We knew the ranch was special from the very first time we set foot on it. We noticed something was special about how other people felt about the ranch when our friends from Atlanta would come up to spend Saturday afternoon and wonder on Monday if they should call in sick. Larry and I love to travel, but gradually we have noticed that what we really want to do is vacation at the Seventy-four Ranch. Over the past few years, we have had the great privilege of having people choose the ranch to celebrate their special days. Grace’s mom in Florida just emailed us to tell us that Grace said all she wants for her birthday is to go “see Mr. Larry and Ms. Pam”, and meet Gracie, the little Jack Russell terrier who is her new namesake. Jared liked the farm so much he came back to celebrate his birthday with us this May, and now he wants his dad to buy him his own farm.

We’ve hosted newlyweds, couples getting a precious weekend away from their first child for the very first time, and couples who are celebrating many joyous years together. We now have the pleasure of planning 2008 weddings. It’s very rewarding and we get to live here!

Last night I drifted off to sleep listening to thunder echo off the mountains, over the rolling hills of the Big Scarecorn Creek valley. An hour later, something woke me and for some reason I went to the window and saw the highway was black wet. I ran downstairs and threw my arms around Larry. It was raining. This morning I drove through the darkness, glorying in the last bits of rain and drizzle as it, too, moved south. The rich smell of rain in the early morning is indeed a blessing. As you may know from my earlier blogs, the drought has been devastating.  Every drop of rain is precious to us.

Our Seventy-four Ranch family has just increased by four! Two are grey. One is black and one is a light creamy yellow. Menny found a mama cat and three adorable kittens playing on the stacks of square bales in the small hay barn on Tuesday. Their new home is perfect for them: they are protected from the horses, cattle, dogs and weather. But they can come and go at will and they can always see the pasture. You have to be real quiet coming around the corner, they are gone the first second they see you. I got to feed them last night at the end of my day and just thinking about the kittens playing, in a tangle of legs, brings a smile to me right now. I’ll try to get a photo..but you may just have to come see them for yourself! If you’ve got some good cat names … put them on the blog.

We were proud to sponsor an entry of cowboys in the Fourth of July parade in Jasper, Georgia celebrating our independence. The riders left to right: student Marie Swims, foreman Menny Lozoya, owner Larry Butler, cowboy Emmanuel Lozoya and student Belinda Crisp. It was the students’ first experience off the ranch, and in a parade, and all horses and riders had a great time. Larry reports his horse, Blue’s Emerald Wonder (Emma), particularly liked all the attention. And there was plenty of cheering as this parade is very well attended. This is an annual tradition for us. It’s the seventh year the ranch has participated. We are grateful to Marie’s mother, Jennifer, for being there and capturing the moment!

Every day, several times a day, Larry and I look out at our rolling pasture, our beautiful horses, our healthy calves and wonder. Wonder if enough rain will come to restore our hay crop. Wonder if we will have to sell some stock. And if so, who? This is an age-old problem plaguing many ranchers in the South. Before we bought the ranch, various droughts made less of an impact on me. Rain was inconvenient if it fell during my commute, or during an outdoor event. Now I realize there is no inconvenient time. There is only too much rain, or like this year, not nearly enough.