[heartdeeperthanthebrand]

What a creeper.

[heartdeeperthanthebrand]

It’s a beautiful thing when two seasons come together. Fall in the high country.

[heartdeeperthanthebrand]

My friends are a little safer the past two nights. 🐝🍯🐝 We had pretty large black bear show up for a midnight snack the other day, and caused a ruckus with these otherwise very peaceful bees. He tried to come back for a second round of easy treats, but up went a three strand electric trying to protect the hives. It’s seemed to work, a little zap, and a little harassment. The cows and horses showed up with true herd mentality and tried to scare him off. He camped out up a tree and must’ve decided to pick on someone else, a little more venerable. #ranchlife #windriverrange #beekeeping #honey #lovethelifeyoulead https://www.instagram.com/p/Chuto7GOhRL/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[heartdeeperthanthebrand]

Little adventure with the old gal. One of the things that’s good for the soul. Boots and jeans were left on the bank to enjoy the cold flowing water together. Shade on a high altitude, cool summer day from #prairiewindhatworks2018 Bonus points if you can infer the Puddle of Mudd song that best narrates the look being given. #windriverrange #fitzpatrickwilderness #getoutside #lovethelifeyoulead #ranchlife (at Fitzpatrick Wilderness) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgkKTSTpeYO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[heartdeeperthanthebrand]

I stumbled upon the #landerartdistrict street fair this afternoon while in town. I was lucky enough to come home with some fabulous pieces from local Fremont County artists. I am absolutely thrilled to give a home to these. #ranchlife #windriverrange #landerartdistrictstreetfair #supportyourlocalartists #westernart https://www.instagram.com/p/CeZ2cOPOJca/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[heartdeeperthanthebrand]

Certain sunsets make me feel love, as if it were a hug from my Grandmother. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd7XdaxOWJb/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[heartdeeperthanthebrand]

One of my favorite times of year, snow high and sheds low. Better yet, if you get to spend it with your favorite people. #getoutside #windriverrange #packmule #nothingonmygramisinstant https://www.instagram.com/p/CdgoVLXJqP5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[heartdeeperthanthebrand]

Had dinner ate and put away before 7 pm? The birds are still singing, the sun is up? . I must’ve missed my 56th birthday somewhere . This time of year always gets me when the days change so rapidly. Back to work I reckon. #ranchlife #lovethelifeyoulead #homemade https://www.instagram.com/p/CcHIyVAuTDG/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[heartdeeperthanthebrand]

To working folks, a hat is as much functionality in daily life tasks, as it is a reflection of personal style. Some just happen to look dapper in the process. #ranchlife #windriverrange #packstring #backcountry #lovethelifeyoulead https://www.instagram.com/p/CbUpM0COmBt/?utm_medium=tumblr

[heartdeeperthanthebrand]

I’m usually a day late and a dollar short, especially when it comes to trends and social phenomenons. . 2021, I entered my first pie contest, it was hosted by the Elbert County Historical Society. Speaking of late I was the last pie to show up, under the deadline wire, with a FRESH out of the oven masterpiece that leaked all over me in the (speeding) car ride over. . It really needed about 15-20 minutes longer in the oven… almost didn’t even take it to town. I hadn’t practiced or evidently planned enough time to complete this big of an undertaking morning of. . Showed up anyway, and held my breath. . Of a field of NEARLY 20 OTHER ENTRIES, my little pie came in third place. I was plum tickled to do so well amongst so many local professionals. . #americanasapplepie #pie #ranchkitchen #lovethelifeyoulead #applepie https://www.instagram.com/p/CbMR2DzOw8A/?utm_medium=tumblr

[heartdeeperthanthebrand]

THE PACK HORSE RACES ARE ONLY 3 MONTHS AWAY!! . This event encompasses my heart and soul. If you are at all interested in competing, being a sponsor, volunteering, or just have some questions feel free to harass me. . This year is our 15th Annual Don Scheer Memorial Pack Horse Race, and we are hoping to make it the biggest best event ever. . We would like to add more divisions, for folks who are interested in competing, but their ranch horse may not have the fastest long trot. . If you would like to be a vendor in the park send me a message! We will have you show up and sell some gear or trade goods. . If anyone is at all interested in competing but just not quite sure about the camp setup, or 7-14 mile route let me know and the DWAA can put on a pre-race training. If you have horse savvy, and are willing to learn, even if you've never packed before, you are welcome to join our event, this group of folks is always willing to help out. . Interested, but don't have the extra dough to be a buckle sponsor, the horse flesh to compete, or the desire to be a volunteer? We are plum tickled to just have you at our event as a spectator. . #duboiswyoming #dubois #wyoming #windriverrange #absarokamountains #packhorses #tipi #walltent #packhorse #lovethelifeyoulead #ranchlife PC: Sandy Frericks (at Dubois, Wyoming) https://www.instagram.com/p/CayYYXRL1sH/?utm_medium=tumblr

[heartdeeperthanthebrand]

One warm day, and I’m antsy to be in the hills again. Especially with my best friend. #getoutside #windriverrange #mountains #packcamp #wildernessculture #wilderness #fitzpatrickwilderness https://www.instagram.com/p/CaizI-du8iN/?utm_medium=tumblr

[heartdeeperthanthebrand]

Well isn’t this a fancy deal. I feel like I should be working on my roundhouse kicks with this thing around. 😅 #ranchlife #windriverrange https://www.instagram.com/p/CZzrxw9J6JJ/?utm_medium=tumblr

[sweet42]

[heartdeeperthanthebrand]

If you’re going to steal someone’s art and photography, at least have the decency to sight your source.

Instagram: @skyeclarkimages

[wafflesrisa]

Here’s something cute

When lockdown happened in the UK it happened very suddenly. At the law firm I work at, our office building emptied overnight when everyone was told to work from home. No time to clear our desks, no time to bring office plants home.

Fast forward three and a half months - everyone assumes that their plants are dead.

But then! An email goes round! It’s turns out that one of our security guards is a florist, and -

-the security team has moved EVERY SINGLE PLANT from all 12 FLOORS of our office building into the cafeteria. It’s been turned into a temporary greenhouse. Cacti and succulents and spider plants and terrariums and potted ferns

AND! Each plant has been INDIVIDUALLY LABELLED by hand with post-it notes with name and desk location so the plants can go home after lockdown ends

To give some indication of the scale of the endeavour:

If you zoom into the centre right photo you can see one of our security team happily waving

The plants are being taken care of tenderly. They get sun and water and are spending happy times with other plant friends

[heartdeeperthanthebrand]

The most lovely thing I’ve seen in a while! ☺️

[heartdeeperthanthebrand]

I have the coolest, most talented, friends!! @jarrenmarie MADE THESE, and gifted them to me! They’re so beautiful, and well crafted! I’m absolutely honored and wear them most everyday! I’ve yet to go to a coffee shop without getting a compliment about them. (Which of course results in me tipping well and telling stagers all about where they came from.) They’re perfect!
#ranchlife #lovethelifeyoulead #maker #leathercraft #leatherwork #handmade #handmadejewelry #windriverbackcountryoutfitters #yeahthatsme 
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBr3BsmpK3H/?igshid=vpvjgu421bvo

[heartdeeperthanthebrand]

What’s in a brand? To so many its just a few characters that are laid out, whether they ever make it to hide or not. To so many of us it is so much more than flames on the skin, there is heart deeper than the brand. A brand is a family crest, passed down from generation to generation, sometimes evolving with each member of the family that bids into business. 
. 
To me this brand represents 5 generations of producers that came before me, though they all had their own characters. It represents late nights preparing the hay storage for winter feed, miles of open range mountain riding in search of the mavericks, thousands of meals from a saddle bag or out of cast iron, probably near a million miles just running for parts, praying theses antibiotics just help this baby make it through the night.
. 
This brand represents the calloused hands and daylight coffee breaks, irreplaceable camaraderie at brandings and preg testing, watching a truck full of your girls leave the driveway for the last time since they missed the cull cut this year, watching your family grow and nurturing nieces and nephews to be stewards of the land. 
. 
I have always been a ride for the brand type of person, whoever it is that’s signing my paycheck, or simply saying thank you at the end of the day will be given my full skill and devotion. My ethics, morals, and management practices have all been instilled, by the Quarter Circle JR. 
. 
It is more than a brand it is what I’ve devoted my life and being to upstanding and representing. It is what I’ve bled, sweated, cried and been proud of my entire life. Having come so close to giving my life and left arm to represent it, only makes it that much more dear to me. 
. 
The western way of life, that’s what’s in a brand.
. 
I would like to extend a special thank you to Codi, at @blovebrand for providing me with such a sentimental piece.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAVpF6Tpged/?igshid=1v63w3rqo9ixx