CSI: Farm

Crime scene:

Persons of interest: 

Both suspects have records, but investigators have yet to pluck a confession from either one. 

On the Lam

Remember Daisy Mae's little guy, Duke? Well, he's still handsome but no longer little. In fact, he's one of the heftiest steer calves. 

One morning I when I checked the cows, Daisy Mae was bawling for Duke, who was nowhere in sight. I spent several anxious hours looking for him in a narrow corner of the pasture which was bordered by trees, a creek, and a wetland. Daisy Mae and company just stood there mooing. 

How, I wondered, does a 600 pound person just vanish? Is this the Bermuda Triangle Pasture?

I left to go check the neighbor's pasture and the railroad easement (shudder). I returned to find the whole herd lounging near the barn--with Duke lying right next to the fence, calmly chewing his cud. 

I'll never know where Duke had been hiding. 

"If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me." ~Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT)

Greater Things

When I went horse shopping a decade ago, I sought a gentle, well-broke (translation: safe) gelding. I bought a green-broke filly instead. I told Hubby that Sugar's cowhorse pedigree had sold me, but mostly I'd fallen for her beautiful eyes. 

I was taken aback when Sugar's owner and trainer asked me, "Do you know what she is?"

When I replied that I was familiar with Sugar's cutting horse bloodlines but that I just wanted her for a ranch horse, he seemed insulted. He thought Sugar was destined for greater things. He must have needed the money, though, because he took mine. 

Sugar turned out to be good with cows, but she's even better with people. She particularly favors the unassured and, inexplicably, takes it upon herself to build their confidence and esteem. I couldn't be prouder. 

"Success is when I add value to myself. Significance is when I add value to others." ~John Maxwell 

Stalking Bluey

I'm crazy about mountain bluebirds. Since we're 30 miles or so from the mountains, a sighting of cerulean feathers is a rare treat. 

When this fellow--whom I call Bluey--stopped by the hayfield the other day, he noted the robust grasshopper population and elected to hang around. But when he noticed that I repeatedly stopped my hay hauling to try to sneak up and snap photos of him with my phone--well, you can tell (even with the blur) by the look on his face that he thought I was a crazy stalker lady. 

"Faith is what makes life bearable, with all its tragedies and ambiguities and sudden, startling joys." ~Madeleine L'Engle

Shake Up

If you can't be on the top of the food chain, at least you can be on the top of the food. 

"Don't live down to expectations. Go out there and do something remarkable." ~Wendy Wasserstein 

Curves

Two years ago, Moey was the tiniest of the doelings. People carried her around like a puppy. 

These days, no one totes Moey anywhere. They can't. 

 

"The curve of a smile is a woman's most perfect curve." ~Ann Voskamp 

Sociable (Pun Intended)

Ikey is just two years old, so he's still growing. I'm not sure how much he weighs now--Hubby estimates him at 1650 pounds--but I'm certainly glad someone so big is such an amiable fellow. 

Gus, foreground, chewing the cud with his pop, Ikey, and friend, Pepper. 

Ikey loves for Hubby to scratch his back. 

"I would rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world." ~George Washington 

How to Lose a Lake, or Better Yet, Not To

This isn't supposed to be a hiking blog, but Wyoming is so beautiful that I think you may not mind. Besides that, I just have to point out that Mirror Lake isn't lost anymore.

It turned out that the first time we looked for it, we were only a quarter of a mile away from the lake. What a difference a map and guidebook make!

"Wisdom's ways are pleasant ways, and all its paths lead to peace." ~Proverbs 3:17 (GWT)

If Enough Isn't Enough

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A Convert

Hubby used to be a Black Angus snob, but our gentle Hereford-Angus cattle have completely won him over. When we wormed and vaccinated calves yesterday, he noted that the sole calf to get agitated was Fancy, our only all-Angus calf. 

Gus 

Joy

"In quietness and confidence is your strength." ~Isaiah 30:15 (NLT)

As Good or Better

Remember last week when we couldn't find Mirror Lake? Well, yesterday we happened upon Mirror Pond. 

"You can never go where God is not." ~Max Lucado

Laptops

Writer's block, courtesy of Smokey. 

Mercy hasn't caught football fever yet.  

"There are no ordinary cats." ~Colette

Gypsy

This old gal let herself and her calf into our pasture a few days ago. We found out that she'd been in and out of other neighbor's places too. I dubbed her Gypsy. 

Gypsy was spooky at first but finally began to settle down. When we saw that she bore three brands, we realized what a stressful life she's had. 

I was a little sad when her owner came to retrieve her, but then I thought, well, maybe she'll come back for another visit. 

Gypsy and her calf. 

I was glad for an excuse to ride Sugar and bring in the cows. 

Bodie was a big help too!

"Love is larger than the walls which shut it in." ~Corrie ten Boom