Delouse

Lice and other parasites are not uncommon of four legged critters. Ranchers have been pouring (delousing with a pour-on method) cattle for decades. Recently, they have backed off a bit, not wanting kill every bug, including the good ones. That being said, there comes a time when cattle need to be deloused. 

The bare rear-end of blackie is a telltale that she's got some invasive bugs that aren't good. When you start to see bare spots on cattle from rubbing, like on their neck, they need attention. Traditionally, you'd pour cattle twice a year, at branding and shipping. Maybe guys still do. In a feedlot, everything gets poured once it gets off the truck. 

Ivermectin is the delouse of choice. Only having two and not 200, we didn't want a big jug. Dad found this little guy and figured out the right dose for our 600-700lbs calves. 

So we walked them in the pen. 

With no choice, they took the turn into the tub.

Once they hit the dead end of the squeeze chute gate, we poured the goods on them. 

Mission accomplished. 

Most problems on the ranch are easily solved if caught early. These two will continue to do fine. Probably worth getting on an annual delousing routine. Spring and fall sounds like a reasonable approach. Ranch and learn. 

Burn Day

Dad and I have been waiting for a little snow so we could set ablaze our burn piles. Well today, the Lord provided.

We put together a collection of old lumber and trees this summer with the intent of burning them this winter. Such a great way to dispose of old wood. 

We've had next to no snow all year. But last night, thanks be to God, we got a good 3". 

So we planned our work. With snow on the ground there was no danger of the fire getting out of hand. A dozer on site, though, would be handy to push the piles up. So we fired up Dad's little 350. 

Three piles awaited us. Fence posts, cottonwood trees, power poles and cedar shakes. 

Diesel fuel is a good starter, along with gasoline on top to really make it ignite.

Then we put a little gas on a shovel full of dirt.

Light it.

And let it buck. 

Uncle Phil came over when he saw the smoke. We touched all three off and once. 

Those fence post really wanted to burn. 

We had a bunch of junk in the tree pile. Once it got burning, Dad piled it up tighter. 

Didn't take long for the cedar shakes and power poles to melt down. 

As things burned, we continued to push the piles up. 

Not bad. Tree trunks are hard to burn completely. She'll probably smolder for a day or two. 

Poles and shakes went up nice.

Nothing but ashes from the fence posts.

Good stuff. We were ready. Once the snow hit, we went to work. There'll be a bit of clean up after the smoldering is done. But that will be worth it for as much rubbish as we got rid of. Fire is an amazing force. Used in controlled circumstances, it can do great good. Turned loose to run wild, it can do a lot of damage. We're thankful for the snow. It removed all fear the fire getting away. Ranching with patience. 

Center Up on Christ

Lent is about returning to God with our whole heart!

           https://youtu.be/344hsiD37UY         

Temptation

Done right, makes us stronger. 

           https://youtu.be/J31XqvKnWLc         

Faith seeking Wisdom

Faith precedes authentic wisdom.

           https://youtu.be/UoGZ3BtnfAE         

Catholic Cowboy Pizza

I'm all about expanding my culinary horizons. To aid in this, some of the laddies from Church hooked me up with a homemade, personal pan pizza kit. By the third go, I had it pretty well dialed in. 

Premade dough/crust, pizza sauce, pepperoni, and shredded cheese. 

I like to first baste a bit of olive oil on the crust-to-be. Really enhances the Italian flavor. 

Then spread a liberal amount of pizza sauce. 

I find putting the pepperoni on before the cheese to be the best bet. Put plenty of them on there. 

Then scatter the cheese. 

Finally, place the pie directly on the oven rack and cook at 400 for 12 minutes or so. 

While you're waiting, enjoy a little Catholic Cowboy appetizer. 

I like to cook until the crust is browned, the cheese is melted, and the sauce is bubbling. 

Cut it in quarters. 

And enjoy. 

Fun and simple. Tastes good, too. Sure, you can pop in an already made frozen pizza. But where's the love in that? The laddies who gave me this kit wanted to make sure I was not only well fed, but also well loved. Thanks moms. I can taste the goodness. Ranching with class. 

Intentional

Let your yes be yes and your no be no.

             https://youtu.be/1pB06itOLMo           

Dry Run

With such an open winter, it is hard to think about snowmobiling. But with days starting to get longer, we knew that it was now or never. So, John and I jumped the sleds in the trailer and headed for the hills.

We arrived at Deer Haven just as light was leaving the sky.

A short little ride and we were at that cabin.

Where Ole Faithful had a fire going and burgers on the grill.

After dinner we killed a little time playing rummy. 

The next morning, we hit the trail. Not what you want to see at 8700 feet in February. 

This hillside is where we have crushed the powder for the past five years. Not this year.

But the Lord did provide us a few meadows to play in. 

I can smell a drift that needs busting a mile away. 

For John's first time out, he didn't hold back. 

Here's what you have to watch for in a light year, rocks. If you ride gingerly, you can avoid them.

If you open a gate, close a gate. Usually we ride over them. 

Having fun.

Giddy up! Good work, pal.

Top of the world.

Fun stuff. No snow doesn't stop us from snowmobiling. It may not have been the hardest riding I've been in, but it was still worth the trip. Mountains just do something to a man's soul. Frees it from the confines of town, I guess. Special thanks to Mom and Dad for the cabin, and Jack for the extra sled. Ranch on. 

Whole Hearted

Own it.

           https://youtu.be/ZqpF-YkSLc8         

The Catholic Cowboy Way Podcast

Last fall, Catholic Rural Life reached out and asked if I wanted to host a podcast. Hosting a podcast has been a desire of mine for many years. However, they take a lot more work than running a blog. The beauty of this opportunity with CRL, is that they will do all the editing and publishing. All I have to do is visit with folks I know, and those I'll come to know, about living the Catholic Faith. So, with the Bishop's blessing, I committed to hosting a weekly podcast for the next five years. Bring it.

In like fashion of most things I do, creating the studio was a happy thought. Being a child of the 90s, I knew a neon sign had to be part of it. Ranch on. 

So Darin and I set out. I brought back some old corral lumber from the homestead for the backdrop. 

While I was at it, I brought back some old tack, too. And breathed new life into it with some warmed-up neatsfoot oil.

A rather unique enshrinement of our Blessed Mother, a draft horse pulling collar. I think she likes it. 

Should work. It's great corner of the basement for a studio. If we have a live guest, we can 1/4 turn the desk, pull out another mic, and have a conversation for two. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nUkZd5Px50

Here's our first episode with Bear Woznick. Every Wednesday morning, from here on out, we'll post a new episode.

I'm excited about this initiative. It has great potential of encouraging everyday people in their walk with Christ. No doubt there will be a learning curve, but the only way confidence is gained is through experience. Let's let this podcast buck and we'll learn to ride along the way. Stay tuned.