Hat Tricks

Cowdogs wear many hats:

Wildflower scout

Ranch foreman

Mud puddler

Goatherd

Rabbit reconnoiter

Buzzard-buster

Cowboss

Chairperson

"Properly trained, a man can be a dog's best friend." ~Corey Ford

The Little Big Cheese

Saturday was Health and Wellness Day on this outfit. The entire herd was dewormed, all calves were vaccinated, and the little bulls, um, became steers. 

Those of you who've worked cattle know that the process of herding, funneling through gates, and sorting calves from cows takes longer than the actual doctoring--especially when yours truly doesn't properly latch the gate that was keeping the bull out of the way. 

Well, anyway, things proceeded relatively smoothly, thanks in part to the unforeseen assistance of Angel's little calf, Sunny. Although Sunny had no more experience than any of the other calves, she calmly led them (and sometimes the cows too) through gates and into alleyways, corrals, and pens. 

Sunny was one of the first heifers into the chute. After her turn, she repeatedly came back to check on the other patients. I'm not sure whether she was encouraging them or supervising the staff. When it was time for the herd to go back to pasture, Sunny led them out the gate. 

Hubby and I had better watch out. Sunny's smarts and leadership skills are apt to get her promoted to management. 

Sunny checked on Lucy. 

Angel gave Sunny her morning bath. 

Sunny let me know that the mineral feeder needed replenishing. The other day, she informed Hubby that a hose had been left running, making a muddy mess. When he pulled a harrow through her gate today, Sunny appeared just in time to supervise. 

No Pansies

Wyoming wildflowers boldly go where even dandelions fear to tread. 

"The wilderness and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom." ~Isaiah 35:1 NIV

Day Care

Our herd contains several multi-generational families, but Daisy Mae is the only grandma cow who regularly babysits her grandcalf. She's done so ever since he was born. 

Back to front: Daisy Mae; her calf, Smitty; Kodiak, her daughter Maizie's calf.

"Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you're just a mother. The next you are all-wise and prehistoric." ~Pam Brown

Lilac Air

It's been a typical Wyoming spring--a crazy winter-spring-summer hodgepodge--but, somehow, conditions have greatly favored the lilacs this year. 

Believe me, the sweet fragrance of lilacs greatly improves the air quality around this cow-scented establishment. 

"A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just." ~Pope Francis

Whale Tale

Mama orca (Angel):

Her orca calf (Sunny):

"Have you factored in God?" ~Bill Winston

Just One Day?!?

Blessings and a zillion thanks to my mom, all you moms out there, and all of your moms who definitely deserve more than one holiday a year!

To the precious moms whose children are residents of heaven--some of you I know, some I don't--I pray for extraordinary grace today!

"Mama exhorted her children at every opportunity to 'jump at de sun.' We might not land on the sun, but at least we would get off the ground." ~Zora Neale Hurston

Little Darlings

Nellie (pictured left) was the youngest, littlest darling in the herd, or so she thought, until Tulip and her mama showed up in the pasture. The new girl on the block garnered so much attention from the other calves that Nellie's white face turned green. Hostilities ensued. 

Nellie has a size advantage and soon prevailed; nevertheless, Tulip is still the youngest, littlest darling in the herd. 

"The size of our hearts is infinitely more important to God than the size of our bodies." ~Liz Curtis Higgs

The Poodle Tree

Abrupt temperature variations and trespassing cows have been hard on our little orchard, but this apricot is staging a valiant comeback. 

"Your circumstances may be black, but Scripture says that God is light. Trust in him, and he will give you a comeback. He will give you a fresh start." ~Louis Giglio, The Comeback: It's Not Too Late and You're Never Too Far