Happiness is….
We tend to get easily side tracked and forget that the search for meaning is so much more important than the search for happiness. Happiness is a result of a meaningful life.
Finally….a little hint of Springtime….
the weather is warm at last [relativily]….we went up one of the little creeks [in sweatshirts] that was north facing and enjoyed the beauty of 6 and 8 foot icicles on the bluffs, and the creek running thru the remaining 3 or 4 inches of snow….easier to appreciate the beauty when its warmer and spring is in the air….
Ozarks weather and life on the farm….
Today is rain transitioning to freezing rain, then 4-6 inches of snow, then down to 10 degrees….and of course a new calf just born an hour ago. We have only had 2 days of school in three weeks….all are going stir crazy……but as they say….”oh, well….”
Ahhhh….hope springs eternal….the weather people say up to 60 degrees next week…..what is wrong with us that we keep believing someone when they are not even right half the time?
I made another trip out in the falling snow late yesterday afternoon to put out more hay and hopefully give the new calf a dry place to try and make it thru the night. But my plan backfired, as the mama cow left the new calf half covered in snow and went to eat instead all by herself!
Early Spring Newsletter…..
As we start a new year, we’re hopeful that we all might make a fresh start right from where we are and what we are dealing with, be it good or bad. Acceptance of what is doesn’t mean that we are passive and do nothing—it means we release, learn, and then move on to the future with a trust that God is, and wants the best for us.
We try and always keep that in mind as we meet and plan out our goals for 2015, and review our successes and failures from the year before. Crystal Creek Ranch had a great year of growth in 2014, and of course growth provides challenges to meet also. The number of people that came to stay at the ranch for a time of relaxation, renewal and recreation increased by almost 63 %, and we had a similar increase in the number of people visiting the ranch just for the day. Through field trips, day camps, Ag days, and other local programs we continued to introduce both children and adults to the beauty and purpose of nature. We continue to learn more about how to increase our ‘Outreach Programs” designed to give families and individuals facing “tough times” a free stay at the ranch. We look at all we do and offer at Crystal Creek Ranch as “Outreach”, whether our guests are paying for their stay, or part of our “free” programs. For 2015 our #1 goal is to greatly increase the number of families and individuals who are able to stay at the ranch on a non-paying basis. We are also looking to expand out “day” activities that visitors may do, such as adding pedal cars, paddleboats, and fishing to the activities available to our guests not staying on the ranch. These activities have been and will continue at no charge for our overnight guests, and now will be available for a fee to others who visit as day guests only. We are also expanding availability of our horseback riding, hayrides, archery lessons, and adding UTV ranch tours also (at an extra charge to all guests).
To facilitate all the new and increased activities, we are looking to increase our staff hours, and hoping to have two interns for the summer months.( call us if you know of anyone interested in this). And of course, all of this takes money. Much of it comes from our paying guests, as well as thru donations to the ranch itself. In 2014 we finally received our 501-C–3 status, which means that all donations to the ranch are tax deductible. We appreciate all our donors and supporters, and please rest assured that all your dollars invested in the ranch are used directly in services, programs, and upkeep to our facilities. Bette & I, as officers of the non profit, receive no salaries for what we do. Thank you for your support, come back and visit or stay overnight at the ranch at one of our “lodging adventures”, and maybe feel a little bit of God that is in nature and all of us as we help each other.
Blessing, Bill & Bette Byrne and the Crystal Creek Crew
16 degrees below……so much for early Spring!
Our hopes for an early Spring, with 65 degree days two weeks ago, are definitely on hold as we set new record lows for our area. Of course, this is in addition to the 9 inches of snow on the ground and the freezing rain predicted in the next two days. Trying to start tractors for feeding the cows and other livestock is quite a challenge, and even when you get them going, the extreme cold makes many parts brittle, including the metal ones. I’m thankfull we don’t have a lot of babies being born in this weather, as lots of cattle farmers normally calve out their cows in February. About all we can do is feed the animals, keep all the water pipes from freezing, and work on our programs for the summer….which will be here before we know it….which will probably set record highs in the 100’s….Oh, well…
Step by Step….Here a little, there a little…
One of our projects for this winter is fixing up a better “intensive grazing system,” for our cows. Basically this means trying to fence in smaller areas for our cows to eat in, which utilizes our grass more efficiently. To do so we will be building and repairing about 2 miles of fence, in addition to the approximately 25 miles that we already have (and try to maintain). That’s a lot of fence, and much of it runs through woods and rocky areas, which makes it hard to get to and check for repairs. We also have well over one hundred gates to keep in working order. I used to try and keep all of this ‘material’ stuff in a complete state of readiness at all times, but I finally realized that I was spending a lot of time and concern for no real reason, since the cows were in only one area of fenced ground at any one time. We’ve now learned to just check and repair the area we’re going to use next…which is another lesson in ‘line by line’, step by step, work on what is before you today, and work on your future ‘todays’ when they arrive. Living in the present moment does not mean doing nothing, as our purpose for being here is to show our ‘ideal’ in the physical. Living in the present moment is our acceptance of where we are right now, our first step toward the peace and harmony that are God’s promise.
