The Nice Weather Never Lasts Here!

It is not fit for man or beast out there right now. The windchill is only -25, but I would swear it was -50. My face is beginning to thaw and it is painful. I went out to sort out a mess that the horses created last night by opening a gate to the yearling bull pen. Instead of fixing it last night when the weather was decent, I put it off until this morning. I should've paid closer attention to the forecast. Needless to say, it is done and I put Copper and Mighty Mouse in the barn. I figure the 38 year old horse and the one witnessing his first Canadian winter definitely deserve a place out of the wind. The others will make their way back to the bush to seek shelter.

Today is hockey day and reading log, so I plugged the truck in when I went out. I need to get to town to the grocery store, but that may have to wait. They are giving blowing snow and poor road conditions on the radio. However, I can make it to reading log and hockey with only driving on about two miles of pavement.

With not much else going on, I thought I might just post some pics I've taken the last couple of days.


A True Canadian Birthday Party


Race on the Pond




Sunning


My Sweet Little Mare


38 Years Old


Armstrong Pork

Chinooks!

The worst part about winter in Alberta , or I should say one of them, is that the weather man gets you all geared up for warmer temperatures. Well, in order for those warm temperatures to happen, the wind has to blow gail force out of the west. It is beautiful outstide right now until you step out from behind the shelter of the trees and buildings. I had big plans to ride in all the deep snow. It doesn't look like that is going to happen.

Tuesday was Jessie's school ski trip to Canyon Ski Hill. It is only an hour away. It has one chair lift, a t-bar and a tow rope. It is a perfect place to take kids who are learning. Out of the 100 kids in the school, seven stayed behind. The kids all take morning lessons and then get to ski until 2:00. We had a lot of fun. Jessie is getting to be quite the little skier. I have to tell her to slow down every once in a while. She is getting enough confidence to ski straight at someone standing at the bottom and blow snow on them when she stops. It's all fun and games until she doesn't get the stop just right. She was getting on and off the chair lift by herself as well. The only time she fell is when I tried "helping" her. I did get an earful a couple of times.



Kelly is hauling hay, so I've been busy entertaining myself today. Now, I realize some of you might think this is a mean thing to a weiner dog, but he wanted to follow so I let him. He's in the house laying in a sunny spot now. Not to worry, no animals were harmed or lost in the shooting of these pictures







Well, it's back to work now. Have a good one.

Happy New Year!

I hope that this is finding everyone's New Year going well so far. We all made it home safe and sound from Texas. We even had decent weather to welcome us. I'm not saying it is overly warm or anything. It just isn't blizzarding. We even took Jessie sledding on Sunday.



Christmas in Texas was lots of fun. The best was Cita's Christmas surprise. Bobby was not impressed at all, but thanks to the Harkey family, Sarah and I have a place to celebrate Christmas next year. Betsy assures us that no gifts are required. Nestor, the long eared Christmas donkey, is winning over hearts quickly. Even the braeing has made Bobby smile a time or two. We are sure that this is a Christmas gift that will keep on giving. It has given Cita a job, Jessie something to play with while in Texas, Bobby one more thing to grumble about, and Kelly and Sarah endless ass jokes. Kelly was not allowed in on the surprise. When we asked him if he could keep a secret, he said "NOPE!" Chase felt this was quite unfair that he was punished because of Kelly's loud mouth and did not get to see Nestor before Christmas morning.

Needless, to say, Sarah and I owe the Harkey's a big Thanks for helping us pull off Operation Christmas Ass. They hid the donkey in their barn for a few days and Logan, the donkey whisperer, gentled him down a bit. If anyone ever needs assistance in the donkey area, I highly recommend Harkey's Mule Barn.


Christmas Day, of course, we branded calves. Chase held off going to his family Christmas, so he could brand at ours. Poor guy has no excitement in his life. Kelly taught him to brand and was very impressed with his abilities. I am hiring Chase as my replacement. He did not get yelled at once. So not fair! If you are going to get the full Armstrong/Byars branding experience, someone needs to get yelled at.

And of course in true Byars family tradition, why not end the holiday with shooting something. We gave a donkey for a Christmas gift, we branded on Christmas day, so Bobby and I completed the holiday season by killing a pig. You might be a redneck.....!





Now, the holiday excitement is over. We are back to the grind. Jessie has hockey practices two days a week. I have hockey games at least once a week (we don't practice). Kelly is wanting to ivomec today, and I'm trying to talk myself into riding a horse or two. It is barely below freezing, but I'm still finding it tough to get out there. The novelty has worn off of snow.

Best of Wishes in the New Year!