Sunday...Sunday...
I woke up later than usual today- about 7:00 and went out the help Merle with chores. I sorta had the day off because of church being at 9:30 this morning and Merle was leaving for Delberts earlier than that. So, I helped feed and headed back in the house for breakfast and got ready for church. Merle brought a pickup down for me to drive because there is too much mud for my car- I probably wouldn't make it to town!
So, I took the black pickup (we don't always get along the best...remember that trip to Gordon?) and headed out for church at my little Wisconsin Synod Lutheran Church. The pastor was gone today so the Leigh person did the service. It was nice, with about the same amount of people there as last week. Afterwards I had a chance to talk with some people and it turns out the congregation for today was pretty much one big family! lol There were only three or four other people there! It was nice to meet some people and sing some somewhat familiar hymns...haha! After church I went over to Ross and Marlas (Merle's parents) and had dinner with them. They have been wanting me to come over so I finally did- which was really nice and made them happy:) I ate amazing food there and visited and then headed back home. O, and I had one letter in the mail from the past week, it was one of those survey offers that puts two dollars cash in the envelope- yey for $2! ...I gave it to the church.
When I got back to the ranch I realized that Joe didn't have his blanket on anymore and I was just sure that I had left it on him this moring because it was really cold and wet. I looked all over thinking that Merle took it off and hung it somewhere...nope turns out that after a little four wheeler blanket hunt he just simply dropped in in the middle of their little paddock...that terd! haha, so I took it in and hung it up- if he didn't want it on than so be it! When I got back from sloshing around in the mud I decided that sitting in the house was wayyy too boring so I got a four wheeler out, aired up the bad tire and started cleaning up the shed a little bit. I spent the rest of the day cleaning out the tractor cabs and washing windows. It seemed like something to keep myself busy with that was actually constructive! By the time I was done with the second tractor it was chore time. I did chores with no problem and put Joe's somewhat dry blanket back on a bit later this evening.
The rest of the night I did dishes, ate, and tried to watch "50 first dates" but it took forever because my phone kept ringing! But, that about covers it- it was a nice day to just get a few things done. Sounds like we might move some spayed heifers in the morning and then mom and john and ann are coming up tomorrow. Should be fun to see someone new...well sorta new!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Buffalo Chips
Today was cold and soggy. It never got over 50 degrees. It rained 7/10ths last night! That is super, but it really boggs things up and creates a lot of mud! It just kinda misted and was foggy all day long.
I did my morning chores this morning; Merle came out and helped me finish and then we decided to start putting up panels at the corral down at another place that Merle owns to get ready for the buffalo chase. O, and we turned the bucket calves out on a bigger pasture this morning and they were hillarious running around kicking and such! It was just Merle and I today, Jeff and Tina had the day off and Ross stayed home. I could have had it off but I would much rather run around and help do things than sit in the house all day- that would drive me nuts!
So, we hooked up to our panel trailer and started up the driveway with the old fencing pickup. We got no further than halfway up the hill when we fell down into a slight rut and got stuck. Eventually with lots of horsepower and some seriously locked in hubs we got out without completely jacknifing the trailer. So, we headed on up the road to meet Delbert. While we were waiting for him we kinda took a gander through the pickup and found all sorts of treasures and food- including: snuf, copenhagen, sunflower seeds (new and used), nachos, doritos, wheat thins, sweatshirts, water jugs, and the best of all- a shed antler that had drawings all over it! lol, you could tell that it was the fencing pickup. But, eventually Delbert showed up and ruined the fun, and we went in and set up about sixty panels around the electric fence. Then came the fun part.
We went back to the house and each got on a four wheeler. Then, drove up the road to meet Tyler (Delbert's son) who was bringing a fourth four wheeler. He and his girlfriend Cassie showed up and rode double and we all headed off on a wild buffalo chase. These suckers (Merles' buffalo) have been all over the country and have been chased in tons of times, but they continue to run through every kind of fence that is put up- including electic. ...and yesterday Delbert found them in his wheat so he decided that was it, we were moving them into the corral. There were fifteen of them and one little cute calf. Merle had a deal to sell them and was going to keep them until winter but decided it wasn't worth chasing them around all summer and decided to trade them for partial payment on a new pickup! haha- I think that's awesome and quite hillarious:)
We started in the wheat field, but didn't find them there. After searching for a while we found them in with some of Merle's cows and started in with the chase. If you don't know anything about buffalo (and I would probably fall close in this category having no prior experience with them) they don't drive like cattle do. You can't use a horse because they challenge horses and upset them, so you have to use a four wheeler. They will usually stay in a herd- and that sometimes is a problem because when one does something they all do the exact same thing, and when you start to chase them they just take off- you definitly don't wanna be in the way! We didn't have too much trouble getting them in through all of the gates except the last one- but very very luckily we got them turned around and up into the paneled area. With some time and slight coaxing we managed to get them into the corral eventually and gave them a bale of hay. But, if they wanted they could easily jump the fence so we are really hoping they stay there until we can haul them out on Monday! On the way out I did something pretty funny. I pulled up to a gate, opened it, let Merle and Delbert through and then started to shut it...with my four wheeler on the other side! They laughed and said I was getting way to used to opening and closing gates! Merle made the comment this evening that today..."You went chasing buffalo with three wild Indians!" Lol- o man! It's true!
After our little fun time with the buffalo we headed in for a tasty dinner that Sharla made and Delbert, Tyler, and Cassie headed home afterwards. Merle and I decided to string salt and mineral and pick up troughs. So, we go to pull out the hydra-bed pickup and I notice this nasty wet spot on the shed floor...so we crawl underneath the pickup and sure enough it's leaking antifreeze like a siv. So, now we can't drive that and need to get it to Rapid somehow- and we already have the main ranch truck there right now...so that leaves us with the old old chevy, the fencing pickup that has an entire five miles of fence in the back, or the other ranch pickup that the back window is busted out of. Lol- non of which have the reciever hitch we need for the trailer. So, we resort to getting the truck with the busted window out and used the fire truck to power wash the bed that was full of nasty smelly rotten hydaulic fluid that got caught under the mat. Then, we decided to clean that pickup out too and found lots more treasures. The best of all was a book called "The Vetrainarian's guide for Farmers," it was published in the fifties and really cool. Merle had no idea how it even got there. But, we got the pickup cleaned out and the troughs and empty barrels picked up and hauled in. Then, it was chore time- Katie was picking on a chicken and Joe and Ace would not be chased with a fourwheeler, and the bucket calves are getting really big...the usual chore time stuff. Merle and I chatted for a bit and then I headed in and baked some Jiffy mix muffins (only requires an egg and 1/4 cup milk) - definitly my style. I also managed to fry myself some hamburgers...this is very impressive for me! haha But, I think I'm gunna head to bed and try church somewhere tomorrow!
I did my morning chores this morning; Merle came out and helped me finish and then we decided to start putting up panels at the corral down at another place that Merle owns to get ready for the buffalo chase. O, and we turned the bucket calves out on a bigger pasture this morning and they were hillarious running around kicking and such! It was just Merle and I today, Jeff and Tina had the day off and Ross stayed home. I could have had it off but I would much rather run around and help do things than sit in the house all day- that would drive me nuts!
So, we hooked up to our panel trailer and started up the driveway with the old fencing pickup. We got no further than halfway up the hill when we fell down into a slight rut and got stuck. Eventually with lots of horsepower and some seriously locked in hubs we got out without completely jacknifing the trailer. So, we headed on up the road to meet Delbert. While we were waiting for him we kinda took a gander through the pickup and found all sorts of treasures and food- including: snuf, copenhagen, sunflower seeds (new and used), nachos, doritos, wheat thins, sweatshirts, water jugs, and the best of all- a shed antler that had drawings all over it! lol, you could tell that it was the fencing pickup. But, eventually Delbert showed up and ruined the fun, and we went in and set up about sixty panels around the electric fence. Then came the fun part.
We went back to the house and each got on a four wheeler. Then, drove up the road to meet Tyler (Delbert's son) who was bringing a fourth four wheeler. He and his girlfriend Cassie showed up and rode double and we all headed off on a wild buffalo chase. These suckers (Merles' buffalo) have been all over the country and have been chased in tons of times, but they continue to run through every kind of fence that is put up- including electic. ...and yesterday Delbert found them in his wheat so he decided that was it, we were moving them into the corral. There were fifteen of them and one little cute calf. Merle had a deal to sell them and was going to keep them until winter but decided it wasn't worth chasing them around all summer and decided to trade them for partial payment on a new pickup! haha- I think that's awesome and quite hillarious:)
We started in the wheat field, but didn't find them there. After searching for a while we found them in with some of Merle's cows and started in with the chase. If you don't know anything about buffalo (and I would probably fall close in this category having no prior experience with them) they don't drive like cattle do. You can't use a horse because they challenge horses and upset them, so you have to use a four wheeler. They will usually stay in a herd- and that sometimes is a problem because when one does something they all do the exact same thing, and when you start to chase them they just take off- you definitly don't wanna be in the way! We didn't have too much trouble getting them in through all of the gates except the last one- but very very luckily we got them turned around and up into the paneled area. With some time and slight coaxing we managed to get them into the corral eventually and gave them a bale of hay. But, if they wanted they could easily jump the fence so we are really hoping they stay there until we can haul them out on Monday! On the way out I did something pretty funny. I pulled up to a gate, opened it, let Merle and Delbert through and then started to shut it...with my four wheeler on the other side! They laughed and said I was getting way to used to opening and closing gates! Merle made the comment this evening that today..."You went chasing buffalo with three wild Indians!" Lol- o man! It's true!
After our little fun time with the buffalo we headed in for a tasty dinner that Sharla made and Delbert, Tyler, and Cassie headed home afterwards. Merle and I decided to string salt and mineral and pick up troughs. So, we go to pull out the hydra-bed pickup and I notice this nasty wet spot on the shed floor...so we crawl underneath the pickup and sure enough it's leaking antifreeze like a siv. So, now we can't drive that and need to get it to Rapid somehow- and we already have the main ranch truck there right now...so that leaves us with the old old chevy, the fencing pickup that has an entire five miles of fence in the back, or the other ranch pickup that the back window is busted out of. Lol- non of which have the reciever hitch we need for the trailer. So, we resort to getting the truck with the busted window out and used the fire truck to power wash the bed that was full of nasty smelly rotten hydaulic fluid that got caught under the mat. Then, we decided to clean that pickup out too and found lots more treasures. The best of all was a book called "The Vetrainarian's guide for Farmers," it was published in the fifties and really cool. Merle had no idea how it even got there. But, we got the pickup cleaned out and the troughs and empty barrels picked up and hauled in. Then, it was chore time- Katie was picking on a chicken and Joe and Ace would not be chased with a fourwheeler, and the bucket calves are getting really big...the usual chore time stuff. Merle and I chatted for a bit and then I headed in and baked some Jiffy mix muffins (only requires an egg and 1/4 cup milk) - definitly my style. I also managed to fry myself some hamburgers...this is very impressive for me! haha But, I think I'm gunna head to bed and try church somewhere tomorrow!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Run to Rapid>>>
Today was a little different than most- When I went out to do chores this morning it seemed like something was a little off. The calves were bellaring at me and still turned out from the night before and the steers were acting the same way. I just figured it must be a full moon and kept on with my chores until Merle pulled up in his fire truck- and it began to click. Usually he starts chores at 4:30 in the morning and I finish them at 6:30. But last night (well really this morning) there was a fire call and he was out fighting fire in Wanblee all night long. When he pulled up at 6:45 he was just getting home. So, everybody was hungry because they hadn't been fed yet! Poor little guys...but it was time for me to get going to Rapid so Tina and Jeff finished chores when they showed up and I headed off with the Pickup to get it serviced at the Ford dealership in Rapid.
I took highway 44, which was pretty nice until I hit the construction, but I got through the whole pilot car deal alright and made it to town. I had a few place to stop, and wasn't completely positive where any of them were, so I was relying on the sorta kinda land mark directions I was given and my slight familiarity with Rapid. I stopped at the Ford dealership first to drop off the pickup and realized that we never cleaned out the box so I left about half of a fenceline in the back! Oh well, from there they had the rental car guy pick me up and he got me all signed up for a car. So, I headed out and didn't have too much of a problem finding the boot shop Merle had me stop at or the implement where I picked up parts. I spent the rest of the time at Wal-mart, the post office, and Borders Booksellers. It was kinda nice just to hang out. But, aroung 2:00 Merle called and said that Ford had called him and decided that they would need until Monday or Tuesday to finish the pickup. So, I figured I better head back home for chores. I was going to try to meet my friend Collin when he got off work in Custer at two, but that was right about the time that I was going to head home. So, sadly we are going to have to hang out another time:( But, I made it back here with little trouble except having a rock from the constuction I drove through hit the rental car's windshield and make a really small chip...I'm banking on them not noticing! ...we'll see... By the time I got back here I unpacked and put the car in the shed (just in case it would storm- on second thought maybe I should have left it out so we could get some rain)! I did evening chores and then decided to go for a short ride on Joe. I had trouble getting his eazy boots on so we just went in a bridle and bareback and walked around the paddock- this way Ace could come too and the separation anxiety wouldn't be so traumatic! But, it didn't last long because we got sprinkled out! Between the time I brought things into the milkhouse and locked all the gates up, Joe managed to roll in his favorite straw and get manure all over him...gross. I'm just gunna let the rain wash it off this time. Later on Merle stopped in and said that he almost called and brought me with to the fire last night- that would have been cool. I told him to definity do so next time! But, that's about all I've got, I'm gunna shower and go to bed. I have no idea what tomorrow holds:)
I took highway 44, which was pretty nice until I hit the construction, but I got through the whole pilot car deal alright and made it to town. I had a few place to stop, and wasn't completely positive where any of them were, so I was relying on the sorta kinda land mark directions I was given and my slight familiarity with Rapid. I stopped at the Ford dealership first to drop off the pickup and realized that we never cleaned out the box so I left about half of a fenceline in the back! Oh well, from there they had the rental car guy pick me up and he got me all signed up for a car. So, I headed out and didn't have too much of a problem finding the boot shop Merle had me stop at or the implement where I picked up parts. I spent the rest of the time at Wal-mart, the post office, and Borders Booksellers. It was kinda nice just to hang out. But, aroung 2:00 Merle called and said that Ford had called him and decided that they would need until Monday or Tuesday to finish the pickup. So, I figured I better head back home for chores. I was going to try to meet my friend Collin when he got off work in Custer at two, but that was right about the time that I was going to head home. So, sadly we are going to have to hang out another time:( But, I made it back here with little trouble except having a rock from the constuction I drove through hit the rental car's windshield and make a really small chip...I'm banking on them not noticing! ...we'll see... By the time I got back here I unpacked and put the car in the shed (just in case it would storm- on second thought maybe I should have left it out so we could get some rain)! I did evening chores and then decided to go for a short ride on Joe. I had trouble getting his eazy boots on so we just went in a bridle and bareback and walked around the paddock- this way Ace could come too and the separation anxiety wouldn't be so traumatic! But, it didn't last long because we got sprinkled out! Between the time I brought things into the milkhouse and locked all the gates up, Joe managed to roll in his favorite straw and get manure all over him...gross. I'm just gunna let the rain wash it off this time. Later on Merle stopped in and said that he almost called and brought me with to the fire last night- that would have been cool. I told him to definity do so next time! But, that's about all I've got, I'm gunna shower and go to bed. I have no idea what tomorrow holds:)
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Cowboys that Farm
Today started out similar to most. I rounded everyone up for breakfast and fed them all their grain. It took me a little longer than usual because Ross wasn't in today, but I got it done- including putting the steer that escaped back in the corral...
So, the first thing we did was work the 26 calves that we grain every morning- I fly tagged again. We didn't have much trouble working them and had them out and loaded in trailers by 8:00. We brought them over to their next pasture and let them find the water while we picked up some old empty lick tubs. By the time we were done, we decided to let them out into their pasture- this is pretty cool cuz it's one less chore to do in the morning :) When we made it back to the ranch and unhooked the trailer Mike was here ready to pick up Merle's semi trailer and haul it to town with his semi tractor (Merle doesn't have one). So we worked on the tires and brakes quite a while until we finally got them all to break loose. We had already cleaned it out earlier, so we aired everything up the best we could and then sent Mike to town to bring it in and have the tires fixed/replaced. Later on Merle will bring the trailer up to the Crystalix Plant and a relative of his fills it with the reject lick tubs- lucky! By this time it was time to come in for dinner. After we ate, Merle and Jeff went to town to help put Merle's parents new garden shed down on it's foundation. He sent Tina and I out to check wells and string some salt in a few places. By the time we were done doing that and made it to town they had the job done and the shed already set down...haha yey for being fashionably late! Afterwards I dropped Tina off at her car in town and I took the truck home and started chores. But, before I got too far Merle showed up and asked if I could go out and give him a ride to the tractor so he could do some disking. So we headed out that way and I dropped him off and came back to finish chores. Once I had them done I went back out his way and did some disking. During this time there was a fire in town and they wanted Merle to come in but we were so far out there is no way he would have made it! Sounds like they got it contorolled anyway. So by the time we were about half done Bill (the neighbor who sprays for Merle) called and needed to get his two cars home. So after playing musical pickups we got him back here and then went back to get my truck out in the field. That...eventually puts me here. O, and I almost forgot, Merle showed me the inside of this little garden looking shed by his house tonight...the thing is stacked from the floor about four or five feet hight with horns of all types and there are mounts all over the walls! Haha, I made fun of him cuz he hides them- seriously it was ridiculous.
So I think that makes a day. Tomorrow I might get to go to Rapid and get the pickup serviced. We'll see!
So, the first thing we did was work the 26 calves that we grain every morning- I fly tagged again. We didn't have much trouble working them and had them out and loaded in trailers by 8:00. We brought them over to their next pasture and let them find the water while we picked up some old empty lick tubs. By the time we were done, we decided to let them out into their pasture- this is pretty cool cuz it's one less chore to do in the morning :) When we made it back to the ranch and unhooked the trailer Mike was here ready to pick up Merle's semi trailer and haul it to town with his semi tractor (Merle doesn't have one). So we worked on the tires and brakes quite a while until we finally got them all to break loose. We had already cleaned it out earlier, so we aired everything up the best we could and then sent Mike to town to bring it in and have the tires fixed/replaced. Later on Merle will bring the trailer up to the Crystalix Plant and a relative of his fills it with the reject lick tubs- lucky! By this time it was time to come in for dinner. After we ate, Merle and Jeff went to town to help put Merle's parents new garden shed down on it's foundation. He sent Tina and I out to check wells and string some salt in a few places. By the time we were done doing that and made it to town they had the job done and the shed already set down...haha yey for being fashionably late! Afterwards I dropped Tina off at her car in town and I took the truck home and started chores. But, before I got too far Merle showed up and asked if I could go out and give him a ride to the tractor so he could do some disking. So we headed out that way and I dropped him off and came back to finish chores. Once I had them done I went back out his way and did some disking. During this time there was a fire in town and they wanted Merle to come in but we were so far out there is no way he would have made it! Sounds like they got it contorolled anyway. So by the time we were about half done Bill (the neighbor who sprays for Merle) called and needed to get his two cars home. So after playing musical pickups we got him back here and then went back to get my truck out in the field. That...eventually puts me here. O, and I almost forgot, Merle showed me the inside of this little garden looking shed by his house tonight...the thing is stacked from the floor about four or five feet hight with horns of all types and there are mounts all over the walls! Haha, I made fun of him cuz he hides them- seriously it was ridiculous.
So I think that makes a day. Tomorrow I might get to go to Rapid and get the pickup serviced. We'll see!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Rough Start...
Today was pretty much cold and rainy...except the rain never really amounted to anything! grrr...but it looks like rain later this week, although I'm not going to hold my breath.
We started off the morning a littel rough today...we were saddled up and ready to haul the chute, horses, and four wheelers over to the site where we were going to work the rest of the steers today when Merle realized we were short on pour on. He knew we had some left yesterday and couldn't find it. So, a couple of us are looking all over the milkhouse while Merle goes out and finds it, as well as a tagger that only had a bad spring in the trash! Yeah- I didn't put it there, that's all I'll say on that one! He was not happy. But, shortly after that I found out that I did mess up! Last night after I fed the first round of bucket calves I locked them in a small pen until the next round was done like we always do- except this time I forgot to let them out! The worst part was I went out later after dark to check on everything and since the barn was quiet I didn't walk all the way in. So, those four little calves weren't feeling too good this morning :( I felt terrible, but I'm sure they'll be fine.
So we got over and rounded up steers with no a whole lot of trouble. Today we ran 70 through- yesterday I said we ran about 80 (or so I thought)- just kiddding it was actually 200! All together we did 270. I fly tagged today, oh what fun. The whole time we were running them through it was spitting wet stuff from the sky, making it a little uncomfortable and wet and a bit hard to pour! But, we got it done and moved them out (I rode Tanner today:). By the time we loaded everything back up it was time to head home for dinner. O, and we saw the buffalo (well half of them) on our way out running around outside of their pasture again. I don't think they will ever respect a fence, dumb things.
So I got dinner warm again while they unloaded. This works out pretty good so that by the time we all get in it's ready to eat and we can head out when we're done. Well, we ate, and it was still nasty out so Merle pretty much gave us all the afternoon off. I helped him move the calves around but a had a few hours to myself which was nice for getting ahold of people and getting some odds and ends done around the house. I took a short nap before chores and then started in again. By the time I had everything cleaned out from this morning and we got evening chores done it was about six. I came it and talked on the phone for a while and then headed up the Merle's house for some leftovers (he offered and I was getting sick of looking at these walls). So we ate and played a few games of concentration. We tried best of three but we tied on the third so we played again and he beat me! Dang...lol it was fun to just sit around and talk since it's always quiet around here after work at night. But, I suppose I should probably head in, sounds like tomorrow all depends upon the weather!
We started off the morning a littel rough today...we were saddled up and ready to haul the chute, horses, and four wheelers over to the site where we were going to work the rest of the steers today when Merle realized we were short on pour on. He knew we had some left yesterday and couldn't find it. So, a couple of us are looking all over the milkhouse while Merle goes out and finds it, as well as a tagger that only had a bad spring in the trash! Yeah- I didn't put it there, that's all I'll say on that one! He was not happy. But, shortly after that I found out that I did mess up! Last night after I fed the first round of bucket calves I locked them in a small pen until the next round was done like we always do- except this time I forgot to let them out! The worst part was I went out later after dark to check on everything and since the barn was quiet I didn't walk all the way in. So, those four little calves weren't feeling too good this morning :( I felt terrible, but I'm sure they'll be fine.
So we got over and rounded up steers with no a whole lot of trouble. Today we ran 70 through- yesterday I said we ran about 80 (or so I thought)- just kiddding it was actually 200! All together we did 270. I fly tagged today, oh what fun. The whole time we were running them through it was spitting wet stuff from the sky, making it a little uncomfortable and wet and a bit hard to pour! But, we got it done and moved them out (I rode Tanner today:). By the time we loaded everything back up it was time to head home for dinner. O, and we saw the buffalo (well half of them) on our way out running around outside of their pasture again. I don't think they will ever respect a fence, dumb things.
So I got dinner warm again while they unloaded. This works out pretty good so that by the time we all get in it's ready to eat and we can head out when we're done. Well, we ate, and it was still nasty out so Merle pretty much gave us all the afternoon off. I helped him move the calves around but a had a few hours to myself which was nice for getting ahold of people and getting some odds and ends done around the house. I took a short nap before chores and then started in again. By the time I had everything cleaned out from this morning and we got evening chores done it was about six. I came it and talked on the phone for a while and then headed up the Merle's house for some leftovers (he offered and I was getting sick of looking at these walls). So we ate and played a few games of concentration. We tried best of three but we tied on the third so we played again and he beat me! Dang...lol it was fun to just sit around and talk since it's always quiet around here after work at night. But, I suppose I should probably head in, sounds like tomorrow all depends upon the weather!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Steers and Salt
Another day on the Ranch...
After finishing morning chores some of us saddled up and the others drove four wheelers and headed out to round up steers this morning. McKayla, a girl I had met at Merle's branding came up and helped, so it was nice to see a halfway familiar, new face! Anyway, we rounded up the steers just fine and brought them into the corral to work. This took the entire morning and then some. I vaccinated intermuscular, and everyone else had a job or two. We got all 80 or so of them done thanks to lots of help and an amazing hydraulic chute...so jealous! After we finished with them we drove them several miles (it took about two hours) to their summer pasture. They were pretty darn happy to see fresh grass, and we were pretty happy to see them go there so we didn't have to cake them every morning anymore. O, and when we moved them in we found one of our missing cows and a calf from yesterday! haha
We came back in for dinner, and then headed out to do some odds and ends. Tina and Jeff went one direction, while Merle and I loaded up the cow and calf pair. Glen went to town to get a flat tire fixed and Ross eventually went home too. After we loaded up the pair Merle said he would haul them to pasture if I could go into town and get salt. So, I filled up the hydrobed pickup with fuel and went to the Martin GE store to get a pallot of salt and 20 cobalt salt blocks (that's a whole lot of salt). When I got back home with them, no one was around because Merle had some trouble with a well...so I had the pleasure of unloading a lot of it by myself until Tina and Jeff showed up and helped me finish off the pallot of salt bags...and apparently I am no artist with stacking bags- oops. By then it was chore time, and I took care of that. Merle came and helped me finish them up. He had a meeting in town tonight so I dinked around with Joe and Ace for a while and came in and made myself grilled cheese- yum! I managed to stay busy the rest of the evening with things around the house. I really hope it rains...haven't hardly seen a decent rain since I left home- and it's not raining there either!
After finishing morning chores some of us saddled up and the others drove four wheelers and headed out to round up steers this morning. McKayla, a girl I had met at Merle's branding came up and helped, so it was nice to see a halfway familiar, new face! Anyway, we rounded up the steers just fine and brought them into the corral to work. This took the entire morning and then some. I vaccinated intermuscular, and everyone else had a job or two. We got all 80 or so of them done thanks to lots of help and an amazing hydraulic chute...so jealous! After we finished with them we drove them several miles (it took about two hours) to their summer pasture. They were pretty darn happy to see fresh grass, and we were pretty happy to see them go there so we didn't have to cake them every morning anymore. O, and when we moved them in we found one of our missing cows and a calf from yesterday! haha
We came back in for dinner, and then headed out to do some odds and ends. Tina and Jeff went one direction, while Merle and I loaded up the cow and calf pair. Glen went to town to get a flat tire fixed and Ross eventually went home too. After we loaded up the pair Merle said he would haul them to pasture if I could go into town and get salt. So, I filled up the hydrobed pickup with fuel and went to the Martin GE store to get a pallot of salt and 20 cobalt salt blocks (that's a whole lot of salt). When I got back home with them, no one was around because Merle had some trouble with a well...so I had the pleasure of unloading a lot of it by myself until Tina and Jeff showed up and helped me finish off the pallot of salt bags...and apparently I am no artist with stacking bags- oops. By then it was chore time, and I took care of that. Merle came and helped me finish them up. He had a meeting in town tonight so I dinked around with Joe and Ace for a while and came in and made myself grilled cheese- yum! I managed to stay busy the rest of the evening with things around the house. I really hope it rains...haven't hardly seen a decent rain since I left home- and it's not raining there either!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Dan the Man
Most of today was spent on horseback, and as the title implies- I rode Dan, the three year old.
We got chores done fairly early this morning and saddled up right away. The whole crew was in today, including Glen (six all together) and we were going to move cattle out to summer pastures. We started with some cow calf pairs. We sorted them out then drove them a few miles, then paired them off when we got there. This whole process takes quite a bit of time, but we got it done and were only four cows and one calf short (which is pretty good for this country). By this time it was about eleven and the plan was to go and brand the few bottle calves we have. So, Merle asked me if I could go start dinner while they did that...lol, me, dinner? But, I managed not to screw anything up too bad, most of it was just microwaving! Most days, we come in and Merle has to cook while we sit there an wait, this way it was ready and we could eat and go.
After dinner, we saddled back up and loaded up and moved out to another pasture of pairs. This time we split up and I ended up alone trying to clear out a corner, making sure there weren't any calves hiding. This was one of the first times I was riding alone and felt like I sorta knew where I was going and what I was doing- pretty cool! During this time Dan and I had a few wars- like we sometimes do, but I win most of them, and he eventually gives up. He's grey, and real cute and gentle, but sometimes has a mind of his own when it comes to neck reining!
So we got that set moved and paired off and were only one calf too many...so we either lost a cow or picked up someone elses calf- who knows! Then, we loaded back up and headed to a few dry cows and moved them, and then loaded up another time and moved some late calvers in to brand. By the time I ran and got some extra vaccines for branding they were about done and it was time to do chores. Tina helped me, and we got them done pretty fast. After chores she invited me to eat supper with her in Martin. So, we went to the "H" (the local bar) and had a burger- it was kinda nice to just hang out like that, haven't done that since I got here. But, it was short and sweet. She headed home and I went to the grocery store and post office and headed back to the ranch. I sat on the hill a while and chatted on my cell phone, then did a few more chores and that puts me here.
It's sprinkling and looks like rain~pray for rain!!! ..here and at home!
We got chores done fairly early this morning and saddled up right away. The whole crew was in today, including Glen (six all together) and we were going to move cattle out to summer pastures. We started with some cow calf pairs. We sorted them out then drove them a few miles, then paired them off when we got there. This whole process takes quite a bit of time, but we got it done and were only four cows and one calf short (which is pretty good for this country). By this time it was about eleven and the plan was to go and brand the few bottle calves we have. So, Merle asked me if I could go start dinner while they did that...lol, me, dinner? But, I managed not to screw anything up too bad, most of it was just microwaving! Most days, we come in and Merle has to cook while we sit there an wait, this way it was ready and we could eat and go.
After dinner, we saddled back up and loaded up and moved out to another pasture of pairs. This time we split up and I ended up alone trying to clear out a corner, making sure there weren't any calves hiding. This was one of the first times I was riding alone and felt like I sorta knew where I was going and what I was doing- pretty cool! During this time Dan and I had a few wars- like we sometimes do, but I win most of them, and he eventually gives up. He's grey, and real cute and gentle, but sometimes has a mind of his own when it comes to neck reining!
So we got that set moved and paired off and were only one calf too many...so we either lost a cow or picked up someone elses calf- who knows! Then, we loaded back up and headed to a few dry cows and moved them, and then loaded up another time and moved some late calvers in to brand. By the time I ran and got some extra vaccines for branding they were about done and it was time to do chores. Tina helped me, and we got them done pretty fast. After chores she invited me to eat supper with her in Martin. So, we went to the "H" (the local bar) and had a burger- it was kinda nice to just hang out like that, haven't done that since I got here. But, it was short and sweet. She headed home and I went to the grocery store and post office and headed back to the ranch. I sat on the hill a while and chatted on my cell phone, then did a few more chores and that puts me here.
It's sprinkling and looks like rain~pray for rain!!! ..here and at home!
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