Gateway

This fall, my dream project finally came true. We had been planning all the while to make a large gateway into the new corrals. After gathering material and spending a few different days back home, we got it done. 

This project was not for the faint of heart. Either a hard hat or a hard head was required. 

Finding the pipe was the hardest part. Pipe of any size is scarce these days. Eventually, I called Pat Hladky with Cyclone Drilling in Gillette who hooked us up with this 4 1/2” drill stem. Thanks Pat. 

So we loaded it up on our gooseneck and headed for Worland. 

Getting a flat at Hells Half Acre in August just added to the adventure. 

Once delivered, we went to digging. Work smarter not harder. 

Uncle Chris’ post hole digger did a good job. 

But we still enlarged the holes. 

Then we picked the stem up with the trusty 4010. 

Once set, we leveled them and braced them by welding on fence posts and got ready for concrete. 

Sack-crete is handy, but it takes work. We mixed it with gravel to take up some room. An old farmer trick. 

Once firmed up, we got to work up top. Safety first.

These saddle templates are the only way to roll. 

Even though they make the mark you still have to dress them up a bit. 

That’ll work. 

Then came the big day. We borrowed Uncle Chris’ new tractor for this job. 

It wasn’t easy, but Dad and I got it set. 

Then welded it up. 

Then the final step of caping the ends.

The metal for this cap came off an old project that Grandpa Lloyd supplied the material for. 

Buzzed it in place and we were done. 

Giddy up. 

So fun. This was a big day on the ranch. Finishing up this robust entryway into the corrals marks the peak of the mountain. Everything from here on out will be down hill in comparison to the work of the last two years. Plan your work and work your plan, pays off once again. Now, let us ranch!

State of Grace

Grace is what everyone is looking for in life. 

           https://youtu.be/ECGHaCNVCIk         

Hat Retirement

There comes a time in every hat's life to be hung up. I've had many good hats over the years, but my Carmelite hat has probably brought me the most joy. Thanks partner for all the good memories. 

Atwood, Hereford, cattleman crease, low crown, 4" brim, 5x, Palm leaf hat. 

We first found each other in the spring of 2020. I was coming off a revitalizing Ignatian eight-day retreat and I realized I needed a new hat for the new man. For needs like this, I turn to my grandma in Heaven and ask for her prayers. Suddenly, I remembered that the truck stop in Moorcroft carried the kind of straw hats I like. I passed by this one at first. But after not finding any others that fit, I tried it on. It fit nice, but kicker was the trucker in the candy bar isle that gave me a nod of the head and a big thumbs up. Since then, we were inseparable. 

We tackled a lot of projects around the ranch together.

Got it broke in with some cow manure. 

Drug calves together at brandings.

Wrestled many calves. 

Ran around with my rodeo cronies. 

Bronc busted together. 

Mountain surfed with one another. 

Played golf with good friends. 

Did a little blacksmithing. 

Bought and branded my first cows together.

Celebrated Mass.

Visited some good ole friends. 

And some country music stars. 

Killed our first cow together. 

And many others after that. 

Hauled plenty of hay with each other. 

Checked fence with one another. 

Started colts together. 

Helped clear the highway of turkeys. 

Visited our favorite Lady in France. 

And the Mediterranean in Spain. 

Farmed a bit with one another. 

And revisited some old childhood stomping grounds together. 

But now it's time to hang it up. 

Cowboy hats don't last for ever, but the memories made in them do. For two years I wore this hat. It has been a good friend and we have covered many miles together. I wouldn't be the man or the priest I am today without this hat. It has taught me to always to stay in the saddle of sonship. In this childlike relationship with the Father, nothing can get us down. Hats come and go, but being a beloved son of God lasts forever. Thank you Grandma for my hat. But more importantly, thank you Lord for the lessons learned in it. 

Divide and Conquer

Don't listen to any spirit that bears the fruit of division. 

           https://youtu.be/CQEMQ86I9W8         

Rain Day

Rain days on the prairie are few and far between. So when they come around, you better take advantage of them.

After Mass, Mike and I headed to Mona's for a cup of coffee. The parking lot was full of ranchers who came to town to chew the fat. 

It's no cinnamon roll, but french toast will do.

I'm pretty good at drinking coffee and talking about the good ole day's. That's what rain days are for. They are a little break from day-to-day life to thank God for providing for us. An inch of rain before going into winter will sure do the countryside some good. Thank you Lord!

Ask, Knock, Seek

Resist hesitation with persistence. 

           https://youtu.be/lI3rhWvmLKY         

Positive Thinking

The way we think affects the way we feel.

           https://youtu.be/X54yDhnpKYo         

Mercy

Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.

           https://youtu.be/E70Og7qcbBc         

Angels

Angels help us know ourselves. 

             https://youtu.be/4Rc9uR8soug           

Horse Keeping

Like any animal, horses' coats need tending to. Whether you are getting ready to ride, just getting done riding, or simply cleaning your critter, grooming is a necessary part of horse hygiene. 

The right tool for the job makes a big difference. These three brushes will take care of about anything the average cowboy might run into. 

Cockle burrs are not an uncommon problem in a horse's mane and tail. 

The best way I've found to tend to them is to just pull the hair apart with your hands and expose the burrs. 

Then you can just pull them out.

Better.

If their mane has burrs, their tail probably does too. The same process works there as well. The safest way to work with a horse's tail is to pull it around to the side.

This comb is meant for manes and tails. More like a brush, it does a good job straightening the hair out. 

Just go with the flow. If you have a big rat's nest you are working with, put your other hand on the top of the main so you're not jerking hard on the roots. 

The most common tool in a tack shed is a curry comb. In fact, if you can only choose one form of brush, this is the one to have. It is mainly used before saddling. It's aggressive teeth will clean mud and everything else off a horse's hide before you put your rigging on. Any time you use a curry comb, brush with the natural lay of the hair. 

These big brushes are handy to have as well. Picking up some of the finer debris, they are good to use all around a horse after you have used a curry comb as well bushing a horse down after a good ride. Although, they are just going to go roll in the dirt anyway!

Looking good. 

A pretty horse is a happy horse. Just how your pickup always runs better after it's washed, so does a horse preform better with a clean coat and a groomed mane. Good horse keeping isn't rocket science, but it does take time and effort. Pays off in the long run though.The happier the horse, the happier the cowboy. 

Fear of the Lord

... is to fear not doing the Father's will because you love Him so much.

           https://youtu.be/gkqbUz1KHU4