This Way To My Blog

This Way To My Blog

Monday, April 4, 2011

Goodbye Big Boy You've Done Your Job Well


I'm trying very hard to do what the doctor told me to do, exercise but---- before I can get out the door and away from the phone John calls. He is stranded at the ranch with one wheel of the truck caught in a deep wild hog rooting. He can't move the truck forward and he can't move the truck back. I wonder what he thinks I can do, be his partner in crime? He is waiting for the cowboy with the horse, but this time with the trailer to haul Big Boy to auction. Yes John had a trailer and still has a small one but we can't see ourselves going down the road with a big bull in it and it gets to rockin' and rollin' with his weight so that is the reason to hire a trailer. John is on a much smaller level of ranching then he used to be that it doesn't pay to have everything. When I got there we drove a cow and her big calf down the lane. John on foot and me in Old Blue to sell along with the bull. They drove well and went straight to the pens. John's daughter got there with her larger truck to pull him out of the hole. Those wild hogs cause lots of problems sometime. When the grass and weeds grow over the holes you don't see them until you drive over them and it rattles your teeth and bones. Cowboy had other jobs lined up so he didn't get out there until after lunch. Big Boy is spending the night up the street at the cattle auction and will be sold tomorrow. There should be one more extension of him in about nine months as he was working in the pens today.

12 comments:

jack69 said...

You always make a good story. This one is sad of course, but such is life. Big Boy it seems, will go out happy. Until we wandered around in the wilderness in Florida I never knew the damage the wild hogs could do. The first time we encountered it, asked the ranger if they were plowing out in the palmettos, he laughed and said, 'that is wild hogs'. Just a few days later he wrecked his truck after hitting a big boar.
They can do some damage.
Glad you got it all worked out. Now get back to following the dr. orders. hahaha.
Sherry & jack

Amelia said...

I'm glad I don't work on a ranch. I love your stories of course but that is a NEVER ending job.

Missy

Unknown said...

When you discribed the covered wild Hog rutts, in my head I could just see a horse and rider at a dead run coming across one of those!.....To ugly!...To Awful!...To late to take it back! right?___=^..^=___Kittie

Toon said...

Potholes in the city, wild hog ruts in the country --there's no escape!

Kath said...

I agree with Toon Guy here Paula.Good to be back reading you once again.Have a great day.Feet up and rest do you hear!!!!!!!!!! Feet up and rest.Heeeeee Take Care God bless Kath xx

Dar said...

Once hit a hog rut not going fast at all and still whacked my head on the roof of the truck cab. Nasty wrench in the neck, doing that. Bull holes are even worse. At least you can see most of them.
So Big Boy has fathered again on his way out the door...what a fella. So, how goes the market price these days.
BlessYourHeart

Ally Lifewithally said...

I expect you will be sad to see Big Boy go but you will have his offspring soon as a happy reminder ~
Paula the roads here in England are full of Potholes I have never seen so many ~ we are told it is because of the very cold winter ~ they can be very dangerous for people on two wheels ~ and not so good sitting in a car ~ Ally x

Helen said...

Sounds as if you are getting plenty of exercise just living on that farm. Hopefully you will see another Big Boy baby in a few months. Helen

garnett109 said...

I would love to stay at your ranch for awhile and learn about all that goes on there.

Unknown said...

Great story Paula. You sure are right about the wild hogs doing damage...y'all be careful out there!

moni said...

No fun getting stuck out in the country, luckily you all have friends and family to help you out. You will probably miss Big Boy, but ranching and marketing go together. Hope you are well Pauline, get plenty of rest to take care of yourself. I really enjoy your blog!

Lucy said...

It sounds like you live in wild country. Hope you get your exercise in.