Tonight was my first night on night watch for this calving season. I always take the midnight check. My Farmer offers to let me have the 3 a.m. check. Really!?!? Crawling out of a nice warm bed at 3:00 in the morning, to go ride through the cows, on a 4-wheeler, with the temperature usually being less then 20 degrees, I have a slight problem with. Now the midnight check I can do, because its easier for me to stay up late, which is something my Farmer can't do. Now if I do happen to fall asleep before the clock strikes 12, I do seem to have issues. (like not getting up and going) (whoops). The hardest part for me is leaving the nice warm house and stepping out into the cold dark night. And the 1/2 mile ride over to the cows is a little chilly does not help. (unless I breakdown and drive the pickup over. It's way cozier that way. But more of a pain)
But once I get out into the cows, its all good. The cold night air becomes brisk solitude. It's such an amazing awakening to the soul. I will shut off my 4-wheeler and just sit out in the middle of the cows and just listen. To what? I'm not sure. Its really hard to explain. But its awesome.
Well, I do actually listen for certain things. Believe it or not, you can listen to the cows moo to their babies and tell if one is a new born. Its pretty cool. Some times I will hear an owl in the distance and sometimes the coyotes. Now, they do freak me out a little. When I hear them, my checking the cows becomes a little more......shall we say....hurried. Especially when I catch a glimpse of their glowing eyes with my flashlight. That happened one night, when I was brave, and was walking through the cows. All I can say is, now I ride. Always.
Tonight the stars were not shining. But if they are tomorrow night, it will be a whole new experience. Cuz the bright shining stars adds a whole new element to the night watch. And that, my friends, is Livin' the life, the Farm Life that is......
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Saturday, May 13, 2017
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. 😊
I'm happy with that. Simple. Done. Until next week. 😊
Sunday, April 30, 2017
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. 😉 )
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. 😉 )
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