By Gail Biby

From the Blessed Life Ranch

When summer finally comes to the Red River Valley of the North (notice I said ‘when’ not ‘if’), I have in mind to do some gentle, easy-to-accomplish activities with the grandchildren.

I remember what sweet times my family enjoyed traveling to rodeos during the summer months. Mom would make fried chicken the day before, also potato salad and baked beans. She would slip into the picnic basket butter sandwiches and crisp dill pickles. We loved every bit of the trip: the rodeo itself, the crowds, the warmth of summer breezes and the intoxicating smell of horses and leather.

After more than 50 years I still smile when I think of these times. I would like to make those kind of memories with and for my grandchildren. And I don’t think it has to be as complicated as traveling to another location.

Nature

Our son-in-law and daughter own 17 acres of rural property that contain coulees, tree rows, and native grasses that are alive with possibilities. One of our favorite activities is bird watching. Recently we observed a great horned owl sitting majestically in the trees to the north. We have identified 72 species of birds, most on these 17 acres.

Without them knowing it I have made each of my six grandchildren into birdwatchers. I didn’t exactly plan to do it, but with just a little subtle coaxing we have all become pretty adept at naming bird species. We keep a three-ring binder that contains information on the dates of the sightings, the bird species, and where it was seen.  With just a little planning we have all become avid, amateur ornithologists.

Then there’s the Slough of Despond. We have made cultures from our pond collections and then identified them after observing them with the microscope. Most of those little creepy-crawlies are the things of nightmares, but the grandchildren are fascinated by them.

Picnics

We have already picnicked this spring. On a warm (a somewhat relative term), but windy May afternoon I prepared cold meats, fresh, warm bread slices, fruit and cheese on a fancy tray and we threw a checkered tablecloth on the ground out of the wind and sat in the lovely warm sunlight and relished our lunch together. Honestly, I think I could have fed the grandkids just about anything and they would have thought it was a big deal! It didn’t take much time and required very little effort, but it was a luscious time together. We are going to do this a lot this summer.

Berry picking

I remember well the many times we went berry picking with my grandma. We picked fat, juicy wild plums and tart chokecherries, sweet, warm-from-the-sun June berries and pale red sand cherries for jelly making.

We have located a berry-picking farm south of Northwood where we plan to pick buckets full of strawberries and June berries this summer. (If you are near here and want contact information on this berry farm email me at: billbiby@msn.com).

The tree rows at the Blessed Life Ranch contain plum trees and we have already enjoyed picking, jellying and spreading them on warm toast. We are praying for another good harvest near Coulee West.

Fishing

My dad was an avid fisherman and we enjoyed many trips to various ‘good fishing spots’ around North Dakota. It does require a license and some equipment, but it can be a bamboo pole and hook if strapped for cash. We used to catch boxes full of small perch which my mother laboriously filleted, each being only one bite when fried in sweet cream butter. But it was so worth it and I smile as I think of it .

Finally

There are many fine museums and county fairs in North Dakota. Some towns hold Potato Days or All-School Reunions. Many have Crazy Days or large Fourth of July celebrations. There is horse racing and rodeos. Try at least one of these this summer with your family. Childhood memories are not soon forgotten.

Since the do-gooders have almost done away with the use of firecrackers during the Fourth, except by ‘trained professionals’ we have chosen to have celebrations at the Blessed Life Ranch and invite dozens of folks who want to enjoy a pot-blessing with grilled meats, swimming in the pool, softball, sack races, bonfire and after-dark fireworks display. In just four short years we have made many wonderful summer memories at the Blessed Life Ranch.

Time passes very quickly so now is the time to plan memory-making activities with your dear ones...and don’t forget that picnic basket!