It's been a long time
It sure has been a long time since I last blogged. I guess that's the verb when writing a blog. Anyway, it's been a long time since I sat down to write about life on the ranch. A lot's happened.
I'm not exactly sure where to begin. I think since my last entry "Billy the Attack Goat," I've worked harder, had more more experiences, more rain, more blood, sweat and tears and more business. It's been kinda like rush hour in a big city. You know: stop-start! Stop-start! GO! GO! GO! But believe me, it's a good problem to have. Business is great. You gotta come see the place.
Here are some of the new things in a very random order: Our 'tank' pool's done. It's the old concrete tank that my dad built in 1955. We sealed it, filled it and built a great deck around it. The biggest problem was, how to get out of it. Seriously. We spent weeks getting in and out by jumping up, grabbing hold and swinging our legs over the edge. Well obviously, that got old real fast. So, we added easy access steps and even two sitting ledges. Now, it's all good. The only problem is one little mesquite tree that thinks it's a massive oak and drops leaves in the water 24/7.
We've also added some great arbors. Terry and Linda Huestis built them for us. You may not know Terry and Linda, but everything that they build is perfect. Tammy Stocker, who has a wonderfully creative green thumb came up with idea and most others that involve anything colorful and we have a ton of color this year. These arbors are topped with cedar staves for shade and we added various grape vines and flowering vines for color. The sight is a perfect backdrop for weddings.
Speaking of grapes, we also added our demonstration vineyard. Although right now, it looks more like Arlington Nat'l Cemetery. The grapes are cabernet savignon from Italy via Demming, New Mexico. My boys (Jack and Joe) and I drove earlier this summer, picked 'em up and drove back within 36 hours. By the way, we spent a night in Cloudcroft, NM. GREAT TOWN! Anyway, the boys with a lot of help from Paul, our foreman, and my nephew Zachary (from Baton Rouge) planted approximately 125 plants. Now, those vines are growing within sky blue sleeves that protect them from the rabbits and critters. Give us a few years and look for our label.
If all that's not enough, we also added a giant flower garden and vegetable plot. The truth is Tammy planted the flowers that look great. I planted the garden that's not exactly what I hoped for. Don't get me wrong. It looks great, but I'm definitely no Mr. Green Jeans when it comes to veggies, but the flowers are truly wonderful. In fact next year, I may say goodbye vegetables--hello flowers. Let's face it, our local grocery store has a pretty good selection at a good price and none of the frustration. Plus, we use the flowers everyday, in everyway. Every room, bathroom, table, porch, and tent gets fresh flowers. I have no idea what kind of flowers they are, but they are very nice. As for the vegetables, let's just say I must be doing something wrong.
What else have we done? Hmmm. Oh yeah! We're in the process of adding a dance floor and stage for live music events. In fact, our first project's later this month. The stage is so nice (built by Terry and Linday Huestis) that the band's leader showed up one day to investigate. He said, "I'm used to balancing on rickety cotton trailers. This is the best." Anyway, the idea is; live music and dancing under the stars.
There's also our fountain and goldfish pond. Our I should say our fountain. I bought 22 goldfish the other day. They're all gone. I think Lola (the yellow lab) ate them. The pond's really her place to jump in and cool off after chasing rabbits all day. We grew tired of it looking, well like a dog pond. So, we dug a trench, added an electrical fountain, filled it with water, put in some water lillies, added some goldfish (now eaten), some rock and called it good. It's just nice to hear the water sounds.
I guess that's all the big stuff. It sure has been a lot of work, but I gotta admit--the place looks great. Add to that, we've had more rain than anyone can remember. So, everything's green and blooming and it's August. In fact, I'm on my second lawnmower for just this summer.
So come see us. Stay a few nights, book an event, just relax. Who knows, if the mower's working I may ask for some help before the band cranks it up at dusk!
Bill Robertson
Mgr., Windmill Ranch Preserve
325.573.1200
I'm not exactly sure where to begin. I think since my last entry "Billy the Attack Goat," I've worked harder, had more more experiences, more rain, more blood, sweat and tears and more business. It's been kinda like rush hour in a big city. You know: stop-start! Stop-start! GO! GO! GO! But believe me, it's a good problem to have. Business is great. You gotta come see the place.
Here are some of the new things in a very random order: Our 'tank' pool's done. It's the old concrete tank that my dad built in 1955. We sealed it, filled it and built a great deck around it. The biggest problem was, how to get out of it. Seriously. We spent weeks getting in and out by jumping up, grabbing hold and swinging our legs over the edge. Well obviously, that got old real fast. So, we added easy access steps and even two sitting ledges. Now, it's all good. The only problem is one little mesquite tree that thinks it's a massive oak and drops leaves in the water 24/7.
We've also added some great arbors. Terry and Linda Huestis built them for us. You may not know Terry and Linda, but everything that they build is perfect. Tammy Stocker, who has a wonderfully creative green thumb came up with idea and most others that involve anything colorful and we have a ton of color this year. These arbors are topped with cedar staves for shade and we added various grape vines and flowering vines for color. The sight is a perfect backdrop for weddings.
Speaking of grapes, we also added our demonstration vineyard. Although right now, it looks more like Arlington Nat'l Cemetery. The grapes are cabernet savignon from Italy via Demming, New Mexico. My boys (Jack and Joe) and I drove earlier this summer, picked 'em up and drove back within 36 hours. By the way, we spent a night in Cloudcroft, NM. GREAT TOWN! Anyway, the boys with a lot of help from Paul, our foreman, and my nephew Zachary (from Baton Rouge) planted approximately 125 plants. Now, those vines are growing within sky blue sleeves that protect them from the rabbits and critters. Give us a few years and look for our label.
If all that's not enough, we also added a giant flower garden and vegetable plot. The truth is Tammy planted the flowers that look great. I planted the garden that's not exactly what I hoped for. Don't get me wrong. It looks great, but I'm definitely no Mr. Green Jeans when it comes to veggies, but the flowers are truly wonderful. In fact next year, I may say goodbye vegetables--hello flowers. Let's face it, our local grocery store has a pretty good selection at a good price and none of the frustration. Plus, we use the flowers everyday, in everyway. Every room, bathroom, table, porch, and tent gets fresh flowers. I have no idea what kind of flowers they are, but they are very nice. As for the vegetables, let's just say I must be doing something wrong.
What else have we done? Hmmm. Oh yeah! We're in the process of adding a dance floor and stage for live music events. In fact, our first project's later this month. The stage is so nice (built by Terry and Linday Huestis) that the band's leader showed up one day to investigate. He said, "I'm used to balancing on rickety cotton trailers. This is the best." Anyway, the idea is; live music and dancing under the stars.
There's also our fountain and goldfish pond. Our I should say our fountain. I bought 22 goldfish the other day. They're all gone. I think Lola (the yellow lab) ate them. The pond's really her place to jump in and cool off after chasing rabbits all day. We grew tired of it looking, well like a dog pond. So, we dug a trench, added an electrical fountain, filled it with water, put in some water lillies, added some goldfish (now eaten), some rock and called it good. It's just nice to hear the water sounds.
I guess that's all the big stuff. It sure has been a lot of work, but I gotta admit--the place looks great. Add to that, we've had more rain than anyone can remember. So, everything's green and blooming and it's August. In fact, I'm on my second lawnmower for just this summer.
So come see us. Stay a few nights, book an event, just relax. Who knows, if the mower's working I may ask for some help before the band cranks it up at dusk!
Bill Robertson
Mgr., Windmill Ranch Preserve
325.573.1200
posted by Windmill Ranch @ 4:02 AM
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