October Fall

This past week, has been a flurry of fall activities. My parents and brother gathered their cows, weaning the calves. The calves were given immunizations and dewormed. Friends came to help. The calves were then shipped to my parent’s house, on a large cattle semi truck. The little cowboys were very excited to see the big rig appear over the hill. The driver had to turn around in our barnyard, preparing to back up to the loading chute. Mr. C became distraught, afraid the driver was leaving so soon. Mr. C began yelling, “Come back, Come back!”. He was relieved once the driver was safely parked and shut the motor off. After the calves were loaded, Big W was given the opportunity to ride along in the semi truck, to the ranch’s front gates. It’s about 3 miles of dirt road. Big W quickly agreed. He & I climbed up in the cab, Big W waving to everyone as we left. Both little cowboy’s faces lit up with excitement, as the driver honked the semi’s loud echoing horn. Big W was able to control the passenger window, with one of the many toggle switch controls on the dashboard. It was definitely the highlight of his day.

In preparation of shipping day, we combed the surrounding sagebrush fields for any cattle stragglers. There is always a few cows that manage to hide away on gathering day. Some are immediately noticed missing, others when we compare our list from spring turn out. Our summer pastures are located around a local ancient lava flow. These provide shelter, along with camouflage, for the local wildlife. The cattle seem to wander into these lava flows as the summer fades into fall. The lava pockets sometimes offer green grass late into the year, along with small pools of water. It is a hard bargain, convincing the cattle it is time to return home. Cows that have spent several summers on the same pasture, notice when the weather begins to turn cold. These cows will appear along the home ranch’s fenceline, as if waiting for us to open the gate. Others hold out to the very end, secretly hoping they aren’t found until snow covers the ground. All but two cows with calves and one bull, arrived at our fenceline. We managed to find this last feral group, earlier in the week, before shipping day came.

It was also time to ship our lambs, to the local sale yard. Sometimes the word “lamb” can be associated with a young sheep, still needing it’s mother. In our case, the “lambs” were fully grown. They have long surpassed their mothers, in size and eating capacity. In years past, we have recruited help for hauling sheep. Several friends would arrive with horse trailers in tow. We would load lambs, then fall into line, creating a convoy destined for the sale barn. We live approximately 2 hours drive time away, from the nearest sale barn now. This would create a rather long day, transporting several loads. With one pleading phone call, the sale barn agreed to send a cattle truck to retrieve our lambs. This would allow us to have the lambs arrive the night before sale time. We sorted off a handful of lambs, ones we have sold as grass fattened locker lambs. The rest were transferred to the corrals, uneventfully walking onto the awaiting cattle semi truck. We all happily waved as the driver disappeared into the distance. It was quite possibly the easiest sheep hauling experience we have had yet.

Our lambs were sold at the local sheep sale on Saturday. I volunteered for the trip to watch them sale. It had been a long week for the little cowboys, a quiet day at home was much needed. Nate & the little cowboys did chores. Big W announced proudly they would be eating “Chorizoes, a basque sausage, and ice cream for breakfast.” That sounds like a fun way to start any Saturday! The lamb market was in our favor, rewarding our year’s worth of hard work. It seems to fill you with a sense of pride to see your livestock come thru the public sale barn, representing all your late nights and long days. A completion to a year long cycle.

Today has turned colder. Our high temperature of 70 degrees last week, have changed to 38 degrees. The water tanks had thickened ice on the surface, this morning. Yesterday’s rain drops danced on the edge of snowflakes. We spend extra time putting on additional warm clothing layers to go outside. The livestock spends the mornings gathered together, sharing one another’s body warmth. It is just the beginning of the cooler months to come. A warning sign to turn on water tank heaters, to replace the heat bulbs in the pump house. The wafts of smoke from our wood stove appear frozen in the air. On cold days, we are able to catch up on inside chores, after feeding animals. Nate worked on a friend’s saddle, replacing worn stirrup leathers. I canned the last of the pears, drying jerky in our dehydrator. The little cowboys made paper snowflakes, painting cardboard crafts. Our winter inside time allows us to utilize other skills, focusing on different projects. It is a satisfying feeling, to be able to creatively make something with your own hands. Good for both mind and soul.

The sunsets have been amazing lately.