I Feel So Accepted!

A week ago John and I attended the weekly cattle auction. It was a cold day, and the sale barn was warm; and I admit I was about to fall asleep when suddenly I realized John had just bought three 500 pound critters. I sat up straight and paid closer attention, and was more alert a few moments later when he bought 16 more.

We had to wait in the office at the sale barn for nearly 30 minutes for the paperwork to be completed. I made friends with the Australian cattle dog that was sleeping on the floor of the office, quite a friendly girl.

When the clerk brought up our paperwork she apologized for the wait and gave John a brand spanking new farm cap that said, "Eat Beef" in red letters against a blue background. I was standing a few feet behind John wearing a Carhartt jacket, my Ariat boots, and worn jeans. She turned to me and said, "Would you like a cap?"

"Why yes, I would," I said.

I am very proud of that cap.  That lady is a veteran at the sale barn and obviously knows a real farm woman when she sees one. :)

Bookwork and a Bouquet

I have not been out on the farm for a week-and-a-half. I have been spending my time doing end of year records the old fashioned way; with a #2 pencil in a ledger book. Next year I'll probably put the farm records on computer, but I have to admit there is a kind of satisfaction to be had in putting pencil to paper--all those neat little rows of numbers and notations--never thought I'd say this about bookwork, but I'm kind of enjoying it.  

Farmer John prefers this old fashioned method, but we both are a bit sheepish about it and know we need to go ahead and proceed into the 21st century. But even as I shop for farm record software I am pretty certain John will continue to use the ledger book he's utilized for years.  This is probably a somewhat belated end of an era though; no matter how nifty the old fashioned way feels, you can't beat having 40 numbers added for you automatically at the click of a mouse. 


The weather has been amazingly clear and beautiful--springlike temperatures in the afternoons but with that gorgeous, winter-clear sky.  I couldn't stand being inside a moment more today and went tromping through the "woods" across from our house. I climbed the dam to the rock quarry lake atop the hill and startled about 500 Canadian geese, who took to the air with a great flapping and honking.  The lake is down and I walked out to the edge of the water and stood among hundreds of water lily stalks that looked strangely skeletal and barren. But gathered into a bouquet and photographed against that blue sky they were beautiful.  

winter bouquet

The flock of geese circled around and, discussing me loudly with loud cries and honks, flew right overhead. They didn't like the looks of me and kept right on going, but behind them came an eagle; majestic wings spread wide, riding the air currents, scanning the ground for any rodents the geese might have startled with their racket I suppose.  He circled overhead, apparently sizing me up but not finding me to his liking.  I watched him until he banked and flew off to the west and out of sight.  


My afternoon walk was almost as satisfying as going out with Farmer John to do chores, but not quite.  Next week I hope to be back on the farm.