payson around noon on Friday, heading for Willcox and planning to stay overnight with Chrissy in Tucson. We made a fairly brief stop at the ranch, much to Stubbs’ disgust, to pick up things for the University Farmers’ Market on Sunday. Had a nice visit with Chrissy, and were pleased to see that Triton seems to have been doing his job, letting everybody in the neighborhood know that he has a very deep voice. Of course, he didn't bark at us when we came to the door, but we'll just assume that it’s because he recognized the sound of the car…
This morning we headed for Tout’s 50th wedding anniversary surprise party. We seem to have gotten our signals crossed with Mellony and she wasn't home. But we know the key trick and followed her oft repeated instructions to just make ourselves at home. The party was a lot of fun. Helen Fraze had spent a ton of time getting the shop converted for the dinner/dance – she says Tony won’t be able to locate his tools for a week. All kinds of interesting appetizers (at least two with a jalapeno base) – the flies kept trying to run off with them too…. Sonny Martinez made the food and Mr. Rowden’s band made the music – it was all very fitting to this “once in a blue moon” celebration.
August 1, 2004 – We left Willcox early so I could get to the Farmers’ Market and Dad could head back to Payson. This month’s theme at the F-M was “Corn Festival” – kind of hard to fit in since we make a point of not being cornfed beef… Thought about trying to come up with a “corny” joke – but didn't have the nerve. Instead, as before, I took samples out and about to folks – very different from Plaza Palomino, but by doing it, I did get a fair amount of interest. we'll see if it translates into shares. Which reminds me, I want to add the new website address to the bottom of our flyer – think I'll go run the County laptop out to the balcony and see if I can pull it up (we can explain our technology advances/challenges later, if you care).
Did end up leaving early when I got a call from Dad saying the Jimmy had quit in Mammoth - ooghh, arrrghh – but by the time I was heading his direction, it turned out to be just an “out of gas issue” (only warning was that the gas gauge started behaving strangely) – so I went ahead and had the lunch buffet at Ghandi. But I ignored any potential errands, as I wanted to get back home early enough to be able to check for any cows still on us, but watering at S.O.B. There were two heifers, but I managed to spook them before I could get them through to TNC. Figured that was IT for the day’s attempt, so I closed the water gate at S.O.B. and Bobcat (Zeus is still in S. Bobcat) to set up for getting them through later with a “Who's thirsty ?” call. However, later that afternoon I got a message from Chris that there were cows in his yard. Ooops, guess I’d forgotten to close the gate at his driveway. Headed straight down and found the brindle bunch that had cut away from us last week with Freddie, hanging around the Freeman/River Road intersection . They were a little touchy, but got surprisingly cooperative once I successfully insisted that “yellow” and her calf head toward the petroglyph gate. They all lined out for the corral with very little discussion. I scurried around the hill to get ahead of them to open the water gate I’d closed earlier, and they all trooped in dutifully – 19 head – what a haul!!
Gotta quit for the moment, if I'm to get this out in today’s mail…
Well – to continue –
I was especially surprised to see 514 in the bunch – guess that explains that slightly pushed down fence just below Bobcat – she was determined not to be left behind. Her calf was with her, so she must have called it through the fence. I spent a little bit of time at S.O.B., checking water level in tank, and taking note of fence repair that was needed (potential “test” material to see whether Doug will notice…) sorting off cows to go through onto TNC – keeping 250 in as a future hamburger cow and a 2 year old, 234 (?) who had odd looking eyes, as a possible CSA animal before heading for the shed. I was surprised to find Chris’ gate closed…and the CSA cows OUT and in his yard. Hmmm – put them back easily, but I'm not at all sure which animals Chris was calling about. Guess it doesn’t matter, since both sets of them needed to be dealt with!
Aug 2 – My sleep was somewhat interrupted – came vaguely awake smelling a skunk. Since I HAD left the front door open for breeze purposes, I wasn't quite sure where he might be. I really wanted to get up and at least close the door, but I started picturing the possibility of having the skunk already, inside the house. I knew Stubbs would get up as soon as I did and that would surely trigger a skunk spray. I could easily imagine NEVER being able to get “skunk” out of our adobe plaster. I concluded that just going back to sleep was the better part of valor.
Heard a news report about a woman who was bitten by a rattlesnake – while in the Garden Section of the N. Oracle Home Depot!! Let that be a lesson to you….
Went down to start my anticipated day’s “rounds” at water gates. Started off at the HQ corrals where I was surprised to find lots of shod horse tracks as well as those of a truck that had backed up to our chute – decided Meyers must have spotted their cow and gotten her picked up – left them a message to check on my scenario.
No Zeus at Bobcat, but I did find that the Dodson gate at Bobcat was open – aargh – no tracks, but there’s been enough rain to have wiped any out. Decided I’d better add Jackhammer into the “rounds” – nobody there, on either side, nor anybody at S.O.B - not even the animals I’d left in!! NO sign of how they’d gotten out, unless they’d flown. I walked around and around looking for more clues (starting to worry whether somebody might have loaded ‘em up and hauled ‘em away…) – didn't find any until I got over to the tank and found the broken wire there repaired. Ah Ha! Had to have been TNC – no rustler would have bothered to fix fence. A check–in later confirmed this – they’d been down first thing to pump water and had found the gate between the two main parts of the corral “unhinged” – repaired it and wondered how it had happened. – oh well, at least the mysteries were solved all around.
Never saw a sign of bulls anywhere (Zeus is in S. Bobcat and both Apollo and Prescott should be in N. Bobcat), but on about round 2 or 3, did get the two black heifers to admit they were thirst, and to go peacefully over to TNC. Both had udders, so I checked back frequently to see if they ever wanted back through – nope. Looking at the preg checking list, it’s possible they’re just getting ready to calve – hope so….
Aug 3 – headed down early to close the TNC side of SOB, hoping to perhaps re-gather 250 et al. It was kind of neat to be on the road earlier than usual as I saw a “wad?”, a “bristle?” of javelina, including some teenagers and a teensy tinsy one, plus 3 muledeer does crossing the road. Despite that, it turned out that 6:30 AM was already too late to beat cows the cows I was after – they were already there and had already gotten their drink. I tried to push them back in, but ‘ol 250 is a crafty thing and refused to be maneuvered anywhere.
Pretty well decided I wasn't going to accomplish anything more cow-wise, but would stay around until noon to see if any bulls showed up at any waters – they didn't, but I'm glad I hadn't left any sooner as at lunchtime, I found a small stream developing in the now abandoned parking area to the east of the house! The waterline connection at the trailer-house had come unglued. I managed to get the water shut off and the line reconnected. I figure it probably loosened up with the warm weather.
Then it was off to Payson and a return to the very different world of plan writing.
Aug 6 -Wednesday we went to our first CWPP meeting, (15 minute walk!) with Tommie along to introduce us. We mostly listened, and made notes of who will be our best sources of information. It’s really quite a different deal working on this plan where we are responsible for putting together OTHER people’s information and ideas rather than our own – although Tommie’s making it clear that Gila County wants to be sure that ITS outlook is well represented and that we not feel constrained by what’s already been done. Walking back to the house after the meeting, Dad and I cut through “Mad Dawg and Mel’s” parking lot. It’s one of the Main Street houses that’s been fixed up and turned into a restaurant. It was intriguing enough that we decided to stop in for an iced tea. Turned it into lunch with the addition of a HUGE appetizer platter (glad we’d decided to split it!) and thoroughly enjoyed the time to study the INSIDE of the house. We met Tommie later for an overview of Payson. I especially like the “Breadpan” and the little hill in it, known locally as the “Biscuit in the Breadpan”.
Yesterday, in amongst our poring over Flagstaff’s and Sitgreave’s CWPPs as well as the Guidelines to writing one, and the Healthy Forests Restoration Act, we listened to KMOG – the only radio station one seems to be able to pick up in Payson. We especially enjoyed the show “Trades and____” (can’s get Ely’s version, “Tradio”, out of my head). We were surprised to hear a solar panel for sale – we pursued and purchased it, having a very nice visit with its owner – a Slovakian immigrant who came to the US at the age of 12 – when communism was starting to make life intolerable over there – very interesting.
In the evening we went to the Republican Ladies candidate Forum – over at the Mazatzal (believe it or not, it rhymes with “Mad as Hell”) Casino Gym to cheer for Tommie. She’s got some stiff competition in the form of a local radio personality – he was extremely “slick” and, as Tommie says, a “quick study” (he’s been taking her lead on all issues). We learned a lot about the position of constable (I had NO idea what they did) and ended up gladder than ever that Roger Vanderpool is OUR sheriff….
During the break, I studied some of the bulletin board info in the Gym – I especially liked the sign “Anyone entering the building under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be asked to leave, No gang, or gang related activities; No vulgar or foul language; No sunflower seeds”. I also enjoyed the mural in the weight room: it was a picture of Jesus, struggling under the weight of his cross, with a painted banner attached “the sins of the world – bench press this” – huh?
Today was lovely – nice gentle rain in Payson. In amongst attempting to outline the CWPP to be certain that we cover each of the steps in the Guideline, I walked to the “Sav-Mor” grocery store and was delighted to find they had some organic stuff available. I also hoofed it on over to the county offices to see if I could figure out where the “Ethernet” cable our techies told about was located and made a tour of local blackjack oaks. Tommie’s dad had offered us some “akerns” at their place, and Tommie had given me a demo of how to eat them – including the approved of kid method of spitting the leftover shell… I've decided I like them quite a bit and need to keep my pockets full so I can study which trees produce the tastiest – Tommie says you can just watch which ones the Apaches are picking up, but that seems a bit pushy for a complete stranger.
By early afternoon I was heading off for the ranch, in order to go to the Plaza Palomino Farmer’s Market Saturday. Stopped and called WIFL crew along the way and got a river report (crossable), and so proceeded straight to the shed (only took 2 1/2 hours – not bad). Got my sausage samples made and called it a day.
Mom