We have received all the cattle we plan to this winter season to feed. Milton and I worked the last 42 head on Friday. It went smoothly and only took us about 2 hours, which was good! This load was much calmer than the original ones we received. The weather was chilly but we both survived. We have pulled a few and separated them from the rest of the herd, as we think they may be sick.
We have a total of 173 head to feed for the winter, here’s hoping it stays that way! Twice a day Milton goes out to feed them and look them over for any sick ones. It has been fun to go over and help with chores, to complete them as a family.
I love to watch our daughter play in the hay, chase the farm dog, and be excited about helping. PV takes it all in stride most days and even requests us to not work the cattle when she is gone.
My favorite picture from recently is this one. Our daughter with Milton’s father looking over the cattle in the pen. I have no idea what they were talking about but I know it was a treasure. Having her live close to her grandparents is a blessing and I’m grateful they are still here to know her and that she can know them.
What is inside the cattle pen is essentially a big deal, but the way it has brought our family closer together on the outside of it, well that makes this farm-wife/momma quite happy.
I’ll close by saying that the risk involved in farming and having cattle is a big one. Choices are made, mistakes happen, success does occur, but what is most important is how you live your life doing it. How you balance the life of being that farmer or cattle-person with family life and how you share the goodness that farming brings. How you bring together the two things and create a legacy that generations can be proud of.
Until next time,
Julie
In Between the Sunsets of Life 