Thursday, April 16, 2009

Sky watch Fridays what a wonderful day

This picture is straight out of the camera I did not even crop it! I absolutely love the deep blue of the sky and all the contrast of the flower and the wispy clouds almost wrapping around the flower. What a wonderful sign of spring! Happy sky watch fridays everyone and be sure to click on the title to this post to see other great sky pictures!
be sure to click on the image to see full effect

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Touching on a Touchy subject horses

No we aren't raising arabians she just wishes she was one




Horses are beautiful animals. I won't lie I absolutely love the horse. I don't think a person who wants to or does work with horses could say " I just flat out don't like horses". Even the meanest, grouchiest, nastiest horse trader at some point in his life probably loved the horse. Currently the horseman and the animal lover are in a debate over what should happen with thousands of horses. When looking at this situation I have to put myself in the middle and look at both sides of the story. As you all probably know I am a little strange and I have a hippy sitting on one shoulder and cowgirl on the other, I just can't help but look at both sides of this situation.
On one hand you have the horseman, ranchers, livestock owners, breed associations, especially horse traders, horseshoer and many others who make a living from buying/ selling training and breeding horses. These individuals have seen a plummet in the living they were once making. They have watched there business's go under. They have horses standing in there pastures that no one wants and if they are able to sell these horses it is for a fraction of the cost they put into them. I know this sounds like it is all about money for these groups of horse people and to some extent it is, but like I said before they have a love for the horse just like anyone else they just have a more grounded view about their livestock. Yes I said livestock the horseman/ rancher etc.. they see the horse as livestock like a cow, pig or cat or dog depending on what country you are from. I know I am sounding cruel, but I'm not, I am looking open minded at both sides. Being as the horse has been a faithful companion to the people they do respect it and most treat the horse better than say a dog would be treated in china. They all have that favorite horse the one who will die on there property but they have also dealt with that rank, nasty, rearing, mean nag who instead of shooting why not send it to kill make a little money and not waste the remains. Logical thinking yes but alot of people don't agree.
The other side of this group PETA, animal rescue groups, holly wood, horse lovers and others all shutter at the thought of their companion animal being treated like livestock. Horses to them are like dogs and cats in America and a few other country's. Americans don't eat there companion animals ( at least not publicly) they do good by them (most do, but there are alot of idiots out there). The animal lovers believe that the methods the horses are slaughtered are inhumane and cruel and granted there are probably some severe cases of animal cruelty in processing plants for any type of livestock. It saddens alot of them to see any animal killed in a way they deem as cruel. They are fighting this with good intentions but actually have made the situation worse for man and beast. For man the horse market is horrible everyone has horses and they aren't worth anything and part of that is due to over breeding but I will get into that later. For the horse the main problem is the traders are now shipping horses to Mexico where regulations are nonexistent. If they want to talk about abuse they need to be worried about the animals being shipped to Mexico.
I think that we as nation should come together, yes I said TOGETHER and make this situation better for all. We need to all decide what is best for the horse we do owe it to them they have been our legs for thousands of years they have ran for miles until they died to get a man away from an enemy they delivered our first forms of mail, they have touched us in more ways than most any other animal. God put animals on the earth for us to use NOT ABUSE. We as humans do tend to abuse our privileges. This is coming from both the hippy in me and the cowgirl. My feeble brain has many ideas on how to solve this situation. I think sending our American horses to a foreign country for food is not necessary and that is just my opinion. but if WE use the horse say for dog food and glue for us AMERICANS than yes we need to have a kill plant open that can provide to us what WE need. The kill plants need to have strict regulations on what they will process, old, rank, crippled and regulations on the animals being humanely killed someone needs to be at these plants that is not a snake and say NO not that horse. But wait you say that won't solve much there will still be to many horses and the horse market will still be bad. That's were we need to stop all the "back yard" breeding I am sorry if you are a back yard breeder, but there are so many people out there breeding a horse just because it has balls it is absurd. Everything bred needs to be registered and the breed associations need to come together and have committees and people who decide what horse should be a stallion and how many mares he should breed. So, sounds too crazy and a little like it is infringing on a persons rights as a livestock owner, but just remember I would like to see a situation that makes everyone happy (somewhat) . I think it could be done if everyone would just look at the other side of the situation. All the large breeders who breed and breed and breed till they find that one "perfect" horse that is not necessary anymore with this plan either because the breeds will improve on there own. With a committee of many people who know horses from each breed deciding what stallion should be bred to what mare the breed will improve, the horse population will go down and the price of horses will come up. The animal lovers will have a strict humane way to euthanize the horses that are slaughtered and used for us and everyone will live happily ever after AMEN
Now don't hate me for voicing my little opinion and I would like to see what everyone else thinks of this problem even if you think I am DUMB BUTT !!!!!!!!!! Nothing to mean though K
Happy Heifer and her hippy and cowgirl ride again









Saturday, April 11, 2009

Morning Crisp and cold Garden waiting for another day

Today I woke up to a beautiful, crisp morning. The fog in our valley with the sun shining through it was spectacular. The cows waiting for the morning feeding, standing majestically in the bright morning.
All my weed's closed up hoping to survive a late spring frost.

Our garden waiting patiently for a plant to grow was happy to feed this bug with the large amount of manure and compost placed in it.


This is our garden spot Patrick won the battle I wanted a big garden he wanted a small raised bed flower garden.



We used old railroad ties. We had two ties long by one tie wide. old railroad ties work wonderfully for a raised garden and often you can get them for free. When you use old railroad ties you are recycling, saving a tree and saving money it can't get any better than that.




Friday, April 10, 2009

Where have I been

Do you remember two weeks ago when I posted the picture of the "flying object", well it actually was a alien space ship and they did not take to kindly to me posting a picture of them. So they abducted me. The events that followed the first meeting with the aliens will scare the pants off of you, First they took me up in to the ship and transported me to the planet zoombabap that when they..........




Just kidding not to long after my last sky watch post I got so so sick, sick, sick ,sick and could not figure out what was wrong with me so I went to the doctor and they said I had strep throat. I am 20 some years old and getting strep throat I am not OK with that. I got a shot in my butt and started feeling better then I decided I would do a blog all about my sickness every gory detail. I sat down to start my blog and lo and behold I had a bad virus or worm and could not put any pictures on and without pictures I have no inspiration, no imagination so I got sad and depressed. I tinkered with my computer and could not fix it, then I got mad and stubborn and decided I would not ever touch the computer again. About a week after my computer broke, I began to recover from my sickness then my youngest baby Cason got strep. Poor thing but the crazy thing is, I got it again too so now I am recovering from strep and taking care of a sick baby except it does not seem to affect him as much as it does me. Patrick says it is because I am a big baby ( he has no sympathy). He told me one day when I was feeling a little neglected and felt as though I was going to die he said "if you are looking for sympathy you can find it between $#!T and syphilis in the dictionary" how sweet is that? I don't think I am a baby I just think as an adult strep hurts lots, lots, lots worse than when you are a kid and when you get it twice in two weeks it just breaks your spirits and morphs you into this whiny, crying needy little thing. Just kidding I was tough as rocks, really I was I went and bucked 100,000 hay bales while running a 104 degree fever, really I did this is blog land remember.



Alright so I am back if anyone was wondering I know one person was and that touched my heart and made me so happy, thank you to you. I know my mom is not wondering because she is off on a two week cruise, Yuck on you mother!!! I will have pictures later today and will get going full speed again as soon as I get the kinks worked out with puting pictures on here.

Peace out and wet soggy cow Patty's

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Sky Watch Fridays UFO

What do you think the black dot could be? Sorry for the bad picture! I was searching through some pictures I took last week and stumbled across this. When I took the pic. I did not realize there was an unidentified flying object flying over the top of the hill across from our house. It looks to be way to big to be a bird compared to the trees under it. Way to low to be a plane and I would have heard and noticed a plane. I just don't know.

Be sure to click on the photo to enlarge it and see what you think! Give me everyones best and wildest guess's because your guess is as good as mine!


Happy Heifer

Click on the title to this post to view other great sky photos!!

Always stop and smell the flowers

Sometimes when you try to look up in life you can feel trapped in a brier patch.
Don't look up, look down, way down, you will find a whole world of tiny flowers to brighten your day.

Even dandelions can brighten a gloomy day unless they are in your yard, then they may add to the gloominess. I really enjoy a dandelion bouquet given by a loving three year old though.



Even weeds have faces and bring beauty to our world.


These flowers bear there faces towards the sun in hopes of some warmth and a jump start on spring.




So when life has you down and feeling trapped make sure to slow down, untangle, and stop and smell the flowers no matter how small.
Happy Heifer






SEPIA SCENES

Dreaming of spring!!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Watery Wednesday My first one

It is almost spring, but all around, all we see are little memories of a crisp, cool Fall!
Be sure to click on photo to make it larger to see full effect!


Happy Heifer


Sunday, March 22, 2009

BULL SALE AT OUR PLACE

Yesterday we had a bull sale at our place. The boys and I decided we would go and watch and take pictures. When I told Patrick I wanted to take pictures so I could put it on my blog he told me to wear a disguise so no one would recognize me and realize I was his wife. How nice, boy he sure is supportive of my hobby.

They sold 300 bulls, 300 bred heifers and 50 pairs. They averaged $3200 and they made 1.5 million. The bulls were all premium Circle A Angus some were registered but most were commercial. Circle A was pretty smart in a new program they started to advertise and sell premium commercial bulls. They have kept such detailed records on all there commercial cows over the years that they have a certification program on all there commercial bulls and have the lineage on all of them. They are premium good quality bulls that do as well or better in calf production and weight gain as registered bulls.

The show barn which is were they hold the auction is also were Patrick and I attend cowboy church. The cowboy church was started by someone who works for circle A so we use there "show Barn" they call it a show barn but they don't do very much showing anymore it is mostly just there own private auction barn.

There were so many people there that to get this picture I had to raise my hand up with my camera. You see the guy in the middle he thought I was bidding on the bull in the ring and the bull was already at 6,000 dollars good way to embarrass my hubby who was busy at work in the back. I don't think a 6,000 dollar bull is in our budget.


They serve a pretty nice breakfast and dinner and keep the food up all through the sale. Cason did not like his and he was pretty mad that I would not get him something else. Dustin only ate a little bit and he was also mad because he did not get the drink he wanted. Fun day for me Not

They had red Angus and I thought this guy was very handsome. I did not get a good shot and now he is probably down in TX making baby's so I will not ever see his pretty face again. So sad




They had a pen full of real nice baldy heifers that were bred. We raised these baldys last year I always liked seeing the baldys born.




This guy was not for sale he is one of circle A's leading sires. I could not decide if he wanted to eat me for dinner or if he wanted his head scratched but I decided not to stick around and find out.




After a long day at the sale and having two CRABBY boys I decided it was time to go home we told Patrick by and have a good time loading out trailers but we be done. Especially mom.
Happy Heifer








This little calf was sure glad she was not at that crazy sale!!






Thursday, March 19, 2009

SKY WATCH FRIDAYS





We had some very interesting clouds this past week it almost looked as though the sun was dancing with them trying to get noticed.
Happy Heifer
go check out all the other great sky watch friday photos by clicking on the title to this post!

Dirty Dishes

THANK GOD FOR DIRTY DISHES;
THEY HAVE A TALE TO TELL.
WHILE OTHER FOLKS GO HUNGRY,
WE’RE EATING PRETTY WELL.
WITH HOME, AND HEALTH, AND HAPPINESS,WE SHOULDN'T WANT TO FUSS;
FOR BY THIS STACK OF EVIDENCE,
GOD’S VERY GOOD TO US.
Anonymous


More often than not my sink has dirty dishes in it. I realize that if I actually set in and do the dishes after every meal it would only take me a few minutes, instead of the hours it takes me to clean them every other day or so. I despise a dirty sink, but I despise doing the dishes more. Its a never ending battle I have with dishes. It will be a fight till the end I don't know who will win me or the dish.


Happy Heifer

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

"You stink mommy"

Cason my three yr. old and I went to town this afternoon to pick Dustin up from preschool. As we were driving Cason said "I smell something stinky" I replied "oh it is just this stinky truck" He said "No" "it smells like poop" I said I don't smell anything like that and he said " Do you smell stinky mommy?" I answered quikly " no mommy never stinks" LOL He couldnt leave it at that though in a shy little voice he said "mommy you stink" I again said "no" and he then asked "did you wipe your bottom good after you went Pooppoo" I just about crashed the truck then I laughed then he yelled "THATS NOT FUNNYYYY"





Just to clarify he was smelling dog poop that was on his shoe!! URGHHH So I really dont stink, really I don't, I am sure of it, If I did I would smell it, Wouldn't I? LOL



Happy Heifer

Calves will be calves

Sometimes when working calves you have one go a little wild and that's when Doc the super horse gets to do what he loves best. Patrick will let Doc put that calves behind right between his front legs and Doc will push that calf where ever Patrick asks him to. Doc is very careful and does not step on the calves but for some reason this is his favorite part of the job.
Once the little calf is back with the herd everyone gets on with business as usual.
Happy Heifer

Cows all around

Posing for the camera

Do you think she can see us?
Being that I am a vegetarian and sometimes have a little hippy sitting on my shoulder I have a hard time imagining these little calves as food. As I watch them playing in the pasture and just enjoying life I get a little knot in my stomach and have to look a way. Then the cowgirl on my other shoulder slaps the hippy and says get a grip.

Peace, love and cow manure

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Sky Watch friday's a week of sky's

God's Glory



Traffic Jam


The Storm


Peace



Mellow Yellow
Happy Heifer
If you like my sky watch photos go check out other great sky pictures @

http://skyley.blogspot.com/


Monday, March 9, 2009

Hillbilly fun

Yes, another H name to describe my many "personalities". Happy Hippy Heifer Hillbilly House how does that sound? Don't worry I am sure I will come up with another H name to describe the many other sides of ME. Everyone will know all about me or just be completely confused and biting your nails by the time I finish. I have come to realize that I am an odd duck. I guess I realized it unconsciously but now the realization is surfacing. I cant decide whether It scares me or I am glad to be unique. Believe m e I am the definition of unique, really I am I promise, I know it is hard to believe but I am.

Over the weekend the boys and I decided to go on an adventure exploring the pastures. We went wading in the creek, climbing trees, looking at piles of cow poop, playing with rotten leaves, throwing rocks into the pond and playing in the mud. Who needs a McDonald's play ground when you have 1,000's of acres of trees and creeks and ponds. Sometimes I wonder if my boys are deprived because they don't get to go play on the McDonald's playground like all the other normal kids.
When you ask Dustin and Cason what they want to eat they don't say McDonald's they say Mexian, yes Mexican we love Mexican food. When Dustin was little and we were out and a bout and he would get hungry he would not say I want french fries, or I want a hamburger he would say "I want chips' and dip it" chips and salsa. I think I have said to much everyone is going to think we love Mexican food or something and instead of being good parents and take our kids to McDonald's we have always made them come with us to Mexican.

I really enjoy going out exploring in the pastures. We have so many interesting valleys and hiding spots. Places that make exploring for a kid a blast. When my boys get older I hope they will enjoy exploring these places on there own making forts and little villages down in the valleys, with rock people farming there land until a big black monster comes and tears down their village. Or a flood washes away there houses, I am sure hard on rock people, I guess
I think I get my joy for exploring from my mom. She is the ultimate exploring queen.
Back to depriving our children we also don't let them play video games, not at all. So many kids are so addicted to video games that it scares me and Patrick and we decided early on that our boys are not going to play video games, and we have stuck to it, they don't! We plan to teach them the computer because these days you have to know computers but it won't be because they play games on there. We will have to see how all that works out when the time comes. I do feel bad depriving my children of things that all there friends get to enjoy but I just can't help it, It is my way or the Highway in my house ;P I do let them watch to much TV though and need to start working on that.




The boys were playing at the pond and decided to throw rocks in it then Dustin said he was going to throw rocks and hit the sleeping turtles on the head. I had to have a discussion about not hurting things for the fun of it. He still wanted to hit turtles on the head so I told him we are going to go home if he does not stop saying he wanted to hurt the turtles. He stopped saying but still continued to throw rocks in the same spot. I thought what a good boy he decided not to try and hurt the turtles anymore. I realized later that that devious little look on his face, the grin, and evil eye meant he was still thinking about hitting the turtles on the head but just quit saying it because I asked him to. He really pulled one over on me and he knew it.




Oh what a beautiful sign of spring a fly!






He had a blast climbing this tree. I was so proud of him and being brave because sometimes he can be a bit of a woos, did I just say that about my son, no I didn't, SHHH don't tell.







He thinks he is a stud muffin, did I just call my son a stud muffin? what is my problem first he is a woos then a stud muffin.








He is a gangsta! Now I am referring to him as a gangster sometimes, no all the time I wonder about my self.









We had Robin red breasts all over the trees of course I only got two shots and one was blurry because I had three dogs and two boys running around scaring them.










He is getting to be such a big boy and he is not a woos this boy was soaked from head to toe and did not complain one bit. Dustin on the other hand had to jump the creeks and threw a fit when his boot fell off and got wet. Did I mention he is a woos. Oh I already did well I don't truly think he is a woos really I don't, I promise, I think.





The ODD DUCK