Even though you’d think the entire ranch has come to a standstill to watch and ooooh and aaaah over Elsa’s litter of puppies… of course, that isn’t true. Thanks to Vernon and Johnny’s hard work, the cattle are still being fed… the calves are still being born… and tagged… and reunited with their mommas if the…
Category: Family
Big Sister
Dally is confused. She woke me up the other night at 2 am with a “barking fit”. Turns out she was telling me Elsa had gone into labor… but I ignored her… at 2 am, I try to ignore many things! Her best friend has suddenly turned into a “bitch”. Any attention she asks of…
Lucas’ Ride
When we herded our cats calves the other day, Lucas was the designated dog of the day. Why? First and foremost, Lucas works quietly. If he was as barky as Elsa can sometimes be, the momma cows would turn back, ready to defend their calves, and forward progress would be non-existent. Lucas’ bark applies to when cows turn,…
Herding Cats
Today we had to move our cows… some have newborns… some don’t. Herding baby calves is much like herding the proverbial cats… they don’t know what to do… they don’t know that mom just took 3 steps that a’way… they have no clue that even if they touch noses with her… that that *really* is…
The bunkhouse
The bunkhouse sits just under a south facing hill. On the left side is the living quarters with bed, table, and at one time an old stove. Many a hired hand has slept here… many a visitor… On the right side is the remnants of the blacksmith shop with various tools and mysterious pieces in…
Ten Days and Counting
Ten days and counting… Butcher’s Foothills Elsa, (United Kennel Club Registry, English Shepherd Club Registry, Canine Good Citizen, MDR1 mutant/normal, OFA Good, light shaded sable female, born 5/10/2004) is gravid, fecund, replete. Gravid is a great term for her. Heavy, burdened. Slowed by the extra weight, she rocks to achieve a standing position. Fecund. Prolific….
Those old Tales
I’ve been going through old papers, finding papers 100 years old to the day… This is a warranty deed, this a homestead filing, that a mortgage. No stories. Just names we’ve heard for years. Signatures in ink… real ink… dipped, bold to fading… Surprised that the man I pictured as rough and tumble had great…
Puppies
‘ve known for a while now… and I did post it on my website… but I’ll make the announcement here… We’re gonna have puppies! The due date is March 24th. I’m thrilled. Elsa is feeling… well… fat! Slowing a tad, too. I will get to enjoy them in good weather as opposed to her last…
Heifer Story 2
Along the Nowood River exist many industrious beavers. While the Nowood wouldn’t qualify as a river in most other states, it does in Wyoming because it flows a large amount of water for this dry country. Probably because of the Nowood’s size, these beavers have developed into “bank” beavers instead of the usual “dam” beavers…
Busy Days … and Nights
We have had 21 calves in the past three days. I guess it seemed like more but that puts us up to 31 calves, so that means we are halfway through the heifers! Now, if only the last 31 calves would take a week! I’m sure it won’t happen that way, and soon the cows…
Cousin Robb 4
Cousin Robb has spent time in a Thai Monastery and wanted to share… I turn my platform over to him… Happiness Training – 10 Days of Meditative Silence in a Thai Monastery Could I do it? Could I go ten days without speaking? Could I spend ten days, surrounded by monks and nuns, in a…
Bob
For years, Bob has been a fixture on this place. Wherever Johnny was, there was Bob in his shadow. Quiet. Observant. He had a hell of an outrun… swinging WAY out and around stock… and as he aged, it was quicker (and probably an insult to him) to NOT wait for him to trot out…