Roundup

With the rise of fall, roundup season is starting to emerge. My cowhand is fixing to go back to Spain in a week or so, so I figured we better get the girls moving sooner rather than later. Friday was the day. The plan was to roundup our eight heifers on Raney's place east of Hulett. Move four to Joe's and bring four home. 

Dad always taught me to plan your work and work your plan. With all the steps in mind, we figured we better not burn daylight. After Mass, saddling the horses, and a Maverik Bonfire Burrito, we hit the trail. 

We eventually found the girls hiding in the trees. I kept my eyes on these red ones. They usually lead the pack.

Coming out of John's north pasture isn't easy. It wasn't last year and it wasn't again this year. But we had our gates set and were ready to ranch. The herd broke on us twice, but we rode hard and cut them off at the pass. Eventually, they got the message of who was in charge and cooperated. 

Gerry and Chief get the top-hand award today. They stayed calm and cool and even shut ole red down when she broke free. Couldn't have gotten them without you two. 

Once we got them in the front pasture, it was pretty easy duty to get them in the corral. We jumped the four lights in and hauled them to Joe's place to graze with the herefords for another couple months. The four fats, including the red devils, came home for the last time. 

Not a bad load for a little 6.0 gasser. 

Nothing better than a victory burger and beer from the Gulch. 

The girls are glad to be back home. They have plenty of Kochia to mow down. 

If we want to get 11 cows processed by the first of the year so we can go snowmobiling, we better get started. 

Good ride cowboy, good ride.

It's no fun to ranch alone. Gerry has been my right hand man and I'm not looking forward to loosing him. The fun isn't over though, but it is starting to wind down. I'm super thankful for what we accomplished today. There was a lot of highlights, but source and summit of the day was Mass. We could do nothing without Jesus in the Eucharist. On to the next one...

Stay Ready

Catholic Cowboys don't get ready for the coming of God's Kingdom. They stay ready.

           https://youtu.be/Z6DJmjE2TjE         

Witness

Modern man listens to witnesses before he does teachers. And he listens to teachers in so far as they are first witnesses. Paul VI

           https://youtu.be/qwJ3ptFrrzc         

 

Queen of Heaven

Mary is Queen of the Kingdom and we are her knights.

           https://youtu.be/CaIHniSumc0         

Ranch Rodeo

Every once and a while, we'll get the call to do the opening prayer at a rodeo. Such was the case at the Ride a Horse, Feed a Cowboy ranch rodeo in Hulett. Whenever I do so, I like to make sure everyone knows it's Catholic. I think it was appreciated. And, thanks be to God, no one got hurt and we all had fun just like we asked for.

Burch provided the rough stock for this fund raising event. I always like to see their horses buck, they are kickers. 

I'd rather be in the bird's nest than behind the chutes these days. Still had to cowboy up though. Saying an important prayer in front of a crowd can be intimidating. 

Ranch bronc is it's own duck. You get to use your western saddle and grab ahold of something, like your rope, to help you keep a seat. 

Always good folks at the rodeo. John Raney found us and stole a beer.

Tough to beat a good local rodeo. It's small town America at it's finest. Gerry would like to give it a whirl, but he promised his mom no bronc riding. Better listen to mom, partner. 

 

Narrow Gate

Following Jesus with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength is entering through the narrow gate.

           https://youtu.be/JxVK-9BHoGo         

Bull Ride

With hamburger going fast at Lungren Brothers Cattle Company we decided to go looking for a bull. Just in time, Ryan and Anna Huxtable came through with a young red angus whose equipment was broke. Not wanting to waste anytime, Gerry and I saddled up and headed south to Wright.

This was a big day for Ryan. He had been working at the highway department for the past three years and decided to turn in the keys to his snow plow and ranch full-time at home. Go get em, partner.  

So we headed across the prairie in search for ole red. 

Once located, Ryan and his stallion made their presence known.

Thankfully, he didn't put up much of a fight.

Later in the day Gerry and I sent him home to the eternal pastures. 

Being a young guy he'll make some nice burger. 

Bon appetit. 

It's hard to beat fresh cow heart. What a fun day. Ranching full-time sounds pretty good sometimes. But I couldn't live without the priesthood. It's my first love. 

Baptism

Baptism is necessary for salvation. - CCC 1257

           https://youtu.be/qKf1uaj_uRI         

 

Riches

Riches of any degree are to be used for mission. If not... ditch them.

           https://youtu.be/LkpX_rwPv6Y         

 

Just Winchin

Back in high school, all I wanted was a winch. I'd be sitting in math class, thumbing through an Off Road magazine, daydreaming of a putting a winch on my pick up. That desire was eventually fulfilled when I moved to Montana after graduation and drove tow truck for my uncle. There, I always had two hydraulic 12k pounders right behind me. It was kind of like packing heat, you were always ready. Well, since those days I have felt a bit naked. A little under prepared, you might say. Until now.

I've had thoughts of a winch on White Horse since we built the bumper for her in 19. We put in a receiver tube thinking we could plug one in and out if need be.

Well, the day finally came when we found one. My buddy Tom from Carlile had a farm sale and was auctioning off this Ramsey 12,000lb electric winch. What I like about this style is that it is worm gear driven. They are tough, and when you let go of the button it stops, not winds down. A worm gear will also never reverse on itself. Meaning, the cable can't drive the motor. In other words, they are super secure. Tom assured me this one was ready to work. All she needed was a new cable, which we already had back home.

Plugging it in and out of the receiver tube didn't seem like a good option though. That had back breaker written all over it. So we decided to go the permanent route and mount her behind the front bumper. At this stage in the game, there is no turning back. Burn the ships boys.

There was definitely potential. The truck frame was right there along with good 3/8" plate that mounted to the bumper.

Gerry got right to work cutting some angle iron brackets.

I used the plasma cutter to rework the front cover.

Once we had her positioned, we welded her in place. 

Then installed the 125' of 3/8" wire rope.

Dad came in as our anchor man as we spooled her up for the first time.

Muy bien. 

I feel much better. Really not sure how I made it this long without a winch at hand. We are now ready for whatever comes our way. Be it a tree in the creek, a car in the ditch, or a horse that won't load in the trailer, White Horse is ready for action.

Suffering

For the sake of the joy that lie ahead of Him, Jesus endured the Cross.

           https://youtu.be/Koyz5qM0aXU         

Cucumbers

One of the best homilies I have given is probably my cucumber homily. Since then I receive a plethora of cucumbers each year from mid July through August. I love cucumbers, especially straight from the garden. It reminds me of home when Mom would grow cucumbers. I'd usually go out after her and pick all the ones she missed.

Straight 8's are probably my favorite. I'm not really a pickle guy so the fresher the better.

I generally don't use salt. The rust and debris of whatever I cut last on my pocket knife add good enough seasoning. 

Delicious. Just like home.

It's usually the simple things in life that draw us closer to God. Cucumbers help keep me a kid. What's your cucumber?