The Idaho Rancher's Wife

The Ranch From the Wife's Perspective

Happy Thanksgiving From The Rancher’s Wife

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This really is one of my favorite times of year.  I’m not entirely sure why but there is something about the chill in the air, the anticipation of this holiday season and celebrating with friends and family.  It comes after the push of the fall work- weaning, sorting, hauling, selling, vaccinating, preg checking…  (did I miss anything?!).  There is also the farming to do and some fencing and then the winter prep.  But all of this is coming as a result of a good calf crop and a blessed harvest.

Isn’t it wonderful how inspired the first Thanksgiving-ers (I made that up) were to set a day aside to give thanks for their blessings after the harvest season.  Actually that really is how the story goes; the pilgrims had been devastated with sickness and starvation as they reached America.  They may not have made it had a few Native Americans put aside any differences and taught them skills to survive the new land.  It was after their first corn harvest that their leader declared that they all share in a celebration of fasting and thanksgiving.

There have been other distinguishable times in our country’s history that leaders proclaimed it a time of fasting and thanksgiving, primarily after or in the midst of great trials.  In fact it was during the Civil War that President Lincoln officially declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. 

I love looking into the history of this holiday, to see what was intended for this holiday.  It was quite religious, so much so that they fasted rather than feasted.  I hope that I, personally, haven’t strayed from its heritage.  No, I didn’t fast but I hope that my thanksgiving was honorable.  Of course we are able to add our own traditions to help it be more meaningful for each of us, but are we still celebrating and cherishing our blessings as we should? 

So after another great year of blessings, a healthy family, a good harvest, and a home full of love and happiness, I want to give thanks to family, to the legacy we live, and mostly to a loving Father in Heaven.

The Rancher’s Wife is Being a Little Spontaneous

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If you know me you can attest that I really like to have a plan, with whatever I am doing.  I do like a little spontaneity but I like the dance-to-the-radio-in-the-parking-lot kind of spontaneous. 

Last night we had a Young Famer and Rancher meeting where they did their annual district discussion meet.  When we got there the man in charge was looking for more people to participate in the discussion meet that night.  The Rancher and I told him that we would do it, only if he was desperate for people jump in.

After two rounds of questions that we didn’t have any answers for or any examples prepared we were done.  I thought it was something we would just get to chalk up it up to experience.  I was more excited for the door prizes they were passing out than the results.  But then they finally came to it. 

And I got 3rd place!  I was so shocked when they called my name I just turned to The Rancher to make sure it was really me.  The greatest part of all this means that we have a free trip to Sun Valley for the state discussion meet.  It also means I have a lot of work to do… YAHOO!

Pick Photos for a Photo Contest

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In November the Idaho Cattle Association has an annual event of meetings and greetings for its members.  The few days there are filled with all types of information to help cowboys and ranchers keep making it year after year.  I recently learned that they also have a photo contest for its members, perfect for me to enter a few shots in. 

Once again I want your help in picking some to enter. 

The categories are: COWBOY CHARACTERS, THE COWBOY EXPERIENCE, COWBOY HUMOR, RANGES & LANDSCAPES, and CATTLE & HORSES.

Please, please comment below the posts of your favorite pictures.  Its folks like you and me that are voting, not an actual judge so I want YOUR opinions. 

Thanks, Friends!

Our Ranching Family

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When we find people that have a similar purpose, passion, and experiences we create a sort of brotherhood. We find comfort and friendship with those that can relate to us.  In our ranching family we recently have dealt with detrimental losses. 

You may have seen in the news about several ranches in South Dakota that have lost more than 80 thousand animals.  At the beginning of the month a freak storm came along, a storm of several inches of rain, feet of snow, and winds up to 70 MPH.  Had this storm come during the winter, when ranchers might have been better prepared, there still would have had incredible losses. 

But it wasn’t at a time when ranchers were prepared.  Even the cattle weren’t prepared.  These cows hadn’t grown their winter hair.  These ranchers hadn’t brought them in where they could have been better protected from the wind and rain.  Some still had their calves that were weeks from being sold. 

And so thousands and thousands of cows and horses walked aimlessly in the blizzard until they dropped to the ground from exhaustion.  Here they were covered and smothered by the snow, causing them to suffocate.  The rain caused inches of deep mud to stop them in their tracks, leaving them only to stand as they were buried by snow.  For some that survived the actual blizzard and freezing temperatures, they later drowned in the runoff from the rain and melting snow.  Many are still dying from effects of the cold and may continue to die from any sickness or infection spread by the dead.

These are real families that spend day after day working to raise cattle just like we were are.  Can you imagine if this happened to you or me?  I hope that you are because so many ranches won’t be able to bounce back from this loss.  Not only did they lose calves that would be this year’s pay check, but they lost the cows that would bring in money for years to come. 

Ranchers all over can understand, even if only a fraction, what these families must be going through.  A sickness runs through the herd, fires blaze through the summer rangeland, or there is one of those freak storms.  From experience I know that there is nothing worse than watching your animals dying as you strive to do everything you possibly can.  Every minute you are willing them to live.  You almost feel silly praying for cows or horses but praying is about the only thing left to do. 

I don’t know if there is anything any of us can do, but I wanted to bring this up just so you can be aware.  That you can realize what a loss our ranching family has had.  We are already in the midst of an uphill battle to keep our lifestyle.  At every turn it seems there is another fight that will bring one more ranch down.  But please, help our ranching family keeping fighting.

50!

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I didn’t realize until after I had already posted my last adventure but I have done 50 posts!  I have really been loving sharing the ranch with you.  I have such a passion for our lifestyle and I love the chance to give you little glimpses of it.  Our life here isn’t perfect, and it isn’t always picturesque (as I have shown) but there really is so much here for us. 

There really is so much to capture on the ranch.  And so many seasons.  So many surges and lulls.  You may not find it all too interesting, but it is all a part of my life as The Rancher’s Wife.  I get to deal with the crazy schedule, dictated by cows, mother nature, and occaisionally the cowboys (oh, and we shouldn’t forget the BLM or Forest gurus… we could never forget them!).  I try to fit in what can here and I hope you have enjoyed it thus far.

Is there anything more you want to see?  What part of the ranch do you want to learn more about?

I would LOVE to have your input fellas, because even though this is my blog, its about sharing the ranching life with you!

First of the Fall Pasture

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This is the same bunch of cows that we preg checked and moved in my last few posts.  These lucky critters get to be in all of my photos because they are actually where I can take a shot or two. 

In fact I woke up bright and early to go out the with The Rancher and ride while Grandma watched the babies.  We trailed these cows along the highway for a while until we could get on the back roads.  It wasn’t too long and we made it to the first of the fall pasture.  It was a nice move because there wasn’t any babies to slow us down. These cows walked hard and fast!

 For a while The Rancher was up at the front to turn the cows so I got to be with some of the old cowboys.  I LOVED it!  These cowboys have such fun stories to tell.  They talk about the days when they were just starting and getting things figured out.  They have stories of one darn cow or another that had to be roped or that headed for home and had to be chased down.  Maybe someday we will have some exciting stories on here to tell.

Here is The Cow Puncher again.  A darn good cowboy, helping us out again.

A Preview

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I have beans processing so I am having a late night blogging to you, dear friends.  The Rancher is keeping me company.  He is sleeping of course but can you blame him?  He has had some really LONG days the past couple of weeks.  We are heavy into weaning and everything that comes with it.  Not only that but the Rancher’s Wife is also busy in the kitchen doing some canning.  All of the fun fall things seem to come together at once.  But we love it!  All of it!

I realized today that when The Rancher has big things happening that either he needs help (I’m sure he doesn’t need me but I like to think that he does) or its worth taking pictures of.  That means I put off the house stuff like laundry (who need underwear, right?) or canning or… BLOGGING?!  Ya, I want to get out there to experience and capture the ranch, which means sometimes I neglect the sharing.

I guess that makes this a bit of a preview.  I have LOADS of pictures.  And stories.  And some interesting things you might enjoy learning.  Until then (hopefully that’s just tomorrow), here a picture or two to hold you over.

The Cenex Man

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We took a quick jaunt up to Montana to visit my folks before we all got too busy with the fall work.  It had been since Christmas that The Rancher was able to make it up there so thought it was time for a road trip.  We ended up going in the middle of the week, which doesn’t leave a lot of playing time since my parents both work.  No matter, the Rancher’s Wife is always up for a challenge! 

My dad works for CHS (Cenex Harvest States) delivering practically whatever his customers need.  He does any kind of feed, mineral, salt, gates, panels, fencing materials… whatever you need he can get (usually).  Currently The Cenex Man is working to get the materials for a group of ranches to build about 13 miles of fence through some of the most beautiful country.  On our way up to make the delivery I had to stop to take a few pictures because it was just beautiful.  These are my mountains and ranges.  Yes it is all covered with the same grass and sage brush but it has a special place in my heart.  Its home.

Good News

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I am elated to say that I have terrific news… my camera is on its way home!  I have hated not having it around with me.  I guess I hadn’t realized how much I have grown to LOVE taking pictures.  Now I am going to go on photo overload and take pictures of EVERYTHING!  Maybe the rest of my life can slow down so that I can make more time for you.  Lets hope it all falls together. : )

At the County Fair

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Oh how we love fair week!  I thought I would drop a line to tell you I am still kicking, just busy playing at the fair.  I don’t have any pictures for you today… Sorry about that… But soon, very soon!

In fact, I don’t know if I have told you or not (I don’t remember very well) but I am having camera problems.  One afternoon I picked it up to take some pictures and I noticed the sensor had gone haywire.  I took it in praying it was a simple fix.  Of course it ended up being bad enough we had to send back into Nikon.  That was two weeks ago… I checked in on it and they haven’t even done the diagnosis yet.  I am beginning to feel IMPATIENT!!  Thankfully The Rancher’s mom has the same camera and will loan it out to me when she’s not using it.  But then I still need to grab pictures from her… I know, I am letting you down.

So lets talk about the fair instead, it is much happier to chat about.

Even though we don’t have any kids old enough to be in the fair, we still have been averaging about one trip a day and which are usually followed by LATE nights.  Starting with Monday, the Team Penning and Branding that besides The Rancher roping we also provided the heifers.  This is such a fun one to go because so many of our friends and neighbors come out to it.

After sleeping in the following morning (I’m not going to admit how late we slept) we began the work of prepping to go over once again.  Besides gathering dinner, jammies, blankets, and tractors every cowboy and cowgirl needs, I had a little extra work of getting together my pictures to enter into the fair.  Don’t worry, we made it amidst all of the craziness and all I forgot to do was my makeup, no biggie…  Besides entering my pictures the fair that night we took found a seat in stands for the free concert- Charley Jenkins!  He is an up and coming country singer from Utah.  His songs were so awesome- they were all about The Rancher, I swear!  

We weren’t terribly interested in the sheep show so we chose to stay home Wednesday.  Oh how I loved it!  I even swept and mopped my floor!  Of course you would never guess it at this point.  Living with a little boy that plays in the dirt and a big boy that work (plays) in the dirt all day means that this house doesn’t stay clean.

Thursday was our big day.  Cowboys Pete and E had their steer show- a must see!  And to know surprise they did a great job showing.  When the cattle are all done they do an open showmanship class that I borrowed Cowboy Pete’s steer.  We totally took first place!  I’ll have to see if anyone took a picture for proof.  The night ended with the Family Fun Rodeo.  This isn’t a typical rodeo, in fact when The Rancher did his team roping he was minus a horse.  That is what we call the poor man roping.  I can guarantee that if they don’t catch right out of the chute that they won’t chase that calf down the arena.

Now I am sitting in sweats in my nicely air conditioned house, debating if it is nap time or lunch time.  I think that this day calls for relaxing because tomorrow is more craziness.  Oh how we love fair week!

About Me

Hello! I'm Allison, The Rancher's Wife! There's nothing I love more than being out on the ranch with my husband and kids. Join me for a look at what goes on here at the ranch and the life being a rancher's wife!

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