The pool, shed and water fountain

As is if we didn't have enough to do out here, we're on the verge of beginning at least three pretty big projects. They are; a pool, a big tool shed and a rustic-but fun looking water fountain.
The pool's easily the biggest. The plan is to take an old concrete livestock tank (that my father built in the late 50s) and turn it into an above ground pool. It's about 5' deep by approximately 25' in diameter. The pool's really not the problem. We have a handle on the necessary equipment. It's the deck that's the sticking point. But whatever we decide, guaranteed you'll have a pretty good sized deck (under the trademark windmill) to sun yourself or watch nature's TV on the horizon.
Next on the priority list is the water fountian, on the southside of the pavilion. We're using three, varying sized galvanized livestock troughs. One will be higher than the other to create a fall. We plan to create aquaducts from number one to number two and into number three. That way, you sit on the pavilion's front porch and listen to the falling water. We're hoping (and we're pretty sure about this) every bird w/in 50-miles will come for a bath and a drink.
And then, there's the shed. This probably should be priority #1--but it's not. We need to store everything from our new tractor to our old shovel. The plan is: build a 15' x 25' storage area with a 'shed' roof behind our kitchen area. I just flattened out a pretty good sized dirt mound.. next is---well, I dunno.
Anyway, that's today's progress report. We have at least three big projects and countless lil' ones.
Bill Robertson

Eatin' what you grow

I'm no farmer. Wouldn't want to be one.. it's waaaaaaaaaaaay too much work. Good grief, how do they do it? Tilling the soil, planting the seed, keeping the weeds at bay and most importantly praying for rain. I think to be a successful farmer, you need either a lot of money or a direct link to God.
Still, we have a garden at the Windmill that's slowly producing. Subsequently, we are slowly incorporating its harvest into our daily meals. Right now, squash is good. The basil and dill are available too. Soon, tomatoes and okra will make their way to our custom made kitchen. The point is; eatin' what you grow sure tastes better than the stuff @ the grocery store.
Right now, we're booking everything from bird hunts to quiet getaways. And one of the best things we have to offer is a unique location with wonderful food and service. The garden grub makes it that much better.
Imagine, hunting all day. Or maybe, walking until the sun goes down. Who knows, maybe you're a napper or a sitter who works up an appetite just looking @ the backs of your eyelids. Now imagine, a hearty breakfast with fresh tomatoes from the nearby garden. Or how 'bout, a bountiful lunch with fried okra. Or there's dinner.. something tasty; zinging with fresh basil, steaming with fresh squash or zipping with fresh hot peppers.
I think you'll like it. I think you'll loosen a button after the meal. I think you'll want for the next dinner bell.
Come see us at the Windmill. I'm no farmer. So, I don't have a lot of money and certainly no direct link to God.. but I do have a wonderful garden.. ready and waiting to fill your plate.
Bill Robertson

Rain Smells Good!!

This might as well be the desert. Any moisture is much appreciated. Well today, we got a half inch in less than 15 minutes.
The really weird part is; I could smell it coming. Granted, I just drove in from town, eight miles east, where it was already raining. Still, once I got to the ranch; I smelled it coming.
It was like BBQ or garlic or maybe perfume after a woman walks by your table @ a restaurant. But in this case, it was organic.
Sure enough.. about five minutes later.. big, fat drops began falling. They fell slowly at first. Then, they picked up, decreased in size and became a steady-albeit hard rainfall.
What you gotta know is.. you could spit out here and we'd ask: "how much rain did you get?" It's kinda a competitive thing. "How much did you get?" "A half inch." "That's great, but I got three-quarters."
The bottom line is.. a tenth.. a half inch.. an inch.. it counts. By tomorrow, the wildflowers will sprout, the doves will swarm and the tanks (ponds) will rise.
Now that I think about it.. rain is like one of those unforgettable smells. It's like BBQ when you're really hungry, garlic wafting over a big, home cooked Italian meal or a beautiful woman (my wife) gliding through a room with a dab of Chanel #5 hovering in her wake.
Bill Robertson
PS.. It's raining again as I write. And, we have wonderful tin roofs that amplify the sound.. As Hawkeye Pierce once said :"the sound of rain on a tin roof sounds like steaks on the grill."

The Skunk & the Roadrunner

This blog is a two parter. One part good.. one part bad or at least smelly.. very smelly. We'll start with the good.
My oldest son Jeff and I just saved a Roadrunner. I dunno if you're supposed to capitalize Roadrunner, but I'm gonna because... WOW! What a bird!
Here's the story. Jeff & I headed west this afternoon to clean out a livestock tank in our 'corrals' area. When we got there, we found too much water to effectively un-fungi the big concrete tank. So, we kinda meandered around until Jeff said: "what a second! That dead bird just blinked." I said, "huh?" He said, "seriously, it just blinked." Turns out, a Roadrunner was wading (and stuck) in about four inches of water.
Let the rescue begin. Jeff held Lola (the yellow lab) while I used a big shovel to scoop the raucous bird from it's eventually watery grave. I'd like to thank the bird with the vibrant red, white and blue striping near its eyes was thankful. But I think it was genuinely angry I was scooping it with a big shovel. Long story short: the Roadrunner ran off.
Now to the skunk (that doesn't get capitalized). This story starts the other morning. I'm sitting on the pavilion's big front porch. Suddenly, "Curly" (the crazy cocker spaniel) starts going nuts. Then, a BIG, skunk waddles out of the front flower bed. "Curley" gets smothered in stink. I'm yellin'. My daugher's yellin'. My wife's yellin': "why are ya'll yellin'?"
So, I gotta admit I ran for my gun. I felt like Travis in "Ole' Yeller." You know the line.. "Travis, get your gun!!!"
Keep in mind that I'm not a good shot. It took me three pulls of the trigger to down this big stinker. Unfortunately, he dropped just outside the front door--right on top of my slippers.
We buried him, said grace and moved on to the next event. I sure hope he wasn't a she w/ babies nearby.
Bill Robertson

Dove & Quail Hunts

Now's the time to book your bird hunts at the Windmill Ranch Preserve. Dove season opens September 1st and Quail isn't far behind. Right now, we're teeming with both gamebirds.
For you dove hunters, we have fields and fields of sunflowers ready and waiting to burst open. Plus, we have two, dirt tanks (at opposite ends of the property). Both of them proved a dove magnet last season.
We're offering three-night/two hunt packages that include almost everything except the kitchen sink. Plus, we have affordable day rates, too. But keep in mind, time and space are limited.
We could easily hunt every weekend. But instead, we plan to limit hunts to no more than four to maximize shooting potential. And if you'd like to make a weekend out of it vs. a day hunt, we can accomodate up to nine hunters (with their individual beds) or up to 15 if you want to double up. The best part is EVERYTHING will be at your fingertips. And between hunts, you can swim in our planned pool, beneath our trademark windmill.
As for you quail hunters... imagine 1,000 acres to yourself. We're offering three night/two hunt packages, limit six hunters. Like Dove season, we plan to limit this year's hunts to only three weekends. Don't be suspicious, we have plenty of birds. I literally must slow down when leaving the property so I don't hit the quail crossing the road. But why hunt 'em every weekend and wear 'em out?
Hunt at the Windmill for a real west Texas experience. The land is rough and it can get very, very cold.. but I guarantee: you'll be satisfied with your accomodations, service and food. One price covers everything.
Give us a call at 325.573.1200 for more information. Soon, we'll have all the details on our website.
Bill Robertson