The Call of the Range

As the sun blazes overhead, the Texas Ranchers ride tall. Their boots kick up dust, their voices echo across open plains. They know that summers come and go, but the spirit of the ranch endures—a balefire of change against the vast Texas sky.

So, here’s to the Ranchers—the stewards, the heroes, the heartbeat of the land. May they find strength in each sunrise and solace in the star-studded nights. 🌵🤠🐄

Texas Farmers and Ranchers face another summer

 Yes, it seems that Texas farmers and ranchers are facing a tough situation this year, as drought and heat are affecting their crops and livestock. According to the web search results, Texas just recorded its second hottest summer on record, with an average temperature of 85.3 degrees between June and the end of August1 This follows a prolonged drought that has been affecting West Texas since last August, and some areas for much longer2

The drought and heat are threatening the water supplies, soil quality, and crop yields of many farmers, especially those who grow cotton, corn, and soybeans. Some farmers are relying on irrigation systems to keep their crops alive, but they are also facing higher costs and limited water availability. Others are trying to adapt to the changing conditions by planting different crops, using conservation practices, or seeking alternative sources of income23

The drought and heat are also posing challenges for ranchers, who have to deal with limited feed availability, heat stress, and increased risk of disease and parasites for their cattle. Some ranchers are reducing their herd size, selling their animals, or moving them to other locations. Others are supplementing their feed, providing shade and water, or using genetic selection to breed more heat-tolerant cattle24

The drought and heat are not only affecting the farmers and ranchers, but also the consumers, the environment, and the economy. The reduced agricultural production could lead to higher food prices, lower quality, and less variety. The increased water use and land degradation could worsen the environmental problems, such as groundwater depletion, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss. The economic losses could affect the income, employment, and well-being of many people who depend on the agricultural sector234

Therefore, Texas farmers and ranchers are facing a difficult and uncertain future, as drought and heat are making their work harder and riskier. They are trying to cope and adapt to the situation, but they also need more support and assistance from the government, the industry, and the public. They also need more research and innovation to develop more resilient and sustainable agricultural practices234

1: Texas just recorded its second hottest summer on record 2: West Texas farmers and ranchers fear the worst as drought, heat near 2011 records 3: Texas will face driest conditions of the last 1,000 years 4: Texas Farmers and Ranchers Challenged by Drought, Economy

Feed Store/Silos

The railroad tracks, that have run through this town for years and the building on the left was once a lumber yard.  Then there's the Feed store across from it, with the grain silos for storage, until the train cars get loaded and transported to other towns.
I borrowed this photo from Jack Palmer Photos.

Texas History

Toronadoes

By now most of the country has heard about the tornadoes, that hit the north central Texas areas on April 29th.  It was a horrible disaster, that occurred, when at least 5 tornadoes hit several different areas in a matter of 2 to 3 hours.  Heavy rains, high winds hit our areas,  but we were spared the devastation our neighbors received.
Photos coming out of the areas hit were sad and many are without homes and businesses.  4 are confirmed dead, and at least 50+ injured.  This comes within a month of the high winds that hit a neighborhood in the northern part of Rockwall, TX.  It destroyed several homes, in the housing section there.  They were worried about more devastation, should severe weather come through their area again.
Our prayers go out to the people who are suffering from the 29th's devastation.  Most are just glad to be alive and able to recover and start again.

The Border

Good Afternoon, Texas !

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association
  Cute babies........ ! :)

TEXAS THANG.........

It's a Texas "thang".......so we, say.......and rightly proud at that!  The way we talk, walk, eat, live and breath........all Texas style!  Yes, we brag and most of the time we can back it up!  It's our Texas, where we live, and grew up.  Where we make our life and move forward with our country ways, that we all consider true Texas values.  Our Stetson cowboy hats, cowboy boots, Levi jeans, western shirts and don't forget our Texas BBQ's!  We could go on and on about the things that make up the Texas Thang, but you'd get tired of our bragging and go get your own, Texas way of life.  That's just the way it is, here in TEXAS! 

Another Hot One

Here is the beginning of another hot day in Texas.  It's 9:30am and already 83* degrees with clear skies and the humidity 47%.  A 6 mph wind won't help much simply because of the heat.  Hot wind in your face is just as bad as a furnace.
If you look at the ground that was saturated back in May with rain, today it is cracked and dry.  The grass that hasn't been watered, is turning yellow and the leaves are starting to drop from the trees.  It's for certain that August is going to be a hot month, with this week's predictions of 100* degree temps showing throughout.  Here goes the electric bill again this month and I fear it will be higher than last month's.

2014 Shooting for the Stars

Aliens Will Try to Cross Back.......

Aliens trying to re-enter the US..........

Greg Abbott

I've been reading up on some of the endorsements and possible new rules that this candidate is purposing for his seat in the Capitol of Texas.  Should he be elected Governor of Texas, it will be a definite change in the way we handle our State Laws in the next few years.
One of the things that caught my eye was the fact that he has a Latina wife.  I wondered if he would be biased to the Latinos because of her influence?  Reading further gave me some ease, to see that he wants to step up border patrol by hiring more DPS officers.  I also read where he considers Mexico and the drug cartels as a 3rd World type.  This is encouraging when most Texans are tired of the infiltration of illegal aliens to our State.  I understand that many have already made their way into our borders, and yes many are legal in some form or manner.  Yet, we the people who are affording the financial part of their family lives, are getting tired of them freely living on us.  Even if they have jobs, you will find them at the local post office or Western Union's,  on Saturday mornings, sending money back home to Mexico.  Therefore the money isn't being spent here, but sent back home to their families there.
I certainly hope that some good will come out of this election, should Greg Abbott, become the winner.  It's time for a change and I hope he will make it possible.

Grain Silos

We still have a working grain company here in our town.  The freight trains come in on the rails to the right of the 3 silos you see on the right side of this picture.  They leave empty freight cars and pick up cars that are full of grain.  This last Christmas holidays, this company had a huge implement sitting right where the white pickup is now.  The big green monster was as tall as the building on the right and wide enough to take up that space in the middle.  I assume it was a harvester of some sort.  Can be sure since I'm not a farmer.

Ropesville Cotton Gin

A cotton gin in your town is something very rare. We still have one here in our town.

Texas Weather!

As the saying goes:  If you don't like the Texas Weather, just wait a few minutes and it will change.  So, it has changed once again to cold and wet.  I'm sure that there are many states with worse weather than ours, but darn it, we are ready for the spring.  I noticed a few days ago, that the robins were here, all over the place and they must have been ready too.  They were all over our yards, pecking away at the ground for bugs, worm and seeds.  Now, I don't see them and it's raining as it has been most of the night.  I sure feel sorry for the other states that are covered in snow.  It is predicted that we may have some this weekend, but as it was last week, the prediction was unfounded for our area.  Thank God!

Texas

Texas Our Texas

Are You Ready?

It looks like a cold one this year and we are just getting started.  This polar front is coming in fast and the temps will be horrific. Some people like cold weather, but we Texans are not in that category.
Subzero cold temps will possibly plunge as far south as the Ozarks and Ohio Valley, including the  Cincinnati, Ohio and Springfield, Mo areas. Daily record low temps are possible in at least two dozen major cities from the Texas areas to the Midwest including Minneapolis/St. Paul, Kansas City, and Austin, Texas.” Arctic cold air is also spreading across Texas on Monday with temperatures expected to drop to single digits in the morning.
There goes the heating bill and I'm on a fixed income.

Texas History

Wow, what a different video, telling our children about our great "Texas".

A Part of Texas

Above you see just a few of the things that makes up a small part of our great state.  Texas, is one of the best places to visit and more importantly live.  I have been a native Texan all my life and am proud of my heritage here in the "Lone Star State".  

State Park