Today’s lessons mixed, scattered all over the place

The worm has turned! It was very chilly when I stepped out of the warm bed onto the tile floor in our bathroom. She had wanted tile as it was so pretty and cool in the summer. Go figure! I want the new stuff that warms floors with hot water pipes!

Well, the cold in the winter, and don’t forget the fall, is miserable! I will never move north unless over a million dollars would be mine, and then I would buy a real nice place in the south! I know how the fall goes with cold mornings and hot days. You put on a flannel shirt and a heavy vest and are sweating by noon! At least the change brings 100-degree days to a halt!

The cattle are so happy and feisty in the perfect bovine weather. I counted weaning or weaned calves three times to be sure this morning. They ran around me and pestered Snip while I tried to count. They are gonna move today and be out of my misery. Imagine having a pasture full of teenagers and trying to keep them safe and happy, that is what it is like! At times like these, I almost feel like a cowboy!

We have decided to sell some of the calves that won’t fit with a feedlot bunch and try to keep the rest for ourselves. What is gonna happen when we don’t get rain, the hay is gone and the cattle are bawling? Then we will sell what has to go. The pastures are still there but so is dry weather. We are aware we are not in control!

Had one cow down this morning. She is ancient and my close relative looked her up in the books. She is 16 years old and has produced 12 heifers, 7 still here. Sure hate to lose a cow that is so faithful and an easy keeper to boot! I called the vet and he came right on out and suggested we get her loaded some way and out of the pasture. He said she had about a 25% chance of getting better and that was a stretch!

The boys came with a trailer, and we finally slid her in. The youngest said she was one of his string of show cattle and he sure hated this. We all looked at the ground and muttered as we hurried to leave.

I guess the old cow was dead when they got to the barn, so it was a blessing to have her loaded already. The oldest took her to the bone yard alone; I was busy, and the youngest had to go to the house for something! We raised the boys to love this kind of life, but some of it is not pleasant. So, I fed the cats a second time and put Snip in the stall with more oats!

We separated calves until dark and still were questioning some of the sellers.

Finally decided to go on in until tomorrow morning and start over. I was tired, and all of us had looked until they all looked good! Sometimes you have to take a break to see what is really there.

The new baby in the family came for supper, and I was sure glad to hold him while the women put the meal on. How nice it is to hold and love on a grandbaby when you think you are done in. I was done in, so to speak, but a second wind appeared when the baby did! His daddy was also spry and happy, but my close relative and I were the ones who were refreshed!

This life and work are about the most wonderful thing for mankind. We are guilty of days of not noticing the blessings of being on this rock pile. It never has and never will make us rich, but we are so happy here. How to spend your life is a personal decision, and we always said so. I said it and hoped the kids would never want anything else. They all went to college and came home with a mate, even the female offspring! She brought a cowboy home.

The lessons today are sorta mixed and scattered all over the place. We all know about work

Tand death, but we had it again today. We all know grandkids are the fountain of joy and we are thankful to have had that today too! I can hear an owl in the woods, and that too is a bonus for putting my feet on a cold floor!

Have you eaten turnips from the lovely patch of milo, wheat and turnip greens we all seem to plant for the deer? Well, it is almost time for a good camping trip for many of you hunters, and I hope you are aware! Dig out the orange vest and hat and buy more or some of the new stuff at the store. Be prepared and Remember the Alamo!

his life and work are about the most wonderful thing for mankind. We are guilty of days of not noticing the blessings of being on this rock pile. It never has and never will make us rich, but we are so happy here. How to spend your life is a personal decision, and we always said so. I said it and hoped the kids would never want anything else.