For several years, I lived on a ranch, in the middle of nowhere (in the greater northwest, to narrow it down some).
It was a ranch, rather than a farm. Farms grow vegetables and fruits; ranches have cattle and sheep. We were a small operation (and remember, I said long ago), and I was fine with everything except branding. That was a cruelty that I’m glad has mostly passed out of favor.
We ran perhaps 200 head of cattle, in various stages. It’s an interesting moment, at birth, because the destiny of nearly all males is to be castrated, and become steers (and that even includes fancy purebreeds). Females are usually held back, and spend most of their lives making more cattle. I always found it a bit funny, because I don’t digest beef well, and almost never eat it. Not even then,
when it was free.
We often had a lamb or three, because we had the skill of keeping bummer lambs (look it up) alive, and then raised them to a proper age. We also (of course) had chickens, and an excellent flock of geese. Geese, BTW,
are the best watchdogs on the planet. They are also meaner than sin, and can actually hurt you if your back is turned.
@Shrdlu Quackster the attack duck was a good watch dog too. He’d have 5th graders running in fear of their lives (5th grade school camp I ran) and of their ankles. He’d run down the road, wings out and vertical making a hell of a din and try to peck you to death starting with your ankles. He didn’t know how to swim either. He’d sink.
Everyone should have some great times apart from their normal lives, in the outdoors, being productive or adventurous … if they don’t get to live that way all the time.
I’m not surprised you had this time. Glad you did.
So many don’t ever have the chance.
And the great American western landscape, north to south, is a multifaceted treasure.
For several years, I lived on a ranch, in the middle of nowhere (in the greater northwest, to narrow it down some).
It was a ranch, rather than a farm. Farms grow vegetables and fruits; ranches have cattle and sheep. We were a small operation (and remember, I said long ago), and I was fine with everything except branding. That was a cruelty that I’m glad has mostly passed out of favor.
We ran perhaps 200 head of cattle, in various stages. It’s an interesting moment, at birth, because the destiny of nearly all males is to be castrated, and become steers (and that even includes fancy purebreeds). Females are usually held back, and spend most of their lives making more cattle. I always found it a bit funny, because I don’t digest beef well, and almost never eat it. Not even then,
when it was free.
We often had a lamb or three, because we had the skill of keeping bummer lambs (look it up) alive, and then raised them to a proper age. We also (of course) had chickens, and an excellent flock of geese. Geese, BTW,
are the best watchdogs on the planet. They are also meaner than sin, and can actually hurt you if your back is turned.
I almost miss that life. Almost.
@Shrdlu Quackster the attack duck was a good watch dog too. He’d have 5th graders running in fear of their lives (5th grade school camp I ran) and of their ankles. He’d run down the road, wings out and vertical making a hell of a din and try to peck you to death starting with your ankles. He didn’t know how to swim either. He’d sink.
@Shrdlu That’s beautiful!
@Shrdlu so pretty!
@Shrdlu Man, those are some tiny cows!
Everyone should have some great times apart from their normal lives, in the outdoors, being productive or adventurous … if they don’t get to live that way all the time.
I’m not surprised you had this time. Glad you did.
So many don’t ever have the chance.
And the great American western landscape, north to south, is a multifaceted treasure.
/youtube I Have a Photograph
@2many2no