BuckinJunction

You are a good buddy if...

2012-02-18T09:47:00.002-05:00

You stick around with your three legged friend...and yes the deer to the right has three legs. Right hind is missing from the hock down. The left hand deer would move ahead eating, turn and wait for the other to eat up to it, and then continue on. Very amazing to watch.

Happy to be Seen

2012-02-13T09:55:00.002-05:00

I love my morning greeting from the Man's gelding when I go to feed him every day. He has a busted hip from his mother kicking him at weaning. But we have fun with him.

Sunday Stills-Liquids

2012-02-05T05:14:00.002-05:00

For more sunday stills click here

Sleepy Saturday

2012-02-04T08:01:00.001-05:00

Is any one else ready for this time of year to be back? Because uhm yeah I am!

Just some

2012-02-03T17:18:00.003-05:00

How tall do you think he is?

Just a hawk...

Quick shots before I head out to milk. What a day this has been!

Days Like This...

2012-02-02T14:23:00.003-05:00

...Feel like they need a re-write.

Yesterday the man got his own rig from the company he just started driving for. He took over the old one that his trainer had while the trainer got back in his finally fixed newer truck. HOWEVER...

It wasn't quite that simple. A load had to be taken west. Then a stop at the company's yard to get appropriate paperwork, copies of permits etc. All of which are necessary. The head mechanic also wanted to take a look-see at the truck to make sure it was in good working order so the man doesn't get stuck somewhere his first week on his own...

And there is where the issues started. Anti-freeze leeking from a hose, new clamp fill it back up okay thats fixed. A few other minor issues, two and a half hours, and the guys splitting a pizza later they were headed back east on I-90 to get the other truck...At this point it was almost 7:45 at night, and it is a two hour drive.

THankfully his mother took me to pick up his truck. By 11:00 we were in bed sleeping...However five am is painful after that kind of night.

Then today...OMG what a day. Producers everywhere with issues of some sort or another. Magic finally calved. Beautiful heifer. Black with a big white mark on her head. As we are delivering baby because she was a bit big, and a bit twisted my phone went off.

Joy happy lucky me it was the test lab. I have a farm with big issues. Which means tomorrow will be a really really really rough day...

I think I will be glad sausages to go into spaghetti are simmering in my slow cooker mom gave me when I finally get home tonight!

I LOVE my Mornings lately

2012-02-01T07:48:00.004-05:00

Monday at the fair.

5am Alarm goes off.

5:20 downstairs, coffee in travel mugs (large ones) for me and the man, lunches in boxes, work boots on.

5:30 I'm out the door to the farm and he is off to hop in a rig for the day.

6am pull up the house driveway at the farm shut off truck. Most mornings lately there has been a dusting or so of fresh powder snow. As if Mama Nature took a bag of powdered sugar and sifted it out over the land.

The walk to the barn in the dark only takes a few minutes. But already signs of life scatter out across the path and the lawn.

Little mouse and rabbit tracks dot the white shadowed earth near the now retired CornPro stock trailer.

A cat crossed the bridge atop the ravine that connects the two tracks of land. Quick glance ahead shows its Chainsaw, sitting waiting watching as I trudge out to flick on lights and wake the girls up.

Coffee cup and flashlight into the old microwave. Walk down Mom's line of milkers to check Magic, a small black and hugely pregnant cow that is defintiely close. No calf today. Maybe tomorrow. Blitz and Mandy are hanging their heads over their stall front watching, thinking perhaps I have a bale of hay in my pocket because as far as they are concerned a round bale apiece twice aday would not be enough food

Back out to the milk house. Flick the switch to run the last cycle on the pipeline washer. Calves get water or milk as per age group.

By the time I feed the last baby, Carolina a sweet little split face heifer who greets me like a long lost friend every time I walk down the alley behind her stall, the pipeline is done and I can set up and get started.

I really love my hour or two alone in the barn every morning. Not that I like setting up its a pain in the rump but for that little bit its still so peaceful. The sun isnt even up out of bed yet. Generally just as I am milking Sugar, the calf Licorice, a sturdy mid-sized black cow, is carrying is starting its morning lets irritate mommy ritual. I usually get a solid bump from it as it stretches out in her belly when I bend over to attach Sug's machine. By the time I am done adjusting the hoses Licorice is rocking back and forth as the calf does a two step against her stomach. I think she is more than ready to have the calf get born and stop kicking her all the time.

I milk Dad's set of cows last. They are probably the easiest batch. No young two year olds, mostly second plus lactation cows with decent tempers. Old girls like Balsam and Heather who like to be scratched and patted. Or just calm critters like Syracuse and Lucky who you barely notice.

Mom Dad and Becky are out milking her line and the bucket cows now. It gives me a chance to sit and enjoy the last of my coffee before I head out onto the road to work for NFO and inspect my farms or run water samples or whatever else the day requires. Speaking of which...I think I better get moving and shower and grab some breakfast...Or I will be quite hungry tonight!

Sunday Stills Birds

2012-01-22T08:29:00.003-05:00

I had to dip into my archieves, I haven't seen anything but crows all week, and I am on the road constantly (800 miles in 2 days). Sooo as such here are some shots of an Osprey I saw up on a pond above Sharon Springs this past spring.

For More Sunday Stills Click Here.

Just Some Summer Shots

2012-01-12T15:51:00.003-05:00

So Beautiful

2011-12-12T07:59:00.000-05:00

Where to Bury a Horse

If you bury him in this spot,
the secret of which you must already have,
he will come when you call-
come to you over the far, dim pastures of death,
And down the remembered paths to your side again
And though you ride other living horses through life,
They shall not shy at him or resent him coming,
For he is yours and he belongs there.

People may scoff at you,
Who see no lightest blade of grass bent
By his footfall,
Who hear no nicker pitched too fine for insensitive ears
People who may never really love a horse;
smile at them, then
For you shall know something that is hidden from them,
and which is well worth knowing:

The one place to bury a horse is in the heart of his mistress.

-Author unknown

Thanks Jeffro!

Sunday Stills-Pets

2011-12-11T09:56:00.002-05:00

For More click here.

RIP Tyler

2011-12-09T13:36:00.001-05:00

The right thing can be the hardest to do.

Today

2011-12-09T07:29:00.003-05:00

"God forbid that I should go to a heaven in which there are no horses." R.B. Cunningham Graham

Sunday Stills Bokeh

2011-11-27T09:35:00.003-05:00

I had to dip into the archives for this...Yeah I haven't been photographing much...For more Sunday Stills Click here.

OHM Sale

2011-10-16T07:54:00.001-04:00

Went to the OHM semen sale Friday night. I think everyone was asleep by the time we got there. Wayne from Ridgedale holsteins was calling bids and wow were the bulls going dirt cheep. I missed some of the semen I was interested in but it worked out very nicely in my favor in the end.

First semen I bid on went over what I wanted to pay. Really good bull and I lost the only daughter I had off of him, but I just couldn't see spending what they were getting for it.

Next bull on the fly sheet was Regancrest Dundee. I had one unit in the tanks already but I was hording it. THere is no guarantee when you service a cow that you will get a pregnancy much less a heifer. I really didn't want to use my only unit and not get a calf. Last night I got 5 more units for $18 a straw. Now I can use him and better my odds of actually getting a small black and white critter on the ground.

I bid on a few others on the list but I really was looking at three other lots that I either had daughters off of, had always wanted daughters off of and hadn't been able to afford the prices, or were new that I was very intrested in seeing what they were going to do and wanting to get a jump on the first crop hitting the ground.

Second lot I bought was Carnation Counselor. He's definitely a golden oldie. Born before me in 1982 he was a S-W-D Valiant son off a Round Oak Rag Apple Elevation he sired big strappy daughters with nice little udders and a fancy style that is hard to beat. I've wanted to use him since before my Dixie cow died almost 9 years ago. I think I will use him on her daughter. However he is one of the reasons I say people were asleep as I only paid $20 a unit. Two years ago when I bid on him he went for almost a hundred.

Last bull I managed to buy was Strouder Morty. A Formation son he makes phenomanal daughters. Ninety percent of the auction goers must have been asleep because I only paid 8 dollars for him...

Went back yesterday to try to buy a beautiful Ked Juror daughter, not even a month old she sold following her big black stylish 2 yr old dam. Alas I don't have the money to spend $800 bucks on a brand new baby. Maybe next time I'll be the lucky one when the gavel bangs...Not that the auctioneer actually used one but hey it works :)

Six Hundred Already...

2011-10-12T07:09:00.002-04:00

Miles that is. Three fifty monday and two fifty yesterday. Looking at another two hundred plus mile day today, and tomorrow. This morning after barn chores I am headed up to the Saratoga and Washington county area. I have some high counts and such to attend to up that way.

Tomorrow I am hoping to set up a meeting in Sidney Center with a potential producer. And then at night is the annual farm bureau board meeting.

Then Friday I am planning a light day, and a work in the cow barn afternoon if all goes well. I want to get some of the cob webs swept down before winter. And Friday night is the OHM club semen sale. The man and I are going to that if all goes well. I'm desperately hoping for some good deals on some sires I've been looking at using.

Oh and tonight I have to go get hay for the equines. At least the farmer I get my feed from is always good for a chat and it is nice to catch up with him.

Macro-Monday

2011-10-10T07:21:00.000-04:00

Sunday Stills Vanishing Points

2011-10-09T07:49:00.003-04:00

For more sunday stills click here.

Sunday Stills Signs of Fall

2011-09-25T08:12:00.002-04:00

For more Sunday Stills click HERE

9-11-01

2011-09-11T09:38:00.002-04:00

Where were you when all of our realities were altered and the sky line and preceptions of absolute saftey destroyed forever?

9-11-01 Always remembered

Kitty

2011-07-29T17:34:00.001-04:00

Monday I made a Lacona trip. No problems at the farm but their water sample was due to be run. No water in the milk house. Hmmm I wonder. Left a note, turned around and drove back home. 6.5 hour trip wasted (thats round trip not one way thankfully). Tuesday state meeting in Syracuse. Again long trip not a lot accomplished but thats okay its my job after all. Wednesday drive back to Lacona. Heifer had broken a water bowl so while the wife who is a dear lady gophered parts the water was turned off. Pull in to get sample and get greated as always by a pretty tabby kitty that belongs to their youngest daughter (5). Wife of farmer and farmer meet me by the barn door and as always we get chatting. They are some of the nicest people I have to work with. While it is a long drive the conversation when I am done with my inspection is always worth it. (The Lacona farmers are the ones who gave me my beloved Tuxedo cat who was killed by our vicious steer. )

This trip proved to be no different.

As I was getting ready to leave two of their kids showed up with two extremely adorable kittens. One a tiny siamese colored and the other a torte shell with a huge orange blaze in the center of her head. The mother, a plain jane gray barn kitty of indeterminate years, had been hit by the milk truck. Another cat was kind of caring for the kittens...

However her method of doing so involved carting them here, there, over to that bush, across to this cow pile, and back into the hay mow. Two other tabby kittens had died so the kids had snagged them.

I was offered the bitty torte and said sure. Shes a cute tiny little bitty thing that has to be constantly checked on but is so friendly that it was very hard to resist her. Then came the would you like a Siamese tabby like tom cat we have. He's really friendly just like the other one you liked. I said uhm how will you catch him (he was no where near by)? Oh M can catch him in a second. Sooo their oldest daughter scooted up the ladder in their small horse and goat barn to the mow and came back with a mammoth long legged siamese colored tabby faced stripe legged tom cat. He is literally the most beautiful cat I have seen in a long time. She handed him over to me and he started to purr like a motor and snuggled in.

So uhm yeah sure I'll take him. Into a box he went. And then came the issue of little miss cat. Finally an office in box, the type designed to hold letters and out or in coming paperwork was found, a tiny long out grown child's tshirt tucked into it and the kitten snugged inside for the three hour trip to the farm.

At present unnamed Tom cat is in a large dog kennel up in the horse barn. I want to get him his shots and such and make sure he is settled in before turning him loose. Little miss kitty has been named Sushi. She gets warm milk and soft food, and has a nice little "house" of her own in the horse barn as well. However she is so teeny that I let her run around. Her head doesnt come up to the top of the toe on my work boots. Shas figured out how to snag the top of the box and scramble her way up and out, so no matter how many times i put her back in she greats me at the front of Tyler's stall every time I enter the barn. Generally with a "Hi, my milk is gone. I eated all the food, can I has more?" look on her face.

1400 miles so far this week, and boy am I whooped.

An Old Video from last October...

2011-07-29T07:35:00.001-04:00

North Country Drive

2011-07-19T15:05:00.001-04:00

I always end up seeing a few does on my way up to my farms in Malone. I didn't get my camera up fast enough but this girl was escorting her twin fawns across the road in front of me near Mason Lake.

Osprey Fishing

2011-07-06T09:23:00.002-04:00

Frozen Tundras of the North

2010-12-10T09:50:00.003-05:00

Today I am heading to Lacona. The company I work for has one farm in that area. Good people who still use bucket milkers. One of my favorite cats, Tux, came from them. He was dropped at their farm shortly after I started my job with National Farmers. I have since fallen in love with him. I was offered a different tom cat and told them when I came up again I'd bring a carrier. Naturally that cat got hit by a car the day after I left. Since I had the cat carrier with me they told me any cat but their daughters house cat was ok to take.

Well Mr. Tux took any decision I had out of my hands by wrapping his paws around my boots and refusing to let go. I scooped his little black and white self up and he immediately snuggled in and went to sleep.

Mom isnt the biggest fan of non-yellow or calico or combinations there of cats. However Tux has got everyone liking him now. He plays with strings like a kitten. Gotta feed hay? Watch your feet because a black and white bomb shell will be latching ahold of the baling twine and trying to run away with it.

The house cat, Cleo, has had kittens by the other tom cat that I wanted. He was a 3/4 Siamese that the husbands sister had given them. She had a cat...Who had kittens...Which she didnt want. I get to take two of the kittens home with me when they are ready to leave their momma who is a long haired poof of a gray and white and tabby cat. Totally loveable. Their 5 year old carts her around like a purse. Its cute as heck.

Well I am off to freeze my butt. My boss likes to run the AC despite the nasty weather we are experiencing. Oh well that is what long johns, wool socks, insulated Carolina work boots, Carhartt jackets, and heavy hats and gloves are for.

The New Boy

2010-11-01T09:52:00.004-04:00

I know I have been lax to the extreme in posting. Busy life gets in the way sometimes. New job which involves a bit more travel than I ever really wanted. And now I have another "new" distraction.

Meet Tyler. They told me his registered name but danged if I can remember it. Titan something. We first saw him a week ago Saturday. This Saturday he came "home" with me. At present he is at the boyfriends Aunt's neighbors with their retired saddle gelding. Soon as his shots are done he is going to move to a boarding stable across the river. Board's not cheap but Im not living at home either so not much choice.

Tyler at his old home.

Yankee on left Tyler on right

Tyler

Updates, finally...

2010-07-07T09:44:00.002-04:00

Or sort of at any rate.

I start training for my new job as NFO milk inspector Monday. I have a day of riding around with our milk inspector, then out to Ithaca for a three day training program put on by NY state. I finally got registered for my hotel this am. While waiting for my dear boyfriend to truck back through. He is back in a rig, and hauling nights down to NJ and back for this week. My truck is on the fritz. The brother and the father think they know what is wrong, are fairly certain anyhow, but it still isnt right. Sweet darling man that my guy is I have his truck, that however means going back and forth to pick him up and drop him either at work or at his mothers house for his 10 hour hold for sleep. I can't wait for Saturday, which is my last day at Stewarts, I am off at 10:00 am and then get to spend some true quality time with the man.

This morning we got my health work done for my show cows. One yearling, Gypsy, Mom's shortie heifer Rose Magnolia, and the stolen cow of Becky's that I show Lemonade. The BVD-PI testing is pending on Rose and Gypsy, but that should be all good. Then it is off to Altamont in August for some fun R&R. Sadly the man will be on the road during the week, but he will have the weekend after the actual showing is done to chill there with me. Though if it is this hot there wont be much chilling being done...

Then there is the happy joy joy happy joy joy jump for glee dance news...Mandy and Blitz preg checked OK today. Which is a relief. Blitz was bred several times and I was beginning to despair of her actually settling in to carry a calf. And well anyone who reads Northview Diary knows the disasters that befell Mando this winter. Just her being alive is a relief and a half. Knowing she is 45+ days settled with a calf on board is reason for gleeful emotion. Now if they can just both give me a heifer at the same time I will probably burst from happiness.

And on the calf note, Syracuse, a pretty sweet little commercial 2 yr old I have by Ocean-View Marsh Swain calved in sometime over night. Nice little shortie bull cross. He was up and nursing and she had already cleaned so we left them in the pasture to spend the day comfie together. We'll bring them down sometime tonight before we milk and settle her and her baby into the barn. Hopefully she wont be a quack job to milk. And hopefully my calf buyer wants her son for her herd.

That is all for now. I will let everyone know how Ithaca goes. And any of my buddies who want my new cell number before I am gone from internet world for a while to keep in touch let me know.

Updates...

2010-06-02T16:53:00.003-04:00

Ok so as Kit pointed out, I have been absent for quite a while. Updates are definitely needed.

First off the "mystery" boyfriend...who I have been seeing since January. He is wonderful to me first off. Secondly he likes my cows. Third he loves rodeo. And fourth he is cute as heck, what more could I ask for?

On the cow front any one who reads Mom's blog at Northview knows my big show cow Mandy lost a quarter and is thus permanently retired. Her granddaughter Gypsy Rain is looking better and better every day, fingers crossed nothing happens to her. She is wide in the chest and seems good and tall for our herd at least, considering she is 10 months old and is cycling every month and has since she was 6 months old I would say she is appropriately developed.

I have bazillions and bazillions of pictures on my camera waiting to be taken off. Everything from cows, to scenery, to horses, to the Dressage at Saratoga event Jade Becky and I went to last weekend.

If anyone wants to know about anything else just say so. Though for some reason I have not been getting my comments sent to my email so if I don't respond right away it isnt intentional. There is just a glitch somewhere.

It had been years...

2010-05-17T08:25:00.002-04:00

Since I had had an opportunity to ride...

Seven this fall to be exact... And I really do love to ride...

The last horse I got on was a QH named Jackson who had a screw...or ten...loose. He was nuts, literally, later the owners found out he had a very large tumor on his brain, explained a lot...Like why a horse that had always jumped beautifully and loved to move fast suddenly refused the smallest easiest jumps, and was leaping like a PRCA saddle bronc when moving into a trot in the ring...Mom and the owner's mother's bf at the time who Mom has known since she was uhm like 20 were FURIOUS that the owners mother let me get on him...Oops

To say the least for about the last 2 years or so I have been dying to get back in a saddle. Lack of time, and lack of a horse had made riding a bit of a challenge....

Enter the new boyfriend...

And his horse owning horse loving aunt and cousin. And an invite to ride whenever the weather got warm enough.

Back track to last Saturday. And 3 hours and 4 miles of riding on a sweet Paint mare named Baby. And one hell of a quarter mile gallop uphill.

Yeah I had fun, and omg my legs are SORE...But it is that glorious hurt that says holy cow we had FUN...There was that one turkey though...that flew up under the nose of the Appaloosa filly that the boyfriend was on. She freaked a bit. But he is enough of a rider he stayed right with her.

I just have one thing to say though...

Can we go again?

(They currently have three saddle horses, and a pony, Baby the paint, Shilo the App, and Digby the Morgan, they are going to borrow a couple more from a neighbor for Memorial day weekend so we can go on another longer ride for my birthday, aren't they sweeties?!?!)

Sunday Stills Letter G

2010-02-21T07:18:00.004-05:00

Maqua-Kil Roy Gypsy Rain

Generations

Gelding

Good Company...AKA Gael

For more...

Home from Iowa

2010-02-13T09:20:00.000-05:00

Ok so Iowa was an amazing trip. I had a blast! The people were amazing. I think I met someone from pretty much every state in the central and western portions of the country. Montana and North Dakota had the most erhm interesting groups. Minnesota had some of the sweetest. And the ones from Ohio, Iowa and Wisconsin definitely had the craziest stories.

Aside from a couple of very young kids though I was the youngest there by far. The other young producers were in their 30-40's and to say the least I felt a little out of place at first. But a more welcoming group of people you could not ask to meet. I think I was invited to lunch with just about everyone. And if I were more of a dancer, at the Wednesday night dance I would never have been allowed to sit...Fortunately for me I am a HORRIBLE dancer and was able to plead out on all but a couple.

The only downside to the trip was the return flights home. Not the coming home part. But rather the weather portion. Leaving out of Cedar Rapids we were over an hour delayed.

First they had no clue as to why, turns out a piece of interior material had fallen off.

Then we had to be de-iced.

THEN Air Traffic Controls tower lost power.

And we sat on the run way...

For roughly 45 minutes. 5 of us had a one hour gap between our landing and connecting flight. We docked into the terminal with 5 minutes before take-off on the second flight. The flight attendant asked the other passengers to allow us to de-board so we could make the flight. They didn't. I had on the Syracuse sweatshirt that my big brother and darling sister in law got me for Christmas. You have no idea how good a thing that was. A former football player from 'Cuse, I wish I knew his name, said you going to NY, I said yes, and he said get behind me hold on and lets go. And he blocked for me the whole way down C terminal, from gate 32 to gate 8. We were the last group of people to board. Let me tell you I would rather NEVER do that again.

Then we landed in Syracuse over 30 minutes early. My poor dear darling boyfriend had offered to pick me up. And was planning to be at the airport at 6:45, 15 minutes before my flight was due in. When I called to let him know I had landed at 6:15 he was really upset. Apparently short little shits like me aren't supposed to wait at the airport. Either way it all worked out. I got home, safe sound and somewhat peeved with travel. I feel that the 5 years between my flying experiences was not quite enough. However next year the convention is in Kansas City. I'm already trying to figure out how I will go.

On a side note I took pictures...they ended up coming out TERRIBLE! I couldn't even edit them into being less than grainy and fuzzy. SO on that topic, go to Facebook and search for National Farmers. They put up a whole folder from the event.

Hope everyone has a great Valentines Day!

Iowa Trip

2010-01-03T15:02:00.003-05:00

I'm currently working on my "lists" of things I need for Iowa, and of what has to be packed etc. If anyone has anything they have forgotten to take with them on a trip that would have seemed either obvious or not as much so please let me know. I do not travel...except for day trips or to show cows at the fairs. And then if I forget something I either can easily do without or come back and get it. That wont be the case this time around and I'd rather not be kicking myself in the butt while several thousand miles from home.

Ohhh and HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!! May 2010 bring you peace joy and love from all corners.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T13:08:00.002-05:00

From the Maqua-Kil herd at Northview Dairy. Gypsy Rain, her mother Blitz, grandmother Mandolin Rain, and all her aunts and uncle, as well as the Jersey herd starting with old Heather and going down to her youngest grand daughter Shameless, and the last of the Dixie family Lakota and daughter Takala and grand daughter Dixie Rose Deluxe, send their blessings and bovine kisses for a blessed Christmas and joyous New Years.

And here is my personal favorite Christmas song. I wait all year to hear this catchy sweet tune. Enjoy.

This is...

2009-12-17T06:23:00.001-05:00

An old one that has been swapped around for years. A friend of mine going all the way back to the days of Dairy Quiz Bowl and Judging emailed it to me the other day. It never fails to bring a bit of a smile to my face. And what with the cold and economy and everything else that is going on these days, a small smile is a big thing.

You know you’re an American dairyman/dairywoman if:

1. you don't remember the last time you showered before work
2. you get home at night and find syringes in your pocket
3. you laugh when your friends complain about having to work on a Saturday
4. you have ever accidentally or non-accidentally medicated yourself with animal grade drugs
5. you have experienced a wet tail to the face before breakfast
6. you have experienced a wet tail to the mouth before breakfast
7. you have seen a dog eat a week old placenta
8. you have drank milk straight out of the bulk tank
9. you know that all calves have no will to live
10. every pair of pants you own has a tit dip stain on them
11. you agree that the 5 gallon bucket is one of the greatest devices ever invented
12. all beef cows look fat to you
13. you have ever said "good enough for a barn" while working on your house
14. you have ever combined pajamas and rubber boots to do midnight calf checks
15. you own a pair of insulated coveralls/bibs and they are usually crusty
16. you've ever broken an Olympic track and field record running away from a bull
17. you have dehorned calves and carried the smell with you for the rest of the day
18. when a city friend grimaces about the smell of a dairy you are passing on the road you have said "smells like money"
19. you have ever witnessed a cow nearly killing herself trying to jump over, under, out of or into something
20. you have had to use some type of power tool to extract said cow from said situation
21. you cant eat cottage cheese cuz it reminds you too much of mastitis
22. you have ever been shoulder deep in a cow (either hole)
23. you have ever had a bolus/ magnet spit on you
24. you know the value of a mid-afternoon nap
25. you have ever taken said nap in a barn
26. you wake up at chore time even when on vacation
27. you have ever used milkhouse chemicals to clean your bathroom
28. you can accurately weigh a cow with your eyes and be within 50 pounds
29. you can back a shit spreader up with your eyes closed
30. you have ever pulled a shit spreader with your pickup, through town
31. the smell of corn silage is one of the best smells in the world to you
32. your biggest fear in the world is milking a treated cow into the tank
33. you can name at least five antibiotics and their milk withholds off the top of your head
34. you don't know what to do with a day off
35. putting in a new barn cleaner chain changed your life
36. your car smells like baby poo but you are totally oblivious
37. you have ever shot a cow point blank in the face
38. you wish you could replace the cow in #37 with a member of peta
39. you own more syringes and needles than a heroin addict but you recycle them anyway
40. you are better than mcgiver when your milking equipment breaks down during milking
41. Caramel pudding reminds you of calf scours
42. you have ever used a cattle trailer to move your personal belongings or somebody else's
43. you mention a dam and people think that you're swearing

Am I...

2009-12-12T08:07:00.002-05:00

A. Nervous

B. Excited

C. Anxious

D. All of the above?

If you picked D, congrats, give yourself a pat on the back. Why am I all of these things?

Well...

It all started the day before Thanksgiving. Our milk inspector K showed up around 4 in the afternoon as I had my last pies in the oven...

And asked if I'd be interested in going to Iowa to the NFO National Convention all expenses paid as a young producer. K then gave me some details so I could decide if I was interested. It runs from the 18-21. They get around 300-500 people usually over the course of the convention. Guest speakers, committee meetings, etc (later found out there is also a dance), the convention pretty much has everything.

Naturally I told him sure I'd love to go. Number one its a huge opportunity. Number two, I didn't take a vacation this year sooo I have about 8 days just sitting there waiting for me to use them for my own delights.

Which lets you know why I am excited. Things had to be cleared through his boss, who apparently suggested K ask me. I have spent the last few weeks very hopeful that I would really get to go. But the lady M who works for NFO that set things up for me sent my confirmation information yesterday for both my flight and hotel. I also have a tentative schedule for the convention itself, which she warned me is only about 1/2 complete so far...I dont know how they can possibly pack anything more into that but it looks phenomenal already.

As for why I am nervous and anxious...I've only flown once before. On a college field studies trip to California. There were 15 of us total. This time I am totally on my own. I'm the only one from NY that is going out except for a couple western NYers that are going out earlier than I am as they are on committees and such that meet before the convention actually starts. On one hand I am sure everything will be fine. M gave me lots of information and she is great about answering all the travel questions I have had. On the other hand, I will be navigating in unfamiliar airports. I'm a terrible navigator, I get lost on the thruway! It only has just so many exits. So hopefully I dont get lost somewhere in Detroit or Syracuse or Cedar Rapids big airports!

I'll fill you guys in with more convention wonders as I find them out. The final schedule is supposed to be out in early January. I can't wait!

Sunday Stills Pets

2009-12-06T09:01:00.003-05:00

Sunday stills.....All from the archives. Sorry about the picture size etc. The computer these photos are all on has had a dead hard drive for many months. So I took them off of facebook to put on here. For more stills click here...

Sugar due in February. She is a bit dangerous because of how tame she is.

Sugar the night I brought her home from the sale.

My beautiful and very spoiled July calf Gypsy Rain...She is uhm a whole lot bigger now!

When I Count My Blessings...

2009-11-26T17:39:00.002-05:00

I count my cattle twice.

Happy Thanksgiving. May God bless you with peace, joy, and love this holiday season...And if not that at least the ability to put up with your relatives twice in one months time.

Oh My GOSH!!!

2009-11-02T14:35:00.002-05:00

Today is November 2nd. By most accounts not a particularly fascinating day. Its a Monday. Its warm and sunny but a bit windy. And if not for what happened seven years ago today, it would pass by like any other.

But it isn't any other day.

You see...

Seven years ago today, Frieland Rex Bingo, a non-descript Holstein cow of mine, had the most fantastic black heifer calf.

To be named... Frieland Z Mandolin Rain. She would, the next two consecutive years, be named Junior Champion Holstein at the Altamont Fair. To date has shown every year but this summer. She is a big sweet gentle giant of a cow. Who has given me 3 gorgeous heifers, two by Fustead Emory Blitz and one by Silky Cousteau, and two real nice bull calves, one a cross bred and the other by Roylane Jordan.

And so, today is Mandy my most beloved living cow's birthday (sorry old gal, Dixie is still number one over all, you are a single point behind). She got a special birthday breakfast treat of some fancy second cutting alfalfa clover mix hay, and a huge extra hug, and lots of pets and scratches. Yes I love my cows dearly.

So, for all of my friends pleasure, the song Mandy is named for by Bruce Hornsby, Mandolin Rain

Ryan McConnel Mohegan Sun Invitational

2009-10-31T08:50:00.001-04:00

Some Shots...

2009-10-24T09:06:00.003-04:00

Sorry...

2009-10-23T10:50:00.002-04:00

About not posting in a while. I just haven't really had the gumption. And I had planned to write about the Mohegan Sun event...wellll....

It was pretty awful. They only had about 35 riders the night I went in the long go, as a result of a plethora of injuries the first two nights. It was interesting though. Bryan Richardson had to sit out the last night, and there were empty seats in front of me. Well guess where Mr. Richardson chose to plop his cowboy butt for about 90% of the evening?

As far as bull power through both the third and short goes I felt it was down right pathetic. I've seen better bucking animals at the local Enterprise events. There were a pair of bulls from a local rodeo company that I felt, if they had to use bulls from there, there were far better choices. I've never been impressed with this particular pair. The one is just a low flat drifter type bull, and the other starts strong for about 3-4 seconds and just kind of drifts and slacks off and does a whole lot of nothing for the last half of the ride. NOT PBR BFT quality by a long shot. The fact the one score was a 69 with a re ride, and the other a mid 80's kind of proves my point on the two.

But the other bulls for the most part were not much better. The short go was packed with bulls Lambert had never seen before Friday or Saturday night. The cowboys had NO CLUE about half of them. The ride scores were pathetic. Short go rides should NOT average less than 88 points at BFT level IMHO (And with so many 83-84's it was more like an average of 85). I mean these are supposed to be the BEST bulls with the BEST riders! There were some well known bulls, Scardey Cat for instance. But compared to last year, wow was it sad. Definitely NOT worth what I paid for a ticket and gas.

(However I did meet a sweet cowboy I've been talking to online for a couple years now that lives out in Ohio and works behind the scenes. So that made up for it)

I have lots of pictures. I'll put them up in a day or two.

Sunday Stills...Photoshop

2009-10-11T10:34:00.003-04:00

Sawdust filled feed bags in the heifer mow. I LOVE the wood work in this building!

Checkerboard Magnums Promise. From 2007. I REALLY miss this bull!

For more Sunday Stills Click HERE

Mandy Has Calved

2009-10-10T08:26:00.004-04:00

Yesterday during morning milking, Mandy decided it was time to have her baby. Right on time I might add. First time EVER in 5 calvings that she has not been at least a week overdue. But anyhow...
By the time I got done milking my last cow, Mandy had little white hooves sticking out of her butt. This for me is a happy thing. I have been up all night with her for over a week keeping watch. She is one of my most beloved cows, and was bred to Roylane Jordan. I already have one Roy calf on the ground, out of Mandy's 3 year old Blitz daughter, and I was hoping for another.

Within a half hour of finishing chores Mandy had her little one out to the ears, and my sister and I helped her finish getting it out. It was unfortunately a bull. However, Mandy was happy with him. I was happy with him because while I was lifting him up in front of her he tried to stand up. Any calf that can be trying to get up within a minute of birth is A okay with me.

And my major benefit from him being a bull...I get to KEEP HIM! I am thrilled to say the least. Mandy is a darned good cow in her own right. Champion both years as a calf and yearling at the Altamont show. She throws big stylish calves that go on and do spectacularly. As a 2 year old Blitz out did every cow in the herd by more than 8 thousand pounds. Plus Mandy is a real, for today's standards at least, not necessarily our own, long lived cow; she will be 7 in less than 3 weeks. Not to mention, little man's sire is Roylane Jordan. Roy is the sire of Harvue Roy Frosty, who was the World Dairy Expo's 2009 Supreme Champion cow.

So he gets to stay.If all goes well he will be a future herd sire so to speak. We'll raise him, and send him out to Dependabull to be collected. Then I will start looking for a big sale to put him in. Or perhaps sell him privately. I'm not sure which. Hopefully I can take him to the OHM show next year. 2 years ago they reopened the under 1 year bull classes at the request of several of their prominent exhibitors. Mandy's son will be in the fall bull calf class if I can/do show him.

Oh and his name? Maqua-Kil Tumbleweed Town. Tumble for short...He does take some serious tumbles....

Sunday Stills...Happiness Is...

2009-10-04T11:32:00.003-04:00

My Roy daughter Gypsy Rain, snug and comfy in the barn. Future champion? I can only hope.

My first ever Valiant daughter. No name yet but she is a dear.

Remembered joy and anticipated enjoyment. Shot from last years Mohegan Sun Invitational. 13 days and counting until my night at this years!

(Photo by Mom many years ago...)
Knowing this calf that I bought at the Cobleskill Dairy Fashion sale for $600.00 has grown...

...Into this big sleek, sweet and loving black 2 year old, who will have her first baby in January.

For more Sunday Stills....

It has been one of those days....

2009-09-30T17:21:00.002-04:00

Where sitting down at all feels like a luxury.

I overslept to start with. Pain killers combined with up til quarter to 11 to keep an eye on an overdue cow are not wisely combined.

Then milking seemed to take forever. Plus I discovered our dairy software calculated my big show cow's due date off a week, so she is due the 9th instead of the 15th. So she is now resting with the other cow which decided to calve today.

I made a huge batch of biscuits. No issue there but it takes a while.

Following that I went out to redo some stalls, and build a new stall for my shortie cross bull so he could come in for the winter.

While building said stall, his future neighbor, who is also his half brother, broke his tie and ran loose through the barn. Which meant I had to fix his stall, catch and halter his sorry butt, and get him back IN the stall...This is easier said than done, and the little bugger stomped my foot bad enough to feel it. He is now in his stall. Brother boy is in his new stall and loven it. And my foot did survive.

As a bonus today, the overdue cow, Camry, chose to finally calve. In the rain. In a mud hole. On a hill. And have a big headed bull calf that took an hour and a half, and at several points me getting help from my mom to deliver. My hands are raw and burning. And I still have to milk and feed tonight.

Can we say chalk it up to a long day and gonna sleep good tonight?

How was everyone's wet Wednesday?

Any time...

2009-09-28T13:46:00.002-04:00

...Someone starts to doubt Colorado cowboy and current World leader Kody Lostroh, he proves yet again why he is sitting at the top. This past weekend in California he for the fifth time so far this year, with three coming in CA. He headed into the short go on top, and selected Troubadour (Julio Moreno Bucking Bulls). Which makes perfect sense. Of Troubadour's 8 successful rides, Kody accounts for three. Back in Fresno, another event Kody dominated at, he and Troubadour matched up for a 94.50. As of yet, Troubadour has not managed to get this cowboy into the dirt before the whistle.

Trailing Kody for the weekend by a mere eight points was reigning World Champion Guilherme Marchi, who dominated the previous weekend in Springfield MO. Now sitting second in the world, he dethroned much talked about JB Mauney, who finished the weekend tied for a disappointing split of 17-20. The two trailing men are now split from first and Kody by just a bit more than a single event win. The race to the buckle should be an interesting one this year. Hopefully we will get a true challenge at the finals, with none of our three top competitors, or anyone else for that matter, sustaining an injury.

IN other news I'm going to Mohegan Sun for the Sunday afternoon competition on Oct 18th. I promise pictures!

Macro Monday

2009-09-28T11:51:00.002-04:00

For more Macro Monday...

Reasons Why...

2009-09-25T11:22:00.002-04:00

I really love my job...

Sugar volunteers for adorable photos.

Gracie and Medina Dreamin' always say hellooo

Hillbilly chews on shoes like a puppy...
I just wish she would do it when I wasn't in them!

All of my girls would rather come with me than stay on the hill and eat.

And they aren't afraid to show me so!

Disguise Image

2009-09-22T06:59:00.002-04:00

One year since I found him dead in his pasture. And I still miss my funky faced medicine hat buddy. He had the first stall in the barn, and would watch to see me when I was working, and as soon as I was in view start whinnying hellos. He was a great boy, and didn't stay long enough. Here's to my first partner may he rest in peace on the knoll, and I hope the grass in the sky is deep lush, and he's got a good cowboy/girl to keep him company.

Sunday Stills, Mechanical Transportation

2009-09-13T10:16:00.002-04:00

For more Sunday Stills click here

9-11-2001 Never Forgotten

2009-09-11T14:30:00.002-04:00

8 years ago today, our country's defenses were breached, in one of the most horrifying way I can imagine. The loss of precious life, of national icons, and the heroic actions of the people of this country that day are forever burned into my mind. Things that up until then I had taken for granted I continue to cherish. Its easy to get wrapped in our warm cocoons of safety and forget how easily it can all end. So cling to your family, thank God for each day you draw breath, treasure the memories you make, and remember that the littlest things, such as a child's first steps, laughing with an old friend, or just watching a sun rise, really should mean the most. And remember where you were when the world stopped turning.

Fonda Fair Open Draft Horse Show 2009

2009-09-10T06:51:00.003-04:00

The six horse hitches from the Labor Day 2009 show. Some really awesome teams...

6 Horse Hitch

Aren't you glad you don't have to feed this group of six? I mean they are SO big! (In reference to below video, it isnt as funny if you think it goes with the above one).

Another Six Horse Hitch...

Sunday Stills, the Rule of Thirds

2009-09-06T06:19:00.002-04:00

Enjoy. For more Sunday Stills Click Here...

Where I have Been...

2009-09-03T13:07:00.002-04:00

...Having FUN!!!

Tractor pull last night...

Tonight Northeast Championship Rodeo, possibly with my buddy Mike if he can get out of work early enough...

Tomorrow night Outlaw 4x4 Truck pull hopefully with my long time friend Jay, and my new friend who is his girl friend Ann.

Sunday night is the Out of Field Street Legal Semi Truck pull. Hopefully meeting up with about 10 dozen friends (literally half my college is coming plus friends from showing cows cause one of the boys bought himself a truck and is entering...we may max out the stands by ourselves!)

But here is the video of one of our favorite guys in the world with my very favorite pulling tractor!

Bucket List from Facebook Stolen from Becky...

2009-08-26T11:47:00.002-04:00

Things you have done during your lifetime:

() Gone on a blind date
(X) Skipped school
() Watched someone die
() Been to Canada
() Been to Mexico
() Been to Florida
( ) Been to Hawaii
(x) Been on a plane
() Been on a helicopter
(X) Been lost
() Gone to Washington, DC
() Swam in the ocean
(X) Cried yourself to sleep
(X) Played cops and robbers
() Recently colored with crayons
() Sang Karaoke
() Paid for a meal with coins only
() Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't.
() Made prank phone calls
() Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans
(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose & elsewhere
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(x) Danced in the rain
(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus
() Been kissed under the mistletoe
(x) Watched the sunrise with someone
(X) Blown bubbles
(X) Gone ice-skating
(X) Gone to the movies
() Been deep sea fishing
() Driven across the United States
() Been in a hot air balloon
() Been sky diving
() Gone snowmobiling
() Lived in more than one country
(x) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets
(x) Seen a falling star and made a wish
() Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser
(x) Seen the Statue of Liberty
() Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle
() Been on a cruise
(X) Traveled by train
() Traveled by motorcycle
(X) Been horse back riding
() Ridden on a San Francisco Cable Car
() Been to Disneyland/Disneyworld
() Been in a rain forest
() Seen whales in the ocean
() Been to Niagara Falls
() Ridden on an elephant
() Swam with dolphins
() Been to the Olympics
() Walked on the Great Wall of China
() Saw and heard a glacier calf
() Been water-skiing
() Been snow-skiing
() Been to Westminster Abbey
() Been to the Louvre
() Swam in the Mediterranean
(x) Been to a Major League Baseball game
() Been to a National Football League game

Music Monday- "Who You'd Be Today"

2009-08-17T10:22:00.002-04:00

Last Saturday I got a call no one could ever anticipate. Dakota, a young man who I grew up at the Altamont fair showing cows with, had drowned swimming in the farm pond with his younger brother. Words cannot describe the shock, pain and horror that came with it. Dakota was one of those boys who everyone had loved since day one. He was always smiling, and more than willing to pitch in and help pick beds, walk cows, or anything else that needed doing if he wasn't busy.

If you have ever shown cows, you know the barn is like your extra family. You may only see each other one or two weeks out of the year, but as soon as the morning truck in starts on Monday, you are back to being so close as to be inseparable. The last year might never have passed as friendships pick up right where they left off Sunday night when you hugged and said see you in August.

Show weeks are filled with joking and laughter. Sharing the joy of that special new calf, or commiserating on the loss of a treasured cow all loved to old age. No matter how far apart you are, that week is like coming home again.

This year the barn's jollity and cherished together again time was changed to quiet and melancholy. Shared memories about a young life lost, radios didn't blare out country stations like usual, children didn't run and play, instead all sat and tried to enjoy despite knowing that nothing would be the same again.

So Dakota, here is to you, you are forever in our hearts, and will never be forgotten. And we'll always wonder, who you'd be today.

NY Mets Ball Game

2009-08-14T11:21:00.003-04:00

OH yeah this baby is cool!

Wright stretching prior to the game. Sis-in-Law says I needed a bib...She was right!

Neise who was the starting pitcher prior to injuring his hamstring

Pagan warming up

Francoeur signing autographs before the game

Just some shots from a wonderful trip to NYC and the new CitiField, home of the NY Mets. Mets beat the St. Louis Cardinals 9-0. It was a stellar game. Thanks loads to the older brother who took us!

Sunday Stills...Elements

2009-08-09T12:09:00.002-04:00

Sorry mine are kind of pathetic this week. But it was a rough time. For more Sunday Stills click here...

I have so much...

2009-08-07T14:05:00.001-04:00

Stuff to share with you guys! The last few weeks have been hectic but for the most part a blast. However I don't want to do the posts until I have my photos off of my camera :) So you will have to wait a few days longer!

We got a bit of a surprise today...

2009-07-24T10:32:00.002-04:00

As usual, Dad and I went out to bring the cows down from pasture and start milking this morning. Nothing out of the ordinary. It is a dairy farm after all.

I started putting down the mornings feed for all the ladies, while Dad went out to trail them into the barn yard, which sort of works as a holding area until we are ready to let them into the barn. Just as I was finishing up my work he came in and went well that heifer of your Mom's is calving, but I think it is hip locked so we have to go help her. He went back out, and came right back in, apparently she wasn't locked up because Encore (the cow) had finished having her before he could walk back up.

We were running late by that point so we quick put the cows in and I went up to check Momma and baby to see if all was well and find out if we got a heifer or a bull (was REALLY hoping heifer it was). Momma was up and baby was working on figuring out the whole four on the floor concept.

And here is the surprise...Encore is a big black and white beast of a Holstein 3 year old. She was carrying a calf by our Milking Shorthorn bull Promise. To date we had only had 2 red calves by him. One is Broadway, the other was a bull. There was no reason to think Encore was a red factor gene carrier. Well guess what...

Baby girl is the brilliant deep mahogany color of the Shorthorn. With white spots on her legs and face. I am thrilled. Mom and I have been hoping for another red girl since we got Broadway. Now we have one. A second plus to this is that now we know both Encore and her momma England have to be red gene carriers. That is so cool! I think I will see is Mom will let me service them both to a red bull...Maybe we can get some more red Holsteins!

I will try and remember to take my camera out tonight. This is one baby I wanna share with the world!

More of the new calf

2009-07-23T06:50:00.002-04:00

Do you remember the "Bobwehadababyitsaboy" Commercial?

2009-07-21T15:02:00.003-04:00

Well today it was Blitzwehadababyitsagirl! A beautiful inky black Roylane Jordan heifer. With a big wide chest floor. And you know what? Roy's 6 CE worked well! The calf prolly weighs maybe 90 lbs or so. Compared to the normal 100+ from this family I am thrilled. Blitz had her totally on her own. Something else to be grateful for because I checked her at 10:30 am, and she was doing nothing. When I went back out at 11:15 she had already delivered and started cleaning off the calf. Anyways here are some pictures of the new one!Three generations of the girls. Mandy, her new grand daughter, and the new momma (l-r)

The new baby

Sunday Stills....Nuts

2009-07-19T05:51:00.003-04:00

The best nuts I could find...

And my most beloved and best 3 year old, Maqua-Kil Blitz Mendocino AKA Blitz.
Who is driving ME NUTS..while waiting for her to have her Roylane Jordan baby...
Any day now...

For more stills click HERE.

We Have a Name!

2009-07-13T06:28:00.002-04:00

First off thank you to everyone who put names in. Believe me I am grateful. We always save whatever ones don't come out of the hat for other babies.

Second off this morning I scribbled everything onto little pieces of paper and stuck them in my hat (its a pretty small hat they were falling on the floor everywhere). Then Mom pulled the winning name out of the hat.

So...

Congratulations to my Grandmother (who can inform Grandfather his names were voided from this drawing lol) who submitted the name Maureen. Baby girl will be Maqua-Kil Dixies Maureen-RC. I think it really fits her too.

There are many more calves coming in the next couple months. Keep checking back as there is sure to be another go round!

The Last Of Them...Who Can Guess What I Enjoyed Yesterday?

2009-07-10T12:59:00.002-04:00

Based on my several posts worth of pictures...Who can guess roughly what I did yesterday? Mom and family are exempt!

Still More Yet...

2009-07-10T12:55:00.001-04:00

More...

2009-07-10T12:50:00.001-04:00

Fun Thursday Scenes...

2009-07-10T12:38:00.002-04:00

Name the Calf...

2009-07-06T14:17:00.002-04:00

This time around it is the daughter of Frieland Dixies Lakota. Lakota is the last daughter of Frieland LV Dixie. She was out of Trixe, a cow bought by my father for my mother. Mom gave me Dixie to show, and the rest is history.

The new baby is in desperate need of a name. Her sire is Havencrest Kingdom-RED, so she is a carrier for the red factor gene. Personally I like that fact. But anyways. Her name has to fit in with Maqua-Kil Dixies *insert name*. We do have a bit of an Irish theme going this year, with a Shamrock and a Dublin, but that is just an idea.

Happy naming. I'll draw a name, time allowing, either Friday or Saturday!

Music Monday-Sawyer Brown Cafe on the Corner

2009-07-06T06:28:00.001-04:00

Given our current agriculture economy, and the economy in general, I thought this song would be appropriate...Not to mention I love Sawyer Brown. But seriously, how many farmers and ranchers do you think are feeling totally lost right now and not knowing which way they should turn? Because I'd wager its a whole big pile.

Sunday Stills...Wild Flowers

2009-07-05T09:51:00.004-04:00

Clover

Thistle with a funky wasp like thing.

The result of this springs wild flowers!

Shameless Lucy photo

Shameless Mr Fluff and the butt of one of his girlfriends lol

For more Sunday Stills...Click Here.

Would You All Please Make Welcome...

2009-07-04T11:11:00.003-04:00

...Maqua-Kil LF Dublin...Sister to Maqua-Kil LF Dalkeith, a Name the Calf baby from last spring. Daughter to Frieland BC Detroit, the only Board Chairman daughter I have left. To the Holstein breeders, yes I bred several, yes I know he is an old bull, and if I had more units I would happily breed more!

Back to Dublin. She is a real doll baby. Totally cute and sweet, gives the most loving baby calf kisses (more like randomly placed licks but she does her best)...and has got the loudest bawling moo this side of the river for a week old calf. You can hear her from the milk house when she gets going. Which is usually about the time I open the outer door to start feeding the other stock...and lasts until her bottle gets stuck in front of her slick little nose.

Needless to say I am totally in love with her. She is already rather spoiled.

Be sure and come back Monday, to meet Frieland Dixies Lakota's daughter...who will be a "Name the Calf" baby...because I can't come up with anything. And I think it will be fun!

The Town That Went Sugar Free...

2009-07-01T06:44:00.002-04:00

As some may know, my Mom's birthday is this Saturday. Since she is not a huge fan of cake, I asked her if instead she would like me to make a big batch of oatmeal cranberry chocolate chip cookies (my recipe lol). She was all for that. So after a distressing trip to a local berry farm to buy some ridiculously overpriced berries (which taste pretty awful), I stopped at the only store in the two towns that has a semi grocery in it.

The shelf were sugar would usually be was completely empty...aside from a few bags of confectioners, and two very sad looking boxes of sugar cubes...So I went to the store manager. I really need sugar because I have no brown left, and well the cookies do require brown sugar.

Asked very politely if they had any brown sugar in the back. To which she replied...

"I am SO sorry. Some Amish guy came in and bought every single bag of brown and granulated sugar we had, while we were unloading it from the truck. There were almost 32 cases worth just of the brown and he just bought it ALL."

No I am not joking. Some Amish man bought the entire town out of sugar...there is no sugar...there will not be a delivery unless they do an emergency order for more than a week...The only other store we have that might carry sugar only carries the little bitty boxes of cubes. That guy bought roughly 100+ pounds worth of sugar if my calculations are right. I would really like to know WHAT he is going to do with it! I mean I have heard of having a sweet tooth, but this is ridiculous.

In the mean time...could I borrow a cup of sugar? lol

Sunday Stills

2009-06-21T10:48:00.001-04:00

For more Sunday Stills Click Here

Road Trip...and a Wasted Day

2009-06-20T09:01:00.000-04:00

Stolen from the Sis because Dang I have nothing to write about!

2009-06-16T12:42:00.003-04:00

What is your current obsession? lol well bull riding is a permanent one, so are cows...

Weirdest obsession? darn i dont know. probably to most the cows!

What are you wearing today? jeans tshirt the usual stuff

What's for dinner? at this point i am not sure

What would you eat for your last meal? a couple crackers and a cup of coffee

What's the last thing you bought? went grocery shopping

What are you listening to right now? The Lost Trailers Holler Back

What do you think of the person who tagged you? no one tagged me

If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished, anywhere in the world, where would it be? I really don't know, but somewhere there are bull ridings and rodeos would be a good plan!

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? to a bull riding event! I dont care where it is so long as there are big bulls!

What language do you want to learn? well spanish would be useful

What is your favorite color? blue

Favorite quote (for now)? its not really a quote, but becky sent me a "Piece of Flair" on myspace "I don't fall for pick up lines...I fall for pick up trucks!"

What is your favorite piece of clothing in your wardrobe? my wrangler shirts and blue jeans!

Dream job? pretty much anything that involves cattle

Describe your personal style uhm country?

What is your favorite tree? one that i am not allergic to its pollen

What are you going to do after this? cleaning calf stalls, checking on Pecan because she had a bull calf this morning. feeding all the normal stuff

Favorite fruit? well i frankly like fruit, but i guess oranges

What inspires you? life

What are your favorite books? Louis L'Amour

What are you currently reading? im not

Go to your bookshelf, take down the first book with a red spine you see, turn to page 26 and type out the first sentence. "Historically, estrus synchronization has been promoted as a labor saving tool for those producers who want to capitalize on superior genetics available through use of AI" Sorry guys the only red book of any form I have in my book case is my AI techniques manual...well all the books in the case are college text books and such that I find useful

What delighted you the most today? hmm little Syracuse following me down off the hill. What a sweet little heifer she is

By what criteria do you judge a person? decent hard working honest

Are you artistic or crafty? crafty I guess but really not either

New Artist...Awesome Music!

2009-06-14T14:16:00.004-04:00

Last week, I was looking at comments left on a friend's myspace page. They had a "Thanks for the Add" from a country music artist. I was kind of bored, so I clicked it to see what the guy sounded like. HOLY COW. He, Justin Grant, is SO talented! His voice is smooth and mellow, and the songs are so wonderful. I honestly can't pick a favorite. It's so much fun to find independent not in the main stream musicians that are truly talented, and make the good solidly country style of music. Granted, I would much prefer this was what was still getting played on the radio. If I wanted to listen to pop, well I sure wouldn't turn on a country station! My only wish is that all these talented groups weren't in Texas or Montana. Both are so darned far away. And I don't see much likelihood of them making it to upstate NY to play. Thank goodness for cds.

Anyways go take a listen. If you like the sound of real country music, I think you will definitely enjoy this guy! (When I figure out how to do it I will put up the banner he has. Unfortunately I don't do computer stuff well!) (I didn't figure it out, Justin is a great fellow and fixed the problem for me! Thanks Justin)

Fence Walking Photos from Last Week

2009-06-13T08:40:00.003-04:00

Really po'ed Momma squirrel. Apparently disrupting offspring is a bad idea!

Magma and Dixon, half sisters by the Andre-Red bull. They were in the next pasture over from the dry cows that I was checking.

Hillbilly Delux and Moments. Also sisters, cousins etc. Long story.

Pretty purple flowers. I got a shot of the white variety too, but it wasn't as clear a picture.

McBride to Play the Opry

2009-06-11T11:46:00.002-04:00

The PBR recently announced that multi-World Champion Justin McBride, who retired last season, will be playing the Grand Ole Opry on August 14th. Were I rich I can tell you where I would be that night. Anyways I am thrilled to see that a man with some actual talent will take the stage in that halloed hall.

On another note, we're calving cows still. Its insane! I am feeding so many calves right now I feel like am going nuts. Sedona was almost a week late. Had a simply stellar bull calf. Naturally. She isnt a cow to keep a bull calf off of as a herd sire. Still he is a handsome little guy. White with the most numerous speckles and splotches. 156 Consequences (had I realized how appropriate that would be a name for her I would have named her something less dangerous), had a heifer calf the same day as Sedona. The calf is sired by the same bull and is also white with speckles. Bigger ones though so she looks a little more proportionate.

Hard to say who will calve next. Baja, Pecan, Licorice and Detroit are all due before too much longer. As is 116 Char. Not the nicest cow in the world. I'm hoping we get a few more heifer calves. I know insane but I'd rather feed heifers than bulls. And since calf prices are so low it is often impractical to take a single calf to the sale, I end up feeding them for at least a week most of the time. On top of the cow list is my well rather bad tempered and not as good looking as her siblings Neon Moon. She's Mandy's second Blitz daughter. She's due the 14th. Cross your fingers for a heifer!

Music Monday- Big Green Tractor

2009-06-08T09:13:00.000-04:00

Oh yeah what a song!

Sunday Stills...Silhouettes

2009-06-07T11:06:00.002-04:00

I almost didn't get this weeks done. With the way the week went it just never seemed to work out. But last night when I went out to check Sedona the moon was lighting up the world as bright as the sun. So I was able to get a couple not too terrible ones of the tree in the yard.

For more Sunday Stills go here.

Kinda Crazy

2009-06-06T10:14:00.002-04:00

Things have been somewhat crazy here. I've got cows due pretty much constantly for the next three months. First up, and I really wish she'd just have the calf and be done with it, is my old retired show cow Sedona. She's a big sweetie and is so good about letting me check her ears and stuff even when she is out in the yard and doesn't have to.

Most of the other cows due this month are pretty much just cows. Some of them are super milkers but not exactly the most gentle and forgiving of animals. I do have one of my best bred two year olds due though. Neon Moon is Mandy's second Blitz daughter. While she is a hard headed mule and difficult to work with, I am hoping she will grow out of her not so gorgeous looking stage into as nice an animal as her big sister.

Then there is still Blink, and Encore, and a slew of others. Frantic hectic and lunatic are words that would best describe the next few months.

The computer is giving me grief. I'll post some pics of my walk in the heifer and dry cow pasture later.

23 Years in Review...or perhaps Rear View

2009-05-28T13:30:00.001-04:00

Years gone by. Fond memories. And hey I made it to 23 with OUT getting myself killed! I think, for me and my loony toon do stupid stuff self that is pretty darned good! (Photos mostly by Mom)

Memorial Music Monday

2009-05-25T06:51:00.001-04:00

To all our vetrans, past present and future heros, thank you for all you have done, suffered and given to keep us free! You will never be forgotten.

Sunday Stills Yellow

2009-05-24T10:33:00.003-04:00

Yellow Grapefruit

The yellow stairs at the Glens Falls Civic Center

For More Sunday Stills...Click Here

Sunday Stills EYES

2009-05-17T06:46:00.003-04:00

I had a lot of fun with this week's challenge. Then again, I did have cute subjects!

For more Sunday Stills Click Here.

Please Welcome

2009-05-15T09:13:00.002-04:00

Maqua-Kil Mecca Shameless

And...

Maqua-Kil Mecca Shamrock

This is the last of my Jersey calf crop for the year. We went 4 for 5 with just Henchman Bill for a bull calf (we're keeping him at least for now as a possible bull to use on the Holstein heifers). Pretty darned nice if I do say so myself. Started it off in January with Snickers, then Scotty (the 1/2 Jersey, 1/4 Holstein 1/4 Shorthorn), then Hench, and finally this month the last two, Shamrock born to my matriarch Heather, and on Mothers Day Shameless born to Heathers oldest daughter Hattie. I am really pleased with all 5 calves. They are growth good tempered babies. I'll put a video of Shamrock up later. She's a funny little girl!

Just for Grins

2009-05-12T13:31:00.001-04:00

Just for Grins

Thought everyone's computer screens could use a little, uhm, interior cleaning! Enjoy!

Music Monday- Small Town USA Justin Moore

2009-05-11T14:30:00.002-04:00

I love this song. It is SO true of the country life! And oh how I love my small town. Almost 2 years ago, just after Dad broke his shoulder, and a certain professor was telling me that owning my own small farm was a waste of time, and I should just go out and work for one of the 1,000+ herds, our mechanic for the cars told me something that is so true. Out here if the community can do anything for their children, they fight to keep them from ever failing. Friends are there for you, it doesn't matter if you are a billionaire, or a dirt poor farmer, people are connected in a way that isn't possible in a city with millions.

Sunday Stills Black and White

2009-05-10T06:37:00.003-04:00

Mom snapped this of me and my new calf...

PBR Enterprise in Glens Falls

For more Sunday Stills Click HERE

IT CAME IT CAME...

2009-05-08T14:49:00.003-04:00

IT FINALLY CAME!!!

My Bachelors of Technology diploma that is. I've only been waiting on this baby since December of 2007 when I graduated as the top student in the School of Ag and Natural Resources. That little gold sticker on it says "With High Honors". That makes high honors in high school, high honors with my Associates in Applied Sciences, and high honors on my Bachelor of Technology degrees. Pretty cool huh? At least my hours upon hours of studying paid off! (I only had 149 credits...out of the required 125)

Calf Video

2009-05-07T11:48:00.001-04:00

Jersey Calf Wagging

Still Unnamed

2009-05-06T14:32:00.002-04:00

Some photos by me, some by mom over at Northview. Little still unnamed Jersey calf is hyper and CUTE! We're gonna take the camera over tonight, and take a video of her drinking her bottle. She wags her tail SO hard and fast that it makes a thwack thwack noise on the calf coat she has on against the brutally cold for this time of year weather.

Unnamed Baby...Ideas Folks?

2009-05-05T13:55:00.002-04:00

New Jersey Calf

A video of the new baby. Still in the calving pen. She was having issues with the concept of holding still long enough for her owner to take a picture! SOO swap to video.

Pictures....

2009-05-04T15:16:00.001-04:00

For Me...

2009-04-30T15:55:00.002-04:00

This weekend is all about the PBR Glens Falls Enterprise event. Yes I am also excited because it is Derby week. Though I dont know as much as usual about the colts. I've picked the winner for the last several seasons, but I am a bit uncertain this year, so who knows? Hopefully all the 3 year olds come through the race clean this year. Who is your pick?

But the PBR event is my main focus. Tomorrow at 8 pm the bulls will start bucking. Then I get roughly a total of 4 hours of fun this weekend, 2 tomorrow 2 Saturday with Mom. I'm really hoping that there are some good riders at the event. Though at this point they could throw a monkey on the back of a calf and call it bull riding, I am that hungry for it. Plus I am hoping to see a couple bulls I've come to really love. One is Johnny Ringo. Mom and I sat behind is breeder/owner at Turning Stone in May of 2006, and watched her close the deal to sell him after he threw off both GUilherme Marchi and Ross Johnson that weekend. Last year he couldn't get Mike Lee off, but oh well.

Then there is Prime Minister. He's a nasty spinning tiny little white and black freckled bull. He's so fast he looks like nothing more than a flat white blur as he moves. His two outs last year in Syracuse didn't total a 4 second ride.

Sadly there is no way to know who is riding, or what bulls will be there until Friday night when I get there. I'm still excited though!

Lostroh Fans Can Enjoy This Run...

2009-04-21T10:50:00.003-04:00

The last few weeks of events have been good to Colorado man Kody Lostroh. He's riding like the man in the hunt for the world title that he is. This past two events he has taken a first and a second. And had he had a better bull in the short go this past Sunday he'd have probably had back to back wins. As it was he won three of four go rounds. To my way of thinking that is a phenomenal achievement. Only one other cowboy, Michael Manes, covered all four of his bulls. Manes is realtively new to the BFTS, having riden in one event in 2006. He won this event with relative ease, as Kody's short go ride score was very low.

Then there is the man that is lurking right now, quietly picking up a win here, several top fives or tens there, and just slowly inching his way up on Lostroh and Marchi. That man is Zack Brown (currently of Texas). He picked up three rides for a 4th place finish. With three wins already this season, Lostroh and Marchi better watch their rear view mirrors. If Brown continues riding as he has since the 2009 race kicked off in January, he will be well within reach of the World Title buckle when October rolls around.

I think it bears mentioning that, following all the hype of his bounty rides, Carolina cowboy JB Mauney has slipped from first to fourth and is over 2600 points behind Lostroh. He needs to get back to the way he was riding if he plans on having a chance for the world title. With Lostroh, Marchi, and Brown all picking up rides the gap continues to widen. Maybe he can turn it around this coming weekend in Omaha.

My Computer is Dead...Again...And Probably Permanently

2009-04-17T10:36:00.002-04:00

Last night my computer crashed. I dont know why. Frankly though I am not all that surprised. That darned laptop has been nice, but a pain in the butt too since I got it. OH well. If the IT people can't get it fixed, I hope they can at least rescue my PBR and local rodeo pics and videos off of it. That is all I really care about. It does have a lot of my college papers on it, but I think I have hard copies of most of them. For now my darling Mommy is letting me use her computer a bit. So if my posts become even more sporadic than usual, don't be surprised. It is the lack of computer that causes it. (BTW if IT can't fix it, there is definitely a desk top computer in my furture. Laptops STINK!!!)

ON the PBR circuit front, the cowboys and bulls had last weekend off for the Easter holiday (Happy Belated everyone). This weekend it is back to bucking in Billings Montana with the Nile Invitational sponsored by Cooper Tires. There are some amazing bulls present this weekend.

Including one of my favorites, Jeff Robinson and Anchor Bull Company's little sweet spinning black bull Encore. I have said it before I know but I am truly crazy about this bull. He's been ridden all four trips this season, always for a mid 80's score. This weekend Encore is going to square off with Brazil's Renato Nunes. With Nunes' solid riding style, this should be a good match up. I would say probably for about an 87.5. Then again every time I take a guess on scores I am off so who knows?

Then there is the return of one of my favorite riders for years Dusty LaBeth. He's wonderfully talented, and horribly accident prone. Ask my sister about the night he got his femur broken. Anyhow this weekend he is facing off with a brand new bull Huey from Juma Rodeo Stock. Two weekends ago in his first event back on tour Dusty put up three rides for a 6th place finish. I dont want to make any guesses on his ride though. I want him to stay on tour for a good long time, and I'd rather not jinx him.

I'm gonna call that it for now. The maple trees are in full bloom here. And I feel like a pile of cow poop as a result. Allergies are misery. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Music Monday Country Girl Style

2009-04-13T10:40:00.002-04:00

Cobleskill Dairy Fashion Sale

Music to the ears of the farm girl.

Sunday Stills-Red

2009-04-12T06:56:00.004-04:00

It took me quite a while to figure out what to post for "Red"...Then I figured what the heck. There is plenty of red in second place and Reserve Champion ribbons on my wall. That will work. Then as I was getting ready to hit "Publish Post" I realized the Cinnamon Roll candle from a certain lovely lady in Texas was red too! ...For more Sunday Stills Click Here