Skipper's Cupboard

I am so pleased to announce the non-profit which will be featured at the Scottsbluff Winter Farmers Market on Saturday, February 5th at the Hampton Inn Conference Center from 1-4 pm.

SKIPPER'S CUPBOARD, INC

Skipper's Cupboard is a non-profit organization located in Scottsbluff, but serves a wide area of the Panhandle. The organization is available to help responsible pet owners who struggle to supply their animal companions with food because they may have fallen on hard times or financial struggles due to various reasons. According to the website, Steve and Becky Morgheim, the founders of the organization "envision a time in Scotts Bluff (NE) and its surrounding counties when no pet owner will be forced to abandon, neglect, or abuse a cherished companion for lack of animal food resources."

Skipper's Cupboard will have an informational booth at the winter farmers market and Snickers, the organization's mascot will also be present! The market will be collecting donations of dry dog and cat food, kitty litter and cash for Skipper's Cupboard. Anyone who donates to the non-profit will get their name entered into a drawing for a gift basket full of goodies that have been donated by the market vendors.

I love Skipper's Cupboard's mission statement:

"Our mission is to insure that lack of access to animal food resources never breaks the bond between responsible pet owners and their animal companions."

Steve, Becky and of course Snickers will also have their book titled "The Soap Box Beagle" for sale at the winter market. All proceeds from the book go straight to Skipper's Cupboard. Their website explains more about the book:

"Stories and art can transform hearts, change opinions, motivate hands, and open wallets in order to make the world a better place and put a smile on God’ face.

And those are the goals of The Soap Box Beagle, a children’s story written by the founders, of Skipper's Cupboard. Its pages tell a whimsical story that blends fact and fiction to commemorate bygone summers along America's legendary Oregon Trail when industrious young dreamers piloted their gravity-fueled racers down the roadway at Scotts Bluff National Monument.

Its appendix includes the winners of the derby races as well as a short history of the racing competition that will rekindle memories of the excitement and spirit that the derby races brought to the Valley during times of economic hardship and global conflict. And actual photos of those races are sprinkled throughout the book."


Katie Bradshaw of the Star-Herald wrote a great story last November about Skipper's Cupboard. It was her story that introduced me to the non-profit. Thanks Katie!! You can read Katie's story by clicking the link below.

Charity Helps Feed Pets When Owners Fall On Hard Times

Anyone who knows me, knows I love animals. My cats are such a big part of me. I miss them when we go on trips and I know that if I ever had to spend some time in the hospital, I would make Dan the Man smuggle one or two in to see me! I can't imagine ever falling on such hard times that I would have to give up my cats because I could not afford to feed them. They are a part of my family, not mere possessions that I could abandon, willingly or not.

Snickers can't wait to meet you!

I truly hope that you will come to the market on Saturday and help to support this worthy non-profit! I am sure that Snickers would really like to meet you as well.

* Can Not Be Worn While Working

I saw this ad on Facebook this morning and it made me laugh.

What is a "Work Blanket"?

Excuse me Mr. Carhartt, but when do you need a blanket at work?

I am racking my brain trying to think of an occupation that would require a blanket to get the job done. So far this is what I have come up with:

Mr. Sandman might need one to lure his customers to sleep. But then, he doesn't need it, he would not be the one wearing it while he was working...

Let's see, who else...

hmmm....

A mattress tester? Would that require a blanket? Perhaps...

What else...

thinking, thinking, thinking...




running out of time...

Dan the Man will soon be telling me it's time to get off the computer and get to work...

I decided to add a disclaimer to the ad.



Let me know what occupations you come up with that you actually need a blanket to perform your job!

I can't wait to hear!

No, I am Not a Runner, But I Wouldn't Mind Being One!

Due to Facebook and a recent picture that I happened to be in, which happened to be featured in the Star-Herald (front page, Sunday, none-the-less), a few of you have gotten the idea that I am a runner. I feel like I need to set you straight and stop this misconception you have gotten of me.

Thus, the title of this post... No, I am Not a Runner, But I Wouldn't Mind Being One!

Last week I wrote this column for the Gering Citizen Newspaper. I usually don't share my columns on my blog because I would rather that you subscribe to the paper and support it if you want to read my columns. Subscriptions are only $30 a year and it is a great local weekly paper. You can subscribe right on line at www.geringcitizen.com, but you will need to subscribe to the "Weekly Print Edition Delivered" since my columns are not featured in the eEdition.



I Didn't Know You Were a Runner

How is your New Year's resolution going? Were you one of the many who resolved to exercise more this year or to get into better shape? That wasn't my resolution, but it is always in the back of my mind, that I need to take better care of my body. I don't want my body to fail me before my mind does. I have come to the realization that exercising on my own is not an option because if left to do it by my self, I will not get er' done.

A couple of weeks ago I received an email from a friend of mine with “Opportunity to get fit in a group: Couch to 5K” in the subject line. Out of curiosity I clicked on the email to open it up. It was a link to Katie Bradshaw's blog, “SCB Citizen.” The first line of this post had my interest, it reads “I have learned that I need some external motivators to stick with an exercise program.” Well, me too!

Katie went on to write that she was starting a “Couch to 5K” group here in our community. A “Couch to 5K” program is a running program designed for beginning runners. This program can be found at the website coolrunning.com. According to the website it has “helped thousands of new runners get off the couch and onto the roads, running 3 miles in just two months.”

This intrigued me. I am not a runner, but I wouldn't mind if I was. Actually, back in the day, say some 30 years ago, I loved running! This would be a great opportunity for me to commit myself to an exercise program. I looked it over on-line and thought to myself, that I could probably commit to the schedule. The group would meet on Saturday mornings and Tuesday evenings. The workout consists of three sessions each week so the third session would be up to me to do at my leisure. The goal would be to participate in the “Sharin 'O' the Green 5K” in Fort Collins on March 12, 2011.

I thought about it for a couple of days and finally decided to join the Facebook group, WWRC Couch to 5K, that Katie also started in conjunction with the running group. I was anxious and actually a little nervous to see who all would join the group. I was uneasy thinking that I would be the oldest and most out of shape person to join the group. I was nervous that I wouldn't fit in. I was terrified that I would be “out of my league.” I could go on and on about all the trepidations I was feeling. I began asking myself if I was having a “mid-life crisis” or something, and was this “just a phase” that I was going through. Should I back out, before it was too late? As these thoughts were flying through my head, I was busy polishing off some lingering Christmas goodies. Wow, I'd better lay off of those sweets or else I was going to have to buy some new pants.

Well, that did it. It was obvious that I needed to exercise and this was the answer. Katie didn't give us much time to renege on our commitment since the first meeting was only a few days away. After I joined the Facebook group, one of my friends said to me, “I didn't know you were a runner! I run too.” I replied, “I'm not... but I thought I would give it a try.” E gads, what WAS I doing joining a running group. I expressed on the Facebook group wall that I really didn't know what I was getting myself into and that someone had better be bringing the little chocolate covered donuts to the first meeting! Katie replied “We can leave a trail of them for you.”

With constant apprehensive thoughts racing through my head, the day of the first meeting arrived in lightening fast fashion. We were to meet at the Monument Valley Pathway trail head at the YMCA at 8am. I woke at 6am with a gazillion things on my “to-do list” and not much time to get it all done, especially since the afternoon would be consumed with the winter farmers market. I drug myself out of my warm toasty bed and stumbled into the kitchen to get my coffee and turn on the computer, my normal morning routine. Wow, it was cold outside, only about 15 degrees or so. Maybe I should skip this first meeting. Oh no, here I go... hadn't even started and I was ready to throw in the towel. What a pansy. I went to the “Couch to 5K” Facebook page and saw that Katie was already awake and ready for the first meeting. I wrote and told her that I had a gazillion things to do and was wondering how long the first meeting was going to take. She wrote back that it would only take 30 minutes. Hmm, not that long, I had better just do it.

So I went into the bedroom to don my running gear. Uh, what running gear... I'm not a runner. I have some running shoes and a pair of sweatpants, but that is about it. What I needed was some cold weather running gear. I didn't think I could run in my Carhartt bibs, besides, I would look like a dork. I didn't want to stick-out any more than I already was going to. I needed something to go under my sweatpants so I didn't freeze my tush off. Hmm, my hubby had some nice long johns, actually some “Under Amour” which is a brand of clothing that specializes in athletic under garments. Maybe I could wear those, no one would know that I was wearing men's long johns, unless I had a heart attack and had to be taken to the hospital. I grabbed them out of his drawer and put them on under my sweatpants! Then I layered a couple of shirts and a sweatshirt, grabbed my jacket, a hat and some gloves along with a handful of chocolate covered almonds and headed out the door.

When I arrived, there were about ten people there. I'm pretty sure I was the oldest one there, but I definitely didn't feel like I was out of my league. I actually felt at ease and excited to be a part of this group. Some were seasoned runners and had planned on a serious run, while some of us were there for the “Couch to 5K” workout. The serious runners went off their way while the “Couch to 5K” runners went off our own way. We did a five minute warmup walking and then alternated 60 seconds of jogging with 90 seconds of walking. It was easy and enjoyable. I was thankful I didn't have a heart attack or anything that required the removal of my sweatpants! No one even knew I was donning my husband's long johns!

I am so exited and glad I have joined this group and would encourage anyone else who would like to join, to get off the couch and join us. You can contact me for more information at 787-1111 and I can fill you in on the details of the next meeting and such. Oh, and by the way, I will be purchasing my own pair of long johns before the next run!


So here we are into week three of this crazy mess I've gotten myself into. We are now walking 5 minutes, running 90 seconds, walking 90 seconds, running 3 minutes, walking 3 minutes, alternating the running and walking for a total of a 20 minute workout. I wasn't sure if I could handle the 3 minutes of running, but to my pleasant surprise, I did and it was easy!! Ya-hoo! Look mom, I'm running!

Have I gotten any "Under Armour" of my own yet? Nope... maybe today!

Photo of first group meeting January 8th.
That's me the 4th one from the left.
Photo courtesy of Katie Bradshaw.

Photo of second group meeting January 15th.
That's me clear on the right next to crazy Sarah Pinet, the goat lady!
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Reisig.
(Jennifer, hope you don't mind that I snagged your photo without asking first.) :0

Photo of third group meeting January 22nd.
That's me the 3rd one from the left with my mouth wide open (that's my "frozen" look).
Photo courtesy of Katie Bradshaw.

Front Page of the Star-Herald on Sunday January 23rd!


It's not too late to join the group of you are looking for a good time!

I'll keep you posted on this crazy adventure that this Country Chicken Girl is taking on but right now Dan the Man is rushing me to get off the computer because he wants to move some hay today so I must go. Later-tater!

Country Lost and Found

FOUND: One almost new irrigation boot. Found on the north side of the road on County Road J, just about a quarter to a half mile west of Morrill South Road. Farmer must be wondering what ever happened to his other boot...

I often wonder how a person goes and loses his shoes, boots, thongs (as in flip-flops, not underware!) along side the road. How does that happen? I don't think I have ever lost a shoe along side a road but I sure see them all the time!

I Love Hoar Frost!

What an enchanting morning here at the Open A Bar 2 Ranch! Mornings like this make me truly appreciate God's wondrous power. I am blown away at the beauty He creates for His people. But in order to see it, you have to be searching, looking, studying, waiting and expecting. If you were just out this morning not looking carefully for God's handiwork, you would have missed it. If you are going through life not looking for God's beauty to appear in your life, you are going to miss it.

Be sure to do yourself a favor and click on each individual picture to see a full screen view of it. Some you can enlarge even further by clicking once more on the picture. Hit your browsers back button to return to the blog. Enjoy!

Are you seeking God's beauty?

Winter Wonderland

Delaney Butte view from Harvat's place.
I love the vast expanse of wide open land which looks like a sea of snow.

The cabin is truly a winter wonderland. Here are some photos I got over Christmas one day when Erin and I decided to take a walk. The weather was perfect. The air was cold on our faces and frigid and fresh in my lungs. The smell of the pine trees was intoxicating. The sun glistening on the snow was magical. The frost in the trees was enchanting. And the time I got to spend chatting with Erin was truly a memory that I will treasure. We talked about various things, life, our shared belief in God, our family, coffee, etc. We took about a four mile walk through the snow laden path down to Unlce Albert's old place. Erin is a lovely young woman with a passion for God. Spending time with her edifies me in my walk with the Lord. Love you Erin!

PS Izzy went on the walk with us too, but you've already seen the pictures of her. If you haven't, the pictures are in the preceding post.

Remember that you can click on each individual picture for a full screen view of it. These are absolutely beautiful if you click on them. Hit your browser's back button to return to the blog.

I wanted Izzy to stand where the now meets the sky in this picture,
but she wouldn't! Sure would have made a neat picture
if we could have convinced her to do it!
The snow was glistening as if God had dumped an enormous
bottle of glitter down from heaven.



The corrals at the cabin with the Delaney Butte in the background.


Black & White of the corrals and butte.



The mountain range to the east of North Park.
Sorry I don't know what it is called.
I think it is either the Medicine Bow Mountains
or the Never Summer Mountains.

If you want to know more about North Park click here:
North Park (Colorado basin) - Wikipedia



Fence line down by Harvat's.


The sun shining through the frosty tips of the aspen trees.
Breath-taking in person.
Dan the Man's dad calls these the "Big Quakies"

Izzy, One Beautiful Pup!

I am so far behind on the things I would like to blog about, it's not even funny. I don't really know why I haven't been blogging. I have more time during the winter than I do in the summer, but it seems like I have been extremely busy this winter. I think perhaps the winter farmers market is zapping some of my free time away from me.

One thing I want to blog about is Christmas 2010 at the cabin. It was memorable, as usual, and I have some things to report about it. Those of you who were there, know that I need to do some select editing before I share all the stories of what happened. That seems to be taking me a little time to accomplish.

But one thing I can share and probably the most beautiful thing is Dan the Man's nephew's dog, Izzy. Thomas got Izzy I think 10 months ago. She is absolutely breathtaking.




I don't know how to accurately describe Izzy's beauty to you. She is as beautiful as the snow is white. She is as gentle as a snowflake falling softly to the earth below. Her blazing blue eyes take your breath away just as the coldness of a winter day does.




I'll let the pictures describe her in more detail for you. Remember to enjoy them even more, click on the picture to see a full screen view and hit your browser's back button to return to the blog.

Just Incase I Fall Asleep...

Dear Dan the Man,

I wanted to let you know every single day (or night as it maybe) that I love you. I read somewhere that you should tell your husband every night before bedtime that you love them. Well, you know how I am... If I don't tell you at supper time that you are the love of my life, I might not get to tell you that night, especially since I almost always fall asleep before you. I tell my friends that I usually go to bed around 9 pm, but you know that I actually fall asleep on the couch sometime around 8'ish. I stumble to the bed with my half open eyes around 9'ish.

If you would please look at the wall space above the bed each night before you turn off the lights, I will feel like I have told you just how much you mean to me.

That is all,
Your loving Wife,
The Country Chicken Girl

PS Wish I would have known the second line was in gold lettering and not black. Black would have shown up a lot better. Maybe I will outline that second line in black. What do you think?

PSS, You can click on the pictures if you want to see a full screen version of them. Just remember to hit your browser's back button to return to the blog.

Who's the Slacker?

Okay ladies...


Who is the slacker?


Who is laying eggs the size of malted milk balls?






Seriously...


I know it's been cold, but come on, you have the Taj Mahal when it comes to chicken coops. Dan the Man built your exquisite coop with love and so many amenities (beautiful sliding glass windows, completely insulated, an electric wall heater, a light set on a timer so you get the proper amount of light each day, nesting boxes filled with fresh litter on a regular basis, the most expensive waterer and feeder, custom roosts that I personally constructed with my own two hands from real branches...)


So don't go telling me that it is too cold to lay a normal sized egg.


I'm not buying that lame excuse.


What more do you need?


Really...

Tatee, Mama's Lil' Elf!

Sometime in early December 2010 at the Open A Bar 2 Ranch...

Country Chicken Girl (CCG): Tatee, look what mama bought for you!

Tatee: What is it? Let me see, let me see, let me see! I hope it is something good to eat!

CCG: Look, it's a cute little doggie outfit I got at Target for only $2.50! You'll look adorable in it. I got a large, hope you fit into it.

Tatee: Are you serious? You spent money on that hideous thing? You aren't getting that on me in a million years. I'll scratch your eyes out.


A couple of minutes later, the CCG adorned her beloved Tatee with his new Christmas outfit and outside they went to take some cute pictures! Tatee is such a good kitty and loves the CCG so much that he didn't put up too much of a fight putting on the little elf outfit.





Tatee: I'll pose for a few pictures, but I won't like it. AND I won't smile.

CCG: Oh Tatee, you look soooooooo cute! What a good boy you are. Let's try a few with you and me. Dan the Man will take them for us.

Tatee: If Dan was a real Man, he would save me from this humiliating situation!

Dan the Man: Sorry Tatee, but you know if mama doesn't get her way and ain't happy, then NO body's happy. Just suck it up and it will all be over in a flash.

CCG: Now smile Tatee!

CCG: That's a pretty good one.

CCG: Oh Tatee, you are beautiful!

CCG: Let's try some silly ones!













Tatee: The first chance I get I'm bolting!




Tatee: That's it, I'm done!

THE END

How Cats Drink, at least... How Bridgette Drinks

Bridgette can be a silly kitty.


Not quite sure why the water taste better drinking it in this position,
but Bridgette seems to think so.

Or maybe the water goes down easier?

I really don't know. If cat's could only talk to their humans in English.