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!!!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Another rainy day
It's Monday again. I hope that all of you had a wonderful Easter! We sure did, we had Leslie, Mark, Andrew, and Angie out for dinner. We had a great time visiting over dinner.
We are still calving, we have five stubborn ladies left to go. Hoping that they get to getting real soon. Last Friday we branded our first group of calves. The calves didn't look so big after we sorted them but once we got them in the chute it was a different story. We have some monsters! For us branding includes branding of course, vaccinating, castrating, and de-horning. It went pretty quick and afterwards I fed everyone lunch.
We have been getting what seems like steady rain but it has been pretty chilly. The grass is green but every time it starts to really get going we have a frost and it knocks it back. Hopefully the weather will start to stay above freezing every night here real soon. I have a garden to plant!
We are going to brand the second group of calves on Friday if the weather cooperates so keep your fingers crossed that the rain holds off for the day!
We are still calving, we have five stubborn ladies left to go. Hoping that they get to getting real soon. Last Friday we branded our first group of calves. The calves didn't look so big after we sorted them but once we got them in the chute it was a different story. We have some monsters! For us branding includes branding of course, vaccinating, castrating, and de-horning. It went pretty quick and afterwards I fed everyone lunch.
We have been getting what seems like steady rain but it has been pretty chilly. The grass is green but every time it starts to really get going we have a frost and it knocks it back. Hopefully the weather will start to stay above freezing every night here real soon. I have a garden to plant!
We are going to brand the second group of calves on Friday if the weather cooperates so keep your fingers crossed that the rain holds off for the day!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
What's up at the Ranch
Well it has been too long since I have posted anything so I thought I better get to it! The weather is beautiful here today 56 degrees to be exact. I spent quite a bit of time outside today working in the yard and enjoyed every second of it.
We are still calving. I know it seems like it goes on forever but we are getting closer. I think that we have 12 or 13 left to go. Not to shabby. Since the weather has been nicer the calves that are on the ground are certainly showing off their running and bucking skills. They are so much fun to watch when they race around and kick their heels out.
Branden had a birthday this week. We went into the tavern and met a bunch of friends and family for dinner and drinks, a good time was had by all. It is nice to get everyone together. I wish we did stuff like that more often!
Last weekend Branden drove to Great Falls, Montana for a bull sale. He brought home two bulls that are really nice looking. We had the vet out a couple of days later to semen test the bulls to make sure they were good to turn out with the cows when we are ready. Turns out one of the bulls has a deformity that would prevent it from breeding cows. Branden is in the process of getting the bull back to the breeder. If he can't breed we don't want him.
Well hopefully the next time I get around to posting we will be done with calving. A girl can a hope right?
We are still calving. I know it seems like it goes on forever but we are getting closer. I think that we have 12 or 13 left to go. Not to shabby. Since the weather has been nicer the calves that are on the ground are certainly showing off their running and bucking skills. They are so much fun to watch when they race around and kick their heels out.
Branden had a birthday this week. We went into the tavern and met a bunch of friends and family for dinner and drinks, a good time was had by all. It is nice to get everyone together. I wish we did stuff like that more often!
Last weekend Branden drove to Great Falls, Montana for a bull sale. He brought home two bulls that are really nice looking. We had the vet out a couple of days later to semen test the bulls to make sure they were good to turn out with the cows when we are ready. Turns out one of the bulls has a deformity that would prevent it from breeding cows. Branden is in the process of getting the bull back to the breeder. If he can't breed we don't want him.
Well hopefully the next time I get around to posting we will be done with calving. A girl can a hope right?
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Oh the weekend
It has been a great weekend but just like most weekends they never seem to be long enough. We are still calving and I talked to Brad yesterday and we are officially under 30! I think the number is 29 to be exact but at this point who is really counting besides Branden, Brad, and I!
Yesterday we had to call the vet out because we had a lady down that couldn't get up. Brad was out feeding and spotted her and called and got Dr. Tim on the way. Branden and I waited for Dr. Tim and showed him the way to the lady. When we got out to her she had gone down on a little island in the middle of a pond, figures. After taking her temperature and a quick feel of her uterus the vet had it narrowed down to two culprits, milk fever or grass tetany. Grass tetany is due to low levels of magnesium in the cow. The ladies are out chasing the green grass right now and the immature grass doesn't have all the nutrients yet that they need. It happens most often in cows that are nursing calves two months old or less. Milk fever happens when the cows calcium level is too low. It happens most often 10 or so days after the mama has had her calf. She puts all the calcium she has stored into the milk for her newborn calf and doesn't have enough for herself. Bad news both of the culprits can end in the cow dying.
Good news is both of these can be treated and that is exactly what we did. Dr. Tim took some blood so he could go back and test to see which culprit we were dealing with and we gave her two bottles of mineral solution through an IV and she was up and out of there in no time. Turns out she had milk fever, if it was grass tetany the guys would have to keep a close eye on the herd to make sure no other cows were being affected.
We are donating two of our goat kids to an FFA member in a nearby town so we sorted the two off that he is taking with their mamas so we can start the weaning process. Man those goats are stubborn and make a lot of noise when they don't want to do something! Certainly not like handling cows that is for sure.
We ended the night with dinner and game night with some of our friends. It was great so see everyone and we had lots of fun. Hope everyone else had a great weekend as well!
Yesterday we had to call the vet out because we had a lady down that couldn't get up. Brad was out feeding and spotted her and called and got Dr. Tim on the way. Branden and I waited for Dr. Tim and showed him the way to the lady. When we got out to her she had gone down on a little island in the middle of a pond, figures. After taking her temperature and a quick feel of her uterus the vet had it narrowed down to two culprits, milk fever or grass tetany. Grass tetany is due to low levels of magnesium in the cow. The ladies are out chasing the green grass right now and the immature grass doesn't have all the nutrients yet that they need. It happens most often in cows that are nursing calves two months old or less. Milk fever happens when the cows calcium level is too low. It happens most often 10 or so days after the mama has had her calf. She puts all the calcium she has stored into the milk for her newborn calf and doesn't have enough for herself. Bad news both of the culprits can end in the cow dying.
Good news is both of these can be treated and that is exactly what we did. Dr. Tim took some blood so he could go back and test to see which culprit we were dealing with and we gave her two bottles of mineral solution through an IV and she was up and out of there in no time. Turns out she had milk fever, if it was grass tetany the guys would have to keep a close eye on the herd to make sure no other cows were being affected.
We are donating two of our goat kids to an FFA member in a nearby town so we sorted the two off that he is taking with their mamas so we can start the weaning process. Man those goats are stubborn and make a lot of noise when they don't want to do something! Certainly not like handling cows that is for sure.
We ended the night with dinner and game night with some of our friends. It was great so see everyone and we had lots of fun. Hope everyone else had a great weekend as well!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Back in blogging action
Hello friends,
It has been a whole week since I have posted anything! A lot has happened in a week. Last Saturday I went home to see my grandma who has been very sick. I had to see with my own two eyes that she was still alive and kicking. She is still alive and kicking and seems to be getting better. I love you Grandma! It was great to see the rest of my family as well. I had been missing them.
We had a big deadline at work this week so I was feeling the squeeze from that. Made it through in one piece and am still alive to tell about it. I always consider it good when you meet a deadline and the day after the deadline you go back to work!
Life on the ranch has been steady. It seems that the guys have been having 3 or 4 calves a day on a regular basis. I don't know the official count but if I had to guess I would say that we have right around 40 or a few less to go. Yay! We have had a bottle calf now for about three and a half weeks. Bottle calves are fun for about the first few days and then it gets to be a chore to feed them and pretty expensive as well. We haven't lost any calves so we didn't have a mom for our little orphan. Last night we were over at our friends house and just that day they had a cow that had lost a set of twins. Little orphan Annie might have just found a home! Andrew brought his mama over and the babe and the mama are in the barn now working on getting acquainted. Once a calf is used to being fed by a bottle sometimes it is hard for them to go back to the teat. Hopefully the lady will take our orphan and everyone will be happy.
I am not going to say it too loud but I think that spring might be officially on it's way. Branden brought me some buttercups the other night that he had picked out in the pasture. I took the dogs for a walk this afternoon and saw a whole bunch more. I love spring time on the ranch everything is so green!
Well I better sign off for the night I am headed tomorrow into town to do some grocery shopping. It could be a long day!
It has been a whole week since I have posted anything! A lot has happened in a week. Last Saturday I went home to see my grandma who has been very sick. I had to see with my own two eyes that she was still alive and kicking. She is still alive and kicking and seems to be getting better. I love you Grandma! It was great to see the rest of my family as well. I had been missing them.
We had a big deadline at work this week so I was feeling the squeeze from that. Made it through in one piece and am still alive to tell about it. I always consider it good when you meet a deadline and the day after the deadline you go back to work!
Life on the ranch has been steady. It seems that the guys have been having 3 or 4 calves a day on a regular basis. I don't know the official count but if I had to guess I would say that we have right around 40 or a few less to go. Yay! We have had a bottle calf now for about three and a half weeks. Bottle calves are fun for about the first few days and then it gets to be a chore to feed them and pretty expensive as well. We haven't lost any calves so we didn't have a mom for our little orphan. Last night we were over at our friends house and just that day they had a cow that had lost a set of twins. Little orphan Annie might have just found a home! Andrew brought his mama over and the babe and the mama are in the barn now working on getting acquainted. Once a calf is used to being fed by a bottle sometimes it is hard for them to go back to the teat. Hopefully the lady will take our orphan and everyone will be happy.
I am not going to say it too loud but I think that spring might be officially on it's way. Branden brought me some buttercups the other night that he had picked out in the pasture. I took the dogs for a walk this afternoon and saw a whole bunch more. I love spring time on the ranch everything is so green!
Well I better sign off for the night I am headed tomorrow into town to do some grocery shopping. It could be a long day!
Friday, March 11, 2011
TGIF
This guy looks like he is ready for Friday doesn't he? I can say little guy the feeling is mutual.
Not a whole lot to report from the 50 this evening. Calves are still hitting the ground which is a good thing. If I had to guess I would say that we have about 65 left to go. Not the same pace that we had last week but better than a stick in the eye!
It sounds like we are going to go into town tonight to the crab feed that they have at the Gun Club for a few hours in between checks. Should be a good time. Hope everyone has a great Friday evening!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Wonder
I was just outside and it is a very clear night out there. The thermometer shows 33 so it's not freezing out but not real warm. I looked up at the sky and could see all the stars. When I say all it seems there isn't a star out there I couldn't see (I know that there is but you get what I am saying). If you have never been in the country away from the city lights you have never really seen the stars. Sometimes I wonder if those city slickers know what they are missing!! There is something about looking up at the huge dark sky and seeing all the bright stars that is very humbling.
Branden says the last time he knew we had 85 ladies left to go. That child's play right? The guys could do that in a week :) The weather is supposed to be unsettled this week which is a pretty good indicator they could be busy. Seems like those ladies like to have their babies when it is freezing cold outside and especially in the middle of any kind of snowstorm. I will keep you posted!
Well I am going to take my cold medicine and hit the hay!! I have a cold I have been fighting since this weekend, no fun! Good night everyone!
Branden says the last time he knew we had 85 ladies left to go. That child's play right? The guys could do that in a week :) The weather is supposed to be unsettled this week which is a pretty good indicator they could be busy. Seems like those ladies like to have their babies when it is freezing cold outside and especially in the middle of any kind of snowstorm. I will keep you posted!
Well I am going to take my cold medicine and hit the hay!! I have a cold I have been fighting since this weekend, no fun! Good night everyone!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
A week in the life
It has been a real busy week here at the ranch, Branden figures that we have had 70-80 calves this week!!! That is a lot of babies!! This means that we are over half way through with the calving for the year, even better news!!! The guys have been working real hard and it is showing. We have nice healthy calves so far. The weather has been fairly decent this week and when you are as busy as they have been that helps.
I tried to spend as much time outside today as I could since it was so beautiful out. I did have inside chores to do so I would have liked to spend more but I will take what I can get. Last weekend I got no laundry done since there was a part out on our pressure tank for the well that was broken! That has meant catching up on a lot of laundry this weekend. I am getting the itch to do spring cleaning already and got some accomplished this afternoon. Feels good to start spring cleaning.
I am going to sign off for the night. I have my second pan of cookies in the oven and am planning on getting some good TV time in when I am finished. I tried last night but fell asleep before I got that accomplished. Have a great evening!!
I tried to spend as much time outside today as I could since it was so beautiful out. I did have inside chores to do so I would have liked to spend more but I will take what I can get. Last weekend I got no laundry done since there was a part out on our pressure tank for the well that was broken! That has meant catching up on a lot of laundry this weekend. I am getting the itch to do spring cleaning already and got some accomplished this afternoon. Feels good to start spring cleaning.
I am going to sign off for the night. I have my second pan of cookies in the oven and am planning on getting some good TV time in when I am finished. I tried last night but fell asleep before I got that accomplished. Have a great evening!!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Lessons learned from LuLu
People of the blog world meet LuLu, she was my father-in-law's dog. She is purebred English Bulldog, and she lives in our basement. She is a very peculiar dog and after knowing her like I do I think I could learn a thing or two from ol' Lu.
Lesson 1: There is such a thing as a face only a mother could love I mean look at her.
Lesson 2: Basking in the sun and taking in the rays is worth it every chance you get.
Lesson 3: Although being stubborn doesn't always get you what you want the majority of the time it works. Lu lives in her own little happy bulldog world totally unaware of what is going on around her. I imagine it with large lounge chairs with little white bichons coming by with bits of steak, chicken jerky, and other bulldog treats and not one single human to tell her what to do and when.
Lesson 4: Looks aren't everything, you can certainly make up for it in the personality department. Lu is my little diva dog, if Mama ain't happy ain't nobody happy!
Lesson 5: No matter what you look like, smell like, sound like, eat like, or act like there is always someone out there that will love you.
Lu lives in the basement and when she is sleeping it sounds like there is a grizzly bear hibernating down there. If she has gotten into something that is not agreeing with her she will clear a room. Her nickname is pig pen because she is happiest when she is filthy dirty. She drools on anyone and everything. Stubborn is an understatement and doesn't even begin to describe her attitude problem but heck deep down I love the girl!
So far not a real busy night at the ranch. On my way in the driveway tonight I saw two brand new calves and few that had already gotten up and sucked for the first time. I haven't got the total calf count for the day, Branden has been napping in his recliner. Well I better get going the diva is calling, she needs to go outside!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Monday Monday
Well made it through another Monday, always something to be thankful for in my book. Had a long day at work today but it was productive. My brain was full when I got off today so I was glad when I got home there wasn't anything I absolutely had to do. Especially anything that really involved thinking because I used all of those up at work today.
Yesterday we had my mother-in-law out to the house for dinner. It would have been my father-in-law's birthday if he was still was with us. In my eyes not a day to be sad but a day to be together and celebrate what a special guy he was, and let me tell you he was a really special guy!! Not a day goes by that I don't think of the guy and his infectious smile and love that seemed to radiate off of him always. Once you met him you were a friend for life. They just don't make guys like him everyday and I am blessed to have known him the way that I did. I made a pot roast and some cupcakes and my mother-in-law brought the frosting for the cupcakes, german chocolate, one of his favorites. Our friends Steven and Casey were here and stayed for a game and dinner as well, always good to see our friends they are great company!
Just got back from a check with Branden and it looks like so far we have had 7 calves today as far as I could tell. It's a bit breezy here at the 50 this evening but holding steady at 33 degrees. I think that my pups have finally worn themselves out for the night and have retired to the family room with Branden to watch some TV.
Signing off for the night!
Yesterday we had my mother-in-law out to the house for dinner. It would have been my father-in-law's birthday if he was still was with us. In my eyes not a day to be sad but a day to be together and celebrate what a special guy he was, and let me tell you he was a really special guy!! Not a day goes by that I don't think of the guy and his infectious smile and love that seemed to radiate off of him always. Once you met him you were a friend for life. They just don't make guys like him everyday and I am blessed to have known him the way that I did. I made a pot roast and some cupcakes and my mother-in-law brought the frosting for the cupcakes, german chocolate, one of his favorites. Our friends Steven and Casey were here and stayed for a game and dinner as well, always good to see our friends they are great company!
Just got back from a check with Branden and it looks like so far we have had 7 calves today as far as I could tell. It's a bit breezy here at the 50 this evening but holding steady at 33 degrees. I think that my pups have finally worn themselves out for the night and have retired to the family room with Branden to watch some TV.
Signing off for the night!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
A busy day
Well folks its been a long busy day. I ended up staying out helping Branden until about 12:45 with the calves. It took us forever to get this lady in!!!! We wanted her in the barn and she had different plans for the evening (you will notice that most of the time I call our cows ladies or mama). It got bitterly cold last night but we didn't end up losing anything because it was too cold!!! Great news in my book. Not so great news I was really looking forward to getting to sleep in but Moose and Baxter were raring to go a little earlier than I was hoping for.
We have had 12 calves already today and Branden is out now because he has four more that are giving birth as we speak. This morning I watched a heifer work on getting her calf out. She pushed and pushed and got it out finally. There was another lady in the pen with her going through labor at the same time, that cow got her calf out and both the cow and the heifer thought the same calf was theirs. This is not uncommon especially with heifers but can be dangerous for the calf that is not being claimed. I watched them for about an hour and forty-five minutes fight over the same calf before I got Branden out of bed to help. By the time he got dressed and got out Brad had finished what he was working on and was getting the calf into the barn. If you can lock the cow and the right calf in a small pen there is no other calf for the cow to claim so most of the time she will accept her own calf.
Our good friends little boy turned four years old today so we made the trip to town for his birthday party. Carson got everything that he had been dreaming about getting (those were his own words). He was anxious for us to sing him the happy birthday song so we could eat cake. In true Carson fashion he ate the frosting off his cake!
After the party we were off to Moses Lake! Last night Branden's spotlight went caputz and when you are checking the ladies at night a spotlight is a necessity. I needed to do some grocery shopping as well so we got groceries, Chico's Pizza, and a spotlight and headed home.
Well I better get going I am working on defrosting some milk for something Branden has in the barn. Happy trails!!
We have had 12 calves already today and Branden is out now because he has four more that are giving birth as we speak. This morning I watched a heifer work on getting her calf out. She pushed and pushed and got it out finally. There was another lady in the pen with her going through labor at the same time, that cow got her calf out and both the cow and the heifer thought the same calf was theirs. This is not uncommon especially with heifers but can be dangerous for the calf that is not being claimed. I watched them for about an hour and forty-five minutes fight over the same calf before I got Branden out of bed to help. By the time he got dressed and got out Brad had finished what he was working on and was getting the calf into the barn. If you can lock the cow and the right calf in a small pen there is no other calf for the cow to claim so most of the time she will accept her own calf.
Our good friends little boy turned four years old today so we made the trip to town for his birthday party. Carson got everything that he had been dreaming about getting (those were his own words). He was anxious for us to sing him the happy birthday song so we could eat cake. In true Carson fashion he ate the frosting off his cake!
After the party we were off to Moses Lake! Last night Branden's spotlight went caputz and when you are checking the ladies at night a spotlight is a necessity. I needed to do some grocery shopping as well so we got groceries, Chico's Pizza, and a spotlight and headed home.
Well I better get going I am working on defrosting some milk for something Branden has in the barn. Happy trails!!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Another one
It is 11:25pm and I am headed out to help Branden. He has all sorts of stuff going on and needs help. It is 5 degrees outside and dropping, wish us luck!!!
Late night....
So there I was snuggling with Moose watching one of our favorite shows Grey's Anatomy (not getting my chores done), Branden comes in and says I need your help, dress warm it's gonna be at least an hour. He has two calves on the ground and another on the way. Off we go, get both calves safely in the barn, cows milked out, and the calves tubed. The first bit of milk they get from Mom is the most important, so the guys, if the calf doesn't get up and suck soon after it's born or if they bring a pair into the barn they always tube the calf to make sure the calf gets that first feeding. Plus when it's this cold out that warm milk in their stomach really makes a difference.
The cow that had one on the way had been working at giving birth for awhile so Branden decided he would go get her, bring her in the barn and help her out. Let me tell you that lady wasn't having it. After a romp through the pasture, trying to flip Branden off his 4 wheeler, and one fence later she still wasn't having it. Branden brought me back to the house and called Brad for assistance. Annoyed but not defeated!
My night in a nut shell. I get to go to bed and Branden gets to keep at it. Life at the Figure 50!
The cow that had one on the way had been working at giving birth for awhile so Branden decided he would go get her, bring her in the barn and help her out. Let me tell you that lady wasn't having it. After a romp through the pasture, trying to flip Branden off his 4 wheeler, and one fence later she still wasn't having it. Branden brought me back to the house and called Brad for assistance. Annoyed but not defeated!
My night in a nut shell. I get to go to bed and Branden gets to keep at it. Life at the Figure 50!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
BRRRR!!!
I'm sitting in my office chair where it's nice and warm writing this while outside it is 13 degrees with an average wind speed of 15. Needless to say it's really really cold outside! We are right in the thick of it with calving and when it is this cold outside the guys have to bring everything into the barn so it doesn't freeze. It doesn't take too long for the little suckers to freeze to the ground and loose ear and tails. Hopefully it doesn't take too long for this cold snap to break.
If our two pups want to live they want the cold snap to break too because them being stuck in the house is driving me crazy! Moose is a 4 month old black lab and Baxter is 4 1/2 month old Hanging Tree, three words LOTS OF ENERGY!
Calf count around 48
Kid count 12
Signing off for the night have some laundry to catch up on and the constant battle in my life dishes!
If our two pups want to live they want the cold snap to break too because them being stuck in the house is driving me crazy! Moose is a 4 month old black lab and Baxter is 4 1/2 month old Hanging Tree, three words LOTS OF ENERGY!
Calf count around 48
Kid count 12
Signing off for the night have some laundry to catch up on and the constant battle in my life dishes!
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