Little Debbie May 16, 2008

Remember our beautiful, very large, almost-about-to-pop cow named Twinkie?  Well, Twinkie had a Ho Ho and we’re naming her Little Debbie.  That’s right, IT’S A GIRL!   She was born o’dark early this morning before I even knew what was happening.

 

I walked up to the barn this morning to let the sheep out and Twinkie walked out from the brush and proceeded to go down to the water trough which is next to our house.  I looked around for her comrades and no one was to be found.  So… I thought it was a little odd.  I decided to walk up on the “flat” where we keep our car trailers etc. and sure enough, there was this little pile of Hereford calf lying in the early morning sun.  Of course, this would be the time I didn’t have my camera so you’ll see her a little older than I found her and not as fresh as the others have been.

 

PS: I have moved my Photography Blog, Estrellita Photo, to a WordPress account as it’s easier to maintain since they’re now both in one spot.  Anyway, if you wanna go have a look I’m going to try and post a new picture every day.  Enjoy!

Hardy Har Har May 15, 2008

Thanks to Ranch Mommy for the great laugh!

LETTER FROM A FARM KID

Dear Ma and Pa,

I am well.  Hope you are.

Tell Brother Walt and Brother Elmer the Marine Corps beats working for old man Minch by a mile.  Tell them to join up quick before all of the places are filled.  I was restless at first because you got to stay in bed till nearly 6 AM, but I am getting so I like to sleep late.  Tell Walt and Elmer all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot, and shine some things.  No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, fire to lay.  Practically nothing.

Men got to shave but it is not so bad, there’s warm water.  Breakfast is strong on trimmings like fruit juice, cereal, eggs, bacon, etc., but kind of weak on chops, potatoes, ham, steak, fried eggplant, pie and other regular food.  But tell Walt and Elmer you can always sit by the two city boys that live on coffee.  Their food plus yours holds you till noon when you get fed again.

It’s no wonder these city boys can’t walk much.  We go on “route marches,” which the platoon sergeant says are long walks to harden us.  If he thinks so, it’s not my place to tell him different.  A “route march” is about as far as to our mailbox at home.  Then the city guys get sore feet and we all ride back in trucks.

This will kill Walt and Elmer with laughing.  I keep getting medals for shooting.  I don’t know why.
The bulls-eye is near as big as a chipmunk head and don’t move, and it ain’t shooting at you like the Higgett boys at home.  All you got to do is lie there all comfortable and hit it.  You don’t even load your own cartridges.  They come in boxes.  Then we have what they call hand-to-hand combat training.  You get to wrestle with them city boys. I have to be real careful though, they break real easy. It ain’t like fighting with that ole bull at home.  I’m about the best they got in this, except for that Tug Jordan from over in Silver Lake.  I only beat him once.  He joined up the same time as me, but I’m only 5′6″ and 130 pounds and he’s 6′8″ and near 300 pounds dry.

Be sure to tell Walt and Elmer to hurry and join before other fellers get onto this setup and come stampeding in.

 

 

Your loving daughter,
Carol

Not For Sale May 14, 2008

Purchase Price: $200.00

Dog Food Per Month: $30.00

Safe, Loving, Gentle with your Baby: Priceless.

Favorites Wednesday — Dogwood Trees May 14, 2008

 Dogwood trees are some of my favorite trees that grow locally.  Not only do they have really neat flat foliage, but their flowers are large and elegant.  We have a gorgeous drive in to our closest town where there is a dogwood forest.  Since they are just starting to bloom, I’m hoping to go back in about a week to see their progress and hopefully get some photos of the forest in bloom.  They are definitely eye candy for me.

This photo was taken yesterday at around 3:30 pm.  There are more in my flickr photostream if you wanna go take a peek.  Just click on “More Photos.”

All is Quiet on the Hereford Front May 13, 2008

I forgot to post this picture a while back, I’ve gotten so busy and distracted with so many others as I try to get out and take a few pictures each day.  But this one, this one is special and needs to be shown.  Here is my little cowgirl riding Mattilda before she had her calf, “Sir Loin.” 

Is it just me, or do we have the sweetest cows around?  Mattilda is my favorite, mainly because she lets me pet her and tolerates having her picture taken with my little girl (her little girl too).  Mattilda is an enormous cow, probably weighing around 1200 lbs.  She’s as mellow as they come though and shares her calf with us, entertains my baby, and keeps all of us wow’ed by her sweetness.

Just look at those sweet eyes, whistle while you work is her motto.

And here’s her son, Sir Loin, thanks to Molly he has a name!  What a great name at that… a perfect fit.

He’s a beautiful calf, much like his sister a year older.  Her name is Jessica and she’ll be bred this summer so that she can have a calf of her own next year.  She’s a bit on the “froggy” side but I’m sure will calm with mother-hood… I did.

And here’s a size comparison of Mattilda and my friend Dixie.  Dixie is about 5′5.” 

So all is well on the Hereford front.  Our cows are doing well but poor Twinkie is about to burst.  I wish she would… She’s the final one.