Howdy folks!!
Well, the Herd is startin' up on their annual busy season. This here season comes 'round every year, been like that since I was knee high to a grasshopper. Any hoo, we got them cattle all rustled up and shipped out to some other part of the county. Yes, sir, Friday mornin' was a beautiful one, it was. We woke up bright an' early, even afore the sun was up, to get things movin'. While Ma, Becca, and I started rustlin' up some grub for the cattlemen, workmen, etc, them boys (our boys) were out pitchin' hay and getting ready for the big day. People started arrivin' and coffee cups clinked as everyone gathered for a bit of chat before the work began.
Now the sun is just startin' to peak over the hill. It stretches red and gold fingers of warmth on the land and brightens the sky for a promising day.
The men thank us for the coffee and breakfast cake, put on their hats, and jingle their spurs as they walk to their horses. Now their off!! Ridin' straight and tall towards the distant pasture that holds the cattle.
Ma and I start cleanin' up the dishes and get to work on lunch. Green Chili Enchilada's, beans, sopapillas, salad, apples, and mint chip cookies! We work all morning long baking, cooking, cleaning, washing.
Soon the big trucks start to arrive. 12 semis lined up along our long driveway as they wait for their turn to get a load of beef. ;-)
As Ma and I just barely get lunch on the table, the men start comin' in. They wash up and sit down wearily, thankful for a hot meal after a long mornin's work. They have gathered all the cattle, weighed 'em, and loaded 'em into the trucks.
As we finish eating, I can barely keep my eyes open. I sit quietly by while the men laugh, joke, and tell stories from their younger days.
Now the meal is over, clean up has begun. While we children clear the table, the men continue their business talk. Soon, all is over. The men have gone. We sit with grateful sighs and enjoy a moment of rest before supper prep begins!
Yes, this really is how Friday was. A neighbor rancher of ours leases some of our pasture for his yearlings. They stay there getting nice and fat for most of the year. Then, on one day, they are gathered, weighed, and shipped to some place (probably a holding yard where they wait until it is their turn to be hamburger.. more than likely the patties you eat at McDonalds.. lol!)
This time, however, we had a slight break. We were able to sleep in a little later and didn't have our usual morning service. The men were late and had to get right to work, so they didn't have time for coffee and breakfast cake. However, they did have lunch, and my that was a lot of work! lol!
We also didn't have as many semis as we shipped quite a few yearlings out early. So, this time we only had 4 or 5. It was kind of sad not seeing all the trucks lined up! :-) That is one of my favorite parts! Next year I will have to get some good pictures.
So, that is what the Herd has been up to! Today is a nice resting day, tomorrow we will work around the place, and next weekend we will be working our own cattle. Weaning calves and putting all cows into their respective winter pastures.
Any volunteers? lol!
Well, off to clean and get the house ready for another weekend!
Hope ya enjoyed our lil' update. :-)
Sarah
** all pictures, except very first, from Google images
