Lots of Snow keeps a Farmer Hoppin'.

Its been a little crazy around here lately.  We have been getting a lot of snow, which is a good thing,  it just keeps us hoppin'. Plus we have had a lot of wind and power outages.  Besides feeding our 250+ head of cattle,  we also have a snow removal business.  Our daily schedule has been get up way before dawn (which I totally do not like), blow snow for 12 hours, feed cows, eat dinner, sleep, wake-up and start over.  Thankfully we have had a little break in the weather so we could pay a little more, and much needed, attention to the cattle.  We have 100+ weined calves watering off of a well.  Which is a little worrisome when the power goes out.  Or when the power company warns you to be prepared for it being out for a couple days!  The cattle NEED water. Period.  Luckily it has came back on within 5 hours or so.  Thank goodness.   The big cows are in a field with a creek running, so we do not have to worry about their water if the power goes out.  What we do have to worry about is making sure they GO to water. Some of them can be lazy and not want to trudge thru the deep snow to the creek.  (Fyi they do eat snow and get a little water that way)  We also have to make sure they can still get to the creek and that it is not frozen over.  So thats what we did yesterday.   I snapped a picture of my Farmer shoveling the path to the creek for his cows. 

You can see how deep the snow is......level with the wagon and the belly of the bulls.  I am, of course, sitting in my warm tractor, listening to christmas music.  Hehe.  However, I was a little worried that I might get stuck down there, and I was really hoping I wouldnt drive into the creek, beings how I couldnt SEE IT!  But alls good, I didnt run into the creek, and I didnt get stuck, only almost 3 times.  I could have blown my way out with the snow blower, but that is for the last resort. Its a challenge to see how much snow I can actually drive my tractor through while pulling a wagon.  Makes me feel powerful. Hehe  (Unless I do get stuck,  then I feel pretty stupid, especially if I have to have my Farmer get it unstuck. Never a good situation.) One of the reasons for driving so close to the creek is to make a path for the cows. Also if we feed them closer to water they will more likely go to water.
Well, since today is Christmas Eve, and I am not plowing snow, I best get some packages wrapped before my Farmer calls for my help in whatever comes up.  Haha
But ya know,  thats Livin' the Life......the Farm Life that is.  I am thankful to be living in the most wonderful winter wonderland.
MERRY CHRISTMAS! ! !

Fair Weather Farmer I Am......

Soooo I have been with my Farmer on the farm for 35 years.  I've always considered myself a fair weather farmer.  Meaning....if the weather is really yucky outside I have always found a reason why I could not help that day.  You know, all of a sudden I have to vacuum, do laundry, or do book work.  Things I put off doing cuz I dont want to, unless there is something else that I don't want to do worse.  Haha.  Well....I have decided its time for me to step up to the plate and help my Farmer more....good days and bad.   Today I am really wondering if this is such a good idea.  Once again it is snow/raining, we are moving hay, working with the calves, everything outside, and I am not liking it.   I do have on my flannel lined pants (love these..and the flannel is pink and purple so they are stylin), I have my big heavy ugly boots on (so every step is a total workout), and I have my rabbit fur winter hat (which isnt quite as nifty as my Farmers coyote hat, but its more stylin).  So basicly I am totally bundled up, and can hardly move.  It is a great workout though.  Right now I am sitting in the pickup warming up.  Im really not that cold, just kind of miserable, but its my excuse. Hehe.  I am starting to remember that I have some book work that is due tomorrow.  Oh wait.  Maybe I have company coming tomorrow.  Maybe I better go clean house. I am sure there is something that needs done.
Dang,  I am just not cut out for this working come rain snow sleet or yucky weather. I need sunshine.  I just don't know how farmers do this everyday.  Thankfully our farm doesn't rely on me all the time.  I'm pretty sure we would have gone broke by now. (actually completely sure)  I have so much respect for my Farmer and his work ethic and all other farmers and ranchers for that matter.  Working in what ever the weather brings is what they do.  Come rain or shine the cows have to be feed, or sorted, or checked on.....or put back in.
NEWS FLASH...JUST IN:  Looks like the cows broke down a fence so we have to go put them back in and fix the fence.  Fun.  Ok...I will buck up and do this....at least until lunch time.  Hehe
Thats livin the life,  the farm life that is.

Giving Thanks.......

Thanksgiving. 
 As I stop and think about what I am thankful for, the one fore most thought is family.  There are many other things I am grateful for, such as my car, a house, a warm fire burning in the house, food in my cupboard, indoor plumbing, my morning brew, my evening cocktail (Pendleton Whisky to be precise), ice cubes, the breathtaking view out my window, nature, those that made our country what it is, restaurants, warm socks, television, our farm, money in the bank (not much, but there is some), and a soft comfy bed, just to name a few.  But most of all I am thankful for the love that I am surrounded by from my Friends and Family.  This is what warms my heart.
  I am thankful for all the memories I have of past Thanksgivings.  So many wonderful pictures run through my mind of times spent enjoying this special holiday.  Traveling to my aunts house to spend time with my cousins.  Sitting at the kids table listening to the adults laugh and visit about the past and future.   I remember watching and listening to my mom and her sister as they sat around the kitchen table in their bathrobes, early in the morning, drinking their coffee and reconnecting.  Such wonderful memories.
  I remember the feeling of waiting for my brother and his family, that lived far away, to arrive at our house.  So fun to have all the family together, reconnecting on different levels.  Watching the younger ones now at the kids table and my siblings and I seated at the adult table. 
  Now, we are the adults sitting at the table with our adult children, and their children at the kids table. 
  Times change.  But do they really?  The faces change, but the tradition goes on.  Family.  Gathering together.  Thankful for what we have.  Each other.  Love.  
  Some years the gathering is big, some years its small.  Even if we are not all together, we still think of each other and remember past Thanksgivings we've shared.  All those wonderful memories we have and we share, will always be with us, and will continue through to the next generation.  And the next.  For this I am thankful.

Wishing all a very Happy Thanksgiving.

A Mother's Day First

Today Is....

The first Mother's Day in all of my life

that I have not had my mother here so I could....

Say "Happy Mother's Day"

Say "I Love You"

Say "Thanks for being my Mom"

Give her a hug

Give her a card and gift.

Yet Today....

I will not cry and be sad.  Why?

Because today I am honoring my mother by....

Saying Happy Mother's Day to others

Loving Life

Giving Thanks for my family

Giving hugs to loved ones,

AND
Shopping for a gift for myself!

After all, Mom would have done it!

I miss you mom and thanks for the best gift ever......the gift of Life.

I love you.

Shirley Mae