Kathie in Thorp
Well-known member
Not even sure where to start w/ this. 30 days into retirement, there has been so much going on, plus change, that I'm pretty much dizzy. Spent 1st week with a brother in Oregon, who's going through a nasty divorce, and just trying to be what help I could -- like cleaning out fridge, freezer, pantries, oven, hauling the hens to her new house, finding where she hid their truck and trailer and re-claiming it, dealing with cops (civil -- cops don't care). Came home with 30 lbs. of cherries to turn into jars of brandied cherries for holiday gifts. Garden . . . every day.
Few days ago, we had to doctor a cow for foot rot -- seems to happen once or twice a year. We are in 100 degree heat right now . . . after the hoof treatment in the chute, hubby said, "I wish we'd get rid of every one of those sum-byches!" I said, "WHAT? Some of them or all of them?" He said, "ALL OF THEM!" We are now over-numbered, really, for our acreage w/ 26 head, and I'll admit that. Hubby will be 75 this month. The burden of the heavy daily chores are on him: Winter feeding, summer irrigation. I do the paperwork and marketing, sit up nights with cows due that may have a problem. We both work w/ vaccinations, worming, AI stuff, and doctoring as needed. But, he's had shoulder and knee replacements, and it's not getting easier. And we can never take a few days off together . . . the farm needs to be tended.
In tears, I conceded. Then I made up the sales list. Then I thought, "How can I send them away, one or two at a time, for weeks?!" And I cried some more.
Then, sort of a miracle happened. We have new neighbors that bought the big farm across the tracks from us. They've never done cattle before, but mentioned to us a couple months ago that they'd like to do something with heritage beef-bred cattle. So, after my list was made on Tuesday morning, I sent it w/ hubby to the neighbors -- 21 head. We will keep some spoken-for Fall/Winter butcher beef. Tuesday evening, the neighbors called us and made a very good offer on the whole bunch. We just have the paper-work to do, but deal was sealed with a handshake and a hug, and that works for me. They are learning and wanting to learn. We want to help all we can w/out acting like the animals are still ours. Today, they were testing to see if the cattle respected hot wire, as they will do pasture rotation. Cattle passed that.
So, in 24 hours, I went from tears of sadness to tears of relief that our cattle will stay together; they will have good caretakers with the $ resources to take good care of them; they will be close by; new owners may even lease our pasture and handling facilities for some of them.
Not what I was expecting at retirement, and not that I'm real pleased with, but it'll work. I have to consider family first.
Few days ago, we had to doctor a cow for foot rot -- seems to happen once or twice a year. We are in 100 degree heat right now . . . after the hoof treatment in the chute, hubby said, "I wish we'd get rid of every one of those sum-byches!" I said, "WHAT? Some of them or all of them?" He said, "ALL OF THEM!" We are now over-numbered, really, for our acreage w/ 26 head, and I'll admit that. Hubby will be 75 this month. The burden of the heavy daily chores are on him: Winter feeding, summer irrigation. I do the paperwork and marketing, sit up nights with cows due that may have a problem. We both work w/ vaccinations, worming, AI stuff, and doctoring as needed. But, he's had shoulder and knee replacements, and it's not getting easier. And we can never take a few days off together . . . the farm needs to be tended.
In tears, I conceded. Then I made up the sales list. Then I thought, "How can I send them away, one or two at a time, for weeks?!" And I cried some more.
Then, sort of a miracle happened. We have new neighbors that bought the big farm across the tracks from us. They've never done cattle before, but mentioned to us a couple months ago that they'd like to do something with heritage beef-bred cattle. So, after my list was made on Tuesday morning, I sent it w/ hubby to the neighbors -- 21 head. We will keep some spoken-for Fall/Winter butcher beef. Tuesday evening, the neighbors called us and made a very good offer on the whole bunch. We just have the paper-work to do, but deal was sealed with a handshake and a hug, and that works for me. They are learning and wanting to learn. We want to help all we can w/out acting like the animals are still ours. Today, they were testing to see if the cattle respected hot wire, as they will do pasture rotation. Cattle passed that.
So, in 24 hours, I went from tears of sadness to tears of relief that our cattle will stay together; they will have good caretakers with the $ resources to take good care of them; they will be close by; new owners may even lease our pasture and handling facilities for some of them.
Not what I was expecting at retirement, and not that I'm real pleased with, but it'll work. I have to consider family first.
