Ranch Life Adventures

The debrief: the emotions, the highlights.

hadassah — Wed, 3 Feb 2010 16:06:00 GMT

It is a long time in waiting, seeing as how my last post was last year! But here for your viewing pleasure is the wrap up to my Texan Adventure. The debrief of my time.

Gosh where to start? I guess the end is my beginning - My final week in Texas. It hardly felt real that in just 7 days I would be gone. Half way around the world; in another time zone, another climate. The last 3months had flown by and so much had happened.

A part of me was ready to move on, move forward to the next thing – but most of me wanted to stay. There was still so much for me to learn, to do. Disappointingly I left Texas still never having ridden a horse, never firing a gun and without a cowboy ;) [Hehe I think it may have been others who were most disappointed at that last point.]

I’m not the best at saying Goodbye, especially when I don’t really feel ready to. But time waits for no one, and it came to the day of farewell. Not only did I have to say goodbye, but it was dragged out over 24hrs! First up were the boys, as I wouldn’t be there to see them off to school in the morning, so Sunday night as bedtime rolls round, there are many hugs and “I’ll miss you”. Monday morning and its Hona and Sara’s turn, they leave to make deliveries and won’t be back before we leave for the airport. Some sneaky tears creep out as I struggle to find the words to succinctly express just how highly I value them, and the experience they’ve given me.

The hardest goodbye is at the airport. I’ve checked in, all that’s left is to go through security and wait at the gate. Still I lack the words to express my gratitude and heartfelt thanks for all they’ve done over the last three months – longer even in the planning to get me there.

Strong as I am, I can’t hold back the tears, I manage (barely) to hold my voice steady as I say goodbye to Ralph. Getting through security I muster up all I can to turn, smile and wave. And that’s it; we each walk through the door to our own lives. Our next adventure is on the horizon racing towards us.

Reality isn't kind and as we takeoff, the pain of leaving such a wonderfully life changing experience behind is too much. Watching the sun set over Austin as we climb higher and higher I get this feeling. I still can’t really describe it. There’s this strange symmetry for want of a better description. I arrived at sunset. I leave at sunset. I left Brisbane in the early morning; I’ll arrive in Brisbane in the early morning. I feel like it should mean something – I’m yet to find a deep profound meaning.

Of all the things I did, places I went, there is not a moment that I regret. Yes there are some things I missed out on trying, and in there may lay some regret – yet I know there should I truly desire to do it I will receive another opportunity at some point in my life. My eyes and mind have been opened to a whole new world, and once this is seen it can never be shut off, never will my world be so small again.

Some of those small regrets are in how i spent my spare time. I could have used it in a far more productive way then I did. Mostly I rested whenever I had the chance. I'm thinking that maybe I didn’t need all that rest. I could have been out, seeing some more of the surrounding country, nearby towns, or even just sketching, painting, taking photos. But I’ve learnt. Next time I shall be more aware.

There are 2 moments which stick foremost in my mind. These I would have to say, are the ‘best bits’. Although the entire trip, in everyday I hold a fond memory, these are the two stories I enjoy telling the most.

First up is the day out on the Quad. As we raced across the fields, up and down the roads, to the highway in search of our steers. There’s an exhilaration that comes, an adrenalin rush as you fly across the water, not knowing what’s ahead. Now this wasn’t just a fun day, it was work. Hard work, and oh did I feel it the next day. But it was worth it; the wind in your hair, the sun on your face, the bugs in your teeth (mouth, eyes, nose, ears…down your shirt...). Its hard to express the feeling, as you’re standing up on the quad using your entire body to swing it around and turn, just able to see over the long grass where you’re going, narrowly avoiding the worst of the boggy, marshy ground. Pure exhilaration :D

Looking back, I think this may have been one of the points at which I found my confidence. I went out there that day, and didn’t shy away, not from speed, the highway (albeit the side of the highway) nor the fact that I’d been bogged twice that morning. I got stuck into it, and found that I can things I only dreamt of. That day I felt like some kind of a hero, capable of anything.

The second of my highest ranking memories, is the day Comfort and Joy were born. I remember feeling a slight catch in my throat as I see comfort lying there: is she alive? I look around, two other calves, each with their mamas. I come closer, she blinks, and relief and joy wash over me. I turn to call to Sara, pointing and gesturing “She’s alive, I saw her blink”. (I don't know if Sara had any idea of what I was trying to say.)

But who is her mama? She’s alone, its critical we get her reconnected with her mama. So docile and mellow she allows Sara to come and lift her up, we get the two of them settled on the back of my quad and we take a gentle ride up to the preggy paddock. So soft, small and adorable we lay her in the hay as we go back to find her mama.

Such a strong little fighter, as our backs are turned she sneaks out through the foot of space between the ground and the first rung. Not wasting time Comfort is on the search herself to choose a mama. :) Once we’ve ascertained that 145 is the mother, we get the two up to join the party in the preggy paddock, still Comfort is left alone.

There’s one thing left to do, after giving Comfort a bottle, a kick start since we’re unsure as to whether she got anything before her twin arrived. Its time to do a little match making, I get to lift her, and carry her to the corner of the paddock with the others. A wonder of life, the softness of her fur, it was such a special moment. This tiny calf, born merely hours early fits in my arms and is perfectly happy to be there. Not fussy, nor squirming.

For the next 4 days we gave her a bottle each evening, just as a boost, to make sure she receives all she needs. All is going well, Comfort being her sweet self, she would just lay there in the sun allowing me to walk right up to her, sit down beside her and give a good scratch. Then she’d hop up and suck down the whole bottle so quickly! Give a little shake of her head then totter off to her adopted family to play with Twiggy.

Heartache was close-by and came, when on the day before we went to Chicago for the weekend, as I’m feeding Comfort her bottle, halfway through she leaves it. As I attempt to catch her to give her the rest, she has the audacity to kick at me!! And after all I’ve done for her! While we’re away she reaffirms her decision to have kicked the bottle, when as Ralph comes in she lets out a mighty bellow – calling in ALL the mamas within hearing! Narrowly escaping Ralph decides that’s the last time anyone attempts to feed her. In all this, Comfort still does and always will hold a special place in my heart.

All in all; coming back to Brisbane has been much harder emotionally than it was to leave. To leave meant adventure, excitement and opportunity but that’s just not the feeling I get coming back. It’s interesting to see that in the couple of weeks that I have been back; I have been more homesick for Texas then I ever was for here whilst I was gone! In all the time growing up in a small town, thinking I was a city girl stuck in the country – I think it may be the other way round….. My heart feels so more comfortable and at home outside of the city.

So here is the challenge I face: to live a metropolitan life (business dealings etc) and still be able to make my home far from all the hustle and bustle, smog, noise and smell of the city.

From the confidence and strength I found in Texas, I think I can do it. ;)

Christmas musings II

hadassah — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 08:12:00 GMT

Lately, in the lead up to Christmas, I've been thinking a lot about the feel of Christmas. So far from home and family it feels so different. It doesn't feel like Christmas. But then again what is Christmas?

A celebration. A time for family. A time of joy and giving. ???

To everyone Christmas has a different meaning, a different feeling. So to say this is Christmas, is to tell someone what your Christmas is. Ask 10 people, their answers may be similar but i bet that you'll get 10 different replies.

As this is my first Christmas in a different country and season this has been a popular topic in our house. I've been waiting for the tipping point, the point to which I'll say now it feels like Christmas. I've realised that point may never come, it's been a round about way to discover, but I've found that Christmas and all it encompasses are boundless.

I think i need to back up a little to explain this fully. Last weekend I was in Chicago. I had been told that this would be the place to really learn what Christmas is. I had the expectation that to have Christmas [at least a party] in the snow would be the key to unlocking the secret of Christmas.

Having been and come back, reflecting upon it all I think that I already had an understanding of Christmas. What I gained understanding of was a North American Christmas. I began to learn the importance of, and need for festivities in a long cold winter.

Christmas in the States, especially in the cold north [as I interpret it], has evolved from a celebration of just Christmas and merged with the celebrations of the winter solstice. Festivities for the sake of maintaining sanity. As the days grow shorter, colder and the nights are longer, darker; I can imagine how one would become depressed. Gosh, in the relatively short and mild winter of Queensland I start to crave warmth and long days of sunshine I can't imagine seemingly endless months of frigid cold.

In a long, dark, cold winter Christmas brings life. The importance of the decorations, the live tree, the outdoor lights it's all clearer now. The tree truly represents life. The coloured lights bring cheer and joy. The parties bring warmth to homes, smiles to faces, joy to a community.

My Christmas in Australia is summer. All that summer entails, and the beach is central to the holiday. Christmas lights, Christmas carols, Christmas parties, family and friends gather as the sun dips below the horizon, its light fading but its touch of warmth lingers on. Together as one, united one sentiment - to celebrate the season.

As the cards all say, Jesus is the reason for the season. Faith, Hope, Love. I celebrate the birth of Jesus, My Lord, My Saviour. I believe that the Christmas season is when we are most free to demonstrate all that Jesus inspires - love, charity, grace, forgiveness, fellowship/togetherness, hope. These values listed above, cover what I've always thought to be as the core of Christmas; the values that are universally acknowledged and embraced.

I understand now that though they have the same name, same origins and share the same date; Christmas in Australia and America are easily two different holidays. Similar, but different enough that I'd almost go as far as to say they are incomparable. The core may be the same, but the execution of the sentiments create wholly separate holidays.

To Every person the meanings, traditions of Christmas are different. Every year they are evolving and developing. As we grow and our minds expand with all our new revelations, motivations,and experiences so to do our Holidays. Think back over your life and you'll see what I mean. Your priorities at Christmas from 2, 5, 10yrs ago are different to this years. You are different from those years. With the ebb and flow of life your values and priorities are adjusted, by the time you reach Christmas, what was important last year may not even be a blip on this years radar.

Christmas, a celebration of the birth of Jesus, God's own son. God who is infinite, beyond comprehension, beyond human explanation, larger than any label or box we try to put Him in. Why do we think that we can label and box up Christmas?

Clear Shot

hadassah — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 15:58:00 GMT

Digitised for prosperity a snapshot of time has been frozen in history, viewed days, months, years after the fact. We live in the digital era, photos are taken by the hundreds in a day; the happy snapper has so many settings and options to get just the right shot. The benefits of digital photography are boundless, but I wonder: have we lost something in the name of progress?

Photography is an art-form that has traversed changing times, wars, depressions and revolutions and still it fascinates the lives of people it touches. I am one of those people. I love that with the press of a button a split second in time is held in place for me. Not only can I do this once, but time and time again! With no regard to limits I can click away to my hearts content easily snapping 20 shots on an average day, just as easily 100 on an outing. Held back only by the size of my memory card (which is hardly an issue) and the quality of my batteries.

My problem arises when I get home and so many of my shots are awful. Yes with practice my good/bad shot ratios are getting better but have we been desensitised by our digital aids?

No longer do I take time to arrange, align and plan a shot. No longer do I even have need for a viewfinder! The majority of my shots are point and shoot. Point in the vague direction of what I want and hope it works, and if not? Well it hasn’t cost me and I can easily erase and try again. Gone are the days where each picture counts, has a price to it. Gone are the days of waiting to get the perfect shot. Now we just take as many as we can and hope it’s in there. Taking no note of costs or effects, we take quantity over quality.

I’ve been fortunate enough to see some of the slides my Grandad took while he was in Korea. Every one of them is of high quality, of the highest calibre and each tells a story. How many of your photos tick all three of those boxes? I know the vast majority of mine don’t.

Work smart not hard is [one of] my motto[s]; in alignment with that I am all for digital photography and the other digital advances we have made in the last decade or two. My fear is that in all our technological advances, as we have ‘simplified’ life, we have taken out the finesse and elegance of our activities. Its certainly changed my style of photography from when each film and development cost.

Life on a ranch; you work hard, sleep little for a few days, and then you may have just as many days with only a light load. Time when you can really get into the things you enjoy. Since time is precious and you know you may not get back to it tomorrow, it is far more worthy to take the time and do it well. Take your time, slow down to stop and smell the roses. Most importantly take the opportunity to add a little finesse; a little elegance, something special to your day.

Life is too short to race through. One day you’re a fashion student, content to live in the city – the next you’re a cowgirl rounding cattle with the best of them (well maybe I’m not quite on par with the best of them yet but you get the picture).

Memories hold fast when they aren’t a blur, remember to slow down as the chances arise- make clear and crisp memories ;)

Photos: Christmas Lead-up

hadassah — Tue, 8 Dec 2009 16:17:00 GMT

Christmas Musings

hadassah — Tue, 8 Dec 2009 16:14:00 GMT

Thanksgiving is past, Christmas and the New Year loom. Strange enough - it doesn't feel like it.....

I don't know about you, but I find that usually when you get to this time of year, you start to feel a change. There’s a buzz of excitement in the air. Kids are looking forward to holidays, lollies, and presents. Adults start to dread the terrible traffic and congested car parks. Me - I feel the beginning of something new.

Christmas and New Year; the time of love and fresh beginnings and all the potential that it holds. For me this time of year also holds my birthday. Another year older, more memories, lessons and experiences fill my mind. December for me is truly the beginning and end. One chapter of my life closes and another begins. Adventure is imminent.

Life, as always, throws its curveballs. You end up in places you may have dreamed of but never thought possible. [Who ever imagined that I’d be a cowgirl?] The impossible becomes possible as new and different excitements explode your mind.

Just how does that excitement get in the air - what generates it? The passing of time? The seasons? The events happening around you? Something ethereal? Chemical Χ?

Everyone gets that feeling at some point in time, many around Christmas. "It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...." Songs talk of it, the media plays to it. But this year I don't feel it.

Normally, come the first of December, I am there - the Christmas tree will go up (never earlier then the 1st) the carols sneak their way into my playlists, the planning begins. The finalisation of presents, how to post said presents. And of course you can't forget the plans for the day itself. All 3 of them. The who (everyone possible) the where (at home waterside is most preferable) and the food (BBQ & salad/roast/or Italian most often top my list).

Now it's the 7th already and I don't feel that buzz. I've hardly thought of what will happen for Christmas, let alone my birthday/New Year!

Granted much of the decision making is spread upon others shoulders this year - Ralph and Sara will make the most. It still doesn't take away the fact that plain and simple – it doesn't feel like Christmas is merely weeks away.

I've been thinking over why. Being far from home, outside of my normal season pattern and temperatures. A new and surprisingly different culture has had its effects.

November through February, what is meant to be my summer; beautiful hot days followed by balmy nights, lazing by the waters side as the sun beams down, running its graceful touch along my back. This is what my body and mind is expecting. Yet my reality is far different. I’m faced with chills: shivers run down my spine in place of the sun. The winds still come from the north – but these don’t carry the balmy tropical breezes to which I am accustomed. No these winds bring arctic air, frosts and freezes. Just this last Friday snow was predicted [and fell] in Texas. Texas, the state whose climate is meant to be closest to home.

Already this winter [which has barely started] is colder then the dead of a Queensland winter. Today hovered around 10°C, the dew point around the same. It was a damp and cold day, one where you could always see your breath. _{{see the 'Christmas lead-up' gallery}} Nothing like the Childers winters day in which, by lunchtime, {on a clear still day} you would have removed your jacket, even at times wishing to have worn shorts in preference to trousers.

For all of my life so far, when the weather is this cold it means that Christmas is months away. The traditions here are also far different than home. Sometimes we (ok - I) forget that even though Australia and America are similar in many ways - there are many more in which we're different. Though through globalization Australia is inundated with American media [mostly TV] that we think we understand Americans. But we don’t. Not even close. As Ralph says, there’s the right way, the wrong way, and the American way of doing something. Subtle nuances that manage to change the meaning of a sentence or bring confusion to a situation.

Never before have I experienced Halloween or Thanksgiving. Hot apple cider, choosing a live tree - cutting said tree, all of these are a part of their culture here but aren't a part of mine.

I participate in, and enjoy the festivities as we prepare for Christmas. No matter if you can't feel the change in the air, you'll always find delight in decorating a tree with children. It just feels like something’s missing.... and it’s rather hard to place your finger on what it is. There are many small things, which if someone where to ask for, you probably couldn’t easily list. But it’s the small things of home that make the holidays. When you’re in a new home it can be hard to blend the traditions of your locality with the traditions of home.

“There’s no place like home” well, home is where the heart is; home is where the love is.

I’ll be home for Christmas – not just in my dreams.

Thanksgiving Weekend

hadassah — Wed, 2 Dec 2009 06:51:00 GMT

Thursday last was Thanksgiving. After a quick Wikipedia introduction the evening before i was ready to be introduced to some of the traditions.

The original Thanksgiving was a celebration feast with the pilgrims and Indians. The tradition continued in thanks for the harvest feast that saved the pilgrims from the harsh, brutal winter, becoming an annual tradition since 1863.

In lead up to the day I spent time contemplating how all of it fits together, to find the spirit of Thanksgiving. Like most western holidays it has been commercialised, with cards and decorations but underneath it all the heart of Thanksgiving beats strong and loud.

A Thankful heart.

Sure its a great time for a long weekend, to see friends and family, but its not just that. Not just the turkey, pumpkin pie, cranberries and all the other dishes of the feast - but the hearts of family and friends coming together. Thats what I liked most. There's no expensive gifts, just people working as one to accomplish a task [this task being fixing dinner].

It makes you warm inside to sit down to a meal that has been put together by many, to know that from start to finish the food has been grown and prepared with thought,care and attention. We were lucky enough to have picked a bountiful harvest of fresh tomatoes, beans and green onions {eschallots}, the turkey itself came fresh from a friends farm - our meal was either from our garden, locally sourced and at the very least from within Texas. This in itself is something I'm greatly thankful for, in the city its very rare to actually know who raised your food.

Though we should all try to be thankful everyday for what we have I really like how here the time is taken out of each year, and everyone is given the chance to really stop, think and bask in the blessings of the year.

All-in-all I believe that it is not the food provided, but the love that prepares and serves it, which makes Thanksgiving what it is.

I am thankful that there is a day to take the focus off of ourselves,and open our eyes to the world around us.

I am thankful for good health - in my family and I

I am thankful that God still works miracles

I am thankful for this opportunity to discover my strengths

I am thankful that I have provisions, shelter and love

What are you thankful for?

Gallery: Bambini

hadassah — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:23:00 GMT

Beautiful bambino: "Angel of the Morning"

hadassah — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:18:00 GMT

Sunday morning, we woke to a foggy misty morning. It was a relaxing day, we had a couple of chores that needed to be done, but other then that we could just glide through the day - and for once the plan went ahead! haha

I got up and started the fire for breakfast, well stoked the lingering coals back into flames. The air was cold - maybe about 10^oC, but it was mostly still - you could easily see your breath and the fire was a perfect size to stand by to keep warm.

Now some of you have been lucky enough to have one of my Sunday Specials breakfast, with scrambled eggs, bacon, marinated &roasted tomatoes and toast.... oh it tastes so good :) Now imagine that with all farm fresh, natural mostly home grown ingredients - wonderful! :)

I'm gonna jump back on my soapbox to reiterate just how good it is to eat local foods. Its not just a better taste, better colour, better for your local economy, better for your health - its good for your soul. yeah, there's something special about knowing the life of your food, a satisfaction in knowing that this food really truly is chemical free. I dare you to try it - start with growing some herbs, maybe a little tomato plant, buy local free range eggs and see if you feel better. Make sure you prepare your meal with love, and no stress. Its so hard to find words for the feeling but you'll know it. ;) The quality of your meal isn't just from the quality of your ingredients, the quality of your culinary skills - it stems from your attitude as you approach the preparation, your attitude to the source of your food. Don't eat for the sake of eating, take care and attention to what you eat - you're feeding your spirit to.....

Anyway i digress - the point - we had a wonderful morning, first in nature, then at church. I like going to Grace church, it reminds me of my childhood, the songs we sing. [does anyone else remember the actions to 'Celebrate Jesus'?? he is risen he is Risen, come on and celebrate.. the resurrection of the Lord....hehe Sara was glad i refrained from doing the actions] And the preaching is straight from the word of God.

One of my favourite parts of Sunday, other then a leisurely breakfast with friends/family, is how the fellowship keeps flowing after the service. Sara and I went to Carrasco's for lunch with Clarence and Gail. :) I really have to say, in case you haven't picked it up, is that Sunday's have this particular feel to them - people are more relaxed, and its just the best day of the week :D

With such a start to the day, it was easy to think it couldn't get any better, a nice nanna nap and then do the last couple of ranch chores before an easy dinner... well here at Wild Type there's always a surprise around the corner - and this was a lovely one :) Our first calf of the season was born! These girls aren't actually due until early December but little Angel decided to join us early :)

We made the discovery on the way home from church, as we drove past the paddock we noticed that one of the mumma's was far from the rest of the herd - a sign that something has happened {good or bad} and should always be checked. So we grabbed a bag of cubes for the other cows {a nice treat} and headed off to check - hoping that the creek had gone down enough since the rains that we would be able to cross. Alas we could cross in Al, the mud was just a little too soft for us to cross, so we left Al on the home side of the creek and walked across - the water coming to about 2?inches from the tops of our wellies.

Now that's a strange feeling - the buoyancy of normally heavy steel capped boots as the current rushes by, the air bubble straining against you to reach the surface.....

But we made it across - no one falling in. {Though for one of the crossings i did make sure to have my camera ready- just in case ;)}

As we walked towards mother and calf their natural instincts, wariness of people was working well, and they lead us in a circle around the paddock. Eventually curiosity won out and the beautiful little bambino came to us :D Its hard to properly express in text the feelings i felt. Joy, awe, wonder, amazement, reverence, a touch of caution - some of these mumma's are dangerously protective. But 6117, and Morning Angel were so mellow, Sara was able to walk up to her and easily tagged her.

We wanted to make sure we got it done sooner then later in case some of the others came early as well - we don't want to miss-tag them! Its also easiest in the first 24hrs before the flight reflex really starts to kick into gear.....

Little Morning Angel was so lovely, taking little runs and jumps with just a little touch of wobbliness in her back legs (imagine the scene as Bambi starts to run around :D)

And she is so tiny, Sara was able to lift her to get a guesstimate on her weight - she's barely 50pounds [I'm sorry i can't convert that easily - the sacks of cubes come in 50pounds.... if that helps any]

Oh the joy at seeing this little calf - only hours old! and I got to feel her!!! :D :D Her fur is sooo soft, and luscious. Oh it gives you this warm and fuzzy feeling inside. Its such an emotive moment, I really don't think I've given it justice in words - its an experience that truly cannot be properly described -but I've tried ;)

Now the first calf born, by tradition, is always named by the current guest - the pressure was on to pick a good name! As we were in the field we were thinking of 'Tiny Dancer' [from the song in Almost Famous] and it was a pretty good fit for her, but not quite right.

As we were driving back from town (again) the song 'Angel of the Morning' came on - almost just as we drove past their paddock. So Morning Angel got her name, it felt so right for her, being born on such an ethereal morning.... :D

well i hope you can feel some of what i feel, and enjoy the pictures!! -{the "Bambini" album}

a long day to lead to a weekend

hadassah — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:05:00 GMT

Ever had one of those days that seem to be a week long?? well Friday was one of them.

We woke to a day that was planned to be busy - but not laborious. Mostly bookwork and other house(cabin)work.

As Sara took her coffee into the top heifer paddock to have a relaxing start to the day, the morning was spoiled as she found a number of them had pink eye - 2 of them were real bad - and poor Delores had passed. No time for breakfast, i quickly dressed and we went out to round the rest of the heifers up; one for easy treatment of the sick and to check the rest, and two so that they wouldn't be in the way as I brought in the tractor to remove her remains. Thankfully they were fairly co-operative as we guided them into the pens.

Two days ago when I had put out feed Delores had a cough, but was otherwise was fine - not at all docile like Phoenix had been when she was close to death (thankfully we saved her). Phoenix was from the same herd, and we had treated many of the cows when we found she was sick. So to hear Delores cough we assumed its was just a cough in the recovery process.

I'm guessing you've heard the sayings about assuming right?

Now I knew at the start that I was learning to drive the tractor so I would be helpful whilst Ralph is in Australia - never in that time did I imagine that this is how I would be putting those skills into practice.

Dressed for messy work, and well gloved I went and got the chain and tractor and brought them to Sara in the paddock. Now the driving was fine, and the passing the chain to Sara was fine.

But when it came to touching the legs so chain them to the back of the tractor so she could be moved..... well I'm glad I hadn't had time for breakfast :S It's a strange feeling, to be lifting a deceased animal.I got through it though, we managed to pretty well slide in the back lifter under her head and ankles, and with the chain holding her steady we lifted her to a point where she wouldn't be harshly dragged along the ground.

I hopped back up in the cab and started the long, slow trip to coyote hill, regularly checking my mirrors to make sure my load was still there.

I don't understand this about dogs - why must they lick, sniff, eat and roll in everything smelly and disgusting that they find?? It's rather disconcerting to need to continually shoo Tess away from where we were working this particular morn.

We made it to Coyote Hill. After what felt like hours of driving across the entire property (in reality it was possibly 20mins?). Here is where my skills were practiced - I needed to turn the tractor and gently reverse into a brushy area, all without letting Delores slip under the tires...

I made it in, the chains had held with barely inches to spare between her and the tire Delores reached her final resting place. Once more we were required to push and pull on her legs to loosen the chains. We lowered her onto the ground, again had to shoo Tess away from her. And with that the job was done. We drove back to the cabin, Sara on the quad, I in the tractor.

Drained from the day we went to the cabin, it felt late in the day yet the time was only about 10/11am. We had more work to do, and all before we picked up the boys from school.

We head back out. Armed with syringes, needles and medicines we get stuck into it. Individually running each of the 28 animals through the race. Checking their eyes, snot and weight we (Sara) administered the necessary medications.
We got into a short of rhythm. I would stand by end with the gate shut and wait for Sara to get one into the pens. Then we'd let it up the race. We'd record the weights -and many had gained weight a good sign as they are all rather young still. It was repetitive and time consuming. Even a bit risky as some of the more boisterous ones came through. The ones to watch though were the extremely calm ones. They'd be catatonic, stop thinking and any move they made would be sudden and dangerous if you were in the wrong place.
One guy left his mark on my hand as he jumped, butted and kicked as I was releasing the head catch, butting the lever hard against the palm of my hand, jarring my body -i could feel in the shock wave in my other hand! Thankfully its not as bad as it could've been, I haven't bruised and it hardly hurts - only if i catch it on a particular angle.

The last one is run through. Zevon, he's one of the oldest in the herd, and he's clear. *deep breath* and Done.
Phew another days work done. Now we can stop for lunch. But the work isn't over. As I'm learning, ranch work is never done - you just need to know when and where to stop.

Now the afternoon wasn't quite so emotionally draining. We sorted the beef orders we had for the weekend (I think, man it feels like I'm recounting something from weeks ago, not a mere 3 days ago...)
As Sara left to pick up the boys, i head out in the tractor again (first with Lysol [its like glen 20] in hand for the steering wheel and levers). I put out the bales, it would've been quicker and a little easier if Tess could get the gates, unfortunately she doesn't have opposable thumbs... hehe.
The small bulls were funny, before i even get the chance to finish unloading the bale they're into it, tearing it apart. As i leave i see them, burrowing themselves into the bale coming out with hay all over their faces :)

4pm rolls by and Sara still hasn't had a chance to do any bookwork- we've been flat out since 8am and we still need to do the rounds to check up on everyone.
So we load up some cubes (a little treat for the cows) the alfalfa, the boys and some cameras into Al(the ranch truck) and head off.

Pure natural beauty and some time for photography was exactly what I needed.
We stopped first in one of the empty paddocks, by one of the prettiest dams (or tanks as they're called here) and I scoped the place for a possible picnic spot- :) its a winner.
Its peaceful, the sun was perfectly positioned, not too hot nor cold. It felt reeeal good to do something creative again, we've been so busy that any chance I have to put my feet up - i take it! ;)
I'm real please with how they came out, my favourite is the one of the grass. Eric and Alex had a go at taking some as well - there's some talent there in Eric, with a little tuition and practice I envision that he'll bring up some wonderful photos.

Twas really wonderful to finish off the day that way, coming full circle in a way, as we watched to see if any of our pregnant mumma's will be delivering early.

As we arrived back at the cabin, as much as Sara and I would have loved to just sleep, we soldiered on and cooked up a wonderful risotto with marinated beef cutlets for dinner mm mm mmmmmm :)
We made it through, the boys were in bed and as much work as we could do was done. So finally, after a week our day was done and we could sleep. Sleep to face another long day as we took a beef delivery to Village Foods (a supermarket) on our way to the renaissance Fair. But that's another story ;)

Gallery: Renaissance Fayre

hadassah — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:58:00 GMT

No Farms No Food!!

hadassah — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:32:00 GMT

Wow, time has just flown by! I can't believe it’s already been about 2 weeks since my last post.... well in a very short overview, we had Halloween, I carved my first pumpkin, and we started at a new Farmers market in Bryan. That was a fun market, near all of the vendors dressed up in costume, and they had lollies out for kids who came trick-or-treating through the morning. Not only that but for our first time there we made some really good sales. So here’s hoping that even though we'll be going just once a month the sales stay up.

On the 3rd of November Ralph left for Australia, leaving Sara and I to hold down the home front. And I’d have to say - I think we're doing a pretty good job. :) thanks to moving the cattle onto the hay paddock thus removing the need to be feeding out bales and alfalfa daily.... even still between markets, bookwork, meetings and the boys we've kept our days busy.

This last Sunday was a wonderful day. Church was, well it wasn't what I thought it would be, which was a bit sad that they didn't preach love, it was vastly different to the preaching I’ve grown up with. But all said and done it was the gateway to a lengthy D&M with Sara, over mmm a divine lunch of a cheese and veg platter. Sooo good :) Followed up by an equally wonderful spaghetti Bolognese (a joint effort). And really the elegant meals have continued through the week.

I think the recipe to an elegant meal is:

1. Good company

2. ATTITUDE

3. Little touches in the presentation.

It doesn't take much to take the ordinary into the extraordinary......

Like tonight’s hamburgers - our own meat, tomatoes and green beans. It tasted so good, because it’s natural, and additive free, and fresh! There’s nothing like spending the evening picking your own veggies then eating them that same night. The biggest point of difference though was eating out on the porch. We set up the card table with some candles and ate by the fire that cooked our food. Simplicity. I beginning to see how in the city we (I) can make the simplest things quite complicated.....

The longer I stay here, the more and more I’m inclined to ditch the city entirely. Move out to the country and live a differently busy life. I’m yet to figure a way that doesn’t involve me driving regularly back and forth to the nearest city to buy fabrics/sell to boutiques….. I could try internet based….. J

With all the work that’s done here (noticeably more then I do back home) this really is the simpler life. Especially in terms to the food we eat. I’ve switched sides. No longer do I want to buy whatever’s cheapest. The taste of naturally raised (near organic) foods is so much higher then the bulk of supermarket foods. Not to mention the health benefits, or the satisfaction of going into the garden after a stressful day and finding a treasure trove of ripe tomatoes ready for dinner! To spend an hour unwinding in nature and then to feast on the harvest! It’s beyond compare to just buying some meat and veg at the store.

The work is its own reward, and I can’t think of a better reward at the end of the day.

I implore you all to go and search for a local market in your area. Join the community as you go each week and support your farmers. You make the difference to the day as you go and chat about anything – the weather, the food, your respective families, hobbies. Though the vendors would love you to buy their produce, feel free to chat even if you’re unable to buy anything that week. Just make sure you go.

Local produce thrives on community.

a picture says a thousand words....

hadassah — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:39:00 GMT

so here's 10 ;)

Today was very busy, tagging and weighing cattle, trying to sort out the escapee steers, putting out bales (as always) sorting cattle, many many things that i can't think of them all. It was so long ago it feels like it happened yesterday......

okay, having issues putting the pics in here, so when you look in the Texas gallery, start at the ones of me in the white ute/truck - that's my first go at 4WD and from there it may be a little out of order but that's pretty much how the day went....

Oh an update on the escaped steers with no brain:

they are still clueless, a branch fell on their fence giving them a new way out - they took it. managed to go quite far, got scared of the highway so started to turn back, and are now somewhere along the creek. You should have seen all the water and swampy smush we had to go through to find them!!

A slow day.... well it was meant to be.

hadassah — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:12:00 GMT

Sunday morning and we woke to what was meant to be a relatively easy day, load up the 4 heifers, then drive them the couple of hrs down Houston way. Well I'm guessing you know how your plans can end up.... so we ended up with a little more fun on our hands.

Before we had the chance to load up the cattle, we got a call from across the road (where we lease a bit of land for grazing), and the steers have gotten out of their paddock and into the yard! We jump on the bikes and race over to get them back in their place. As we're rounding them up to head them through the gate, they instead decide to push through a barb wire fence, at this point its the first time we see them choose the barbs over a nice open gate. We did manage to get them into their paddock, but they wouldn't be able to stay since they've broken out once already - but we still had the delivery to make so the steers would have to wait.

As we're driving along, it amazes me to see how many homes have just been abandoned. Some must be about a hundred years old, others had trees grown up all around them to the point where you almost couldn't even see it! Others still, looked perfectly livable, but its just left there sitting empty. I'm hoping to find a nice day when i can drive down for the sole purpose of getting some pictures of them.

The day went on and we made the delivery with no hassles, it was even fairly simple to find the place along the winding county road.

By now its lunch time and we're getting hungry so we start looking for a place to eat, easier said then done.... the first town (or city as every place here is called) that we drove through we could not find anything! we didn't even see a local diner let alone a fast food place. Onwards we go to College Station, a city so proud of its Uni - I've never seen anything like it. The Uni is Texas A&M, students affectionately known as 'aggies' as we reached the edge of town you see the sign "You are now entering Aggieland". Nearly every building, store or sign seemed to have a link to the uni. Stores with names like 'Aggieland Hardware' even the Dairy Queen where we stopped for lunch had the uni logo nice and big under the registers.

Talking about the Dairy Queen, they are proud to be Texan (at least this one is, I haven't been to any others), with the menu of "Texas favorites" and the option of Texas size. Now I already think that the sizes are big, what they call medium I'd call large, I can only imagine what Texas size will be!! Maybe one day before I leave I'll have a big enough appetite to warrant ordering it.

The rest of the afternoon, until we got back to the ranch, was relatively uneventful. I did find it interesting that the trolleys at H.E.B had cup holders.....after a quick detour due to an accident on the highway we were back at the ranch and stuck right into the work.

Back into it and first up is tagging the new cow we got on the weekend. Simple, it's what happens next.....

Since the steers were now prone to busting through/over a barb wire fence, we needed to bring them back to this side of the road. Thats fine, we'll just empty this paddock and then we can bring them up the road and straight in easy! no. As we round up the calves in this paddock, there's one particularly listless and sad looking calf. Poor little thing is sick, so the rest get put in the pens, and this one we walk into a separate pen so we can give her some medicine. (a day later and she's doing ok, a little sad looking still)

Now that these guys are secure (or so we thought) we head across the road to get the steers.

As Sara and I came up to them she saw one cross the barbwire fence, leaving us 6 to get home. For now at least, they choose to turn and not crash into the fence.

Without too much trouble we managed to get them on the road and heading in the direction we want, for a while at least. They like to go along in the gutters of the road, and press along the barb fences. So as we are encouraging them to get out they go through it. How many times can they do this?? Since there was just one in there, we press on with the intention to come back. These steers really aren't too smart, as we're sending them around the corner they choose the neighbours driveway as a better option.... yeah these guys are really starting to tick us off.

So in we go to round them up, and they are just not going were they're meant to! So when they finally come out of the driveway (ahead of us) they turn back the way they came from. *sigh* we race down and get ahead of them, and manage to turn them, but what do they do when we get to that same section of barbwire fence? yep they go through it.

attempt 2. I wait this time on the road, ready to head them off if they go the wrong way. But this time they really are harder to direct, so eventually we lost the light, having to leave them there. Which will be a couple of days seeing as the next day is forecast with pouring rain....

We head home. To a sight we were not expecting.... the calves we moved so we had a place to put the escaped steers had escaped. Trampling the garden Sara had spent the afternoon digging, planting and tending to! More rounding for us, luckily they were pretty good and easily went in. This time we double checked their gates before we left them.

We get a chance to go in and sit down. *whew* it was a BIG day. Finally we can unwind and settle down to a nice (albeit, very late) dinner.

Monday will be interesting as we place catchup with the chores in the rain.......

SOLD!

hadassah — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:46:00 GMT

Close friends, Don and Karen of Dreamcatchers Ranch have one sale a year, and we went down to help with the pre-sale dinner.

So Friday morning we packed up and headed off on the 2(ish)hr drive down to San Marcos. Arriving in time for lunch we had Karen's chili, finishing off with homemade brownies - it was so good, mm mmm mmmmm ;)Karen is a multi-talented women, not only does she run the ranch with her husband, but make jewellery, sew...

Since many of the buyers for the sale were coming for dinner the night before we set up a display room of Karen's jewellery for people to buy, well in the end it looked beautiful and she made a good number of sales that night.

For dinner or supper as they call it here, we dined on brisket, beans and potato salad, with legendary homemade choc chip biscuits for dessert.

Saturday morning and we dress in our Wild Type Ranch finest as we head off to the sale. The sale which is presided with a free lunch - chicken fried steak (dreamcatchers own) + sides. Plenty of cowboys were there, with their fancy boots and stetson hats.

Though the boots I wore are all mine, the hat was on loan from another visitor to Wild Type, who left it behind.

The sale started off very interesting, as you'll see from the pictures, and video that there a 4 men who stand round the front of the ring watching and shouting out the bids to the auctioneer who is called 'the colonel' oh you should hear them when it gets going :) it just can't be expressed properly in words.

As I said, it started interesting, but about an hr in - if your not buying, and invested in the animals it can get a little... boring. but this was only a short sale, about 2&1/2hrs. Zzz haha no i didn't fall asleep, there were points where i could have.....

But i made it through, making me a more authentic cowgirl :) that and the fact that my boots have now been christened - the country way.... only the soles, they still look clean ;)

So after the sale, as we wait to line up the trailer to load up our cow, i get to meet many of Ralph and Sara's friends, a number who I'll be seeing again when i go to church.

Well by 3.30 we were on the road again, this time homeward bound, and just in time too, not long after pulling in Sara gets a call from someone wanting to come out then and have a look about buying a heifer and a steer for showing. As Ralph and i get to work catching up on the chores, and the feeding in pulls a car we presumes is the buyer, instead some electricians need to have a look at a transformer on the far side of the property, so in between putting out the alfalfa bales we show them the direction to go.

Suffice to say, today has been go go go all day.

Tomorrow shall be busy as well, as we delivery 4 pregnant cows to their buying down towards Houston.....

So i leave you here, i hope i haven't bored you to tears with the blow-by-blow of the weekend so far.....

OK so you'll have to wait for the video till I've figured how to post it without needing youtube.....

Gallery: Dreamcatchers Cattle Sale

hadassah — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:52:00 GMT

Water, Water everywhere.....

hadassah — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:55:00 GMT

After 2yrs drought, rains are good. And last night we got 2&1/2in. a nice amount, we also got all the runoff from up north, which overflowed the creek. The creek by which just last week we fixed the fence.....

So there seems to be a guarantee of getting big rains - simply fence that paddock :) I haven't seen it since the waters receded this arvo, but it seems to have held. Which is good since we're going away for the weekend to a cattle sale 120miles from here and won't have time in the morning to fix it again.

As I've said before (possibly only on fb..) severe weather and flash floods were forecast, but we didn't get the harsh storms and winds that were expected. But when the skies cleared this afternoon, the beautiful clear blue was described by some locals as post hurricane weather. Anyway, from what was a grey and miserable looking morning we had a lovely clear day, getting quite warm there in the middle, and a beautiful sunset.

Today as always, had its jobs. The chickens needed feeding*, the eggs collecting, the garage/playroom of the town house flood controlled.... well that last one isn't everyday -just when it rains. The freezers needed topping up for another market and by noon we were on the road again. This time to the Georgetown farmers market. We were lucky enough to get a shaded spot for setup, so we didn't need our tent which helped save time in the setup/pack-down process -allowing us to leave in record time. Still we weren't home until 8pm.

*oh and speaking of the chickens,one of them keeps getting caught short when it comes time to lay - we've found one egg in the middle of the driveway, and this morning i found another just on the ground by the caravan. The search for the eggs can be quite the egg hunt....

So as we wind down after another full day, we pack and prepare to drive down to Dream-catchers Ranch to help out some friends with their big annual sale. Now I'm told that this is a big event, so we've made sure that I'll feel comfortable and fit in with the others, so I now have some very nice cowgirl boots, and am able to borrow the hat of another niece that visited here a couple of yrs ago. Watch this space, I'm bound to have some good stories (and pictures) when I get back.

To market we go.....

hadassah — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:15:00 GMT

5.20am the alarm goes off and the day begins.

pre-pre-dawn and we are packing the last few items into the ute that we will need for the markets. A little after 6 and we are on the road, first stop Dyer Dairy where we collect some raw milk (non-homogenised, non pasteurised) cheeses to sell. One more quick stop for an egg delivery, then we're almost there.

At about 7am the sun finally graced us with its presence, with a beautiful orange glow, we didn't stop for pictures though. Onwards we go, and we make it to Sun City Texas, the venue for our Tuesday markets.

As we set up, I start to meet some of the other regular vendors, great people whom I'll get to know well over the time I'm here. 9am rolls round and we begin the sales, we were kept fairly busy, busy enough i didn't think to get any pictures. Before I knew it, it was noon and time to pack up, the morning had flown by, but rest assured you will see pictures from the next markets we are at. :)

As we continued on our way, we stopped at the drive through bank to make a quick deposit.....yep. drive through bank tellers, and ATM's.

America, land of the super-size. We went to McAlister's for lunch, and the meal came with drink, now i was expecting an average, small or medium size - instead she gives us these HUGE drinks. Which apparently are a medium... and when the sandwich's came out, well I can't say they were stingy with the chicken.

As we searched for work clothes, steel toe boots and all the rest, I have decided, that they are much wiser in jean sizing here - I wear an 8x34. They actually have a wide variety of lengths in all sizes of work jeans, meaning i have finally found a pair of jeans which easily are long enough!! yay for me :) boots on the other hand were a little more tricky, I don't think Texan women have large feet, i ended up needing mens size boots. But work boots are work boots, it doesn't matter what they look like, just that they are comfortable and protect my feet. So I am now all kitted out like a working cowgirl, the hat, belt and fancy boots are still on there way....

Time again ran away from us in the afternoon, but we got home in time to take Eric to karate, and for me to put out the bales for the cattle.

As we checked the weather, before heading to bed we saw a front coming in from the North West, and one from the South East - chances of tornadoes, and flash flooding, the weather now though hasn't come in a quick as anticipated, so its unlikely to be harsh storms in this neck of the woods. Cold weather most definitely - I'm very grateful for the warm jacket we picked up yesterday :)

Washing Day

hadassah — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:52:00 GMT

Monday: tomorrow I'm off to my first farmers market.

We'll be on our way EARLY in the morning, with various errands to run before we get to the marketplace, and take our hour for setup. But that i can tell you about later, today we got organised for this event.

The beef is kept here on the ranch in 3 large freezers, which we went through, emptied, defrosted, and reorganised to make sure no meat is left behind. Now don't be mistaken, this was no small task, it took us a good portion of our day, till after lunch. So once the meat was sorted we went through to fill orders that will be picked up tomorrow. For all the time spent working in the freezers, i was surprisingly hot- evidence that we were working hard!

Being on a ranch, things get dirty, so after all the sorting we needed to wash the Ute and trailer that we'd be taking to the markets. A large task made easy (and a little fun) by the aid of the power hose. :) We now have a nice shiny Ute and trailer to sell our beef from.

To round off the day, i continued with my practice of putting out the corn bales.

Fencing

hadassah — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 10:48:00 GMT

From today I am able to add new skills to my CV - Fencing; electrical. & Driving a tractor.

This morning was my introduction to fencing. We loaded up the bucket on the tractor, and filled the basket on the quad and off we went.

I have to say, that pounding in fence posts is a great way to tone your arms..... ;) though my arms aren't too sore as most of my job was to lay out the string in line for the next section of fence - which equates to a far bit of walking back and forward, up and down the paddock. Lucky for me, today was perfect weather for fencing, it started a little chilly in the early morning, but quickly warmed up to be a beautiful sunny day with barely a cloud in the sky.

I also had my first lesson in driving the big tractor. It was simpler then i thought - the gears the same as a car, corners well. The most i was cautious about was making sure i didn't hit anything with the front bucket. But with a little more practice I'll be putting out the hay bales like a pro.

Finishing off the day I joined Sara for dinner with the rest of the delegates from the Devon conference held this week. The best part of the afternoon was the horse drawn buggy, tour of the property.

Make sure you check out the pictures of tonight's sunset - beautiful.

Gallery: Texas

hadassah — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:29:00 GMT

life