Pneumonia

A very unpleasant but new experience in my life this past month was pneumonia. I developed the chills on January 30th and things went downhill from there. I was coughing hard and at times uncontrollably, but the hardest symptom of all was the lack of appetite. I didn’t even have a desire for my favorite meal of steak, potatoes and corn. There wasn’t anything that looked or tasted good. My uncle once said, “The hardest part about getting old was the lack of appetite.” I began to wonder if I was getting old at an early age.

I finally was convinced that I needed to see a doctor and was told that I was really sick. I was given two options: 1) I could go to a hospital where I didn’t know anyone. 2) Chip could come get me and take care of me. I opted for #2.

It is now February 16th and my appetite is almost normal and I am feeling pretty much alive again.

The lesson I learned this month is don’t mess with Pneumonia. It is a doctor thing and needs to be treated with antibiotics. Being under the care of a doctor during this time relieved a lot of anxiety. They also gave me a medical excuse for work.

During this time the temps have been in the 40-60 range. Although we still have snow on the ground, we truly enjoyed seeing the sun shining brightly.

Winter Weather Advisory

This is one of the strangest winter weather advisories that I have ever seen.  We have a temperature of close to 40 degrees and the day has changed from cloudy skies to sunny skies.  We have had a few flurries but they all melt when they hit the puddles on the road.

Maybe spring is really just around the corner.

The Blessings

When I wrote the book Life on the Ranch: Life Lessons I Learned on the Ranch, I have to admit that I was somewhat nervous of what people would think of the book and of me. In the last couple of weeks, I have been truly blessed with what I have heard.


First: My niece emailed me and shared how her youngest son after hearing the story about the little five year old boy being hit with a car and my concern whether or not this child was in Heaven, decided that he wanted to make sure that if he were to die, he would go to Heaven. He closed his eyes and asked Jesus to save him.

Secondly: A friend of ours bought two books. His comment was, “If I like it, I will buy more.” He called me and ordered ten more books. He gave one to his mom and dad. His mom’s comment was that she really liked it and wished that she would be able to read the second one. She passed away a couple of weeks ago. At the funeral, our friend gave away all of the books.

Thirdly: My oldest brother shared the two chapters about our mom and dad with a friend who had recently lost his young uncle. The Lord used those two chapters to help him through his difficult time.

Fourthly: Chip and I made a quick trip to town today to beat the snowstorm that was coming our way. We decided to have breakfast at the local restaurant. We had just sat down when a lady mentioned my book. We had sold her the book just before Christmas while she was eating lunch with a bunch of church friends. The book had been passed around to four different people and she had finally gotten it back. Several of these people want to buy their own copy just to use for reference and to have on hand. This lady’s husband is a brother-in-law to Pastor Salem who worked with Chip’s granddad to build the First Baptist Church in Belle Fourche. (They are looking for a pastor as their pastor has resigned.)

Fifthly: I work with a young teacher who sent the book to her parents. After reading the book she was informed that her aunt and uncle went to the same college as I had attended and that her dad had spoken in chapel. After thinking about that I bit, I decided that I had probably seen this person when she was a baby. (I did think that she looked familiar!)

Lastly: I have been very surprised with the people in Belle Fourche who have asked me to put my book in their stores or businesses. A special thanks to these people.

I have many more books to sell so if anyone would like a copy, please send a letter with $12.95 plus $2.50 to Drusilla Dye, 81 Finger Buttes Trail, Alzada, MT 59311. If you are in another country, send me an email at Drusillajd@gmail.com and we will figure out postage and a way to make the transaction.

What a winter!

This month is slowly coming to a close.  Every weekend has had some form of snow or wintry mix.  This weekend looked like it was going to be a good weekend for travel and a visit to the ranch, but today the meterologist threw us a winter weather watch for Saturday.  I may have to stay in Lame Deer once again.  That isn't all bad since I have all of my sewing projects here, 13 boxes of my book Life on the Ranch:Life Lessons I Learned on the Ranch, and my laptop so that I can continue to work on the second book Life on the Ranch: Life Lessons I Learned from Hunting.  But even with all that work available, I would rather be home on the ranch with my husband.

My short walk from school housing to the school is paved with a sheet of ice several inches thick, layer of sand and then several inches of snow over it.  I put my "chains" on my shoes and head down the hill.  Thankfully, I havent fallen yet although I did do the splits the other day! 

The ranch has its usual visitors of two owls in the tree, 8-12 grouse, some partridges, jackrabbits and deer. 

Chip keeps busy feeding the livestock.  They are usually ready for the hay when it comes. They and most all Montanans are ready for a beautiful, warm, sunny day.  Hope that your's is full of sunshine.

Happy New Year

2011 has come in with sunshine and warm weather, only to have plenty of snow and cold weather to follow.  The snow falling was beautiful as the big flakes floated to the ground.  With 35 degree weather most of it melted this afternoon, but I am sure that with night setting in, the ground or water is freezing.  Those roads will be plenty slick tonight.

The cows and sheep are definitely enjoying the hay that is placed before them. 
Hoping all are enjoying the New Year

2010 Comes to an End

As I sit at our computer, looking out the window at a beautiful white day--a day of snow on the ground, snow coming down and blowing snow--- I thought I would write my last Life on the Ranch for 2010.


I had a dentist appointment scheduled for today, but after looking at the weather forecast I decided to move it to Tuesday. Thankfully, there was an opening and my teeth are now perfectly cleaned for another six months.

Although there isn't much snow coming down at the moment, the wind is causing drifts across our driveway. It definitely is a perfect day to take a nap and enjoy the peace and quiet of ranch life. I went down stairs to harass Chip, only to find him asleep with Jake sleeping on the floor beside him. I think that I will follow their example.

Want to wish you all a very Happy New Year. I am looking forward to what 2011 holds for us.

December 27, 2010

I was writing "Life on the Ranch" last night when the whole house went dark. We found our battery operated lamps and went on with life. Poor Jake did not like the darkness. He was always with us and it was the first time in a very long time that he slept in our bedroom. We looked out the windows and could see the beautiful stars and a glow to the south. Chip said that the glow was from Gillette! I was so thankful to see lights from somewhere lighting up the sky and making my life a little brighter. Nice to have it come from the new hometown of my niece and her husband.


It has been almost a week since I came home for Christmas vacation. A lot has happened in that time.

We spent Wednesday and Thursday running to Ekalaka and Belle Fourche. Chip's birthday/Christmas present for the next five years is a 3/4 ton, two door, four-wheel drive, standard transmission, Silverado with 36,000 miles on it. Since it was the last year that the stick shift was made and when we inquired about a 3/4 ton, it had just been traded in, we saw God's perfect timing once again. I did tell Chip that it will probably be the last stick shift we will be able to buy, so in about ten years we should think about retirement. We did need a "new" 3/4 ton so we can get the livestock to town. New Blue, which is 11 years old now is getting very old with over 300,000 miles on it.

I convinced Chip that my Christmas present was the Tempur Pedic bed we bought back in May. It is a wonderful mattress to sleep on for a person with back problems.

We spent Christmas Day with my brother's family. So much fun to visit, eat and laugh. We had a great time. They always allow us to bring Jake. Jake loves playing with Scout and Jabez. Chip did mention that there is a little tension between Jake and Jabez. So when Jake yipped and barked angrily at Jabez, Chip put Jake in "time out!" I laughed and said, "You what!" "I made Jake come sit beside me for awhile."

We spent Sunday in Belle Fourche going to church and then making a quick stop at Pamida for after Christmas sales. Plan was to be home by 1:30---until Chip met some friends that had moved up north. They talked for over an hour. I finally came along and opened a can of popcorn--thought we should make it into a party.

We have had some beautiful frosty days--so frosty that the power lines were stretched to their limit and we were without power for several hours last night. They came on a couple of times---just enough to let me know that the S.E. Electric line men were trying to do their jobs.

Time to wish you all a Happy New Year!