Welcome to JKs Rough String Ranch

Welcome to the Rough String, and thanks for stoppin' by!! Grab a hot cup of coffee and sit a spell!
10/22/18 You will see a name change on the blog. Lots of things have changed in my life in the past few years, and I feel compelled to share my story.

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Saturday, April 24, 2010

I'm Not Lost~~Just Super Busy!

It's been a crazy week around here!

We had company over the weekend until Wednesday. My cousin, who I hadn't seen in at least 30 years, came out with a hunting buddy to shoot sage rats. We had a great time catching up on years of stuff!

Tuesday was pretty wild (weather wise).

This photo was taken the day before the wind storm but the clouds were similar
to the clouds that brought the huge wind storm.

It was suspected that we had a tornado touch down about 8 miles or so from us. But after the National Weather Service researched the incident, they think it was a "downburst" and not a twister. But the damage was amazing.

Here are a couple of news links of the story with photos of the on coming storm and the damage aftermath.

KTVZ News from Bend Oregon

KPTV out of Portland  click on the "photo" link after the short story...snapped off electric poles and irrigation pipe everywhere!

My cousin was staying at the Crystal Crane Hot Springs and was just 1/2 mile from where the major downburst came through. He said that he'd never experienced anything like that before and thought the cabin they were staying in was going to take off...to Oz!

We got lots of wind at our place here and it was funny to watch papa owl hanging on for dear life in the elm tree as it rocked and rolled in the wind! I'm sure he didn't think it was very funny at the time! We just lost a few shingles off the house, but the winds were the strongest we'd ever had.

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The day of the storm was gorgeous though. I rode up on the hill...a nice relaxing ride...we took time to "smell the flowers" so to speak...









Farming is in full swing in Harney County as our neighbor is ripping his field
in preparation to plant alfalfa. I enjoy seeing the
circles of the pivot fields.

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My Man went to the Thompson's Ranch yesterday and branded calves for the day...and I...

...well...

...I went shopping...and finally made a decision...here is our latest addition...

Colonel Leo Command
aka "Command"
2008 Dun gelding

This is my new futurity horse. I'll be starting him under saddle this spring and showing him in the 2 year old halter class at the Harney County Reined Stock Horse Futurity this September...just like I did with Colt. And Colt is 5 this year, and I'm going to try to show him in the two rein...we'll see how it goes...first time for that for me!




I think Command going to clean up real nice though ...obviously they've been running the pasture for the winter and still have a lot of woolly on 'em...and they had just run through the irrigation ditch and got soaked! His color will be very unique when he sheds out, but he's a really kind colt, and he should be pretty darn cowy too! I'll be picking him up in a week after I get back from my Mike Bridges Project 5 clinic...which I'm leaving for tomorrow.




Yep...Colt's looking forward to the clinic too!!! So, off I go to pack...and clean house as my brother and more family are coming while I'm gone...don't I have the best Man?!? He even looks after my family when I'm not here!

I'll have video and photos from the clinic...so long until May and Happy trails~



Sunday, April 18, 2010

Sunday Stills ~ Potluck

Another edition of the Sunday Stills photo challenge has come around...I've missed the past couple, but how could I not participate when we could take photos of "anything fun and interesting?"

Bella Jo and Tat the Barn Cat made good subjects a couple of days ago as they see who's the toughest...

Bella Jo always starts something...



But Tat isn't afraid of showing Bella Jo exactly what he thinks of her...




And Bella Jo is willing to accept his opinion!




In the end...they are really pretty good buddies.


Enjoy more Potluck Photos by going HERE.

Have a great Sunday!


Saturday, April 17, 2010

More Newborn's!

Ellie Mae finally decided to have her calf...another lil' bull calf.



He's not nearly as cute or photogenic as the lil' brown calf. But what he lacks in cuteness, he makes up for in spunk! He is a feisty lil' guy...could hardly stand and he was trying to run 'n buck! He fell down numerous times, and he just kept gettin' back up and doin' it all over again!




But the lil' guy sure got the milk thing down quickly! He's going to need all the nourishment he can get with his energy!




OK...he's cute in his own way...and his momma loves him...that's what counts!


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The owls have been busy too...nesting...



See the round hole in the rock cliff just above the "g"?


Here's a closer look...



And a lil' closer...



This is momma owl, and it's the first time I've seen her sitting at the edge of the hole. So, I think the eggs have hatched! We'll be watching for the lil' ones!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Testing the New Layout


Well, I've spent most of the day on this...and now I've got one BIG headache...all that's left to do is test.
The goal here was to use the whole screen and have larger photos...so, I hope it's going to work! There's more tidying up to do...but I'm brain dead for now...




I guess we'll find out when I hit the 'publish post' button!

But, hey...I'm a really bad interior designer, and I'll take all the helpful hint I can get!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Ahhhh...Sunbathing


Happy Easter to everyone! May the day bring you the blessings of family and friends as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Chicks and bunnies are always "commercial" symbols of Easter...and yes, they are very cute.

But calves are even cuter in my mind...Calfey, which he is most often referred to as, is no exception.

And I caught him and momma cow taking a snooze in the sunshine the other day.




'Boy, this is way better than the wind and snow
we've endured off and on all week. We had
4 inches of snow on Tuesday!
I'm definitely likin' this sunshine.'







'I think I need some on my tummy...ah yes...right there.'









ZZZZZZZZZZ...








'Hey...what's with that black thing you keep
pointin' at me? You're
interrupting my bathing!'








'Maybe if I stick my tongue out at her, she'll go away!'








'Son...just ignore those silly two-legged things...
they're always doing something stupid.
Go back to sleep dear.'



I hope the sun is shining in your part of the world! Enjoy the day!


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Saturday, April 3, 2010

More Branding Photos


I had a request for more photos...but I think what Merri at The Equestrian Vagabond was talking about was the Wrangler butt shot from Wordless Wednesday!!

My favorite comment from the WW post was from Paula at the Broken Y Ranch...hope you got your speech back girl ;~)

Ah, well...just blame it all on the two of them!! Only posting four photos for the Sunday Stills challenge was a challenge in itself...I liked lots of them for different reasons...so, here are a few of my other favs...





My Man and Whiskey...we're riding out from
ranch headquarters to go gather the victims...er...pairs.






I love this old ranch. The gates, fences and barns
are so photogenic. See the cow in the paddock?
The two lil' ones on each side of her
are twins...the ranch's third
set this year...so far.







OK...I guess this one's for Merri ;~)







It was a sea of calves...waiting their turn...








Hmmmmm...maybe my favorite shot of the day...
~Cowboys and the Boots They Wear~









Ty's horse, Colt & Whiskey waiting with the
separated cows as we work another bunch.







And this is why My Man's hat stunk...but
I like the photo.








The hardest job...wrestlin' calves into the table...
but he loves doing it!








'3J' brand








My Man trying his hand at branding while
Jerry coaches him. He did a good job!








A few of the finished products.
It was a long day and those calves were
sure happy to mother up and get some
well deserved milk!




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