Photos 80-81: A Cowboy Needs a Cow

A cowboy needs a bovine like a sailor needs a plank,

Like a blister needs a toehold, like a robber needs a bank...

A cowboy, friends, without a cow is moon without the earth,

As macho and heroic as a whithpered lithper's curth...

I say a cowboy needs a cow; they're joined at the hip,

Politicians and reporters have the same relationship...

So, to those who think I'm whining, that I'm pitiful and sad,

That I'm just another loser throwing good love after bad,

It's not all that one-sided, as I've learned in therapy,

'Cause my cow finally admitted that she really needed me.

-Baxter Black

Photo 79: Watchin'

Horses are funny creatures that have personalities, just like you and me. This is one of my hubby's young horses that he's riding-this was her second year branding. She's been calved on for two seasons as well. Even after all that, she is very expressive in the way that she does her job. I find it fun to watch her.

Photo 78: Western Skies

The wind has picked up again today and brought with it some awesome drama! The coolest thing about living in this valley is the passing spring storms. We usually don't get anything out of them, but the view is breathtaking! I'm a cloud person-I love them!! Today's clouds were no exception.

One of my favorite Chris Le'Doux songs is called Western Skies. I don't have friends in Nashville or play the guitar, but I do love living in the middle of nowhere, something a lot of people don't understand.

"My Nashville friends think I'm strange

to make my home out on the range.

They think it's nothin' but a god-forsaken land.

'Why don't you bring your guitar and family

and move on down to Tennessee?'

Well I just smile cuz they don't understand.

But if they ever saw a sunrise on a mountain mornin'

or watched them cotton candy clouds go by,

they'd know why I live beneath these Western Skies."

Photo 77: Taking Care of Sick Babies

It has been a bad year for sick calves. We're coming to the end of this year's calving season, but there never seems to be an end to the sickness. 

Photo 76: Clearing Fog

The fog comes

on little cat feet.

It sits looking

over harbor and city

on silent haunches

and then moves on.

-Carl Sandburg

Photo 75: Sound Asleep

Photo 71-74: Branding Fun

Photo 70: I Caught One!!!

Boys will be boys, and thank heavens for that!! No better place for a boy to be a boy than in a branding pen. This little guy was practicing his roping on the calves that were already branded. No one was paying too much attention to him until we heard a yelp-he'd caught one!! Lots of excitement and calves running-he held on for a while, earning himself a rope burn on his finger, a "trophy" as one of the gals called it. He was all smiles, despite the pain in his finger. Confidence is built in small ways, even through letting go of the rope. I hope this little boy will keep at it, earning more trophies!

Photo 69: Cowboy

Photo 68: Branding Has Begun!!

Our first couple of brandings were this weekend. My girls and I love this time of year, as well as my hubby (obviously!!! ;) ). The best thing is getting to know more people and strengthening friendships.

Photo 67: Little Boys and Tractors

Who would've thought that sitting on a tractor would cause this smile!! Isn't he the cutest?!!!

Photos 64-66: Putting Bulls Away After the Sale

The bull sale was a day of excitement and lots of work! I'm using three pictures from that day because I'm falling behind, again! :)

Photo 63: Bulls

I took these pictures before the bull sale, but have fallen behind on my blog!! If you are still interested in buying a bull, we have a few left. Check out our website, leadoreangus.com, or find us on Facebook: leadore angus bulls for contact info.

Day 62: Bringing in the Pairs

Day 61: Staying Out of Water

Coming home from the main yards today, everything is melting, fast! There was water EVERYWHERE! As I was stopped, watching all the water gushing over the road, I spotted this cat, walking along the fence to stay out of the water.

Day 60: More Baby Calves

Day 59: Babysitters

Day 58: Feed Row

Day 57: Mule Deer

There are a lot of deer in our area, but you don't see mule deer very often. This group has been hanging around in the same spot for a few days and it's fun to see them-they are by far my favorite kind of deer!

Day 56: Hey There!

Working bulls again today. Sale day is March 17! Come see what Leadore Angus has to offer!!

Day 55: Fog and Snow