Like most of you I’ve enjoyed the late rains that have passed through the west this year, although I have to be honest and say that I could really do without the amount of wind we have experienced, along with the moisture. They’ve played havoc with my allergies, my roses, and everyone’s temperaments including the cattle. You get the gates set to move the cattle up, only to get the cattle moved up to find the wind has blown the gate shut you need to go through, so you repeat the process over again, much to the annoyance of both man and beast. I’m just waiting on those gentle rains that glide in late in the evening and gently saturate the ground and move out as morning breaks, not a bad idea if it only worked like that.
Spring has definitely arrived in our corner of the world, the good, the bad and the pesky. Our blooms have out done themselves this year, every corner of the ranch is awash in color, the scents of the flowers and the citrus trees in bloom are at times overpowering. Along with all the beauty and the pollen are the allergies that seem to blossom at the same time, we’ve become the poster family for “Tylenol Sinus Pills”, but it is worth all of the itchy eyes and sneezes, if I say so myself. It’s the pesky part that I despise the most; it didn’t take long for the Wilton wasps to make an appearance this year. Just about every gate and flower pot we’ve turned over, we’ve found a new wasp nest. So our annual wasp war begins in earnest.

I can handle the mosquitoes, the flies and every other buzzing, biting pest but the wasps don’t deserve anything more then a quick spray of wasp killer of which we go through cases of it this time of year. We’ve used spray foam to close up holes in gates and fence poles and still they’ve managed to find ways in, so now it’s just war, and we’ve become really good at the spray, hit and run maneuver it takes to bring the fiends to their creepy little knees.

This time of year also finds us, besides battling wasps, getting the Big Bull Book ready to arrive in your hands in July. I’m very excited about the articles and the information that this year’s issue will contain. The writers are feverishly working to complete some really great pieces that will inform, provoke thought, and provide new ideas for you to ponder. I don’t want to give away any of what this very distinctive issue will contain, so be sure to watch for it in your mailboxes come late July.
The issue your holding in your hands is no slouch either, while is may be a bit diminutive in size it contains some great information. You won’t want to miss the article titled pasture buddies, it contains some very common sense ways to control pasture weeds and other pasture problems. I was so taken with the piece that I’ve been campaigning my family to let me get a couple of goats to run with the cows, so far it hasn’t played out well but at least I have sound, logical reasons for having goats on the ranch. Don’t miss the other great reads as well, and like always there is a smile or two included.

My trail is only going to get warmer and the wasps more surly, as we turn the curve into July. I encourage you all to find the time to kick off your boots and enjoy the comforts of grass on bare feet, sip a cool drink on the porch in the evening while taking in the sunset, and enjoy the trail you’re on.

…..Happy Trails