Kind of chilly this morning. We had a little rain and the wind is blowing.

Went to my 4th branding yesterday. Mijo did well. Drug some calves out of a small pen and thru’ a pretty tight crowd holding the calves. He watched everything but took it all well.

Gramma stopped off at Chance and Hopes on her way home from work and picked up the boys so Chance could go help a guy. When she got here we went out and did a little fencing. Them boys are such great help! Every time I got back in the Suzuki I had to turn off the wipers and lights and everything else they had played with. Gramma thought it was hilarious!

Went well. Wind blew, but hey, this is South Dakota after all! It’s to be expected. Whining about it won’t make it quit or go away. If it did we would never have even a breeze. I am sick and tired of people who are sick and tired of the wind and bitch about it. So, shuddup!

Got another branding tomorrow for therlittle ex stud! He didn’t make near big enough a circle today and then I cut so passed on the roping as I feel they ought to let the wrestlers and kids rope.

Ate too much, but it was all good. Seen some friends who I don’t get to see very often. Their son was there. He is the reigning National College Saddle Bronc champion from the finals last year. He’s trying some broncs on the Pro circuit and finding out they are pretty tuff, he said. Good guy. All them kids who were there today are good kids. Not too many from this country who aren’t. Matter of fact, I can’t think of a single one!

Went out yesterday ad cleaned on corrals until the ground started giving away from under the pressure of the tires on the tractor. Still awful wet under there, tho’ it looks dry on top. Then I went up in Harry’s and fixed a washed out crossing.

Went out today and worked on the fence in a washed out crossing between Harry’s and the rocky hill pasture. Came home and got the tractor and went up and worked on re-building a washed out crossing north of the house. It took lots of dirt to cover the culvert back up. The culvert had washed out and washed down about a 400 yards. Last time I tried to fix it there was too much water running and it kept washing the culvert to a new spot so I’d given up. Not much water running down the creek at the moment. Chance brought the boys up, so them and Cindy and I went to Punkin Center to get the oil changed on her car while we ate. Got some other stuff and went back to work on the crossing when I got back home. Then went out this evening and put a good ride on my 4 year old, Pilgrim. Man, I hate riding colts! Got to poke and peddle them everywhere! But it will be worth it when he’s a dirty good , broke booger! 🙂

This lovely Award has been given to me from Dickiebo. My first blog award!

Makes me all excited and feel like a young girl at prom!

Wait a freekin’ second

I ain’t not a girl!

Oh well, thanks Dickie!

Here are the rules for this meaningful award:

The aims of this award:

* As a dedication for those who love blogging activity and love to encourage friendships through blogging.

* To seek the reasons why we all love blogging!

* Put the award in one post as soon as you receive it

* Don’t forget to mention the person who gives you the award.

* Answer the award’s question by writing the reason why you love blogging.

* Tag and distribute the award to as many people as you like.

* Don’t forget to notify the award receivers and put their links in your post.

Why I love blogging;

Because it is a way for me to show our simple little life here to those who stumble on to this place. Perhaps make some new friends from far away like Dickie, who will hopefully come visit me some day or if I should ever win the lottery, let me come visit them!

Now, I need to pass this on to these blogs, who will take this award and do as I have done.

http://themilkmanswife.blogspot.com/

http://www.hubbashouse.com/

http://werdfu.blogspot.com/

http://northviewdiary.blogspot.com/

http://prairierunner.wordpress.com/

Hopefully they will eventually read this and do the same!

Mijo went to his second and I drug one pen of calves with him. The more we did the better he got. Go another one on Wednesday. Another Thursday and another Saturday. I think he’s gonn’a be a pretty broke horse in a week.

Chance went along and I got a good picture of him and Dean dragging one out.

That is Paige the boss’s 8th grade daughter walking out to take the rope. Her partner is on the other side, out of sight and he/she will take a hold of the calf’s tail and they will tug in opposite directions and the calf will fall on his side. They will set on his head and behind him and hold the top legs as the calf gets his shot and brand. 1000’s of calves to do in this country every spring and many if not most are done this way.

Here’s a poem that might help explain this, better.

Brandin’

At daylight I’m saddlin’ up my horse
Maybe time for a quick cup of “jo”
I hooked up the trailer last night before dark
I’ll load my horse and I’m ready to go

As I drive to the neighbors ranch this mornin’
I mourn for the lost ways, work was done
Campin’ and workin’ with a roundup crew
Had to be more efficient and lots more fun

But that was long, long years ago
When the big cow outfits were runnin’ cattle here
Back before the government wanted this land populated
They’ve since changed their mind, I fear

I think about the animal rights people
Wish they could understand all aspects of our trade
That we do the jobs that we do out of neccesity
That beef steers are not born, but made

Branding is part of our annual rite of spring
We don’t really considered it work as such
A celebration of the survival of one more season
We’re once more out of winters icy clutch

It’s our chance to practice the age old skills
To shake our fists at this modern age
They’ve tried to ship us all off to the cities
We stand firm and deny them with rage

A passing of the mantle to our younger generation
A time to teach them the ranching skills
That our life is worthwhile and has meaning
We unite as a clan to practice our drills

To prove that this lifestyle is still viable
That a horse and a rope are still valuable tools
That we have survived yet another year
We laugh at the uncomprehending who call us fools

Robert Dennis

Went well. Chance rode him and drug some calves. He was pretty tight, Mijo that is, but he did well. He sure has got a fluid drive!

Got another branding tomorrow.

Gramma holding Crackerjack

Woody and Roz jumped in with the mares and colts so I brought them in to get them re-sorted. I noticed Crackerjacks feet were terribly long, so when Gramma got home she held him as I trimmed him. Then seeing as he was acting snorty, we messed with him and I saddled him with the Grandkids saddle. Now, if one of them was just big enough to get on and ride the little twerp!

This is a collar I started for another person, and it wasn’t coming out like I wanted it, so I set it aside and made him another one. I finished it today for myself but don’t know if I am too happy with it.

From Allen Nations blog

Methane Debate Is Not About Methane

Monday, 27 April 2009

Do ruminant animals actually increase atmospheric methane? Probably not and here’s why. All vegetation has a lifecycle. It grows and it dies. When it is dead, soil bacteria and microorganisms break it down into its mineral parts to grow another crop and this process creates methane. This is the same process that is occurring in an animal’s rumen. The point here is that if you eliminated all ruminant animals this natural process would still continue. Currently, the world’s largest methane producers are wetlands and rice paddies. Why are wetlands seen as a good and are even protected by Federal Law when they are major methane producers? It is because this whole debate is not about methane at all but is being pushed by those with an anti-red meat agenda.

Linda, from over at  “Just Another Day On the Prairie”  wrote this and I thought it should be shared!

This old barn has seen a lot

Of horses, cows and men.

Its shelter has been sought

From now to way back when.

 

 

It’s seen its share of work teams,

They were used to farm the land.

Change has come or so it seems

It just doesn’t feel as grand.

 

 

Newborn calves, a milking cow,

Bum lambs, some gruesome goats.

Have eaten from her hay mow

And her grain bin where’s stored oats.

 

 

There is history in the tack room

Saddles, bits and gear,

Shoeing things and tools to groom

And for me there is a mirror.

 

 

There are stalls with hay mangers

Enough for several horses

For ours and even strangers

Out from natures forces.

 

 

This old barn is like a mother,

She nurtures life inside,

Inside under cover

A refuge too abide.

One of many common ranch barns

On the prairie in these parts.

She’s listened in on many yarns

And keeps her place here in our hearts