Real Faith

 Faith is not a feeling but a decision to believe.

           https://youtu.be/5K2ZTRRLEWg         

Just Ranchin

Well, it was time to get out of Dodge. The big Triduum liturgy was past and the octave of Easter is always a time to celebrate. So back home we went. Of course a cowboy never wants to be caught without his trailer just incase he finds a backhaul.

It's best never to ranch alone. Here's my nephew and niece Carter and Elizabeth after working a few cows in Worland. 

Before we blew out of Gillette, we set us up a little tack room in the nose of Patty. Took a little engineering, but works slick so far.

The first morning home I ran with Dad to check on the ditch. Dad sits on the board for the Bluff canal system south of town. Springtime is busy getting the water flowing freely so he's generously lent his service and expertise to the cause. 

Here a flume takes water back across the river to higher ground. The canal systems make the Big Horn Basin. Engineers around the turn of the 20th century mapped out elaborate water ways that get irrigation to land that would otherwise be barren. Because of the hard work of these early settlers, as well as the men and women of today, the Worland area continues to raise the most bountiful crops in all of Wyoming. 

Sometimes you gotta stop and smell the sagebrush. 

We live at the intersection of WY 431 and US Hwy 20. I love this sign because it reminds me of the Council of Ephesus in 431 where the hypostatic union of Jesus was further defined, Him being one person with two natures, human and divine. Therefore, in this council Mary was rightly declared the Mother of God.

Mom and I jumped on our steel horses and cruised up Tie Down Lane. Sit tall in the saddle Ma.

The best reason for coming home was to celebrate Grandma Ruth's 90th birthday. L-R Uncle Vance, Dad, Grandma, Aunt Vic, and Uncle Lloyd. The legacy lives on.

Thanks Grandma for teaching me how to love and how to laugh.

Before we headed out we picked up these two heifers form Luke.

They fit right in. The herd is now sitting at seven. We'll see if it gets much bigger. If you want beef let me know.  All are welcome.

I love home. It's ranch headquarters. But the spread I ride for encompasses all 60 million acres of Wyoming. That's a lot of territory to cover, but I have a lifetime to do it. Better get busy though. There's Mass to celebrate and cattle to fatten. Just Ranchin. It's a way of life.

Spiritual Body

St. Thomas Aquinas speculated that we would all be 33 in Heaven because that is the age when Jesus rose from the dead.

 

           https://youtu.be/pZTgKNRz5TU         

Open the Eyes of my Heart Lord

 We walk by faith and not by sight.

           https://youtu.be/YhjE7u8jF00         

Sweet and Salty

 Give thanks and take the next right step.

           https://youtu.be/bVE7UKPNnjU         

He is Risen!

 This is only the beginning.

           https://youtu.be/sWG05Zj6iEU         

Behold Your Mother

 The best way to hear the voice of God is how Jesus did, through His mother.

           https://youtu.be/4KiWHdeS1qA         

Food for the Journey

 We are a people on pilgrimage. Jesus keeps us fed through His Body and Blood.

           https://youtu.be/r6lyYZl18Hw         

God's Will Will Be Done

 We distinguish between God's perfect will and permissive will. Either way, Thy will be done.

           https://youtu.be/w-EJiX-I6Xw         

Bloom Where You are Planted

 1947-54 where the best year of trucks Chevy every made.

           https://youtu.be/jcquX_seAek         

Spiritual Logic

 Just take the next right step. It'll make sense later.

           https://youtu.be/UWSc7ooo94c         

 

Catholic Cattle Company Day

Spring has sprung and it's time to start thinking cows. The goal this year is to get us 12 heiferettes and butcher them throughout the summer and fall. Now's the time to start gathering them but grass has a ways to go before they can go to pasture. So Gerry and Gwen Geis generously offered their corrals for a couple months while we build the herd. The first two critters came in today.  

Beneath these western skies...

George and Jeannie Etchemendy brought the two girls up from Douglas and after Mass we made the swap.

I've never had red cows before. Weighing in around 900 lbs.

Welcome home girls. 

So it begins. If you want to have a good summer you can't wait until June 21 to start planning it. Plan your work and work your plan, is what my ole man always taught me. Our plan, 12 head on grass in Hulett through the summer. Now it's time to work it.