Father

Jesus came to lead us to the Father.

           https://youtu.be/x1LJ7R0CU7k         

Cattle Company Day

Next to Easter, my annual Cattle Company Day has to be my favorite day of the year. It's so amazing to reflect on everything in life that has occurred to make a day like this come together. From my ancestors who forged this path, to my upbringing and ranching experiences as a young man, to my time in seminary which formed me as a priest and encouraged me to live out of my sonship, to the people and places that allow for running of a few cattle in some of the most beautiful country in America. It is a gift, and I am thankful.

Lungren Brothers is a sentimental handle. It was the name of Grandpa's farm growing up. LB is also the brand my brother bought me some 20 years ago.

Needing some good cowboy help I turned to my buddy Kelly Hand. An education he gave me: fast is slow, slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Thanks partner. 

After loosing the hair off my hand getting the fire started, we were ready for work. 

Work smarter not harder. The right equipment helps take the stress out of ranching. A good squeeze chute and hot irons make all the difference. 

Welcome to the herd. 

We ended up with a total of 5 cows to fatten this year. Less than years past, but I'm thankful. Two from Etchemendy's, two from Isenberger's, and one white one from the sale barn to keep things interesting. 

After a smooth branding, we trucked it up to Hulett to the Raney Ranch. These girls are gonna have fun. 

I had already stashed the horses up here on a previous trip. John and Chief were ready to ride. 

Such cool country. The red rocks and green grass makes for some beautiful landscapes. 

There are surprises around every corner.   

The best thing for the inside of a man is the outside of a horse. 

Happy campers. 

Good luck girls. The grass up here has a good start. A little more sunshine and a drink or two, and it'll be knee deep in no time. It's hard to put into words a day as good as today. Gratitude, I suppose is as close as it gets. That's really our only response to God's gifts. Sure we have to be open to receive them and cooperate with the grace He gives us. But ultimately, life is gift. Might as well thank God and enjoy it.

I AM

 Jesus is God. That's a big deal.

           https://youtu.be/hpj1PqYKC4o         

Body and Soul

 St. Athanasius, pray for us.

           https://youtu.be/1E1eW5l8MG0         

Spring Training

The time has come for the horses to go to work. I have no doubt that if needed, I could jump either horse and at anytime hit the trail. But I like to take time to set us all up for success. Mollie and I didn't end on the best note last year, so I especially wanted to start out fresh with her. No better day to get going than the feast of St. Joe the Worker. 

Looking good. I have been pleased with the saddle rigging adjustments we made earlier this spring. I especially like the way it sits on this brute. Mollie wintered well, probably too well. The back cinch is in the last hole on both sides. 

One new addition that I'm happy to report is this lawn chair with a canopy. Now I'll have shade no matter what side of the trailer I'm sitting on. 

Last year we introduced Mollie to a pulling collar. What I mainly like it for is to keep the saddle centered. Mollie is like saddling a 55 gallon drum, she has no withers and the saddle will hardly stay put. The pulling collar really worked good for that, but Paul wanted his back. So Mom and Dad bought me one for my birthday. Thanks folks. 

Pulling collars also put the pull where it needs to go. When you dally on the horn the pressure goes directly to the horse's chest. 

I said plenty of Hail Mary's and prayed to my guardian angel before I swung on her. One cool thing Paul and I did when we started Mollie is equip her with an e-brake. Every time we worked her we constantly made her give her neck back to her shoulder. Now she'll give it no problem in all circumstances. So I did my ground work before I swung on this year, but once she felt me in the saddle, the dance begun. Thankfully, I had her nose sitting at my knee in no time and she had no choice but to settle down. After a ride or two in the round pen I reintroduced the rope to her. No problem at all, but I like to rub it all around her so that she knows it's not a snake that's gonna bite her. 

As for Chief... he's always ready. 

The fastest way to train a horse is slow and easy. Most problems happen in life when we get in a hurry. This is especially true with horses. If you want a calm and cool horse, take a calm and cool approach to them. It'll pay off for the both of you. Spring ball is over though, it's now time for these players to go to work. May is all about cowboying. Let the good times roll! 

Work Ethic

The virtue of a work ethic lies between the vices of being lazy and being a workaholic. 

           https://youtu.be/PeZK680pWfc         

Happy Camper

Listen to the Good Shepherd.

           https://youtu.be/MrCxLtZEhJo         

Starting Water

April in the Big Horn Basin is all about irrigation. You can't wait until your crops need water to get your sprinklers going. Therefore, we took the time to get the sprinkler pipe laid out so when the water is in the canal we are ready to irrigate. 

Of all the forms of irrigation in the Basin, hand-line has to be the worst. No body wants to move 40' joints of pipe twice a day. Fortunately with pivot sprinklers, few guys have to. Hand-line works good for our little corner of hay because we can string it all out and not have to move it until we cut the hay. But the initial layout is definitely work. 

Because our plot is newly established, getting the right sprinkler placement is still a work in progress. We had to add a section of pipe in the mainline, so we tied Whitehorse to one end and winched it along. Worked good.

Two corners we water. It's questionable if it's worth the effort, but if you don't plant hay you're gonna grow weeds. 

Bring on the water. 

When you're a one weekend a month farmer like I am, you've got to make hay while the sun shines. I do all the manual labor when I come home, but it's up to Dad to keep the water flowing. I'm confident he'll do us good. Now that the crop is more-or-less established, I hope to get two solid cuttings. Three are normal in the Worland area, but ours is mostly grass so we'll have to see how it rebounds. Only one way to find out.

Ready to Run

If Whitehorse is going to be the last truck I own, we better take care of her. Part of that requires cosmetic upkeep. With winter far spent, it was a safe time to spruce up the bed, bumper, and sideboards. 

Weather is tough on things. The black paint tends to chips and rust, and the wood fades and drys out. 

A few passes with the belt sander on the sideboards and they were ready for fresh oil.

Of course we had to rebrand them.

Linseed oil is my preferred method of wood treatment. It penetrates well and is easy to reapply. 

Both the bed and the bumper needed work. We just took a wire wheel to them both. 

Covering up everything you don't want paint on is super important. I've learned this one the hard way. 

Primering before painting is worthwhile. Once dried, we hit everything with two coats of black.

Back in business. 

Vehicles run better when they are looking good. Whitehorse is now ready to get back on the track. I've had people question whether I can make this truck last me to my end or not. This is how I figure it: the last truck I had was a 1953 Chevrolet. When I sold it, it was 68 years old. This truck is a 2012 and is currently 11 years old. I am 43. If this truck lasts 57 more years like my last one did I'll be 100, which is the age I plan to be when I die. Simple logic. 

Believe

Faith is not just the acknowledgement that Jesus exists, but a belief in all He teaches.

           https://youtu.be/ylbevKWqxR4         

Ignorant

Let's live out of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

           https://youtu.be/A0AajHo1VD4         

Men's Retreat

Every year we try to have a men's retreat on the Durham Ranch north of Wright. This year was a success. John Flocchini generously offers us the use of one of the ranch houses that is retreat ready. They've hosted all sorts of events here over the years, but one of the family's favorites is promoting the Faith. 

You never know what kind of weather you are going to get in mid April. This year was better than the last year, but still chilly. 

We started out on Friday night with a Buffalo Burger hangout for those that were able to join. 

They main event kicked off Saturday morning with the celebration of Mass. About 20 guys were in attendance. Mainly from Campbell County, but one came in from Sheridan and two from Casper. 

Breakfast is always a crowd pleaser.

The theme of the retreat was Behold Your Mother. I gave a talk in the morning and the afternoon. The rest of the time was silent prayer. It's like a buddy of mine once said, "It's amazing what you can hear when you shut up."

The hope was that we all take seriously our Lord's last commandment to "Behold our mother Mary." The book 33 Days for Morning Glory will be our next project. 

Retreats are good for the soul. Like Grandma says, "We all need to get out of Dodge every once in awhile." By doing so, we can reencounter Christ and get a new perspective on life. We retreat from the front lines of life, to be refreshed in our relationship with God, so we go back to our vocations with new zeal. Can't beat it.