Names and Numbers

A recent bovine census estimates the cattle population of Wyoming at 1,270,000. I can't find any data on this, but I think it's safe to say that the majority of said citizens are unnamed.

I've often been teased--loudly ridiculed once--for naming our cows. It's likely they haven't befriended an Angus or kept company with a Hereford, so they don't know how winsome a cow can be if treated kindly. 

A typical rancher may look at a beef cow and see numerals: ID tag number, age, milk index, feed efficiency, body condition score, weaning weights of her calves, number of times she's needed to be doctored or helped with calving, profit and loss. Not me. I stink at math and can't remember numbers. Besides, I look at a mama cow and see an amiable, beautiful creature working fairly hard to help us pay our taxes and land payments. How can I not give her a name?

At this point, I'd like to tell you that a cow can recognize her name on the lips of a person who cares for her, but if I did, you'd think I was at least one bale short of a stack. 

I get that some folks really don't want to know that their cheeseburger used to be a sweet calf named Gus who was the apple of his mama's eye, or that their steak was a friendly, playful fellow named Pancho. Still, no cow has lived here and given us calves, no calf has romped around our pasture in the evening, who hasn't been dignified with a name. Sometimes, if they were particularly ornery, they even earned (albeit unflattering) nicknames. 

Princess and Penelope lead the herd down the trail to fresh pasture. Princess has enough stories and personality to have her own Facebook page. 

Cupcake watches over her heifer, Cinnamon. Cupcake is a grandma but goofs off like a young calf. 

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"He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." ~John 10:3 NIV

Sunny and Bunny Grow Up

In a week, these two will be six months old. They were born in the coldest week of calving season. 

Sunny came on the scene just as the thermometer plunged to zero. She had to be dried out and warmed up with towels, a heater, and my blow dryer. I remember that her right ear, along with three inches of her tail, felt like icicles, and we prayed that she wouldn't lose them. She didn't!

Sunny

Bunny showed up on Easter, just after her sister Lily. I don't recall any drama surrounding her birth, so it must have gone smoothly. I think she's got some dramatic beauty though. 

Bunny

"Faith isn't the ability to believe long and far into the future. It's simply taking God at His word and taking the next step." ~Joni Eareckson Tada  

The Hunter-Gatherer

As blue heelers are wont to do, Lily collects unsavory effects like antlers, bones, carrion (usually small victims of the cats), hoof trimmings, corn cobs stolen from the cows, and various unidentifiable objects she's unearthed. Most are displayed in our yard. 

Lily carted off this rib from some hapless cow which has been lying in state for at least a decade. (Our late blue heeler, Jessie, was thrilled to discover the old carcass when we moved here nine years ago.)

If I was a paleontologist, I'd consider employing a pack of blue heelers to help at dig sites. 

"It is good to collect things, but it is better to go on walks." ~Anatole France

Hay Delay, Earth Delight

Raindrops have been few and far between this summer, so last night's rainfall was a special occasion--even though it drenched half of the third cutting before it could be baled. 

Those hot, dry winds that we complained about all season? We sure could use them now. 

"Do not be angry with the rain. It simply does not know how to fall upwards." ~Vladimir Nabokov 

Green Lines Matter

Me, a few miles into our hike: This trail is a lot more strenuous--huff, puff--than my guidebook said it was. 

Hubby: The guy who wrote it--huff, puff--was probably 30 years old. 

Me, a few miles later: When we met that sweet young couple from Germany--huff, puff--back there, she said the trail was a nice up and down. Nothing steep. 

Hubby: They're only 30. They probably--huff, puff--hike the Alps every weekend. 

Me, a few miles later: We need to write a hiking book--huff, puff--for people who aren't 30 anymore. 

Hubby: Look how close together these-huff, puff--topography lines are on the map. Each little green line--huff, puff--means 500 feet in elevation. 

Me: Next time I pick a new trail--huff, puff--I'll pay more attention to the little green lines. 

Everlasting and Suspenseful

Today's little visitor had this to say about her trips to the farm:

"I love it. I also love the adventures and memories to have. They're everlasting and suspenseful 'til the next time."

"There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million." ~Walt Streightiff 

Tender Mercies

Sugar is feeling much better (see the All Things, 8/15/2016 post). Sometimes she even trots and canters around in her sandy corral. I'm beyond thankful for all of the love and prayers that are helping her recover!

"The Lord is good to all, 

And His tender mercies are over all His works."

~Psalm 145:9 NLJV