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Some people would say, “There is more to life than cowboy boots.” Well, it just so happens that my life has a lot to do with cowboy boots, and I figured that out early in life.
It was a hot, dry panhandle day on the ranch, and my new cowhide, suede top boots were looking good on my feet. I could hardly take my eyes from the buckskin colored boots that Grandpa Brewer had given me the day before. I wore them with my favorite dress, so I could see the pretty, brown leather, cutout designs in the boot tops.
I trotted out to the corral where my older teenage sisters were busy scooping out the dirty stock-tank. Not wanting to break my new boots in by walking in the corral, I jumped up on the rail fence and took on the magpie position of listening to my older sisters conversation, [ … ]
“The cowboy is singing with an old western drawl, singing his cattle call.” This was from a song sung by Eddy Arnold. My dad was a yodeller. I remember mom and dad singing and yodelling their duets together. Their voices complimented one another. We kids always had fun listening to their duets as they danced and sang their favorite cowboy tunes. We did not have a television in our home, but we did have a radio which was kept on top of the refrigerator. Every morning it was turned on first thing to listen to KGYN News, Weather and Markets with T. M. Rayburn. Our entertainment consisted of music and art. My formative years was spent working on the ranch where I did chores. My main chore was milking the cow twice a day. That milkcow was a little onery. At times I would have to hobble her to [ … ]
Woke up early Tuesday morning to the stars shining bright outside my ranch house window. It is a grand place to view the stars that God placed in the heavens on the fourth day. As I contemplated His beautiful Creation, I began to think of how God built His composition. I find it fascinating to think of His creativity and plan during the six days of creating.
Being an artist takes creativity and planning. Thinking the art problems through takes time. The principals of art that I learned first include; contrast, sequence, harmony, unity, direction and balance. These principals are what I think about to create my composition. Outlining a good composition is directional, where your eye goes. A common composition is a series of horizontal lines that is intersected by a single line. Pattern, movement, rhythm and direction all are part of a overall plan of a good painting. My [ … ]
Fall is the most colorful season of the year here on the ranch. In Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” A season of blessings that sings loudly of colors entertaining our vision with intensity. Warm colors play off cool colors as one looks at the turning of the leaves. Each season is a blessing as it comes and goes into the next. The fall foliage marks a time when the prayers change from plentiful moisture to protection from the storms.
Over the years my husband, son and I have had the opportunity to travel. It always feels good to be home. As we drive into the Oklahoma panhandle, we always breath a sigh of relief knowing we are getting close to home. My foot lightens on the accelerator as my attention goes to the horizon; my eyes relax as I view all of the vast space that is mostly void in all directions. Grassland, ranch country, makes me happy to look upon it. Down deep I am a ranch lady, and it does my heart good to know this vast space is my home. Space to me is as enveloping, as well as comforting, as my mother’s loving arms. I embrace it with my eyes, because that is the only way your mind can take it all in. I have found fulfillment here painting the things I love. I am native.
I [ … ]
My goodness is it already Tuesday? My ranch house kitchen is filled with the smell of beef rump roast. I made fresh bread this morning anticipating the arrival of the men for lunch. I have been painting all morning in between cooking. My painting is of a long horned cow with a pretty little light colored calf. I am enjoying putting the finishing touches on the cactus in the foreground. I am working on shape using a wide variety from simple to weird. I am using light and half tone colors to achieve space and volume. I am working to be better than I am, not someone else. My prayer is for The Lord to help me paint with greatness.
Deep resounding voices of the men can be heard as they file into the mud room to wash before lunch. This is my first warning they are in to eat. Joking [ … ]
On Tuesday, we weaned calves. The ‘nearly weeklong’ process is for seven month old calves and takes time to prepare so as to lessen the impact on these fully grown calves and their good mama cows. The weaning is necessary so the mama can maintain a strong, healthy body for the upcoming winter season. These cows are pregnant now and will have another calf come spring.’To begin, the calves are trained at a early age to come to the feed truck with their mamas. They are rewarded with cake, cubes of cottonseed, pressed together with sweet molasses. These daily lessons prepare the calves to feed themselves and not depend on their mama’s milk. The men spend time getting the fences ready to hold cattle before the weaning.
The day starts like any other day on the ranch, but ends up with the cows separated from their calves in the pastures around [ … ]