Feeling Pregnant!

I am talking about the cow! This is not just water weight! A few calves have already dropped and by looking at some of these cows I think we're going to have a huge birthing party soon!

Feeelin Guilty & Prayin

My dear buddy Jet had to go to the vet today! We were playin, feelin frisky and he went to kick me and me being the agiile one - moved out the way - and then KABOOM he caught his hind leg between the guard rail and the fence. Ouch. Red stuff was runnin everywhere. Handy Hollywood had to use the blow torch to get his leg loose. My buddy was very calm and well behaved - meee I would of freaked out with a blow torch - OneCowgirl hasn't trained me that well! Jet just called from his bag phone - he sliced two tendons but not all the way thru - if he heeals well he should be as good as new! Keep him in your prayeers.

Tweaking on the Computer in iphoto!

Seems my visitors like variety...one dear childhood friend that can ride circles around me wants photography lessons - I'm tempted to send her a recent comment "anyone can take a picture, I like when you're a cowgirl" some like Dudley posts and some just like checking in to see what randomness I'm up to...why do you stop by?

Dudley Here!

Howdy OneCowgirl! I'ma gettin used to having so many days off!! - did I tell u how much I LOVE runnin around in this big ol pasture....as soon as I hear you unlatch that gate even if I haven't finished my alfalfe I'ma ready to run up the alley and go go go!! Ima usualy the first one outof the gate not Jester - but I wanted to show off my hiney! Hey - I need a new saddle blanket - please make it a manly color so no one thinks Ima sissy! No pink!

Moving Cows

There is something very satisfying about two people being able to gather and move 120 head of momma cows - NOW don't think they were all together in this nice little bunch waiting to be moved like the photo above or that the pasture that we moved them out of looked anything like this! Actually, the pasture we moved them out of had an overgrown creek - that didn't have many places to cross and the banks were 20 feet high in places - do I need to go on? The cows were on both sides of the creek and in the creek. And did I tell you Dudley hates water. Between getting Dud to cross the creek, going thru overgrown thick bushes and wrangling cows I had be a cowgirl and not a photographer! So, you are seeing the pasture we drove them into.

Riding is in my Blood!

This is my mother and uncle on horseback and then just a shot of my mother (she is celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary this week!) - cute don't you think? As long as I can remember my mother has supported, encouraged and been one of my biggest fans when it comes to my love of horses. I thank her for that and am very appreciative that I have horses in my life because of her. A few years ago - I wanted to take a riding vacation in the South of Spain with a dear friend and was having a dilemma as to whether to put in the master bathroom in the house or go on the riding vacation - so like a good child - I asked my mother - She didn't even think twice and immediately responded - "Take the trip! The bathroom can wait"

Born to be Wild........

Think Easy Rider.....
Get your Motor Runnin'
Head out on the Highway
Lookin' for Adventure......

Feeding in the Dark

As you know, I hate tacking up in the dark but when the sky looks like this I really don't mind feeding even if it is cold (18 degrees) and dark! Now, the horses do get suspicious getting fed this early....but we had to get an early start!

Feel Like Fencing?

I actually like to build fences. Now, it does help to have a hydraulic post hole digger (that is if its rocky or the ground is really hard) and Hollywood2 Manpower! Of course, there are all types of variables - one of which is how close can you get the truck? (Dudley is not ready to become a pack horse) and the trailer with the ATV's. Are we building or repairing, length of fence etc? I get a great deal of personal satisfaction from building fences - it is fun! Have you ever built a fence?

Amazing Dudley!

Dudley loves my blog! I wonder if this is because he is constantly featured? He has become quite the “blogee reader.” He emailed me this pic of himself trying to duplicate the photo from yesterday or is he sticking out his tongue at me? Yes, Dudley got his very own computer from Santa. I am beginning to think all the critters on the ranch are making faces at me - first Smiley Dog, Pregnant Cows and now Dudley! Sign me paranoid cowgirl...

Can You Do This?

Perhaps I should have a name that photo contest? Can you believe this cow's tongue? I should cut her some slack she is very pregnant and has been visiting the syrup feeder. What do you think? What should we call her?

Shadow is my Name!

AKA - Smiley Dog! She's Shadow because she is always beside Hollywood. She craves affection and love - two things we all need! She has separation anxiety spells if left alone. One time she ran off 8 miles to the neighbors house because she thought we had left her home alone.

What's my Name?

Quick what do you think OneCowgirl calls me? BTW this photo was not staged!

We're going Green!

Well we're trying. This is a solar powered windmill. Unfortunately, its expensive to put in a solar power windmill - Hollywoods want to build something in order to move the solar panels around the ranch to different windmills. Some of the windmills are electric, some are powered by generators and some rely on the wind. Of course, with electricity and generators there is more of a guarantee that you have water provided you don't have a water leak, busted float, busted pipeline....

Why they call me Dudley....

I got my name because my momma was a paint and when I as born they expected me to have some color - I didn't...so they said, "What a Dud" I'm glad at my young age I didn't know what a Dud was! I like to think of myself as Studly Dudley! This computer thing is kind of fun I hope onecowgirl lets me post some more...guess I should brown nose a bit a tell her how much I love her!!

Sweet and Sticky on the Ranch

In the winter we put out syrup feeders - this concoction is full of nutrients and molasses. We have winter grasses but the cows need a supplement. Its funny the old cows that recognize the syrup feeders can't wait for you to get it unloaded and filled - they give you the "hurry up" look. The feeder itself has four wheels on it and the cows like the wheels which turn in the feeder. Sometimes we bait the cows by pouring syrup on top of the feeder. That's Dudley licking the syrup feeder - which is a no, no - it has some ingredient in it that is bad for the horse's liver. Dudley is doing fine and now I no longer let him lick syrup feeders!

Moving Syrup Feeders

Is there a syrup feeder in quartz pasture? Is there a syrup feeder in Lizard? Pick up this syrup feeder and move here....you get the picture! There is an art to loading and unloading these feeders if they've got any syrup left in them. I'm getting paid not to post one picture! P.S. Hollywood doesn't mind having his picture taken but if I'm supposed to be helping or he needs help I better put that my camera down PDQ and quit supervising!

What do you have there missy?

I've seen COWS exhibit numerous behaviours and emotions - nice, tender, mean, curious, playful...this one was ready for some syrup! Blacky is saying "Its cold out out here and I need my strength hurry up!"

Christmas Presents Made on the Ranch

Everyone needs a good bread box! What do you think of these homemade Christmas presents?

This makes me mad!

Circle K, El Paso, TX. We should NOT accept foreign currency in the United States of America. I offered to pay in Euros but was they refused them! What do you think?

Hollywood Strikes Another Pose

Of course, this photo is from this summer - Hollywood would NOT be caught dead wearing a straw hat in December. Do you think he likes having his picture taken?

Live Every Day with Passion

Yesterday I had the pleasure of hearing Jim Stovall speak - if you haven't read his book the Ultimate Gift or seen the movie I strongly suggest you do. I love to hear Jim's nuggets of advice - live each day as if it is your last - you never know what will happen. Jim was faced with the challenge of total blindness and he has gone onto to accomplish phenomenal things! Hearing him speak is very inspirational!

Ho Ho Ho

I promise I don't abuse this horse! He just likes trying on different hats!

New China!

Now, don't tell anyone but I bought a few new dinner plates for the ranch! The Martha Stewarts of blogging are rubbing off on me!

First Cattle Ranches in Florida

I recently had a visitor stop by my blog and share the great Florida Cattle Drive of 2006 with me. I knew Florida was full of cattle country thanks to the John Kral book that a North Carolina girlfriend gave me - it is a beautiful coffee table book. Though I've never been invited to work on a Florida cattle ranch..HINT, The terrain looks fascinating - though watch out for the gators! The Spaniards introduced horses and cattle in Florida long before cattle ranching started in Texas -
Here is a narrated slide show about the Great Fla. Cattle Drive in 2006
and here are some photos from the Cattle Drive by Carlton Ward. Thanks for sharing Leslie!

Ringo is his name!

This picture doesn't do justice to how beautiful this horse is. I would like to think he is named after the outlaw Johnny Ringo but I don't know this for sure.

Riding the World!

Don't get me wrong - I love riding at the ranch and moving cows! But if I could take a horseback riding trip once a month anywhere in the world for a year it would be a dream come true. Check out Equitours - this company specializes in riding trips around the world! If you could go anywhere in the world tomorrow where would you want to go?

Content Cowboy

What do you think his horse is named?

Here a Blog, There a Blog, Everywhere a Blog

I am amazed at the variety of blogs I've found. It has been fun peaking/lurking into others lives, learning more about others and what they are doing, attempting to communicate, leaving messages here and there in hopes of getting a message on my blog or getting more dots on my map! Some guests have even been gracious enough to list onecowgirl in their blogroll! Thank you. There are some beautiful blogs out there. And I've only reported one for obscene content. Though I am a bit jealous over some peoples lives - like the couple that is traveling around the world.

I am amazed at the number Martha Stewarts that are living among us - I don't have a decorating bone in my body! Though one blog in particular the little red house inspired me to post this picture of my everyday china. This is the original Wallace China from the 1930s that I use in my kitchen. Quick - what are some of your initial thoughts on blogs?

Chasing Light!

Some mornings and afternoons I could easily consume myself by chasing the light - unfortnately this am this was the only pic I got to take as we were running out the door

Treasures

I found this skull riding a fence line - Dudley did not like it tied onto the saddle - it didn't help that spiders crawled out of it and down his leg once it was tied on - scary looking spiders I might add - then it bounced against the saddle & pieces fell off it as we rode back to the house. I made it home safely though Dudley was not impressed with my find.

Surrender

I just couldn't wait until next Halloween to post this photo! This is my retired ranch horse Veinte. What do you think?

Dudley the Story Teller!

What do you think Studley Dudley is telling these calves? Blacky your missing your eartag, you guys better say goodbye to your mommas, don't even think about trying to get any milk from me ...quick whats he saying?

Dancin Boots?

Just how many pairs of cowboy boots does one cowboy need in his closet?

Hollwood Installation

These pictures do not begin to describe how cold and windy it was! Most people insulate houses - here its valves on the wells. Definitely a day for my carhartt overalls but first I have to find them!

Loving the Sepia Look!

I had the pleasure of watching this horse work in the pens the other day sorting three mommas off from a bunch at a time. She knew her job and when a fourth one sneaked by (which inevitably will happen) she would pen her ears back and stick out her neck - you could just tell she wasn't happy about it! She had so much expression. She was really fun to watch!

Beauty in Windmills

The Aerometer Company of Chicago was one of the most successful windmill manufacturing companies. In the 1880s, the company introduced the iron windmill that became popular with both ranchers and farmers. With the windmills came a whole new western profession-the itinerant windmill builder. Not as romantic as the cowboy, nor as written about as the homesteaders, the windmill builder contributed equally to the settlement of the West, by providing liquid gold to water cattle and irrigate the land. If you would like to see some other pictures of windmills check out windmills in wikipedia - my favorite on line dictionary!

Why I need to Learn Photoshop!

I really like this photo but there is no detail in the moon. Now, if I learned photoshop - (first I have to buy the software) then I would put some detail in the moon! There are advantages to getting up early - think of what I would miss.

Cowgirls Rule

Doesn't this photo scream satisfaction?

Does she know?

I often wonder if animals have a sense of time. Like when you leave your cat for a few days - do they know the difference if you are gone two days or six days? As for cows and time - they do have a sense of when they are to move from one pasture to another to some extent. I wonder if this gal knows the time has come - time to sort off her calf and she'll have to say farewell.

Hollywood 2!

I just adore early morning light and isn't this a great photo! One thing about getting up early and working on the ranch is that some days you have to tack up in the dark! I don't mind getting up in the pitch black & running out to the corrals to feed the horses but tacking up in the dark is one of my least favorite things to do. Perhaps I can get the cows to sleep late along with Hollywood! But that will never happen and I'll miss photo ops!

Art of Loading a Cattle Truck

Can you imagine all the factors that go into loading a truck full of f live animals?

Hollywood!

Olathe Boots ($225.), Wrangler Original Jeans ($27.), Scully Vest ($39.) Work Shirt ($30.) Stetson Hat ($85.).....Ranch Work - PRICELESS!

Weaning & Weighing!

Last week my job in the pens was to sort off some calves push them down an alley (close the gate behind me) then push the calves up onto the scales and close the gate to the scales. Its best if you push the same number of calves onto the scales each time so the person doing the weighing doesn't have to keep changing the weights. Doing this job with two people and you can usually push ten calves up onto the scales with one person its a little harder - you've got to be careful. I don't think people realize how athletic cows are - they are fast, can turn on a dime and when they decide to go the other direction - its 550 lbs that is headed towards you. So, when its two calves turning back on you its over a 1000 lbs...you get the picture. You've got to run behind them, shake your paddle, make noise and push them - I usually pushed 6 calves at a time onto the scales. Now, this job will get you in shape -

My work in a Gallery!

No not really. Check out this site - and make your own gallery showing.

King of the Pasture!

This is one of those times when its best to get out of the way! These bulls are usually very quiet but once in awhile one of them has to let the other ones know whose boss!

Busy Bulls!

The vet preg tested 360 of the cows in record time - 92% were pregnant!