April 25

Today was the big auction day. We had cool weather in the 50's and it was overcast. There was a pretty good crowd and I think it went well. Some things went high and some low so it evened out pretty well. The auction lasted until 1pm.
I went to the ranch and fed lambs afterwards then did chores this evening.
2 heifers with heifer calves were being picked up tonight by a buyer from Colorado. The brand inspector had to come out and health certificates had to be faxed over from the vet. He was showing up about 6:30 pm to take them home.

I got a call from a guy in Sutherland today (1 1/2 hrs away). That was the place we picked up lumber that my boss bought at an auction last weekend. There were some glass blocks that they didn't know if they sold. Well, he called and said they didn't sell and I could buy them. I got them at a super price and will head down that way tomorrow to pick them up. It is a nice drive and will take up part of my day. I'm going to drill a hole in the side, fill them with miniature Xmas lights, wrap ribbon around them and try to sell them at a craft fair or booth. I got one for Christmas this year and just love it. I have it plugged in all the time and it is just beautiful. I know, just what I need is another craft project!!!

Our week at work will be busy next week. We will be taking sheep to Ft Collins to sell and deliver bulls that sold at the bull sale. So, more sorting of sheep and cattle!

I think the week will be a bit cooler again. I was getting used to the 80 degree weather we had last week. But my farmer tan is starting to show up. The wind just kicked up pretty good tonight.
Hope your weekend will be great!

April 23, 2009

We have been busy at the ranch. On Sunday the boss went to an auction and bought a bunch of lumber. We went down on Mon. and Tues with the trucks and trailers to bring it back. He got quite a bit and will be able to do quite a bit with it. He also had to take some heifers to North Platte, NE to a sale on Tues.
We sorted sheep and took 2 bunches to summer pastures yesterday. About 60 sheep went.
Today we sorted cows, some are being sold and we had to get them to the pens to have the brand inspector come and look at them on Sat.
We have someone repairing a windmill that isn't working. Hopefully he will be done with it by tomorrow.
Bob and I are having our household auction on Sat. The auctioneer is coming by tomorrow to sort things out. Then at 10:30am the auction starts. It won't be as big as last time but we hopefully will have a good turnout. The weather is supposed to be in the 60's.
We've been having weather in the 80's for the past few days. My summer tan is coming back, in the form of a farmer tan. I have lost 32 pounds while working this winter. I need to get some "skinny pants" again. The ones I got in Dec. are already too big. But, I like the way I look and will continue to stay skinny.
Have a great Friday and better weekend.

April 17, 2009

I spent the Easter holiday in Cody WYO. with my family. It was a 9 hour drive to get there and I was pretty tired that first night.
Mom is feeding 45 bum lambs 3 times a day. That kept us very busy for the weekend. We also had 2 calves born while I was up there. My neices and nephews came over for dinner and we had a great time.
One sister couldn't come up, sure did miss seeing her.

Back at work on Tuesday had us sorting cattle all afternoon. I didn't have a good day, couldn't make the boss happy about opening gates. But today it rained all day and we had to work out in it for 4 hours. It was miserable and we were all soaked and chilled. Got to go back for a couple hours this afternoon and get it all over again. The rain is supposed to die down by tomorrow night.

I am feeding a couple new lambs at the ranch. One acts like he can't see, she just follows my voice. Now she is my favorite lamb!

We are having our auction in a week. The house will be rented on May 1st. I am staying in Oshkosh till at least May 15th. Bob will probably head to Wyo on May 1st.
Hope everyone is having a great spring...

April 7, 2009

We survived the weekend blizzard. Saturday it snowed but mostly blew snow. We had a hard time feeding the animals, couldn't find the white ones to easily. The winds blew up to 40 mph and it sure was cold.
Today it turned nice in the afternoon. I was working in my shirtsleeves.
We've still been having a few lambs and calves. None were born in the blizzard tho.

I'm headed to Cody, Wy this weekend. I might leave Thursday and get part of the way. It is about 500 miles. It will be nice to see my family for Easter.

We're getting ready for the auction on the 25th. I've been organizing things in the garage. Bob still has to take a load or two over to his kids house to store. I don't know when he will do that.

I'm going to work at the ranch till about the middle of May and then go to WYO.

Hope everyone is enjoying the spring time weather.

ELK, donkeys and llamas

I worked until noon today. Afterward, since it was so nice outside (55 degrees with no wind) I decided to head out of town about 3 miles and take some pictures. There is an elk ranch where people can book elk hunts and the elk were up close enough for me to take some pictures. Some have lost their antlers but a couple still have theirs. They just watched as I snapped pictures and weren't a bit scared.

On the way up there, I noticed some miniature donkeys in a field with some woolly llamas.

Here's a picture of a pheasant I saw. There are a lot of them out this year. Mostly they live in the corn fields where there is plenty to eat.

AND---on the river---A DUCK!
Enjoy the pics!

Well, I tried to download pics but when I went to look at them on the blog, it was just #'s and letters. Ron, what is going on with that? Email me!