As many of you can tell I took a real long vacation from blogging. I would like to call it a vacation but really it wasn't a vacation at all. Now that the weather isn't as nice and it gets dark so early I will have all the time in the world to blog, until next spring that is. I promise I will try to do better at keeping everyone up to date.
We haven't had a whole lot exciting going on around the ranch since we last talked but I will give you the rundown of the high points since then. The cows have been out to pasture and the guys have been busy with pipes and projects around the ranch. Both Moose and Baxter had their birthdays; those pups are both a year old!! I also had a birthday. I have decided though that at this point I am going to retire from having birthdays. Yep that's right I am hanging up the hat so that means I will stay 29 forever. Deer season came and went and we had lots of fun with our friends that came and stayed to hunt. I might have left a few things out; if I did I will post about that later.
Now let's get to the part that I can remember, Monday of this week we shipped our calves. I met 3 semi-trucks in town plus the cattle buyer and led the way to the ranch. Brad, Branden, and Hans sorted the heifers from the steers in the meantime. Once the trucks got to the corrals we weighed the calves in groups and then put them on the trucks. It sounds really easy while I am typing this, it isn't as easy in person but ship day went pretty smoothly this year.
Tuesday, as in the next day, we preg checked all the ladies. If you don't know that process let me explain. We have the vet come out, God bless Dr. Tim's soul, and he does the dirty work, and I do mean dirty. He puts a long glove on and inserts his arm up to his shoulder into each ladies backside and feels for a calf in the uterus. Since we have them in we also give them a few shots, a pour on insect repellant, and they get their teeth checked. Branden is the resident dentist and sometimes that job gets exciting. Turns out cows don't like to have their teeth checked either. We check their teeth to make sure they still have some. We don't want them to be out in the pasture and not be able to chew their food. Afterwards I fed the guys lunch and we called it day.
Well I better get going. Have a great weekend!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Hot Summer Night
It is 9:54 pm and currently it is still 78 degrees outside. That is pretty warm. Not ideal sleeping weather but we are adapting. I am so glad that it is Friday, it has been a real busy week at work and I am happy to put it in the record books.
Tonight I was looking up at that stars which even though I have lived here for over two years now I am still awe struck by the display of stars that mother nature puts on for us each and every night. If you are lucky enough to live somewhere that gives you the show do you ever wonder who is looking up at the same star you are at the same time? I have two step sisters (although they are step generally I don't call them that to me they are my sisters) anyways they live in New York. I think, I wonder if Meghan or Maria are looking up at the stars right now and we are checking out the same one? My brother in North Dakota, same thing, he works a lot so he probably doesn't stay awake late enough to see that many stars, but you get the point. Next time you get a chance to check out the show just think of all the people that could be doing the same thing, it kind of makes the distance between all of us not seem so far.
Enough rambling about star gazing. We have a new sheriff in this cow town. I am talking about the billy goat that Branden traded his buddy for. We needed a little fresh blood in our herd and his buddy was looking for the same. They did a little horse trading...err I mean goat trading and shabam a new sheriff. I was up to feed them some veggie scraps last night and he is taking his new job very seriously we should have a new batch of kids this spring.
I better go get my dogs they are outside barking at things in the dark. Sometimes I think they just bark to hear themselves barking but they are on watch duty and they too take their job very seriously. See below for an illustration of the watch duty skills.
Good night!
Tonight I was looking up at that stars which even though I have lived here for over two years now I am still awe struck by the display of stars that mother nature puts on for us each and every night. If you are lucky enough to live somewhere that gives you the show do you ever wonder who is looking up at the same star you are at the same time? I have two step sisters (although they are step generally I don't call them that to me they are my sisters) anyways they live in New York. I think, I wonder if Meghan or Maria are looking up at the stars right now and we are checking out the same one? My brother in North Dakota, same thing, he works a lot so he probably doesn't stay awake late enough to see that many stars, but you get the point. Next time you get a chance to check out the show just think of all the people that could be doing the same thing, it kind of makes the distance between all of us not seem so far.
Enough rambling about star gazing. We have a new sheriff in this cow town. I am talking about the billy goat that Branden traded his buddy for. We needed a little fresh blood in our herd and his buddy was looking for the same. They did a little horse trading...err I mean goat trading and shabam a new sheriff. I was up to feed them some veggie scraps last night and he is taking his new job very seriously we should have a new batch of kids this spring.
I better go get my dogs they are outside barking at things in the dark. Sometimes I think they just bark to hear themselves barking but they are on watch duty and they too take their job very seriously. See below for an illustration of the watch duty skills.
Good night!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Harvest Time
It is harvest time all around us!! The wheat farmers have an awesome crop this year, for the most part, and I am so happy for them to finally get in the field and start cutting. Branden has been helping our neighbors harvest when he can. It is kind of fun to go along and see what happens when it is our neighbors go time. At one point we had a lot of neighbors harvesting ground that borders ours, with the good grass and the heat that we have had it wouldn't take much to start a fire. We have been on full time fire duty.
Here at the ranch the guys have been busy watering cows and picking rocks. We are going to plant triticale on about 20 acres or so and they are working on getting the rocks off the ground they are planning on seeding. They are doing this both by backhoe and by hand. It has been pretty hot here the last few weeks I feel sorry for them doing that labor when it is so hot but I guess that is just part of the job! I hope they finish that project soon.
Not much else from here, I spent the evening weeding my garden. I have got both peppers and tomatoes coming on and I am starting to get excited for them to get ripe. I think if the weather holds on long enough I might just get some watermelons too!
Until we meet again!!
Here at the ranch the guys have been busy watering cows and picking rocks. We are going to plant triticale on about 20 acres or so and they are working on getting the rocks off the ground they are planning on seeding. They are doing this both by backhoe and by hand. It has been pretty hot here the last few weeks I feel sorry for them doing that labor when it is so hot but I guess that is just part of the job! I hope they finish that project soon.
Not much else from here, I spent the evening weeding my garden. I have got both peppers and tomatoes coming on and I am starting to get excited for them to get ripe. I think if the weather holds on long enough I might just get some watermelons too!
Until we meet again!!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Having ourselves a little dust storm
It's windy today. Which in Adams county is normal, if there is no wind here that means something is wrong or is about to be wrong. But this afternoon it is really windy! My weather station says that the 10 minute average windspeed is 15 but I have seen gusts of up to 30. Since it has been hot and dry here the last few days that means with the wind comes the dust. With the dust comes my allergies! Yuck! I am cooking dinner on the BBQ tonight hopefully I don't get blown away!
I hope all of you had a great fourth of July weekend! We did, we went to Seattle and caught two Mariner's games. They won one and lost one. We got to visit with good friends and the house, the dogs, the goats, and the cows were still here when we got home.
I took a vacation day on Tuesday. We had a calf that had pneumonia so I ran to town for some medicine from the vet. I brought the medicine back and the guys gave the calf a shot. We ended up loosing the calf which is a real bummer. It is hard when you do all you can to make them better and it still isn't enough. Other than the sick calf the rest of herd is doing great. We have good grass and the ladies are fat and sassy!
Well I better get to getting. Branden and I are celebrating our 4th anniversary today and I have some steaks to cook. Have a great evening!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Someone get this girl a drink....a stiff one
Hello from the Figure 50!
The guys are busy right now making hay while the sun is shining....or even when the sun isn't shining. They have a little bit left to bale I believe and then should be done with the first cutting. Still having to haul water to the cows. We have had some hot days this week and when the weather is warm the ladies love a drink...and a stiff one of pure H20 at that!!!
I am sitting at my desk watching Baxter lick the wall. I have asked him several times not to lick the wall but it must taste like chicken jerky or something because he is not listening. Note to self: wash the walls in the office or better yet figure out some sort of contraption to attach to Baxter's tongue and let him lick away. Strange dog he is. He might be strange but he is intelligent. Branden and I went to the boat races last weekend and Baxter escaped from being locked in the kennel. 3 dogs in the kennel, Baxter on the outside. It rained all day so it was a muddy mess out. We got home and it was late so straight to bed we go. The next morning I get up and walk to the family room to find the screen that when we left was covering the open window on the floor. I walk around the couch and see muddy paw prints all over the arm of the couch and a perfect Baxter size mud print on the blanket I use on the couch. He had pushed the screen out of the window and had jumped through the window onto the couch. From the evidence he left it appeared that he had entered and exited several times making himself right at home on the couch when there wasn't something more exciting going on outside. Luckily for me and even more lucky for Baxter I have not found any animals that do not belong in the house inside yet.
I have a big deadline at work coming up on June 30th and am hoping to be able to catch my breath once that is over.
I better get my wall licker to bed before I don't have any paint left! Happy trails to you until we meet again!
The guys are busy right now making hay while the sun is shining....or even when the sun isn't shining. They have a little bit left to bale I believe and then should be done with the first cutting. Still having to haul water to the cows. We have had some hot days this week and when the weather is warm the ladies love a drink...and a stiff one of pure H20 at that!!!
I am sitting at my desk watching Baxter lick the wall. I have asked him several times not to lick the wall but it must taste like chicken jerky or something because he is not listening. Note to self: wash the walls in the office or better yet figure out some sort of contraption to attach to Baxter's tongue and let him lick away. Strange dog he is. He might be strange but he is intelligent. Branden and I went to the boat races last weekend and Baxter escaped from being locked in the kennel. 3 dogs in the kennel, Baxter on the outside. It rained all day so it was a muddy mess out. We got home and it was late so straight to bed we go. The next morning I get up and walk to the family room to find the screen that when we left was covering the open window on the floor. I walk around the couch and see muddy paw prints all over the arm of the couch and a perfect Baxter size mud print on the blanket I use on the couch. He had pushed the screen out of the window and had jumped through the window onto the couch. From the evidence he left it appeared that he had entered and exited several times making himself right at home on the couch when there wasn't something more exciting going on outside. Luckily for me and even more lucky for Baxter I have not found any animals that do not belong in the house inside yet.
I have a big deadline at work coming up on June 30th and am hoping to be able to catch my breath once that is over.
I better get my wall licker to bed before I don't have any paint left! Happy trails to you until we meet again!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Yay for a whole day at home!!
It's Sunday, and although I love Sundays there is something bittersweet about them. The next day is Monday and Mondays and I aren't really on speaking terms these days. It just so happens that this Sunday I spent all day at home and got some stuff done.
At 8:55pm I got in from planting my garden. Yes folks I got it done without having any tomatoes harvested in my kitchen!! This year we have heirloom tomatoes. grape tomatoes, cucumbers, sugar baby watermelons, and multi-color peppers. At least that is what I planted and we will pray that we get to harvest all of that. I am hoping that we have a real good crop since last year I summer fallowed my garden :)
We had steaks for dinner. We haven't had steak in a long time and man was it good. Nothing like eating a big ol' chunk of meat! I also baked a blueberry kuchen today. First attempt and it just so happens that I am enjoying a piece of it right now. Branden is always saying how he likes it so I gave it a whirl.
Branden checked water today and mowed the lawn. The ladies are in a pasture right now that does not have a well so the guys have to haul all the water to them. When it is really hot they go through a lot of water. He didn't take the tanker out to the field so they must not have been that thirsty today. After Branden mowed the lawn I started some sprinklers for the first time this year!!! So goes the rest of my summer, moving water.
We went to the world famous Lind Combine Derby yesterday. If you have never been my friends you need to get there immediately....ok maybe next year since that is when it happens again. If you want some good old fashion fun you need to be there. You will find me there next year same place I always am. We hung out with good friends and had a blast. I had a little too much fun on Friday night so I wasn't as much fun on Saturday, better planning next year. But wait I think I said that last year. Anyways I better see all of you there next year.
I am going to sign off for the night my monsters are at the door and would like to come in for the night. Have a good one!!!
At 8:55pm I got in from planting my garden. Yes folks I got it done without having any tomatoes harvested in my kitchen!! This year we have heirloom tomatoes. grape tomatoes, cucumbers, sugar baby watermelons, and multi-color peppers. At least that is what I planted and we will pray that we get to harvest all of that. I am hoping that we have a real good crop since last year I summer fallowed my garden :)
We had steaks for dinner. We haven't had steak in a long time and man was it good. Nothing like eating a big ol' chunk of meat! I also baked a blueberry kuchen today. First attempt and it just so happens that I am enjoying a piece of it right now. Branden is always saying how he likes it so I gave it a whirl.
Branden checked water today and mowed the lawn. The ladies are in a pasture right now that does not have a well so the guys have to haul all the water to them. When it is really hot they go through a lot of water. He didn't take the tanker out to the field so they must not have been that thirsty today. After Branden mowed the lawn I started some sprinklers for the first time this year!!! So goes the rest of my summer, moving water.
We went to the world famous Lind Combine Derby yesterday. If you have never been my friends you need to get there immediately....ok maybe next year since that is when it happens again. If you want some good old fashion fun you need to be there. You will find me there next year same place I always am. We hung out with good friends and had a blast. I had a little too much fun on Friday night so I wasn't as much fun on Saturday, better planning next year. But wait I think I said that last year. Anyways I better see all of you there next year.
I am going to sign off for the night my monsters are at the door and would like to come in for the night. Have a good one!!!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Thursday
So, it has been a few too many weeks since I have blogged. Thanks Hannah for the reminder!! Once the weather got a little nicer it was harder and harder to sit in front of the computer. Lame excuse I know but it's my excuse.
We finished calving!!! On the 14th of May!! It seems like we were calving forever. We should of had some sort party! The bulls are in now hopefully working really hard to do their job. We have one bull in the meadow right now with an injured penis. He will be going to the sale ring soon. He had the same problem last year and since he needs that particular organ to do his job it is time for him to find somewhere else to live.
We have had a really cool wet spring. The pasture grass looks great! Hopefully it doesn't get really hot really fast and bake it. The calves seem to be benefitting from the good grass too they are huge!
Last weekend our friend Ryan came over and helped us trim the hooves on the goats. That was a real learning experience! Goat toe jam really stinks!! Although the goats didn't like it at the time they seem to be happier now.
Well that is what we have been up to in a nutshell. I am hoping to get my garden planted this weekend but it's supposed to freeze tonight. If I don't get my plants in the ground soon I am going to have tomatoes in my kitchen!!!
We finished calving!!! On the 14th of May!! It seems like we were calving forever. We should of had some sort party! The bulls are in now hopefully working really hard to do their job. We have one bull in the meadow right now with an injured penis. He will be going to the sale ring soon. He had the same problem last year and since he needs that particular organ to do his job it is time for him to find somewhere else to live.
We have had a really cool wet spring. The pasture grass looks great! Hopefully it doesn't get really hot really fast and bake it. The calves seem to be benefitting from the good grass too they are huge!
Last weekend our friend Ryan came over and helped us trim the hooves on the goats. That was a real learning experience! Goat toe jam really stinks!! Although the goats didn't like it at the time they seem to be happier now.
Well that is what we have been up to in a nutshell. I am hoping to get my garden planted this weekend but it's supposed to freeze tonight. If I don't get my plants in the ground soon I am going to have tomatoes in my kitchen!!!
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