Like on other farms and ranches, Spring is a a busy time of year on the Circle L, but it seems to evoke an extra level of business!!
Business includes, but is not limited to:
Branding Calves
Moving Cattle Around
Fixing Fence
Cleaning Corrals
End of School Activities
I mean the list is never-ending.
Spring is one of my favorite times of the year because of new life and longer days. The hope of productive days lays in wait. Even though the weather might not show it, the sights, smells, and sounds tell us spring is here.
Goodbye winter, with your bitter winds and mounds of snow, and hello Spring. Spring, of course, marks the beginning of warmer weather and longer daylight hours, the blooming of flowers and the budding of leaves.
5 Signs of Spring on the Ranch:
We Finally get to see our Neighbors.
Few things scream spring like healthy calves on the ground and brandings! Calving is one of our peak seasons on the ranch. While calving season is exhausting, the rewards outweigh the all the challenges. Calving season brings Brandings! Brandings is always a good to get to head to all the neighbors brandings after a long winter and catch up. Oh, and the branding food isn’t to bad either!
We See the hint of Green in the pastures = Happy
Any green is always a welcoming sight. It is our goal to have healthy pastures and to achieve that goal you have to have proper management. Good pasture management results in weed control, improves and protects our Sandhill soil, it increases forage production and extends the life of our pastures; all causing our herd to be in better health. Cody and I love to see the bit of green.
We are on the moooove.
Cattle on the move is always a good sight because if they aren’t moving usually it means something is not right. We spend Spring time rounding up our cattle and moving them all to their summer pastures. Cattle on the move also means that we have a lot of wet saddle blankets.
We are Fencing.
No matter how mild the winter or how wild the winter, the fence always needs to be repaired. Fencing is a never ending job!
Our Meadows are Flowing with Water.
When our meadows are flowing, you can bet that we also have a front porch full of muddy boots and muddy snow pants. Flowing waters on our meadows also means that green grass will surely coming and that means that we will have a good hay crop.
I can truely say that I have spring fever.
I know that I am ready for warm breezes, sunny days and getting rid of the winter wardrobe? Are you?
I am ready for:
Fresh, crisp and sunny days.
Spring cleaning and decluttering our house, life and mind.
Planning for family/friend time.
More light and longer nights.
Fresh fruit and fresh flowers.
Spring is where we reawaken our sense and give ourselves a little restart.
Xanto – Winter Storm Diary of www.thecirclelranch.com
Winter Storm Warning in effect from Friday morning in Cheyenne, Morrill and Scottsbluff Counties! ~KNEB
A Thunderstorm 31 miles N of Sidney moving NE at 34 MPH. Winds over 40 MPH with Hail Pea to small marble size possible. ~KNEB Storm Center
Blizzard conditions expected today. Dangerous storm underway! ~KNEB Storm Center
“Life Threatening Blizzard Conditions Underway” per @NWSNorthPlatte in western Nebraska: Impossible travel conditions due to strong winds and heavy snow ongoing! STAY off the roads until #winterstormXanto lets up!!
“Wow Mom, where did this come from!”
In reference to storm on April 13, 2018! “Well son, I am not really sure.”
Well after the storm has cleared and we have daylight and days behind us, lets talk about where did Xanto come from and how the Circle L Ranch dealt with this monster.
We will be remembering Friday the 13, April 2018 for awhile. To be honest, this storm called:
Xanto,
hit us with a BAMMM!
Xanto started April 11, 2018 in with high winds from California to Utah and Wyoming as a jet stream disturbance dropped into the West. This storm also hit Utah and Montana. By April 13, rain and snowfall were reported in South Dakota and western Nebraska. Blizzard warnings were issued in South Dakota, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Minnesota. Highways and roads were closed. Xanto stayed into April 14 but slowly moved out of our country and eventually heading to the shores of western Lake Erie in Michigan. (Weather Underground) This storm had every thing in it including rain, snow, hail, sleet, freezing temperature, wind, thunder……What else is left!!?
Here’s our diary story:
Circle L Diary Entry: April 12, 2018
Our day started at 5:00 am. Breakfast of champions- cereal with milk for all the kids. We packed Kason’s lunch and Cody and I discussed our plan for the day. We discussed that the weather was supposed to change. Cody decided to lock all the heavy cows (Heavies-mother cows that are pregnant and haven’t had their calves yet) in a windbreak close to the barn and all of the pairs (Pairs-mother cows and their calves) he was going to feed in a deep valley protected by the wind. By feeding them there, they are more likely to bed down their calves and won’t drift with the storm causing the calves to get lost. Kason and Cade left a little after 6 so that Kason could catch the track bus heading to Sidney for a meet. The twins and I left about 7 am to head to school.
7:45 am- “Mom, my pickup is smoking,” Cade says on the phone. “What?!! Are you kidding me,” I say. “I will be there in a minute.” The moral of the story, Cade’s pickup blew the radiator. It was beginning to look like a great day to me. After calling the mechanic and getting the pickup to the shop, it was to late to head to Kason’s track meet. (I am thankful for moms that keep me posted about how my kids do, when I can not come.) I ended up working the rest of the day at the feedstore. Cody called with a list of feed, groceries and supplies that he thought we better pick up. The list looked like this:
Feed Store List: Calf Milk, Goat Feed, Old Horse Feed, 4-H Steer Feed
6:00 pm -I had a fairboard meeting. Cade and Kason headed home to start on chores. The twins went to the meeting with me.
I headed home about 7:30 pm. When I got home, I helped the boys finish up chores. We ate a fast supper of leftovers and headed to bed. Cody made it home about 11:30 pm.
Circle L Diary Entry: April 13, 2018
It rained all night. I could hear it coming off our metal shed.
6:00 am – Phone rings- It was the school- NO SCHOOL!! NO blood drive (I was going to donate blood) and NO Basketball team meeting. We had breakfast. Kason and Ryder stayed home to do chores. Cody headed to Murphy’s which is a 6 mile, 1 hour drive. (Murphy’s is where most of cattle is.)
8:00 am- Called the vet to see if I could get a sick horse in to see a vet and also take Cade’s dog, Bear in to remove his staples from his ACL surgery. They said to head in.
10:00- 10:30 am – Cade, Reata and I made it to Alliance. The -+47 miles of dirt road took me 2 times the amount of time that it usually does. The roads were muddy and it was raining. By the time that we made it to the vet, it had started snowing. The snowflakes were big and full of moisture. I was thankful for all the moisture coming down. We helped the vet with the horse and we watched as they removed all 38 staples from Bear. We got word that the neighbors would be postponing their Saturday branding until Monday as well.
11:30 am: We ran to the grocery store and to the gas station while my horse was waking up from his medication. The snow was getting thicker by the moment. We headed south on the muddy roads, by this time, it was 4×4 all the way. By the time that I got 15 miles from the ranch, it was a blizzard. About 2 miles from home, I buried the pickup and the trailer in the mud and snow. It was hard to see anything. I tried to get unstuck but I was too deep. Cade and I decided that he would walk to the ranch house and get the tractor to pull me out. (Okay, I just want to put this right here, you can judge me as a bad mom but I had faith in Cade and in God, that he would guide Cade to the house. The snow hadn’t quite filled in the trail road clear up and so he just followed the trail road to the house.) Cade brought the tractor and by that time the snow was above the running boards of the pickup. We made it home, got the horse put away and started on all the chores at home. We made sure that all the animals had some kind of protection from the winds. All the while, Cody was checking on the heavies to make sure nothing was calving. He finally headed home just before dark. He got stuck in the pickup, unloaded the 4-wheeler, got it stuck and then ended up walking a mile to the house. He made it on faith and prayers.
9:00 pm Supper and dry clothes.
10:00 pm – We all prayed together and asked God to watch over all our animals, our neighbors and friends and their animals and those that were affected by Xonto. We went to bed, not really knowing how much snow that was going to be left.
Circle L Diary Entry: April 14, 2018
5:00 am – I got up to take a look outside. WOW! I mean we really got the moisture.
6:00 am – Breakfast and we started chores. It was cold and windy and the snow was blowing. Cody and Kason headed to Murphy’s. Cade, Ryder and Reata and I finished feeding all the animals.
You see, Cade was going to a prom, so we were trying to figure out how to get him out. They ended up postponing prom.
Afternoon sometime: Cade, Reata and I headed to Murphy’s to help Cody and Kason. We packed our lunch and snacks.
I tell you what, seeing your calves and cows standing up right is such a good sight. There were all exhausted but all upright. Even the heavies held their babies in! We fed them fresh hay and looked around the hills. I spent the majority of my time scooping myself out of snow banks, lets just say that I did my workout for the month!!
Later afternoon and that night: We headed home. We finished more chores. Headed in for supper. We were all exhausted and tired.
Circle L Diary Entry: April 15, 2018
5:00 am – Coffee
6:00 am – Breakfast
7:00 am – Cade and I headed to Denver and the twins stayed with Aunt Cary. Kason and Cody did chores and went to Murphys.
The rest of the story………………………………………………………..we are dreaming of all the green grass and pretty flowers that we know are coming.
It is continuing….our story…stay tuned for more diary entries.
Meanwhile, we are thankful for God’s protection of our animals and our family.
Xanto was a strong storm that really had its own path of snow, wind and everything in between. It left people stranded and without power and it tested all of our patience, all of our strength and made our everyday tasks a struggle.
When we headed out, about 7 miles down the road, there was hardly any snow. So it really was a crazy storm
Now I want to know, were you affected by the monster Xanto? I want to hear your story.
When I was in school, a while back, our PE teacher would pick team captains. It was then the captains’ job to pick his/her team. I can remember the feeling that I would get when I would get picked. It felt good. Right? Do you remember the feeling of being picked? I do and I don’t ever want to forget that feeling.
That is the same feeling I got when God pick me to be on his team. You see, strong players are the backbone to every team.
But being on God’s team requires some responsibilities. Here’s my list:
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.Ecc. 4:9
We have to work Together. When we work together, we can double our strength and get more done.
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.Proverber 27:17
We have to have each other’s back. Being on God’s team is so special. It’s like checks and balances. We have someone watching our back. God will help us if we falter or lose sight of our goal, just like a good friendship. A good friend doesn’t always agree with you, what you do or what you say. A real friend is someone that is willing to challenge you, to be a better person. A team player encourages his teammates to be better players. Teamwork and friendship work in similar ways.
We have to work together. We all have something unique and special to offer God’s team. We must realize the gifts God has given to us through his love, together our team will have so many options and great advatages to share with others on our team.
We have to fill our spot. Teamwork relies on everyone knowing their position and fulfilling it.
We have to love our team mates. Teamwork requires a good foundation of truth and love. This is sustained by the forgiveness of God. We must follow God’s example and forgive each other. We also need to encourage others.
We have to be good communicators. I know that communication is key in any sport. I also know that communication is important when we are on God’s team. Prayer is the key to communication with our God.
To be an awesome team player, we don’t have to be extroverted or indulge in self-promotion. In fact, great team players have all kinds of personalities. All we really need is to be active, we need to participant and we need to play our role. To be an awesome team player, we need to put our teams objectives above our own and take the initiative to get things done without being asked. In the end, our team will win.
So what about being a team captain? Do you think that God assigns some of us to be “Team Captains” right along with him?
I do!
This verse provides the answers, and I love this verse:
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
John 15:16
The verse is very powerful, right? I mean read it again. These are words that Jesus said.
“I have chosen YOU”
It gives me the goosebumps to be honest with you.
So what do we need to become a team captain? Do you think that God makes us team captains? Oh, I think he does and I think that we need to know what it takes to be a good captain. Here are my thoughts:
Team captains are team leaders. When God assigns us to be a “Captain” we need to listen, communicate and respects those that are on our team. Being a Godly example is to what I’m referring.
Team captains think positive. Being optimistic really means to be hopeful of something good. When God puts us as “Captain” we need to motivate those around us by saying, “We can do this together”, “I will join you.” God doesn’t want our team to fail. Positive thinking enables us to perform at a level that we would never think would be possible.
Team captains pray for their team. God knows our skills, well in fact, God knows everything and we need to pray that God will direct us in everything, everyday. Team captains know what their teammates are capable of doing and not only prays for them, but also gives their teammates opportunities to succeed.
Team captains understand that it takes a team to win. I know that it takes a team everyday to help me and my family. Right? Yes, I am thankful for those that pray for my family and I. I am also thankful that God listens to my prayers for those around me. It truly does take a whole team working together to win our game called Life.
Team captains know their teammates skills. I am so glad that God knows the skills I am capable of doing. He knows yours as well.
Team captains knows their teammates personally. Being a “Captain” takes time. Time seems to go so quickly, but it is actually the most important gift we can give our team. Time. Yes sitting down in the quiet, praying and listening is always crucial. Taking time to get to know our teammates is important as well.
Team captains are mentors. This one is so important and like I started before it takes time. Mentoring will help win this game of life. Listening, giving affirmation,being a friend, loving, caring, giving Godly advice, tips and instructions is all you need to be a great mentor. God is a great mentor example for all of us.
Bottom line: team captains take responsibility to lead all of his/her teammates. If God assigns us to be a “Captain” then we need to make sure we are thinking and acting for the betterment of our whole team and not our own benefit.
The most important teammate that we can have on our team is God. He is THE “Team Captain.” In this game of “Life” we are all teammates. Some of us might be assigned to be a team captain, but we all have the same goal. Right?
When God calls each of us home, we all want to see his face at the end of our race. So why not help each other out? Well this week I am stepping up my game, I want to be a team captain. I want to be a better team player and I want to pick you for my team.
Will you join me? Because I just picked YOU to be on my team and you have some responsibilities to fill.
Naomi Note: I am taking this post out of archives(2013) and sharing it again. Enjoy!!
I haven’t written a blog for a while, but it’s not a lack of thinking about it. Somewhere between running after twins, being a mom, being a wife, calving, running a feed store, volunteering for Nebraska Cattlemen, FFA, and Fair board I really don’t have much time.
Today, finally, I have a few moments to write my thoughts down.
I love this time of year! I love seeing all the calves. Even though this spring has tested our spirit and our strength, I am thankful for the moisture we have had, and love the branding season and the community it brings.
My thoughts are really about Branding Etiquette.
What happens in the branding corral is amazing, and I wanted to write it down. There is an etiquette in every culture and the branding corral is without exception. I know that I may have missed some, and there may be some you will not agree with, and some you may not have experienced. I am open for you to share your thoughts with me. Some rules are spoken, some unspoken.
I will never forget my first Nebraska branding. I was amazed how well people respected each other, the traditions that had been passed on and just the amazing feeling of being there.
So with that I have decided to write my version of Branding Rules!!
The owner brands the calves.
It’s the top job. The owner is the boss. They also delegate who should rope and for how long. They also delegate who should cut and give shots,etc. Always wait to be asked to do your job.
It’s an honor to be asked to rope at a branding.
You should respect the other ropers. Help them out. Dragging one calf with two roped back feet is better than dragging five with one back leg. Take your time. If you can, pull your calf to the wrestlers closest to the branding pot (So branders don’t have to walk so far). If you high hock a calf, try to get the rope down.
The brander gets first dibs on a calf.
They have a hot iron which cools quickly. Shots and cutting can wait.
You are expected to wrestle at branding if you can.
You should not ever let your calf up until he is done. Watch for the ropers, don’t stand in their way.
Brandings are really not a place for colts.
(Unless they are ready and won’t get someone hurt)
It is a nice gesture to bring something to the branding for lunch.
Usually a salad or dessert!!
The men/women that helped in the branding corral eat first.
Make sure you thank the lady of the house for lunch. You are in charge of your own kids at branding.
If you want to rope or help out, then make sure you have someone to watch them if they are not old enough to help themselves. It would be disrespectful to expect, or even ask the ladies preparing lunch to watch them.
Leave your dogs at home.
I am sure that I have missed some but I wanted to at least give what I was thinking. I am very blessed to live in a community were there are still traditions and morals. I am thankful that Cody and I have the opportunity to pass on these to our kids.
My branding Kitchen
Branding~ A time for Family & Friends!
Cary & Ryder~ Starting them Young!
I love this picture. Why? Cause this picture shows the old and the young.
Everyone has a job.
The young and the old. We all love our PAPA!
Cade branding 2012
Reata and Tripp. I was wishing this day that I had 3 pairs of Chinks, 3 kids horses and 3 hands. I was watching our friend’s little boy Tripp, he is 10 days older than the twins. They all wanted to ride and they all wanted a hat and they all wanted chinks. So we had a lesson in sharing that day. I love that they all want to ride. It makes my heart sing!
Cody and Levi
This is my new horse. I would not trade him for anything. We are becoming very good partners!!
He loves to pull calves, and I love to rope them!
This picture shows what goes on at branding.
Talking. Branding is a time to catch up with your neighbors. I love to hear all the stories.
This is another picture that I love. In this picture we have the young and the old. Learning how to hold a calf is so important. At every branding the kids get a little better and better.
I love that this horse is so calm. Makes it really easy to rope a calf.
This is our neighbor, John, He is 81 this year. He is a 3rd generation cattle rancher. He told me the other day at his branding that he appreciated me and how I was raising my kids. My heart needed to hear that.
Ryder. He loves to ride and he loves his Hat.
This is another picture that I love. Cody is telling Cade the Rules. Cade did so good roping. I was one proud MOM. To tell you the truth I had tears in my eyes. They grow up so fast but I glad that we have a new generation of cowboys.
Ryder watching from the fence.
Cade pulling in his calf.
Being with friends is so important!!
Kason bring in a calf at our “little” branding.
I am closing you with a invitation to add your comments.
Everyone of our hearts has an atmosphere. What is the atmosphere like in your heart?
How is the Atmosphere in Your Heart?
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. To do justice and judgement is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Proverbs 21:2-3
How do you feel about the world today? Do you feel like there is a lot of confusion? Do you feel like there is a decline in civility? Do see that some people like to display love, but there are some that like to display crass? What is the atmosphere of your heart?
These questions have been on my heart the last couple of weeks.
The atmosphere of our hearts depends on where and who we allow ourselves to be influenced by, and whatever is in our hearts. We can create an atmosphere of peace or hate. This atmosphere will be what flows in our hearts because it will conducive to what is in our hearts.
You see, we are in our comfort zone when we create whatever is in our hearts and flow in it when it prevails. We can create and contribute to God’s kingdom, or we can create and contribute to the enemy.
Think about this…..
When love rules our hearts, there will be resistance when we try to walk in the atmosphere of evil. Our spirit of love will be discerned, but not welcome. To resist this atmosphere we must enter to feel a discomfort in our hearts. This feeling is out of our comfort zone. We must set up our atmosphere to see God’s light.
Satan tell us this….. “If you can’t beat’em, join’em.” Right? Satan is a very good recruiter. He makes us frustrated and then he wins by us thinking like him. I see it over and over and over. Do you? He figures that if he has a stronghold in our atmosphere, he can get us to do what ever he wants. I am out to shut him down and I want you to join me.
How ’em I going to do that?
I know that I can change my own spiritual atmosphere around myself quickly by practicing:
Grace: Cut people some slack instead of cutting them clear off. Be humble and have compassion. Forgive and forget.
Gratitude: Be thankful for everything that happens whether good or bad. Show gratitude by writing a note or maybe a phone call. Everyday give more complements than complaints.
Generosity: Give, give and give a little more!! No I am not talking about money. I am talking about time, energy and kindness.
Not only will these things change our attitudes, but if we do these consistently, eventually the principle of sowing and reaping will catch up to us so our life will be full of people doing the same things.
The other night while winding down after a long day, I was thinking about our ranch house.
You see, we moved into the Circle L Ranch house about 7 years ago when Cody’s parents retired. This ranch house is our home, and now a part of the story of who we are and a large collection of all the things we love.
After talking to our older generation neighbors, we have come to the conclusion that this ranch house was built before 1910. Our house was a 1 room homestead. The previous owners then added a larger kitchen, a couple of bedrooms and an upstairs.
In 1965, Cody’s parents, Fred and Darlene, bought the Circle L Ranch and in 1979 Cody’s parents added on a living room, bedroom, bathroom and a laundry room. Cody’s parents raised 5 kids in this ranch house.
I came up with a few lines about living in a ranch house.
You Know You Live in a Ranch House When……………..
You can only run a few appliances/ electronics at once.
We are pros at knowing what will flip the breaker. Even with updated wires, this ranch house can only handle so much. If we flip the breaker, we have to run over a hill to flip it back on.
Your bathtub also serves as a calf warmer and dog bathtub.
It also has seen more sand, mud and manure than most houses in its lifetime. Your refrigerator has 2 shelves/drawers full of vaccinations/ medicine for cattle, dogs and horses.
Yep, you read that right. Vaccine and medications for all our animals is important for us to have on hand at all times.
Your laundry room also serves as a vet room.
Our laundry room is pretty big, it has a shower, a huge sink, a washer, a dryer and large shelves. This room doesn’t only hold dirty and clean clothes, but you can find all vet supplies needed to treat a sick cow or calf, bandage a sore on a horse, animal ID tags, and the list goes on and on. We make sure that we have all the necessities we need because it takes a vet at least an hour to come to the ranch. Your washer has washed more than clothes.
I will just leave that right there!!!
You have fresh air EVERYDAY!
I mean really, think about all the drafts of fresh air that we get. When Cody and I moved in, we had new windows put in and even though these windows helped with a lot of the drafts, it didn’t stop them all. Let’s just say when the wind blows so do our curtains.
This is just one corner…
Your entry way look like the Calvary came for a visit.
I counted them this morning and we have 30 pairs of boots in the entry way. Whether we need Cowboy boots or Bog Boots, they are ready to go!!
Your fireplace has a place for a wood box.
No, not a box for wood, but a box for a cold calf. Your kitchen sink washes more than dishes.
For example, calf bottles, calving equipment, dirty kids, etc. Don’t worry, that’s why Clorox was invented.
Your mud room really has mud in it.
And NO I don’t clean it everyday.
Your floors have the creaks.
No really, it is one of the things that I love about ranch houses is the creaking floor. You can hear the kids coming when they get out of their beds.
You have a floor furnace.
Actually I love the floor furnace. It is very convenient to warm your cold feet and dry wet clothes. Your house has a cellar.
Every old house that I know has a cellar and it is servers as a weather shelter and for food storage. I am thankful to have it. Your electrical outlets are only 2 pronged.
This is probably one of the things that drive me up the wall, all appliances need 3 pronged outlets. Let me tell you, it is frustrating!
Your front door is the original wood door.
That is all. Our door is heavy and made right and I like it.
Isn’t this a good view? Iron on the hill.
Your lawn ornaments consist of old rusted machinery.
Let’s just say that we have a stock pile of iron. Your sewer is just a pipe line to a row of old trees.
Our ranch house does have a septic tank which was put in when Cody’s parents added on, but the rest of the house just has a pipe. The good news is that when we have a back up, all we have to do is go dig the dirt away from the pipe.
Your back door serves as the door to the gun safe.
Yes, there are guns by the front door, back door and everywhere in between.
Your walls are insulated with old Levis and Western Shirts!
Yes, you read that right. Back when this house was built insulation consisted of old shirts and jeans. Our walls still have them in it. We put insulation on top of them to help. We also found old newspapers packed in the walls. We left them.
Ranch house hat rack.
Your hat rack is a prized buck.
I will leave it at this: Check the photo out!!
Your floors are hard wood.
Living in the Sandhills, I appreciate our hard wood floors. You have a clothesline.
Fresh air is the best to dry laundry and I know ours has been drying clothes since the 1900! Your cook stove is gas.
This is one of the most important items in our ranch house. This is handy when the power is out, we can still have a home cooked supper and boil water if we need to.
Our ranch house is made with beams, walls and lots of stories.
The form of ranch houses never matters as much as what goes inside – because those are the people and special things that transform any space into a home. Ranch houses not only house and protect people from the elements, but they tell a story, express a person or family’s interests and make guests feel welcome.
Ranch houses are originals and they all have character.
You are welcome to come visit our ranch house anytime.
Calving Survival Tips….Be Prepared. Have a good Attitude. Check Your
Supplies. Buy Snacks.
We’re entering two of my favorite times of year right now; basketball playoffs and calving season. The goal of a basketball team is to make a deep run in the playoffs and the goal of a rancher is to save as many calves as possible. One of the key components for success in both fields is preparation. They both represent the endpoint of a lot of time, energy, rewards and resources. Calving is the most important time of our ranch life. Not only do calves represent life, they represent generations of bloodlines, untold hours of caring for their mothers, the mothers before them, and on and on…….. We are a cow/calf operation – the herd of cows is maintained year-round to produce a new crop of calves every year. The bulls are put in with the cows at a deliberate time in the summer so that the calves will arrive during a pre-determined two-month period in the “spring”. In honor of the heart, spirit, and weeks without sleep that comes with calving, I decided to share some of our Calving Season Survival Tips. We have had nine months to think about this. Right? My Cowboy and I sat down last night and came up with these suggestions.
Be Prepared. Be prepared to assist in a birth and for the weather. We have family meetings about calving. We discuss where to put the heavies (cows that have not had their babies yet), we discuss where we are going to put the pairs (cows with calves on the ground), we discuss what pastures we are going to use,we discuss the weather outlook and we discuss the unknowns. It is always good to think about what to do and when to do it. As an example, if we know a storm is coming, or negative degree weather, we will move the heavies close to the house and in a protected area. We want to be able to access them as easy as possible and bring their calves in if they are getting chilled. We also usually feed the pairs in an area close to a tree row (which serves as a wind break). Therefore, the cows should bed down for the night close to the trees where they can be protected better. “I do a lot more praying during calving.” ~My Cowboy
Have a Good Attitude. It is really easy to run down. It requires long days and long hours to ensure the herd health of our cattle but we have learned that just keeping a good attitude about our lives helps keep our heads above water. If we keep our head above the water we get to see the sun. During calving season we operate under the sovereignty of Murphy’s First Law: “Whatever can go wrong – will”. So we prepare for it all. ~My Cowboy
The “Key” of information.
Calving records, pasture records, bull
records, calendar and notes can
be found in this calving book,
Check your Supplies. We call it the Calving Toolbox. This box contains everything that we might need to help a cow and her calf. Things that this box contains include: Ear tags, Markers,Taggers (Make sure you have a spare), a calving book (for records), Milk tuber, Colostrum, Syringes, Scour Pills, Bolus Gun, Plastic Gloves (OB Gloves), Disinfectant, a bucket, Milk Replacer, Calf Bottle, Electrolytes, Warming Box(or maybe just the passenger side of your pick-up clean out), calf puller and chains, spotlight, and flashlights. I know that I am probably missing somethings but you get the idea.
This radio is one thing that can be found in our Calving Toolbox.
It has the weather channel and a charger.
Shopping List- Snacks, Snacks and More Snacks! I always try to have a pile of good, healthy snacks because during calving you never know when you might not get to eat breakfast, lunch or dinner. We also prepare a lot of homemade jerky! Don’t forget your Spouse, Kids, Family and Friends. When we are busy and stressed, we tend to forget about the special people in our lives. If we make it a priority to keep in touch with those that we love, or take time to share a laugh, or take time to send a text, or take time to make a phone call, then it will brighten our days and ease the stress of calving. “Go on a date to chase away the calving blues!”~ My Cowboy
Happy Tuesday, friends! I want to hear from you. Do you have any calving advice? Are you calving yet?
Every year about this time I get the urge for Spring.
I get that Spring urge to clean.
I get the urge to plant a garden. Do you ever get the Spring urge?
Today I have the Spring urge to plant a garden. Cary (my Sister-In-Law) and I were discussing what we want our gardens to look like. This is our discussion: “My garden will be beautiful, abundant and easy.” “My garden will be big and we will save money.”
It’s good to dream, right? I mean really, all this snow we have received will help our gardens grow!!
Well then reality of life hits and so does our discussing.
“We don’t have time to care for all the plants that produce the fruits and vegetables.” “Oh, and pulling all the weeds; who has time for that?”
So while we ponder and dream of our gardens this Spring, I had a thought!
Isn’t it so nice that there are people who are willing to work day in and day out to ensure that grocery stores, farmers markets, and meat shops carry our favorite foods?
Have you thanked a farmer or a rancher today for the food you eat?
Have you thought about why we need farmers and ranchers?
In no particular order, here are a few reasons why we all need farmers and ranchers:
God isn’t giving us any more land, therefore we need farmers and ranchers to take care of the land that is left. Farmers and Ranchers take seriously their commitment to their land and animals. One of our goals at the Circle L Ranch is to leave the land better. The only way we can do that is to take care of it.
Farmers and Ranchers know their stuff, and by stuff I mean they know the ins and outs of their operations. They know what needs to be done and when it needs done. They know when the cattle need feed and when the crops need planted. I personally know the STUFF and it is not for everyone.
Farmers and Ranchers care. No, really, we do care. Farmers and Ranchers are special characters, they are confident in what they do.
We love bananas, strawberries, rice, soybeans, corn, and so on right? Each and every farm and/or ranch has its special crop(s) they grow. At our place in the Sandhills, our soil is best known for growing grass for our cattle. Land differs around the world. We need all of these farmers and ranchers to ensure our food chain is filled with products we all like. Farmers and Ranchers know their soil, their climates, and can produce food more efficiently because they know what their land can do.
Without Farmers and Ranchers most of the world, especially those that live in cities, would lack a source of protein. I mean, the reality is that the majority of people can not raise cattle or chickens at their houses and they don’t have the time to take care of them, or space. Farmers and Ranchers ensure that we all have a valuable source of protein to add to our diet. For some good information about protein, I want you to check out my friend, Michaela’s Blog-Cowgirl Boots and Running Shoes, She does a fine job talking about health and nutrition.
We wouldn’t have clothes on our backs without Farmers and Ranchers. I know I don’t have time nor do I know how to grow and gin my own cotton. I also know that I don’t have time nor do I know how to make shoes. We need their decades of experience and traditions of growing good fuel and fiber to ensure that our life continues.
I appreciate all the farmers and ranchers that bring food to our table.
I appreciate all the farmers and ranchers that grow items so we all can be clothed.
I may or may not still have the Spring time urge for a small garden this year, but I am still thankful for all the farmers and ranchers that provide us with fresh, wholesome products we can enjoy year around.
I am still working on my Spring time urge for cleaning. I need the Spring time maid to show up.
Do you happen to have her number?!!
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isiah 43:19 It is the New Year!!
My thoughts have been just that- A NEW YEAR!
I have been asking myself some questions.
What do I want to do with my life in 2017?
What is our story going to look like in 2017?
What are my goals?
What can I do to help those around me?
You see, I am not making New Year’s resolutions, I am making Goals and Dreams.
Do you have any New Year’s Goals or Dreams?
I am determined to unpack my goals and my dreams. I know that if I ask God to rekindle them in my heart and mind, he will. It is time to make my visions BIG.
God tell us in Ephesians that he wants to pour out His favors on us.
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7 How am I going to achieve these Goals and Dreams?
I am gong to achieve these Goals and Dreams by
*believing anything is possible, when I have God on my side.
*starting each day thinking about my Goals and Dreams.
*hugging and kissing the ones that I love.
*being healthy.
*praying more.
*finding the best in everyone.
*supporting those around me.
*every day aiming to be better than the day before.
*being grateful.
*being simple.
*being humble.
It is almost the New Year and I am challenging you.
It is almost the New Year and I am challenging myself.
We can be a team and achieve our Goals and our Dreams.
I am Unpacking them in 2017, will you?
Happy New Year!! Wishing you all Peace, Love and Smiles in the New Year!!
Learned how to ride a bike without training wheels
Ryder Highlights:
Started Kindergarten
Love anything Army Stuff
Rode a bucking horse this summer(Not by choice)
Learned how to ride a bike without training wheels
Fun Family Facts:
We went to Vegas to celebrate a Special Wedding!!
We got to see the Grand Canyon.
Raised 24 puppies this year.
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Luke 1:37
We had a pretty good year, we know 2016 would not have been nearly as fun without all of our wonderful friends and family. So thanks for cheering us on, praying for us, lending a hand, and providing us with love and laughter all year long. Sending you lots of joy, peace and love this season.
Integrity is choosing Courage over Comfort; Choosing what is right over what is fun,
fast, or easy; and choosing to practice our Values rather than simply professing them.
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
Luke 16:10
This post has been brewing in my head for a couple weeks. It’s one of those post that is hard to write. Why? Because I fear of being judged or rejected, but after my dear friend Terryn I attended the Cultivate & Connect conference in Kansas City by Ag Chat, I decided that I am just going to say what is in thoughts.
This little word has so much in it.
I want to talk to you about it today.
The word is: Integrity!!
What does it mean?
“Integrity is doing right when no one is watching.”
God wants us to be people of integrity, people of honor, people who are trustworthy.
Can we rise to this or do we prefer to pretend we have integrity?
I started writing notes about Integrity and created a list of characteristics we need to have to assist us in our understanding of integrity.
Nonstop Personal Growth:
We need to be constantly in learning mode. We must be honest with ourselves, seek guidance to discover and work around our bad spots and always learning.
A promise is a promise:
I don’t need to say anything else. We need to keep our promises.
Reliability:
We need to be reliable leaders. We need to stick with problems and issues until they are resolved.
Accountability:
Don’t just blame others and/or take the blame ourselves, we own the situation and all of its outcomes. Be accountable for our own actions.
Just do the right thing:
Just do the right thing, at the right time and for all the right reasons.
Respectfulness:
Respect is earned. It is done so by showing respect and an acceptance toward others. Respecting others means understanding different values and beliefs, recognizing, accepting and developing the skills of others. Respect also means communicating and interacting with those around us with empathy.
Accessibility:
Be there!! That is all.
Transparency:
Don’t be fake! Be clear and real.
What are you doing to lead with and strengthen the integrity of those around you?
This question is what I need to ask myself EVERY DAY. It is so important to share our story and help others see past the false fear that their integrity is only as strong as the secrets they keep.
It is my goal to do better. It is my goal to show integrity.
God will only trust us with more after we have been faithful with a little. Our lives are an open book before God and our lives should be an open book before those who are around us. God looks at our hearts and motives.
When I arise in the morning, I think of all the the precious privileges it is to be alive- to breathe,
to think, to love, to enjoy and share it with those around me.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body;and be ye thankful.
Col 3:15
My thoughts this week include peace, love and thankfulness.
We all have struggles, difficulties and challenges. Right?
We think that we have more problems then everyone around us. Right?
Well that is wrong.
I believe that we make the mistake of allowing our struggles, our difficulties, our challenges, and certain circumstances dictate our happiness. When we make this mistake we are missing out on God’s messages. Does that make sense?
God never said that one day we should be on “cloud nine” and the next day we should “be in the dumps.” What God wants us to do is live consistently and enjoy every day of our lives.
So how do we live consistently?
We have peace, love and thankfulness.
One thing that I have been doing to help with my own self is writing a daily diary. I write what our family did, my random thoughts, and random goals. Just this little change in my daily habits has changed my thoughts and has pushed me to become a better person. I highly recommend it for everyone that needs a little push in the right direction. Writing a diary has made me appreciate myself and my thoughts. It has also brought more peace, love and thankfulness to my soul. We all have a purpose and I aim to find mine.
I want you to help you find yours as well.
You know what else causes us to not have peace, love and thankfulness?
Negativity!
We focus on the what could happen. We focus on insecurities. We focus on what we see on the outside. We get focused on the negatives.
Well I am here to tell you this:
When tomorrow comes, God will provide. He will give us what we need, but we have to have peace, love and thankfulness to see it.
My ending thoughts are these:
I want to live my life in a way that I can have peace, love and thankfulness. I want you to also.
Happy Thanksgiving week to all of you.
I am very thankful for all of you that support me by reading my posts. I love all your comments.
In all of our relationships, when communication starts to fade, everything else
follows. I pray that I become a better communicator.
“If we were supposed to talk more than we listen, we would have two tongues and one ear.” -Mark Twain
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
James 1:19
Hello Friends!
My Sunday Thought is all about Communication.
You see the last couple of days have been a little rough and the reason for that is a lack of communication. I decided to do a little Bible reading about Communication for more answers. This is what I found:
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement.
Matthew 12:36
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Proverb 18:21
What we say and how we listen to others is important to God. Did you know that? I knew it but I didn’t really think about it. My struggle these last few days has found me lost. It has brought tears to my eyes and has tested the strength of my soul but I know that I have a choice.
I have a choice to stay defeated or I have a choice to overcome.
I have chosen to overcome. I can overcome anything with God on my side.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
James 1:19
Many of our communication pitfalls that wreck our relationships come from not listening, speaking too much or too quickly and being angry. Right? It is our human nature to speak our minds and not to listen. It is our human nature to be selfish. It is our human nature to get our feelings hurt and to be angry. James tell us that we should do the opposite. We should be swift to hear and slow to speak.
Swift to Hear and Slow to Speak.
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
Proverbs 18:13
Listening skills are something rarely taught and generally we neglect them. Do we really know how to listen? Listening is so important. We all need to focus on the other person and force ourselves to try to understand their view point before sharing our own.
We all want to, and are taught to, Express ourselves, right? But when our self-expressions keep us from really understanding the other person, we are being foolish and selfish. Right? This is hard. I know. Paul tells us how our attitude should be:
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife, or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Philippians 2 :3-4
These past couple of days, I have recognized a few things that will improve our listening:
Smile.
Look the other person in the eye.
Block out distractions.
Put down electronics.
Focus on what they are trying to say. (This was my problem this week. I won’t lie, My Cowboy and I had a huge problem with this one.)
Slow to Speak
Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
Psalms 141:3
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Psalms 19:14
We want All of our words to be pleasing to God. I have found that when we have Godly words, then our communication is easy. We have to communicate each and every day. We need to practice good communication for all our relationships to grow. My mom would say,
“Think before you speak, Naomi.” Yep, I very clearly understand that statement. I say it to my kids all the time. We also need to choose our words carefully.
God gives us some tips for good communication. (I have printed these out.)
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Colossians 4:6
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsover things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8
God has left us an example. His Spirit is the true source of our joy, and we need to be thankful for that. Communication doesn’t need to be gossip or to be offensive.
Successful communication needs be kind, needs to be the truth, and it needs love. We can defuse negative feelings and promote positive relationships when we have successful communication.
These past couple of days I have found a way to have Successful spoken communication:
Use “I” statements.
Apologize.
Forgive and Forget.
Have encouragement.
Express appreciation.
All in all, these past days have taught me a lot of communication. I have learned that it is SOOOOOO important to have communication with your husband. I have learned that it is pretty easy to get lazy at communicating. I have learned that I need to pray for better words.
Do you have good communication? If so, I want to know your secrets.
