Blog - The Idaho Rancher's Wife

Weaning- Mommas Out One Gate, Babies Out the Other

September 21, 2013 by Allison

Last week started the fall craziness. The Rancher has days packed of all sorts of cowboying. We started off by sorting and weaning the Forest cattle.

Random side note- the Forest cattle NEVER are in the forest… There is no forest around here. They are just called that because they are on Forest Service ground. But isn’t it kind of funny? Forest cows and no forest? Ok, sidenote over…

The best part about working these cows is that they were just down the road from us so we could zip down to hang out with our favorite cowboy. For the most part weaning is straight forward- sort the mommas one way and the babies another. It can turn into quite the party because these babies don’t want to be separated from momma. This means that these cowboys put on a good show as they cut and sort out the calves.

A Preview

September 20, 2013 by Allison

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.

What do we do when we wait for dad?

September 15, 2013 by Allison

What does any little boy do? Throw rocks, of course! Last week we helped The Rancher move the cows and we had a little down time. Call it intermission- they had two different groups of cows to moves so on the in between we had some time to play. We were lucky enough that we parked the truck and trailer by the one small trickling stream that comes through the valley.

The Cenex Man

September 13, 2013 by Allison

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.

Made it to the Finals!

September 13, 2013 by Allison

After the summer of team penning and brandings (and sortings… I don’t know why we don’t ever mention that in the name…) the winners have a chance to come back at one final competition. The Rancher made it on a team for the team sort. The team wasn’t too competitive but The Rancher did good. And more importantly he looked good doing it!

The Rancher’s Sidekick even took some pictures on my phone. Yes, kids are so tech savvy…

Can you see all of the MUD in the arena? We had a beautiful, wonderful rain storm the night before that soaked the arena. Along the side of the grandstand was especially bad because there was runoff from the roof as well. It made for a fun ride!

My Favorite Kind of Day

September 9, 2013 by Allison

The ranching men were moving cows again and they did it in the best way. They brought them in front of the house so we could easily grab some pictures and come along. They initially were only moving one bunch but since they had the men and the time they moved another group. It was really time that they did too because this darn bunch of cows were always getting out! Funny how being without feed makes these cows get out…

The Super Rancher

September 6, 2013 by Allison

There is a lot that being a dad requires. Probably more than what The Rancher ever thought he would have to do (you can imagine some of the icky things has been privileged to do). But there are days the cool days when he is so much more than a dad. Days when he gets to strap on his Super Hero cape and save the day!

Like Friday. I opted to not do laundry and go on a ~~rough~~ romantic ride to help fix fence (read wrangle kids while The Rancher fixes fence). This fence was by a water trough, that had a hole. Which meant there was mud… everywhere. That innate-boy-instinct to get in the mud got the best of The Rancher’s Sidekick and before long he was in the mud UP TO HIS KNEES. This momma was so thankful he was in shorts and water boots (minus socks). Ya, we have learned over time…

But when you are up to your knees in mud you need a little help. A Super Hero to save the day! Like The Super Rancher! What a dad!

The Color Green

September 6, 2013 by Allison

The Ranch Boss, The Rancher’s grandpa, was looking over the hay fields and commented how he loved that color of green. We looked out across with him at the new seeding that was just popping up through the dirt. He turned to the other end of the field and commented with an air of satisfaction that the only color of green better is the rich color of the growing alfalfa hay.

He is right. Nature’s shades of green are so beautiful, but especially these shades. This color of green is more than a hue. It shows the hard work, diligence and commitment these men have had to grow their crops, especially in the midst of a drought. The straight continuous lines of sprouting grain give hope of a new harvest. I think mostly this kind of green means success and satisfaction.

I guess we like to GO GREEN after all, just not the green most think of.

More Than a Milk Cow

August 29, 2013 by Allison

We have two milk cows on the ranch. One dear old cow has been around for 10+ years. She is called Jersey, even though she is actually like a Brown Swiss not a Jersey. She is more of a pet than anything else. Kids all over the valley know Jersey because she has gone to school where they have learned all about a dairy cow. The Rancher’s Sidekick always says that he will be the one to get her into the barn when milking time rolls around.

We have had a few others but currently we have a Holstein that I like to call Millie. You know, Millie the Milk Cow. She is isn’t so pet like but still a pretty chill cow. But poor thing, she doesn’t have a tail…

Jersey has mostly been used as a milk cow for the family but recently they have been used as nurse maids for the bum calves we get. It is so much easier and cheaper to have a surrogate momma than to buy/mix/feed powdered milk. It is amazing how many calves these cows milk for! I actually feel bad for them a little. Ow… Ya, that’s all I have to say… Ow.

Good News

August 27, 2013 by Allison

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. : )