Month: January 2021

Vacation

The backyard view.

Everyone needs to relax once in a while. A vacation for us is going to visit the grandchildren in FL or NC. January seemed like a good month to visit the FL boys.

We try to find a “slow” time to go, but that is hard to come by. Right now the cows are still on stockpiled grass, the steer calves have been sold, the heifer calves have been turned out and we have two weeks before calving starts. That is as good as it will get. Let’s go!

My brother, Thad will feed the bred heifers each day and keep hay out to them. Justine will be by to check on things and feed the dog. My parents will swing by daily, also. We know we are leaving things in capable hands. We’re ready to get on that plane and head south to see the boys!

We got to watch Carter play flag football!
Henry’s baseball season hasn’t started yet, but we watched him hit golf balls and play driveway basketball!
The ocean birds were busy.
Carter practicing with his bow as the sun set. We had to keep coming up with harder challenges for him. He is a great shot!

Fishing! Notice the coats. It’s one of the coldest January’s on record. It’s supposed to warm up after we leave, of course!

It was so good to visit! They grow up so fast!

A beautiful sunset and time to head back to Missouri.

Until next time.

Don’t forget to shut the gate!

Waiting

The cows are all home, preg checked, vaccinated, and turned out to wait. I took a run through them tonight on the 4 wheeler. I couldn’t pass up a 5o degree day in January. Here are some pictures of the cows and the wildlife I saw.

I never go out this time of year without seeing at least a dozen deer.
Cows spread across the hillsides.
Well rounded mama cows! These girls are very happy, but I’m getting impatient. Another month and calves will start dropping!
Look closely! This bobcat ran in front of me when I went through some timber. He stopped just off the road thinking he was well hidden.
The sun is setting. Time to head back to the house!

Until next time!

Don’t forget to shut the gate!

Twelve Months from the Deck

The end of the year is a good time to look at where you’ve been and where you are going next. 2020 is a year that I’m glad to bid good-bye and I have my fingers and toes crossed that 2021 will be better!!! No matter what goes on “out in the world” some things don’t change. We roll through the seasons, watching from the window as the snow flies, the grass grows and the leaves change. This the view from our deck.

January – The world is cold and colored in shades of brown and gray. A blue sky is the best we can hope for. If you look closely you will see the tractor is getting hay from the hay pile.
February means snow and new calves to keep us busy.
March drops hints that spring is coming. A warm day here and there, a touch of green in the pastures, and an abundance of calves .
Green returns to the color scheme off the deck as April days lengthen and warm. The cows and calves have all been moved to summer pastures so we can enjoy the sunshine!
May means all shades of green. The trees are covered with leaves and the grass gets taller every day.
June means heat and humidity. The hay continues to grow. Do you see the four turkeys?
July! Making hay while the sun shines! Winter seems so far away even though that’s what we are preparing for as we roll through the hay.
Time rolls on. August arrives and the calves born in February start coming home. The hay field grows back up to be ready for the cows this winter.
A beautiful foggy September morning.
Brilliant October color we enjoy and store away for those bleak, gray days coming. Native warm season grasses turn bright shades of yellow with touches of pink, purple and blue.
An early dusting of snow in November. Good thing we spent the summer baling hay!
I can see at least one deer out in the field on this frosty December morning.

Wishing you all the best for 2021! Happy New Year!

Until next time.

Don’t forget to shut the gate!