Sigh…Oh Shery, You know I can’t take looking at all those horses at once! ( smile )

You always get right to the heart of the matter in your writing. What a blessing your blog is for all who might happen upon it. To think some folks are still surprised to see a chicken in someone’s yard, much less REAL CATTLE at branding time. All I can say is what lucky children they are to be learning some of life’s most important lesson’s early in the game!

What a wonderful and blessed life you are living. A life for the greater good! Ours!

Thank you for sharing it here! I loved every word ( and photo ) especially all the palomino shots!

Your middle aged, still horse sick after all these years friend!

Deb~ ( who hears horse hooves in her dreams ) Some day by golly… I just know it…:)

Shery, Great article, as always. Isn’t there a saying about raising your kids up right and they will find the right way? Something like that. I was watching the news about the oil spill, and how, after generations of shrimping, this generation may not be able to follow those foot steps, and a way of life is gone. Your article brought that to mind, how fortunate these kids are to be able to proudly follow this way of life.
I really like the comment about the toddler being so dirty that it would be easier to start another one! I used to rinse my kids off with the hose before their bath!!

Shery,

I always enjoy reading your blog! It brings a comfort, much like the whole Mary Jane movement! Bless you forever!

As I age and hopefully mature, I find it fascinating that my perspective on entering the second-half of my life has changed from one of fearing a reversal to my childhood to one of realizing that reverting back to childhood is more about returning to the wisdom and common sense of my childhood than it is ‘losing-my-mind’ ! And quite honestly, losing some of the stressful intensity of my present mind is a welcome relief! 🙂

I plan to one day – soon – be content and happy just being content and happy! I sure know how to create a whole lot of drama in my life that, in hindsight, is rarely ever necessary or beneficial.

Sometimes you just gotta have faith and go with the flow of life, trusting that things will indeed work out as they are intended…with or without our fussing and stewing! Farming and ranching are good growing medium for just such an attitude.

Thanks for sharing your journey with the rest of us. You may never know the hope and peace it brings to many of us MaryJaners!!

Ruthe

Hello,
I always enjoy reading your blog, and dreaming about "my farm". I am a city girl, born and half raised, before moving with my parents to the country. I say country loosely, because it isn’t the country or the city ,but I love it. Anyway, just the other night my husband & I were talking about our children, all adults now, 4 boys & 1 girl. He started out by saying they all had to make their own mistakes to learn and grow. And after a few (sometimes really bad) errors, they have straightened out. We are very proud of our kids & know they will be doing a great job of raising our grandchildren. Not all of this younger generation are screw ups, and even if some have drifted off the path, maybe we "older" adults can be there to help pull them back, not kick them further away. BTW, love all the pics…;-> I’ll go back to dreaming now…..lol

Truer words couldn’t be spoken…if only every citizen of the US were to grow up with the work ethic and respect for self and others as the ranch and farm kids do today; the world would be a totally different place! We’re so thankful to be a part of a community such as yours…

I really love your blog. It is my favorite one from MaryJane’s Farmgirls. I feel connected to you, like we would be really good friends. Keep it up! Sharon

Our five year old ranch raised daughter is always very proud to know from what animal her meat comes from. She is grateful that a pig has provided her with a pork chop or bacon, a cow has given her a hamburger or her chili is made with elk. An important piece of stewardship I believe.

Wow – Shery – fabulous article and photos!!! You are so right. I grew up on a cattle ranch in Idaho – moved away at 19 or so – ranch is still in the family. Noticed that when my niece and nephew could stay on a horse and open a wire gate, about ages 8 and up, they had become economic assets to the ranch – they could move bales, feed stock, check the chickens, work the garden, and later drive tractor in the fields as the men picked up hay bales. My 10-year old nephew drove up on his four-wheeler as we were building a fence on my acreage and announced "I’m here to help!" with the quiet confidence that his help was valuable and considerable. It was.

Wish I could share this article with everyone I know.
You are right, farm kids grow up with skills and purposeful action that can rarely be duplicated in the city kid’s experience.

I’m a little late, but I just wanted to say AMEN!

My goodness Shery!

I am just in awe of the beauty you have shared through your photography and the soulful message along with it. They are all inspiring but I have three favorites that speak straight to my western girl heart. The Lilac spilling over the " chippy " picket fence most certainly does bring a sense of contentment. As I gaze at your western sky on fire I can feel the intense western heat seep into my bones and I can smell the sage as if I’m standing right in it. Once again through your blog, I have been teleported back to my home of 40 years in Northern Nevada.

I can feel that ‘wide-open anything is possible’ feeling one can only really know if they have lived it. I know it well!

It’s a blessing you found your way back home where your roots run deep. There really is No Place Like Home.

This desert rose has been transplanted in New England for 9 years. I’ve traded in my dry, cracked hands for softer skin provided by all the moisture in the air here, and I brought along my can-do western spirit. I needed it to get myself firmly planted in a hurry. I consider myself blessed. I have traveled our great country as well, with only a handful of states left to see and have had the good fortune to live in two amazing places the West and the East. I embrace the gifts this side of the U.S. has to offer and I have found they are plentiful if I keep my eyes and heart wide open.

I live within minutes of the Atlantic Ocean which is my western replacement for " wide open spaces ". When I feel the need to see beyond the tree-tops I can head to the beach or our summer cottage for a quick dose of awe inspiring beauty and some much needed refreshment. Salt air and an ocean breeze will clear out the cobwebs in much the same way as a ride in the wide open out west. The sunsets here are equally breath taking as those out west. I feel lucky to know them both well. I truly feel as if I have two homes.

I’m so very grateful for your Ranch Farmgirl blog too.
Just another outstanding post Shery. Thank you!

I’m with ya…100% Put down some roots and bloom where you’re planted! You’ll just feel better!

Deb~

p.s. The new born antelope? A miracle to behold!
Purple flowers thriving on a windswept rock? Now that’s persistance! It’s what we all need with a healthy dose of love and a little luck tossed our way to make a good life any where!

Your photos and commentary made my heart sing. I live in Colorado Springs, where the Plains meet the Rockies, and I get up every morning thanking God for all I see. In the Prairie there is s sublime beauty all its own, if only people will see. Thanks so very much for sharing. You made my day!

I loved the photos. You take beautiful pictures..and these are all from your perspective. In Oregon there are places that take my breath away, too. It’s home and I love it here. 🙂 🙂 Have a beautiful weekend 🙂 🙂 🙂

WOW! Those are the only words to express my delight as you share your world with me. A brand new antelope, fantastic flowers and bird’s nests. Your fantastic photography , and your beautiful horse. I love to ride and did a lot of it while in the Black Hills. I love to dream with you. Thanks, Bonnie

You are very blessed! You live in such a beautiful place. I must visit there sometime. Your pictures inspire me and I do feel a beautiful sense of wonder and joy as I look at them. Thank you so much for sharing your world with us.

Thank You Shery! I know you hear this all the time, You have a way with words and pics. I feel like I’m there, really. What you share is so much appreciated. I live in Ca. near the Delta, not far from a lot of what you hear on the news. You remind me that there is a thriving, beautiful and busy place. If I look a little closer I can find beauty and life here too.
I have a better heart today, because of you. God Bless & Again Thanks

I would thing looking out over your prairie would give you something of the same feeling hubs and I get when we sit on the beach looking across Lake Michigan or Lake Superior. That is where we take our breaks from our normal chores and work. Although I wish it was out my back door as yours is. Lovely pictures. Thank you for sharing!

Incredible! Bravo! Thank you!

Shery

Wonderful pics…I can’t wait to get together with my farmgirls and caught up on what I’ve missed:)…oh and I brought a little something back for all of you from trip to IL. See you soon!

A couple of gals wrote to me privately about good trail-riding horses for sale and about interesting places in Wyoming to see on their way to Yellowstone.

As to the first question. I would have emailed you privately, but that needs to be included in your comment or all I get is a name with no way to contact folks. The answer at this time is No, I don’t. That kind of horse is always in demand, even in a depressed economy and in ranching circles too. They’re just not an easy item to find – as evidenced by your veterinarian’s quest.

Ok, if you’re coming to Wyoming from the east and making your way to Yellowstone, here are stops I suggest: Devils Tower which is just inside the SD/WY border and close to I-90. It just takes half a day and then you can be on your way again. Take in Cody and Sheridan. Sheridan, WY has the largest saddle museum IN THE WORLD in the King Saddlery downtown. Sheridan is a very hip, but all western town. Chic and true to it’s roots. Cody – the Wild Bill Cody museum is a MUST. Original Remingtons! You’ll not see a finer museum of old west items anywhere in the known universe. Have lunch downtown at the old hotel.

The rest of Wyoming is an exercise in patience for those who need to go from one little town to the next. But, for those who hunger for wide open spaces, enjoy the many hours it’ll take you to drive across this BIG state. Most folks aren’t used to UNcongested country and it can take some getting used to. Let your soul stretch out in Big, Wonderful Wyoming. It’s one of the last great places on Earth. shery

Surrounded by such beauty Shery … I love the pictures. It is like taking a little mini vacation. Thanks for sharing them.

The photos took my breath away…Spectacular!

Love this post. My dad had a "junk" pile on the farm. He will see me coming out of the hollow and wonder what I have found to drag back now. I have actually just about cleaned up the junk pile. I also went to an auction one Saturday and when I came back, I went straight to the barn and started dragging out his old tools and horse tack to decorate the inside of my house with. I made a really cute planter from an old nail keg, cabinet from an old window, flower planter from a galvanized wash tub, and I  bought 4 sections of old picket fence for $5.00, cut them in half, put a hinge on them so they would stand as a back drop and sold them in my friends primitive shop for $26.00 a section. Of course I kept one for myself. You have some really cute ideas, love the pics.

Hey Shery,
I soooo agree!
In fact if you sneak over to my blog & take a peek…you will see what my hubby made for me, in fact , I now have 3 and he will make 3 more…using cast off tires, a coffee can, cutter & ‘brute strength’ he cut out a scallop edge, then flipped the tire inside out and now I have big pots, So now to paint them a fun bright color & put flower pots in them! Wahooo! luv re-purposing…
hugz
>^..^<

I just love your "flower beds", I haven’t seen anyone do that in a long time, always liked the look. When I was a kid we lived in the country and they didn’t have garbage trucks pick up your garbage you took it to the "dump", which was just down the road that I lived on. Me and my 3 brothers use to love going down there and looking for "hidden treasure".

Good morning, I come from a long line of "pickers". My parents grew up during the depression and there was hardly anything that they couldn’t re-purpose. My mom was also an artist and had the ability see purpose where others saw junk. We lived in Oregon but lived for road trips, whether to the coast (driftwood, rocks, moss, leaves,and sticks as well as floatsum and jetsum washed ashore from fishing vessels), or to the Dakota’s where they were both raised. We stopped at every "junk" pile we found, often bringing home so many treasures that the suitcases would be piled in the back set. I am in Northern Colorado now and am finding one treasure at time as is my boyfriend. Amazing what you can find in a ditch or just on a old dirt road.

I love your garden recycling! I have been working on some of my own. I just finished a post where I show what I did with the tool tote that hubs won at an auction – it was full of clamps. He was really just wanting the clamps but I still had to do some mighty please, please, pleasing to get that tote for my project. As always love your post!

I am in love. Your web-site is so beautiful and refreshing. Your ideas so outside the box, I am jealous. I have been to Wyoming many times and each time I return home I leave a little bit of me there.
From New York
Love
Donna

Wonderful post and some great pictures to go with it. Guns and aprons – that is a first for my eyes. I have only shot a 22 and it has been many years ago; target practice with a grandfather in-law. It took some talking to get me to even handle the gun since I grew up in a house that did not have any. I have to admit it is was a rush to get anywhere near the center of the target. Spent the evening with a long time girl friend today. We went to a large nursery and filled the back end of my little Sportage and the back seat with plants. We just kept saying "we better stop" and then we would see just one more "that is a great price". Had to stop for ice cream even though it is cold tonight and had a great time. How could we live without our friends? I have a new post and it includes the hen house! Have a great weekend!

Oh Shery,
What fun ya’ll had…& if you had some good ol’ Don Williams music…Id’a been there in a heart beat! lol!
Glad you gals got to have beautiful weather for your rootin’ tootin’ play date…
A bunch of us got together last weekend for camping in our vintage trailers by the Yakima river, a good ol’ fashioned barn dance and pot luck food fest.
Aren’t girlfriends the best!
Warm Spring Hugz to all you WY MJF gals.

Just wonderful! I recently returned back to the Northwest but was able to spend three years in Colorado prior. Learned a lot about farmgirl life and enjoyed the company and knowledge of those near and far. Your comment on the "marrow of people", proves just that…it’s literally beyond the heart and soul that you find depth of a person. Loving a definition of Humility…"The state or quality of being humble; freedom from pride and arrogance; lowliness of mind; a modest estimate of one’s own worth; a sense of one’s own unworthiness through imperfection and sinfulness; self-abasement; humbleness". Priceless!

Hi, love the blog is that a red Holstein that Anita has? That’s my dream team of oxen if she breeds them, I may have to get in touch. Thanks again for the blog.

I was one of the last people to interview Marty Robbins before his untimely death, and I think he would have LOVED seeing you girls in aprons with your guns, and then listening to his music!!! Those photos were just the neatest things! And yes I too might want to move out there! 🙂

Nothing better than good friends, good times and good laughs. Congrats on the bulls eye, you’ve earned the right to brag. I myself am a rifle lady.

Hi Ya’all,

Just wanted to pop in to answer a few questions and address your comments.

Becky asked which month… August or September …is a better time to visit this area. August would be hot. Mid September would be ideal in my opinion…depending on what you’re planning on doing and where in Wyoming you’re going. You’ll get to see autumn color in some places – not here on the plains of course. The change of colors here is very subtle…the grasses mostly.

Grace, it sounds like you’re gonna have a blast with your friends. WooHoooo. I’m REALLY envious of those gals who have cute, tricked out vintage trailer. I SO want one of my own.

Cindy, I’ll be looking for that blueberry pie!

Linda, Anita’s milk cow is a Guernsey. As for her wine recipe…I’ll have to suggest that she submit it for publication. Good idea! She makes several kinds of wine, but Crabapple is my favorite.

Suzy, You interviewed Marty Robbins???!!! Awesome. My favorite song of his is "Continental Cowboy".

Bonnie, I am loving to hear that other farmgirls are gathering together. It is such great fellowship for like-minded "wimminfolk".

Thank you again girls for taking the time to read my blog and correspond. I love hearing from you and I hope that wherever you are, springtime is all over you!
Shery

Linda asked how she might find out if there is a Farmgirl group or chapter in Georgia. If’n I was you, I’d go visit the Farmgirl Connection website and start asking around in the various chat topic folders. I bet ya a donut there are lottsa farmgirls in GA!
shery

Wow, you always have great stories to write about life out in the country and your photos are always wonderful 🙂 🙂 I confess I don’t know much since I live in an apartment 🙂 🙂 BUT, you do give a girl hope 🙂 🙂 For me, I’ve been making a list of all sorts of to-do projects for the home…making valances, curtains etc. I keep putting it off. Today I put off doing something crafty because the sun is shining outside and well, in Southern Oregon…you just have to enjoy it while you can 🙂 🙂 🙂
I really identified with what you talked about in your younger years – the fear of failure. I think there’s a lot of experiences I have probably missed out on because of that. However, I am just going to go for anything and everything that interests me and trust God to work out the details. Thanks for sharing that with me and all of us other readers 🙂 🙂 Have a blessed weekend 🙂 🙂 Lots of greetings and sunshine from Oregon 🙂

Oh my gosh Shery! What a hoot you are…! This post is so me and every other " day dreamin, creative minded, can do kind of gal and guy I have ever known, myself included! I had to chuckle as I read through your list of " to do"’s". It’s a mighty long one and clearly a sign that spring has finally sprung. Clearly you are on full alert and ready to tackle all those great ideas and plans you’ve been brooding over all winter long! Rest assured, you are not alone! I do the same thing! Let’s see if I can make you feel better about your list.
Here’s mine: The kids talked me into ordering 4 baby chicks to add to our little flock of 4 that has whittled it’s way down from 8 over the last 5 years. The Little Red Hen House is all done and had a fresh coat of paint last spring, but the " babies" will have to be babied indoors for several weeks as you know with a heat lamp etc. Then there is the new/old Moon Patio my hubby dug the grass out for two springs ago so we could make a patio from recycled granite pieces of stone! Love the idea don’t you? Can’t you just picture us sitting around a roaring fire singing camp fire songs? We have! In the dirt! We’ve gotten as far as choosing the stone for the patio and the rock for the half- moon shaped retaining wall. It’s muscle time now! We are both hopeful and wondering if this is the year it will come to pass! When I blog about it it will be titled " No Great Thing Happens Suddenly". Of course I want to get the veggie garden in, add that small section of Picket Fencing and a gate. " I’m the gal who wrote " A’ Pinin for Pickets" for the Picket Fence Dreams issue of MJF! I HAVE TO MAKE THAT DREAM REAL THIS YEAR! I have promised myself! What kind of a farm girl would I be if I let that one slip away another season? Veggie gardens, and of course I would love a few new raised beds for more cutting flowers and herbs. Who wouldn’t? Mothers day is right around the corner and I take after my mom when it comes to getting all excited about a new project! We are in the process of a total make over of her three season porch! Yep, new paint on the floor and walls and I’m going to paint up a little trash to treasure table for her too! Hope to have it completed by May 31st because that’s when beach season starts and I’ll be spending more time at our summer cottage (that means what ever I didn’t get done by then at home goes on next years list)! I won’t even go into the Cottage list. Then there’s my blog which is all about sharing my inspirations and creative re- purposing projects! I only show the finished pretty projects of course! Have I mentioned I’ve been homeschooling our two children for 10 years?

If there is a cure for this affliction, I want nothing to do with it! I would rather be thinking and dreaming and making the life of my choosing than doing nothin’ at all! Like you, my mind seems to be much more active than my 48 year old body wants to be but that doesn’t stop the ideas from coming! I keep telling my husband. I need a TEAM!

One of my favorite uncle’s always says " You can sleep when your dead" … and that is what I intend to do!
Thank you for sharing your amazing list of dreams and projects! I feel so much better now! Don’t you?

Whew!
Debbie

Oh Shery,
You really are "busier then a 1 armed wall paper hanger" lol!
But ya know what they say, better be busy than bored!
We only have 5 acres and that lil 5acres of dirt keeps me busy & loving it!
<><

I know how you are feeling. I have way too many things lined up and I know I will carry some over to next year. I made a list and hung it on the fridge last spring and was surprised how much hubs and I got done. But there were a few things left that have been added to this year’s list that is just as long. And that list does not include all the sewing, crocheting and other crafts that I think I just need to start when I think of them. But hey, life would be boring if we did not try some of the things our minds are shoving at us daily. Our chicks are due this week. So excited they are our first. Hubs built a new hen house and I have just finished gathering all the supplies needed to start them out. Keep the irons in the fire because it will keep you young!

Shery, Wow! Like reading my journal! I’m hoping for a small addition to our little house so I can have an actual sewing/spinning/craft room…first roof work and the kitchen and bathroom and, oh, yeah, the ceiling in the hallway…How about the garden? Wellll…on it goes. Had an email from our son who is living in our non-electric house homestead. He sent a picture of his new wood-hauler…bicycle hooked to a long cart…oh, it’s good to pass it on. Thanks for a great job reminding us all how life is lived, really lived. You rock. cora jo

Shery,
I used to have an endless mental to do list and it gets bigger and bigger. I used to rush from task to task trying to cross that particular task off my list. The end result was exhaustion. Now that I’m older, you have to stop and relax and enjoy the task at hand. Sometimes you have to remind yourself to enjoy what you are doing, even if it just "washing dishes".

Hi Shery, I don’t know about you, but,I am just tired. Maybe, I need an iron supplement! Like you, I have too many irons in the fire. Love the photos. Love the blog, keep it up. blessed be, Carol Branum

HOWDY FROM ONE FARMGIRL TO ANOTHER, I LIVE ON 17 ACRES AND RESCUE ANIMALS WITH MY HUSBAND OF 25 YEARS WHO HAD MASSIVE STROKE TWO YEARS AGO. BETWEEN HIM AND ALL THE CRITTERS I KEEP VERY BUSY, I MOW OVER 7 ACES MYSELF AND DO MOST OF THE WORK ALONE, IT KEEPS ME BUSY AND OUT OF TROUBLE. I HAVE HALF DOZEN BABY KITTENS I AM KEEPING EYE ON , IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AND EVEN AFTER I PAID VET TO FIX THEM , SOMEHOW FEW FIXED WAS ABLE TO HAVE MORE BABY’S. LOVE THE MAGAZINE AND HOPE TO HEAR BACK FROM FOLKS , IT GETS LONELY EVEN THOUGH I’M ONE BUSY GAL HERE IN IOWA. ANYONE LIKE TO COME FOR VISIT I’LL SURELY PUT TO WORK CARING FOR MY FIVE HORSE’S. LOTS OF CATS, FIVE DOGS AND TWO PARAKEETS, MARYLOU.

Hi Donna, you can contact me privately at lynnj@rtconnect.net Thank you for asking. Shery

Do you know what the flowers are at the top of your blog? We have some that are similar in our field and nobody knows for sure what they are. Love your blog.

So you’re the "Calf Whisperer" – kinda like being a Cat Whisperer (like I am), only on a grander scale. Your life is so different from mine but I so love reading about your ranching and wrangling. I think in a way, I’m living vicariously through you….hope you don’t mind. We faux cowgirls like to dream of doing the things you are. Thank you for the glimpse into your life.

Thank you everyone for your lovely comments, I DO love to hear your thoughts and related joys & memories…so keep the comments coming! Everyone else enjoys reading the comments section too. The flowers in this week’s photos are wild sweet peas and buttercups (bottom pic). shery

Hi Shery
Calving season is the best ! Like Christmas for me, can hardly wait to see what the calves look like. We’re calved out, much warmer where we are. My husband loaded alfalfa in Riverton, WY on Wednesday, should be home with it tonight. Your weather is quite a challenge.
Theresa is southwest Arkansas

Beautiful photos. I’ve never been on a ranch in my life. I’ve been on a farm a few times…one of my dreams is to live on a farm/ranch someday. This was wonderful seeing all the photos of all the animals. They’re so beautiful and graceful…and it was really interesting to learn how you take care of the cows/calves. Beautiful 🙂

Can I come out and visit you all? I love ranch life. I work for free……maybe just feed me?!

Shery, Awesome pictures! I so appreciate your blog and look forward to it as a homesick ex-Wyoming-ite!!! Keep up the wonderful job!

Thanks for sharing a part of your life from the saddle. I enjoy the pictures so much, and you explain it really well to someone like me (who knows nothing about calving)! Many blessings to you and your husband.

I am so blessed by each entry you make. I live vicariously through you! As an amateur/hobby photographer, I also love the photo collages.

We live on a family farm in E. Kansas. Small operation–a few Angus, quarter horse mare & a couple of ponies. Spent a winter on ranch in Montana belonging to friends–awesome experience! Just like you said–baby calves need to be in the "cooker" when it’s cold and night checks are hard but worth every minute! Wyoming is gorgeous–loved being there! Daffodils, Tulips, Bradford Pears along our drive & Redbuds are blooming–Springtime in Kansas! We will return to your part of God’s country!!
Sharon
Hillroad Farm, NE KS

How i love spring…those cute little ones playing in the fields and "kicking up their heels" so adorable…keep up the great work… C u soon my friend:)

Hi Shery,

I grew up on a farm "wanna be". We did have 4 horses, later a cow & bull…plus other various farm animals,as well as the many stray cats. I recall that we kids got the work part of the animals…mom was always expecting, and dad worked long hours away from home. Being a person of small stature, I found shoveling manure difficult, but helped anyway. My older sister rode the horses (I was too timid). One of our most memorable days tho, was one school day, when walking home from school. I saw numerous neighbors looking up our hill, in the roadway, with their pickups parked nearby…they were watching, as some of the men were trying to catch the bull, who was chasing my 40 yr old mother up that hill! It seems that my mother, always stern, always right, had decided to wave her apron at the bull, after he’d gotten out of the pasture, thinking he’d do as she ordered, and just walk back in. Guess mom learned something that day! It wasn’t long after that my father sold both the bull and cow. Another fond memory was our one duck…he loved spaghetti & meatballs (leftovers from our plates)…after he’d finished he’d have sauce all over his chest! We didn’t have a garbage disposal, mom had us feed all the scraps etc to the animals…spaghetti was "duckies" favorite.
Now I have a yard that doesn’t have any real sun, so I plant in pots…but mostly my garden that blooms is of the quilting kind…I am looking forward to our move to Maine sometime, when I will have a chance for a real garden!
Your pics are wonderful….I’m telling all my friends about the MaryJane website too….especially great to read, on days when its raining and gloomy out…picks up my spirits!
keep blogging!

I just accidentally stumbled onto this site. I was pretty happy to see I’m not the only woman who has baby calves during calving season in her kitchen!
Nothing like waking up in the morning to calf poop smeared all over your floor & kitchen cabinets!
We ranch in SW ND, near the SD border by Lemmon.
It’s sure nice to see a blog of like-minded women out there!

Hi all you farmgirls! I thought maybe I ought to mention the names of the wildflowers in the photos…in case some of you were interested. Sego Lily, Wild Sweet Pea, Bitter Root, Gumbo Lily, and two versions of Penstemmon. I’ll be posting more photos of our wildflowers later. The first wildflowers to show up here are Buttercups and Sweet Peas. I remember my Grandma holding a Buttercup under my chin and saying, "If your skin looks yellow, that means you like boys…Yep, it’s yellow." I replied, "Nuh-Uh, I’ll NEVER like boys!!"
Thank you again for your wonderful comments and personal emails! Your fellow  farmgirls have told me how much they enjoy reading the comments left by others.  ~ Shery on the prairie

We are even further north in Canada, and all of what you said holds true. Last week spring was in the air and this week it is snowing and cold. I enjoy your blog but really wanted to comment on what fabulous pictures you take. What kind of camera do you use? Enjoy calving!!

Thank you Kelly! I don’t have a ‘big gun’ as cameras go. It is just a Sony Alpha 100 DSLR. I think the Canon Rebel XTI is sort of comparable. I use the auto setting a LOT because … A: I’m too lazy to fiddle with all the details when you mess around with manual settings … and B: I’m too lazy to learn how … and C: when we’re out and about working and riding, I don’t have the time to do much more than adjust my camera from one auto setting to another. ‘Auto’ makes photography much more user friendly to someone who looks at is as one hobby among many other interests. The ‘real’ photo artist is one who focuses on photography as a singular passion. Pun intended. I’m just having a little fun with my camera as I go about the business of living. Sometimes I get lucky. Most of the time I use the delete button more than anything else.  :o)  Shery

I love seeing all the baby calves in the brush and all the new happen. What a wonderful job you did showing us all that you and your husband do. It really sounds like you truly do enjoy life. What a blessing.
Jena

Sherry, this blog is so wonderful! I’ve never been out west but after reading your blog and seeing the pictures I feel like I was there for a short visit. The light blue flowers on the stalk were sooo pretty ( almost as pretty as those colorful boots!!)  Take care and thanks for your blog.

Hi,
While our winter hardly qualifies compared to yours, I too, experience the same thrill of Spring! Perhaps living as much out of doors as we do has me even more related to the small shifts in the seasons and the miracles you mention.
Can’t wait for our first calf!
Thanks so much for sharing in such an inspiring way.
A group of college students came to the farm the other day for a tour and visit and NONE of them were interested in an agricultural life, they actually think of being on a farm as a vacation! Their sharing awoke me to how important it is that we farmers make this the "best party in town!" as it truly is!
Thanks, Happy Spring,
Terces

Great photos, Shery – our Hereford calves are arriving, also, a couple born each day since March 20. Wish I had a camera, as our small group of Texas Longhorn mamas are having their calves; so far, one totally brown, one with white body, spotted, with brown head, and third one all white with many spots on head. So glad we have had mild weather in the 40’s and 50’s, this spring. We hope to have all of them branded and out on pasture by May 10. Love seeing your country thru your photo lens!  Martha, near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Hi there—What a wonderful yet extremely busy time of the year. My daughter and husband live on the Family Ranch in Ritzville, Wa. And while calving is over now, the end of January to the first part of March is a mad scramble. CALVING! The babies are so cute and this year they lucked out with only one orphan baby but an older cow lost her calf and these two bonded right away. A little R&R (HA) now and branding is next. MB

Hello, everyone.

I agree with Shery about the cold winds and snow. I live on a ranch on the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies. We just had one of the worst blizzards I have seen in the last 5-6 years. It started on the 1st day of spring and blew for a week. We raise bucking bulls for the PBR (Professional Bull Riders). We don’t start calving until about May because we can have snow until June! Last year we had snow from Halloween (2008) until June 3rd 2009 a whopping 8 months. I love the cold and hate the heat so I am right where I belong. A hot summer day for us is 80 degrees just the way I like it.

Shery, not a single flower here yet. I ride out at false dawn to check the cattle and there are a few critters, but not much else. I live on the Arkansas River and I did see a juvenile black bear a few weeks back playing in the water, but he/she is gone now. I see lots of prong-horn sheep and elk, but they are headed for the high-country before the spring comes into full swing so that they can have their babies.

I broke my back (2nd time with my beloved horses) rescuing a horse last summer so I also use my tractor a lot these days. It has a full cab so I now have AC in the summer and heat in the winter-life is good. Unfortunately, it can’t go where a horse does! The bulls can weigh 2000 pounds and have very bad attitudes and big horns so I need to stay safe. They are pretty sweet unless you corner them and then you have a fight on your hands.

The down-side to where I live is we only have a short season for plants. We only have from about the beginning of June (last frost) and get our first frost in late August. So, my flower and vegetable gardens are short lived. I am in a high altitude. The people in town–about 25 miles away have a 4 month growing season. But, I LOVE where I live-you just have to like solitude and the fact I am 3 hours to a big mall with fancy stores. So, I go once every 6 months and shop for everything all at once. The internet is my friend! LOL!

I love to read all the posts here on this site.

Treesé

shery …I love the spring and all that comes with it…your baby colt is beautiful …can’t wait to meet her in person:)

What a pretty girl! And she looks to be so healthy and strong. Congratulations.

What a beautiful story! Thank-you!

You truly are blessed! And the heart of gratitude comes through in what you say; you said it so well!! Ribbon is absolutely beautiful. Thanks for reminding me to hold onto my dreams.

I was so moved by your story. We are anxiously awaiting the birth of two Rocky Mountain foals due in April. My mare is bred to an outstanding black stallion named Dartanian. I’m hoping for a little black filly. The anticipation is killing me!!!! I pray all goes well. I pray for you during your training process. It appears you have really gotten what every horsewoman dreams of — a safe and remarkable riding companion.

I loved this story, I’m a Morgan horse owner too, and your horses are typey and gorgeous. Congratulations on your beautiful filly. I hope to find a gaited buckskin morgan – I understand your wish for color! Good blog – I always enjoy reading it.

Thank you for your beautiful message. What a beautiful gift. I really needed the encouragement. We bought a log home and 200 acres (nothing but timber and a few fields). My brother was guiding us into making it a place for us and hopefully in the future a place for children to come and experience organic farm life. He died two weeks ago at 54 and now I am lost. How and what and to do next? Thank you so much for your message.

This is the most wonderful story! Made my day. I was practically moved to tears – just goes to show that hard work and a dream are worth the wait – and wait – and wait. I do love Palamino, and Ribbon is a lover – that’s for sure!

XO to my fellow WY cowgirl buddy!

Farm Girls, I love reading your comments. Sheri you are blessed, and to Shirley my sincere condolences for the loss of your brother. Hang in there! Good things will come. Marie

Wonderful pictures! What a nice story, a wonderful message. Your horse is beautiful, and I loved the delivery pictures. Thank you for sharing these, Carol

I just have to comment one more time here! So many wonderful words here from all the farmgirls! I too would like to extend my condolences to Shirley.

And to Deb for inspiring me… I’m 48 and still waiting for my " dream ride".. I know he/she’s out there…all in good time…

Cora Jo, you hit the nail on the head…We " farmgirls" do seem to dream out of the box!
It IS just the norm isn’t it?

To Shery, thanks for all your wonderful words here and for sharing so many of your wonderful and unique Ranch experiences !
Deb~

Hi again from little ole me, I’m awed by all of your varied comments and so tickled that some of you took encouragement with you after reading it. I was deeply moved by Shirley’s note. Shirley, I hope your heart heals over time – I bet that finishing what you and your brother worked on together will help. He would be so proud of you for finding a way to follow your dream. I foresee a beautiful outcome…just follow a path of faith until you get there. Be comforted in the love your brother left behind for you and maybe gather strength from it. My heart goes out to you. Shery J

What a special blessing from the Lord!

Dear Shery,
Love your blog! I too have a special place in my heart for a Palomino. When I was in high school, my father brought home a mare. We called her Golden Lady (Goldie). She was my 4-H project and after that raised some "color" from her. After saying goodbye to her so long ago, I feel God has given me another gift…a Palomino mare we call Promise. God knows our hearts…and He does bless. (Hebrews 11:6) For me, patience is such a hard part of life. Thanks for sharing. Your horses are beautiful!

Shery…thank you for all the your kindness:) I look forward to our farmgirl nights, junk diving and antique trips in the near future.

I so look forward to your posts. I read them over and over. I am a city girl wishing to be a country girl. I am country at heart. Keep up the good work.

TJ, You simply must visit the Farmgirl Connection website which you can visit easily by clicking on the MJF header at the top of this page. Then, join the chat group and that will be a good bet for finding farmgirls in your neck of the woods. I’m sure there are plenty of them. We’re in a much more sparsely populated area, so I’m confident you can locate some farmgirl sisters if you keep diggin’! Thank you for the kind words. Shery J

Oh Shery,
As always, I luv your photos…and the picture with the Geraniums….well, I am sooooo pining away for Spring & Summer as I just luv geraniums in my garden.
Where I use to live, they were perennials…but up here in the Pac/Inland NW they are annuals. I have 5 plants (that I dug out of my garden last fall)in a big plastic container in my family room…waiting to go outside & greet the sun…but for now…they give me joy bringing green into my home.
Farm girl hugz followed by ‘dirt manicures’ lol!

I love your photos and the group’s name. How fitting and adorable!

I love all the photos…I am looking forward reading future blogs….I am a country girl at heart,but still in the city….Thank you

Hi Farmgirls, I contacted Michele and asked for the recipes I mentioned in this article. Here they are. Enjoy! ~Shery J

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

1 2/3 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 stick of butter melted
1 15 0z. canned pumpkin
6 0z chocolate chips (semi-sweet)
2 eggs

preheat oven 350 degrees. fold ingredients with a spatula (wet to dry). In a greased pan bake 25 min for small loafs, 55 min for large loafs, or 15 to 20 min for muffins or until springy to touch….Enjoy:)

Spiced Tea

2 cups Tang
2 packets of Koolade lemonade (unsweetened)
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup instant tea
1/2 tsp cinnamon plus a pinch
1/4 tsp ground cloves plus a pinch

combine and stir well
Add 2 to 4 tsp of mix to coffee cup of hot water and enjoy:)

I enjoy reading the blog and look forward to hearing about all you ranch girls, I live on the east coast. I have an acre more or less and I say this is my farm acre. I love animals and gardening. I am going to try the recipes they sound good. Keep up the good work. Love you all Juanita

I live in the Powell/Cody Wyoming area, how far are y’all away from here?

Oh, can I come to one of your monthly shindigs? I make delicious "edibles"……really, though, (no, really…..can I come?)……your get-togethers sound absolutely wonderful! I’ll bet the laughter is infectious!! Pistol packin’ mamas that can cook and laugh at themselves? Wow…..fun!

Oh, it sounds like your chapter knows how to have some real fun, gun toting and all. Is there something wrong with my computer, your background comes in bright blue and it really hard to read? I look forward to your lovely posts and great pictures.

Brilliant as always. I always love hearing stories of farmgirls getting together and having fun. It is amazing how wonderful life is when we are open to the possibilities.

I love the china!

I invite you to enter my Valentine giveaway. You could win a pink, bead-knitted purse, hand-knit by me, with a chocolate bar charm.

S.W.A.K.

That get together sounds fun, a group I use to meet with once a month stopped getting together, and I miss it. Makes me want to move to your "neck of the country". I am use to cold and wind…I live in Michigan and lived in Utah not too long ago.

It has been said that all of us have made numerous "acquaintances" in our life of travels. The true count of the gift of "friends" is usually found on one hand, and should you be able to count more, Ahhh…..you are truly blessed! I believe you are on the road to a higher count!!

Yes, Shery, your pictures often occupy the background of my desktop. Todays image of the back of the wagon made me say "AWWWW…" to myself, and think that it would be a wonderful trip to go ‘camping’ with just that kind of set-up.
Last year I started to research a Farmgirl group in my area and came up with one woman that I simply did not connect with. You have reminded me that this year would be a wonderful time to start my own group. In caring for my dying mother these past few years, I had lost the time and inclination to seek out friends. Now that mom is gone, my life is a new reality and I need to get back to basics!
Thank you for your contribution,
Jan

Oh Sherry ~ You make me long for my own horse again! I haven’t had one since about 1 1/2 years after I got married (I’m young and only 3 1/2 years from that, but still!). My horse was my best friend growing up, very hard letting him go. Sometimes I come across a picture of him and sit stare at it, wishing. I now have 2 darling little girls that I want to grow up "Farm" and loving horses as I did. My grandmother still has horses (she’s the guilty one who taught me to be a horse crazy-girl!) but she lives in WI and I, like you, live in Wyo. However I don’t think there is a Farm Girl Chapter in my area. So if any of you Farm Girls who read Sherry’s blog would like to start a chapter in Star Valley, Wyoming, there’s already a member here! 🙂
And, as Deb said, pat some horse necks for me, will ya? And maybe a kiss or two on a velvety nose wouldn’t hurt either. Or sniff in the mane. Or a hug around a warm neck. Or… ok I’ll stop. 😛