Hobbies & Passions, All At Danger Ranch

PASSION MUCH?

The magnificent Tundra has returned to Danger ranch and it's not for R and R. it's for passion. I suppose he'll breed all the our goats quickly in this hot crazy weather of November. The goats do love him and he's not hurting them like some of the bucks that we have had our does visit for freshening.

Einstein, our ram sheep, did all of his breeding business with the ewes exactly one month ago. I'm so glad there's a space of time between the the labors and newborns for me to rest-up before the little doelings and baby bucks arrive.

One thing I've learned more than anything as a farm girl is to try and do all this frugally. One great skill I've learned is that even with just a bunch of Grandpa's leather pile, Chicago screws, buckles, Conway buckles, and a good quality hole punch. I can make almost any tack. Bits no, but I can alter them. Grandpa's pony had a soft mouth and he completely covered his little bit (cob size) with stitched leather; and he started doing that all by himself as an 8 year old boy. I just found another one where he even put leather all around the bit with slobber-guards.

Sometimes I wish we lived in a world without all this addiction to gaming and TV. All of gaming keeps children indoors and really missing life. So does the Internet. Facebook and YouTube are right up there with gaming. I think no matter where a child lives, city, farm, or in between, they will find a passion. I'm certain that all the Xbox playing many children aren't able to find themselves. Face Cards or playing cards, were always something we did only, and only a little while at the beach. It was just a short time waiting for the surf to recede off the sea-wall in the afternoon or waiting for everyone to wake-up in the morning to go down on the beach at low-tide. My parents weren't Mormons, but even so, they also knew that things like solitaire and war were a tremendous waste of time and could easily evolve into gambling and poker.

I love Disneyland, but not all that the company represents. The TV shows are the jumping board to promote young singers and actors (or make singers and actors to promote the company) The shows all try and make the children smarter than their parents and disrespectful to adults. The children all say their lines smart and witty. How do the parents look? Bullying is represented as practical jokes and the acting is really sloppy, not well written, and acting even terrible.

I really am sad to see a child fixated on a show, as if they are hypnotized. TV becomes even worse on other TV channel's reality shows and those... appalling! I'm so glad that my children have opted-out having a TV as we did when they were young. We still hate the TV. Okay, tell me when these "Reality Shows" became to be popular? Watching those shows seems to me almost sick. We are able to see someone else's weird life, that isn't even real. Sister Wives! Oh, pleeaazzzeee! Could our children think that is how it is in real life? Should our interaction at home with each other be like that? I don't think they'll want to be a family, with these examples. Maybe because I don't watch it and I'm one that hasn't been watching it all along so the small changes that are made are not noticed by regular viewers. I see it and ACCCKKK! Terrible. Actually, I could write many journal entries on this, but I'm sure bloggers have filled lots of the Internet posts the same thing.

I agree that there's a lot of Internet "junk" to take our time. Facebook, YouTube, Annoying Orange. Well, not Annoying Orange...I hope I remember that video. Our REAL life is stolen away. Here I am writing and just hoping that there's some kinda' "cattle-prod" to getting lives back or our grand children's lives. Experience lots of life and they'll find it. There needs to be a huge advertising campaign that says something like: " Become Your Future You." My brothers passion was surfing, and my dad taught them when they were only 2 and 3 years old (I can't believe he did that) It was a very, very safe beach. It led to fitness and sports. Maybe a even a passive passion is reading, but I hope that it doesn't take every moment of a life, instead of actually "doing" something, like writing a book. Whoa! I hear my mom talking.

I did a bad thing yesterday. I pushed a medium-sized kitten that was all sprawled-out over our fountain drinking water. It was blazing hot outside. (Still so hot for November, around 95 degrees with the hot wind really gusting. I said (in my mind) "Take a bath!" and pushed the kitten in the fountain and ran away. It was the "onchies," I couldn't help myself. The very wet kitty looked around and I hid behind the car. She gave our dog the "stink -eye" I'm so bad. The dog looked at the kitty and than back at me, "What!?"

I was out taking a picture of our buck, Tundra. He is the last baby goat Kiely helped deliver, before she went off to college. He was sold, but I borrowed the buck and brought him back, to breed our goats. Tundra's changed a lot. He's taller bigger and darker, and not as aggressive and that's good. Steve just said, "He's tearing up the fence." Never mind, he's after Einstein, again. The sheep live in the duplex next door. I went down the drive, our Wellman Way. I was outside goofing around anyway. I went to the "Bunk House" that now is used as a really big tack room. Yes, it was a real bunk house in the old days, even had iron beds and a wood burning stove when we moved to Danger Ranch as a little kid. I'm so old. The bunk house is wonderful and I have great, great memories there. It's always been a tack room to us and even smells like a leather shop. I love being in there. I need to find some supplies to make a bridle. Pretty unbelievable, but I can do it. I'm going with rhinestones and all the trimmings. I don't have rhinestones, does Walmart? And I'm just dreaming. Steve will not go for that on his horse. I do want a bridle that's custom fitted. I'm going to hope I remember to not make the whole bridle inside out, and backwards.

Sahara's New Bridle (Almost) Top left is A Bit of Sonny's Tail

My Wonderful Poley Saddle 120+ Years Old

My very favorite farm tool and this ratchet thingy will fix anything. I love it. It now has a better handle and is easier to hold. It's officially called a twisting tool item number #159871 in the 2010 Gempler's Catalog. It's fast and especially easy for me to mend fences. Great for pig fences.

These are rubbery door hanger from the craft store. I can make rein stops by just cutting them to size. The price was only 50 cents. And...it's brown. Of course, my flash altered the color.

Grab The Ladder To Success

I hope all my grandchildren find their passion like we were able to instill in our own children. I hope they all find their "Obsession In Life" and I'm pray that it's an obsession that is "praiseworthy and of good report."

Here's a few sentences to describe my children's passions or talent. Each one had these talents when they were just very, very young and they developed them, used them, improved on each gift and it became a passion. They still hold to them, but now have added-on new hobbies, new passions, and new talents. Life is good.

Tressa: She is fascinated by drama and acting and that path led her to art. It's her dream activity. She teaches with great passion that could only come with the enthusiastic love for doing anything creative. If she couldn't instill her excitement for art without her drama. We love the drama, everyone listens and feels her strong emotion for art. Tressa's enthusiasm spills over to so many other paths.

Dustin: Our McGyver. He can fix anything. Dustin builds, he works on cars, and loves mechanics. This had led to having all the details in place. Right now, he's on a quest to raise his children as a single dad helping each of his four kids find their passions. All his fixes will just enhance his life and as he patiently works with his children he continues to help every new fireman that comes on the department. Great teacher.

Marnie: She always wanted to be my secretary and help me clean house. The back of her car license, it says something like, "Mommy and wife...it's a beautiful life". Yes, her house is spotless. Marnie is the planner and organizer of the whole family and activity director at Church. "She has her ducks in a row" She makes her life beautiful.

Larin: Oh, definitely, the nurturer. She's even-tempered all the time. Larin has had every pet that I can think that a person can legally own. Larin loved ants when she was little and even told me they could talk. She single-handedly stopped the slaughter of the Santa Cruz sheep and she was only 11 years old. I didn't even LIKE sheep back then. Nurturing. I bet she really is a Vegan. Larin's "home is where the heart is." geez...look at this sweet picture..she's still this way.



Bree: Her talent has always been the peacemaker. This may seem as a talent that's not tangible, but her photography and art display her desire for peace in all things lovely. She has more pictures of beauty than anyone I know and her favorite subjects happen to be her wonderful family. "Bloom where you are planted," has been her theme in Arkansas. Did I mention she is giggly-fun? No one can be unhappy around her.

Kiely: This young one was dancing when she could hang-on to the couch before she turned 1 years old. She dances it all out and has never, ever stopped. It has helped her physically and intellectually. Okay, so she loves animals, but she danced all the way over to the horse, then the steer, and then the goat. She's not afraid of being in front of others, and the plus is that she is organized and has been an official leader since the age of five. I hope you dance. : )

My kids are truly crazy and have personalities like their Grandpa's on both side. They have been an entertaining bunch and I was blessed to be in their lives.

Steve's talent and passion is service without reward or gain, recognition, or popularity. He has true charity. I asked him if he had a hobby and he said, "Yes, I do." "The definition of a hobby is three-sided: It takes your spare time, your money, and you really enjoy it." "Two outta' three ain't bad." It's my farm, and secretly...I know he loves his tractors.

My talent: Really, I don't know?

Right now, I'm headed off to Ah Chi swimming class. I'll probably just come home and push a kitty in the fountain, organize a little and download "Ohana" the new genealogy program with Temple Ready the Church is endorsing, play with the leather bridle and decide on some embellishments. I will love on our animals and throw the ball for the dog and brush m' horse. I might just build a jig for a pretty willow fence for my garden, and definitely sing to "Stuck Like Glue" with our happy Cockateil. I will kiss my honey, (a lot) and lay in bed and look at my grand kid's pictures on my camera.

Can You Kids Just Happy-Up. It's Halloween For A Bunch of Sillys

Hannah Is Beautiful

Not Sure How Cute This Costume Is for Jake?

Utah Changed The Date of Halloween,

But The Fun Lasted A Long Time!

The Big Kids Got Into The Action
College Halloween Dance Outfit
sans ... The Spandex

Our Utah family having their

Halloween on Saturday night.

Steve and I bought candy at Walmart for Halloween, again. It's been more than 16 years and we haven't had one trick or treater here at Danger Ranch. Wellman Way, our long drive at night, is like walking in Snow White's forest with the long branched trees grabbin' at you from all directions. Actually, it's scary for any sane person. East of here is Jurassic Park and north is "The Forbidden Forest of No Return"

I always wanted to be Snow White for Halloween. I was usually a clown, like I dressed my kids. I actually thought I was Snow White. All the birdies and animals of the forest would come to me and talk. Actually, they never did... and I was forced to set traps. I set traps of all sizes and everywhere. The Forbidden Forest had traps, too. Yes, I caught a lot of animals in those days (hand at my chin, reminiscing hmm)


That all stopped when I caught my dad in a coyote trap. Yes, I know it hurts 'em. Oh, not my dad, just scared the crap outta' him. It would've hurt the animals, but I was desperate ... I wanted a wild dog. My dad told me to stop setting traps because everywhere he went he was worried about the good dogs, the horses, the steers, chickens, (himself, but wouldn't admit it) cats, loose piglets, and everything else, like my even my brothers, getting trapped and messed-up. (I way...mightly, cleaned his admonition to quit, type a' language.) And told me I wasn't Snow White, I was a French Trapper! Shock!


A very sad 6th grader had to go out in the Forbidden Forest and Jurassic Park and tell all the animals that they were free and not to be afraid anymore because I was putting all of the traps away forever. I thought that all of them would at least peek around a tree or come fly down and sit on my shoulder, but the animals were all afraid. I know that they heard me, because I saw some deer tracks about a week later. Maybe it was an elk, but I'm not sure.
















Actually, I'm thinking...I could go dressed for Halloween, hangin' my grandpa's old furs on my shoulders. I even have a ferret. (the furs are more than 60 years old...we don't skin animals, except cows) Then I could grab a couple bear traps from my mom's hook just outside her back step, dress in my favorite clothes, look a little sloppy, and Voila! A French Trapper! You can be just like Grandma Frandsen's great, great, uncle.  Toussant Charbonneau,  It really burns me that my daughter's husband is actually the real Snow White. Why? That just isn't "fair!"

I am Actually Related To Toussaint Charbonneau, the French Trapper. He was my great grandmother's mother, great uncle & famous because he was married to Lewis & Clark's, Sacagawea. A real French-Canadian, like my great, great grandmother, Julia Charbonneau.

"Take-Off, eh!"
See...I know French Canadian

Halloween night Steve worked and handed-out glow-sticks (as in... rave lights) to all the little children and the parents. It was a safety donation from the Fire Fighter's Assoc. and the police helped, too by handing them out all over town. Oh, my gosh, what a different Halloween from when I was young. The cops used to pat-us-down for candy. Or was it water-balloons?

Dallin getting himself psyched-up

for a fun, fun time!

Adree was suppose to be a pumpkin but she's such a tall bean pole. Maybe like the Tim Burton's Nightmare before Christmas, just because of the tall pumpkins but she really looks like the actress Milla Jovovich from the movie 5th Element. Remember, she played the part as the perfect being, called "Leeloo" with the orange hair. Adree did have a cute pumpkin dress and not what Leeloo wore through-out the movie.

Avatar, Yes..Kenna Wants to Fly Dragons

What Could Be As Cute As
A Little Jessie From Toy Story?

Sunday was Halloween in California. I did NOT want to stay home. I went to Dustin's in Ventura to see the grandkids in their "get-ups" So fun! Dustin lives in the Ventura Keys and has this party. His kids don't even want to go out "trick or treating" they want to stay for the party and hand-out and eat "his" candy.

The Ventura Keys is the most popular place in Ventura to go "trick or treating" The Keys is just up from Pierpont and on the harbor. It has more children bused-in than any place I have ever seen. Parents even dress-up and women? They actually open their purses for you to put candy in them! Unbelievable! Too funny.... and the "Beach People" love it. They're all are very, very generous with the candy. Dustin didn't buy sacks of candy, he bought pounds. It is the "candy lode" this side of the Rio Grande. Ahhh. I guess....I should "sack" that phrase and just say, "On this side of the Golden West"



Dustin does have all my decorations. I only have one small decoration .. .boo-hoo, and that was made by my sister. It's a bride and groom cake-topper that she pasted-on skeleton faces and painted. I keep having a weird shivers when I see them, jus' standin' there. I bought 50 of those cake-toppers in July for Kiely's wedding and my daughter is still just a newlywed. Creepy, Oh well. Halloween - Day of the Dead.


I did convince my husband to get the Skittle candy bags. He knows we don't have anyone come here. I told him maybe this year. He went for the Skittles because they weren't chocolate and they wouldn't disappear before Halloween started. I really was going to take the bag to Dustin's house. OOPS! Forgot. I did run outta' candy real fast anyway. Everyone saw the bag that visited me and took a handful of those little sacks of delicious morsels of fruit bursts. They make me kinda' cough, but I still eat 'em. I had a few interesting looks from my dear husband when the sack started becoming depleted and I told him everyone was just helping themselves. I didn't include myself, and that stashed about a third of them in the cupboard. Skittles do come with a warning: Beware FDA Skittles are laced with cocaine and Starburst may have...Oh, dear! The bag is torn right there.

Dustin has a huge big screen on his front window and he projects a scary show from the inside of his house. Like this huge horror show is projected on his lawn and it's even perfect from clear-out across the street. Halloweeners came and sat on his lawn after getting loads of candy and just watched the show. Most of Dustin's candy ran-out in just two hours into the witching hours and he sent all the grandkids out to round-up candy for his bowl. It's Sunday...no shopping Mormons...Dustin would just yell, "Candy Run" and they would all take-off and bring tons back to him for his bowl. I think they had to do that at least twice, maybe more.

























Other than the "Candy Runs" the grandkids happily stayed at the house with all the cousins. I worked hard trying to take pictures of all the kids with my camera application. Camera Zoom has this app with Halloween characters and movie people. So you take a picture in the dark, like a blue screen...you can see the "buddy" that is on the app, but you can't see the person you are photographing. Had to imagine or explain, it's just blindly taking a picture and you're lucky if the kid's in it. Every picture is a challenge to place the child in the right spot and not behind the "buddy" My way was to take a burst of photos with a flash and that way I could place my subject-person next to the "buddy" and just say, "look-up, look-down, look sideways" It would have been easier if they had ever seen the Brady Bunch TV show. I told them to look scared or make faces, but the surprise was when the pictures popped into my picture gallery and my grandson's "buddies" were famous girls. I got through three of them and made everyone change to goofy or scary stuff.

No more of that boy/girl stuff ..I tell you!

Okay, I'm sharing because you all need to learn to use this app.

Hannah, I got rid of Johnny Depp! This is Darth Vader!

It does have a great use and can make a sad child very happy when they see themselves with Dora the Explorers or that dang monkey that hangs-out with her on the cartoon. The candy-sick little ones even hap-pied-up for a picture!

My oldest daughter and her twin, 16 years younger are the only of my kids that still love dressing-up. Party poopers! was it the clown pics that seems to be the crazy ideas of the early 80's or was it my outfit. Sorry, I had to give you such a gentle reminder of what it was like when I was growning up. I made the clown outfits, as anyone can see! I remember I DIDN'T WANT TO be a clown, but what you have is what you got.

Me At My Grandparents on Laurel Rd.
1954. My Children Were Doomed
With The Clown Outfit. Me Below.

I posted Bree picture just little late, added Nov. 16th, 2010. She sickie from a new pregnancy and was trying to keep it all together by putting a fragrant softner sheet on her face. What a silly. Here's her darling children just below!

Studio Portrait of My Grandchildren in Arkansas
No They Aren't In Costume, That's Just Arkansas
Country Sweet & I love It!

Grandmother and Grandfathers probably know what a blessing it is to not deal with the "candy hangovers" the next day. Four of the kids threw-up in the night. Almost all of them stayed home on Monday, missing school. I'm glad my camera was a success and I was a source of entertainment for everyone with my "buddy app" So, I wasn't a lumberjack and still had on my church dress, like a good grandma. Now, next year...I'm gonna' be a French Trapper. I could rub black on my cheeks, right here and right here. NOOOOO! Wait, I think I am growing a stinkin' mustache like Great Grandma McKean. Grrooosss!