30 Below Zero

It's Sunday and it's 30 below zero at our house. We made it to 8 am church and I did the readings. Aurora called. Jewels, one of our "Smoke" mares had a dun skin filly. Could I check to see if she was nursing? A spindly leg filly with a warm blanket on was vigorously nursing; Jewels attentively encouraging her. We texted reassurance to Aurora who was going to church with her family.

Sitting by the wood stove finishing breakfast, I watched our bird feeder denizens filling up on sunflower seeds while the wind whipped up snow devils to dance across our snow covered lawn.

At 30 below, life it still tenacious. It goes on despite the adversity of winter. So, even in our winter of adversity, we should endeavor to persevere.

-Doc

New and Shiny

When riding, I wear a cowboy hat. Cowboys have worn them since there were cowboys.Their uses are only limited by the imagination they protect. My hat had a rough year. My son-in-law Gabe, my grandson Thaddeus, and I were riding in our neighbor’s “hell hole” looking for three wayward heifers. The brush, thorns, and branches would challenge the best of riders. My hat’s crown caught a branch resulting in a five inch rip of the crown...luckily, my crown was spared. We never did find those three heifers, although one did get hit by a car a month later. Both she and the car had a “bad outcome”. So, my hat was shot. I looked on ebay for a replacement. I was looking for a new Gus Style Stetson, 6X…$280, a little steep! Then, a few months ago, I called Terry Hefner who has a Western clothing and sewing business. Yes, she could order a new 10X for $400. So, I asked “Could you repair my old hat?” She said, “I’ll try.” About a month later, she called. I could pick up my repaired hat. The rip was stitched neatly and a patch was placed on the inner surface. It looked good, not great, not good as new, but good enough for the riding I will do.

New and shiny is fine, but good enough is still good enough and while it may not impress folks, good enough is a whole lot cheaper.

-Doc

The Bluebird

Occasionally, a bird will fall down our chimney in the summer and get trapped inside our great room wood stove. I heard fluttering from the stove and investigated. There in the darkness and ashes was a small bird trying to no avail to escape. I reached in and caught it. It struggled, its heart racing as I carried it out to the porch. It was a bluebird. I tossed it to its freedom and off it flew. It was the bluebird of happiness for me. I have learned from this experience that sometimes we find ourselves in a dark place with no apparent way out. Then, the hand of God reaches in, removes us from the darkness and releases us into the light. The bluebird didn’t say thank you, but its flight into the light was sufficient.

-Doc

Little Things

Paula tossed me a Honey Herb Ricola. Pleased, I unwrapped it and soon enjoyed its soothing flavor. I crumpled the wrapper and almost threw it away. I stopped. I uncrumpled it and smoothed it out. I looked at it, a little thing, but amazing. First, the paper was made, sized, and cut to protect the cough drop. Then, the paper coating which was designed to protect and preserve the cough drop. Finally, the picture of the herbs in full color, and “honey herb” written in four languages informed me of its contents. Big things are easy to be impressed with, but how much better, safer, and happier are we because of the little things in life.

-Doc

Git Along Lil Dogies

I am impressed by the guests who attend our DHR Cattle Drive Clinics. They are people with different backgrounds, experiences, and views on life. But, when they are working cattle, they work together, helping each other to get the job done. If a “wreck” happens, they are all there to help!

I wonder if our politicians spent more time in the saddle or behind a manure fork...they might not become better politicians, but they sure would be better human beings.

-Doc