by Bill Byrne | Jan 16, 2016 | Uncategorized
….and we’re back and hard at it! I will confess that after a long and busy season, Bette and I took some time off to recharge ourselves during these winter months. One thing I am SLOWLY learning is the need for balance in our lives. Even the best of intentions and programs will benefit when the leaders and participants have a more balanced lifestyle in general. In this workaholic society, we tend to easily forget that as we get wrapped up in the “doing”. I’m working hard this year to try and remember that all “doing” first starts in our minds as a thought, so the place to make initial changes is there, in our minds. And our minds need to be in touch with our soul, to that “still, small voice within”. That’s where we find God, and where we go forward from, trusting we are on a course to bring both ourselves and others to that peace and purpose we all would like to have.
by Bill Byrne | Nov 18, 2015 | Uncategorized
…..and it’s beginning to look a lot like wintertime is coming. All the leaves are down, and we’re starting our fall projects list, and winterizing all our areas. We do keep the Overlook Ranch House open for use during the winter months, but all our other houses, cabins, and recreation areas are put away or closed until next March. It’s also a time for planning for the next year. We have started on the horse stalls barn area, and are doing the final layout on two new cabins [with restrooms inside!] that will sleep up to 6 people in each.
by Bill Byrne | Nov 12, 2015 | Uncategorized
Our therapeutic riding program for children with disabilities started up again this Fall, under the direction of Tracy McVicker, a Spirithorse certified equine instructor. Tracy, and all the other volunteers in the program, give their time on an unpaid basis, just to help the children develop their mental and physical abilities. Please see our web page under our outreach programs for more info on this great program!
by Bill Byrne | Aug 30, 2015 | Uncategorized
….when your having fun or your very busy, which has been the case for Crystal Creek Ranch this summer. We continue to grow and have more visitors and activities at the ranch. This fall is a beautiful time to come and stay with us, as the weather is more comfortable in the outdoors. We are also starting our fall field trips, as well as a series of ag related activities, including the “Family Farm and Forest Field Day” on Saturday, Sept. 19th. Also, please visit our “outreach” section of the website to see what new things we are doing in those areas. God bless, and have a great fall!
by Bill Byrne | May 12, 2015 | Uncategorized
……When feeding animals on the ranch, we usually try and put out multiple piles of grain in different places so as to spread out the herd or flock as they eat. In every flock, herd, or group of poultry we have, there are always two different types of feeders. The one group will go to a single pile and eat the grain there, while the second group will run from pile to pile, always expecting the next one to be ”better”, or “more” and as a final result getting less food than the first group. We people are at times like that too. Instead of chasing after what we don’t have… may we be grateful and thankful for what we do have. Appreciating that “pile” in front of us is more peaceful than pursuing the ones that are always just ahead of us.
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