Farm Shots

Hen

rooster

Sir Loin

Collateral baby sits, too 

spring babies

Taking a ride

Friday's Rain, Stampede, And To Market...

to sell the calves.  The orb above could be a rain drop but I like to think it was someone watching over us.

The smaller calves were worked to the right.  The young bull was left in the center pen til loading time.  The bent panel is from Collateral our big bull jumping out.  All went smoothly.

Yes, that is a cattle prod (produces an electric shock)  Hubby is threatening to use on me.  Prods are sometimes used to herd cattle although we only use ours if absolutely necessary.  Today was one of those days...twice.

It was an easy job working all the cattle through slowly.  The calves stayed in as we worked the cattle out. It hasn't rained in a long time but Friday it rained.  Hurrah!!!  Hubby finds another use for the tractor bucket.

Hubby was working the calves into the stock trailer by walking slowly behind them down the chute.  One heifer (young female) decided she was not going.  She turned back right into Hubby and kept coming, butting him knocking him down.  He is kicking her and prodding her and she jumps over him.  She gets reloaded then it's time...

for about eleven hundred pounds of dynamite to try the same thing.  El Toro  comes running right toward Hubby, no time to jump fence.  The prod does deter Super Baby. Hubby rolls minus glasses and hat. Hubby did mention he'd never seen a bull's equipment from that angle.  Unhurt Hubby rises to drive El Toro in again. All the calves will sell tonight

except the youngest.

Mom is grateful.

And that's life At The Farm.

Pieces of Calves...

is what you see if you watch

and catch one as it runs by

Other times you can find a handful just hanging around

or get really lucky and find a baby almost by herself.

Dad is always keeping watch.

Thursday's Things In A Row...

Today I have just one thing to show

One reason is Blogger's too darn slow.

Rows of calves behind rows of barbs

Studying the rows on the culvert

Left in their yard.

Visit Pat and join the fun.

Add your rows to everyone's.

Pat's Thursday's Things In A Row...Early

Pat has me hooked on Thursday's Things In A Row,

I see them now, where ever I go.

steaks on the hoof,

or baby calves if you prefer,

fresh squash from the garden,

and stuff where I work.

Flowers line up, just for me,

and farm equipment has lines to see.

Thank you, Pat!

Just what I needed for my OCD!

Late Calving

I know I would be hanging in the shade.

The heat and the insects are horrible.

They are treated but the bugs still attack.

These are the early calves.

Old baby with new baby, not even dry.

Doesn't take long for one to dry in this heat.

I can imagine how miserable the mothers are,

bags stretched to the limits,

and then going into labor.

I do not envy them.

I do honor them.

They are all good mothers.

What's Growing At The Farm?

Mullen

Figs

Hostas

Canna Lillies

Apples

Plantain

Honeysuckle vine and Red Bud trees

Almonds and cedar posts

Strawberries

Irises

Roses with rain drops

...and the herd is growing. Baby girl born first, followed by twin boys two days ago.

Not pictured, but worth a mention...the other thing growing is exhaustion.

Another day in Paradise

My husband, Dennis, is in the hay. It is late for a second cutting but since last summer's drought and lack of hay, we want ever piece we can get. Today I will join him in the hauling.

Yesterday was not good. Dennis broke the shearing pin on the baler. It had been so long since that had happened, he could not remember how to get it back in time. That was just an end to a wonderful day. Thirty percent chance of rain and only him working. The life of a farmer!

Don't get me wrong! Farm life is good. There is nowhere else you can see the hay growing and take pride in it. You can see your young calves being birthed. You can smell a barn full of good hay. Jump on a horse and ride your boundarys. Here you can also take a walk and find an arrowhead. You can fish in the ponds and play in the creek. You can drink fresh spring water. Most of all you can enjoy the quiet and peacefulness at the end of the day knowing it will all still be here tomorrow. Sit and wonder at the beauty of nature. Wonder did my grandparents see the same view? I would not trade this life for another.