Getting To The Farm Christmas Day

I took one look down Becker's Hill and decided to go around the block, but that way was wasn't much better! This is County Road 427, a.k.a. "Lover's Lane". Thanks to Paul Becker for using his road grader to clear a path. And path it was(!), just barely wide enough for my 4x4 to squeeze through. I don't know what we'd have done if we'd met another vehicle! Sarah took the pictures of me and my truck on Christmas Day, 2009, as we (slowly!) made our way to the farm to visit my dad. He was pretty happy to see us, too! Pretty much all that was geting through were 4-wheel drive vehicles. It sure was pretty, but it sure made feeding the livestock rough! A Christmas to remember.

Janette 'n' Gabby

I made this my new profile photo tonight. This picture was taken this past summer in Saint Jo, Texas, on Saturday, August 1st. That's me on my AQHA gelding "A Real Gamble", a.k.a "Gabby". It's a bit like the Johnny Cash song, "A Boy Named Sue", I suppose. At any rate, that was his name when I bought him, and far be it from me to change someone's name! We were riding on Highway 82 in front of the Dairy Queen, in the Downtown Rodeo Parade: Me, Sarah (on Ranger), and Kayla Felderhoff (on Apache). It's snowing outside again right now, on top of snow still on the ground from Christmas Eve, and maybe I'll post a few snow pictures tomorrow. But just for now, I'm remembering that beautiful day last summer, and dreaming of those hot summer days to come!

Jeff's Mom

Carolyn Ruth Smith
(June 3, 1946 - December 9, 2009)

Memorial services for Carolyn Smith, 63, of Gainesville are set for Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home with the Rev. Larry Wright officiating.

Carolyn was born June 3, 1946 in Whitesboro to Zay Manley and Dorothy Loraine Riddle Pence. She passed away December 6, 2009 at Wilson N Jones in Sherman.

Survivors include her husband John A. Smith of Gainesville, her children Teresa Rohrer, Jeff Smith, and Whitley Smith all of Gainesville, her brother Ricky Pence and sister Pat Evans.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother Raymond Pence.

You man sign the online registry at geojcarroll.com.

"Joseph's Lullaby" by Mercy Me

"Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak." William Congreve

Rest In Peace, Carolyn Smith, Rest In Peace.
Born: June 3, 1946 - Died: December 6, 2009

John 3:16 (New International Version)
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Thanksgiving Day thru Sunday '09

Sarah (holding Gabby's reins) checks the Grasslands map while Ranger eats Red Oak leaves on Monday morning, November 30, 2009. We are along the fenceline that runs northeast/southwest from the 4-way Gates to the Dead Horse Gate. There is a trail, of sorts, but it's not one of the Blue, Red, Yellow, White or Silver Trails--the formal trails--that make up the Trail System out there. We were exploring! Sarah gave me this weekend at the B&B (Bed & Barn) at the LBJ National Grasslands for my 51st Birthday, and it was WONDERFUL!!

Before we went riding at the Grasslands Sunday morning, November 29, 2009, Sarah cleaned up the pen our horses stayed in, there to the right, and dumped the manure in the spreader after pushing the cart up the ramp that you can see in the upper left-hand corner.

Farrier John Burleson reshod Gabby on Saturday morning, November 28, 2009, before Sarah and I rode in the Muenster Christmas Parade. That's Sarah on the left, holding the leadrope. After the parade, we headed out to Pam Roberts' B&B, 9 miles this side of Decatur, for a 3 day/2 nights stay. The B&B is just across the road from the 20,250 acre LBJ National Grasslands and its 75+miles of riding trails. YeeHaw!

I took this picture of Firetail in the old Fruitless Mulberry tree in our front yard on Friday, November 27, 2009. There used to be two such trees, but the one to the north of the sidewalk died and was cut down a number of years ago.

I took this picture of my niece, Amy, and her family-the Smiths-on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26, 2009) after she and I got back from our ride around the farm block, a little more than 4 miles around. Left-to-right: Matt-age 10 on Lucky, Brandon-age 7 on Gabby, Darrin & Amy.