Stuck in the Mud

It's hard to believe that three short months ago, we were lamenting about the never-ending rainfall. How we needed to get the branding done. And crops planted.

The rain did go away. And stayed away. Except for a few miserly droplets, we've had nothing since June. We are running out of grass. Which is doable, because we can start bringing the cattle in closer and start feeding hay.

But we are running out of water, too. NOT so doable.

We use "dug-outs" for cattle water. There are over 120 of them on the ranch. Dug-outs are large man-made ponds that fill up with run-off water in the spring and are maintained with regular rainfall. But no rainfall means no run-off means no water for the cows. So the dug-outs are drying up.

Yesterday, a cow waded out too far in a mud-hole of a dug-out, and got herself stuck. I went along with The Cowboy, just for the drive, thinking to enjoy the fall colours.

Help!

What followed was a series of maneuvers involving a chain, a cable attached to the bumper of a pick-up truck, two lariats, two cowboys, and yours truly. I was given the dubious honour of driving the pick-up in reverse to pull the cow out. I could not see over the berm of the dug-out and so had no idea if Bossy was being sucked out of the mire or if she was cemented in place forever. The Cowboy waved his arms wildly in a series of gestures, the meanings of which were known only to him, and I translated the best I could.

First thing I know, The Cowboy started running, and then the other cowboy came skedaddling over the berm, followed by a very mucky, very angry cow. Bellowing furiously, she ran hard and fast, until she came to end of the line still attached to her. (Apparently, I missed the signal for "drive hard in reverse and then stop and drive forward so we can detach the line".)

I have to admit, I was frightened. I just knew that crazed cow was going to drag me through fences and forests and farms, and maybe all the way to the highway.)

Eventually, and this is where the lariats came in, she was roped down, loosed from the chain, and set free.

Not a word of thanks or farewell.

Horribly cliché, I know, but there is never a dull moment around here. If it isn't one thing, it's twenty others.

If you think of it, prayer for a little rainfall would be appreciated. Before the snow comes. Before the ground freezes.

Good Idea, Chloe

As promised, I have a guest writer on my blog today. Jan Ackerson lives in Michigan and is mother to two grown daughters. She is also grandma to a delightful and adorable little girl.

Jan's own blog, One Hundred Words, is fascinating. Each entry is a complete story, totally contained within, you guessed it, one hundred words. Jan's stories are thought-provoking little gems of inspiration and sometimes, a direct-hitting "ouch" or two.

Jan asked me what her story should be about. I suggested something "country," in keeping with my own blog's theme, maybe earthy, maybe humorous, maybe with a little life-lesson. With her well-known mastery of precision, Jan was able to pull it off with this wonderful little jewel.

Without any more rambling, here is Jan's story.

Good Idea, Chloe

Chloe held Dack’s hand as her mother stepped out of her car at the farmhouse driveway. It was Mother’s first visit.

“Mom, your shoes!” Chanel pumps, buttery and sleek.

“These old things? Don’t worry, darling,” she said, presenting her cheeks to be kissed.

To her credit, Chloe’s mother was fine, if wobbly, for the tour of the farm. Back at the house, she held Dack’s arm as she slipped one shoe off. She licked her thumb, rubbed at a smudge, and then with a shrug, she licked her thumb again.

Chloe couldn’t tell her—that wasn’t a smudge of dirt.

Ignorance is bliss, so they say.

Please visit and enjoy Jan's blog.

Family and Other Wildlife

Having a place to go - is a home.  Having someone to love - is a family.  Having both - is a blessing. ~Donna Hedges

We had the privilege of travelling to the Okanagan region of British Columbia last week to celebrate the 50th Birthday of The Cowboy's baby sister. The Okanagan is famous for its fruit and wine, lakes and sunshine.

Each day, we sat in the sunshine and enjoyed the view from the sundeck, visiting together for hours each day.

We were treated by the birthday girl to a dinner cruise on board the Casabella Princess. The lake was a little rough when we boarded, so we ate while moored in the marina, then set out for the cruise.

Incredible food, incredible family and friends.

On our 15 hour drive home, we stopped for a break at Jasper National Park.

Maligne Canyon

A masterpiece carved by water over thousands of years.

No journey through a Canadian National Park would be complete without seeing some wildlife.

A rare treat. A bull elk swims the river right before us.

A group of 10 or so Rocky Mountain Sheep, all ewes and lambs, gather by the road, stopping traffic.

Caribou- - north of Jasper.

We are home, back to "flat land" and ranch work, exhausted, but so blessed to have had this special time with the family in a beautiful part of God's world. An apple pie is cooling on the counter, made with freshly picked Okanagan apples. Another 45 pounds of apples are waiting to be peeled and sliced for the winter, when we'll taste summer and remember happy, warmer days.

*I'll be having a guest writer and friend visit my blog in the near future. To sample Jan's superb writing, visit One Hundred Words.