Dear Rodeo

With hands in short supply, we imported Gerry back to help ranch for the summer. Our first stop was Chris Ledoux Days in Kaycee Wyo. Doesn't get much more western than this. A good time was had by all. 

Like the saints, good cowboys become more popular after they die. Chris Ledoux is a western icon. For Gerry to set foot on this sacred ground is like a dream come true. 

Of course you can't celebrate the life of Chris Ledoux without bucking some horses.

While waiting for the street dance and walking around town we ran into some other Catholic Cowboys. It's so cool to be Catholic, everyone is your brother and sister just waiting to meet you. As providence would have it, Alva is from Barcelona. 

Fr. Bryce, Gerry, and Ned Ledoux

This is gonna be a good summer. Gerry just graduated from the university with an ag engineering degree. The plan is to farm him out to different outfits over the next couple of months and give him some raw and real experiences. Should be an adventure. 

Daily Bread

Give us this day our daily bread, i.e. the Eucharist.

           https://youtu.be/EMVGipXKsM8         

 

Atonement

No sin in personal, and our atonement is communal. 

             https://youtu.be/JW3McT1UU4s           

Dry Age

Dry aging meat is how beef has been cured for centuries. It has became popular in resent years in contrast to wet aging, which is really just a way for packers to make the way they cut and ship meat within 24 hours sound good. Dry aging, on the other hand, is a natural way for meat to break down over time and become more tender and flavorful. 

The old-timers always said to hang your beef for 14 days. I like to shoot for 21. This grass fattened carcass has been hanging for 25 days. 

The key to good dry aging is a controlled cooling room. I like the temperature to be between 36 and 40 degrees. Good air flow is also necessary. Humidity is another great factor. 75-80% seems to be ideal. 

Dehumidifying a cooler is not an easy task. This is because the process of pulling moisture out of the air involves cooling the air for the water to separate. When you are slightly over freezing already, dehumidifiers tend to freeze up before they do much good. We found this bad boy last winter and she has really been working well. Although, occasionally we do have to let her defrost. There is actually a lot of moisture in hanging carcasses that needs to be removed for good curing. 

Surface mold overtime is not uncommon at all. Dry aging seals the outer layer of the fat or meat and allows the muscle to naturally break down without drying out.

This chuck roast is just as tender and moist as can be. 

Aging beef is noticeable. Most meat at the super market has not been aged at all. Dry aging allows nature to run her course. In time she breaks down the muscle fibers and allows meat to naturally become tender. Quality beef takes quality time to cure. 

Detachment

 St. Anthony, pray for us!

           https://youtu.be/KjuVDHAIY74         

Relational Reality

 The Trinity is a mystery to be explored.

           https://youtu.be/jwscehBNpNU         

Retreat

Last week the Diocese of Cheyenne priests went on their annual five day retreat. Most of the boys went down to Colorado Springs. Chief and I, however, drew the lucky card of going to Our Lady of the Pines in Story, WY.

Absolutely beautiful. The wildflowers reminded me of my childhood summers in the southern Big Horns. 

We first had to reconnoiter this new land. 

Turns out there was an military battle here between the calvary and the Indians. 

Westward expansion did not come without cost. 

Beside restful waters He leads me. 

He leads me on the path of righteousness.

The water I shall give him will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life. 

The Lord knows what we need before we do. Retreats get us square in the saddle with Him. Time alone in the mountains with nothing but beef, a horse, and Jesus in the Eucharist, couldn't have been more ideal. Now let's get to work. 

Love Language

Listen to the Advocate and not the Accuser. 

           https://youtu.be/cjbkgJDZnPk         

Kurt

It's been real partner. So long. 

           https://youtu.be/v8UC9mndorw         

Universal

The truth can unite; it can also divide.

           https://youtu.be/iksycRRcGEA         

The Need becomes the Call

When the Holy Spirits moves, may we act.

           https://youtu.be/9kYZ3mUaU6U         

Band of Brothers

Kurt is getting married this weekend so we thought we better throw him a Wyoming Catholic Cowboy bachelor party. The plan was originally to go up to a branding together in Montana, but the rain put the kibosh to that. We didn't give up though, just shifted gears.

So we turned to the faithful ranchers on the Belle Fourche, John and Sue Raney. They welcomed us with open arms and showed us hospitality as if we were Christ himself.

The boys' sleeping quarters was a camping castle. Chief and Joe seemed to approve. 

Of course we had to jam out. Shane and Joe kept us entertained throughout the night.

Talk about summer time... The bbq ribs and corn on the cob were outstanding. 

And as promised, the skies did open up this morning. From the nose of my trailer where I holed up for the night, it sounded like a monsoon.

After Mass, John cooked us up a ranch breakfast that rivaled Lula Belle's. 

With a little break in the rain, we went in search of the cows. Chief and Shane were ready to run. Cows are all accounted for. 

Band of brothers.

Here's to you Kurt. Lord knows the world needs more Catholic Cowboy husbands. We've done all we can to form you for this moment. Now go on and make your father proud.