Friday, December 15, 2023

Repurposing

 One of the things Mike and I share is the love, the challenge, and the quest to repupose used things for a new use, new life.  It is a bit of a game for each of us.  This week's repurposing adventure revolves around finding a grain bin showing up on the local social media sight.  Turns out, the round metal bin was just down the road and cost about as much as what a wooden storage shed would cost - AND LOOKS SUPER COOL!!  

The old Sioux grain bin was reportedly moved 40 years ago to that farm about six miles to our north.  When it was moved then, the bin - built on a pair of skids - was simply pulled down the road, right on its skids.  We were too far for skidding it home!

The owner cleaned out items stored inside.  Mike drove the tractor over, parked the truck and trailer, and began the process of sliding it - carefully - onto the trailer.  The process involved a cable, a pully, and several lenghts of chain.  

After one hiccoup and some regrouping, the bin sat atop the trailer, was strapped down, and off  Mike went with the very wide load; me following in the tractor at 10mph, which, by the way, is a very good way to enjoy the scenery on the way home.  

Allow me to muse.  The color of galvanized metal is the loveliest color of all!  Steel grays, blues and silvers ripple over the corregated metal.  Flecks and stripes of corral red appear here and there to accentuate the gray blue palate, signs of age, where the slow process of oxidation has beat out the galvanization and rust has won.  Beautiful colors!  

There were many #RightHereRightNow! moments throughout this effort.  The late afternoon light dousing the scene with its golden hue and warming our backsides.  Holding one's breath during the process, hoping nothing broke or tipped over.  Watching the bin go down the road to its new home, cars jamming up behind it, sneaking over to see if they could get around the slow, wide load.  Thinking about how awesome this grain bin will look at the corner of the repurposed greenhouse.  

A wonderful holiday gift for the ranch!!  







Home.  Just as twilight and the temperatures were falling. 




Sunday, December 10, 2023

Resolutions

The new year is just around the corner now.  Winter has moved to the landscape covering the ground in a foot or so of white, bright snow.  Walking the dogs is now skiing the dogs and we slide our way around the edges of the property, marveling at the mountain range to the east and laughing at the dogs digging their way down to prospective mice.  

Making resolutions at the turn of the year has been an annual tradition.  This year, I have created a new hashtag even though I really don't understand what a hashtag is or what it does or where it goes.  #RightNowRightHere!  Noting these moments that are so fine!  Pausing, as we did yesterday, to be aware of the "now".  Our shadows stretching way out in front of us, Ruby wondering why we stopped, the snow covered mountains in the distance - these lovely moments.  


It's easy to get caught up in life, especially this time of the year with so many things needing to get done and plans needing to be made.  Take a moment, pause, and enjoy the moment.  Then do a hashtag #RightHereRightNow!  Maybe our photos will all go somewhere together......I just don't know! 


Slow Foods reopens next week.  I've enjoyed the three weeks of trying new recipes and not cooking quite so much.  Here is a glimpse of kitchen outputs.