I Once Knew A Cowboy

I once knew a cowboy.
A cowboy with a heart as deep and wide as the mountain valley.
A cowboy who had standards and morals as high as the snow capped mountain peaks.
A cowboy whose character was as tall and straight as the mountain pines and quakies he rode his horse among while gathering his cattle in the cool crisp fall weather.

I once knew a cowboy.
A cowboy whose hands, in his younger years, were rough like sandpaper and could fix any broken fence, rope any stray steer, drive any tractor, put up thousand of acres of hay and wipe away tears with tender gentleness from his daughters' cheeks.
A cowboy whose boots could walk miles in his pastures, trudge through any snow storm to tend his cattle and dance with his beautiful bride in the moonlight.

I once knew a cowboy.
A cowboy that loved his family and his land more than himself.
A cowboy that opened his hearth and home to anyone in need.
A cowboy that had no idea the impact he had on so many lives whom he mentored by simply living a life that was honest, true, kind, generous and merciful.

I once knew a cowboy.
A cowboy who battled many rounds of cancer and was so determined to not not let the silent killer take his life, he came out victorious time and time again.
A cowboy who also fought many other battles: battles over his land and his beliefs, battles for his family, battles for his community.  A cowboy who was proud to have served his country with honor and duty.

I once knew a cowboy.
A cowboy who eventually gave up his beloved cattle and ranch.
A cowboy whose hands eventually grew as soft as kid leather.  His heart grew as tender as his hands and soon the love he had for his cattle was replaced with an immeasurable love for his grandchildren.  The hands that use to fix fences soon learned how to swaddle babies.  The boots that use to walk the dry, dusty, dirt roads learned to walk gently while he held his grandchildren and tenderly rock them to sleep in his arms.

I once knew a cowboy.
A cowboy who was so loved by his family, thought of as a hero by his grandchildren and respected by his peers.
A cowboy who was brave enough to succumb to the cancer that persistently came into his life but not until he had all his affairs in order, not until he knew his family would be taken care of.
A cowboy who didn't give up until he was ready.
A cowboy who cried with his family and friends as they each said goodbye, holding each other tight.

I once knew a cowboy.
His saddle and horse are put away proper.  His boots, cowboy hat and rope are no longer needed.
His work on earth is done.

I once knew a cowboy, but I will forever love, treasure, value, admire, respect, appreciate and be obliged to this cowboy.  As the sun sets in the west and casts the alpine glow on the mountains in the east, I will remember him and the life he lived.  I will hold dear the times we shared. I will forever be blessed because I once knew this cowboy.

Spring Time in Western Nebraska

Awww... you gotta love springtime in Western Nebraska.  One day it is sunny, warm and a beautiful 70 degrees outside.  The next day... it could be snowing and 32 degrees with wind and the schools are either closed or have late starts!

This was the case last week on March 18th.

Although the cows didn't seem to mind.  They were still able to find the luscious green spring grass even under the snow.

One was even starting to roll a snowball with her nose!  Later that day when we came back from town the girls had constructed a snowman!!!!  

Just joking, but wouldn't that have been fun?

German Sausage Chowder

Quick post to add to your Open A Bar 2 Ranch recipes.  I think I should start a little cookbook... in my spare time.  Those who know me know that will not happen any time soon!

Just Breathe and Live.

In keeping with my resolution in my last post I grabbed my camera, walked down our driveway the other night and snapped these pictures of the sunset just at the most opportune time.  Sunsets are soooo beautiful here, don't you agree.  One of my favorite features of Western Nebraska is our wide open spaces which allow for such spectacular views as this just outside our door.

As I was walking back to the house I could hear a few Canadian geese honking down at the neighbors pond.  Not sure what they were talking about, but I imagine they were talking about their day while enjoying themselves effortlessly floating around in the water.  Maybe they were also talking about how beautiful the sky was.  A meadowlark greeted me with his distinctive call.  It almost sounded like he said "Nice to see you outside again.  You've been missing the best part of life!"  I replied back, "Nice to see you too.  I've missed your beautiful song and didn't realize it until just now when I heard it."

Stop Putting Off "Things" Until You Have Time

I've been waiting for this day all week long.  There has been a huge flock of snow geese in the neighborhood all week long.  Every morning I watch them and think how I'd love to go out there and get pictures, but talk myself out of it because I need to get ready for work.

Knowing that I had today off, I voiced my wish every single morning as I mourned out the window, that they would hang around until today so that I could take pictures.  Just ask Dan the Man, he heard me every single morning...  "I sure hope they hang around until Friday so that I can try to get pictures."

With the excitement and anticipation of a young child on Christmas morning, I found myself wide awake at 4 am, giddy with the thought that it was Friday morning and with God's grace, the geese would be waiting for me.  I lay in bed trying to fall back a sleep telling myself I was such a goober if this is what brings me excitement.

Tick-tock, tick-tock, ding-dong, ding-dong went the chimes on the clock in the living room.  It seemed like hours but daylight finally came.  I jumped out of bed and ran to the window.  YES!  They were there waiting for me.  Knowing that I wanted to wait for better light which would come in an hour I stumbled to the computer to get a few work related things done before I went out.

After an hour or so I went back into the livingroom and looked out the window.  GASP!  Oh no, say it isn't so Joe!  Yep, the geese were gone.  What the heck happened?  The pond was white with them an hour ago.  My gaze turned a 1/4  to 1/2 mile or so to the west and there I found the flock sitting in a field.  My heart had fallen to my toes, but was gradually coming back up to at least my knees.  All was not lost.  I could still try to get out to that field and snap a few shots.  Wouldn't be as nice as the pond, but would suffice.

Then I got to thinking that perhaps something had startled them from the pond and they might go back.  So I decided to go ahead and jump in the shower real quick and see if that was the case when I got out.

As soon as I got out of the shower I once again returned to the window.  The geese had not gone back to the pond but were still in the field.  If I hurried and got dressed, surely, I could get a picture or two.  As I was putting on my shoes I noticed movement out the window.  A few of the geese were flying over our house.  I looked over to the field and could begin to see a swirling white with black flecks whirlwind starting to take shape and ascend into the bright clear blue sky.  I held my breath as half of the geese took flight.

"They're leaving..." I cried to Dan the Man who as still in bed.  Well maybe not all of them will leave.  Dan the Man informed me that I should have gone first thing when I got up.  That was such a comforting bit of advice.  Like I didn't already know that...

As I stood at the window, left shoe in hand and face pressed against the cool glass, the remaining geese took flight and there were no more.

I sadly watched them gracefully fly off to the south towards the bluffs and my shoe fell to the floor.

I have tomorrow off and Sunday off as well so not all is lost.  However, I will not be home tomorrow morning to try again.  Hopefully I will have another chance on Sunday.

I am almost 50 years old now.  And you would think by now, that I would have learned my lesson.  If you want to do something, do it, do it now.  Chances are the world will not end because you took time to do.  If you wait until you have time, the moment might not be there.  I can recall countless times when I have wanted to photograph something but have not taken the time to do it either because I was on my way to do something else or was busy doing something and did not want to take the time.

One of those times was last year when I was driving home from a long day at work.  The sun was starting to set and the sky was beautiful.  The wind was not blowing and it was a gorgeous day.  As I was crossing the river I just happened to look down at the water and there crossing in the shallows were a doe and her two fawns.  Who is to say I could have got a shot, but now I will never know because I just kept going.


I also lament after family gatherings when I don't get a group shot or at least a picture of everyone present.  Those times will never happen again and pictures can preserve those memories for generations to come.

So starting today, I will try my best to stop and take time.  Take time for beauty, love, friendships, my family and most importantly my God.  I encourage you to do the same if this post at all struck a cord with you!

Delicious Zuppa Toscana

I know I have not been a faithful blogger for quite some time now, but I would really like to change that.

If I set goals, maybe I can rectify my lack of posts.

So, the first goal that I am setting is to post a recipe once a week that will highlight one of Open A Bar 2 Ranch's premium all-natural beef.

This week I would like to feature our all new Italian Sausage.  It is yummy and so versatile.  Not only is it delicious any most any pasta recipe, but it can stand alone as the star topping on a pizza!  Italian Sausage is also awesome for soups.

I will be sampling this soup, made with Open A Bar 2 Ranch Italian Sausage at the Scottsbluff Winter Farmers' Market this Saturday from 11am-2pm.  The market is held in the greenhouses at Aulick's TLC on 3109 Avenue B in Scottsbluff.  You can pick up a package of sausage at the market on Saturday OR we also have our all-natural beef at Hometown Harvest Cooperative at 1214 Center Avenue in Mitchell.

If you think this blog post is a big fat plug for Open A Bar 2 Ranch, you would be correct!

But I promise I will try to post more things about the goings on around the ranch.  I know some of you like those stories better than the recipes.

Enjoy!

Who Cares What the Fox Say?

We have a new visitor on the ranch and one that is not so welcome here in our part of the woods.  Although it is fun to look out the back window and see a fox frolicking in your backyard, it is also quite unnerving knowing that he or she is probably trying to figure out a way to devour your entire flock of hens.

It is also quite unnerving to see a fox and have that stupid song "The Fox" (What Does The Fox Say?) immediately come to mind.  If you haven't heard it, do not, I repeat, do not google it and watch it on YouTube.  It is not worth your time and you will never be able to view foxes the same after you hear the song.  I guarantee you, you will hear that song in the back of your head everything you see a fox.  Don't do it my friends, I am warning you.

I have seen this guy on two separate occasions now.  Once trotting down our driveway one morning and then again on Thanksgiving morning right in our backyard.  I took these pictures from my kitchen window.  He wasn't very concerned about his surroundings or my movement in the window which concerns me.  Most animals I see in the backyard immediately see me in the window because it is a large window and run away.  This guy was wandering around, sniffing here and there, went under the shed, and rubbed his face in a little pile of snow.

I was wondering if he was washing his face after devouring one of my chickens for Thanksgiving dinner but after I snapped his picture, Chris went outside to make sure the chickens were still safe in the coup.  They hadn't been let out yet.  We haven't lost many of our chickens to predators since we do secure them at night in the coup.

I haven't seen him since and I can't say that I am sad.  Like I said, although they are fun to see, I'd really rather not see them on my property, at least not so close to my chickens.

Recipe for Butternut Squash Soup

Don't anyone faint, but I am actually going to (at least try to) start blogging again!

Why you may ask?

Simply because I miss it and because of my passion for local food and wanting to share it with like minded people AND because funny stuff happens in my life.  I like to share these stories to give others a chuckle every now and again.

So here goes...

First I have to catch some of you up on an exciting local foods cooperative that has opened in Mitchell.  If you are not familiar with Hometown Harvest, here is the website.  If you live in the area and haven't been there... what are you waiting for?

http://hometownharvest.coop/

And their Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/HometownHarvestCoop

So for this post's recipe...

I made it last night so let me try to recall the recipe.  I rarely cook with a recipe book because I hate to be told what to do and don't like to follow rules.  I am a meal makin' renegade!

Let's see... how should I do this?  Do you want the instructions first or should I do it more in a recipe fashion?

Let's try to do the recipe fashion.

What you need:
1/2 stick butter (PS, I rarely measure so you won't need measuring cups!)
1 onion
3 cloves garlic
1 butternut squash (peeled and cubed)
4oz pkg Shiitake Mushrooms (sliced)
4 cups or so of Chicken Stock (homemade or organic)
1 or so cup of white wine (not necessarily necessary, but I think it adds nice flavor and is nice to sip on while you are making the soup!)
1/2 to 1 cup sour cream (told you I don't measure, I just spooned some in)
1/2 to 1 cup cream cheese (again, just spoon some in)
Pepper
Curry powder

I think that's it.

In your favorite soup pot (please tell me you have one, if not, get one!  I love my Lodge Dutch Oven 6 Quart Porcelain Enamel, google it) melt the butter, add the onion chopped and saute until translucent.  Add minced garlic cloves and saute for a few more minutes. Add sliced mushrooms.  Should smell heavenly at this point.  Saute some more, probably 3 or 4 minutes.  Who knows how long, maybe you can take a couple of sips of wine, and then it'll be done!

Okay, time to get serious.  Sorry.

Add the squash and saute a little longer, probably 3 or 4 sips...

Now add the chicken broth and wine.  Put the lid on and simmer until squash is softened and can be mashed easily.  Probably 20 minutes depending on how big your "cubes" are.  When the squash is cooked, puree everything in a blender (I use my mother's avocado green blender from the late 70's, works like a charm!).  DO NOT put too much in the blender at one time or the heat from the soup will cause the lid to sky-rocket off like a skyrocket in flight and you will have puree all over the ceiling!  This should be done in "batches".

Pour the puree back in the pot. Add the sour cream and the cream cheese (which you should cube so it will melt faster).  Season with pepper and curry powder.  Heat to serving temperature.

We toasted some jalapeno cheddar bread, buttered it and ate it with the soup.  It was delicious!!!

Okay, want to try it?!  Well, you can get all the ingredients (except the wine, which you really don't even need) for the soup at Hometown Harvest.  Well and the Jalapeno Cheddar Bread, which can be picked up at the Scottsbluff Winter Farmers' Market at Mamma Jane's Artisan Breads.

And just to highlight the LOCAL PRODUCTS used, here is a recap:

* The star of the show, Butternut Squash from Wind Harvest Farms, Henry, NE
* The co-star, the Shiitake Mushrooms from Hazel Dell Mushrooms, Ft. Collins, CO
* The supporting cast, Garlic from Mitchell Valley Farms, Mitchell, NE
* Chicken Broth made from pastured poultry that we raised.  We don't have any for sale, BUT you can purchase pastured poultry from Lazy W Diamond Ranch (Banner County, NE) at Hometown Harvest
* AND last but not least, the special guest star, Jalapeno Cheddar Bread from Mamma Jane's Artisan Breads, Huntley, WY

Enjoy!

He Knows His Cows Better Than His Own Children

Last night was a restless night due to one cow who mooed the whole entire night...

Dan the Man and I settled down in our warm, soft, comfy bed complete with freshly laundered flannel sheets and four warming modules (aka the cats).  The quietness at the end of the day started to envelop the house.  The silence of the country night was lulling us into a much needed relaxing slumber.  I was drifting in and out of slumberland, but I keep hearing something...

What was that?

Moooo

"Danny... Did you hear that?"

"Hmmm?"

"I thought I heard a cow mooing."

"I didn't hear anything."

Five minutes later...

Moooo

"Danny. There is a cow mooing outside."

"Hmmm? I don't hear anything."

Again... five or so minutes later...

Moooo

"Danny, there IS a cow mooing out there."

"I heard."

"Well, are you going to go see what is going on?"

"No, it's cold outside and I don't think anything is wrong."

This mooing went on ALL night long.  Just as I was beginning to fall asleep...  there it was...  Moooo!

Now, if you have cattle, you know that cows generally bed-down at night and don't usually moo in the middle of the night.  If the cows are mooing in the middle of the night, you generally need to get up to see what the commotion is all about.  You also know that cows have certain moos for certain circumstances.  Let me name a few for you:

There is the "Are you coming for feed us?"  moo.  This one is usually loud and all the cows participate in this one.

Then there is the mooing that takes place when you are sorting the cattle.  Once again all the cows participate in this one and it can get so deafening loud, that you can not talk to someone standing five feet from you.

Of course, we mustn't forget the weaning moo.  This one is usually an individual moo that each cow does on her own accord as she feels necessary to let us know that her bag is full and how much longer will it be before her utters dry up?  Being a mother who breast fed, I can feel her temporary pain and also rejoice with her as she is now liberated again from the never ending sucking and head-butting machine known as her calf.

There is the unmistakable moo, which is actually more like a beller or roar of a mother cow charging something that might be endangering her calf.  That one sends chills down your spine and I have only heard it a few times but will never forget it!

Oh yes, and then there is the moo of the crazy cow that is trying to ram you into a corral pole or plow you into the ground.  This one too is very frightening, trust me!

This particular moo that kept waking me up ALL. NIGHT. LONG. was neither a distressed moo or one that was trying to alert her master (Dan the Man) of trouble.  It was just an annoying moo that seemed to go on all night long, non-stop.

I think I told Danny at least three or four times that the cow was still mooing in case he was not aware of it.  He just grunted, rolled over and took the covers with him to his side of the bed each time.  I finally got the hint that he was not going to get out of bed to investigate.  He finally told me that it was probably Sweetheart.  That her calf had probably gotten out of the corral and Sweetheart was calling him and telling him that he had better get back in the corral where he belonged.

I remember waking up around 5:20 just before my alarm was about to go off.  In the quietness of the frosty morning I lay in bed thinking of my day ahead.  The mooing had left my memory temporarily.  As I became more conscience and awake, the memory of the night's never ending mooing came back to me.  Oh yes, I wondered to myself if that cow ever stopped mooing.

Moooo.

Guess not.  I nudged Danny a little and told him that the cow was still mooing.

I got up and went about my morning routine.  Danny soon got up and took his shower.  After his shower he usually eats, but this morning he decided that he would go straight out to do the chores before he ate breakfast and see what was wrong.

I was a little anxious for him to return from chores to ask him what was the deal with the cow.

As he had predicted, it was Sweetheart.  Her calf had crawled into the feedbunk just on the outside of the corral.  The little stinker had burrowed down into the leftover hay still in the feedbunk just inches away from his mother.  I guess Sweetheart did not like the fact that he was on the wrong side of the corral.

I think it is somewhat amazing that Dan the Man knows his herd so well that he knew what the mooing was all about.  I think he might know his cow herd better than he know his own children!

Here is a picture of Sweetheart and her little guy.  Awwww, isn't he so sweet?  The little turd had BETTER stay in the corral tonight.

I don't always drink la leche...

Sorry, but I could not resist!

Sorry You Missed Our Super Bowl Party!

Sorry you missed our Super Bowl party.  I know you missed it, because only 2 people came.

If you don't know what I am talking about, go back a post and you will see the invitation.

I am happy to report that all the cattle have made it back home to the Open A Bar 2 Ranch without incident.

Thank you to Dan the CSA Man and Danielle for helping us sort the cattle in Gering.

We left bright and early this morning with the trailer and headed for Gering where the cows have been pasturing since November.  Dan and Danielle were already there waiting for us.

We only had one escapee, a calf, who we easily wrangled back into the corral.

Dan was the only one to get peeped on.

No one got kicked or stepped on or pooped on for that matter.

Danny fell in the corn field while we were wrangling the escapee.

We finished driving the final load into the yard at about 4:45 p.m., 7 loads down and 298 miles later.  We need a bigger trailer!  Duh!

Landmarks we grew accustomed to seeing...

... the cute white horse at the corner of C.R. 19 and Robidoux Road.  When we first started driving past his pasture, he would whinnie and run a little, like he wanted to be a part of the action.  It was as if he was offering his cattle working services.  "Hey you guys!  If you need a horse to help herd those cows, I can do it for you.  I really can!  Please, please, please let me help!"

... the three goats who could jump back and forth with ease out of their corral.

... the longhorn herd that is pasturing in corn stocks.  I love longhorn cattle, each one is so unique with it's coloring.  We started calling the herd bull Mr. Big Guy.  His horns were really long.  I bet his horn span was at least six feet wide.  How do you haul those things in a trailer???

... the two naughty dogs who would chase us as we drove past their house on the corner of Robidoux Road and Rifle Sight Pass Road.

... the countless tumbleweeds... every where!

... the bull on the top of Rifle Sight Pass who we named the Kung Fu Panda Bull because he looked just like a panda with white crew socks on!  Funny guy!  Wish I had a picture of him.

... oh and the poor little smooshed bunny on the road that Danny would make sure that he did not run over again.

As we continued driving back and forth past these landmarks...

... the cute little horse soon grew tired of us and hardly paid any attention to us when we passed his house.

... the goats settled down for a warm afternoon nap in their corral.

... the naughty dogs went from chasing clear into the road, to stopping at the ditch before the road, to not even getting up but just looking, to not even rising their heads to look, but just barely raising an eyelid!

... the longhorns traversed the whole corn field.

... the Kung Fu Panda Bull grazed all over his pasture along with his little donkey friend.

... and the cute baby bunny... well, it never changed.  Just laid in the road, trip after trip.

On the very last trip however, the little white horse was standing right by the road and gave us a head nod as we passed, one of the goats was laying on top of a car and the naughty dogs actually chased us coming clear up onto the road!

Too bad I didn't have a camera to take pictures of all of these, but I am sure you can form your own images.

We are grateful to be home and even more grateful for the safe homecoming of the cattle.  We're resting on the couch and watching the Super Bowl and enjoying the commercials!  Especially the one... GOD MADE A FARMER!  Amen!

PS, if you missed the commercial... you must see it.  I am sure you can google it!

A Happy Dog Story!

This is a story of our friend Dan, aka Dan the CSA Man.  CSA stands for community supported agriculture.  If you don't know what that is, just google it.  But like I said, this is a story about Dan, not the CSA, and Dan's dog Jesse.

A couple of weeks ago, Dan called me on Friday night explaining that he would probably not be at the winter farmer's market on Saturday.  He and his girlfriend, Danelle, had been hiking on Friday with Jesse in Carter Canyon.  Jesse was hiking along like most normal dogs do, running a head of Dan and Danelle and then coming back to where she could see her people and then running a head again.  Towards the end of the day the wind started to pickup and the next thing that Dan and Danelle knew, Jesse was missing.  They called and called for her, but the wind was just too strong and they figure Jesse could not hear them.  (Have ever tried to yell at someone in the wind in hopes that they could hear you?  It is a lost cause, especially if the wind is blowing towards you and they are in front of you.)

The daylight quickly faded and Dan and Danelle had no choice but to hike back to the truck without Jesse.  They figured they would head out at daylight and backtrack where all they had been with hopes of finding Jesse.

When they returned home, Dan called me to tell me that he porplably would not make it to the farmer's market since he and Danelle would be heading out at daylight to try to find Jesse.  I told him how sorry I was that Jesse was missing and wished them luck in finding her.  And being the mother that I am, I told him all the other things he should do to report a missing dog, although I am sure that he already knew.

After we hung up, I told my man Dan the situation.  We both felt awful for Dan and Danelle.  We're animal lovers and there aren't too many situations sadder than a lost pet.

From here on out, to make the story less confusing, I will refer to Dan the CSA Man simply as Dan and my man Dan as Danny.

The next morning Danny, my man, took off to take care of the cattle and I stayed behind to go to the farmer's market.  Around 10:30 in the morning I get a text from Danny that said "You'll never guess what I found this morning!"  After I read it, a picture text comes from Danny of a new born calf and this message "Sweetheart had her calf!"  "Wow!!!" I thought!  We were under the impression that Sweetheart was open since she did not calve when the rest of the cows had thier babies in May and June.  She must have gotten bred really late!

Then I got the most shocking text from Danny which said... "AND I have Dan's dog in the cab with me!"

"WHAT?!?"

I had to read that last text again.  How could he possibly have Dan the CSA Man's dog in the pickup truck with him?  They lost Jesse in Carter Canyon, which is at least 15 miles from where the cows are located.
I promptly called Danny on the phone and asked him where he was and what in the world was he talking about.  The conversation went something like this...

ME: What do you mean you have Dan's dog in the truck with you AND I can't believe Sweetheart had a calf!

DANNY:  When I got here, I saw a dog laying down in the corral and was wondering where she had come from.  Then I thought that she MIGHT be Dan's dog, but highly doubted it.

So Danny stopped the truck and called to the dog.  The dog wasn't wanting to come to Danny so he decided to call Dan and ask him what Jesse looked like.  Dan described his dog to Danny.  It was definitely the same dog.  The cell connection was a little spotty since Dan was still hiking in Carter Canyon so Danny told him to call when he had better cell service.  Before they lost connection, Danny asked Dan what the dog's name was and Dan told him Jesse.

After they lost service, Danny called to Jesse and she came to him, but was still a little timid.  Danny opened the door of the truck and asked Jesse if she wanted to get in and she jumped right in with him.  Jesse rode around with Danny as he checked on the cows and worked on the fence.  Dan called again when he had better service and Danny told him the good news that he had Jesse in the truck with him and that she was safe and sound!  Dan and Danelle had split up while they were looking for Jesse so it took them a little while to meet up with Danny and Jesse.

Danny said Jesse just rode around with him tending the cattle and fences in a quite manner.

As soon as Dan's truck was in sight, Jesse spotted it from inside the cab and grew more and more excited as it approached.  She went from quietly sitting in the passenger's seat to standing and wildly waggin her tail!  When Dan got to where Danny was, Danny let Jesse out of the truck.  She started to run towards Dan but then cowarded a little as she got closer.  I am certain she thought she was in a little trouble.  Dan told her it was okay and got down on his knee and Jesse ran to him and covered him with doggie kisses.  It was probably hard to tell who was happier to see one another, Jesse or Dan!!!

We figure Jesse found her way to that set of corrals because Dan has been helping Danny work over there putting up fence and other jobs so Dan and Jesse had been there a few times together and just recently before this incident working on the corrals.  Jesse probably had to of trekked least 15 miles cross country to get to the corrals.  I am certain once she got there, she decided to stay put because she recoginzed the place and the smells.

It was especially a blessing that Dan had even called us Friday night and told us that Jesse was missing or Danny would not have even given Jesse a second thought when he saw her.  He would have just figured it was some local farm dog out running about.

We're still amazed at Jesse's trek and are still talking about it!

Dan and Jesse Saturday night!

Jesse Resting on Sunday!

Oh, and of course we should include a picture of Sweetheart's calf!

Oh, how I love happy endings!

Super Bowl Party at the Open A Bar 2 Ranch!

Come join us for a good time on Super Bowl Sunday!

The day will start bright and early at 6:00 am.  Meet here at the Open A Bar 2 Ranch at 6:30 am.  Warm clothing and shoes that can get cow poop on them are a must.  We'll get round up with the truck and stock trailer and mosey on over to Gering, where the cows are presently located.

Breath taking views will be had as the sun rises in the east and casts it's glow on the south side of Scottsbluff National Monument with Dome Rock close enough to touch.

We'll begin by setting up gates in order to herd the cattle (38 cows, 29 calves and 1 bull) into the corral.  After the cattle are in the corral, we will then begin the sorting.  We must sort the calves from the cows into separate pens.

Once the sorting has taken place, the calves will be loaded onto the trailer 15 at a time.  As soon as one load is ready, they will then be hauled from Gering to the Open A Bar 2 Ranch, 20 miles or so from their present location.  During this 30 minutes drive, you will get to travel some of the most scenic back roads in Scottsbluff County, including Rifle Site Pass.  You will also have a chance to assess any bruises you might have gotten from being kicked by a calf.  If you are wondering what smells, it will probably be you.

When we reach our destination of Open A Bar 2 Ranch, the cattle's home, the calves will be unloaded into the corral.  The calves will be detained in the corral until they can be reunited with their mothers.

After a quick bathroom break, we will load back into the truck and head back over to Gering.  By this time, it'll be so loud at the corral we'll have a hard time hearing each other, so you'll learn cowboys sign language as we load the calves up.  You'll be amazed at how loud mother cows can bellor when they are calling for their calves.  We'll then take the second load of calves to the Open A Bar 2 Ranch.  As with the first load, you will again get to experience some of Scottsbluff's most scenic back roads on the way back home.

Calves will be unloaded just like before and if you are lucky, there might be another bathroom break but don't count on it.  Daylight's a burning...

Breakfast of Wal-Mark cinnamon rolls will be served on the drive back to Gering.

At this time, with all the calves safely at home, it's time to load the cattle, 6-7 at a time.  That will be a total of 6 loads of cows.  Once again, we will take the scenic, dusty, back roads.  By the time we have taken 4 or 5 loads, you will know every tumble weed on the route.

If all goes well, meaning we don't have trouble getting the cattle into the corral, onto the trailer, no flat tires, or any other catastrophic events, we should be done by 5 p.m.

You will smell like cattle poop, look like a dirty, dusty old rag, and you'll feel like death warmed over.  If you get kicked by a cow or calf during this adventure, you might just even feel like you've been run over by a bus.

We will then collapse on the couch and watch the super bowl while resting our eyes and licking our wounds.  Dinner will be "hunt and gather" and "you're on your own."

Should be a great time!  Hope you all can come!

CowLick-O-Matic Car Wash

One of the benefits of owning a cow herd is the countless free car washes you receive, especially after a snow storm when there is salt from the icy roads on your vehicle.

This could also be titled as the red-neck cattleman car wash!

Ahhh, living the good life!

Dan the Man, His Cell Phone and THE Haircut!

Hold your horses and shut all the barn doors!

My Man Dan finally decided to join the 21st century and get a cell phone.  I don't really know why he waited for so long...  I think secretly he felt like a rebel without a cause telling people that he did not have a cell phone when they asked for his cell number.

This is not his first cell phone mind you, and he will be sure to tell you that 18 some years ago, he was so techie, that he had a BAG PHONE.  Who remembers those?  They certainly have come a long way in cell phones, haven't they?!

Anyway... so here is a funny story involving Dan the Man and his cell phone.

Let me set the scene for the preface.  You have to know the whole story.  Dan the Man and I have been married for a little over 16 years.  In those 16 years, I have ALWAYS been the barber for my man Dan.  It all started when we married and all of the sudden had 4 boys who needed haircuts and 1 husband.  Being the resourceful (or cheap) person that I am, I started cutting everyone's hair.  How hard could it be?  I had watched my sister do haircuts ever since I was probably 15 or so.

It was a something I gleefully started, but as the years wore on... the joy became less and less, especially when they wanted haircuts and I was tired from working a full day and the last thing I wanted to do was stand on my feet and mess with their sweaty heads and end up sweeping the kitchen floor and not even getting paid for it or receiving a measly tip.  I began the cherish the day each son moved out of the home... it meant one less haircut that I had to give!

Finally all the boys have moved on and are going to someone else for their haircuts!  Well, that is all but one boy.  My man Dan still remains.  He doesn't demand that I give him a haircut, he just waits until I can stand it no longer and I finally give in because he won't make an appointment somewhere else.  Egads, his own sister-in-law has probably 30+ years experience, yet will he go there?  I blame my mother-in-law for this reluctant behavior.  She use to cut his hair when he was a boy.  Danny claims his father use to cut it as well.  Then when he was in college, his cousin cut it.  I am not sure what he did before we were married, I know he had to have gone some where.

We have had several discussions about this.  They usually go something like this:
ME:  You really need a hair cut.
Dan:  I know.  When can you do it?
ME:  Not tonight, I am too tired.
Dan:  Okay, I'll wait until you have time.
ME:  Can't you please just go some where and get it cut.
Dan:  No, I don't like to.
ME (a week later):  You REALLY need a hair cut.
Repeat lines above...
ME:  If you do not get your haircut, I am not coming home.
Dan:  Fine, then I will just shave it my self.
ME:  Okay, fine!  Just cut it off.

I leave and when I come back, he has not shaven his head.  He has threaten this several times, too many times to remember, but has never once done it.  The closest he got to it was the time that he had Chris cut his hair because I wouldn't.

So the story continues with me driving home from Kearney.  I start to get bored driving all by myself so I give my man Dan a call on his cell phone to see what he is up to.

ME:  Hey.
Dan: Hey.
ME:  What are you doing?
Dan:  Not much, I am shaving my hair.
ME:  Yeah right.  What are you doing, really?
Dan:  Shaving my hair.
ME:  Oh yeah?  How are you doing that?
Dan:  With the clippers.
ME:  Oh.  And how is it going?
Dan:  Fine.
ME:  Oh.  And how do you plan on doing the back?
Dan:  I'll use my cell phone to take a picture of the back to make sure I've got it straight.  I've got to go so I can finish.  I'll call you back.
ME:  Hmmm, well, good luck with that.

I still wasn't convinced that he was actually cutting his hair.  If he was, I was a little irritated because I knew I was going to have to fix it when I got home and I really wasn't wanting to have to do that.  I was tired and getting the cold that Chris had shared over the weekend.  I just wanted to get home and relax, not fix a haircut gone bad.

As I drove on, I decided that I WOULD NOT fix the hair cut.  I WOULD NOT cave in.  I would force Dan the Man to go get his hair cut.

Then I received this picture.

I nearly swerved off the road in utter disbelief.  Oh MY GOSH, he ACTUALLY DID IT!  He ACTUALLY CUT HIS OWN HAIR.  I had to puller over so I could look at the picture and enlarge it on my screen.  Oh my goodness, WOW, he really cut a lot off the back.  I wonder if he kept getting it crocked, so he had to keep shaving his neck up higher and higher?  I can't tell from the picture if it is straight in the back or not so I pull back on the highway with mixed emotions, stunned beyond belief.   I simply can not believe that he actually went through with what, until now, for the last 16+ years, has been empty threats!

I was speechless.  And I couldn't decide if I was mad or relieved.  A little while later I got this picture with a text saying "Done taking shower now."

Ahh, My Man Dan.  Gotta love him!

Back off ladies, he is ALL Mine!

PS Honey, I am truly in awe of your barber skills, but next time could you please, Please, PLEASE just go to a barber.  Really.

Oh my gosh, I am actually RUNNING in my very first 5K race!

If you are just now reading this blog or if you have missed the last two post, stop right here and go read them.  They build up to this post.

I have to start with telling you about the drive down to Kearney.  Dan the Man had to stay home to take care of the chickens and the cattle so I went to Kearney by myself.  If Dan the Man would have been with me and especially if he had been driving, this would have never happened.

For those of you who do not know about Nebraska... it is a long ways from Western Nebraska to the other end of the state.  Our ranch is located about 4 miles from the Wyoming state line and Kearney is about 292 miles from the ranch according to Google Maps.  It takes about 5 hours to get there.  The drive can be monotonous at times, but also quite beautiful.

I left a little after noon and was in a hurry to get to Kearney.  We, the boys and Katy, had planned on going out to dinner for Chris's birthday and I didn't want to be too late getting there especially since I would be losing an hour due to the different time zone.  So, there I was, in the the middle of Nebraska, just a mile or two from the middle of no where, radio blaring, me signing along to every song, when out of no where a sheriff car comes over the hill towards me.  Ooops! My eyes drop to see what my speedometer is saying, although I didn't need to look, I had set the darn cruise control thing to 74 mph.  Never-mind that the speed limit was 65 mph.  So, I turned off the cursed speed control thingy and slowed down to the proper speed limit.  Need less to say, that did not appease the sheriff, he turned around and come promptly after me with his pretty lights flashing.

I pulled my car over onto the shoulder, turned off the radio, got my registration, insurance card and driver's license out for him and patiently awaited his presence at my window.

The following is an actual conversation between the overly excited women driving to her first 5K race and the officer who pulled her over for speeding.  The name of the officer has not been divulged for the officer's privacy:

Officer:  Ma'am, I am Officer Such-A-Nice-Guy with the Middle-of-No-Where Sheriff's Department.  The reason I am pulling you over is because you were speeding.  Can I see your registration, insurance card and driver's license.

(I had them conveniently in my hand and handed them over.)

Officer:  Thank you ma'am, I will be right back.

County Chicken Girl: Ok (what else was I going to say?  "See you later sucker!" and drive off like a bat out of hell!)

After a few minutes he returned with my documents in hand.

Officer:  I am only going to give you a warning today ma'am.  I am sure your car is fast, but you need to keep it under the speed limit.  (Did I mention my little car is a 2012 beautiful Black Mustang?)

Country Chicken Girl:  Thank you!  I really appreciate it!  I am on my way to Kearney to race in the Komen Race for the Cure tomorrow!!  It is my first 5K EVER and I am so excited!!  I am also collecting pledges for the cure.  Right now I am in 2nd place for the top individual fundraiser and I have a goal of $1000.  Would you like to make a donation???  Huh, huh, would ya, could ya? (actually I did not say that last sentence!)

Officer, laughing politely:  Well, you have fun and good luck!

I took the polite laughter as a "no" to the donation and thought I'd better not press my luck so said nothing more except for "Thank you, I will!"

I was on my way again, this time within the speed limit.  Chris called to let me know that dinner plans had changed and Katy was making us dinner, chicken tetrazzini (which btw, was delcious!) so I didn't have to "hurry" to get there.

After dinner, it was bedtime for me.  I was exhausted and knew I might have a hard time sleeping since I was so excited for the race.  And, I did.  I kept waking up in the middle of the night to check and see what time it was.  I did not want to over sleep and miss the race.

The race was to start at 7:15 so we left the house at 6:45.  Kearney is not that big of a town, so we had plenty of time to get to UNK's campus (where the race was held), find a parking place and get to the starting line.  We walked around a little before the race and looked at some of the vendor booths.  I was surprised that there were not very many vendor booths.  My mother-in-law has done the Race for the Cure in Denver and she told me that there were tons of booths.  This is the second year that Kearney has had a Race for the Cure, so I am sure it will grow in the years to come.

Katy and me before the race.  It's still dark out!

When it was time to gather at the start, I became extremely nervous, excited and cold!  I wasn't really worried about anything, the race course was pretty simple, so I didn't think I could possibly get lost.  Chris and Katy gave me words of encouragement as I went to go stand in the starting line.  A CANNON was fired to begin the race.  I think it startled at least 99% of the crowd.  BOOOOM, and just like that, I was running my first 5K race.

It was kind of crazy.  I felt like I was running in a herd of cattle being let out to pasture in the Spring.  Everyone was so excited and full of energy!  I can't really describe it.  I had to keep myself from sprinting, I knew I would be in trouble if I did not calm down and get into my rhythm and run at MY pace.  With a few prayers to God, I was able to calm down and let my legs set my pace.

I think I was pretty much smiling the whole race.  Well, if not on the outside, I WAS on the inside!  There was a water station at the half way mark.  I really wasn't thirsty, but figured the water station was part of the race experience and thirsty or not, I was going to partake!  I did not want to miss out on any aspect of my first race. I found out that it is impossible to drink out of a little plastic cup while jogging.  The water kept sloshing up in my face and going up my nose instead of down my throat.  I tossed the cup, still half full of water in the garbage can.  As I continued the run, I was contemplating if I had done the water thing correctly or not.  Maybe you are just suppose to swish it around on your mouth or something?  I really had no idea what I was  doing?!?!  Perhaps I should have done a little more reading about how to run one of these crazy things!

The one thing that I did know was that I was having fun and reaching one of my goals that I had set for myself and even if I ended up in last place, I still will have placed in the race!

There were lots of race volunteers manning the course so you knew right where you should be going and even cheerleaders along the way.  I felt like a real runner as they cheered me on!  Chris and Katy kept showing up at various corners and were taking my picture!  Awww, such sweet kids.

As I neared the finish line, I could hear the upbeat music they had cranked up loud at the finish.  I suddenly felt a burst of energy and was able to pick up my pace and as I rounded the last corner and had the finish line in sight I actually started sprinting!  I felt like I was running a million miles per hour.  I felt like an Olympian!

This is what I felt like as I ran the last bit.  I love this song!!  Without God's grace, I would have never crossed that finish line.  You might want to click on the link that takes you to YouTube so you can read the lyrics to the song.

I ended up running the race in 30:35.  Not bad for an old lady who is pretending to be a runner!  I realized after looking at the results of the race, I have a lot of room for improvement.  The fastest time in my age group (40-49) was 20:47, Stephani Olson who is 49!  Second fastest was 21:02, Deena Sughroue age 48.  I placed towards the bottom, but not at the bottom, and if I had placed at the bottom, at least I placed!  I was 19 out of 23 for my age group and 85 out of 112 (females only) and 123 out of 157 (total number or runners, including men).

I also participated in the bottled water and banana after the race.  Another vital race experience I did not want to miss out on.  Actually, it was the best tasting banana I had had in a long time.

By the time the race was over, Kara, Katy's friend (and now Skyler's friend, wink, wink), had joined up with Chris and Katy.  Kara was going to walk with Katy in the fun walk/run which wasn't going to start for a little while so we once again went around and looked at all the vendors.  It felt good to walk around after the race and by the time it was time for the walk, I had decided that I would do that with Katy and Kara.  What was another 3 miles?

There were quite a few people who were doing the walk and when that cannon went off to start the walk, the whole crowd collectively gasped because it startled them.  Wish I had a recording of it, it was pretty funny!  It took us 51 minutes to walk.

I'm having a hard time putting the emotions I felt during the race and walk down on "paper."  I will admit that I was pretty proud of myself for running the race and I also felt so incredibly blessed by the support of my friends and family in raising over $1000! My heart aches for the millions of women stricken with the disease, especially those women I know personally.  I couldn't help but get a little choked-up during the race as I passed a participant, much younger than me wearing a pink race shirt.  The pink race shirt denoted that she is a survivor.  I looked down at the pink bracelet I was wearing for a dear friend of mine who is undergoing chemo.  I thought, next year it will be an honor to run this race with her!  I hope we do it!  I just can't even imagine the pain and suffering that must come with the battle.  What strength and courage these women must have.  What an awful, awful, awful disease!  Cancer just sucks, that is all there is to it.

I also thought about how far cancer treatment and the ways of detecting it has come over the last 20 years.  WOW!  Thank God for the continuing strides being made in beating this devastating disease.  Thank God for sparing me from this disease.  I know I am just a statistic away from being stricken.  I will run again in this race...

As I was driving home, I had crazy thoughts of organizing a Western Nebraska TEAM to make a presence at the Central Nebraska Race for the Cure next year!  I was thinking we could charter a bus, which hopefully I could get donated, stay the night Friday night, race Saturday and come home Saturday late afternoon or so'ish.  I was thinking that if we (I don't know who this "we" is yet, but I'll need help organizing this thing) could get 20 people to go and we each raised $1000, that would be $20,000 for the cure!  Or if we each just rasied $500, that would be $10,000!  So who wants to go next year?!?!?

The goal for the Race for the Cure was $40,000.  According to their webpage, they raised $25,669.25.  If Western Nebraska took part, we could most certainly help meet that goal, in my opinion.

Click here for race information and the race results.

2012 Komen Central Nebraska Race for the Cure

Here are some pictures from the race.

That's me, the one in the BRIGHT pink!

Around the 2 mile mark.

My hair looks like wings!

On the home stretch now!

Kara, Kathi and Katy before the fun run/walk.

During the walk!

The end finish line!

One of the fraternities formed a tunnel for us to walk through.

Nice touch men!

Our time for the walk.

Special Mustang that was on display.

There was a all pink response vehicle that we could all sign.

Thank You for Your Support!!

Well, last week at this time I was on the road driving from Kearney back to my home sweet home at the Open A Bar 2 Ranch.

I was in Kearney for the 2012 Komen Central Nebraska Race for the Cure.

If you missed the last post, you probably should go back and read it.

Anyway, WOW, WOW, WOW... what else can I say and where do I start?


10 weeks ago I started a little running program called The Couch-to-5K ® Running Plan.  I tried to do this little program last year, but with a disappointing ending because I have a bad ankle and it began bothering me to the point where I just could not run.  I was determined this time, that I would be extra careful and baby my ankle so that it would not give me trouble.  By God's grace, the ankle held up.

Let me give you a little background on my physical ability or lack there of when it comes to running.  I have never been a distance runner, only did sprints in school.  I loved to run during grade school and jr. high, but injured my ankle in high school and  just up and quit sports all together when I was a sophomore.  When I went to college, I did do a year of bodybuilding, yes that's right, you read that right, bodybuilding.  Oh, those were the days!  Anyway, uh, MANY days ago...  I have always thought of myself as somewhat athletic, but NEVER, NEVER, NEVER a distance runner.

The one thing I liked about the Couch-to-5K program is that it started out easy.  Run a little, walk a little, run a little, walk a little.  It seemed almost too easy until I started having to run much more than I was walking.  But with God's grace, again, I was running a mile before I knew it.  Then it was two miles.  I was in awe of what God was accomplishing with my nearly 50 year old body, neglected body.  When it was time to run 3 miles I decided I needed to sign up for my first 5K before I chickened out.

I knew that Katy, Chris's girlfriend in Kearney, was doing the Race for the Cure in Kearney.  I really wanted to do it with her, but was having a hard time justifying to myself that it would be okay for me to take off from my busy schedule and drive down to Kearney, a 4.5 hour drive from here and just do it.  I finally talked myself into doing it and registered on line.  I was so excited after I registered that I texted Katy to let her know I was coming down to do the race with her!

The text went something like this:
ME:  Hey Katy, guess what?  I registered for the Race for the Cure.  I am coming down on Friday!
KATY:  That's great!
ME:  I am so excited!
KATY:  Me too!  You DID sign up for the FUN run/walk right?
ME (with my jaw touching my knees):  Uh, no, I signed up for the RACE!

Well, I had already committed and wasn't going to back out now.

As part of the race, you can raise money for the cause through pledges.  You can set up your own page where people can donate.  Here is my page.  They suggested that you set a goal, so I set my goal at $100.  I posted on Facebook what I was doing and in a matter of 24 hours or so, I had met my goal.  I then raised my goal to $250.  Same thing, told people on Facebook and met that goal within a day or two.  Call me crazy, but I then upped my goal to $500!!!  Once again, met the goal.  Call me a lunatic because I then set my goal for $1000 with a couple of days left for fundraising and was suddenly one of the top 10 individual fundraisers for the race!

As the deadline for the donations neared, I feared that I would not make my goal, but thanks to some incredible friends and family that supported me I raised $1025.67 and was the 2nd top individual fundraiser for the event!  Everyone who made donations is listed on my page except for Myrna and Bruce Mitchell who gave me a check!

I am listed on this page 2012 Komen Central Nebraska Race for the Cure as the 2nd top individual fundraiser.  AND funny story about that...  the guy listed as the top individual sent me a message Friday night on Facebook and said "Congratulations on your fundraising effort for Susan G Komen. It was your effort that helped me put in a little extra time for this great cause. Hope your first 5K is fun one for you."  How cool is that! I was nipping at his heels and at one time did hold the top spot!

Well, I don't want to make this post too long, and I have other things to get done this afternoon, so I am going to have to close for now, but not before I say how truly thankful I am to each and everyone of you who donated to the Race for the Cure.  I can not tell you how much it means to me.  You made me feel so special that you wanted to support something that was dear to me.  WOW, what an encouragement.  You are ALL truly special and I pray that God will richly bless your generosity!

More about the race in posts to come.  Stay tuned.

Katy and Me before the actual race.

Boy oh Boy was I cold and nervous!!!

Picture I put on Facebook.

One of my friends asked if this was the "chicken run"!

And Chris said, "You are not bringing the chicken are you?"

I'm Alive and NEED YOUR Help!

Oh my gosh, it has been so long since I posted on my blog, I am not sure if I remember how.

Please accept my deepest apologies.  My life as the Country Chicken Girl has taken many twists and turns since I was last on here.

I hope to start my blog again... but we'll see how much time I have to devote to it.

The reason for this post is because I need your help.  To make a long story short... I have signed up to race in the 2012 Komen Race for the Cure in Central Nebraska, THIS Saturday in Kearney.  This will be my first 5K race E-V-E-R!  I have taken a huge leap of faith and have set a goal for myself to raise $1000 for the cause!  Yes, that's right, $1000!!!  That was not a typo.

I need some help from you.  Any sized donation will help me to reach my goal. $5, $10, $25... whatever you can spare would so gratefully be appreciated.

Oh and there is a catch... I have to have all the donations in by midnight on Friday, this Friday, the 28th at midnight!

Here is a link that goes directly to my pledge page.  Simply click on it, click the donate button and follow the prompts.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

I will post again sharing the story of how I went from being a couch potato 9 weeks ago to running a 5K race!  But since time is of the essence on this donation thing... I must get this posted.  I also promise to post again after the race to let you know the results.

Hugs and kisses from me and Snowy!

If you are in Kearney or the surrounding area, please come cheer for me.

Snowy will be running the race with me in spirit!

I'll be the one wearing PINK!  LOL