Hello Everyone!  I just want to give an update.  I am still blogging.  I have not completely dropped off the face of the blogging world.  I have set up a new site here.  I would love for you to follow me there.  If you are new to finding me, I would love for you to catch a glimpse into my life by reading my old posts on this site, then jump on over to here and see whats happening today.  And thanks for being a part of Livin' the Life....the Farm Life that is......

 

Being Sick vs Being Brave

Being sick is never fun. Especially if you are the boss. Lucky for me, I am not the boss. When I'm sick, depending on the time of year, and depending on how sick I am, usually, I am fortunate enough to not have to work. My Farmer handles everything just fine without me. Not sure if that's a good thing or bad. Kind of means he really doesn't need me. But yet I know different. Haha.
So yes, a few days ago, I got the day off. I spent half the day in bed and half the day on the couch, with a little running to the "throne" in between. So much fun. But hey, I got out of farm work, house work, and cooking. So it's classified as a day off. Now my Farmer has it. Since he took care of me and did all the chores himself when I was sick, I am trying to do the same for him. I start out by saying.... no worries, I got this handled. However, as the day goes on, I know the truth......I really  DON'T have this!  I depend on HIM! His job his hard!  Mine is easy. I just follow him around and help if and when needed. I don't like being in charge and doing it all. Luckily he filled the feeders for the steers and heifers yesterday, so that doesn't need done. The wagon's even already loaded with tonights hay for the cows so I'm also happy about that. Its almost like he knew he would be taking the day off. Uhmmmm.
The reason I am blogging right now, is I am trying to get my courage up to go out and doctor two new babies that were born this morning. New mommas scare me, as I have stated numerous times. I was successful at getting the new calf that we put in the corral last night to drink a bottle. Just because I was able to get momma into a different part of the corral and lock her away from the baby. Then I'm brave. There's a gate between us. Yet when it comes to doctoring a baby out in the open field, where the momma literally sniffs or blows snot on your back or in your face, as you are sitting on her baby giving him his shots and putting a tag his ear, I am NOT brave. My job usually is to sit back and laughs and take the pictures as they do this to my Farmer. He just ignores them or swats them away. This is what a brave person does. Again, not me. Well, I suppose I have wasted enough time.  My Farmer is still to sick to move and no one else has appeared out of the blue to go take care of the new calves, so I best get on my brave act and go try. There's a really good chance that momma is gonna be really nice and let me take care of the baby with no issues. More then likely, that's how it will be. However, there are those few mommas who are snotty. If she's one of them, then her baby will just have to wait for their Farmer to do it.  And if he gets sick because she didn't let me give him his vaccinations, then thats her fault not mine.  Cuz I am NOT as BRAVE. But maybe some day. Everyday I do get braver, just a little bit. Cuz that's what happens when you are Livin' the Life, the Farm Life that is.....

A Picture Post

Last week I decided it was time to get active blogging again (which if you look back at my past blogs,  I make this plan alot)(and fail at it).  The goal I set for myself is a new post once a week.  Well here it is the end of the week and I still have no new blog.  I have one started but it still needs tweaked.  So instead of stressing over not finding the time to get it finished, and staying true to my goal, I've decided to just post a blog of pictures.

I'm happy with that. Simple. Done.  Until next week. 😊

Why Oh Why do we Farm???

This spring has been a long one.  Lots of really yucky weather seems to make one rather "grouchy", especially when you are working out in it.  I was pretty negative in my last writing, which I apologize for, as that is not my intention with my blog.  However, maybe it's good to let you know that I do have bad days.  Days I wonder what I am doing here.  Those miserable days seem to make a person wonder why we do what we do.  The thoughts in my head seem to shout... "I'm sure there are easier jobs out there!....Like inside a building!"
As I was out checking cows again the other day, I once again asked myself why. It had been raining and snowing that morning, again.  It was windy and cold, and my thoughts were heading in that direction.....Why do we farm!?!? It's for sure not for the money! And it is not because its easy!  It's definitely not the glamour job that some people think it is.
I stopped on top of a hill and just sat for a moment.  Pondering this question, I looked around at my surroundings.  Suddenly, the wind became a whisper, the blue sky started to peek out from behind the clouds, the sun shined its warmth across my face and a different view formed within my mind and maybe my soul.

What does make this farming life worth it?

Sitting out in the middle of a field and soaking all in....sights, sounds, smells.

The sound of a cow mooing to her new born calf.

Watching a brand new calf attempt to stand for the first time.  And once he has his legs planted firmly underneath him, he miraculously makes the way to momma's utter for that much anticipated and nutritional first meal.

Watching the hay fields bare up, after being buried underneath layers of snow for 5 months (or is it 10 months), turn green and begin to grow.

The "I'm wakin' up" smell of the pasture grass after it is harrowed.

Watching a fox hunt, sneak up, then pounce on his unsuspected prey.

Listening to 150 black birds (yep...I counted) lined up on the power line and fence line singing joyfully as if saying "Hello Mr. Sunshine!"

Watching an eagle or hawk glide flawlessly in flight over head.

The smell of fresh turned dirt as it boils out from behind the plow.

The sweet fragrant smell of a newly cut hay field.

Watching the pride on my Farmer's face as he looks out across his field of oats that has grown chest high.

The pride we feel watching our calf crop enter into the auction ring.  Knowing that all those sleepless nights during calving season was worth it.

Realizing that someone in my Farmers family, has been in the same spot, doing the same thing, on the same land for over 100 years.

Yep, I AM.......Livin' the Life........The FARM LIFE that is!!!!
And I am truly blessed.

(However, if it frickin' snows again tomorrow.........the why will be back.  😉 )

Rain, Wind, and Snow makes life not so enjoyable

Diary of my last few days......

 Day 1          Forecast......RAIN

9:00........All is good in the cows, so I am having another cup of my morning brew and doing a bit of office work.

12:00......I have lunch ready, however my Farmer arrives and informs me he has a meeting, and no time for lunch.  That's what I get for fixing it before I see the whites of his eyes.  In the fridge it goes. Guess we have lunch for tomorrow.  With my Farmer gone, I am solo at afternoon calf watching duty. (that's ok....he was solo all morning)

 12:30......It is pouring down rain, so I decide to wait a bit to see if it lets up.

1:00........Still pouring.

1:30.......Decide I have to buck up and go check the cows.  Dang.

1:45.......Found 4 new babies, 3 had eaten, 1 just getting up, and 1 cow that was starting to calve.  

2:30.......Decide to go visit my mother-in-law for a bit to get out of the rain.

3:00......Time to check on things again.  As I get on my ATV, I think to myself, (well I may have said it out loud, with a few more added words) Dummy,  you should have parked in the garage!  As I am now sitting on a very wet seat. Dang it!  New baby has eaten. Yay!  Cow that was calving has feet sticking out.  Good, I think.  Best drive up close and make sure they are pointing in the right direction.  As I approach the cow,  my first thought is oh my.  On my 5th or 6th drive by, I finally admit that the feet are pointed wrong....this baby is coming backwards.  It will not be born alive without help.  I make a frantic call to my Farmer.  "Where are you?"  He is 30 minutes away.  Dang it again!  I tell him to drive fast.  I get the calf puller and open the necessary gates that I can so everything's ready when my Farmer arrives. By the time my Farmer arrives to my aide, (which seems like hours!) he proceeds past me to open the only gate I have not opened, because ALL the other cows are standing in front of it, and he yells to me to "bring her".  Bring her?!?!?!  Are you kidding me?  By myself???   Ok....I have bonded with her for the last 2+ hours...I can do this.  And guess what?  I did!!  WooHOO!!  Yay for me!!  In the pen she goes, and my Farmer hooks up the calf puller and out comes the calf......ALIVE!   Thanks to me. 😊 I know, my Farmer pulled him, but I caught that there was trouble, which sometimes is the key.   By now it is time to feed, and doctor all the other new calves.

7:00.......Finally to the house for a bite to eat, and warm up.  Oh, by the way.....did I mention it was raining!!  And had been the whole time!  I was wet, wet, wet.  My Farmer asks me how long it had been raining.  SINCE HE LEFT!!!!  

8:00........Back out to check on things.  Our backwards calf has eaten and is doing great! They are both let back out into the pasture.

9:00.......Back home and my Farmer heads to bed.

10:30......I go back out just to check and make sure all is good.  All is good so I too call it a night.

Day 2             Forecast.......WIND

9:00....... I feel like being nice so I fix my Farmer breakfast. (He was out for early check)

10:00......The wind is blowing really hard, and I do not want to go out, but my Farmer needs my help. All my clothes are still wet from yesterday, so I have to find some other gear to wear.  As I am driving over to the pasture, I watch a tree fall across the county road.  Yep, my friend was right, we are having hurricane force winds.  Crap.  Today is not going to be fun.  We start moving the cows that have calved to another pasture. We are in the middle of herding, have the cows and calves almost to the gate when it starts hailing.....hard.  Dang!  We can't turn and head for shelter, we have to keep pushing the cows through the gate.  Holy moly that hail stings, especially when it is coming in sideways!  I am really starting to wonder about this life.  This is not fun.  

1:30.......Head to the house for lunch....which is fast, cuz it's yesterdays lunch!

2:30.......Back out to the cows.  The wind is still blowing really hard.  I hate the wind.  Especially when it is mixed with sleet and hail.  All day is spent in the cows.  Making sure the new babies get up and eat, then get doctored.

The wind blew one of our wheel lines almost into the road.  This is just crazy weather!  I am starting to wish I had an office job.

8:30.......Head home for dinner and call it a night.  Its warmer tonight, and all seemed quiet, so no late night check tonight.  Thank goodness!!!

Day 3               Forecast.......SNOW

8:00.......My Farmer reports we had 2 new babies over night and both are doing fine.  

9:00.......Sitting in my office, wanting to do paperwork and not work outside.

9:30.......OK, fine.  I bundle up and head out to the field.  The winds not blowing, its not raining, however snow is predicted.  And sure enough, as soon as I crawl on my ATV and head out to the pasture, the snow starts.  Really?!?!  I have had enough of this stupid weather.  And the weatherman is predicting snow for the next 5 days.  Oh ya, of course!  That's what happens during calving season.

I am sooooo not liking this life right now.

Church Services will be held in the Corral Today....

I got up this morning, and since nothing seemed to be needing my attention,  I decided I could make it to church today.   I showered, got all dressed up, (meaning makeup, jewelry,  even dress pants) and was just about ready to leave when my Farmer walks in the door and heads to get some calf supplies.  So I ask, did we have a new calf?  He states no but a cow is calving.  I ask if I need to hang around in case he needs to bring her to the corral.   He grumbles something like no, he can handle it, so I continue with my "I'm going to church" plan.  As I was headed out the door, I quickly grabbed my work boots, hat, gloves, and coveralls, just in case, and threw them in my pickup.  Off to church I continue.   As I was about to the church parking lot I decided to check in with my Farmer just to make sure all was good.  He answered his phone and says the cow still hasn't calved.  He is thinking something isn't right.  She needs brought to the corral. Ok.......I roll on past the parking lot.  On my way.  Church services for me have just been moved.  I hurry to the corral, change from my nice shoes to my boots,  put my coveralls on over my nice dress pants and shirt, pull my stocking cap on to my styled and still slightly wet hair, and am ready to help my Farmer with the cow.  Yep, that's how it seems to work around here.  What was I thinking making plans when its calving season. Silly me. Oh well, at least I did make it to church.  I just didn't stay.  We had our own private service......in the corral.  And that's Livin' the Life......the Farm Life that is.

Evening Walks with My Farmer

My Farmer and I decided to start taking a walk in the evenings after we get done with chores.  With the nights getting longer, we felt this might occupy some of the evening hours and help us get a bit of exercise .  Last night we walked out behind the barn and spooked a couple of deer that were grazing by our willow trees.  It was pretty dark, so it took a bit for me to figure out what they were, but it was kind of cool (after I got over my scared shock) watching them skimper off out across the field into the dark. Tonight we walked across the field from our feedlot to the house.  The air was very crisp and cold, yet so refreshing.  The moon is just at a sliver, and with its small slice shinning below the clouds, just on the brink of settling behind the mountain tops,  it made me feel so blessed to be experiencing that sight at that very moment.   Standing out in the middle of the field, my Farmer started reminiscing of times gone by when he was growing up here.   We stood there looking around at all of the lights from all the houses that have been built since he was a child. He recalled maybe 5 houses that could be seen back then, and maybe only one of them having a yard light.  I stood there trying to imagine it as it was when he was young.  Then imagining it as it was when his grandfather was young.  And being thankful that I am experiencing it now.  There are way more houses with their lights shining into the night these days, yet not to many to distract from the beauty of the new moon as it peeks out from behind the clouds.  What an awesome sight.  I think I could get use to this kind of exercise.  Exersice for the body and soul.   I am looking forward to tomorrow nights adventure.  I really am.....Livin the life, the farm life that is. 

A Job Needs Done and Needs Done NOW

The dreaded (especially when I am suppose to be having a "day off")  phone call from my Farmer.......
"Can you go (whatever it is he needs done) for me? I'm doing (whatever he is doing) and (whatever needs done) needs done now."  
He does usually give me a choice.  
"If you don't want to do that, you can come take over (whatever he is doing) and I'll go do (whatever he needs done)".  
Ummmm....ok.    
I'm thankful for getting a choice, but some of the time neither job is something I am completely comfortable doing.  My first reaction when I get this call is, Sure! I can do that. (yes, I have been diagnosed as a people pleaser). Then as he gives me directions, I am thinking....oh no, I don't think I can do that (yes, also diagnosed as lacking confidence).  Of course I don't say this out loud.  (I have to live up to my "front" that I can do anything).  One thing I am fortunate for, is that my Farmer is pretty good at giving me step by step instructions. (as long as he is in the right mood, otherwise instructions can be pretty brief.)  It does make me feel really good that my Farmer has enough confidence in me to ask me to do (whatever needs done), especially when I don't share his confidence.  I cant let him down (or mess up his illusion that I know what I'm doing) so I take off to do (whatever job that needs done.....now).   As I am doing the needed job, my Farmers words of instructions are running thru my head along with my words of I don't think I can do this, making it take me 10 times longer to get the job done then it should.  When I do finally complete (whatever the job is that needs done), I feel so dang GOOD about myself!  What an AWESOME feeling!  Now I DO have the confidence that I can to do anything!  Well.....until my Farmer shows up and tells me I did it wrong.  Honestly, that really doesn't happen too often.   Otherwise, as he has learned, I will not be available the next time he calls and needs that "job" done "now".  And yes, that is Living the Life.....the Farm Life that is. 

A Day of Confusion.....with Lots of Experts.

Today was a confusing day.  That's what my Farmer said when we got to the house this evening.  Let me explain.  During morning check on the cows, my Farmer found three new baby calves.  Two with their momma's and one all alone.  After looking around and not finding any cow looking for a calf, my Farmer assumed that one of the cows had had twins and she claimed one and not the other.  Not knowing which cow it belonged to, but knowing that neither cow could raise two calves anyways, he brought the lone calf to the corral figuring this one would have to be raised on a bottle. Really didn't want another bottle baby, but that's how it goes. First step was to give the calf some colostrum, which is vital to a new calf.  This is where the confusion started.  He would not eat.  Since he would not suck the bottle, my Farmer had the feeling that the calf had already eaten. (We have found that new born calves will not suck on the bottle if they have already eaten from their momma's)  At lunch we were discussing the situation and we decided it might be a good idea to check the herd again to make sure he didn't just overlook the momma.   When my Farmer got out to the herd, sure enough, he found a cow that was looking for a calf.  Yay!!  He went back and got to calf, took it out to the momma.  She sniffed it, then walked away.  Dang it!  Now my Farmer was thinking he confused the cow by taking her calf so he separated them from the rest of the herd, thinking that maybe it would help if they were by themselves.  Once in a different pasture, just the two of them, she once again sniffed it, even kind of acted interested, then walked off.  More confusion.  The pasture this cow was now in has lush green grass, which the other place did not, so all she was interested in was eating.  Now my Farmer started thinking that this cow was just starting to calve and was just looking for a calf, but had not calved.  Which sometimes they will do this.  This is where I entered the picture, adding to the confusion as best I could.  I had been fixing fence, which I was on my third day of doing all by myself, which I am not very good at, which I was getting very tired of doing, which is why I decided to quit early, knowing my Farmer needed my expertise.  Ha!  I was excited when I drove up and seen that he had found the momma!  Then he tells me he thinks its not the momma.  I say, being the expert that I am,  I think her bag has been sucked on and she doesn't look fat enough to still have a calf in her, so I think its hers.  My Farmer says, being the expert that he is, it is not hers.  However, with my little input, it makes him question himself.  Yep, that's my job.  More confusion.  We decided to run her to the corral and help her to love her calf, cuz we are all confused, remember!  Once there my Farmer wonders if we should go ahead and run her in the chute and check to see if she has a calf in her.  Wow, now that is an idea!  I second that.  That's what we do.  And guess what, we helped her find her calf.  In the birthing canal!  Yep, she was calving!   Believe me, she had not been showing any signs of being in labor, except for the looking for a calf part, (and chasing after the dog).  We went ahead and helped her calve....and life is now good for them.  She found her calf.  The other little critter, well she is my responsibility now.  And getting her to suck on a bottle....yea, I was able to do that.  You just have to have a little motherly experience and a lot of patience.  And I am an expert on that.   That's livin' the life......The Farm Life that is......

When the Pressure drops.....the Calves drop....

I believe this to be a true statement.  When the air pressure drops, we can always count on lots of babies to be born.  And the other day was no exception.  The weather here went from sunny and hot one day to cold, snowy, rainy, and windy the next.  On the sunny day we had 3 calves born, which has been about our norm.  All jumped right up and took to eating with no problems. The next day, the cold, rainy, snowy, windy day, we had 8 calves born.  And since it was cold, they are slower.  4 went to the corral and two got to spend the night in the calf house to warm up.  The others did get up and eat on their own but it took them a while to do so. (When I say it took a while I mean over two hours, because if conditions are right, a calf can be up and eating within an hour or less.)  This makes for a long day for my Farmer (well, and me of course).  My Farmer and I have a system when it comes to bringing the calf and its momma to the corral, and usually it works pretty smooth.  He puts the calf in the ATV trailer, which he built sides for,  the calf can stand up, but can't jump out, and the momma can see it and sniff it, which usually means she will follow it all the way to the corral.  Usually.  And this is a one man job.  It seems if I go out to help, the momma freaks out, thinking its a trap, and she will not follow.  So my job is to close the gate at the corral as soon as she goes through it.  Sometimes, once the cow realizes that she has been lead through the gate, she will freak out and try to turn around and run, not caring whether you have her calf or not. So shutting of the gate is a very important job (well ALL my jobs are very important, right?!? Haha).  I have to hide so she can't see me and then leap into action once she is through the gate.   The other night, as I was sitting in my hiding position, I was admiring the beauty of my surroundings.  The sky was incredible. Picture perfect.  I was suppose to be very still as not to spook the momma, but I just HAD to snap a picture!  To share it with all of you, of course.  And I did.  I was sneaky enough, momma didn't spook....Thankfully!  But don't tell my Farmer, we need him to think he had my full attention.   And he did, of course.....kind of.
Hope ya like the picture cuz .......This is...... Livin' the Life......the Farm Life that is. 

Layer on....Layer off....Strip tease Act

As many of you know,  when we are feeding cows, I usually drive the tractor and my Farmer throws off the hay.  There are a few times when I will "give him a break" and let him drive while I throw the hay off.  Tonight was one of those times.  He was already in the tractor, the sun was shinning (remember I am only a fair weather farmer),  so I thought, what the heck, he can just stay in the tractor and I'll toss the hay this time.  Now you have to realize that we are having spring in the mountains right now, which means it is cold one minute and warm the next, which means you dress in layers and it is a game of on/off all day.  Well just before we fed, it was cold, so I was layered.... winter hat, snow pants, heavy coat, snow boots....yep I was pretty much bundled up.   As we headed out to the field, the wind stopped and the sun was warm....it was just plain beautiful.  As I got about half way through the first bale, I started to get rather warm, so off went the coat.  Then the hat.  Then the snow pants. Then the vest.  Then I realized,  if anyone was watching,  it probably looked like a strip tease act!  On a hay wagon! That made me laugh.  I kind of wanted to keep stripping off layers just to see what my Farmer would do. That really made me laugh.   After all, it is all about livin the moment and keepin life exciting right?  But then that would make this blog x rated and well, we can't let that happen now can we.  Haha!  But ya know.......Thats livin the life, the farm life that is.   And I'm still lovin it.....all bundled up. 😊

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

See ya when the sun comes up.

As I am sitting here in my living room, drinking my morning brew, watching the beautiful sunrise, my mind wonders back in time.  Memories of my Farmers grandfather, and one of his many saying  "see ya when the sun comes up".  Sitting here in this house that was once his, looking out the very window he did, looking at the same view he did every morning for over 60 years...this morning I think I get it.  I always wondered why he said that instead of goodbye or see ya tomorrow.  Watching the sun rise is magical, its awe-inspiring.  The feeling of greatfulness, the feeling of thanks for life, the feeling of a new beginning, the feeling of peace....these are all the feelings that awaken in me as I sit here and watch this event. I can Imagine him thinking the same when he looked out.  Only I'm sure he wasn't sitting, still in his pj's.  Nope, he'd be standing, dressed, ready to start the day. He didn't just start his day.....he started it watching the sun rise. 

Ok....done dreaming......back to reality.  To be honest, I am not a morning person. My Farmer gets up early and has always told me that morning is the best part of the day.  I argued that night was better.  I am trying to change my ways.  But I am starting to think that I could start to like this morning thing. As long as I can sit here by the window, stay in my pajamas, drink my morning brew and not talk to anyone until I'm ready.  Yep, just maybe I can get use to it.  With that said.....See ya when the sun comes up.

  After all, tomorrow never comes, but the sun does rise.

A Hunting We Will Go.....

Hunting.  I LOVE going on our hunting trips.  This year we were gone for 8 days.  It was Awesome!!
No TV,  no internet, no cell phone, just the wonderful beauty and sound of nature.   Our hunting camp is a little different then most.  (Well, I really don't know that for sure because I haven't been in that many hunting camps, but I am guessing.)  In our camp.... they allow women, which is probably more normal now then it was 30 years ago.   Another difference is years ago, my Farmers dad always took a bottle of whiskey to be opened when someone had a successful hunt.  We take a lot of bottles of whiskey and start happy hour everyday around 5:00 (or earlier).  I think we are successful just being there..... so let's celebrate.....every day.

I think the term "Going Hunting" some times gets a bad rap.  I once overheard some women talking about hunting.  Saying its a good thing those guys can go shoot at a animal or else they would be killing people.  This really made me mad.   I look back now and wish I would have said something.  Most hunters are out there doing the basic skill.....to provide food for their family.  A very important thing.  Not everyone can hunt, it takes very unique skills.  Get up before dawn (right there I'm out),  walk around in the woods (which takes being in shape), without making any noise (which may be why my Farmer does not let me go out with him), and have patience (ummm, out there too!).  Yep, takes skill. (Yes, I stay in camp)  But what I see as the biggest thing with hunting is the camaraderie that takes place. This is the real reason for a hunting trip.  I kind of look at it this way.....say a lady needs a new pair of shoes.  She could just go buy a pair by herself and be happy.  But it would be so much more fun if she invited a few friends, took in lunch, maybe a nice glass of wine, make a whole day of it as they "hunted" for that perfect pair of shoes.  Do you see guys doing this?  No...they hunt for game and make a week of it. 

Now, back to our hunting camp.   Next to our cocktail hour, the next best thing is the food.  And dang do we eat good!  Everything is cooked over the open fire and in Dutch ovens.  This might be one reason no one in our camp is to energetic about hunting.  By the time you eat everything we cook, everyone is too full to do much hiking.  And if you kill something,  the work starts and you might miss happy hour.   Unless the animal walks thru camp.  But chances are he will escape before someone finds their gun.....and loads it. 

Ok, I really have kind of made fun of our guys at hunting camp.  They really do get out of camp and go hunting.  Now as for my Farmer, and hunting for game, I really think he hunts harder for that perfect place, with that perfect view, to sit, eat lunch, and take a nap.  And if you ask him, I am positive he will agree.  To him, that's what it's about.  Its his vacation.  Its what gets him through the long summer days, working sun up to sun down with no days off.  Looking forward to that week in the mountains, sitting around the camp fire, sharing stories of past hunting trips, reconnecting with family and friends...and with nature.....rejuvenating the soul.  Its a wonderful experience.  That, my friends, is an awesome vacation, its our hunting trip.   And its part of how we are Livin' the life....the Farm Life that is....... 

Shop Talk with Brew

I think I am really enjoying having the shop at my house.  It use to be at my in-laws house but when we put the pivot in, as those that had been following me know, we had to tear down the old shop, which actually was an old potato cellar before that.  So then my garage became the shop.....kind of.  The garage is a lot smaller so not everything out of the shop got moved here.  There is a lot of cussing sometimes when my Farmer is looking for something that use to be in the old shop.  Because now if it is not in the "new" shop, there is only like 5 other places it could be stashed.  Some times it takes all day or even months to find it.  Well, there is still one item we are still trying to find that he knows exactly where it was in the old shop and remembers taking it off the wall and moving it to a place where he could find it.  A safe place....evidently...... in a very secret place.  Haha.  It'll turn up some day.  And I know this from experience.  After we buy a new one.  HA!  So anyways, back to why I am liking it here at my house.  Even though my car has to sit outside 60 percent of the time,  the driveway is always full of equipment, and my yard under the shade tree becomes the work area, it does have its perks.  I can just step out my door (in my pajamas if i want) and visit with my Farmer when hes working, while drinking my morning brew or in the evenings having my cocktail.  That I am liking.  Yep...one more good thing about Livin' the life......the Farm life that is.

We are now Bonding in a Two Seater

I learned a long time ago that if I wanted to be with my Farmer, or rather see very much of him, I had to go where he was.  Whether it was working on equipment, irrigating, or planting or harvesting a crop, I learned to just "hang out" with him while he did whatever it was he was doing.  I turned it into "bonding" time, which is very important for a marriage.  We have spent many hours "bonding" in a tractor.  And for those of you that have ever ridin with someone in a tractor, there is not a whole lot of room.  In our younger years, it was no big deal....I just kind of sat on the edge of the seat and it was fun.  As we have gotten older, it has become a lot more "less appealing" to ride with my Farmer in the tractor.  It could be because we are both a tab bit wider, or maybe "bonding time" is not quite as important in our older years.....I think the latter.  Haha.  A couple of times I took a stool to sit on, but then it would be in the way when my Farmer had to get out of the tractor and that seemed to make the "bonding" not so good. (Anger does not help bonding time)  So the tractor "bonding" time was becoming less and less.  BUT..... Low and behold......We purchased a new tractor and guess what!  It has an extra seat!! It is so cool!!  I now have my own seat and we are back to enjoying the "bonding" tractor time.  Now our "date night" of baling hay under a full moon is way more enjoyable.
FYI....for those tractor manufacturing people.....that safety sticker that I stare at as I am riding along..... I realize that it does state that the seat is not intended for passengers, it is for training personal only.  Well, believe me, I am in training.  Always.  Cuz that's what happens when you are "Livin' the life.......the Farm Life that is".  

Crazy Crazy day when my Farmers away

Talk about a crazy day yesterday.  In the past I have tried to stay away from just jabbering about my day.  I try to focus on my Farmer and crazy stuff that happens.  But yesterday was at wow day and it just feels like I need to blog about it. 
The day started out on a complete high.  My Farmer left early in the morning, before the sun was up, so I was in charge of the chores.  And no that is not why it started out on a high....well maybe a little, but not it.  haha   I checked the heifers first, nothing going on, so I went out challenging people.  I love challenging people to join me on project 10 kids.  If you haven't been invited to join project 10.....well consider this your invite.  Check it out.  Anyways, I got 3 people to accept my challenge, so I was excited.  Next I went and picked my mom up for her doctors appointment.  No biggy, just a routine check up then we would have a nice lunch.  WRONG.  We ended up being sent over to the ER to have a whole bunch of tests run.  Our appointment was at 11 and I believe we left there around 4.  About the time the doctors were trying to decide whether to keep her or let her go, I received a text for our wonderful helper friends, who happened to drive by and check on the cows.  Crap, I had forgotten I was on cow checking duty.  Well the text said a cow was calving.  That's OK, it'll be fine. The next text said it was prolapsing.  WHAT!  Stress level just went from elevated to extreme high.  Crap, now what do I do.  My Farmer is out of town, my mom is in the ER and I need to be both places.  Our friends are very helpful so I knew they could handle anything, but she was smart enough to send  me a picture.  Love technology.  Stress level down a bit.  No calf, no prolapse.  She was able to get the cow up, and everything went back in. (if you don't know what that means, that can be another blog....hehe) Whew!  They released mom right about then, so we hurried home to check things.  First thing I notice as I come around the corner, are buzzards.  Not a good thing.  Sure sign something is dead.  The cow they had been watching was doing ok, but as I looked further out in a different part of the field,  I could see a cow, a small brown bump, a bunch of birds, and a coyote.  Crap!  So I park the car, mom says she is fine, I leave her there and I hop on the atv to go check things out......fast.  What I find is the cow had twins, one was alive the other dead.  So now I am sad.  I am in charge, and it is not fun to have an animal die on your watch.  Totally a downer.  I know I have to separate the dead animal from the alive one, so the birds and coyote will leave the alive on alone.   Totally not a fun job, but I got it done.  Then I remember mom in the car, so I drive back and check on her.  She is fine she says, doesn't want to go home yet, so I leave her and go back out to the cow and calf to make sure he gets up and eats.  Cant do either.  Very stubborn and he will not stand.  I think he had already eaten but not sure.  Back to mom, I finally take her back to my house.  Thankfully, now my Farmer is home.  We feed, he gets the calf up, and off momma and baby go.  We are still not sure if the baby had eaten, and he was shaking, so we gave him a bottle and put him in the warm calf house.  By the time I hit my pillow, I was so ready for the day to be done.  My Farmer promised me he would not leave me again until calving slows down.  Haha.....we'll see.   But you know, thats Livin' the life.....The FARM life that is..  :)    
Thank you for letting me vent to ya all..........