This Way To My Blog

This Way To My Blog

Friday, March 1, 2013

Dragging Our Feet

It was hard to get moving this morning to drive west to the ranch to get ready for shot day tomorrow for all the 15 baby calves. Winter came back to us. It was 32*. When I called the turtles up in the stock tank they wouldn't get up, but I couldn't blame them. Finally one swam over from the other side and then three more. The others stayed in their bed of mud. John has to make sure he vacinates the babies as there is a disease called Black Leg they can take on this particular ranch and the calf can die. He has had several other ranches and didn't have a problem there. Somehow it is in the soil here. He is going to hire one of the teen boys who live in the ranch house to help him. John will have to teach him as he knows nothing about ranching but wants to learn. He helped John build the new hay yard and wasn't afraid to ask questions. If one of John's kids can come to help it will be easier and faster. Each calf will have to be held down while someone wields the vacination needle. He marks each one as they have their shot so he can tell from a distance that it has been vacinated. It was a chore this morning trying to count the little buggers. You know they aren't the stillest. This morning John was working in the yard where the water tank for the house water is. I was sitting in the truck when one of the babies came running full speed toward where John was working. When it got almost there it put on it's brakes and stopped in it's tracks and watched John. When he would make noise the calf would jump. I always wonder what those new calves think when they see things for the first time. We're still keeping a watch out for the exotic deer that escaped from the banker neighbor's property. We haven't heard a word from him and he promised faithfully he would get John's gate key back to him. I know John can have another key made or change the lock but it's the principle of the thing. When a man gives his word. Maybe he is still hoping the deer will show up and he wants fast access to get in and use the tranquilizer gun, load it and take it home.

8 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

good luck with the youngsters tomorrow! glad the young man is willing to learn and help. that's got to be some job!

jack69 said...

I like the entry. More news from the Ranch. Cold? Yep here too we are getting down, some of those folks up north left the door open again.

I know you love to watch the calves play and grow. We love the reports.

I don't blame Mr. & Mrs Turtle for staying in the mud....
((HUGS)) from across the Gulf.

Jean said...

The deer might be in someones freezer by now. Is it still hunting season? lol. Good luck with the calves.

Jill said...

It makes my heart warm to know a young man is willing to learn and help out. I hope it goes well.

Jon said...

Ranching is incredibly difficult work and some young people are abandoning it for what they THINK are greener pastures.
It's good to know that some kids are still interested in it and eager to learn. Hands-on experience is the best kind.

Sheila Y said...

I hope they find their deer...and bring John's key back. I don't blame the turtles for wanting to stay under the 'covers'. :-) Have a great weekend, Sheila

Chatty Crone said...

I agree with the turtles it would be hard to get up and go out in the cold. And the little calf probably didn't know what to think - gee that is not my mommy! I hope they find the deer. And if the truck is new - those keys are expensive to make!

Back Porch Writer said...

I imagine that would be a hard job.