Wait-Let Me Catch Up!

Yes, so it's been almost two weeks since our branding, and yes, I am VERY behind in my blog!  I am sorry, you will just have to live with it.

 

We did have a great branding* on Labor Day and at dinner we had 27 people of all ages eat with us.  The branding is like a holiday at our house (at least in my mind it is) and because of the toss I took on 28th of August, I wasn't up to flanking (pulling the calf over on its side and sitting on it). (Read about it in my blog post called Make That Odd...)  It was saddening because ever since I was big enough, that was the best part of branding.  Instead, I ear notched** almost every calf, and did in fact get my exercise, for the helpers decided to move to the pen next to the one I was in.

 

A lot of younger cowboys got to rope, flank, and give shots; one of those ropers was Big J.  He did really well and double hocked*** a lot of calves.  I am his sister, but I was impressed with his roping!  I even said, "He is doing really well, even if he is my brother."

 

The day was nice and we were done branding by 10 am., we had started at 7:30.  We then ran a few yearling mama cows through the chute and year branded them.  We finished that at 12 o'clock and headed to the house for a great, mostly-home-made dinner that Mom was in charge of.  It was a great day!

 

* A branding is when a lot of cowboys and cowgirls get together to help their friend mark his cattle so that if they get out, people will know who they belong to.  The brand is what the ownership mark is called.  Our brand is IE laying down.  The E is on top of the I.  Every rancher has a different brand to mark his ownership.  How do you brand the calf?  The brand is made out of an iron rod and the part with the brand is put in a fire to cause the iron to become very hot.  The brander then puts the iron on the calf and the hot brand burns the hair and skin, thus leaving the brand on the calf for the rest of its life. 

We also give shots for the reason you get shots, and cut them.  Or in other words, make the bulls, who make more calves, into steers, one who can not reproduce.  The proper way of saying it would be castrating.

 

** Ear notch is another way of showing ownership.  We cut out a part of the ear (the tip and on top of the right ear, and on the left, just the tip).  Just another way to see who owns the calf if the hair has grown over the brand.

 

*** Double Hocking is when a roper ropes a calf by both hind legs.  It is best if that is done rather than only one leg or the neck; it's easier to flank the calf.  

 

I went through 800 some pictures and picked these for you to see.



 

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL PICTURES WERE TAKEN BY MY COUSIN, CALLIE SAIN.

THANK YOU, CALLIE, FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SNAP AT OUR BRANDING.  GREAT PICTURES!



 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was also in the Beaver County Rodeo queen contest this year.  I had to sell tickets (which I got first place for selling the most), model, give a speech, be interviewed, and ride a horse in a reining pattern.  I didn't like everything that I had to do and it was a stretch for me, it was my first time.  I didn't win, but it didn't matter if I won, lost, or drew.  I finished and that's what mattered.  My parents were proud of me.  And I don't have to do it next year!  I am really happy about that.

 

The county fair was going on at the same time, and we entered things in it.  It was one busy week!

 

So, there are a few big things that have caused me to get behind in my blogging business.  We did start school and it's going smoothly.  And I am happy to say that my hip is much better.  I can flank again; we had some sick calves and got to flank today!  Our ranch life is still busy, but not as much. 

 

We have gotten a little rain this week and got to say good bye to the hot weather!  It is so lovely to walk outside and get chilled because it's 60 to 70 degrees.  I hope it stays this way.  You know, fall is just around the corner!  It's amazing that it's already that time again.  Well, it is time for Christmas...yes, I decorated a little for it already.  Why not?!  

 

On the sadder side: I had to let my turtle, Tortoise, go.  Because they hibernate, we couldn't keep him through the winter.  I will miss that little guy.   

 

Have a great day, all you readers!  : )  



The Garden

It's been a long while since I have said anything about the garden.  It is coming along quite well.

We have gotten to pick a lot of squash and zucchini.  We are also getting some cucumbers and peppers, including banana peppers, hot peppers, and bell peppers.  All of them have tasted good.  We have picked three okras, two tomatoes, two radishes, and one green onion.

I planted two watermelon seeds from a store bought watermelon and they both grew, but the big one died the day after we transplanted to the outside world.

It has been a lot of fun getting to hang out with Dad as he waters it and to search for little surprises.  

Some of these pictures are old, but it shows you how our garden was set up this year.  Enjoy!  : )

   

Make That Odd...

The title doesn't make much sense unless you know how many times I have come off my horse.  But here is the story about the fifth time I got ejected from my dear horse, Paradise.

It was a nice evening, last night, and we needed to move some pairs to a set of pens in order to haul them closer to where we are going to brand.  Well, we were starting later than planned so it was close to dark.  We were hurrying to get to the cows; Paradise had already stepped in an unseen hole and touched the ground with her nose.  Thankfully we were walking.  But that was nothing to falling off.

We went to the gate on the hill and went through it fine.  Dad and Big J. were riding faster ahead and I simply wanted to catch up to them, so I kicked Paradise.  Well, she got spooked at that and did go faster, but I wasn't ready for that speed, that sudden.  I lost my right stirrup, I grabbed my saddle, for I had no saddle horn to grab, and did my best to slow my running horse's pace.  I could see a yucca plant nearing, and that's when Paradise turned to the left, I lost everything and fell, skidding, sliding and going head over feet on the ground once I hit.  It wouldn't have been so painful, but let's remember that I came of a loping horse.

I rolled over and sat up fast as possible and tried breathing.  For a long time, or at least it felt like a long time, I couldn't breathe and to make things worse, Big J.'s dog ran into my face and started roughly licking me.  I couldn't breathe and for sure couldn't talk, but the dog wasn't helping, so I hit her and pushed her away.  Dad and Big J. were by me by then and my dog gently came over and just stood by me until I could breathe and mumble a little.

After sitting on the ground for a while, I stood up, but had to have help.  My left arm was scraped up and my hip felt awful!  My shirt wasn't torn but had indented dirt and stains; it was red like blood so Dad looked for any gashes and to make sure no ribs were broke.  They weren't and there was no blood.  We were very thankful that I hadn't fallen on/in the yucca plant and that there weren't any rocks, but I rolled over some tumbleweeds and sagebrush.

We almost went on to move the cattle, but because I was in pain and it was even closer to dark, we turned to go home.  The ride home was okay, and I never got blurry or sick, until we got off at the house.  I walked a few feet and that's when my ears started closing and my sight went to black spots.  Dad came up and helped me sit down.  I could not hear the locust at all, a little scary... Dad fanned me with his hat and cooled me off.  Then we walked arm in arm to the house. 

Inside, Mom quit her phone call and I sat down in a chair when Dad took off my boots and socks.  They got a wet cloth for my face and I sat in front of the fan.  Today I got up and I can walk, slowly with a limp, and I even got on Dad's horse for a while.  Riding her was not at all painful, but getting on and off was hard.  I really hope I heal quickly for our branding is just around the corner.  I am really glad we have a God that looks out for us!  So, as for the title, I will explain.  I told Paradise when I came off the fourth time that we should stay on an even number and not buck me off again.  But... let's make that odd... And stay odd!  : )   

Rain Helps Everything...Except Dirt Roads

As the title states rain is a helpful thing for plants and rivers, but when it comes as hard as it has the last few nights on the ranch, it can ruin a dirt road and fences.

Here is another spot of washed road.



Here is the washed away road.  Dad informed us today that a four wheeler might be able to cross. 



The culverts didn't quite do their job...



You can see that this dirt road was really washed away by the hard rain.  But it made cool pictures!  All of this rain has also messed up some fences, so you know what will be worked on soon.

We went swimming in our river because of the rain we had gotten on July 31st had risen the water.  The water was really cold, but just as fun.  I had taken my camera and snapped a few pictures of the river and dirt road.

At the house, we got 2 inches of rain, but it came hard.  On the 6th we got 3 inches and again last night we got 2.75, and to beat all of that, our branding pens got 4.40!  Thank You, God!

All of it came hard, thus washing our roads, lining our fences with trash, and making huge puddles in the pastures, but at least we are receiving some.

So, now we are at the point of having too much grass and not enough cows, but we would much rather have it that way than too many cows.  : )

Rain Helps Everything

Rain is such a wonderful thing that, sadly, we don't get to see often enough out here.  But tonight was different. 

We were looking at the radar on the internet and were saddened by the news it showed.  We were again out of range of the near-by rain.  But as we continued watching, a nice sized cloud formed right over us and we looked outside just as it began to rain; not a heavy sprinkle, or a trace, but real, heavy rain!  The sight and sound of real rain was long missed and quickly welcomed to the ranch.

After a few minutes of rain, our county was put under a severe thunderstorm watch, with a chance of hail and a few rotations.  We personally did not see any hail.  When the rain had slowed down (about an hour later) we all went outside and played in the puddles and actually used an umbrella, though we really didn't need one.

The big rain had passed leaving two inches in the rain gauge and a few sprinkles still falling from a cloud above.  We three kids ran around the ranch bare-foot and had a race on our rock driveway, and yes, our feet were pink and kind of hurt.  It was barely sprinkling now and we all loaded up in the pickup to drive around and look at the water.

With we three kiddos in the back of the pickup, Dad and Mom in the cab, we drove through and around puddles made by the rain.  There was a lot of lightning around, so we got to watch a nice show while driving on the muddy dirt road heading south.  A few spots in the road were covered with water and some ditches were full.  In one low spot, the water was flowing under the road and do you know what's amazing?  Frogs are so amazing, but their Maker is even more so!

We were driving around and when we stopped to look at the water, there pretty close to the road, were what sounded like thousands of frogs croaking their joy of the rain.  We have been in a huge drought, we have not seen one frog in at least a year, but yet tonight after this big rain, there are tons of frogs alive and well!  How did God make them so well?!  He is God, he knows everything.  It is just remarkable that they can live through dry weather like this.

We came home after running bare-foot in a huge puddle which also crossed the road.  And to end this wonderful day, we lit some fireworks and watched the little display.  Such a fun life!  And we thank God for all of it.  : )

 

 

The Great Ranch Life

I hope all of you had a good 4th of July this year.  My family did.  We got to enjoy fireworks this year, and there were quite a few really nice ones. 

This week, though its just started, has been really cool--weather cool.  We went from the 100's to 60's.  Oh--it's so lovely!  The last two or three days have been cloudy and looked as though it should start raining.  But we have only gotten heavy sprinkles.

Yesterday the whole family went out to move our newly momma cows and their young calves to a new pasture south of our house.  The cows had been cooped up in a small pasture and with this cool weather, they ran about as though they were crazy.  Most of the time we were trotting behind them, trying to keep up.  We went towards a valley sort of thing and I was riding behind all of the running cows and calves.  They were kicking up so much dust, of course the wind was from the east and we were riding into it, so I got a face full of dust.  I was also trying to keep my horse from running down the hill to join in with the cows' play. 
We continued taking the cattle east and then south until we had reached the last gate.  From there the cows took off at a run with their tails up.  Right then I thought, They look just like Pumba on The Lion King!  And they did.  We held them around the water pit for a while before heading back to the house.  Feeling sprinkles on your face while riding is one wonderful feeling!

Today Dad got us older two kids up at 6:25 AM and we got dressed to ride again.  Big J. was sent out for the horses, but got lost so to speak and it started to lightly rain.  Dad and I got in a pickup and headed out to look for him.  After passing the horses and reaching the other end of the pasture, we picked up Big J. and went back to the horses.  We caught the wet horses and led them back to the house.  It was pretty to see water run down their mane.
We saddled up and Big J. had to go back to the pasture and get 3 horses which had not come to the house.  We went to a set of pens in the pasture where we had put the cows from the day before, and Dad, Big J. and I started gathering.  It had been sprinkling/slightly raining for a while and all of the saddles were wet, but then I wasn't scared of just sliding off because now I was stuck to the wet leather. 
Anyway, we trotted for a while and finally found all 32 cows, and headed back to the pens.  There, Big J., Little J., and I stood as the gate as Dad and Mom sorted off two cows which were going to the sale today.  That didn't take all that long and they were quickly loaded into the trailer.  Dad and Big J. said good bye before heading to the sale barn, and we three girls mounted the three horses to ride back to the house. (It was a short mile back home.)  It sprinkled on and off and by the time we had gotten to the house it was just dripping a little.
We unsaddled, fed the horses a little treat and sent them back to the pasture, and they will stay there until further notice. 
I had not milked yet, so around 10:30 going on 11, I headed out there with my milk bucket in hand.  I quickly milked, fed my girl some hay, got some grasshoppers for my turtle, and walked back to the house just as another light rain began to fall.
Days like today are my favorite ever.  I like days that are cloudy and snow is falling just as well, but since it's summer, I won't be seeing any snow.  But what I mean is that cloudy days or misty days are so refreshing, sometimes they are exciting, or just pretty.  But they always seem to comfort me or something like that.  So riding today, in this weather, was really pleasing to me.  Getting to milk my goat and hear rain on the metal roof, being able to look out the window and not see our pasture because it's raining, and walking up stairs where it is normally a yucky warm and feel cool fresh air is such a great thing!  Living on this ranch on this day was one of the best.  I am glad I get to live here.  
Sometimes it is hard to put into words what you're really feeling.  And sometimes I find myself having a hard time writing for this blog, but ranch life is really amazing.  Our east view is wonderful, especially now, as the west sun is shining over the damp grass, and the remains of the rain clouds are moving away, but you can still see the different colored ones.  And getting to enjoy a lot of God's critters that Dad and Mom have allowed us to keep as pets.  Pretty much everything on a ranch is worth getting to enjoy.  So, unless you have lived on a ranch/farm, you will never, truly understand the feeling of seeing and doing the daily ranch life as I have been able to do.
In closing, I will simply say: Have a great day!  Until next post.  : )     
 

Lights, Rain, Action!

Well, I am sitting here in front of our open house door watching and listening to the rain fall from the roof and the thunder rumble across the thirsty Okla. Panhandle.  It is such a pretty sight for this girl.  I don't know how much rain we have gotten, but it smells and looks good!

I am really glad we got home from swimming in the river before the rain cloud hit...why...you'll find out.  Mom was talking with Grandma and a few lightning strikes rang in her ear.  It was time to hang up the phone.  After she did, we were watching the outside world and all of the sudden KA-BOOM!  Right before our eyes a lightning bolt stuck the ground just a few yards from the house.  And it was close!  I saw the sparks fly and the smoke rise from the beaten ground.  I literally jumped from my chair and my heart jumped from its normal spot and started to beat really fast.  Oh!  We have yet to find the spot and take pictures if worth it. 

The "storm" seems to have passed and Gus, the ranch rooster, had to let the world--ranch world, that is--know that all of his hens have survived the weather and that they were safe.  : )

P.S.  We did not find the spot where the lightning struck the ground.