I posted this in 2009, shortly after joining OS.  The project it pretty much complete now and upon my death my children will be given copies to pass along to their children. 

 Four years ago I sat down and wrote the first of what, so far has been five letters to… Read full post »

A few folks who have come to know me through this blog have expressed their envy of the fact that I live on a horse ranch surrounded by beautiful creatures. I will concede the fact that I am indeed surrounded by beautiful animals but there is one very important part of… Read full post »

Three years ago I was new to the site and I posted one of my short stories which garnered six rates and four comments which surprised and pleased me to no end. So I figured I would repost it today to celebrate the OS Fiction Weekend. I hope you enjoy the… Read full post »

Today I received this heartfelt plea for help via my Open Salon in-box.

Attn: Dear Mr Torman, (She didn't get the memo that I no longer blogged under that name I guess)

Good Day and My compliment to you and your entire household,My name is Mrs Zainab Ahmed i am contact… Read full post »

Around Almosta, when Mel yells out from the front porch that dinner is ready I come running, just like I did as a little boy and Momma use to call me inside to eat.

The same is true for all the animals on the ranch....When Momma calls, they come running.

They… Read full post »

Yesterday I was reminded once again why I would never live anywhere but in the country. Out here where the roads are often dirt and there’s a ten mile trek to the nearest store to get milk and bread, there is an element of self-reliance that runs deep in the people.… Read full post »

Toby at six hours old.....

Toby at two days old after we taught him to drink from a bowl...

Surrogate mom leading Toby back to the barn after a feeding session. If we manage to keep this baby alive for seven days, he may just make it...with some luck.… Read full post »

Day two has dawned and the colt is still with us. We are hand feeding him every three hours around the clock. About two o’clock this morning I told Mel we needed to just give up on the struggle to get the mom to feed the baby and concentrate on getting… Read full post »

Won't be online much today, the life of a rancher demands my time. Six hours or so ago one mare had a foal. The mother rejected the baby. At the same time another mare, our best brood mare, who has no baby this year, stepped in and took over the baby.… Read full post »

As much as it pains me to admit it, the fault for this sad state of affairs lay solely with my wife, Mel. It is a fact that she has always favored her baby boy over all our other children and she has not been able to stop herself from… Read full post »

Every man likes to think that he is the center of his wife’s universe, the sole recipient of her love and affection. Unfortunately nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to my wife, Melinda.

I’m not complaining mind you, I knew the truth going into the… Read full post »

 Midnight. The day was hot and the night cool and too perfect to be in bed so Mel and I walked out to make a last check on the livestock.

Around here we call that normal. Time, in the country in general and here on Almosta ranch… Read full post »

I woke up this morning and took my first cup of coffee out onto the front porch to enjoy the cool breezes and the songs of birds. I was lounging in my chair and slowly sipping the hot brew, lost in the peace of the moment when a thought… Read full post »

I’m a low-tech guy in a high-tech world. This is not a condition that came upon me with advancing age though, I have been this way all my life. I can remember, at the tender age of sixteen being labeled something similar by my dear, sweet mother who, exasperated at my… Read full post »

“Cry Havoc and let slip the dogs of war!” This is one of my all time favorite Shakespeare quotes and, curiously, it came to mind a few days ago in a way that left both Mel and myself almost helpless with laughter.

It all started innocently enough,… Read full post »

Yesterday, while most folks were busy hiding Easter eggs or visiting with family, Mel and I were on the road going to meet the two latest acquisitions of Almosta Ranch: Sparkles and Rosie, two Juliana Pigs.

Sparkles is only six weeks old while Rosie is about three months old. Neither… Read full post »

 "Honey, you need to get out here and see this."

Now when I hear these words spoken by my sweet wife who has just come in from the barn, I know I have trouble. The only question in my mind is what form with the trouble take. Will I have a… Read full post »

Today has been one of those days I wish everybody in the world could experience. Eighty degrees, breeze blowing so that it felt like seventy or so,  cobalt-blue skies and birds singing their hearts out in the trees.

Which brings me to this entry. Tomorrow is supposed to be just… Read full post »

Today I want to write my second blog entry which was inspired by another great writer here on Open Salon: Walter Blevins. Walter did a blog a few days ago about political apathy and if any of you have not read it, you have missed a real gem. In terms of… Read full post »

Normally I confine blog subjects here to the animals and happenings on Almosta Ranch but yesterday I read blogs by two of my favorite writers: Bobbot and Walter Blevins which has inspired me to write on the same subjects that they wrote about.

This entry then will deal… Read full post »

A funny thing happened on my way to Open Salon the other day. I discovered a time machine. We have all done that….discovered a time machine…at one time or another. For some the vehicle that transports them to a simpler, happier time might be a song on the radio, for others… Read full post »

Due to the prevalent downturn in America’s economic picture, Almosta Ranch is, in a matter of speaking, downsizing. Even though we will continue to maintain our existing horse herd, we will no longer be actively pursuing a breeding program. This is news met with a certain amount of chagrin by o… Read full post »

As many of you know, many of my blog entries deal with life on Almosta ranch and I have been pleased to see that for the most part people have enjoyed these entries. However, I have also noticed an alarming trend among those who leave comments. Many folks express the opinion… Read full post »

You give my soul peace.

You give my lips their smile.

You are my warmth on cold days.

You are my cool breeze on hot Summer days.

You are my world.

You are my wife.

Thank you. Read full post »

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 »