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 »

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 »