Never ask a man the size of his spread

I’m a city kid.  I don’t always know the cowboy way or the “Code of the West“.  I have asked many questions over the years that, in mixed company, may not have gotten a straight answer.

One particular question especially brings some ranch-folk to the edge of their patience:  “How many acres do you have?”.  City-folk are unaware of the question they are asking of a rancher.  To a rancher, what they are really asking is, “how much are you worth?” or “how much money is in your bank account?”.

Minnesota Prairie Roots author, Audrey Helbling, and I have been discussing the code via email.  She tells me her experience is much different among midwest farmers.  In fact, it seems to be a badge of some kind to announce the size of their spread.

To me–a city kid–that question was really just asking in order to understand the vastness of a ranch.  Growing up in a house, on a lot versus many acres without a neighbor for miles is hardly comprehensible, this question just seems to give a frame of reference.

But, alas, it is the code of the west to never ask a man the size of his spread.

A must read by Gladiola Montana!

White gate

After many years of trying, I have learned the names of most of the pastures and where they are located on the ranch.  (I don’t really need to know this information for anything more than reference–remember, I am mostly third or fourth string help around here.)

I think it has taken so long because of the interesting names that go along with some of the pastures.

The South Pasture is not south of the house, it’s actually north but when the house was much further north this particular pasture would have been south of the house–the name stuck.

The South Rocks Pasture is, indeed, south.  However, it should not be confused with the South Pasture or the pasture we call The Rocks.

The one name that may be most confusing to those not closely acquainted with the Morrow Ranch is the gate called the White Gate.  At some point in time, there must have been a white gate here.

Washboarding

Our county road grader is a welcome sight! I should probably bake a batch of cookies for the operator–he does make our dirt road driving much more enjoyable!

Just the other day, Granny wondered out loud what causes washboarding.  Not this kind of washboarding (although, I’ve seen this band play and I might have an idea!).

Photo by Stan Jones, author of the Nathan Active mystery series. http://www.sjbooks.com

But, rather the kind that makes your car bounce all over the dirt road.  It turns out–thank you Google–low moisture and high traffic are the two primary causes of the washboard effect.

A typical washboard road. Photo courtesy http://www.off-road.com.

Surely, you have driven down a road that feels like a washboard?  Next time, try singing your favorite song while bouncing down the road (and you wondered what we do for fun in the country).

Hospital corners

Surely you have at least one thing in which you are particular.

My list is long but a clean sink, perfectly tucked corners on the bedding and an organized desk are tops.  My husband has three:

1.  His closet.

2.  His saddle.

3.  The Christmas tree decorations.

As I write this, he has officially spent one hour and 15 minutes arranging ornaments.  It’s our annual tradition.  I put the tree up and place the decorations randomly then he swoops in and begins arranging the decorations.

Everything has a place and it sometimes takes two or three tries before he is happy with the placement.

I usually watch for a while before I start checking the beds for perfect hospital corners.

© Janice Morrow, RealRanchWife and Morrow Family Ranch, 2011.

 

A sight for sore…

It appears the bulls have earned their keep this year.

This is Lugnut. Not all the bulls get a name on the ranch but he has found a special place in our hearts.

The cows are checking well above 90%.  In cowboy language, that’s damn good. It means that almost every single cow on the ranch will have a baby in the spring.

Have you ever seen a preg check in action?  It’s quite a sight for sore something and I’m not talking eyes.  But, these girls don’t seem to mind.  It’s all in a day’s work.

Boot Boneyard

Another pair of boots has gone to boot heaven.

My cowboy has gone through a lot of boots in the last 16 years.  They go from good for special occasions, to good for going to town, then finally to good enough to work in.

But, this probably doesn’t compare to dozens of shoes I’ve been through in the same amount of time.  The difference is that his are usually totally worn out.  Mine are probably less worn out than out of style.

A few of my current favorites!

Cowboy boots never go out of style.  Even when they are totally worn out they still look cool.  The history of cowboy boots dates back to the days after the civil war when traditional boots were found to be uncomfortable during long rides.

These custom beauties are made by Lisa Sorrell, http://www.customboots.net. I saw a PBS special on her work which made me want to visit for my own pair. This coming from the girl who doesn't usually wear boots.

My cowboy announced his current work pair was no longer comfortable.  He wondered if we should resole them or send them to the cowboy boot boneyard.

We’ve resoled many.  This pair doesn’t look like the leather can withstand another fix. So, go in peace old friends.  Go in peace.

This boot boneyard is in Portales, NM at a friend's arena.

Lost things

Surely you remember the bag phone, right?

Photo courtesy: http://www.retrothing.com/2010/08/the-big-bulky-dawn-of-cell-phones.html

In college, I didn’t know anyone with a cell phone except my cowboy. He was on the bag phone bandwagon before anyone, an early adopter.  Like his father, he loves to talk on the phone.  To listen to this end of a conversation with his brother sometimes sounds like a Seinfeld episode, very funny but often a conversation about nothing.

5 a.m. and on the horn.

He’s been through many phones since.  Last February, he finally upgraded to the newest Droid phone on the market.  That phone is his everything–phone, social network, words with friends, notepad for jotting cattle numbers and other relevant information, jukebox, GPS, etc.

It’s lost in a pasture and he is having withdrawals. I finally handed my cell over to him so he doesn’t feel disconnected.

By the way, the phone is not in the same pasture as the lost iPod.  It’s not in the same pasture as a lost bridle. It’s not in the same pasture as a lost set of reins.  I wonder what those who come after us will say about the lost things they will find?

I wonder if they will laugh at the sight of the Droid and iPod as I laugh at the sight of a bag phone?

The kid is alright

I’m sure there are a few vegetarian cattle ranchers out there somewhere.

My six-year-old has decided she is not a meat eater.  Actually, this has been the case most of her life with the exception of a chicken nugget here and there.  It’s not about ethics or politics and she sure doesn’t mind anyone else enjoying a juicy steak.  She just likes other things to eat.

It’s true my girl always takes her lunch to school.  She takes fresh fruit, vegetables, parmesan or goat cheese and a yogurt every single day because that’s what she prefers.

Picky?  Sure.  But, I am not opposed to her food choices.  I am really pleased she loves fruit and vegetables and doesn’t need ranch dressing or ketchup to make them edible.  I also find it amusing that she likes stinky cheese–a girl after my own heart!

But, I wonder how she will do as a vegetarian cattle rancher?  Other than not eating meat, she is just like most ranchers; she loves the herd and remuda and she has the best interest of the animals at heart.  She’ll be alright.

Witch’s Brew

Small-town grocery shopping is sometimes challenging.  First, it’s a few hours out of the day because I have to go to town to get groceries–I might as well throw in a few extra stops while I’m there.  Second, it’s not always easy to find some items (my favorite Chai, for example).  But, the toughest part is getting the cold groceries home while they’re still cold.

Many people haul a cooler to town.  I usually forget to load it up in my grocery getter.

The local grocers cater to the country folk, though.  They have a cooler of dry ice on hand.

And, they offer to package my cold food without a second thought. I prefer the local grocer for this reason.

Ranch Market. Clayton, NM

When I go to one of the chain grocery stores a little further down the road I have to ask for dry ice and I have to pay for it.  It’s not the cost and I am certainly not too good to ask for what I would like or need.  I just appreciate my home-owned grocers because of their keen customer service and willingness to help.

I also appreciate having easy access to dry ice.  Not only is it an ice cream saver it is also a perfect ingredient for the Halloween witch’s brew!

Dawna and Seth ran to town just before the Halloween party to be sure the witch's brew was a hit! And it was. The kids loved it!

p.s. Thanks to Dawna, Shannon, Reon, Kodi and Justin for the impromptu production meeting yesterday during cheer practice!  It helped me pull this post together.

Freezing our assets

We’ve been anticipating the cold snap for about a week.  It was hard to think seriously about the cold because temperatures have been in the 70s the last few days.  Today, it’s 34 degrees and the first snow is beginning to fall.

Regardless of the weather conditions work must go on.  Preg checking is scheduled for tomorrow.  So, the guys are saddling up to work cattle in preparation.

This is nothing, though.  It’s a little cold snap, just the beginning of a long, cold winter.  The heavy winter wear has been unearthed.  We’ve thrown out the old gloves, caps and coveralls and made a place for this year’s stash.

I better get to town to get my cowboy the new coveralls we’ve been discussing.  I don’t want him to freeze his assets off again tomorrow.