There’s many things back behind a branding…
Planning with family and friends for the right day and nervously watching the weather reports.
Shopping and cooking and hauling and chilling and heating and remembering everything.
Cleaning the shop and hauling the chairs so everyone has a decent place to sit after working hard.
Ordering vaccine so it arrives in time, plus any other supplies you might need.
Cutting the cedar for the fire and getting the branding barrels and irons out of storage.
Gathering the cows and calves out of a different pasture the day before so they’re in a small pasture for the branding.
If you’re lucky, it all comes together in an organized manner. No one rides a colt and gets bucked off. No one gets hurt. All the brands look nice. Every calf quickly finds his mother again. Children learn. Older fellows supervise. The fire roars along and the irons stay hot. People know their jobs and do them well and know you’ll return the favor. Teasing and laughter run rampant. Maybe a little smoke might get in your eyes when your heart is full, and content, and happy to know that in today’s world, some traditions still can linger. Hard work does pan out. Good neighbors count for a lot. Family means the most.
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A very special thank you to DeTye Vet Supply, this month’s sponsor. DeTye always manages to impress. We are proud to use them and give them a special shout out. How many businesses do you know that call you to reassure you that your order will arrive in good time… when you haven’t even called to check on the shipment? Dee and Tyler do this. Good prices. Good people. For your branding, try DeTye Vet Supply, and tell them I sent you!
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Great photos!
Oh how I miss this! Would love to help sometime if you’ll have us!
Sure. But we’re done for this year.
we didn’t have branding’s, but if a neighborhood farm family was in need, help was on the way!