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I was one happy girl as I crawled in between the sheets that night, thinking… I must be dreaming… I must be dreaming… The next thing I knew it was 7:00 A.M.. I opened my eyes and realized that I was really in Mexico. Jumped out of bed, I ran to the balcony to see the sunrise over the ocean! The horizon was still dark, but my eyes were captivated by the many yachts headed out for a day of fishing. The Bisbee Fishing Tournament was in full swing on this beautiful calm October morning. What a sight to see! I counted to 35 quickly with more boats coming into sight. Some were all lit up, while others had no lights at all. The boats traveled very fast as they headed out to The Sea of Cortes, leaving a trail of white water in their wake.
I could feel it, the day was going to be a perfect day with [ … ]
My heart was still pounding and my head dizzy from that exciting ride through Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, when all of a sudden a peace came over me as we drove up a cobblestone paved drive. The electronic crossing gated entry was flanked with palm trees. The cobblestone drive was lined with large rock pillars. The pillars were connected with long poles in between. On top of each pillar was a shallow round pot filled with the most beautiful, draping, pink flowering plant with a perfectly manicured miniature canopy tree coming up through the center. Aw, can you hear it? Can you hear the ocean with its sounds of crashing waves? Once again I was experiencing the sounds of battle between the elements of water and land, and the smells… the smells that I had forgotten… the smells of the ocean breezes as they came racing through my car window. I couldn’t believe I was once again here! Sy is a most gracious hostess to have invited us to enjoy [ … ]
I along with my tres viejos amigas (three old friends) were headed to San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, the fall of 2008. It was a pleasant flight with no turbulence and a perfect three point landing. The captain entertained us with his funny nonsense all the way to the terminal. The hot 98 degree day greeted us as we walked down the ramp stairs to the Tarmac along with the 70 other people that had been on board. On our walk to the terminal, we were welcomed by a receiving line of uniforms. In retrospect, I believe they were making sure everyone went inside instead of allowing them to wander off. I noticed right off that the airport had changed from my previous visit of three years before. When we arrived in 2005, it had been after dark with very little exterior light to guide our way to the terminal. Our baggage had been unloaded directly on the Tarmac, where we walked over to the haphazard pile with our 20 fellow [ … ]
God put us ranch ladies in different roles than our rancher husbands for a reason. I figured that out many years ago. To this day I seem to need to relearn this obvious lesson in life more times than I care to admit.
The day was planned ahead for me to do Jim’s work in order for him to take our son, Tyler, to his speech contest. Jim had spent time with me laying out the day’s plan of feeding the cattle. After feeding, I was to take a different rig to drive through and check the baby calves for scours which are signs of illness. He told me when I found one, I was to put the pickup in granny low, pull along side the animal, place the medicine bag on my arm, slip the pickup in neutral, just before leaping out onto the calf. He assured me that as [ … ]
I have been debating whether it is too soon to relate a most recent experience of my life here on the ranch? The “I will” won. Here goes…Ok, I admit that I am a curious sort, responsible and yes, a glutton for punishment! Now having said all of that, I literally do not have one single solitary excuse as to why I get myself in the darndest predicaments. Incidentally, I might add, I always have a reason for doing what I do. I think so, anyway. Now that we have all of my defense laid out, let’s get on to the most recent source of excitement in my life. Here, in black and white, is how it happened.
The sun was cresting the top of the horizon as I started down the mile long drive leading away from the ranch house. I was ready for a fun filled day of painting in Palo Duro Canyon along with Anna, my mother-in-law. As I looked back [ … ]
Hi there, my name is Dallas Mayer. You may wonder how my name came about. Well contrary to popular belief, I was not named after the city! My parents knew a family in Idaho with two beautiful children long before I was born. The children’s names were Zane and Dallas. Dallas was a pretty little girl that was a delight, and her brother Zane was a husky little guy. When my only brother was born before me they named him, Zane. As the fifth of their seven children, my parents blessed me with the name of Dallas. My name is unique, and I always tell people that I am the Mayer of Dallas so they will remember my name. That works most of the time.
Living on a ranch has always been my life. I grew up 14 miles from where I live now. I have a deep seated passion and [ … ]
Mean and ornery cows are a challenge any day of the week, this day was no different than any other.
My brother, and sisters and myself would load up in the back of the pickup, that was driven by my dad, Howard, anytime there were cattle to be gathered. We would head to the pasture to gather the renegades. They were always at the backside of the pasture in the roughest draw. When the pickup would get close, our systematic procedure was to jump off the tailgate and hit the ground running. Dad would barely slow down for us.
This particular day, it was dusk and getting darker by the minute. The cows that we were after, I knew well, we had history together. I had a feeling that we would be darn lucky if we were successful. Being quick and brave was part of my challenge for the task at hand. [ … ]
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day to day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we forgive everyone that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen Luke11:2-4 KJV
Thus started the lunch time hour at my little grade school. Lifting my bowed head, I waited my turn to line up in single file following our 3rd grade teacher to the lunchroom. We would march by the other classrooms who were also waiting to go to lunch. On this particular day the 6th graders were standing against the wall waiting for the little kids to go first. As I walked down the hall that day, I remember a certain cowboy that caught my eye. He was tall for his age compared [ … ]
My Grandma’s house always welcomed us with the smell of good food, love and open arms. Her name was, Alta May. She was the eldest child of her family of five. Grandma taught us many things, she was a blessing to her family. Titus 2:4-5; to be sober, to love our husbands and to love our children. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good obedient to our own husbands, and that the word of God be not blasphemed. For all of these I am thankful. I believe that Grandma modeled her life after Proverbs 31:10-31, Who can find a virtuous woman?…for her price is far above rubies…She riseth also while it is still night, and giveth meat to her household…Her children rise up, and call her blessed, her husband also…I love the fact that my Grandma gave our family a Christian heritage! What a blessing.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of [ … ]
“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 [ … ]