life

Baby, it’s Cold Outside…

4 Dec posted by ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

Winter is officially here. We awoke to a world of white on Thursday morning. Not only was it white, but it was windy (though not as windy as it had been) and Old Man Winter was still tossing snow flurries our way. Did I mention yet that it was a bit chilly? About 13 degrees (but felt like a -3 with the wind chill). And like any good self-respecting Southerner, I wanted to throw the covers back over my head and avoid the cold altogether. But life doesn’t let cowgirls do that, so I had to brave the cold. The hen house needed winterized; I needed to raid the grainery for more feed for the aforementioned hens, and I wanted to take pictures. I’m crazy, I know. I hope that the cold comes through in these first, real winter shots I’ve gotten to snap this year. I figure the snow will be around for a while as the temps aren’t supposed to get above freezing for the rest of the week. As that is the case, by the time we get back from Vegas, the river will probably be frozen over, or at least well on its way.

Hey boys. Y'all look a bit chilly!

You can see the back of our house in the photo above.

Sunday, says "phooey on the cold. I'm not cold!"

Well, hello, Dozer. You're the sweetest!

Hey there, Ranger.

Yes, I love you too, Camo.

Dino, I do believe you have ice crystals on your muzzle.

You too, Uno.

Flynt, you're so pretty. Even with ice crystals on your whiskers.

Camo, you don't need my permission to drink. I'll open water for you tomorrow, I promise.

Ah, Wind in the willows. Or would that be reeds?

Wind, wind, wind...

Yeah, Baby, it’s cold outside! The chickens didn’t even want to leave the warmth of their hen house yesterday. The dogs were all begging to come in. And because I’m a sucker, I let them. The cats were yowling around. But I’m allergic. So cats indoors isn’t great. Even though I did bring Reeses in for a few minutes. I regretted it later.

At least today we have sunshine! I’ll be spending the better part of this day packing for our Vegas trip. Well be going for a conference, well, Zach and Kelsey will be going for the conference. I’m going to shop and eat amazing food, and watch the National Finals Rodeo. And you heard it here first, someday, I’ll make it to that event. As a contestant. Not a spectator.

Have a great Friday y’all.

Love-

TSD Cowgirl
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4 Comments
Filed Under: horses, pets, ranching, winter weather

Thanksgiving Trip: The Recap

1 Dec posted by ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

I don’t really know where to start. Our trip to Texas was filled with fun, traffic citations, good food, family and friends. Did I mention the traffic citations? Yeah. There were two of them.

Barney Fife was bored in Nebraska when we were on our way to Texas, and the next day he was still bored in my parent’s hometown. We were stopped for no front license plate in Nebraska (which we are not required to have where we live). And then stopped in Texas for not having lights on our back license plate. Apparently Barney has never lived in gumbo country or on a gravel road. It’s impossible not to lose the light on the back license plate. Gravel, Barney, gravel and mud! Anyway, we weren’t given tickets for those offenses. Nooooo, we were given tickets because Zach’s license had expired on his birthday and he was unaware. I’m sure it happens to everyone at some point.

It is at this point that I need to remind everyone that I have two Zach’s in my life- my little brother and my cowboy are both named Zachary.

We made it to Texas just shy of 2am Wednesday morning. We stayed with my sister in her new, really cute, house! Wednesday I had some highly important appointments. I got a smashing new ‘do, and then had my brows and lashes tinted. You know those both are necessities. We did some hanging out with the folks, went through some of my late grandmother’s things, and threw in some last minute Christmas shopping, just for fun. That evening my brother, Zach and his wife, Amy, got in, and we visited with them for about 2 minutes, before we had to leave to go have supper with my friend Lacee and her husband Mark and their two kids, Rilee and Tanner. Good Mexican food was enjoyed by all.

Thursday morning I baked two pumpkin pies- my second favorite part of Thanksgiving (though if I’d have had my way there’d have been some rum glazed pecan pie too). And no pumpkin pie is complete without homemade whipped cream, so I whipped away. No pun intended. Ok, well maybe. Regardless, there’s only one response, “Yummy”! My favorite part of thanksgiving, is mom’s gravy. I could just bathe in it.

When those were done I went to my mom’s house to make some maple glazed brussel sprouts. Hat tip to Jan at the Sushi Bar for sharing that yummy goodness! Then I ate too much. I was so stuffed I didn’t even eat dinner. Though I did manage to shove another piece of pumpkin pie, covered in whipped cream, down my fat face. While the food ruminated, we watched the Cowboys actully look like they knew how to play football; and then that evening we watched The University of Texas (my brother and his wife’s alma mater) squeak out a win against a very fired up Texas A&M team. My Zach finds it humorous that I cheer for UT when I am technically an Aggie due to my graduation from a Texas A&M subsidiary school, Tarleton State. And he finds it more humorous that my family just doesn’t bring that little fact up- we just don’t talk about it. At all. Maybe that is a teensie bit funny. I think it’s made a bigger deal because my brother is a Big 12 Champion and an All American, as well as record holder at UT. So that might be part of the reason. Needless to say, we’re all proud of him.

Friday we decided to do some more shopping- I snuck out of the house early and headed to Hobby Lobby where I had a great deal of fun buying Christmas decorations for out new house; I was in and out in about 25 minutes, because my friend, Devon, and her little girl, Stella, were on their way to visit us. That was fun that we got to see them. After that visit and some lunch- like I needed to eat anything else, Zach and I went and did more shopping. It really wasn’t crowded at either the Best Buy or the Lowes. Really surprising if you ask me!

My cowboy wearing bowling shoes!

That evening we had planned a sibling outing- mom and dad had agreed to watch my neice, Tatum, Zach and Amy’s daughter. We headed to PF Chang’s China Bistro to enjoy some fabulous food and drinks. Then we decided to go bowling. That was just excellent fun. I totally creamed my brother in the first game, much to his chagrin. I’d have beat him in the second round too, but on the last frame, I tripped over my too long pants, and fouled. The bruise on my knee is just now going away. When we set up the games, little brother Zach gave us all funny nicknames:

Little Brother was The Bomb Digitty,

Little Sister, Megan was Meegan,

I am JayZ, of course,

My Zach is, Arm Deep, a funny little joke due to Preg Checking cattle,

And Amy is The Ringer, because apparently she bowls pretty good when you don’t expect it.

I'm surrounded by smart asses...

We had an nothing less than an absolute blast that night.

Saturday morning we were treated to brunch by my folks. I’m certain by this point my mother wants me to be fat. Like we needed to eat any more. Don’t put me in front of a buffet. Ever. Again. Please? I am so fat by this point.

After brunch, we had Christmas with the family and got all kinds of good loot. Zach and I got some new books, and a 17 piece set of Cuisine Art Stainless Cookware, which we really needed. Confession: I have made it a year and a half with what I’d consider sub-par cookware but no one starved and no one died, so maybe we didn’t need it. Or maybe we were saved by the Lodge Cast Iron Skillets and Griddle that we own? Hmmmm… Regardless, I asked for new cookware, and mom and dad like to deliver, so that’s what we got. Needless to say I was giddily excited. Zach and Amy hooked me up with more roosters for my kitchen, which is never a bad gift, because I don’t think you can have too much cock in the kitchen! Was that crass? Maybe a little. Sorry, Mom. Am I really sorry? I don’t know. I might have to think about it

Mom and Dad hooked my niece, Tatum, up with a pretty Christmas dress. Like she’s not cute enough on her own? Seriously. You’re not helping my baby fever here!

Saturday, after we’d opened presents, and dad made our vehicle *legal*, we headed north. As much as I love my folks, and love (and miss) Texas, I have really grown to love and adore this piece of paradise where we live. Did I mentionI love it? Even if it is in the frozen north. I am afforded so many luxuries and so much freedom in this place. Ready as I was to get back, goodbyes, from family that is a thousand miles away is always bittersweet.

Now we’re back on the ranch, with just a few days until we jet set again, this time to Vegas. We decided to road trip it this year- it’s about a 21 hour drive. But it should be fun. We’ll eat some excellent food. do some serious window shopping (and real shopping at Cowboy Christmas), probably see a show or two, and maybe even make a performance or two of the National Finals Rodeo. I’m sure I’ll see some friends, and possibly make some new ones! We are leaving Saturday before noon, so I have to get myself in gear. I need to get all the outside Christmas decorations up so it feels like Christmas around here, since I won’t be putting a tree up until we get back, and I have laundry to do and a week’s worth of mail to go through!

I’m scatting for now. I have more to share so I’ll be back at some point this week.

Have a good one, y’all!

5 Comments
Filed Under: fall, family, food, friends, holidays, life

What We’re Thankful For

1 Dec posted by ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

Here is the list that I compiled; complete with the things that you, my friends and readers, added to it. My comments follow:

1. I am thankful for God who loves me unconditionally.

2. I am thankful for pretty, red walls in my kitchen, that were, painted that color, without fuss, by the best man in the world.

3. I am thankful that Zach wakes up and thinks to himself, first thing in the morning- what can I do to show Jenn I love her today? What can I do to make her life better?

I mean, how lucky am I to have a man that thinks that way?

4. Chickens. I love my chickens.

5. That I have the ability to get up every morning and do exactly what I want to do that day.

6. Baby Bam Bam. I may have expected two colts this year, and only ended up with one. But he’s a pretty great one at that!

7. A wonderful extended family. Families don’t come better than the one here. Honest.

8. Wide Open Spaces. Room to make big mistakes. Room to be myself.

9. That Zach thinks I’m a great cook.

10. That I have a roof over my head and I don’t have to worry about losing it.

11. My health. I have eyes that work to see. I have ears that work to hear. I have a healthy set of lungs. I have healthy legs. I can ride, I can walk, I can climb.

12. I am thankful that I live in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave- where opportunity abounds. All I have to do is reach out and take it.

13. That I have a pantry full of food and a freezer full of meat.

14. That I no longer have to work in an office! My office, is God’s country. How great is that?

15. That I have great friends.

16. That I am able to spend my days horseback if I desire (which is what I did yesterday).

17. That I have carte blanche over making our house a *home*.

18. For super parents that raised me to be a functioning member of society.

19. I’m thankful for the beautiful weather we’ve been having. It’s one less month of wintery weather that we’ll have to endure in the cold north of South Dakota. Really, while it snowed three times in October, it has been just gorgeous this month!

20. I am soooo thankful for my laptop. It nearly died this week and Zach saved it.

21. I’m thankful that Zach is able to save computers and understands technology. I love you, babe!

22. For all the good people in my life.

23. For all the experiences I’ve had in my life- both good and bad.

24. For a comfortable bed.

25. For my own space.

26. That I don’t have to wonder where I’m getting to eat today.

27. For the ability/funds/opportunity to shop on Black Friday.

28. That I beat my little brother in a game of Bowling last night.

29. That I live in such a peaceful place surrounded by people who love me.

30. For the many talents God has given me.

Reader’s Thanksgiving:

I’m thankful for having a husband that loves me for me, which is truly amazing! And even though I gained 20 lbs, he still thinks I’m beautiful and tells me so.

I am thankful that he (my husband) is healthy since I get a night off where he deals with Sprite’s cunning tactics at bedtime when I’m obviously too far gone to handle it.

I’m thankful that I do have a back-up horse, and I’m thankful I’ve learned to hang on to her decent enough to still be able to rodeo. I’m thankful for parents to help pay my vet bills – more importantly, I’m thankful for the best parents in the world in general. I’m thankful for my amazing boyfriend, who, though he hates her, hauls my mare to the roping pen and heels off of her just to make me happy and keep her head sane.

I’m thankful for friends and family!

I love this. It’s so important to focus on our blessings! What I’m learning is that it’s all how I look at it. I complain about cleaning my house and doing laundry, when really I should be thankful that I have a house and plenty of clothes!

I’m thankful for all my bloggy friends, my family, my health and that I have a roof over my head when there are sooo many out there who don’t right now.

I think the underlying theme is that we’re thankful for our family, our friends, and a roof over our heads. Let’s remember this as we go into the Christmas season and be grateful and thankful for the blessings and the gifts that we’ll be receiving from others. I really hate hearing about all the returns on the day after Christmas. I mean, really, you’re going to return something that someone took the time to shop for because they thought you’d enjoy it but you want something else entirely? or you want the money? I feel as a society we’re generally ungrateful. I know I’m going to work on that- counting my blessings every day.

2 Comments
Filed Under: family, friends, holidays, life, love

Weekly Twitterings From the Ranch

29 Nov posted by ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

RT @mbrinkerhoff: Great plays by Cartwright & Moss. Keep it up, #redskins. Drive! Drive! Drive!/die redskins die! http://myloc.me/1ElWN #
Run barber run! #dallascowboys http://myloc.me/1EmE2 #
RT @DXQuarterHorses:enjoying the beautiful sunshine today! #horsemanship tip- keep your horse on this side of bothered. http://bit.ly/4U3axt #
Y'all are losing to the 3-6 skins? Seriously boys? #
I should totally be packing for our TX trip and finishing laundry but this couch is so cozy! #
anyone out there have an artificial tree? do you like yours? is it pre-lit and if so did you have problems with the lights? #
RT @Heidiwriter: Nice review of Cowgirl Dreams at Historical Novel Society http://historicalnovelsociety.org/hnr-online.htm #
Taking the kids back to their mom's. #
Good morning Tweeters! I hope everyone has a happy Monday! I'll be packing and rearranging the horse herd today! #
Sneaky! /RT @lucas_sjostrom: Saw a @BestBuy Black Friday ad, fine print: max 10 to 30/ store/deal. Thats shady! Any other stores doing that? #
Smart!/ RT @ranchwabble: Chicken poop makes evergy in China http://bit.ly/63taoU #
RT @MsMizz: Happy Monday all! "The more u are like yourself, the less u are like anyone else." – Walt Disney #quotes (via @kristofcreative) #
You are So right! it irritates me. /RT @cowgirllawyer: sheryl crow should stay out of it: http://bit.ly/5Pz4WAO #
RT @animalag: "Animal, Vegetable, Miserable" op-ed in NYT- "strict ethical vegan" compares animal ag2 "mass murder" http://bit.ly/56SOFb #
Since the HSUS Banned horse processing they can start fund2 provide owners in trouble with money to euthanize: http://bit.ly/7wPYlw #
RT @VeganDotCom: Just to clarify: the cows who get their throats cut? Those happy cows? RT @thesdcowgirl: I know how happy my beef is. #
Headed out to fix the gate that was damaged http://bit.ly/2PHt1G and re-arrange horse herds. Should be fun! #
Oh don't forget to #thankafarmer today! #
RT @WesternGlamour: Happy Monday everyone! So much to be thankful for this holiday week!/ true story! #
ok folks. i'm out. the gate is getting fixed and my horses are getting sorted. #
RT @TheHollyLane: Great Lady in #Ag you need2 follow this cowgirl! Amazing horsewoman, awesome advocate very kind. Ple welcome her, @jeccaro #
I love big green tractors! #Ag http://myloc.me/1Ft6n #
I am so hungry. And I realize why! It is 1:15. Chores took longer than expected. Time for lunch then packing! TX here we come! #
RT @Skinnyhorse: #law #ag #hsus RT @Animallawinfo: Ind. Farm Bureau Convt. tackles HSUS & nonproperty status of animals.http://bit.ly/4ZufdG #
RT @tedrubin: Always take the high road… even when you know the person on the other side of the table is clueless./ Great advice! #
having a grilled cheese sandwich and a beer for lunch. then down to shut off the water tank and back home to pack. i'm so putting it off! #
mmmm. beer from the little brewery in Shiner, Texas. yum. #
there is a 5yo cow grazing my front yard nxt to my chickens. like i need something else to do today. i guess i'll have to put her up! #
RT @fabfarm: Food Blogging- Ranch Style… http://bit.ly/4phdn2 #
My beau has 20 pars of wranglers and only 2 w/out some form of rip. what's a girl to do? if i tell him to get more he'll laugh at me. #
RT @TenaBastian: @thesdcowgirl Nothing sexier than a cowboy in torn Wranglers/ you know that's right! #
how is it that the beau is already packed? is it because he wears the same thing everyday regardless of where we are? damn him! #
RT @TheHollyLane: Animal ethics professor offers advice to beef industry http://ow.ly/F14L /Great Article! Must read for #beef producers #Ag #
RT @ChuckJolley: @thesdcowgirl two pairs of dress jeans and 18 pair to work in? Sounds about right. / that is a true story! #
the dogs picked today to come in and try to rid themselves of cockleburrs and mud btwn their toes! #
is it bad that i love to wear brown? #
RT @WesternGlamour: Check out Buckaroo Tack at Western Glamour's Holiday Guide! Receive 15% off with the disc code http://twurl.nl/00o3tv #
I am really loving this do: http://bit.ly/8AOF9s #
Facebook isn't working. Or it hates me. One of the two. #
RT @UBetcha_Apparel: @WesternGlamour You're the queen of keeping everyone in suspense!!!/ i know, right? #
RT @Lovell_News: Residents urged 2b cautious following a possible rape in northern BHC. Suspect is reportedly a vacuum slsmn in a red van. #
RT @88Diamonds: Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.– Ambrose Bierce http://myloc.me/1FPqn #
Night tweets! Tx bound tmr! #
RT @thesdcowgirl: Today on the Ranch…: A Baby Antelope http://thesouthdakotacowgirl.com/?p=1476 http://myloc.me/1G9kD #
Good morning! The pickup is being packed as we speak and we'll be headed south momentarily! #
#fail zach forgot his good boots, I forgot sunglasses & we dnt hav phone charger 4 truck Thre was a chrgr in evry vehcl on plc but not now #
RT @cowjon: 85% of cattle grazing lands is unsuited 4 crops. Here in this nape of the neck it takes good people horses & dogs2 make it work. #
RT @UBetcha_Apparel: @WesternGlamour – Totally drooling this morning!!!!/ me too. I nd 2 be independently wealthy. C'mon cows make me some $ #
RT @AlphaMares: What a great week to really THINK about what we're grateful for…/yes it is! http://myloc.me/1GmkM #
Love Zac Brown band! http://myloc.me/1Goap #
I got my toes in the water ass in the sand… http://myloc.me/1Goe5 #
RT @TheHollyLane: RT @rodeolivestock: "Whether you think you can or think you can't, you are right." Henry Ford/ so true! #
Just a small town girl…took the midnight train going anywhere. http://myloc.me/1GrLS #
RT @WesternGlamour: Eartha Kitt's Santa Baby version is the BEST one ever/ no doubt! http://myloc.me/1GrMU #
In the cornhusker state. I will have spotty cell service now. http://myloc.me/1Gt8X #
RT @kidell: Seriously Adam Lambert. You can sing. You don't need the rest of that crap to get our attention./ true! http://myloc.me/1Gtj9 #
Road construction. I'd rather have to stop for cows being moved! http://myloc.me/1GtmI #
RT @mercyming: @SilverSteer Guess it means we like your stuff – Lord knows I do!/ me too! http://myloc.me/1Gyqn #
RT @WesternGlamour: @UBetcha_Apparel Its going to be fun! You know this makeover is going to be drastic right?/ I can't wait! #
RT @tedrubin: Take a moment to send a real paper card to someone for something… these days it conveys real thought./ I love to give and rx #
RT @WesternGlamour: @UBetcha_Apparel Not cutting your hair off, but there cld b some pain from brow shaping!/ brow shaping is so important! #
RT @WesternGlamour: @UBetcha_Apparel BUCK up chica! It will only hurt for a second, nothing a stiff shot cant numb/ drinks r good! #
RT @PBHoss: Listening to "Under This Old Hat" by Chris LeDoux. He left way too early./ yes he did! http://myloc.me/1GyPJ #
RT @animalag: RT @chrischinn: In 1960 a farmer fed 26 people, this year a farmer will feed 155 people. #thankafarmer #ag #farm #oink #
Finally! In the home state of Dorothy and Toto. I need some red shoes and a yellow brick road! Repeat after me- there is no place like home! #
60 miles from Salina, KS and then another 6 and a half hours to my baby sister's house! http://myloc.me/1GDgh #
RT @UBetcha_Apparel: @WesternGlamour I don't start brawls I just finish them – I thank my past boxing career for that skill/ WHAT!? #
RT @fabfarm: Are you going to read when I blog my way through the pioneer woman's cookbook? Starting next week-/ I fully intend to! #
Cow/calf producer & horse breeder from SD. Will just lurk tonight b/c I am in the car w/in and out cell svc. #agchat http://myloc.me/1GFIJ #
Q1: conservstionist #agchat http://myloc.me/1GFZh #
RT @iTweetMeat: RT @THE_REAL_BEEF: Q1 hardest working people I know #agchat http://myloc.me/1GG8c #
RT @kansfarmer: Q1 – Farmers make foodies possible — I like that one #agchat/ me too! Total foodi here! #agchat http://myloc.me/1GH5o #
Q2: dont judge the methods you know nothing about. That would be pretty good thanks. #agchat http://myloc.me/1GHk7 #
RT @featherchick: Q2 Educate yrself about legisltn affecting farmers, what they produce& cost ultimately to you of this legislation. #agchat #
RT @RinckerLaw: @FollowNathan – I believe that mainstream media misrprsnts modern ag. Farmers r tired of being painted incrrectly. #agchat #
RT @THE_REAL_BEEF: Q2 Best way to thank a farmer may be to ask UR Congressman vote against death tax and cap and trade! #agchat #agchat #
Q3: we have a lot of hunters to our place so asking where 2 hunt and then pls close the gates. #agchat http://myloc.me/1GIAa #
RT @SaveOurWay: Q3 Need2 beware of Personal safty as well as the safty 4 animals. It works both ways #agchat/sometimes the cow aint bluffin #
155 miles to OKC! http://myloc.me/1GJUC #
Q5: pay attention to who you vote into office and the policy they are like to implement. #agchat http://myloc.me/1GKoy #
Trying to keep up via ubertwitter just did not work! #agchat http://myloc.me/1GKMR #
200 miles to The Lone Star State! http://myloc.me/1GO66 #
RT @aliberuta: What the hell LA news guys named Dallas Rains and Johnny Mountain? Are they weather guys or porn stars?/ #fail on the names #
RT @cowgirllawyer: Let Us Be Thankful http://thecowgirllawyer.blogspot.com/2009/11/let-us-be-thankful.html / great list!!! #
RT @TroyHadrick: I can hear B1 Bombers flying over my house right now. A very comforting sound for all Americans!/ here here! #
Why don't we just dance? Josh turner you rock! http://myloc.me/1GRaP #
Twitter made this trip go by so much faster! http://myloc.me/1GRuj #
My feet are asleep… http://myloc.me/1GTJv #
Texas! The Lone Star State! Oh how I have missed you! http://myloc.me/1GWHV #
Good morning from the lone star state! Having coffee and then off to do some xmas shopping! http://myloc.me/1Hhu8 #
Make sure to #thankafarmer for the meals you'll consume today! http://myloc.me/1HhRW #
RT @TroyHadrick: Today I will be making homemade ice cream for Thanksgiving. I #thankafarmer for supplying the cream to make it!/ jealous! #
Last Year's Bottle Baby: http://thesouthdakotacowgirl.com/?p=1465 #thankafarmer #ag #
It is a gorgeous day in The Lone Star State today! http://myloc.me/1HBaQ #
RT @TroyHadrick: PETA members wasting milk in a protest in Rapid City. http://pic.gd/4baa97/ they could b doing smthng prodctive w/this milk #
RT @MegRaeB: So far this morning Ive unlded 2 cattle trcks, ran a mile, trned my dog & made chkn stock from scratch. Its not noon yet./urock #
RT @MegRaeB: does anyone else feel like crying when they break a favorite dish?/ oh I feel your pain! http://myloc.me/1HG7b #
Taking a nap and then getting ready to have dinner and drinks with friends! Mexican food! My fave! http://myloc.me/1HHhv #
RT @ElsklingDyr: Give thanks in ALL things!! The bad stuff we go through helps us better recognize and appreciate the good stuff. #
Pretty sure law enforcement love us. Or at least love to pull us over. I like being loveable but not like this… #
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! http://myloc.me/1ID97 #
RT @MegRaeB: Ok – moving on to whiskey. Gin = bad./ agreed! http://myloc.me/1IDbS #
RT @tedrubin: May be sitting in ridiculous traffic, but listening to @AmyGrant so still a smile on my face / love her voice! #
RT @zjhunn: With the #Cowboys struggles on offense and the #Raiders struggle with football, this could be a rough game./wish theyd get w/it #
RT @zjhunn: Remember Who we're thanking today: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;his love endures 4ever. http://read.ly/1Chr16.34.NIV #
I am sitting between my two Zachs- my brother and my boyfriend. Lucky me! Go #cowboys! http://myloc.me/1IXgQ #
Win for the cowboys? Check. Now if The Horns will just show the Aggies where to put it… http://myloc.me/1JdK7 #
So tired of seeing aggie maroon! http://myloc.me/1JktR #
RT @cowjon: It was a black friday until the sun came up now it's more of a blue-gray friday./ u are such a smart ass. I love it! #
If I say something about the fact that alabama is losing to auburn will that jinx it? http://myloc.me/1Kihv #
RT @WesternGlamour: I am so like a guy, sometimes I just look at my truck and say " I love you"/ me too! I get attached to them! #
Pf Chang's here we come! http://myloc.me/1Koi2 #
Bowling and beer! http://myloc.me/1Kys3 #
RT @kendsyj: It is better to be with no one then to be with the wrong one. (via @Everyday_Quotes)/ true story! http://myloc.me/1KAwe #
Heading out to have breakfast with the family at the Golden Corral. Mom is trying to make me fat. A Buffet after Turkey Day? OMG! #
Another beautiful day here in the lone star state! http://myloc.me/1Llg6 #
Time to open presents! http://myloc.me/1Logq #
Watching band of brothers on blue ray http://myloc.me/1LuW4 #
Heading back to the north country! http://myloc.me/1LzRD #
60 miles to OKC. http://myloc.me/1LEBP #
about to get my sonic fix since the closest one to me that I know about is in rapid city! http://myloc.me/1LETX #
You aint heard a thing from me in a quite a while when they ask you where I've been…just don't tell em I've gone crazy. #
RT @tedrubin: You have to take chances for the things you care about. http://myloc.me/1LIiv #
Sounds like life to me, plain old destiny. This aint no fantasy. I know it's tough but you gotta suck it up! http://myloc.me/1LIzj #
90 miles from Wichita, KS http://myloc.me/1LMy8 #
Pretty sure my legs are sore from bowling last night. Kicking little bro's tail was so worth it tho! http://myloc.me/1LNX3 #
Kansas, baby! http://myloc.me/1LPYh #
Listening to Brad Paisley on the Road House! He's acoustic. And omg can he play! http://myloc.me/1LTdD #
Now you're my whole life, now you're my whole world…and I thought I loved you then. http://myloc.me/1LTob #
Let's get a little mud on the tires…its a good night to be soaking up the moonlight http://myloc.me/1LTGI #
Build us a little campfire…let's get a little mud on the tires http://myloc.me/1LTNQ #
I must lose 10 lbs. Must. #iamfat http://myloc.me/1M5hf #
Good morning all! http://myloc.me/1MxVA #
Still traveling north. Just shy of nebraska now. http://myloc.me/1MBdi #
RT @tedrubin: When asked if my cup is half-full or half-empty my only response is that I am thankful I have a cup / right on! #
Zach just told me that if he could sing like me he'd be hitting the road looking for work. Glad he enjoys my singing! http://myloc.me/1MFWN #
You know you're in #hunting country when the motel advertises a game cleaning station… http://myloc.me/1MGq0 #
Nebraska! http://myloc.me/1MGHr #
RT @junkgypsy: don'T ForGET! fREE tote and FREE shipping on ALL orders over $50 through DeCEMBER 1ST! enter PROMO code: 'TURKEY'! #
I got my toes in the water, toes in the sand…zac brown rocks! http://myloc.me/1MM4x #

A Baby Antelope

24 Nov posted by ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

Home, home on the range…

Where the deer and the antelope play…

Because you know this is where I live, right.

This summer while Kelsey and I were out checking on the mare herds and visiting the colts, we came across this:

Sleeping Baby Antelope

We were being very quiet!

Something scared it!

Such cute, spindly legs!

Bye, Bye Baby!

2 Comments
Filed Under: life, photography

Attention Travelers: Plan Ahead

22 Nov posted by ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

This is going to be a really crazy fun week for us. We’re going to spend the better part of Tuesday in a vehicle traveling to Texas to spend the Thanksgiving Holiday with my family. Which means that even though I had all the laundry done a couple days ago, I probably have at least one load to do before we go. I’ll have to spend tomorrow packing; and making the pumpkin bread I promised. Which I am looking forward to doing. I love making the house smell fun for the holidays.

Speaking of The Holidays- I have always gotten a live tree- I just love how they make the house smell, but this year, I’m thinking about going with an artificial tree only because I like putting the tree up right after Thanksgiving. I mean, right after. This year the earliest I could put it up would be Sunday; but then I’m only here for a week before we head out to go to Las Vegas, NV for the Inter-tribal Ag Council (Zach sits on the board of directors). And it is just our luck that they plan that conference to coincide with the National Finals Rodeo, also known as the NFR and affectionately called *The Finals* among the rodeo crowd; which includes yours truly. So I’ll get to see lots of my friends and shop Cowboy Christmas. Oh, how I love Cowboy Christmas. We went to Vegas last year for the conference. It was my first time in Vegas and I had so much fun.

I’ve totally gone off -topic.

Back to trees. So you can see my dilemma. If I get a real tree, I have to find someone to water it, as well as feed the cats and take care of the chickens for a week while we’re gone to Vegas. It’s possible I could be pushing my luck. I could wait until December 12th when we get back from Vegas to get it, but then I only have 2 weeks to enjoy it before Christmas and that just doesn’t seem like a lot of fun to me. So if I decide to get an artificial tree while we are in Texas, what kind do I get? I think I want to get a pre-lit one, but I am so terrified that I’ll spend a lot of money on a pre-lit tree (because I will want a gorgeous tree) and then the lights will have a come-apart and fizzle out on me, and then I’ll be out of luck. Maybe I’m over-reacting. I’m sure I’ve never done that before.

On a fun note- here is a video of Bam Bam‘s mamma, Shuttle, from last fall. I found this video while doing the computer reorganization. This is her typical self when she’s not nursing baby. She is just certain she is a wild mustang and should be free to roam wild, on the prairies.

[kaltura-widget wid="6smeia7sb0" width="410" height="364" addpermission="3" editpermission="3" /]

And since I’ll be busy packing and then I’ll be on the road all day Tuesday, I’m going to do some photo blogs and post some video for the next couple days, so you’re not without contact from me. Because no one wants that, right?

In the meantime, all y’all have a super Sunday night!

5 Comments
Filed Under: holidays, horses, life

Tweetings from The South Dakota Cowgirl

22 Nov posted by ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

Good morning world! Shipping heifers this morning! #
Got the heifers shipped. Now we're sorting off old cows and cows that raiaed poor doing calves. #
It is a gorgeous day to be working cows! #
Tis the season for me to start grabbing some Burt's Bees lip balm before I get horseback for the day! #
Headed to the sale barn! #
http://twitpic.com/pssxw The misfits that didn't make either load. #
Heading home from the sale barn… And when I get there I am putting a T-bone on the grill. Yum. #
Home from an awesome day! Time for beer, steak and potatoes! In that order. lol. #
These roasted potatoes cant' be done soon enough. I am so hungry and they smell so good and the ribeyes are almost cooked! #
Y'all all come over! the more the merrier. It's homegrown beef. Antibiotic free, certified natural. Raised on grass finished on corn. Yum. #
so all y'al know, the roasted potatoes were worth the wait. #
Everyone should visit the Western Glamour Western Wishlist- there is some amazing stuff http://bit.ly/4zrNrh #
happy tuesdsay morning! #
Reading: "Clean Water Act \'fix\' has major ramifications for state" (http://twitthis.com/fhqk7u) #
Join me for 30 days of thanksgiving! http://bit.ly/4zrNrh #
making some fresh ground coffee to go with some pumpkin bread. #
It is going to be a gorgeous day outside! And I'm fortunate enough to get to spend it horseback! #
So it might be a bit brisk out this morning! #
Just dropped the neighbors cow off and now we're getting the mail #
I should totally become a professional gate opener and clove-hitch(er)! #
Listening to the newly weaned calves bawl. #
Saddling one of the two barrel horses I plan to throw a leg over today. #
Saddling horse number two. Then its time for some colts to get a one on one! #
Hanging out with DX Jurassic Classic http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/dx+jurassic+classic #
Beef (and cheese flautas) it's what's for dinner… #
RT @besthorsegifts: @thesdcowgirl Beef at our house tonight too – thanks to the old girls! http://thesouthdakotacowgirl.com/?p=1390 #
bud light makes paying bills easier. lol #
Did I miss something? Why all the thank a farmer captions on people's photos. I feel so left out! #
RT @tweetmeme The Westerner: Western Legacy Alliance Applauds Efforts of the Western Caucus to Bring Attention to EA… http://bit.ly/4cHKmj #
Mine too! RT @mpaynknoper: Mmmm, an Australian Shiraz, my favorite… #
Baxter Black is brilliant! http://bit.ly/CZus3 #
Good Wednesday morning all! I'll be spending the morning doing NBHA ppwk. Then down to the barn to play with colts! #
Support #ThankaFarmer, add a #twibbon to your avatar now! – http://bit.ly/fXWVf #
(thnx)RT @SpiritofHorse: #Whinnywednesday to follow @thesdcowgirl @lecheval @rushridge @blueridgehorse @debflood @CarolinePutus @DancingMare #
if you haven't given Ducheneaux Quarter Horses a look, check us out now! http://bit.ly/1ilnsl we have a nearly 50yo breeding program! #
Be sure to #thankafamer today! #
Hey all- just so you know, we have a bunch of super gentle colts that need good homes- they'd be excellent 4h projects http://bit.ly/1ilnsl #
RT @blahblahblogger: Go check out my first vlog if you havent already! http://bit.ly/WJ23F Pretty darn proud of myself. #
Thank you! RT @MissasArt: Please retweet: I need signatures 'Join us in lifting the horse slaughter ban' – http://bit.ly/1F1en9 #
Please Retweet and Sign this Petition 'Join us in lifting the horse slaughter ban' – http://301.to/4vt #
I uploaded a YouTube video — Heart Like Mine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxrCqfesh98&feature=autoshare_twitter #
I'm off to granny's. Then the barn. Then 2 wean colts. Wait. Maybe I should dump the san disk of pictures 1st so I can photograph colts? #
RT @kidell: @Janet_Reid In proper South Dakota lingo, you either live east river or west river. No 'of the' to be heard. (TRUE STORY!) #
RT @cowjon: Peta pissed at Sesame Street for taking egg $, they don't like eggs. They've no prob with the guy that lives in a trash can tho. #
It is a gorgeous day outside! Perfect for weaning colts! #
Think we have decided to wait until after thanksgiving to wean- so that means I can ride again today! All day! #
RT@OneTwoRob I smell another Nobel Peace Prize- Obama now worried that spending too much could hurt economy.umm, NO SHIT!!! #
Traffic in DFW is always insane! Lived there 20 yrs! RT: @CowboySyndicate Headed towards DFW. Hoping traffic isn't insane! #
The wind is going to blow me away! At the least it will chase me to the barn! #
The barn is too dusty and my beau is going to trim feet in there so I guess I will have to go do laundry or something else that isn't fun! #
How great is my boyfriend- he just decided that he'd work the arena up. And I didn't eve have to ask! #
In case you missed it this morning, me singing…http://bit.ly/dWG80 #
Thank God for Shiner Bock! #
RT @AlphaMares: We can learn from children …to them every moment is a miracle. #
You have to a love a man that says, "let's do something easy for supper tonight. you've cooked your ass off all week!" Lucky me! #
RT @cowgirlbarbie: O.M.G. Jr. Working Cow Horse Finals. Eeeeeee!!!!!!!!!! #
ME Too! RT @TheHollyLane: I hate how early it gets dark! #
I love ancho chilis! #
I 2nd that! RT @kendsyj: I HATE JARED COMMERCIALS! "oh look he went to Jared." Oh look Im going to puke! (via @_LottieDottie_) amen sister #
enough sitting for right now. i must. get. on. bike. i guess i'll pedal through "criminal minds" #
Good morning! #
RT @cowboymagic: I've learned that when I ride a hrse that does what I want-I've ridden a horse that some1 else rode a lot doing the rt thng #
RT @tweetmeme The Westerner: Mustang roundup moratorium rejected http://bit.ly/3IVuk5 #
Join me for thirty days of thanksgivign! http://bit.ly/2ZF2cJ #
Hawt! RT @PBHoss: @cowjon Your happy thought backup: I'm wearing a pink shirt and tie combo today. #
Be sure to #thankafarmer today! #
headed down to the barn for the day! #
Just purchased some goodies this morning! RT: @junkgypsy JewELry for yo JUnKyArd dawg!! at a niiice price!! http://yfrog.com/4fcgzj #
Granny makes THE best beef broth and noodles! Yum!!! #
Check out this gorgeous, ranch broke, ranch used gelding for sale! http://bit.ly/mIWq9 more video available at http://bit.ly/1LsWrW #
Listing horses for sale… #
RT @DXQuarterHorses: Check out this gorgeous, ranch horse for sale! http://bit.ly/2kYveA #
Peppy San Badger/Jet Smooth Futurity prospect for sale http://bit.ly/1dw4fG Video coming shortly! #
RT @TroyHadrick: Awesome! Thx Gov Rounds! RT @AgUnited4SD: November 20, 2009 has been declared by #SD governor as #THANKAFARMER DAY! #
Check out this gorgeous stallion prospect that's for sale: http://bit.ly/3I8SeR Video on him coming soon! #
Do you have too many horses if you have to have a catalog to keep them straight? or is that just good organization? #
Uploading video of the first rides of the horses I am listing for sale. Youtube has hated me. All. Day. #
RT @cowgirllawyer: The Leopold Conservation Award for our state was just presented to my boyfriend's family! So exciting! #
Quiet and cute sorrel gelding for sale! http://www.equine.com/horses-for-sale/horse-ad-965202.html #
(Fun!) RT @_LottieDottie_: Alrighty now to go play with MY horses . . . Only hugs and kisses for those good boys. #
RT @cowjon: Need advice twitteroos, is it appropriate to send thank you to folks who gave you an award? (I would think so) #
Yum. Fresh Pomegranites! #
I are appreciated! RT @cowjon: Survey says!: Yes! Thanks friends @CarrieCizauskas @thesdcowgirl @mvalriefisher @CjSomebody I appreciate you. #
My compter had a meltdown. It is with the doctor now. I am sure it is all b/c I multitask too much! #
Watching "the league" on FX. Funny! #
That should solve it! RT: @HorsemansDVDmag #manrule: If your lost… go faster #
RT: @Heidiwriter I'm featured on Cowboy Poetry this week, Photo of the West. http://www.cowboypoetry.com/photowk.htm #
There's hospitality and then there's hospitality plus… #
Waiting on my computer to delete a bunch of files. It is slower than Christmas! #
Ok twitterberry peeps. Was told I needed2 update so I did but it keeps asking me if I want2 install the latest version. What did I do wrong? #
Good morning tweets! #
My computer is still melting down! Poor thing! May spend the day nursing it back to health! #
True story!!! RT: @ScaryMommy She may want to kill me, but I love @blahblahblogger. If you want to switch to WP, she's your gal. #
Heading to the mailbox. It's a trek y'all! #
#FF cool peeps @mpaynknoper in reply to mpaynknoper #
#FF equine friends: @besthorsegifts @rushridge @TheHollyLane @SpiritofHorse #
#FF friendly cow pokes, like me:@cowjon @cowgirllawyer @MegRaeB @TheHollyLane @Grunniens #
The computer is running again, though not so efficiently… #
I really wish my chickens did not see the need to use our deck as their personal litter box! Five acres is apparently not big enough! #
Pretty day is letting me put all my summery outdoors type stuff in the shed so it will live thru winter! #
My mud room is so filthy! Guess that's what you get when you're in #ag and you live in gumbo country! #
Finishing my house-cleaning… #
I love a good martini! RT: @tedrubin Nothing like that Friday night end of work-week martini at home… hmmmm #
Waiting on my computer to finish the stinkin' virus scan. http://myloc.me/1C9Eh #
RT @SilverSteer: Start your Christmas shopping with a 10% off discount (CODE: FALL09 ) Runs through Nov. 30th! http://www.silversteerboutique.com #
Cutting cockleburrs out of my Papillon's coat. He is so messy! http://myloc.me/1Cf6W #
RT @Heidiwriter: Cool news–Cowgirl Dreams is a finalist in the EPIC awards contest! Now I have to wait till March to find out the verdict! #
How big is your readership monthly and are you in SD? Do you have online readers? #
Good morning! Here's to hoping everyone has a super weekend planned! #
Happy Saturday morning. Good luck to you girls running in Waco today! What is everyone else's plans for the weekend? #
RT @cowjon: U nice folks that dont drink, when u get up this morning youre feeling as good youre gonna. Me, I have something 2look forward 2 #
does anyone know of a good plug-in to use on wordpress for uploading video files? #
2009 Buckskin Filly by WDX Banjobreeze Baby out of Dawns Delight Sioux
http://twitgoo.com/58ff5 #
2009 Buckskin Filly by WDX Banjobreeze Baby out of DX Frosty Sue
http://twitgoo.com/58fit #
Heading out to hang with the horses for the day! http://myloc.me/1D3X8 #
Throwing leg over my pretty chestnut gelding! http://myloc.me/1D6fZ #
You don't need you horse to be soft all the time. You need them to be soft every time. #horsemanship http://myloc.me/1D7eP #
You don't need you horse to be soft all the time. You need them to be soft every time. #horsemanship http://myloc.me/1D7f9 #
Lunch break is over. Heading to the barn to saddle a pretty chestnut 2yo colt. http://myloc.me/1Dcyg #
My colt did so good today! http://myloc.me/1DfaF #
Swedish meatballs for supper! #
Swedish meatballs for supper! http://myloc.me/1DiEY #
Awesome. Now Sheryl Crow is on the #BLM case. So sick of people who do not understand #ag trying to make decisions for those of us in ag. #
RT @AlpacaFarmgirl: Can't wait for the Longhorns to kick off!!! WOOT! #Texas/ Hook 'em! #
apparently common sense, isn't that common. lol. #
just occurred to me that I could start listening to Christmas Music! Whoo hoo! #
#Texas #
RT @kendsyj: Can't take my dad anywhere either…/is it any wonder? two boys from the same family? lol. #
Today on the Ranch- Sunday Stills- the subject, Horses: http://bit.ly/7Bdj0f #
I may have2 spend the morning (after I indulge in these fabulous Macadamia nut pancakes- made by the best man evah!) burning DVDs. #
RT @tedrubin: No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted! http://myloc.me/1Eg3p #
Those pancakes made me sleepy! Need more coffee! http://myloc.me/1Eg9V #
Score! Christmas Music on XM Sat radio! Whoo hoo! #

Saturday Randomness

21 Nov posted by ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

Thursday night my computer melted down. It began making noises at me, and running slow. Did I mention that it was S.l.o.w. ??? Because it was. The fabulous man in my life checked it out and informed me that I had barely any free space on my hard-drive, so we began deleting some programs that didn’t get used, and were taking up a lot of space, except for that it didn’t work. It wasn’t until almost a full 24 hours later that we discovered that Windows Vista was running an indexing program that was indexing. Every. Single. File. We’d wondered for quite some time, why the CPU just ran and ran at full tilt and why it seemed like the fan never got a break. When he was finally able to get that ridiculous indexing shut off, the computer started running great! I am getting an early Christmas present in the form of an external hard-drive so that I can dump all my 200+ video files off of this machine. I might have a problem. I can’t hit delete. You never know if the video you took of a horse when you halter broke it will come in handy.

Last night I pulled every single cockle-burr out of my poor Higgins dog. They were matted and everywhere, such that you couldn’t even pet him without risk of getting stuck. It wasn’t so much pulling them out as it was cutting them out with scissors. He looks like a butchered Papillon now, because I had to cut so much hair out of him, but at least I was able to give him a bath. He smelled like he came out of a Toni & Guy salon when I was done with him! As much as I will miss Zach this winter, I am looking forward to getting him someplace where he can have regular groomings and his gorgeous hair can grow back. Not only does this lovely creation of mother nature affect my dog, but they are also in very nearly every horse’s forelock and their tails. I suppose they do serve a purpose, to help stop soil erosion but that is hard to swallow since they are just so annoying!

Due to the computer melt down I had to do some major reorganization of it, and found some video I had dumped out and never watched, so I am sure I’ll be sharing! In fact, I found a really cute one, from last year at this time, of me scratching Dolce. I think that in the next week, in addition to daily updates on my Thirty Days of Thanksgiving post, I may share some of the cool videos I re-discovered.

[kaltura-widget wid="f29k2vlz2c" width="410" height="364" addpermission="3" editpermission="3" /]

We’ll be heading to Texas on Tuesday so we can spend Thanksgiving with my folks. I’m really excited about going, but not so excited about the drive. Oh well, at least I have my new BFF the Blackberry to keep me company on the way. I’d say that I could call my BFF in real life on the way down, and I can, but not while I’m in Nebraska. Nebraska hates cell phones. I’m pretty certain of it.

The weather is gorgeous today; Zach’s kids are here for the weekend, so there will fun had, no doubt about it. I think I’ll probably take advantage of the freshly worked up arena that Zach so graciously fluffed for me. Without me asking.

Life is so good.

2 Comments
Filed Under: foals, horses, life, pets

Tweetings from The South Dakota Cowgirl

15 Nov posted by ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

Wondering out loud: is there anyone that wants a one month internship starting/riding colts? I'll provide horses, room and board… #
on tap today: a clean kitchen, saddling some colts; riding my open horses. #
What's going on in my world lately? http://bit.ly/2534aB #
RT @WesternGlamour: Guess who's traffic rank in the USA SMOKED Cowbys&Indians- westernglamour.com! #
updated music page- wanna hear me sing? http://bit.ly/KotZ7 #
http://twitpic.com/owud5 – cowgirl photo. so neat! #
Prednisone is making me depressed, cranky, irritable and otherwise just negative. Can we say pissy? I feel clinically depressed. #
Tomorrow is my last day on this nasty shit. And it can't come soon enough! #
if you're 40 miles from the post office but have a closet full of designer shoes to sell, what do you do? #
Five Year Old Fashionista http://www.scarymommy.com/4353 #
Don't forget to look up Ducheneaux Quarter Horses on Facebook! http://bit.ly/3bjsWY #
Macro Monday- more photos of my chickens. Y'all just love my chickens, eh? http://bit.ly/3taOu5 #
RT @MaltOMealCereal: We'll donate 10 bowls of cereal 2 people in need 4 each person to RT this message. #stophunger #
Happy Tuesday peeps. Hope everyone enjoys their day! #
(funny) RT @kidell: I wonder if the neighbors would mind if I stuck reflective tape on all of the cows along the highway. #
RT @UBetcha_Apparel: Good Morning Everyone! Encourage One Another! #
got the heifer calves sold off the place. shipping on Monday. no one has to read the blog about how much i love the sale barn now! #
I get to hang out in walmart for the next 3 hours so I can have the car svcd and a get a new tire. Oh and buy groceries. #
Oh the joys of only making it to town every 4-6 wks! #
Just got 25lbs of potaoes #
0 #
Walmart is never going to carry small sizes of club soda again! I am conviced of it! #
Its a two cart day and I am by myself! Super! #
Pomegranites! I wait all year! Sooo patiently! #
watching Biggest Loser…. #
RT @RESRentABit: Check out the new Clampitt Fix it all Hackamore!!! Can b rented or bought! great for just any horse… http://bit.ly/1J3nYS #
(good call!) RT @blahblahblogger: wine+work=wonderful #
or can i buy them and get them now? #
now i forgot how prefect it was @tedrubin said today, about perfection. i needed 2 write it down. but i was in walmart hell instead! #
night night tweets! #
Coffee time! #
i am so sick of craigslist scammers. SICK OF THEM! #
RT @WesternGlamour: Good morning all! Crazy busy day ahead! Dn't forget 2thnk all the men&women who serve4 all they do4 our country! #
RT @YourAgNow: YourAgNow just launched a new website for cattle producers .http://www.YourAgNow.com #
one more glass of water- trying to flush the remaining prednisone out the system- then i can go sort more pairs! Yipee!!!!! #
http://www.blogher.com/node/add/blog #
RT @bookclubgirl: Share your favorite recipe and you could win THE PIONEER WOMAN COOKS http://bit.ly/ibj9j #
I am attmpting to catch a horse in a 90 acre trap! Crazy I know. Have to try! #
I am being followed to the trap by two goats and three dogs! I am sure they think they are helping! #
Covered in blood. Worst wire cut I have ever seen. My poor future breakaway horse! #
Giving an IV shot of banamine… #
Recatching the horse I caught in the first place…before I had to extricate poor Jack! #
No goats to help this time. I traded them in for a big orange cat. #
Due to the horse extrication I now have another gate to fix and my sort must be redone. At least life is never boring on the ranch! #
cattle truck, cattle truck, cattle truck. our gravel road has become an interstate for cattle trucks! #
Jack has been dctrd and turned back out to pasture. I ddnt get my geldings resorted 2day. Or the pairs sorted. Tmr will be more productive! #
cowgirl jewelry… just in time for the holidays http://bit.ly/3TwfX1 #
Ohio ballot initv. called 4 the establishment of a board on livestock care stndrds was adopted by voters ystrday night http://bit.ly/4dPRA1 #
Awsome: Federal dollars used to bankroll environmental lawsuits http://bit.ly/3z6Sae #
I love cowfolks! #nvca #
RT @tweetmeme The Westerner: Federal land closures trample social fabric http://bit.ly/RGSI2 #
RT @tweetmeme The Westerner: Stimulus spending causes irritated bowel syndrome http://bit.ly/4j0LkL #
I must start my Christmas shopping. Usually I'm already done by now. Wonder what my deal is this year? #
Good morning Tweeters! #
There's never a dull moment on the ranch: http://bit.ly/2PHt1G #
RT @tedrubin: Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections! (rock on!) #
Join me for 30 days of Thanksgiving! http://bit.ly/2ZF2cJ #
don't forget, y'all to follow Ducheneaux Quarter Horses on Facebook! http://bit.ly/3bjsWY #
RT @CowboyWisdom When a horse get it right, reward him & move on, asking your horse to do 2 much can lead to confusion & reduced performance #
2day i get 2 saddle a horse, ride through a pasture & move some cows. If youre me, life could only b btr if i were a contestant at the NFR! #
Walking the 1/3 mile from my house to the barn and today I have two cats tagging along! #
Life on the ranch is never dull! http://bit.ly/2PHt1G #
Riding a big chestnut gelding thru a pasture to sort pairs and move cows! #
Finished sorting pairs and moving cows. Time to head to the kitchen to make some stuffed poblano peppers. Oh yum. #
step one. must clean the kitchen before i mess it up again! #
I love the smell of roasting poblano peppers! #
RT @MegRaeB: But viva beef! #
Night Tweeters! #
Happy Friday morning, folks! What does everyone have planned for the weekend? #
Thirty days of Thanksgiving! Join me! http://bit.ly/2ZF2cJ #
RT @tweetmeme The Westerner: Vet broke horses for Army http://bit.ly/2VW4EW #
I am having a MAJOR sale on my jewelry! Please visit my Etsy Store to see the inventory! http://bit.ly/3TwfX1 shipping costs also reduced #
It's a Free For All! Or something like that! http://bit.ly/4EPPVF #
Heading out for the day. On the agenda- moving pairs. Go figure. #
i cannot seem to get out of the house this morning. good thing I don't have to be horseback until 1. #
eating last night's elk stuffed poblano peppers. yummy! #
Saddling a gorgeous gray mare… #
Chasing cows. The weather is making for it to get western! #
Headed home. My horse is tired. The ole gray mare… Well she's not really old! #
I am so craving fried pickles. Imma have to whip some up! #
I have a killer headache. Killer. Does a vodka soda go with fried pickles? Beer would be better, but I don't have any cold. #
skyy makes such a great raspberry vodka. #
playing guitar… #
service dog found in afghanistan after being missing for 14 months! http://bit.ly/2GGtyj #
Night night tweeters! #
Good morning world! #
Life just rocks! I get to move more cows today. Any day spent horseback is the perfect day! #
RT @WesternGlamour: Help WG shake things up and win a fab tee http://bit.ly/2rQQLp #
It is a gorgeous day outside! What a great day to be horseback! #
Loading up the horses and heading to the pasture to look for pairs! #
Loading up the horses and heading to the pasture to look for pairs! #
We didn't find any pairs but had a great ride nonetheless! The sun is out and it is a perfect fall day! #
RT @WesternGlamour: I have decided that you should have to pass a test to own a horse, and the main focus will be on common sense #
Today is barrel race day! #
don't forget that I'm having a MAJOR sale on my jewelry! Please be sure to stop by the shop! http://bit.ly/2e9OgH #

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Filed Under: ranching

Never a Dull Moment

11 Nov posted by ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

When you live in the middle of nowhere, or as my sister puts it- “in the middle of nowhere, nowhere”, life has a way of making itself interesting. Toss in the fact that we raise animals for a living and it can get even crazier. Life can go from heart wrenching, to teeth clenching, to grab your gut and laugh out loud, funny, to suck it up and try to not cry, sad. Yeah, when you raise animals for a living, life is crazy.

This year alone we lost a couple colts to the flu virus. And then there was the filly we lost to the open/dry hyena mare that prevented her from sucking on her mama. That one, she died in my dining room while Zach sat up with her bottle feeding her. Terribly Sad. Gosh, I didn’t do a very good job chronicling all the bad! but who wants to read about the bad, anyway? We also lost my pretty gray mare’s baby to the Mountain Lion Incident. By the way, the neighbor told us the other day that he saw that evil, spawn of Satan cat, but I digress.

We have Elvis, that quite literally ripped his foot off somehow, who, by last report was growing back a new hoof and we believe he will be sound again. Which is great, because he is just a rockstar.

Elvis' Chopped off Foot

While wire cuts aren’t something that happen that often, I never really do get quite used to the idea of having to deal with them. Here, our fences must hold cattle. We don’t have the option of dual fencing- one set for our horses and one set for our cattle as we often rotate the horses and cattle through the same pastures (which is also a super way to keep your horses parasite free, but I digress). Barbed wire isn’t the ideal fence for horses. But it is the ideal fence for cattle. And since cattle is what butters our bread and puts steak on the table (literally) they win.

I went out, after lunch to catch Gump. I normally wouldn’t be walking out to catch him, but on Sunday I sorted off 7 horses, from the 30 saddle horses/colts/geldings that we bring in daily, to keep close. The rest were going back out to pasture so I don’t feel so overwhelmed when I get to the barn. It’s easier to start when you have only 7 to look at instead of 30. Go figure.

Some of you are probably remembering all the trials and tribulations that I had with catching Gump last fall and you’re thinking, “Gosh, Jenn, Really”? But I wanted the challenge, as I believe that Gump and I are are on the same wave-length as of late. I walked through the barn, grabbed a halter, walked through the arena and out to the 90 acre trap where my horse, along with 6 of his buddies, Dino, his little brother included, are kickin’ it.

To anyone who’d have just shown up right then, I’d have been a sight to behold. I have a Blackberry phone in one hand (upon which I’m Twittering), a horse halter in the other; two dogs in front of me, one dog beside me and bringing up the tail I have a big, fat, cream-puff colored billy goat, followed by a black nanny goat. Every single creature following me was sure they were helping.

All my plans for catching my horse went straight away to hell when I got out to where the horses were. Because this is what greeted me:

That would be the kind, sweet, always loveable, and bad karma ridden horse, Handsome Jack. Poor Jack has had it rough, I tell you. As a colt he nearly died from distemper. Last summer he ended up struck by lightning, or the arc of lightning off a t-post. His head was a black swollen mess of burnt skin and his eyes were pussy and oozing, and he oozed puss out of the bottom of his jaw and his belly. Almost all. Last. Summer. We gave him anti-inflammatories, and did the hydrotherapy but there’s not much you can do about these things save for letting Mother Nature do her work, and she does her best work in conjunction with Father Time.

Needless to say, it was all I could do to not panic. First I attempted to release the gate that he was stuck in to see if I could free his foot that way. That wasn’t going to work. So I shimmied through the wires of another fence and ran to the pickup to get the fencing pliers (lucky for me, this happened just a short distance from the house). While I was at it, I jumped on the four wheeler to make my trip back faster.

I ended up cutting the wire that he was stuck in, from both sides. I cut it once on the left side of his hoof to allow the foot to move, and then cut it on the right side of his hoof so he could put it down. But that in and of itself didn’t release the wire. No, that part, I had to do by hand. It was messy. I was a wreck. And sad. And freaked out. This is one of those times I mentioned above, the gut -wrenching times. A horse in a situation like he was in can be super dangerous. They can struggle and fuss and fight and make things worse. But Jack, well, he just knew I was there to save him and he waited so patiently for me to help him. I just love Jack. I really do.

Once Jack was freed, I picked up my halter, walked over to my Gump, who, previously had snuck away from me while I dealt with Jack, and caught him. I led him around a bit, and let him go, because I needed to catch Jack and get him an IV shot of an NSAID and wash that wound out because it wouldn’t stop bleeding. I figured what better to help stop the bleeding than some 45 degree river water?

Jack stood patiently by, again and put his nose in the halter for me while I caught him; he followed me (along with the rest of the 6 horse herd), hobbling as best he could to the closest gate to us; which is the most direct route to the barn. I let that gate down, just in time to see Gump go sailing over it. The rest of the boys stood there watching, waiting for their turn to make a great escape into the yard, but I was ahead of the rest of them.

By this time, of course, all my help had deserted me. The goats were off with Gump grazing in the yard, and the dogs were running around the hay stacks. So Jack and I made our way to the barn where we gave him a shot and hosed out his foot.

I decided after washing it out to leave it open for the night. And then I figured that before my escaped gelding got too loose or big for his britches and decided to really make a break for it, I better go catch him. So here I go again- blackberry in one hand, halter in the other, two dogs beside me, one in front of me, and this time, instead of two goats bringing up the rear, I’ve got a big, orange, neutered male cat that we call “Orange-y” following me.

Gump sees me coming and pretends that he is simply going to walk away to eat grass at a different location. But this horseman is wise to his game, and next thing he knows, he’s standing there, face to face with me, letting me catch him.

So the entire conflagration of critters- the cat, goats, dogs, and horse all go back to the barn. Jack and Gump were given some alfalfa hay to eat, and then I turned them back out into the trap. The dogs went on being dogs, the goats went to visit the broodmares in front of the barn, and the orange cat was just sure I needed to sit and rub him.

And people say living in the country is boring?

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Filed Under: horses, life, pets, ranching

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