Tarbone Ranch 2 1/2 months after the fire

 Green is a nice sight to see for everything living..

 After losing 22 bucks, three remain.  This guy is one of the more healthier ones.

 Our elk herd did the best.  Play? Nope, frustration!!

 Wheat and turnips!

 Split bark on the trees pretty much tells the story that they won't make it.

 Turnips and wheat.

After seeing it first hand, I'm understanding evolution and erosion. The fire burned so hot in places that huge rocks broke in two and some of the facing on others is crumbling off.  I guess that's why our old mountains are so short.

 Peek a boo..

 This brown stuff that looks like dirt is actually ash that has washed off the hills.

 This little fox wandered on to the ranch.. Lucky guy too.  See his chewed or burned ear.

 Ash that has washed up against the fence after the rain.

 Some places are greening up fast and others much slower There will be some places where it burned so hot that the earth will be sterile for a while.

Wonder how long it will be before this wild plum thicket produces plums.

 I'll drive out looking for our newest addition to the ranch. The buffalo look just like rocks, sometimes hard to see.

 The big oak fell from the fire that burned its bottom and roots.   You can see what's left of his tree stand.

 The house peaks out from the burned timber.

 Good morning old mountains. Oh how I love you.. =)

Some trees will not recover from their skeletons.

 Meals are hard to come by with all the small rodents gone from the fire. Ken and I watched as he ran away.

 Mesquite trees are greening up.

 More ash drifts.

 I hope he makes it.  Just stay AWAY FROM November "my buffalo" and you will...

Here is November now.  She made it thru October earning the name November. =) Her open wound on the side of her belly is MUCH smaller now.  Ken says she's a tough ole gal,, well he doesn't say "gal".  I feel certain all the prayers and healing thoughts have helped her along the way.  She's still pretty rough looking and I don't think she has a clue she has more of her furry kind on the ranch.  Oh well she's doing better and that's what I care about.  I love this ole buffalo... =)

Ken and I are grateful for what we have.  Even though starting over wasn't in our plans, it's become a part of our everyday life.  Plans to buy more deer are in the future whenever we think the Ranch will support  them.  We have plans to plant trees next spring. 
We watched a video yesterday of a deer hunt that took place here last year and we both got emotional.  Seeing the tall bluestem, the ground cover and trees, it looked so different then.
 
I've realized for myself to feel pain, to cry, to talk, to get mad and to throw a hissy ass fit are important for my process of healing. I can't hold it in..

When you love something so dearly and it becomes a part of you, understanding and feeling pain are a huge part of the healing process.

Thank you to all of our family and friends for saying that little prayer before you close your eyes and say good night.  Because it's working... =)