the cow eats sausage

June 2012- 

This is the cow.

Her name is Wendy.

She doesn't really eat sausage.

But Brazos says that she does.

And this is why.

He thinks range cubes are sausage for cows.

Wendy doesn't really care what he calls them.  

As long as she gets them.

So that's what he does.

Every day.

He would feed her 10 times a day if we let him.

Does she look like she needs any more cubes?

I think not.

 But she gets them anyway.

haulin'

February 2012- Looks like we have a cattle hauler in the making.  If you've been around Brazos any time in the last 6 months you know that he LOVES trailers, tractors and trucks.  This particular trailer is one of his favorites.  He hooks it up to every truck and tractor he can find.  And he stuffs everything from farm animals to building blocks in it.  Not much can escape his hankering for hauling.  

baby it's cold outside!

February 2011- We got the blast of arctic cold weather like much of the rest of the country.  Even though I felt like I was the only one battling the blistering cold I do know that it wasn't near as bad here as it was elsewhere.  Casey was out working in it every day in West Texas, the Texas panhandle and New Mexico.  Most of the clients he had lined up for the week wanted to re-schedule.  But that wasn't exactly possible as he is booked up nearly every day from now until the end of March with not a day to spare.  So to work he went in the bone chilling cold. 

School was closed for a day for icey road conditions.  Then for a few days I kept Pecos home in an attempt to keep us all well and healthy.  I just didn't want to have to get Brazos out in the weather if not absolutely necessary.  We built a roaring fire and tried to keep from getting cabin fever.  There was a light dusting of snow which made Pecos very excited but he really wanted to make a snowman and had a hard time understanding why there wasn't enough.  Afterall, he had prayed for lots of snow!

wishing for more snow

I have a much better appreciation for farmers and ranchers that live in colder climates and have to feed and water livestock daily throughout the winter.  I was having trouble getting it done for just a few days trying to break ice twice daily, feed heifers and horses and monitor them all while trying to keep myself and the boys warm.  By the end of the first week of cold weather we were just about out of water in both troughs.  Each morning had a layer of ice about 4 inches thick.  And the pipes leading down to them were also frozen solid.  I kept a bucket of water full and thawed up at the house and the livestock found it- and drained it- quickly!  

me + crowbar + anger towards old man winter = this jagged masterpiece

when she's thirsty enough WidowMaker can reach much farther down into the water trough then she would normally lead you to believe

a very cold and fast drink before it freezes over again

janet & wendy didn't seem to mind the cold too much as long as the feed truck- my Expedition- arrived at the designated time each day

The second week of the cold blast was no fun either.  By this time Pecos and I both had the flu while cooped up at the house and away from everyone.  So much for flu shots and my plan to stay well.  We were cold, achy, stir-crazy and now had a frozen well-head and busted faucet at the shop which meant no running water to the house.  Feel sorry for me yet?  Our neighbor came to defrost the well and cap the busted pipe so at least we had water again.  And once Oma stepped in to help with the boys so I could rest it became apparant that I might actually survive.  Then Casey came home for a brief weekend to play the part of my hero and it was all better.  Almost.  Then Brazos got the flu.  

 



 There is a reason I don't live in a colder climate- I wouldn't survive!!!  Spring can't get here fast enough.  Bring on a heatwave!
  

pecos' showing debut

July 9, 2010- Pecos made his cattle showing debut at the Gelbvieh Jr. National Show in College Station, TX.  Why at the Gelbvieh show?  Two words: opportunity and timing.  Uncle Duke and Aunt Shannon have been involved with the breed and helping out some junior members for the past several years.  Since the national junior show would be in Texas this year and they would be there with a heifer available for pee wee showmanship and Pecos was at the right age to want to show we took advantage of the opportunity and timing. 

Here's some scenes from the practice session in Mason a week prior to the show.

And here's Pecos arriving at the show on Thursday for another practice session.  Since the heifer- Wendy- is red Pecos insisted she needed a red halter.

A last minute strategy session with dad and Uncle Duke....as in if they ask what kind of heifer you have don't tell everyone she's really a Red Angus!

Entering the ring...a proud moment to see the 4th generation of my family at the end of a show halter.  

 Looking for the judge...

The interview portion went something like this:

Jr. Director: What is your name and where are you from?

Pecos, as he grabs hold of the microphone:  Pecos Worrell from Harper, Texas! (very clear and loud- a future in public speaking perhaps?)

Jr. Director: What's your heifer's name?

Pecos: Wendy

Jr. Director: What do you like about her?

Pecos: Roping calves. (He thought they asked what he likes to do, not what he likes about the heifer)

Jr. Director: Is there anything you don't like about her?

Pecos: She licks!!

A ribbon in the pocket and a trophy in hand- first time out was a success!

Had to take an official photo at the backdrop.

And of course, every champion needs to celebrate. 

Drinking Dr. Pepper out of his trophy cup.

The trophy is proudly on display in Pecos' room.

Although Pecos had a great time showing and says he wants to do it again sometime, this is what he really loved the most.  The Happy Toy Maker had his merchandise for display and entertainment for the kids.  It was hard to pull Pecos away from here long enough to show.  Here's all the boys in the play pen.

feedin' time

October 19, 2008- Pecos spent the afternoon with Uncle Duke and Aunt Shannon in Mason. He loves to help feed the cows. Uncle Duke is teaching him to be a fitter and getting his future show string ready.