Order of Business

In many places of work, jobs are assigned and priorities are established by a supervisor, manager, or some such big cheese in the upper office. One might assume that, since farmers and ranchers are self-employed, we call our own shots. 

On the contrary, we are both dependent upon and subject to seasonal changes as well as daily atmospheric conditions and precipitation amounts. Barometers rearrange itineraries and forecasts determine agendas.  

In times past, farm folk consulted the Old Farmer's Almanac, not the Weather Channel, before deciding when to do what. This year's Almanac is predicting another tough winter, but meteorologists are less committal. My favorite prognostication is that of the UPS driver, who told Hubby today that we aren't even going to have a winter this year!

The horses' daily grind includes a mid-morning, sun-soaking nap. 

"He has made everything beautiful in its time." --Ecclesiastes 3:3 (ESV)

Seasonal Overlap

A month or so ago, I would have paid it no heed. Above average moisture meant blooms everywhere. Frosts and freezes, however, have long since put an end to wildflower season. But today I was happily surprised to happen upon this tenacious little vetch, blooming like June! 

"So this is my prayer: that your love may flourish." --Philippians 1:9 (VOICE)

Crunch Day

I love riding Sugar through crisp, crunchy, crackly leaves. 

For a post-ride treat, Sugar loves to crunch on fresh-picked carrots. 

"Delight thyself in the Lord, and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places...." --Isaiah 58:14 (KJ21)

Exhibit A

Hmm, I wonder who left tracks in the new concrete slab?

The tracks look suspiciously heifer-sized. 

It must have been Brownie or one of her counterparts. 

In Deep

We've been digging like a bunch of moles, putting in water lines and overflow drain back fields for more automatic waterers. Because winters get so cold here, the lines are buried way below the frost line. Hubby used a backhoe for much of the job, but we all have added significant mileage to our shovels!

Of course, the cows helped too, although strictly in an advisory capacity. 

"They'll turn their swords into shovels, their spears into hoes. No more will nation fight against nation...." --Isaiah 2:4 (MSG)

Woodbucks

Our biggest cottonwood is a favorite stomping ground for the cows and horses. Raccoons and all kinds of birds hang out there too. It's kind of a critter coffee shop, minus the coffee, plus the comfort and camaraderie. 

But our littlest cottonwoods have cages around them for protection from stomping cows and horses. Perhaps they do host the occasional mouse or bug gathering though. 

"For whoever has despised the day of small things will rejoice...." -Zechariah 4:10 (LEB)

Ikey

When Ikey first signed on with this outfit,  I had my doubts. He'd been somewhat shortchanged in the grocery department and looked more like a weanling calf than a future herd bull. 

Four-and-a-half months of good pasture later, Ikey has lost his ribs and baby face. As Hubby put it, "He even has muscles, and they're starting to ripple!" I suppose that someday we'll have to drop the y and address him more respectfully as Ike.

But, what's with the curls? 

                            

"God selected the common and the castoff...." --1 Corinthians 1:28 VOICE