Tomorrow is a Red-Letter day within the extended McClain clan. February first is my little brother’s birthday. Rick is five years younger than me and as the youngest son he was of course spoiled beyond all reason. Of course, this continued even after he was grown, much to my consternation.… Read full post »

Something told me I was in trouble the moment I made the suggestion. I have learned through painful experience, that making any sort of suggestion to my wife has the potential of blowing up in my face. This is a perfect example of that belief.

One day, almost a year… Read full post »

I discovered a surprising fact about myself yesterday. I found out that I am not ideally suited for horse ranching. You see, running a horse ranch is first and foremost, a business. The commodity we deal in happens to be horses which means we buy and sell them.… Read full post »

On January 4, 2012 a man in Southeast Missouri captured a young adult mountain lion in a live trap. The man, being a county commissioner and well versed in the law, did not kill the big cat but rather transported him to the nearest Conservation department office.

After seeing the… Read full post »

We live in a drafty, old, farmhouse that is cold in the Winter and Hot in the Summer but it is a home of many views from many windows that allows us to look out onto our own personal world and everything that is important.

The back room that was once… Read full post »

It is a well known fact around here that were it not for the animals of Almosta Ranch I would have little of note to write about, and so it is today. My present four legged inspiration comes from Jeremiah, our miniature male donkey.

 A few of you might remember… Read full post »

On the last day of 2011 I find myself doing the same thing I did on the last day of 2010. I’m sitting at my computer wondering if this Winter-besotted land of Missouri will ever be warm again but that is normal, it’s one of the little things that define… Read full post »

A few days ago Mel and I had our first big  fight in over ten years of marriage. In order to be fair in the telling of this sad tale I must first give you a bit of background so that you might better understand the events that unfolded, and how… Read full post »

The Internet is full of blogs lamenting the onset of old age, the loss of mobility, the waves of various aches and pains, and the general loss of precious Time in our lives. TV is full of adds for all sorts of products meant to ward off the effects of time… Read full post »

This Thanksgiving marks a historic event here on Almosta Ranch. For the first time in 62 years this old codger will NOT be eating turkey and dressing and all the other seasonal goodies associated with the holiday. Neither will I be basking in the controlled chaos of the gathered McClain clan.… Read full post »

The rain beats a tattoo upon my roof that would make Gene Krupa green with envy while the wind howls its accompanying strident song and the temperature whispers, “Cool, baby, cool.”

Winter in Missouri has arrived with its concert of lousy weather and the denizens of Almosta ranch hunker d… Read full post »

Dear Readers and Friends,

First and foremost I want to assure everyone that this is not a Flounce (I hate that word). No, I am not leaving because anyone has hurt my feelings with some careless words or thoughtless actions. I don’t believe in online arguing, rather preferring all my squabbles… Read full post »

Like everyone else in the world I learned last night of the death of Steve Jobs the Co-founder of Apple computers. Therefore I was not surprised this morning when I turned on the news and listened to the vast outpouring of tributes to a man who was, without a doubt, a… Read full post »

It happens. Every few years, in my life, I am overcome with the uncontrollable urge to make sweeping changes.  Of late the itch has been on me something fierce and I knew that it was only a matter of time before I would have to make some radical changes.

 Not sure… Read full post »

Today's Lesson

Sometimes, we try too hard to get to the greener grass.


In the process, we end up in trouble.


And when you find yourself in trouble


and you're stuck in a situation that you can't get out of,


there is one thing you should always remember:


Not everyone who shows… Read full post »

To say that life here on Almosta Ranch is a bit slower and simpler than life in the big city is something of an understatement. Here on Almosta all a man needs is his large front porch, a sturdy chair and his yard donkey to be able to sit and enjoy… Read full post »

Being a parent is the hardest job any person can take upon themselves. I first became a parent when I was barely twenty-one years old and I was ill prepared for the task at hand.

As a young father, living in poverty and moving from one dead-end job to the next,… Read full post »

One thing I have noticed in my seven-plus years of doing blogs is that blog sites all over the Web are filled with people who have the answers to all our woes. Whether it be politics, religion, or social morays, these folks are sure and certain that their way is the… Read full post »

If there is one thing that ranch life has taught me over the years it is that the only thing that is constant is Change.

Winter covers the land in its frozen blanket of ice and snow and just when you begin to despair of ever feeling the sun's heat… Read full post »

As told in part one of this story, we awoke the other morning to discover that our four-month old filly had been attacked by a cougar the night before. Though still alive, the poor little horse was doomed by her massive wounds and loss of blood so it was left to… Read full post »

Yesterday I wrote about a small joy but today I need to tell you about a serious and darker side of ranch life that many here might not understand. What follows is a true, and graphic account of one of the down sides of ranch life complete with pictures. Please be… Read full post »

On the front porch an hour before daylight, I sit with the first cup of hot coffee of the day. Off to the west a storm is brewing and I watch a continuous flashes of lightning like some cosmic artillery barrage. The air is still and heavy with the pending rain… Read full post »

My old daddy always told me, “Boy, expect little from people and you will rarely be disappointed.” I have always taken that advise to heart and, like he said, I have rarely been disappointed or surprised. This is the story of one time that I was surprised, but certainly not disappointed.… Read full post »

As most of us already know it is Buffyw's birthday and that is enough reason to throw a party, but I have further reason to celebrate. Today is me and Mel's tenth anniversary.

 Ten years ago Melinda made me the happiest man on Earth by consenting to be my wife and… Read full post »

Doniphan-----AP(Almosta Press)......Yesterday the citizens of Doniphan awoke to a freak of nature, a cold front in August. The Arctic blast rolled down from the north and caused the local temperatures to plummet all the way down to eighty degrees.  On the interstate there were reports of massive… Read full post »